STF

Rest and Relaxation (TAG Woods)

Posted June 16, 2022, 6:14 a.m. by Lieutenant Commander Markus Woods (Chief Star Fleet Science Officer) (Sam Haynes)

Posted by Lieutenant Sharah Fayth (Chief Star Fleet Medical Officer) in Rest and Relaxation (TAG Woods)

Posted by Lieutenant Commander Markus Woods (Chief Star Fleet Science Officer) in Rest and Relaxation (TAG Woods)

(snip)

Mark raised his glass. “To our family,” he echoed. Finding the way back, he didn’t know if that would happen, could happen. He squeezed the glass in his hand until he was afraid it would shatter, but it held. Touching all around he finally took a longer swig then sighed. His other hand held on to Sharah tightly. He was usually the disciplined and controlled one, stoic even. But the waves just kept coming. He supposed that was the price for letting people in, letting people get close.

He paused to add something then thought better of it, and killed off the last of the whisky in his glass. Good stuff, and he hated going through it fast. ‘Okay, no more of that until I can get a handle on things,’ silently commented to Sharah. Last thing he needed was to embarrass all of them, and especially himself.

Mark

Sharah didn’t really feel like the disciplined one, she was surfing, kind of. The waves were pretty high and wild but the sky was clear for the moment. She squeezed his hand tightly. ‘You don’t have to handle things all the time, you know. And I’m here if you can’t.’ They would find a way back if that’s what they wanted. It might be awhile, she got that sense from Cpt Rende, but they could.

Mark nodded and squeezed her hand back tightly. ‘I know. I can’t bail on this, and this is not a time to fall apart. Maybe later. And too… I’m jut very tired. We all are. it’s been a pretty big ordeal all the way around.’ Even his mental ‘voice’ seemed a bit tired, but was no less affectionate and warm.

There wasn’t a lot Sharah could do at the moment. They were all tired, not just physically, but mentally. The events had taken a toll even on the children. Not knowing who was who or if they could be trusted. Leaving the Viking was hitting Markus hard. Cpt Rende felt conflicted about it. Sharah could tell that much without prying. The captain had incredible mental discipline, and Sharah knew she used it for Sharah’s benefit. For now Sharah could only wrap Mark in affection and lend her strength.

Vedi was shifting from foot to foot and glanced at Tabris. Vedi was the stalwart protector of the group of children, but he was also the more reserved and uncertain in new situations, though he did his best to hide it from the other children. Tabris nodded, “I think now would be a good time.” Sharah tipped her head and smiled. Vedi returned out of the bedroom with a box. Inside he pulled out 9 leather cuff bracelets. The center of each was a symbol that Eldorin and Tabris had created to represent their family. Around it Vedi had etched into it nine different symbols, one for each of the people in the room. Vedi stood there holding them for a long quiet moment. Finally Julin, precocious impatient Julin, “Come on Vedi I want mine!” And he tried to nab one out of the set. Vedi had thought and thought about what he’d wanted to say, but now he was too nervous to say it. So instead he knelt down and buckled Julin’s around his wrist. Then he let Julin help him pass them out.

The young Cardassian boy handed one to Markus, shyly. He really looked up to Markus even though he was too hesitant to say it.

Mark stooped to accept the band and after a moment gave the kiddo a smile and held his gaze, just for a couple seconds. “Thank you.” Mark took a few moments to study it with care, looking over every centimeter, end to end front and back. “Wanna help me put it on?”

Vedi nodded and helped to work the buckle and then he turned the cuff and pointed to one of the symbols. “That one is for you. It took me awhile to get it to look right.” The symbol was a replica of Mark’s bonsai tree but on the pot was what looked like two donuts connected by a tunnel - the symbol for quantum physics. “This one is for Aunt Sharah.” A much smaller replica of Sharah’s bonsai tree with a caduceus on it.

Mark studied it on his wrist, not quite able to help the small, but very pleased smile on his face. “Great choice,” he said quietly, blinking a few times as his vision turned watery, just for a moment. But just as quickly he was able to reel himself back in. It was a little thing but the meaning behind it was great. Especially with Vedi. He might not have been the most outspoken among the kids, but some things spoke louder than words. “Thank you again. I wish I had something I could give back in return.”

