Family ain't easy

Posted on 18 Jan 2022 @ 4:19pm by Lieutenant JG Rosaline Belikov & Captain Jonathan Reynolds

Mission: Picking up the pieces
Location: Ready room
766 words - 1.5 OF Standard Post Measure

ON:

"Come," Jon nodded towards the door.

Stepping into the Ready Room, Rose stopped and stood opposite of the CO, "You asked for me sir?"

"I wanted to touch base with you and well this is awkward but I have been contacted several times now by I believe your in-laws and they keep asking for messages to be passed.

I know its none of my business and you don't have to explain anything. I would just like you to have a word and ask that they cease now," Jon said.

Giving an irritated sigh, Rose had to resist the urge to facepalm, "God damn it, I hoped they would've just left us alone. Perhaps I should change my name back to Ashton" she mumbled to herself before looking back up at Jon, "I never got along with my Husband's Parents. They had an annoying tendency to keep butting their noses in where they weren't welcome, no matter how many times Demitri asked for them to stop. I was hoping after I transferred that they might loose track of me. I guess that was too much to ask for"

"Ahh well take it from one who has also been married, a mother in law can be one of the most powerful forces in the universe. Usually nothing gets past them if they are looking for something," Jon commented. "What's your plan then? I mean ultimately they could file for custody access now they have found you. As you know my ex wife is onboard, I have some experience in that process," Jon stated.

Rose suddenly looked terrified, "what do you mean they can file for custody? Ziva is my child not theirs!" she said, starting to get angry, "What should I do? I have no experience with things like this, but you said you do"

"Ziva is their grandchild through. I don't mean they will file for custody, that's worst case scenario stuff sorry .... but they clearly want some access. If they are willing to hassle your CO to try get in touch with you they want to see Ziva. And maybe you too," Jon said.

Taking a few deep breaths to calm herself down, Rose sat down across from Job and looked up at him, “what do you think I should do? The last time I saw them was at the wedding”

"Well opening a dialog could be a start. If your open," Jon said. "Someone could help if you feel the need. Cassie, I mean the chief counselor was helpful with Lieutenant Stevens in communicating to his ... well his daughters grandparents. That ones a bit more of a different situation I guess."

"I mean you need to weigh it up, would it be a bad thing letting them have some access. Mostly its going to be subspace, unless they petition to be onboard the ship. We will continue to move about, so otherwise its them travelling to you when we have some R&R. Short blasts? Can you manage that?"

Rose nodded, "alright, I'll give it a shot. I might swing by the counselor's office later on to ask their advice as well" she said, sitting back in her chair, "I just hope this doesn't go south"

“Well if it does you can always look back knowing you tried right?” Jon said. “But please speak to them so they know it’s inappropriate to be directly contacting your CO.”

“I’ll make sure to make that clear to them. I’m sorry my private matters disturbed your day”

"Hey if I'm off the clock I'm not so bothered. But patched though to my ready room. How did they even manage to get this channel?" Jon mused.

"I have no idea, that will have to be another question I ask them. I'm sure they called in a favor from someone they know in Starfleet Command"

"Well doesn't that just make you warm and fuzzy," Jon quipped. The idea of someone back at command happily giving his details out to strangers was disconcerting.

Rose nodded, the idea doesn’t thrill me either. If you wish, I could change our communication protocols so this kind of thing doesn’t happen again”

“Make it so,” Jon agreed. “Right,” he stood up, “one more thing. I’m putting you on the first lists for R&R on Ds21. No arguments. Go have some quality time with your daughter.”

Opening her mouth to argue, Rose stopped before she said anything and simply nodded, "Yes sir"

OFF:

Captain Jonathan Reynolds
CO, USS Andromeda

Lieutenant JG Rosaline Belikov
Chief of Intelligence
USS Andromeda