From: Aspinall (paspinall_at_blueyonder.co.uk)
Date: Tue Apr 17 2007 - 14:10:43 PDT
NRPG: Description of Mad'hron Zanders house: (this way
I don't have to keep referring to it during the
novella and you can ignore it or not.)
The house is built into the side of a mountain. It is
a large one level building, with a verandah that runs
around two sides of it. The verandah is on stilts with
a hanger area built underneath the house. The
building is made of wood and slate and from a distance
merges into the forests and the mountains that
surround it.
The forest is cleared from the rear of the house to
give a small back garden which has been allowed to
become slightly over grown and there are lots of bird
boxes and bird feeders scattered around. There is a
large jungle gym for the children to use.
A stone path leads through some bushes and down
towards the guest house.
The back door (which is the main door being in Wales)
leads straight into a large kitchen. A massive aga
range fills almost one wall, and also heats the rest
of the house in winter; this is the hub of the house
as Maddie always prepares fresh food for most of the
meals. There is a large oak table, which is
surrounded by mismatched chairs, all from the local
craft shops. The walls are a warm terracotta colour
which contrasts with the dark grey of the slate
floors, (all of the floors through the cottage are
slate in various shades).
The kitchen opens out into the large living area, the
far wall is completely made from windows, which can be
pushed back to allow access to the verandah in summer.
The walls in the living room are mainly slate. There
are shelves and tables scattered around the room which
are covered in a variety of books, stones, fossils,
shells and other curious items that the family have
collected throughout their travels.
There is a large oak staircase in the far corner which
leads to the sleeping area, which is built slightly
higher up the mountain then the rest of the house.
The children have rooms on one side of the staircase
and Maddie and Ty's room is on the other. There are
guest rooms on the opposite side of the house.
There is a large bathroom which is built into the side
of the mountain, and looks and feels almost like being
in a cave.
The guest house is a simple cottage just down hill
from the main house. There are two bedrooms, a living
room, bathroom and small kitchen.
-------------------------------------------------
Start of Novella proper.
Time index: From leaving ANDULUSIA VII to just
immediately prior to my diposition post.
Location: SAHRIV
Scene: Main Cockpit/Seating Area
Mad'hron Zanders was lounging in one of the
comfortable bucket seats that were set up in SAHRIV's
main seating area. Her long legs, currently clad in
black jeans with sequins up the side, were crossed and
her elbows rested on her thighs, her hands nursing a
mug of something that was steaming. Her dark eyes
were regarding the shifting scene of streaking stars
across the translucent bulkhead. Her thoughts,
however, were light years away with her crew on
ANDULUSIA VII. She felt guilty about being here and
not there, but the maternal part of her was slowly
unwinding.
Maddie knew that Ty, B'rak and Ronnie were busy in the
main engineering section of their ship; running
diagnostic checks on SAHRIV's higher brain functions,
and all of her sub-systems. The two engineers in the
trio were looking forward to the task ahead of them.
It was even distracting Ronnie from her daily check
ups with the Borg medic who had been designated to
come with them.
Her thought's, though were interrupted by the sound of
the doors swishing open.
"Mum?" Her eldest daughter spoke softly, as if she
didn't want to disturb the older woman if she was
busy.
"Yes honey." Maddie spun the chair around and her
plain red t-shirt seemed to shimmer in the low
lighting that lit the cockpit area. She kept her
expression as neutral as possible so that she did not
scare her daughter. The Vulcan hybrid placed the
drink down on a nearby console so she could give the
smaller hybrid her complete attention.
"Can we talk?"
"Of course." Mad'hron motioned to the seat next to
her, "Come and sit with me."
Xandria padded barefoot across the room and hopped
onto a duplicate bucket seat. Her petite form clad in
her pale pink pyjamas. "Are we on holiday because of
me?" She asked hesitantly.
"Partly." The elder Vulcan hybrid admitted, "But only
in part."
"I see.."
"Do you?" Maddie raised an eyebrow and regarded her
eldest child, "Yes you probably do."
"Would it help if I said I was sorry?"
"You've already apologised." Her mother softly
reminded her, "And I told you then that it didn't
matter."
"We should have been more aware." Xandria whispered.
"You made decisions that shouldn't have had to have
been thrust on you child." The taller woman
shrugged, "It's in the past and it is forgotten."
"Really?"
"By me?" Maddie turned to face her daughter, "Yes.
