Blowing off steam

Posted on Fri Jun 10th, 2022 @ 4:20am by Lieutenant Sky Jansen-Carey & Commander Antonia 'Tony" Stoffels

Mission: The Lost Brother
Location: Various
Timeline: Night before “An Interrogation?”

Tony had been sitting alone in her quarters but she was unable to relax and certainly unable to sleep. All she could think about was her poor brother. it was not too late yet so she hoped that Sky was still up and able to help her. So she sent a comm message to her friend. If Sky did not pick it up she would wait till morning and try to sleep somehow.

Sky was having a restless night herself, not wanting to disturb Xavier and Talsi she was sitting in the nursery going over a list of things she still wanted to get. Hearing the comms She quickly answered it. “Tony, is everything alright?”

"I can't sleep. I can't even relax. I thought that maybe you can prescribe me something for a few nights. I would rather not go to the doc. I don't want Pix to worry."

Sky offered a smile. “I know the feeling! I’m having one of those nights too.” She paused. “If you want me to prescribe you a sedative I can, but a natural remedy might be better. Maybe we could go swimming in the holodeck?”

"That might not be a bad idea. I feel like a hamster without a wheel to be honest. I can't get Nicky out of my mind. He must be so scared."

Sky nodded. “You need to try and rest though Tony, you’re no good to Nicky if you drive yourself into the floor.” She smiled. “Give me ten minutes and I’ll meet you at holodeck one.”

"Ok. I will see you there. Just need to replicate a bathing suit."

** ten minutes later**

Tony had walked the empty halways of the ship feeling a little self conscious in her bathing suit and robe. But the thought of company and exercise kept her going.

Arriving at the holodeck in her bikini, which was hidden under a kimono, Sky offered Tony a warm smile. “Hey, I left Xavier and Tal a note incase they wake up and wonder where I’ve gone. Let’s get inside.” She tapped the computer choosing her program before loading it. Walking inside they were greeted by a crystal clear blue pool, with a waterfall at one end, surrounded by jungle. “I thought I’d choose something a little different.”

"Ohhh." Tony said. "I love the sound of a waterfall. Normally I find it very calming. I hope it works tonight. I can't let the crew down by falling apart. But this is so different, so personal. It has never been this personal before."

Sky nodded as they walked inside, set down her towel, and took off her kimono. “I know it’s hard Tony, but you have to look after yourself, if you’re not fit then whose going to help looking for your brother?” She offered an understanding smile as she headed towards the water.

"You are right." Tony dropped her robe and towel and walked towards the water as well. "I have to practice what I preach. I really tried to relax tonight and sleep. But I think I was more awake by the hour."

“My head is full of everything right now” Sky smiled as she dipped her toes in the water. “Last time I was pregnant I was carrying Talsi’s child, it was at this point that everything went wrong.” She slowly moved into the water which was pleasantly luke warm.

"Oh. I did not realise that." Tony said. "I am so sorry, I should have been there more for you as well." The water was lovely. Not at all what she was used to when going into the sea with her dad. Usually it was freezingly cold which as a marine Richard loved.

“You weren’t assigned here then Tony” Sky smiled warmly as she let herself relax in the water. “Now I’ve got the miracle of carrying Xavier’s child, and so far everything seems to be going well. I’m even starting to feel more off colour in the mornings, the joys of morning sickness!”

"You would think modern science could do something about that, but no. I guess it's all men." Tony was smiling as well now. "You are adjusting your pace aren't you?"

“Of course” Sky nodded. “I’m no use to anyone if I drive myself into the floor. Besides we’re here to help you relax not to worry about me.”

"Hmm. It is so much easier when I can worry about you and give you advice then to take it myself." Tony grumbled.

“If you want to worry about me that’s fine” Sky grinned as she enjoyed a gentle swim. “However in the long run you need to think about your own welfare as well.”

"I know. And I want to. Hell I have been telling patients off for so long. I would be a fraud if I did not at least try. But it is hard, Sky."

Sky paused swimming and offered her friend a warm smile. “I know it is Tony, but you’re not going to achieve anything by driving yourself into the floor. Your brother needs you, and so do your parents.”

"My dad certainly does. My mom..." She sighed. "That side of the family is made out of teflon. It's the way my granddad raised them. Only my uncle Pete rebelled. He couldn't take it."

Sky nodded. “Tough parentage huh? I’m not that kind of person, I know children need discipline but there’s tough love, and gentle love. I’m the gentle sort of person.”

"People always think it is my dad who was tough on us growing up. General and all that. But he is a softie deep down." She smiled. "Mum is emotional as well. She has her moments. But she has that fiery Southern temperament. You should see her and my granddad fight. That is epic."

Sky grinned. “Sounds like your mum is a tough cookie!”

"She is. Army brat. And the son my father wanted to have. I had two uncles but one died on active duty when I was small. And my other uncle is a marine doctor. I adore him but it is not what granddad wanted."

