Hello again

Posted on Sun Feb 12th, 2023 @ 5:00am by Crewman Melly & Lieutenant Commander Cyrus Marner

3,595 words; about a 18 minute read

Mission: Short Treks
Location: Sickbay then Holosuite
Timeline: Just after a mission

ON

Cyrus had returned and went to visit Sickbay to see if things were running smoothly, it seemed that they were. He went into his office and checked on any paperwork he needed to sign, gave approval for what was needed, and set things straight. He glanced over towards the main medical, his thoughts feeling a bit blue and glum. He was tired. The mission where they were being chased by Cardassians and feeling like they had been set up. It was a bit, disconcerting. Made Cyrus feel even more grateful for the simplicities of life. His eyes drifted to his desk and saw the artbook, he opened it up and saw the picture he had drawn, of the swings and Melly enjoying herself on the swings.

Cyrus decided that he needed to check on her. He tapped on his commbadge to contact her, =/\=Crewman Melly may I have a meeting with you? This is Doctor Marner.=/\=

Melly tapped her badge as she was tiding the quarters she shared with Ash, =/\=On my way Sir.=/\=

Melly quickly finished the bit of tidying and then hurried out the quarters. Humming as she skipped along she happily waved to any passerbys who were nice while avoiding any Orions or Nausicaan's. Walking into sickbay the small human looking woman stood at attention, "Crewman Melly reporting as ordered Sir!"

"Crewman Melly how would you like to take a walk with me." Cyrus giving a smile, then he looked back at the drawing he had done of her. "also, I would like to give you this." taking out the drawing he had done. "Hopefully you won't find this creepy that I did this." handing the picture to her.

She took the picture and held it close smiling so brightly. "I love it, it's beautiful. Could I leave it on your desk as we walk then take it back to my pillow fort when we're done?" The picture brought such a happy smile to her face and she would put it beside the holopicture of Ms Tavera. "But yes Sir I would be happy to walk with you. Please lead on."

Cyrus nodded, "Certainly, you can do that once we get back. "he waited for Melly to place the picture upon the desk, then he walked along side Melly as they made their way to his destination, which was the holosuites once more.

Melly place the picture carefully on the desk and smiled walking with the Doctor.

"I wanted to revisit that very program, the one we were at earlier. I'm in the mood to go play on the swings." he said musingly.

Her eyes lit up with brighteness and walked all dignified with the Doctor, but the moment they were inside she was gonna hold his hand. She waited till the program began and stepped in, her face so bright as she just ran giggling with her arms out to the sides and hopped in a swing. But then she waited, not wanting to start swinging until he was there to swing too. Her mood had been better over time, but there were still dark moments. Taylor was majorly helping, R'elle was, Ash was, everyone was. But pain takes time to heal.

Cyrus willing let Melly hold his hand when they stepped inside the program, then watched with a huge smile, as she did her little dance, well that is what he called it as it made him happy to see her enjoying the scenery. He went to sit in the swing next to her. "Shall we start to fly?" flashing a bright smile. Then he moved his feet and let himself take flight.

Melly smiled and begun to swing. With each back and forth some of her cares flew away. She was smiling so much and giggling. She was content and so happy to get to relax like this with a person she trusted. As she swung, looking over to watch the Doctor swing she whispered.

"Something is going on isn't it? Did something happen? Are you okay?", she continued to swing but her concern was obvious.

Cyrus slowed his swinging and looked over to Melly. "You are an astute observer, but I don't want to ruin this moment, not for you or I. Because I wanted a lift in spirits and wanted to check on you, as to how you are doing and you are helping me feel better." giving a warm smile.

She smiled back, "Then we will swing a while and we can do all the bad talk over at the pond like last time, so the water can wash it all away. I am doing well. Lt Taylor is helping me to be strong and confident, and I went to lunch and had some curry I love.. but I don't think I should have person food yet... I am trying here and there and Ash is supporting me. When I went to lunch it was at the cafe I got snatched at.. but I was brave so I deserved real person food!"

