Spreading the word

Posted on 27 Apr 2020 @ 1:59pm by Commander Amelia Fox & Lieutenant Commander Aidan Datari

Mission: Mission 4 - Race against the machine
Location: Main Bridge / Observtion Lounge
Timeline: MD2 1020
1274 words - 2.5 OF Standard Post Measure

ON:

Amelia stepped out of the ready room onto the bridge. She immediately spotted Aidan and headed over to him.

"Lieutenant Datari. Can I have a word with you? In private?" She gestured toward the observation lounge.

Not quite sure what this was going to be about, Aidan nodded and preceded her into the lounge. "How can I help?" he asked uncertainly.

As the door closed behind them, Amelia turned to face him. She decided to take the direct approach. She took a breath.

"I'm pregnant."

"Congratulations ma'am," the Trill answered, "though I'm not sure why exactly you're telling me ma'am..."

"I just thought you better hear if from the source than any rumors that might start flying around. Especially after what happened with... You know who."

"I'm sorry ma'am, but I don't really see how your pregnancy, and who the father is, is any business of mine. That's your private affair ma'am, and to be honest I don't really care about rumours. If you know the truth then that's sufficient for me. As for... you know who... she can do whatever she pleases. If the child is really mine, then Emme and I have agreed the child shall have a father but I want nothing to do with her. If I really am the father, then I will claim the child and raise it. But I still think she's lying."

Amelia nodded. "I don't blame you. Most of what comes out of her mouth are lies. As I said. I thought you should know. And I don't want any this to affect our professional relationship or our friendship."

She straightened her uniform. "That's all Lieutenant."

"Is it?" Aidan arched a single eyebrow at her. "I'm still not sure why you're telling me, specifically. Whoever is the father, I'm sure he'll be thrilled at the prospect. And anyone who knows me well enough, knows not to believe any rumours as I'm very loyal to my wife."

It was Amelia's turn to raise an eyebrow. "I never suggested otherwise Aidan. I know you to be an honorable and decent man. And you know me not to withhold any information. Syvar is the baby's father."

The Trill's eyes widened. "I...did not see that one coming," he admitted, "does he know?"

She nodded. "He was the first person to know. Besides me that is. I just informed the Captain, and now I've just informed you. Syvar has been..... He's been fantastic. We're looking into moving in together."

"That's good," Aidan smiled, "probably very anxious and nervous about it all hm? I know I am." He gave his XO a somewhat goofy smile. "Would you believe me when I say I never expected to become a dad to begin with? Much less marry a woman?"

She smiled back at him "I know what you mean. When I joined this ship, I never imagined I'd find someone like Syvar and start a family. He seemed to take the news very well, and he always knows the right thing to say." She placed a hand on his shoulder "I know you'll make an excellent father."

"A Vulcan smooth talker huh," Aidan chuckled, "that'll be the day. It's good to see you happy though ma'am... I just hope it's not a shift of attention on his part. Word's been going around that he'd been trying to see her, but hasn't since being with you."

Amelia sighed, but smiled “I don’t think we have to worry about him going to see her anymore. Any hold she had over him is gone. And no, it’s not just about shifting his attention.”

"Good." Aidan nodded, sobering a little. "I'm no counselor ma'am, nor am I a doctor, but I am a linguist, language is what I do... and I pride myself on my ability to read someone's body language." He paused. "I don't know Doctor Syvar very well, other than acknowledging he's a good doctor. He spared me from a lot of pain when I was rescued, and I'd like to return that favour. I can see you're happy but like several of the crew, I am questioning the wisdom of this. He was abused by your counterpart, and now it seems as if you're latching onto him."

"I know you're concerned and I appreciate that but, this is my decision." She was still smiling at him, but she spoke calmly and firmly. "I have given this matter serious thought and I have also talked to Syvar and he has.... shared with me how he feels. Are we moving fast? Possibly. But, I know that his feelings for me are true and not in any way related to what he felt for her. I feel closer to him than I've ever felt to anyone and I know in my heart this is the right thing to do and this child will have the love and support of both its mother and father. As my friend, I hope you can see this is what I feel is right."

"Only you know what is right, I can only go on what I see and observe. And I'm concerned, especially since that woman is still on board. The doctor is traumatized, he will go back to her as soon as he can. Trust me ma'am...I know how it feels."

She fixed him with a gaze "And I know how Syvar feels." She didn't really want to mention that Syvar had melded with her but she felt it might be her only option. "I trust him."

"As you should," Aidan answered diplomatically though he could tell she was reigning in her anger. "But I speak from experience, once under control you want nothing but to please the master to avoid hardship. Even afterwards, it's difficult to change and for me it may have been easier as I have my wife. But the doctor.... he went from evil you, to you. I trust you ma'am, but I'm not sure I trust the doctor right now. Not with her still on board."

"Then trust me." She replied. "You do have your wife and Syvar has me and I can assure you that..... woman in the brig has no hold over him anymore."

"Until she's gone, I can't be sure." It was the honest answer. "I can't trust his judgement, especially since she's pregnant too. She'll need frequent check-ups because of where she comes from. Who'll see to them? What will she do when it won't be Syvar? He has insisted before... Word travels fast ma'am."

"There's always the EMH." Amelia replied with a sly smile. "It's rather hard to emotionally manipulate a hologram. Unfortunately, its personality is rather frosty. They should get on fine."

That elicited a chuckle from the Trill. "I suppose," he conceded. "You'll have to as well, or see uhm... The Andorian doctor. Apologies ma'am I forgot his name. I suppose you're grateful to him for saving Syvar's life? Word has it he got... creative." Even if it had been weeks, the rumors were still doing rounds.

"I had heard the same thing, but you know what they say. A rumor will travel around before the truth has had a chance put its shoes on." She took a breath and a smile returned to her face. "I'll look after Syvar. Trust me. Come on, let's get back to the bridge."

Aidan nodded slowly. "Sure," he answered, not quite convinced.

OFF:

●● Lieutenant Amelia Fox
Executive Officer
USS Andromeda


●● Lieutenant Aidan Datari
Chief Science Officer/2nd Officer
USS Andromeda