When Vedi gave Sharah hers she grinned, “I wondered where this went. I thought it was packed in a crate.” Vedi ducked his head. “It was hard trying to keep a secret from you. I just knew you would rat me out.” Sharah hugged him, “You know Vedi, I think we’d all like to hear what you were going to say.” Vedi looked uncertain but Sharah nodded at him and he sighed, “Well it’s just…Neltus, Mecona and I…we didn’t have a family for a long time, and I know we’re all moving and going different places, but…well Dad says family isn’t about blood it’s about the people who mean something, and well…” he fidgeted from one foot to the other, “I wanted to make something that would say you’re all always my family.”

Mark nodded with a small smile. he’d drink to that, well if he had anything left to drink.

Rende hugged him, kissing the top of his head, Eldorin as well. Julin told him he’d always be his little brother and Netltus told him he was being weird. Sharah looked down at the cuff and leaned against Markus’ side. ‘How did I go from having no one, to all this?’

‘Dunno. When you figure it out, let me know. But for me, I feel like this is more because of your doing, at least on my part.’ Through that simple touch and contact came that feeling of the perpetual outsider. Like her. Save for when it came to Rende. But he was here. It was important to both of them and himself. And over the trip so far, he had to admit the little, or big depending on how you interpreted it, family unit had grown on him even more than he thought it would.

Sharah shook her head, ‘No Markus, feel the emotions around you, they are flowing freely to be felt and shared, no prying needed. You are here because they want you here, not for my sake.’ It wasn’t that they wouldn’t invite him for her, but that even if Sharah and Markus weren’t together, Markus would still be welcome for himself. Rende and Eldorin held a lot of personal affection and professional respect for Markus. Rende was the more obvious, feeling very maternal and mentor-ish toward Markus. There was a little bitter sweetness to it, she was going to miss him a lot. Tabris had worked with Markus during the whole mission and admired his quick mind, but during the trip to the star base he had gotten to know Markus better. He considered him a close friend and was truly happy that Markus and Sharah had found each other. The children were, well children. The adored Markus, purely by instinct, not old enough to understand the whys yet.

‘It’s not that.’ They had all been through so much. Sharah had been through something terrible. They were on the other side of it, bu t he worried about bringing the shadow of that back around the kids. And that they wouldn’t understand why he reacted the way he did in the here and now. And this was meant to be a positive, happy occasion. Not dumping out his own issues on all of them. Sure, leaning on them was good, and hewould. But right now, it was just .... really inappropriate. He wasn’t good with it, in his own conscience. Later, for sure.

“Alright Neltus don’t give him a hard time, go help set the table.” Tabris pointed him toward the larger table that had been brought in for the occasion.

Fayth

Mark remained silent for the moment, out of the way but looked for opportunities to assist where he could, but was content to simply keep his arm around Sharah, hand resting on her hip, and doing his best to be present in the moment.

Woods

Rende maneuvered them all around so that Markus was sitting to her right and Sharah next to him. The dinner was pleasant with plenty of food and enough to drink. Rende and Eldorin, might have been from a race of ‘listeners’, were skilled at directing conversation and engaging in it. There was no talk of the events on Viking. There seemed to be more than enough to talk about. The children were certainly eager to ask questions and talk about anything and everything. When the meal was over Tabris and Eldorin stood from the table and gathered the children up and left the room. It was El-Aurian tradition that the fathers always put the children to bed. It was a memory that had slipped Tabris’ mind until he was reunited with them. Seeing them leave together brought a serene and joyous feeling to Rende. Then she looked at Sharah and Markus.

As they started to dig in, talk and enjoy each other’s company. Mark had been quiet, at first. Partially because he was hungry. But more than that some of the weight began to ease. The stress. Being able to joke, smile, and find some laughter again was more than helpful. It brought back some light. As the rest went to retire for the evening, or at least the kids were being put down for the ‘night’ he relaxed a little more with less people around. Not that they weren’t adorable, but the energy of the evening shifted a little.

“I hope you’ll forgive me the indulgence. I always hated those large gatherings of entire crew for something so personal. It just…lost something.” With a grin she pulled out two PaDDs and handed one to each of them. “Your marching orders. When your leave is over and your both ready to return to duty. CSO and CMO respectively of the Star Fleet out post on the colony of Oed V and served the the star ship Centurion. Under the command of Captain Tori Zei.” Rende reached over and patted her hand. “Yes Chief Medical Officer. You’ve earned it, over and again, Sharah. Your ability to read the hearts and minds of others makes you an outstanding doctor.” She pulled out a small black box and opened it to a solid gold pip, “So it is with great pleasure, Sharah Fayth, that I promote you to the rank of Full Lieutenant with all the rights, privileges and responsibilities therein. When others wanted to create harm, and act out of fear, you stood your ground and fought for peace and understanding. You gave of yourself to find peace. To seek out new civilizations, found it and protected us all.” Rende stood then and walked over to Sharah and reached out to her, “I am honored to present you with the Star Cross.” Sharah sat stunned looking down at the medal now pinned to her clothing. This couldn’t possibly be correct, but with those other senses she knew Rende meant every word. “Thank you, Cpt.” Rende hugged her and then returned to her seat but did not sit.