Cyrus resumed his swinging speed and just laughed when the swing tickled his stomach. Soon though it was time to go to the pond where he and Melly had spoken to each other before, this time he didn't jump from the swing like he had before. He slowed it down properly. "Well done on you going back to that cafe. I am very happy you did that, and very happy you are making progress." he waited until she was done swinging, then went to the pond.

Melly swung for a bit and smiled all the while as she heard the praise. She felt she did good and now she was sure of it. After a bit she slowed to a stop and then rose walking with him.

"I like how you put this, a place to wash away the bad talk. It does help a lot. " Cyrus proceeded to take his shoes and socks off rolled up his pant legs and stuck his feet in the water. "the only thing that is wrong is perhaps I am a bit tired and some memories have crept up into my mind. "

Watching the Doctors discomfort she thought and reached her delicate hands up behind the Doctor as his feet were in the water and slowly, carefully tried to rub the muscles in his shoulders and upper back. She wanted to help him, "I can understand tired. Do you want to talk about the memories? I was trained to be a good listener and its only fair I help you."

Cyrus wasn't prepared for that, but didn't flinch, instead he said to Melly, "Lets have an eye to eye connection." His voice gentle and kind. "If you wish that is. I don't know if I could take anyone giving me a massage to be truthful. An embrace yes that will be acceptable." he looked back at Melly. "Then I will tell you a little bit of what is going on in my mind."

She stopped obediently, the massage was part of the training that she tried to turn into a good thing rather then a bad. Slowly walking around him she gave a big big big hug before she smiled to him. Sitting down beside him she removed her shoes and socks before eeping as she put her feet in the water. Looking up to his eyes she smiled, "Go ahead?"

"Thank you Melly. A little while ago, I witnessed the death of a race, but also the birth of a new one." Cyrus began, "For some reason that drifted in to my mind, today. And that made my mind go to you and your people. I do plan on talking to R'relle about what has been on my mind, but today, I wanted to just in some aspect step back in time as it were to just swing, and make some other memories, or for that matter just bring up good memories to fight the bad memories."

She had no proper words, so instead she just leaned forward and hugged him. She kept the hug quietly for a while before she looked up. With that she moved up and into his lap before she hugged to him from the front resting her cheek to his chest. She was doing everything she knew to help support and be there for him, finally she came to say something that she felt wasn't enough but it was a start, "I am so sorry for the pain you have witnessed."

Cyrus kissed Melly on the top of her head, and an quick embrace then said "Thank you, however, you may want to move from my lap." As he felt something nibble at his toes. He had forgotten that he had programmed fish that would curiously nibble at the toes like they had when as a boy. And they tickled!

Melly smiled from the kiss and the hug before she did as told and slipped from his lap as she smiled at seeing a fish. Carefully she curled up beside him and rested her cheek on his knee, "I am glad to help Sir. I just wanted to be a good girl." She rested against his knee and smiled watching the ducks and fish and tranquility.

Cyrus who was trying to keep from laughing from the tickling of the fish nibbling at his toes, paused and looked at Melly. "You are a good girl, but you don't need to give me a massage or even crawl into my lap to give me comfort. That embrace was enough to give me comfort. However Melly you've witnessed more pain and sorrow than I. How are things with you being room mates with Ash?"

She laid there confused a bit but nodding. She realized what she did wrong and sat up. "Sorry, he taught me how to comfort him when he was upset.. but I don't want to do that. But i don't mind hugging you, and sitting in your lap if it helps you. But I am happy to give comfort with the embrace. Please remember Sir, it's not a competition on who hurts more. Instead it's everyone needs comfort and love and support. A toe stumped on the desk is as bad as what he did to me. Each person has there own suffering. As for Ash? She is so nice. She is supportive and helpful and caring. She understood when I wouldn't sleep on the bed. The bed's for people. I'm not a person. But she made me a pillow fort in the corner where I am happy. I plan to put your drawing in there beside my picture of Ms Tavera." She smiled up to him. "And thank you for saying I am a good girl. I always want to be a good girl."