By the rest of our crew, of course. Their children
were returned to them unharmed and that is all that
matters."
"I wish I could remember more of what happened."
"Don't force it Xandy. It's not necessary. At least
you have remembered me and Ty."
"And the others." Xandy nodded. "I hate this
blankness I can see. It's like a wall across my
memories." Her young shoulders slumped.
"Come with me." Maddie rose to her full height and
held out her hand to her daughter, "I want to show you
something."
The two hybrids walked across the room and through the
doors into a long corrider. Their hair bouncing in
exactly the same way. Maddie paused outside a door
and gently tapped in a code. The door swished open.
Calmly Mad'hron walked out into a dark room. Xandria
paused on the threshold.
"Come on." Maddie encouraged the younger hybrid,
"It's perfectly safe."
Xandria cautiously stepped into the room and the door
closed behind her. Suddenly she was enveloped in a
warm darkness.
"Stand still and allow your eyes to adjust." Her
mother softly commanded her.
Xandria did as she was told and after a few minutes
soft lights started to light up around her and she
found herself *floating* in the middle of a star
field. "Wow." She gasped.
"Lovely isn't it." Mad'hron smiled and held out her
hand, "Come over here."
The younger hybrid did as she was asked and arrived at
her mother's side.
"Now this is a real star map. And before you ask, no
I have no idea where these stars are. Even T'halian
isn't sure." Maddie looked around, "Though we think
that pinker star maybe Tara'saigh." She pointed to a
star roughly in the middle of the field. "Now do you
trust me?"
"Is that a trick question, considering our recent
experiences mother?" Xandria asked a bemused
expression on her face.
Maddie sighed and looked at her daughter; her daughter
who was still only young but sometimes acted far
beyond her 11 years. "Yes even given that?"
"Yes." To prove her point Xandria placed her hand in
her mother's.
"Good." She lifted her head, "Slowly switch off
gravity controls, in this room only." So saying the
two hybrids found themselves actually floating into
the air. "Now lie on your back." To show her
daughter what she meant, Maddie herself flipped onto
her back so that she was lying down.
Xandria glanced at her mother and more cautiously did
as she'd been shown. "Now what?"
"Always so impatient." Maddie laughed, "Alright
Xandy. Pick a star somewhere above you."
"Any one?"
"Which ever one you like." Her mother assured her,
"It doesn't really matter."
"Ok." Xandria focused on a star up above her, "Now
what?"
"Now I am going to teach you the S'At." Maddie
informed her, "You pick something that you can focus
on minutely. Then you slow your breathing down like
this." She took a deep breath, "In and hold it, then
exhale slowly through your nose." She demonstrated.
"Your breathing should drop by half."
"What is S'At?" Xandria asked.
"It's a form of Vulcan meditation." Maddie told her.
"We do it when we are stressed, or in need of rest but
cannot find the time to sleep."
Xandria nodded, "Will come in handy when I take my
exams."
"Indeed." Maddie giggled, "Now concentrate on your
breathing."
-[/\]-
Time index: Several hours later
Location: EARTH
Scene: Snowdonia National Park Wales; Mountainside
The silver ship dropped easily from the sky and flew
low across the green forest. Mad'hron Zanders was
piloting the sleek craft and her fingers gently guided
the ship towards a house that was built into the side
of a mountain at the far side of the valley.
Ronnie sat next to her twin; half of her face still
covered by a white mask. Her eyes fixed firmly on the
house that had come into view. "This isn't where we
stayed last time Mads."
"No." Maddie shook her head, "It's not, that's our
parents' house, and this is mine." Pride entered the
half Vulcan's voice. "I designed it myself and a
friend built it for me. Mother and Father live higher
up the valley."
As the ship flew closer, doors underneath the house
slid upwards. The ship flew underneath the doors and
settled into a hanger.
Mad'hron operated the doors and stepped away from the
seat. She looked at her *sister*, "Are you sure you
and B'rak don't mind working on SAHRIV? I mean this
is your holiday too."
"We've been told to take a vacation, and as our crew
is away it makes sense." Ronnie hesitated, "Besides
it'll give me something to do whilst I mend. And also
how many times will we get to work on something as
unique as SAHRIV?"
The two tall women moved gracefully towards the doors
that led through into the rest of the ship. B'rak met
them at the doors. His hands full of bags. "Where do
I take these?" He rumbled.
