STF

Peace Offerings

Posted May 8, 2021, 10:58 a.m. by Lieutenant Dr. Solomon Kane (Medical Research & Development) (James Sinclair)

Posted by Lieutenant Alexis Bonner (Scientist, Medical Researcher) in Peace Offerings

Posted by Lieutenant Dr. Solomon Kane (Medical Research & Development) in Peace Offerings

Posted by Lieutenant Alexis Bonner (Scientist, Medical Researcher) in Peace Offerings
Posted by… suppressed (11) by the Post Ghost! 👻
snip

Kane picked up a piece of his steak and held out to Frigga.

He looked down and said “She said yes and then caught herself. But she said yes!” and he scratched her ears. Looking back up, he smiled and said “Rare, with mustard, pickle, lettuce, onion. No. That scar is from the receiver on a Naussican fully automatic projectile rifle biting me when I tried to reload too fast. Cut through the muscle and stopped at the bone. Took a few months to heal and a s%$# ton of Physical Therapy. I’m really looking forward to teaching you Mandarin. It means more time to spend with you, and that is the perfect amount of personal. What’s it like having family? Did you move around a lot? What kind of stuff does she bake? What kind of science does he teach? Did you want siblings? If you couldn’t be a doctor what would you be? Do you bake too? Did you like growing up there? You know I’m going to kiss you, right? Why only average? Do you speak any other languages? What do you think would be meaningful enough to get a tattoo of? Why Copernicium 112? Why green? What do you want for dessert? Do you want to go for a walk? Are you worried about the Observation Deck? Do we need to change the location? Will you let me cook for you? Why do you like me? What do you think of the new ship? Where do you want to retire to? What is your least favorite smell?”

Kane

Kane could almost hear the chant of ‘steak, steak, steak, steak’ coming from Frigga as she gently took the bite. Her tail thumped loudly as he spoke and she leaned into the ear scratches. She was perfectly happy to keep him around if the was the keeper of the steak, and if he could make Alexis eat, that was even better.

With impeccable timing, the server arrived back with the third, cut perfectly into squares. Kane nodded once in silent thanks and then proceeded to begin, a piece at a time, slowly feeding Frigga.

She knew what he was doing. By feeding Frigga directly he was establishing himself as the alpha, the one in charge. The last person who tried to do that, Alexis lectured for over an hour. This time she just looked at Solomon, should she really make it that easy for him?

Alexis turned redder as he talked to Frigga and without seemingly any effort her dog was now conspiring with the man sitting across from her. Her mind filled away how he liked his hamburgers. She blinked trying to figure out…”Why or maybe where did you need to use a Naussican rile?” She couldn’t place any recent events in the last years where the Naussican’s were invovled in any violent acts. They were violent but where Star Fleet was involved. Oh, right probably with the Syndicate, or on New Detroit, but that was 150 years ago. He wasn’t going to answer that though, and in the lounge wasn’t the place if he would. “But more importantly it healed but did it heal completely?” Oh yes she was planning on fixing it if it wasn’t. A scar was one thing but deep scaring inside was another. “I’ve been told Mandarin is really hard to learn, so that would like what…a week for me?” She grinned, she was teasing, picking fun at herself and him, just a little. “It was nice. It was always lonely when I was a kid, but I always had my parents so I wasn’t really alone. They fought for me when the teachers thought I was a problem child. When the local schools couldn’t keep up with me, my dad took me with him to work and I got to study whatever I could get my hands on. No we didn’t move around a lot. My mom travelled with my dad wherever he went, but when she got pregnant with me my dad took a job at the Academy. He knew she didn’t want to raise her children on a star ship. She bakes everything: bread, pastries, meat pies, pastas, if you want it she’ll find a way to bake it. Dad teaches exobiology and ecology. I did want siblings. The other kids didn’t understand me and I didn’t understand them, and I had this fantasy in my head that if I had siblings they would understand me and I wouldn’t be lonely. A veterinarian. I like animals, but I guess that’s a non-answer since I have that degree too. I got it so I could take care of Frigga, most ships don’t have a vet on board. I do bake though I haven’t in a long time. It’s my favorite way to practice chemistry. Tell me what you like and I’ll make it. I did like growing up there. When I was young it was frustrating because there was a lot of focus on leisure and I just wanted to learn more and more, but my parents insisted I had to take breaks.” Her hand jerked in his, and she looked away and then back at him, “Why?” She sipped her wine for something to do, finding the flow of the conversation again. “Because I preferred to be inside reading than outside. A little Catian, Spanish, sign language, Vulcan, and a little Klingon. Something that would represent a defining moment in my life or expressed who I am. Because Copernicium is considered the strangest of the elements. Green is the color of life. If a planet is green it can support life. Carbon based life anyway. Strawberry Shortcake. We can, but Frigga will be mad if we go before she gets her food. No, the lounge is lit and I don’t have to look out the window. Where would we change it to if we did? Yes, but only if I get to cook for you. You let me ask questions and you questioned me. You thought I was wrong in the lab with Borchek and you questioned me. Most people see it’s me and assume I can’t make mistakes. It doesn’t happen often thought,” She smiled a little. “You answer my questions and don’t roll your eyes. You know things I don’t, you ask questions about me and not what I am. And the more you tell me about you the more incredible I think you are. I think the new ship is a doctors dream, but I wish it was bigger to allow us to provide more sustained and long term care, but that isn’t the mission of the ship. I guess I would go back to Earth I’ve never considered it, not having work to do. Chocolate. I hate the smell of it.” And then what she said caught up with her…
Bonner

