==Commander Michael Denton Chief of Security( Retired), Temp NRC ==
Mike grimaced when Andrea said, "No, I don't think you look like some child's cuddly toy. I think you need to stop letting that bother you. In many ways, she still sees you through the eyes of a young and impressionable girl. The impression you made was a good one, and obviously one she needed very much in those formative years. She is now struggling to grow out of that phase of her life and move into the very adult life she is trying to lead now. There's an emotional security in those things we knew growing up. The adult world is full of uncertainty, while the world of a child seems much simpler. Good and bad felt more clear-cut, and decisions felt easier. The DNA thing is a bit the same. She thinks that because you must be the person she imagines you to be, that she could just use your DNA to add you to a recipe, like making a cake. We both know that is not how DNA works. Look at any two siblings and you'll note that although they started out with the same combined DNA, they can be extremely different from each other. Even identical twins can be quite different in their preferences and behavior."
Mike had to stifle a smirk; the idea of twin Jez’s or even twin Mike’s- the Galaxy isn’t ready for that. Thought Mike. Mike took another sip of his tea. He looked at Andrea.
Mike felt modified at the notion that he was some Binky, a Cuddle Toy in Jez’s eyes instead of the warrior that he prided himself on.
“I know I shouldn’t let it bother me, but do you hear the way she says it? It's filled with an annoying, sickly sweet tone, and you can’t get angry at her for it. I don’t know; maybe I was too close to her growing up, it’s just that her parents were so focused on their work, Jez was often overlooked; her basic emotional needs took second place. Fet and Velo focused on their careers, the next dig. If they did pay attention to their kids, the older kids, especially the boys, Koss and Stadi, got their attention, but let the other kids get a promotion at work, and they would go and visit them, have dinner with them, often leaving Jez with T’Sara and me.” Said Mike, his voice sounding a little judgmental
“I remember one time Jez won a History Essay Contest, top in her class. She couldn’t have been more than eleven; she worked on the essay for months, writing and rewriting. It was about the Founding of the Federation. You know, that little brat asked me what it was like being in the audience during the signing, as if I was old enough to be at the initial signing ceremony.” Said Mike, his voice filled with indignation. “Fet and Velo wouldn’t take the time to go to Betazed for the Award Ceremony. So T’Sara and I went. You should have seen the look of disappointment on her face when her parents didn’t show up.’ Said Mike. If Jez’s Grandmother Kejara if she was here, she would get Jez’s head straight. A no-nonsense woman.” Added Mike as an afterthought.
Mike was startled when Andrea said, "I should be going. When the Valkyrie departs in the morning, I should be on it. Thank you, Mike. You've been a good host." Mike watched as Andrea then stepped up to him and, raising up on her toes, she managed to be tall enough to kiss him on the cheek. "Be well and take care of her." She stepped to the door and then turned and said to him, "I know that the one thing you're afraid of right now is the silence, but you have to face it. It is in that silence that the hardest part of the grieving process happens."
That Kiss totally scrambled his brain; most people were leery of approaching him, and he liked that; it had served him well as a Chief of Security: approachable, but not too approachable.
Oh by Odin, have I truly become a cuddly Teddy Bear, that people no longer feared to approach? Have I lost my intimidating edge?
The kiss reminded him of T’Sara; T’Sara had to stand on her tiptoes to kiss him, as well. Mike was really enjoying himself. Andrea was fascinating, stunningly beautiful. Articulate, who knows? Maybe if he met Andrea before T’Sara, things would have been different.
Mike returned Andrea's kiss. “ I enjoyed our talk; maybe we could have dinner the next time you're around?” Said Mike, his voice filled with disappointment that Andrea was leaving. "Please, keep me posted on your discoveries with the Valkyrie." Said Mike.
== Tag Andrea.==
Mike grimaced when Andrea said, "No, I don't think you look like some child's cuddly toy. I think you need to stop letting that bother you. In many ways, she still sees you through the eyes of a young and impressionable girl. The impression you made was a good one, and obviously one she needed very much in those formative years. She is now struggling to grow out of that phase of her life and move into the very adult life she is trying to lead now. There's an emotional security in those things we knew growing up. The adult world is full of uncertainty, while the world of a child seems much simpler. Good and bad felt more clear-cut, and decisions felt easier. The DNA thing is a bit the same. She thinks that because you must be the person she imagines you to be, that she could just use your DNA to add you to a recipe, like making a cake. We both know that is not how DNA works. Look at any two siblings and you'll note that although they started out with the same combined DNA, they can be extremely different from each other. Even identical twins can be quite different in their preferences and behavior."
Mike had to stifle a smirk; the idea of twin Jez’s or even twin Mike’s- the Galaxy isn’t ready for that. Thought Mike. Mike took another sip of his tea. He looked at Andrea.
Mike felt modified at the notion that he was some Binky, a Cuddle Toy in Jez’s eyes instead of the warrior that he prided himself on.
“I know I shouldn’t let it bother me, but do you hear the way she says it? It's filled with an annoying, sickly sweet tone, and you can’t get angry at her for it. I don’t know; maybe I was too close to her growing up, it’s just that her parents were so focused on their work, Jez was often overlooked; her basic emotional needs took second place. Fet and Velo focused on their careers, the next dig. If they did pay attention to their kids, the older kids, especially the boys, Koss and Stadi, got their attention, but let the other kids get a promotion at work, and they would go and visit them, have dinner with them, often leaving Jez with T’Sara and me.” Said Mike, his voice sounding a little judgmental
“I remember one time Jez won a History Essay Contest, top in her class. She couldn’t have been more than eleven; she worked on the essay for months, writing and rewriting. It was about the Founding of the Federation. You know, that little brat asked me what it was like being in the audience during the signing, as if I was old enough to be at the initial signing ceremony.” Said Mike, his voice filled with indignation. “Fet and Velo wouldn’t take the time to go to Betazed for the Award Ceremony. So T’Sara and I went. You should have seen the look of disappointment on her face when her parents didn’t show up.’ Said Mike. If Jez’s Grandmother Kejara if she was here, she would get Jez’s head straight. A no-nonsense woman.” Added Mike as an afterthought.
Mike was startled when Andrea said, "I should be going. When the Valkyrie departs in the morning, I should be on it. Thank you, Mike. You've been a good host." Mike watched as Andrea then stepped up to him and, raising up on her toes, she managed to be tall enough to kiss him on the cheek. "Be well and take care of her." She stepped to the door and then turned and said to him, "I know that the one thing you're afraid of right now is the silence, but you have to face it. It is in that silence that the hardest part of the grieving process happens."
That Kiss totally scrambled his brain; most people were leery of approaching him, and he liked that; it had served him well as a Chief of Security: approachable, but not too approachable.
Oh by Odin, have I truly become a cuddly Teddy Bear, that people no longer feared to approach? Have I lost my intimidating edge?
The kiss reminded him of T’Sara; T’Sara had to stand on her tiptoes to kiss him, as well. Mike was really enjoying himself. Andrea was fascinating, stunningly beautiful. Articulate, who knows? Maybe if he met Andrea before T’Sara, things would have been different.
Mike returned Andrea's kiss. “ I enjoyed our talk; maybe we could have dinner the next time you're around?” Said Mike, his voice filled with disappointment that Andrea was leaving. "Please, keep me posted on your discoveries with the Valkyrie." Said Mike.
== Tag Andrea.==