"There's a staircase at the back of the hanger, they
will take you straight into the house just leave them
in the kitchen." Maddie informed the massive alien.
B'rak nodded, turned his steady green gaze to Ronnie
and raised his lips in his approximation of a smile.
Ronnie smiled back, "We'll be with you in a few
minutes."
She watched the tall dark skinned male leave. Maddie
hid a smile, "Come on I want to get the kids."
"Xandria?"
"Still roughly the same." Mad'hron shrugged,
"Hopefully some time at home might help."
"We've all had a tough time the past few weeks."
"Some more then most." The two tall women paused as
the tall dark haired figure of Maddie's partner
appeared at the other end of the corrider. Ronnie
grabbed a large bag, "I'll give B'rak a hand."
Maddie was left standing in front of T'halian. The
two hybrids regarded each other cautiously. Mad'hron
hated that there was such a huge gap between them.
Finally she broke the uncomfortable silence, "Are you
going to stay in SAHRIV or come up to the house?"
"I'd not decided." The Tara'saighian admitted. He
rubbed his arms, and looked almost lost, "I don't want
to be an added burden."
"What like a child?" Maddie finally snapped. "Well
you're certainly acting like one at the moment." She
took a deep breath as her anger finally overwhelmed
her. "I'm sick of the self-pity and self-loathing. I
thought over the past few months, considering what
we've both gone through, that we were closer then
every. But I obviously got that wrong."
"I hate not being able to sense anything, it's like
being blind."
She glared up at her partner, "You have no idea what
being blind is like..."
"I'm sorry. Mads." He tried to apologise.
"No forget it." She swallowed, "We love you Ty and
that's all I have to say on the matter at the moment.
But consider this, did you think about turning your
back on me when I was blind and scarred?"
"No." He whispered.
"Then why is this any different?" She pushed past him
and headed to the rear of SAHRIV. Her shoulders stiff
with anger.
T'halian watched his partner leave him and looked
around the still and silent ship. It felt as cold and
empty inside as he did. He walked slowly towards the
large console that dominated the main area of SAHRIV.
Taking a deep breath he popped open a hatch and
grabbed a nearby tool belt.
Qvar watched from the shadows. The small Katadalik
felt torn. She'd never tried to *speak* to T'halian
before but she did now. After a few minutes she shook
her head and silently padded away.
-[/\]-
Scene: Kitchen -> Outside Pathway -> Cottage
B'rak was staring at the house with bemusement.
Maddie entered, Rosie tucked onto her hip the little
girl's small pudgy fingers threaded into her mother's
hair. Tomas was skipping at her side. Xandria
cautiously followed the rest of her family inside but
was immediately captivated by the view through the
huge windows on the opposite side of the large room.
The Vulcan hybrid carefully placed her almost toddler
onto the floor. "Be careful Rosie." She cautioned
her youngest child. "Tomas you know where your room
is?"
"Yes Mum." Tomas nodded and smiled, his dimples
flashing briefly, "Can Qvar sleep with me?"
"If she wishes." Maddie smiled, "Perhaps you would
like to show her?"
Qvar leapt from Maddie's shoulder onto the top of
Tomas's head. **I would like that very much.** She
spoke gently to both of the telepaths.
B'rak blinked his green eyes, "This is unusual."
"For a Vulcan?" Maddie gently teased the tall male,
"Or for me?"
"I.." He paused and searched for the correct words.
"I'm teasing B'rak." She touched his arm. "This is
home." She motioned with her hands, "But if you think
my house is unusual then you should see Mother's."
Ronnie had reappeared and was wiping her hands on a
cloth; a smudge of oil had appeared on the back of her
hand. "The hanger is fab Mads." She smiled and
looked the most relaxed she had in a long time.
"Sorry couldn't resist looking through the tools."
"That's alright make yourself at home." Maddie smiled
at her duplicate. "I thought you and B'rak would like
to use the cottage."
"That would be great." Ronnie nodded. "Meals?"
"Here of course unless you wish to remain on your
own."
B'rak looked between the two women. "Cottage?"
"Well Mads calls it a cottage, but it's nearly as big
as this place." Ronnie grinned, "You'll like it, and
it's slightly more formal than in here too."
"Only because Mother decorated it; anyway I thought
that you both could do with some peace and quiet. My
brood tends to wake early and they definitely don't
understand the meaning of the words be quiet."