Sky nodded. “I guess your mum must have had a hard time trying to please your grandfather.” She turned and started swimming, not getting too far from Tony as she went for a gentle swim.

Tony started to swim as well. "Oh even I have a hard time. And Nick... Nick has it worse. Granddad is always on to him to change his last name as well or to at least add Sorrel on to it."

Sky shook her head. “Sounds like he’s a demanding man, not always a good thing. It doesn’t help to keep pushing.

"I had hoped granddad would have learnt that by now but he hasn't. Stubborn old mule. It almost cost him his relationship with uncle Pete. But they recovered. Nick doesn't know how to go against the old man yet. It is so frustrating to see."

Sky nodded. “I can imagine.” She swam across to a shallower area near a picturesque waterfall and sat in the shallows. “So how are you really feeling about what’s going on? I can sense a whole jumble of emotions flowing off of you like that waterfall.”

"Afraid. Terriied that Nicky will die. And what that will do to the family. Grandad and mum may get into a fight over it. Even dad and mum may fight as mum did push him into a military career as well."

Sky offered an understanding nod. “Okay, So if your brother was in trouble what would he do? If he’s military trained then he should know survival techniques.”

"He should. And dad thought us how to survive in difficult environments when we were kids. But I am just not sure what he will do under pressure. He hasn't got the temperament for it, Sky."

Sky nodded. “You’d be surprised what people have the temperament for when they’re under pressure, your brother may surprise you.”

"I really hope so." Tony was choking up again.

Sky swam across to her friend offering a comforting hug. “Xavier will do everything he can Tony, we won’t give up looking.”

"I am so grateful for your support. I don't know what I would have done on my own." She returned the hug.

“Well I’m not going anywhere” Sky smiled. “You’re my friend, I’ll be here for you no matter what.”

"Likewise." Tony said feeling overwhelmed with gratitude. "And I hope you will get to meet my brother as well."

“I’ll look forward to it!” Sky grinned. “Now how’s about we go stand under that waterfall? It’s something I’ve always wanted to do!”

"I head that running water helps you calm down so yeah let's do that." Tony tried to get her composure back and headed towards the waterfall.

“Remind me to bring Xavier and Tal here sometime!” Sky grinned. “I’m sure they’d like this.”

"You would have to make it ice water to please Tal I think." Tony found herself relaxing after all.

“That’s true” Sky nodded. “No reason why the computer couldn’t make her a neighbouring pool just how she likes it. I never thought I’d ever be in a three person relationship, let alone getting married to Xavier and being his second wife! I just...fell head over heels and I’m happier than I’ve ever been.”

"I am not judging. As long as all of you are happy." Tony said.

“Ohh I know you’re not” Sky offered an almost apologetic smile. “I was just saying in general. I know there are those who don’t understand, Starfleet are obviously cautious about Xavier being involved with me given that I’m a member of his senior staff. I just...” She paused. “I care what people think, I know I shouldn’t and it won’t stop me being with Xavier and Tal.”

" My dad is married to his chief of staff." Tony said with a shrug. 'Starfleet will learn to live with it."

“They’re going to have to!” Sky grinned as she ran her hands over her hair. “No way I’m not marrying Xavier!”

"My dad seems to like Xavier so if it comes to the worst he can help." Funny she never had any problems to have her family help friends, but just not herself.

“Hopefully it won’t be necessary” Sky smiled. “I’ll beat you back to the shoreline!” With that she slipped back into the water and swam away.

With a shout Tony followed her and tried to swim as fast as she could. She was a strong swimmer.

Sky was taken by surprise as Tony not only caught her up, but passed her. Reaching the bank Sky grinned. “Wow you’re fast!”

Tony grinned. "Told you. My dad tought me to swim in the North sea back were he grew up. But he was so not pleased the first time I beat him."

“I bet not!” Sky grinned as she moved out of the water and wrapped herself in her towel. “I can swim faster, but I don’t want to overdo it for obvious reasons.”

"Very wise. Maybe I should have held back a little." But coming from a competitive family that was not really in her nature.

“Nonsense!” Sky grinned. “We’re here to have fun and that’s what you’re doing.”

"Good that you are not that competetive." Tony grinned. "I am afraid that I am."

“Ohh I’m competitive alright!” Sky grinned. “I’m just being cautious for the sake of my pregnancy. Just you wait until I’m getting fit after I’ve had this little one.”

"We will have a rematch then!"

Sky nodded. “Agreed!” She gave Tony a smile. “Looks like you’re feeling better now anyway.”

"I am. Thank you. You did a great job." Tony started to get out of the pool. "I might even be able to sleep now."

Sky stifled a yawn. “Yeah me too.”

"Let's both get some sleep then. You need yours as well." She put on her robe and the towel over her wet hair.

Sky nodded as she did the same, “It’s been fun, we’ll have to do this again sometime.”

"Definately!"

{OFF}