"I know it isn't a competition, its the way I think at times. Some people have more trauma and yet they survive and are an inspiration to others. Like you are to me, Melly." Cyrus remarking. "I find you inspiring." looking at his friend. "Even though you look eight years old you also have wisdom locked inside you. "

Melly smiled listening, feeling a lot more empowered by Cyrus do to his kind words. "I want to live and help people feel better. If I give up then the Admiral will win. But even better if I make people happy, then they will feel better. I just want to keep improving and if I can help you to feel better it will warm my heart. You said the races remind you of mine? How so?"

"Well Doctor McCoy helped your people, so that they and you, won't die. Have you heard of the Talosians? I had the chance to meet one and see the bodies of others. He was the last of his kind. He was keeping a new race from dying, he and his people created a hybrid of Humans and Talosians. Then he died and I couldn't do anything about it. However, the new race of hybrids are alive. It was heart rending to see this ancient race, not among the living. No longer existing. " There was a glittering of tears in his eyes and yet no tears were shed.

Melly stood up and fully embraced the Doctor. "Dr McCoy said you can't save everyone. Sometimes it's a persons time. He fullfilled his goal. He gave life to the new race. Some species die when they give birth. I know it will not give solace but think of it that way... btw tell me you didn't go to Talos IV? Starfleet still shoots you for that?"

Cyrus accepted the embrace, "Oh but I did go there Melly, I did go to Talos IV. It was the only way to save them. That new race. I even scolded the council when we were brought in to find out our fate." Cyrus gave a wry chuckle. "I was willing to die just to save that new race or even go to jail. I would have been a hypocrite to the hippocratic oath."

Melly held tightly to Cyrus, "Don't ever do that again! If you were killed or sent to prison and I never had a chance to see you again... I would..." Tears started dripping down her face, "I know you needed to fullfill your oath... but others need you to. It makes me happy to think how brave you were but please... don't do that type of thing again..."

"I wasn't the only one there, Melly. And what I told you it has to be a secret. And I couldn't ignore that call." Cyrus's voice a little bit gruff. Seeing her tears, Cyrus patted around his pockets then found what he was looking for. "Here you go Melly now dry your eyes and blow your nose." handing her a clean handkerchief. "I can't not listent to a plea for help, not to try to see if I can offer assistance."

Melly wipped her eyes daintily and blew her nose with a comical sound. She then looked up, "I promise not to tell no one. One of my first lessons was to no to not speak about things I am not allowed to speak of. I know what you mean though, I can't turn down pleas for help either. But I promise no one will hear a word from me. I am a good girl."

"My telling you to keep it a secret is so that you won't get into trouble. That is all. Why I told you though is I felt you needed to know." Cyrus said softly, with a half smile at her funny sounding nose blowing. "And also a little bit of the reason why I am slightly meloncholy. Things like that tends to bubble up to the surface instead of it staying buried where it needs to be."

"I understand, but do not worry. I will tell no one. Maybe I can tell you a secret in exchange so you feel less awkward. After all the training.. and the punishments.. and then the second counselor at the Penal Colony.. I now seem happier being told to do things then doing them just for me. I can only assume this will pass. But I feel like a good girl for doing what I am told. So I am a good girl by keeping your secret. Meaning.. Don't worry.", Melly said looking out to the lake.

"Well Melly, there is something that you have been doing for yourself and that is, coming here to swing. As it is something you wanted to do, as it made you happy. Don't forget about that alright? Allow yourself the freedom to choose to do something for yourself. And you won't be a bad girl. As it is okay to be good to yourself as well."

Melly smiled and nodded. "I will try. I will keep trying. The New Security chief has been doing wonders with me. But it's a day at a time. I've ate something other then Nutri-Goop six times in the several weeks since meeting you and everyone else. I will try to make time for little things for me, rather then using my spare time to do chores."