"Thanks." Ronnie smiled and looked around eager to
reacquaint herself with her *sister's* home.
Xandria finally tore herself from the view, "Can I see
where I am sleeping?" She asked softly.
"Of course," Maddie nodded, "Ronnie do you want to
show B'rak the way to the cottage and I'll speak with
you both later." She rescued Rosie from trying to
climb one of the book cases and headed for the
stairway at the rear of the room.
Ronnie grabbed B'rak's massive hand and led the way
from the house. The two walked down a narrow winding
wooded path. There was a sharp bend in the path and
then the cottage was revealed. Made entirely of wood,
it looked more like a log cabin then a cottage. The
door opened as they approached.
Inside the large living area was much more segregated
off then in the main house. Ronnie pointed, "Kitchen
is through that door, library through that one, and
this is the living room." She paused and breathed
deeply, "There are bedrooms on either side of the
stairway. Both are large and you can have either,
there is a large shared bathroom though in the
middle."
B'rak looked at Ronnie, a strange glint in his eye.
"You wish to have your own room?"
"Well..." Ronnie blushed, "I mean.."
B'rak bent his head, his laugh rumbling through his
chest, "I am trying this teasing? Does it work?"
Ronnie smiled at him and stroked his face, "Yes." She
lifted her lips to his, "Definitely improving."
-[/\]-
Scene: House : Kitchen
Light spilled out of the house and down the path. The
back door was open to allow the evening breeze to
circulate through the house and with it the smell of
baking.
Maddie placed a large bowl of salad in the middle of
the table, alongside the basket of freshly baked
bread. She glanced up as two shadows slid through the
door. "How do you like your steaks?"
"Burnt." Ronnie immediately replied and headed for
the large fridge.
"Rare." B'rak admitted. "Sorry." He'd caught the
brief look on Ronnie's face.
"No it's fine." Ronnie shrugged, "Some people are
born carnivores." She pulled a few bottles from the
bottom of the fridge. "Did I hear wolves before?"
"Yes." Maddie nodded, as she placed the steaks onto a
large griddle pan. "They were reintroduced to the
National Park a few years back. They won't venture
onto any of the paths though." The tall female
watched as B'rak's meat changed colour and then
quickly turned it over. "But don't go up the mountain
after dark without taking some protection. They
sometimes get adventurous during the early spring."
"Fair enough." Ronnie nodded and poured several
drinks.
"Are you allowed to hunt?" B'rak asked.
"You can; though if you make a kill, the rangers like
it to be logged." Maddie turned the other steaks
over, and placed B'rak's under a very low grill to
keep warm. "Most people hunt for the pleasure
though."
B'rak grunted, "Perhaps I will hunt in a day or so.
Just to keep my nose in."
Ty appeared in the doorway. He looked tired and
almost silently took a seat nearest the staircase down
to SAHRIV. Tomas smiled and settled himself next to
him. His small form was dwarfed by his father's, but
he pulled his seat closer to Ty's and started to chat
about his room and the birds he had seen from the
window. Qvar curled up on one of the seats nearest the
kitchen her eyes fixed firmly on the two hybrids.
Maddie and Ronnie passed plates of food around their
family and friends. "Right tuck in."
-[/\]-
Time index: Several hours later
Scene: Verandah: Corrider: Various Bedrooms
Maddie stood on the verandah nearest the children's
rooms. A large mug of cocoa in her hands, her dark
eyes fixed firmly on the horizon. She heard Ty move
out from the house and approach her cautiously. "Hi."
She sipped from the gently steaming mug.
Ty stopped a few feet away from her. "Hi." He paused
for a few minutes, "I was thinking that SAHRIV and I
should move on."
"I see." She turned to face him, "I take it this has
everything to do with your disabilities?"
"Yes." He leant against the railing and tried to
fight for some composure. "Neither of us are any use
at the moment."
"I see." Maddie strode forward so that she was almost
touching her partner, "So promises and vows mean
nothing to you? The fact that I was unable to connect
with you for years is irrelevant? The fact that I
miss you? The fact that the children miss you?" She
paused, trying to push her pain away, "The fact that I
need you, love you and miss you?" Her voice faded to
a soft whisper, "None of this matters because you feel
useless?"
"Yes.."