“The rifle was the SAR crew gun we used to secure landing zones before we extracted wounded. Yeah, it healed completely… after I did some work on it. Removed the scar tissue, sutured donor ligament to replace the torn and scarred section. Full range of motion and full sensitivity. And if it takes you a week, you’ll have let me down, gorgeous.” and he winked at her and squeezed her hand, which was still in his. “Never knew who my folks were, so I can’t talk to that. They didn’t understand you because they didn’t take the time to get to know you, so f$#@ them. That’s their loss, not yours. And because I really want to and I think you do too, but you can tell me I’m wrong and I won’t. We could go to one of the auxiliary labs where no one works yet. Private, and no darkness. You can cook for me anytime you want, but only if it’s in one of our quarters. Everyone makes mistakes. Anyone that says they don’t is selling something. I think you’re incredible too, and challenging as all hell. But that’s a good thing. Great things are hard to get to. And I think you are so worth the work. from what I have seen so far.. What else you wanna know?” and gave Frigga another piece of steak.

Kane

She didn’t say anything instead she ate quietly for a few moments. Her meal still mostly untouched. Intellectually she understood the way he described it, but she couldn’t quite imagine it. “You operated on yourself. I suppose any doctor has the skill to do that. Necessity make us do things we’d never expect.” It was one thing to operate on another person but to do so on yourself was another thing. You didn’t have to feel it, there might not be pain but there was still sensation, pressure. “I was trying to be considerate,” she grinned. She didn’t exactly blush, that seemed to be a consistent state for the evening. “Less than a week will require you to keep up.” She squeezed his hand in return. He sounded so … defensive on her behalf, and she didn’t understand why. She didn’t say he was wrong because he wasn’t, and she wasn’t going to lie about it. The rest she didn’t know what to say too. He’d effectively left her speechless and feeling incredibly shy. She thought about it. “Who submitted your papers? Why do you get angry? What is your favorite tattoo? What did you do to the ear pods? And if Frigga starts stealing food from the table I’m blaming you. Why did you go into search and rescue?” There was more, she’d had hundreds, but his last statements left her speechless.

Frigga on the other hand was quite happy with her steak and taking it from Kane. She looked from one to the other, but Alexis wasn’t making her stop, so she kept taking the treats happily.
Bonner

“A…” and his face clouded over for a moment before he shook it off, ‘“… friend… submitted them. Made me step up. Still owe him for that one. Anger… is kinda my default setting, I guess. My favorite tattoo… probably a double helix pattern on top of the Periodic Table. I’ll know for certain someday, I hope. I added a tempanic membrane monitor and sublingual pickup so we can whisper and hear each other. Frigga wants what she wants, like any intelligent woman. Search and Rescue was the hardest job to get, and the best way to help people. So that’s why. Do you like holding my hand, Alexis?” Frigga got another piece of steak.

Kane

There was a seriousness to her next question that had her tugging her in his grasp, more out of reflex from some memory than actual desire to let go. “What happens if you get angry at me? You’ll have to wait and find out, Solomon. Until then out of your own what’s your favorite.” She didn’t say no. “Frigga is very smart, and if you aren’t careful you’ll be hand feeding her steak every time she sees you.” He liked to be challenged, something to work towards. “Search and rescue or Star Fleet? Yes, I do.” Frigga nosed his hand, more because she liked the attention than the food, but she wouldn’t turn down food from the steak keeper.
Bonner

He looked at her and his thumb began the runbing motion again. “I will, I’m sure. But I promise you that I’ll talk first, not lash out. And I’ll wait, its worth it. I don’t have one. Frigga is smart, and she’ll know I’m not one to keep her fed without some form of reciprocity. Both. And I like to hold yours, too. I look forward to doing often. Are you full? Want to take that walk now? And how long do I have you for tonight? Don’t want to interfere with your work… even though that is interfering with me seeing you tomorrow.”

