Jez wasn’t sure of her feelings at this moment. Was she upset because her parents and extended family were dead, or was she crying because she wasn’t really devastated, that their deaths didn’t register on an emotional level, she didn’t have a strong emotional connection to her parents? Yes, they were her parents and extended family, but they were parents in the respect that they gave birth to her, nothing more. They were more focused on their careers. Jez was the last child born, maybe her parents felt if they raised three other successful children, they met their quota of good parenting;, she wasn’t sure.
I’m supposed to cry, I’m supposed to mourn, aren’t I ??
Jez sat there, Mike reassuring her that everything would be alright. She felt like she was a little girl again. She remembered the time that, as a child, she got lost in an Ancient Library for several hours. She was scared and hungry, and Mike found her. He scooped her up in his arms. He rocked her gently, telling her everything would be alright. Mike then carried her back to the Dig Camp and tucked her in. Mike had always been a father figure to her. Yes, he was gruff and grumpy at times, but still a Teddy Bear.
Mike sat there, and grimaced his face, when Andrea said, "Try to forgive her, Mike. As children grow up, they tend to feel the need to try and remind their adult figures that they are now adults; this eventually reverses itself to where they will treat their elders more as children. It is sometimes justified, but more often than not, it is a result of them starting to care for us more than we take care of them anymore. If they still seek your counsel as you get older, then you know you're still in good hands, and they still remember."
Why does everyone think I’m a doddering old man? Out of self-consciousness, Mike tried sucking in his stomach.
Jez noticed what Mike was doing, and a little smirk pulled on her lips. She then leaned over and whispered, “I don’t think Andrea is buying it, besides I don’t think you can hold your breath that long.”
Mike shook his head, as if to say, “I can’t catch a break.” He then casually let his stomach out. Mike sat there in silence listening to Andrea speaking to Jez, "Yes, Alex told me about your interesting conflict with your former lover. That situation is most unfortunate. Some people are quick to point a finger and say that you should have known, but the truth is that bad people often are quite skilled at hiding their true nature in order to get what they want. It doesn't help that it can be harder to see such things the closer you are to the situation. We are also often blinded by our own hearts when it is an intimate relationship, because we want it to turn out like we wish it would. It just means that you're the same as most of us, and a bad guy took advantage of your good nature. Try not to beat yourself up over it. From the sounds of things, he's not worth giving him the space in your head rent-free."
Mike looked at Jez, she had never mentioned having a lover, let alone she was having trouble with him? Mike knew Jez was a tad naive when it came to relationships. “Wait, Devynn mistreated you?” Said Mike, his tone a mixture of confusion and concern. He couldn’t help it; he was in full Daddy Bear mode, protecting the ones he loved, safe.
Jez chose not to discuss that chapter at this time, not with Mike here, it would be like discussing sex with your father. “No, Andrea, he hurt me on a physical and emotional level. The physical pain has healed, it’s just being called a useless mongrel, being called nothing.” Jez’s voice began to crack, “To be called a nothing, a nobody, and then he wants to take my baby.” Sobbed Jez.
Mike’s head was spinning; he had never seen Jez crying like that before. He placed his arms around her, in a bear hug, and began rocking her slowly, “Hey, come on now, you’re safe now, no one will hurt you, I won’t let them, and I’m sure Andrea and Cindy and Commander Talion and everyone else on board will protect and serve you.” He said, his tone warm and comforting.
What happened next would send a shockwave through the room. Jez broke free from Mike’s hug, and she slapped him across the face. “It’s going to be alright, it’s going to be alright. You’re going to protect me.. Protect me…!!! You couldn’t even protect my parents, our friends, YOUR wife!!!! “ Hissed Jez, tears flowing down her cheeks. “Get out...Get out…!!!" Hollered Jez, her voice filled with rage.
“Jez…” Stammered Mike, “I said get out, I don’t want to see you again.” Mike felt like he had been punched in the stomach. He looked to Andrea, as if to say,” What should I do?” Mike got up, “I’m sorry, Jez. I.. I… “ Stammered Mike as he couldn’t find his words. Mike composed himself, and he stood up. ”I’m going to leave. I’ll be in Ten Forward, if you need me.” Said Mike, his voice filled with vulnerability
Jez could feel her anger and rage, mixed with disappointment, surging through her body like a quick-moving poison. She couldn’t shake the image of her parents being killed and Mike nowhere to be found. As Mike walked towards the door, she screamed, “Where were you!!!” Sobbed Jez as she sat down and sobbed into her hands.