"Dammit." She swore briefly in Klingon for a few
minutes, then switched to Vulcan and then finally to
Welsh. "Well fine go then." She pulled herself to
her full height, "I won't stop you. But just think on
this T'halian. You'll never find another family, and
whilst you wander around feeling sorry for yourself
you'll never find any peace. Now grow up and act your
age. Accept your responsibilities or just leave."
She turned away from him and walked towards the
doorway that led to the sleeping areas. "But just
remember that we all love you. And that everyone
needs someone." With that she disappeared into the
dark and closed the doors behind her leaving him all
alone.
A lone wolf howled from one of the mountains that
surrounded the cottage, which seemed to echo his mood.
T'halian paused at the doorway back into the house
and then changing his mind headed around the house and
disappeared back into the forest.
Tomas stood silently in the dimly lit hallway, Qvar
curled around his shoulders. His big blue eyes seemed
almost to glow in the darkness.
"You should be in bed love." Maddie lifted her son
into her arms and moved gracefully into the first of
the bedrooms. Qvar leapt from Tomas's shoulder and
patted a corner of the bed into a small nest, curling
around she covered her nose with the tip of her tail.
"I heard you and Dad talking."
"I'm sorry." Mad'hron sat on the end of the bed and
cuddled her middle child against her chest, her chin
resting on his blonde hair. "But I've run out of
patience with him."
"Does he know that you hurt too?"
"I don't know sweetie. And you've been told to stop
trying to read people's emotions."
"We can't help it." Tomas wrapped his arms around his
mother's neck. "Even Qvar has been feeling funny
because of it."
"**Then I apologise to both of you.**" Maddie spoke
softly and mentally.
**I could go bite his ankles.** Qvar suggested
hopefully.
**I'm not sure that that would help.** The tall
Vulcan hybrid sighed, "**Now both of you need to
sleep.**" She kissed Tomas softly on the forehead,
and tucked him into his bed. "**I'll check on you
both later.**"
She walked slowly down the corrider and popped her
head into Rosie's and Xandria's bedroom. Both of her
daughters were fast asleep. Moving softly she
carefully covered both of them up with their quilts
and kissed both of their foreheads. She stood for a
few minutes watching her girls sleeping. Gently she
closed the door and moved on into her own room.
In the semi-darkness she undressed and pulled on a
white cotton shift, over the top she pulled on a lace
dressing gown. Sitting at her dressing table, she
quickly combed her hair and pulled it back into a
loose pony tail. Standing she walked across the
deeply carpeted room.
The tall Vulcan hybrid opened the curtains to allow
the moonlight to fill the large bedroom. She walked
across to the small piano that was set up in the
corner. She activated the force fields across the
windows and then opened them to allow the forest
breeze and smells to fill her room. Sitting down on
the stool her fingers gently stroked the piano keys.
"How you spend you minutes are what matters,
All tomorrows come from yesterdays.
When you're feeling broken, bruised and sometimes
shattered,
Blow out the candles on the cake,
Like everything is a big mistake."
Her voice drifted gently on the breezes up the side of
the mountain.
-[/\]-
Scene: Mountaintop
He'd walked confidently up the mountain side. The
forest held no fears for him, as he'd been visiting it
on and off for the past couple of centuries. Ty just
felt the need to get away, well away. Her words kept
hammering into his mind. *She loved him, needed him
and wanted him; as did their children. Could he turn
his back on it all?*
T'halian found himself standing on an out cropping
that stood proud of the forest; his eyes watching the
clouds drifting lazily across the night sky; his ears
listening to the soft noises of the forest at rest.
Emotions raced around his body and thoughts and
memories flashed through his mind.
Even here in the darkness and silence he could find no
peace or quiet.
He was not sure how long he stood, a silent lonely
sentinel, when Maddie's voice seemed to reach out
towards him and wrap him up; forcing him to listen to
how she felt, relentless pushing her point home.
[[It seems you always wait for life to happen,
And your last buck can't buy a lucky break,
If all we've got is us then life's worth living,
And if you're in, you know I'm in,
I'm ready and I'm willing.]]
[[I am,
When you think that no one needs you, sees you or
believes you,
No one's there to understand,
I am,
I'll be there to be that someone,
When you think that no one is there to hold your hand.
I am.]]
The soft music from the piano drifted towards him, and
the Tara'saighian hybrid could almost see his lover
standing before him. Her dark hair drifting in the
soft breeze that was bringing her voice up the
mountain to him. Dressed in a simple white night
dress, with a sheer wrap moulded to her body. Her
arms open ready to hold him close.