Kane

Her eyes flickered softly, she liked the way he did that, rubbed his thumb over the back of her hand. “You said you liked some of them though. What’s one you do like?” This focus on his favorite tattoo might be what she was telling him earlier. Her tendency to hyper focus on something and then seemingly frantic move on to something else; although a slight example. “I am. I would like that, and at least two more hours.” She looked down at her lap, but if he would talk to her if he got angry then she could try to explain to him. She made herself look at him, her voice very very low. “Solomon, don’t do that, please? I know I work a lot, but I need my work. I will give you my free time because I want to, but please don’t use guilt against me.” She tugged at her hand her intention to get up. Frigga had other ideas. Instead of getting up, Alexis found herself stuck to the chair, Frigga’s front paws and upper body draped heavily across her lap. Frigga looked at Kane, the expression clear. ‘Reciprocity: you fed me, and I keep her here.’ Alexis ran her fingers through Frigga’s fur. “I understand that’s not what you meant. I understand you were teasing. I also understand that my reaction has everything to do with how he learned to manipulate me. That you meant it to be teasing, but that how I see the implications gives me a sick feeling in my stomach.”
Bonner

Kane looked at her for a moment. “You know, for someone who studies biology and genetics all day every day, you really miss some obvious stuff… like for instance I’m not him. Never have been, never will be. Now… I get he hurt you a lot. Wounds like that take a long time to heal. But if you keep comparing your present to your past, you’ll only see what’s wrong. Not whats right… in front of you.” Heet go of her hand and leaned back, but left his hand on the table.

“Trust me. I know that lesson better than anyone you will ever know.”

Kane

“I know that. I don’t think you’re him. If something bothers me, for whatever the reason, shouldn’t I be able to tell you? I wanted to explain, I wanted to be honest. Instead of being silent I wanted,” she looked at him. Brown eyes meeting green. “I want what’s right in front of me.” She reached over and put her hand in his again. “I want this.”
Bonner

Green eyes, one barely visible through strands of brown, stayed locked on brown and a tattooed hand closed on a blank canvas hand. Lips, half hidden by cascading hair, turned slightly upwards.

“Hey now, Doc… thats pretty forward of you. Talk like that could lead someone to believe that you are actually excited that I’m going to kiss you later tonight.”

Kane

Alexis blushed but didn’t deny it but she didn’t admit it either. “Can we go walk now?” Frigga hopped off her lap and turned a couple circles. She knew what a walk was. She nosed Kane’s other hand. Alexis sighed but she was smiling. “You’ve stolen my dog.”
Bonner

“Hope that’s not all I’ve stolen.” he said matter-of-factly as he slid past the table. He stood up, but reached down and scratched Frigga’s head. “See? I’m not so bad. And she ate too, didn’t she? She’s in good hands, don’t you worry.” he said to the dog before looking at Alexis. “Lead on, Doc.” he said with a look that was hard to decipher.

Kane

Frigga’s tongue lolled with laughter. She thought this was fantastic. Alexis felt like she was missing some double meaning in his words. “Come on Frigga. I know where you want to go.” Dogs were meant to be outside, to run, roll, play, chase, wear themselves out. You couldn’t really get outside on a Star ship, but the arboretum was the next best thing. Frigga bounded away down the corridor and back waiting for them to catch up with her.
Bonner

Kane let the women of the group lead the way, and he took the opportunity to, really for the first time, look at Alexis. She was beautiful, no doubt. That he knew the first time he saw her. But now he watched her as she walked, as she played with Frigga, as she moved and her muscles responded to all those billions of nerve simulations and contracted and relaxed in concert with each other and her hair flowed around her.

It was an amazing show… and a great view. Kane chuckled softly to himself and then moved up next to her. He took her hand and interlaced his fingers into hers, and walked along silently; waiting for her to speak.

Kane

Alexis looked down at their hands, not sure if she was surprised by it, but she liked it. She glanced at him and smiled. Once to the arboretum Frigga disappeared into the plant life and several greetings could be heard following her trail. “What do you do when you aren’t in the lab reading current events?”

Frigga appeared, bounding between two bushes a ball held in her mouth. She dropped it at their feet, crouched low ready to snatch it away.
Bonner

Kane picked up the ball and deftly tossed it down a path, spinning it so it bounced at odd angles and really made Frigga work to run it down.

“So… part of my ‘situation’ is that I have to get caught up on the things I missed while I was away. I get random comms asking me generalized bulls$#@ questions about stupid random crap that I honestly never would have paid attention to to begin with. The better I do, the longer the leash. The longer the leash, the more chance I have at breaking it. Right now, the leash is giving me enough room to breathe. So I do what I can to keep it that way. So that’s a long way of saying I don’t do too much.”

Kane


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