== Tag Andrea / Talion ==
I’m supposed to cry, I’m supposed to mourn, aren’t I ??
Jez sat there, Mike reassuring her that everything would be alright. She felt like she was a little girl again. She remembered the time that, as a child, she got lost in an Ancient Library for several hours. She was scared and hungry, and Mike found her. He scooped her up in his arms. He rocked her gently, telling her everything would be alright. Mike then carried her back to the Dig Camp and tucked her in. Mike had always been a father figure to her. Yes, he was gruff and grumpy at times, but still a Teddy Bear.
Mike sat there, and grimaced his face, when Andrea said, "Try to forgive her, Mike. As children grow up, they tend to feel the need to try and remind their adult figures that they are now adults; this eventually reverses itself to where they will treat their elders more as children. It is sometimes justified, but more often than not, it is a result of them starting to care for us more than we take care of them anymore. If they still seek your counsel as you get older, then you know you're still in good hands, and they still remember."
Why does everyone think I’m a doddering old man? Out of self-consciousness, Mike tried sucking in his stomach.
Jez noticed what Mike was doing, and a little smirk pulled on her lips. She then leaned over and whispered, “I don’t think Andrea is buying it, besides I don’t think you can hold your breath that long.”
Mike shook his head, as if to say, “I can’t catch a break.” He then casually let his stomach out. Mike sat there in silence listening to Andrea speaking to Jez, "Yes, Alex told me about your interesting conflict with your former lover. That situation is most unfortunate. Some people are quick to point a finger and say that you should have known, but the truth is that bad people often are quite skilled at hiding their true nature in order to get what they want. It doesn't help that it can be harder to see such things the closer you are to the situation. We are also often blinded by our own hearts when it is an intimate relationship, because we want it to turn out like we wish it would. It just means that you're the same as most of us, and a bad guy took advantage of your good nature. Try not to beat yourself up over it. From the sounds of things, he's not worth giving him the space in your head rent-free."
Mike looked at Jez, she had never mentioned having a lover, let alone she was having trouble with him? Mike knew Jez was a tad naive when it came to relationships. “Wait, Devynn mistreated you?” Said Mike, his tone a mixture of confusion and concern. He couldn’t help it; he was in full Daddy Bear mode, protecting the ones he loved, safe.
Jez chose not to discuss that chapter at this time, not with Mike here, it would be like discussing sex with your father. “No, Andrea, he hurt me on a physical and emotional level. The physical pain has healed, it’s just being called a useless mongrel, being called nothing.” Jez’s voice began to crack, “To be called a nothing, a nobody, and then he wants to take my baby.” Sobbed Jez.
Mike’s head was spinning; he had never seen Jez crying like that before. He placed his arms around her, in a bear hug, and began rocking her slowly, “Hey, come on now, you’re safe now, no one will hurt you, I won’t let them, and I’m sure Andrea and Cindy and Commander Talion and everyone else on board will protect and serve you.” He said, his tone warm and comforting.
What happened next would send a shockwave through the room. Jez broke free from Mike’s hug, and she slapped him across the face. “It’s going to be alright, it’s going to be alright. You’re going to protect me.. Protect me…!!! You couldn’t even protect my parents, our friends, YOUR wife!!!! “ Hissed Jez, tears flowing down her cheeks. “Get out...Get out…!!!" Hollered Jez, her voice filled with rage.
“Jez…” Stammered Mike, “I said get out, I don’t want to see you again.” Mike felt like he had been punched in the stomach. He looked to Andrea, as if to say,” What should I do?” Mike got up, “I’m sorry, Jez. I.. I… “ Stammered Mike as he couldn’t find his words. Mike composed himself, and he stood up. ”I’m going to leave. I’ll be in Ten Forward, if you need me.” Said Mike, his voice filled with vulnerability
Jez could feel her anger and rage, mixed with disappointment, surging through her body like a quick-moving poison. She couldn’t shake the image of her parents being killed and Mike nowhere to be found. As Mike walked towards the door, she screamed, “Where were you!!!” Sobbed Jez as she sat down and sobbed into her hands.
== Tag Andrea / Talion ==