[[We're just who we are, there's no pretending,
It takes a while to learn to live in your own skin,
Say a prayer that we might find our happy ending,
And if you're in, you know I'm in,
I'm ready and I'm willing.]]
[[I am when you think that no one needs you, sees you
or believes you,
No one's there to understand,
I am,
I'll be there to be that someone,
When you think that no one is there to hold your hand,
I am]].
Ty shook his head and looked around the clearing. He
swallowed; his eyes turning to face the house that
stood below him on the mountain. He wasn't certain
but was sure that Maddie was staring straight up at
him. Could he leave her? Would he leave her?
Could he leave his family behind and start wandering
the stars again?
He wasn't sure how long he stood there listening to
her words, but finally his heart made a decision and
his feet started on the path.
-[/\]-
Scene: House
Maddie had risen from the piano and was indeed
standing on the verandah again.
"I ain't got no halo hanging on my head
I ain't gonna judge you, I'm just here to love you
I am, I am."
Her voice faded away and she wiped at the tears the
rolled down her cheeks,
"I am,
When you think that no one needs you, sees you or
believes you,
No one's there to understand,
I am."
T'halian stepped from the shadows and walked slowly
towards her, his blue eyes fixed firmly on her face,
without even realizing his hand lifted to reach for
her's.
"I'll be there to be that someone,
When you think that no one is there to hold your hand,
I am." He whispered.
Maddie raced into his arms and wrapped her arms around
his neck,
"When you think that no one needs you, sees you or
believes you,
No one's there to understand,
I am,
I'll be there to be that someone,
When you think that no one is there to hold your hand,
I am, I am, I am." She sang against his neck.
"I'm sorry." He whispered into her hair, "I've been a
fool."
"Shhhh.." Maddie reached up and placed a finger on
his lips, "I'll be there to be that someone." She
gently reminded him.
"But our telepathic link?"
"Will come back or not." She smiled wickedly at the
tall man. "Meanwhile you'll just have to work harder,
with words and actions." So saying she kissed him
soundly.
-[/\]-
Time index: Next day - midmorning
Location: Beach
Maddie walked along the beach, Rosie holding her
hands, her little legs pounding along as she jumped in
and out of the gentle waves lapping the beach. Every
now and again she would smile up at her adopted
mother.
"Eeeee."
"Yes dearest it is the sea." Maddie smiled gently.
"Do you like it?"
"Esss." She nodded her head for emphasis.
Tomas and Xandria were playing together, shrieking as
they splashed one another. Qvar was more sedately
walking slightly higher up the beach; every now and
again a look of sheer disgust would flash across her
face as the waves splashed her scaly skin.
Ronnie and B'rak were walking through the soft waves,
their hands entwined. Ronnie was resting her head
against her lover's upper arm. The face mask was
still in place but her left arm and hand had been
replaced with permanent prosthetics. The couple were
completely wrapped up in themselves, but had agreed to
take this brief break from working on SAHRIV.
None of the small family noticed the other family
walking towards them. The mother and father looking
very prim and proper. Matching sun hats perched on
their heads.
Xandria and Tomas were the first to hear the comments
that the children were shouting at their little
sister.
"Freak."
"Look they even have a pet lizard and bear." The
older child sneered.
"How can someone be purple?" The mother muttered.
"And fancy having them with their own children."
"And is it right to have a woman holding hands with a
monster?" The father felt compelled to join in, "And
in broad daylight?"
Qvar started to hiss and moved closer to Maddie and
Rosie. Mad'hron became aware that something wasn't
right, that the shrieks of laughter from her children
had stopped and looked up. Xandria and Tomas were
standing almost toe to toe with two taller boys.
Xandria had tears of anger flowing down her cheeks.
"Her name is Rosie and she is the most special baby in
the universe." She finally managed to get out. Her
voice was shrill with rage. "And more importantly we
love her and she makes our family complete." Xandria
was now shaking and Tomas was clenching and
unclenching his little hands.
Scooping Rosie into her arms Maddie raced to her
children's side. "Come on kids." She placed a hand
on Xandria's shoulder and Qvar rubbed herself against
Tomas's leg in reassurance.
"They can't just say those things Mum." Xandria burst
out; she glanced up at the taller woman. "It's not
fair she's not done anything."