"I am glad to hear all of that, it makes me feel all warm inside." he leaned back on his elbows and looked out over the lake, then he watched as a dragonfly flew by then came close to where Melly is at, then it settled down on a blade of grass. The sunlight catching the shininess of its wings. "Look at that, we have a visitor." giving a nod towards the insect.

She simply sat there, with wide eyed awe watching. The dragonfly being so pretty with its wings and long body. She looked up and smiled, "What it called Cyrus?"

"That is a dragonfly. Isn't it beautiful?" Cyrus giving a smile. "I used to watch them zip over the water and landing delicately upon a reed, or grass or a tree."

Melly watched the wonderful creature, so alien to her as it landed, as it flew, and landed again. It was so unique. She reached over and held to Cyrus's hand as the cicadas began singing the sound startling her as she looked around almost fearfully.

"Don't worry about that noise, those are cicadas." Cyrus giving a comforting squeeze to Melly's hand. The sun started to set, and the stars were coming out, and Cyrus gave a sigh of contentment. "One of my favorite times is coming up very soon, Melly. Just watch as the fireflies will come out to play." The cicadas song giving away to the sound of a cricket chirping then the tones of the frogs croaking softly. Over the water little lights start to flicker on and off, on and off, then head towards the trees not too far from where Cyrus and Melly were seated.

One of the lights floated towards Melly, a little bug hovering in front of her. "That is a firefly, if you look over there, they are lighting up the branches of that willow tree."

Melly felt safe with the Doctors squeeze of her hand. She was not worried anymore. As the 'night' came she smiled closing her eyes to listen to all the wonderful sounds. But when Cyrus told her to look she opened her eyes and smiled so so bright to the fireflies. She giggled seeing the pretty bug light and then dim then light and dim but then she looked to the willow tree. "Oh it's so bright, like the nightlights the Federation teachers gave us when they took care of us."

Cyrus nodded at her words. "When I was a boy I used to catch some and put them in a jar, to use as a nightlight, I did let them go the next day though. The lights reminded me of the stars above and I had good dreams because of them." He heaved a sigh at that memory, it was a happy memory for him.

"It's good to let them go, nothing should be kept in bondage against there...", she stops and lowers her head hushing in mid sentence. "They don't deserve... I do. I do..", she whimpered but looked away wiping her eyes. "Sorry.."

"Melly, let me tell you what the symbolism is about the firefly, another reason why I wanted to share this with you. A firefly is the symbol of, hope and inspiration. Also the light that the firefly has, lights the way to better things." Cyrus reached out whispering to the computer softly, and the firefly landed in his outstretched palm, it then turned into a pin, shaped like a firefly. "Here you go, something for you to have to remember the brightness you have in you."

Taking the pin she pinned it to her collar on the offside from her rank pip. With a happily smile she hugged to him and cried happily against him. It was obvious that she was crying for joy now. "I will remember and I will wear this whenever allowed. If anyone asks or makes a issue I will jokingly say 'doctors orders'." She smiled and just hugged to him. "I remember the brightness and use it to light the way to the future."

Cyrus chuckled, glad he was able to bring more brightness to Melly's world. He returned the embrace then he said, "It is probably time to return to the office to get your picture. Thank you, Melly for letting me show you this."

She gave another hug, then one more. Rising she walked over and asked the computer for a couple towels passing one to the Doctor, she began drying her feet and putting her socks back on. She seemed happy and joyful, "It makes me so happy to get to see this."

Accepting the towel Cyrus dried his feet and put his socks and shoes back on. "I am glad" He stood up, and dusted himself off, then said to Melly, "Shall we go?" holding out his hand for her to hold if she wished to do so, until they reached the door leading out of the holosuite.

After finishing with her shoes she smiled and took his hand, happily she walked hand and hand to the door and would walk happily with him not holding his hand when they left. She smiled, her firefly pin glinting in the 'moonlight' giving off a light of hope.

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