Mark tilted his head as she’d started to speak about larger occasions and frowned. Then… he smiled, immediately recognizing what she had in mind. Indeed, he hated them to. It was good to see someone come up, and celebrate it. But it was another to drag them out and parade them around, especially if they would rather avoid that much attention. He took the PADD with their new assignment and blinked. OED V was a colony world that had it’s own struggles. They’d only recently finished atmospheric processing, getting the dust and pollutants cycled out after the comet strike. There were opportunities for learning there, a place to catch his breath and more. And Sharah was going to be right there with him. That was a relief. He didn’t want to, but he would have fought to have the same posting. And then being presented with her promotion made him beam brighter. It was bittersweet because of how much the last tour had cost, but he was incredibly proud of her. And as Rende presented the Star Crosshe had to wipe at the corners of his eyes again.

Once Rende was out of the way he scooped her up in a big, tight hug as well, murmuring quietly that he was so proud of her. She knew it, of course, but it was something she needed to hear anyway. After a good half minute he could feel Rende wanting to speak but not interrupt, so he gently withdrew to give her his attention.

“Markus, you’ve given so much to Star Fleet and you have more experience with what’s out there than most captains I know. Your work is exceptional your service above and beyond. I honestly don’t know that Viking would have made it without you at my side. When I made the horrible misjudgment about who I thought was Kohr, you helped me find the solution and a way forward. You lead the crew as if you’d always been the First Officer. You kept everyone safe, focused, and never wavered. At least where anyone could see, and that is the best any leader can do. For your work in saving the Federation from a war with a people who were not our enemy it is my honor to present you with the Christopher Pike Medal of Valor.” Rende reached out and pinned the medal to Mark’s shirt.

It was hard to see again. He knew every word she said was true, and she felt it and meant it. Which only made it that more intense. So much stress, anxiety, and even negativity, doubt, fear and built up within him. It drew up relief even as it scraped against the raw and angry wounds across his heart and soul, drawing out some of the worst and casting it free. Had it come from most anyone else, or anyone that hadn’t been there at least, it would have felt so disingenuous. And so cheap. But from her, HIS captain, mentor, and… friend (he’d like to think), meant so much more. It was validating in a way that he didn’t even know he needed or felt in a long time.

“The joy of being me is I can do this, too.” Another small black box appeared. “Markus Woods, you have the skill and knowledge and passion to be a great leader. We’ve talked some off and on and I’ve decided to make the decision a little easier.” Opening the box was another pip, this one hollow. “I am proud to promote you to the rank of Lieutenant Commander with all the rights, privileges and responsibilities therein. That also means you are now eligible to take the bridge officer’s test.” She hugged him and even kissed him on the cheek. “I’m proud of both of you, you deserve this.” A look passed between Sharah and Rende. “Sharah, can I borrow Markus for a few minutes?” Sharah hugged him with a soft congratulations and then slipped away.

Mark hugged Rende back with surprising strength, trembling a little. He’d found even footing, and while the honors she heaped on him were great, and meant so much, by the same turn it was again almost too much. When he found Sharah with her arms around him again, he held on for dear life, just for a few moments. Taking a few deep breaths he reached for the silence again, finding it a little easier now than before. Wiping at the corner of one eye he seemed to regain control. “Congratulations to you too, Lieutenant,” he murmured. “May God have mercy on your soul.” He broke into a momentary grin at that, then slowly straightened. Reaching out, he drained his glass once more.

Rende waved to the door, and then slipped her hand into the crook of his arm. “Come on, give this ancient woman your arm so I don’t stumble and fall. Let’s take a stroll and talk, Markus.”

Sharah and Rende

“Yes ma’am,” he said, standing quickly and slipping the black box into an unobtrusive pocket. The ma’am was less formal and said almost as a term of endearment. Stepping out into the brighter corridor, he took a deep, steadying breath. “I want to apologize for being so off balance tonight. I feel like I have a broken rudder and my sails rigging is all knotted up.” He didn’t usually use sailing analogies, but for two Navy people, it somehow felt appropriate.

Markus Woods


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