Maddie ignored everyone else and still clutching Rosie
to her chest knelt down before her eldest daughter,
"Sweetheart not everyone realizes that Rosie is
special. But we know the truth. Our family is
unique. Isn't it?"
Xandria stared deep into the brown eyes of the woman
before and suddenly it was like a wall burst open,
memories flooded through. Emotions flickered across
the younger hybrids face and tears started to slowly
roll down her cheeks.
B'rak and Ronnie had arrived at the small family
sides. B'rak's superb hearing had caught the tale end
of the cat calls. He carefully lifted Tomas up into
his huge arms; Ronnie reached down and lifted Rosie
into her own arms. "Maddie?" She whispered.
"It's fine." Mad'hron Zanders rose to her feet, "I
think we're just about done on the beach this
morning." She turned to the mother and father of the
boys that were staring down their noses at them. "You
know I'm glad I belong to Starfleet at least my
children have views and opinions of their own and at
least they are accepting of others." She took
Xandria's hand and turned on her heel. Just as she
stormed away, she span back, "Oh and this part of the
beach is private. So I'd get the heck off of it
before I call security."
Ronnie smiled, which looked all the more sinister as
she was still wearing her mask. "I have a good memory
for faces Mads."
"And my hearing is very acute." B'rak rumbled.
Finally the other family turned on their heels,
realizing that they were walking a very fine line.
Quickly the quartet walked back up the beach the way
they had come.
"Do you want us to take the children home?" Ronnie
offered gently.
"We'll all come. But if you don't mind watching Tomas
and Rosie, I need to speak with Xandria." She took a
deep breath, making a decision, "How are the repairs
to SAHRIV coming?"
"We'd be happier back at home." Ronnie shrugged,
"We'll speak later."
-[/\]-
Scene: Verandah
Maddie had changed out of her shorts and was wearing
blue jeans and a simple t-shirt, her 11 year old
daughter was wearing similar clothes and was currently
curled up on her mother's knee on a rocking chair.
"How are you feeling?"
"I've got a bit of a headache." Xandria admitted,
"But Dr Tahren told me it would pass."
"And he says that everything checks out?"
"Yes." Xandy nodded. She paused to collect her
thoughts, "I'm sorry Mum."
"Hey it's not your fault." Maddie hurried to reassure
the younger hybrid.
"I didn't mean to take the children. I wouldn't have
hurt any of them for anything."
"I know sweetness. Sometimes we do things that we
regret. We just have to be mature enough to work it
all out. And sometimes we have to admit that we've
made mistakes but that's not the end of the world."
"I know." She chewed on her lip. "I thought I was
protecting them."
"Yes you said." Maddie kissed the top of her
daughter's head. "But Xandria you cannot take all the
blame onto your own shoulders."
"But."
"There is no but honey." The taller woman settled
herself more comfortably in the chair, "SAHRIV has to
take some responsibility too."
"She was scared and hurting."
"And so were you. SAHRIV took advantage of that
situation."
"But Mum."
"No listen. Ty was bonded with SAHRIV when he was
younger then Tomas. He wasn't given a choice, neither
of them were. It was the way things were done back on
Tara'saigh at that time. However, it is not
acceptable now. There should have been protection for
both of you in place. Now I know that you both turned
to one another and that is understandable given the
circumstances, and perhaps in years down the line I
could have accepted you bonding with her. But you are
too young, your mind is still developing and her's is
over 900 years old."
Maddie paused to gather her thoughts, "Now you both
made decisions that were foolish, but you made them
with the best of intentions. However, I firmly
believe that both of you have some apologizing to do
to the other parents."
"Will SAHRIV get better?"
"We're not sure. If we were at home on the PROPHECY,
with Peter and Iweridd around to help and Lynette,
then yes I believe that between them the six of them
can and will fix her."
"So we're going home?" Xandria sounded almost eager.
"Don't you like it here?"
"Yes I do." The younger female nodded, "But that
family today."
"I know sweetheart. But you have to remember that you
were brought up on starships since you were a little
girl. You've had uncles and aunties from more races
and species then I can count on both my hands. People
have come and gone through your life and you have
learnt to accept them for what they are. But others
are planet bound and become bigoted. They think that
everyone should conform. But we don't and we never
will."
Xandria nodded, "I must admit I love having Auntie
Ronnie and B'rak around."
"Yes me too." Maddie settled back against the chair
and set the chair to rocking. "Because it means that
I can con them into cooking dinner."
"What are we having?"
"Apparently a bar-b-que." The Vulcan hybrid laughed
softly, "What is it with men and their fires."
"I have no idea." Xandria curled up closer, "I'm
sorry I shut you out."
"Hey, there's a lot of it going around but we'll get
there."
"How can you be so sure, Mum?"
"Simple we all love one another." Maddie smiled and
hugged her daughter close. "And in another couple of
days we'll be back home, with the rest of our family
and friends."
It went quiet for a few minutes, with just the noises
coming from the garden.
"Xandria?"
"Hmmm?"
"I'm very proud of what you and Tomas did today. You
were both very, very brave. And I'm glad you have
your memories back."
"Me too."
-[/\]-
Scene: Garden
Ronnie and B'rak joined the small family, the couple
holding hands again. Ronnie walked across to her
twin. "Maddie can we ask you a favour?"
Maddie blinked but nodded, "Alright."
B'rak put an arm around Ronnie and pulled her close.
"I've asked Ronnie to marry me." He started.
"Congratulations." Maddie hugged the other couple, "I
take it you said yes." She looked at Ronnie.
"You're not going to say that we're rushing into
this?" Ronnie asked, caution lacing her voice.
"Nope." Mad'hron shook her head, "B'rak's been good
for you Ron." She smiled, "So this favour?"
"We wondered if you would be willing to marry us."
"Well I'd be honoured of course. But don't you want
to wait till we get home?"
B'rak shook his head, "No." His voice filled the
quiet of the evening. "Sorry."
"He wants to make a decent woman of me before we get
back." Ronnie smiled, and glanced up at the tall man.
"I think he thinks if we're married then we won't get
separated again."
"Well if you're both sure?"
"We are."
"Then what are we waiting for?" Maddie led the way to
an arch, which was full of flowering roses. "Or did
you want to wait?"
Ronnie glanced down at her t-shirt and floaty skirt,
"No we can do it now."
B'rak nodded his assent and stood close to his lover.
"Then by the powers vested in me by Starfleet,"
Mad'hron started, "I welcome us all here for the
marriage of Ronnie and B'rak."
Her children whooped with glee and Ty picked Rosie up
so she could see better.
"Now I'm guessing that no-one here has any
objections?"
There were shakes of heads from their immediate
family.
"Alright do you guys have vows?" Maddie asked her
sister and her future brother-in-law.
"Sort of," Ronnie admitted she turned to face B'rak,
""Say you love me every waking moment. That you will
turn my head with talk of summertime. Say you need me
with you, now and always. Promise me that all you say
is true. That's all I ask of you." She paused, "That
you will be my friend, guide, guardian and true love."
B'rak nodded, "I do." He in turn paused to collect
his thoughts, "Then say you'll share with me one love,
one lifetime. Let me lead you from your solitude. Say
you need me with you here, beside you. Anywhere you
go, let me go too, Ronnie that's all I ask of you."
"I do." Tears of joy were slowly flowing down
Ronnie's cheeks. ""Say you'll share with me one love,
one lifetime, Say the word and I will follow you."
B'rak stroked her cheek tenderly, "You know that I
do."
Maddie smiled at the couple, "By the powers vested in
me by Starfleet, I am now proud to pronounce you
husband and wife." Her smile turned into a goofy grin
of pleasure, "B'rak you may now kiss your bride, but
before you get carried away can I just point out that
this doesn't get you out of cooking dinner?"
Ronnie and B'rak started to laugh and then B'rak
scooped Ronnie up into his arms and kissed her
soundly.
"Congratulations." Ty called and moved closer to
Maddie, "Didn't we have plans?"
"Ah the family would never forgive us if we did it in
secret. Daisy and Peter would haul me over hot coals
cariad." She paused and looked up into T'halian's
dark eyes, "Though it does have its appeal."
----------------------
This post was brought to you by me:
Margie Benham <madhron_at_yahoo.co.uk>
Speaking for:
Captain Mad'hron Zanders
Commanding Officer
USS PROPHECY NX-41599
-and-
Lieutenant Ronnie Zanders
CEO
GS-2
On leave
-and-
Lieutenant Neos Velsu
Assistant Chief Engineering Officer
GS-2
"I reject your reality and substitute my own."
Adam from Mythbusters
From HyperNews_at_youth.net
This archive was generated by hypermail 2.1.5 : Sun Feb 17 2008 - 03:10:33 PST