Ren/Wain

Posted on Fri Mar 17th, 2023 @ 4:16pm by 1st Lieutenant Kayleigh London

Mission: Traitor amongst us?
Location: sickbay

Wain was finally feeling a little better. He had to admit that the doctor was taking good care of him. For the first time he was sitting up in bed, reading a padd. Thankfully he had a private room in sickbay as he liked his privacy when he was not feeling well.

"Reading anything interesting?" Soran asked as he leaned on the doorway.

"I wish." Wain snorted. "Nothing having to do with work or any current news so I can't get upset." He grumbled. "As if I was made of glass." He put the padd down. "How have you been, boy."

He shrugged, "things are very difficult right now."

The admiral motioned to the chair next to his bed. "Tell me about it."

"So much has happened to Tony and I don't know how to help," Soran sighed. "I've been through so much pain and death, I just get numb. That's what killed my last attempt at a serious relationship. I know Tony loves me, I don't know if I can give her what she needs."

"Has she indicated that?" Wain asked. "If there is anyone who knows you and knows what you can and can't give it's Tony. Maybe you should give her a little bit more credit? Or yourself. I know you can do more than you think you can."

"I hope you're right," Soran stared at the floor. "With the Federation about to go to war, there are a lot of memories coming back."

"And you have to continue to deal with that, son." Wain said seriously. "Mental health is a battle that never stops. I still have regular sessions with Avril. Memories will always be triggers but you can't let it get you down. Do you have a therapist you trust? You know Denni is going to ask you as well."

"Yes. Sky, through a complicated situition she ended up psychically linked to me during one of my nightmares." Soran looked Wain in the eye." She saw things I still can't talk about and got out of my head without serious damage."

"Jeez Ren. You did tell her of the risks right? You and betazoid counsellors just isn't a good match." He sighed. "But the only choice right now. Denni, Kay and Tony are all to close to you. But you have to be careful."

"I had warned her, it was an accident." Soran explained. "She tried to wake from a nightmare and ended up in my head. The thing is we seem to have some kind link now, I'm not sure how I feel about that."

"Have you two talked? How does she feel about it?"

"We're working through it, it's strange not only did she persevere. She can sense my emotions now, I've taught her some meditation to help her with some of the trauma." Soran explained. "The captain has been very supportive as well. He requested me because he wanted my combat experience, with the drama I've been dealing with I think he's getting more than a bargain for."

"I am glad you are doing so well. And Tony... why now? You guys have been sniffing around each other for years."

"She was practically a child when we first met and I wasn't looking for a serious relationship." The Angosian said. "I've spent so much of my life just surviving that I haven't given much thought to my future or setting down... Now I'm not sure what the future holds, but I'm ready to face it with family. Before you and yours came along I've never had that, Tony has always been there for me."

"She has. And I think she pushed her feelings away for a long time. I am glad she is seeing reason. Denni and I worked out well and I was her patient. And you will always be part of my family, son. You've made me proud." Wain was an emotional man and saying this brought the glimmer of tears to his eyes.

"Thank you, Sir." Soran said with reverence.

Wain patted his hand while he composed himself. "Illness makes me maudlin." He cleared his throat. "You can be glad the old marshall is not around he would make you ask Richard for her hand officially in dress uniform." He chuckled. "You have talked to Richard and Aleck haven't you?"

"Of course, Aleck is considered about my track record with relationships. I say I blame her. This is new territory for me."

"You will just have to convince her. But you know by now that her bark is worse then her bite."

"I'll be good to Tony," he nodded. "The should be enough. "

"Yup. But don't underestimate how nervous a woman's parents can feel. I do remember some conversations with my father in law." He smiled. "They mean well though, keep that in mind."

"So I'm guessing you've used your intelligence contacts to find out all you can about Kay's boyfriend?"

Wain grumbled a little not wanting to admit that and how much Denise and he had done while still on earth. "He seems a nice enough lad, but she is my only daughter."

He gave an impish grin. "Take heart old man if the guy steps out of line. You have an X black Ops operative who isn't afraid to make someone disappear."

"I will certainly keep that in mind. But you had better not tell Kayleigh about that or she will rip you a new one. You two always did fight like cats and dogs."

"I'll don't know if I'll get Kayleigh's boyfriend, our people's don't get along." He shrugged.

"Oh? He is a nice boy really, I hope you will give him a chance."

"I give people their space," he said. "If wants a friendship I'm not opposed."

"That is all I ask to give him a fair chance. I think he has a hard enough life having to deal with Denni and me as Kay's parents."

"I'm sure Kay and Tony will make sure we get acquainted."

"I would indeed not put them past them." Wain could not help but smile.

"I'm trying not to worry Tony, but with the nightmares back.." He sighed. "Remember that time Melor tried to wake me on that camping trip? I haven't regressed that far.. but still."

"She needs to know." Wain said softly. "She can't be unprepared when you have a nightmare. Probably she still knows what to do, she helped you through them once but weakened as she is it is best she is prepared. And I am not likely to forget that, you nearly broke my arms when I had to restrain you. It hurt Melor's klingon pride for a while."

"I'm sorry," Soran sighed.

Wain snorted. "No reason to. I know Melor got you back that summer with some practical jokes. And there are no hard feelings from his side. He doesn't roll that way."

"I'm grateful for that, I think Denise is still shore at us for breaking that table during our arm wrestling contest. He laughed. "Nobody told me it was an antique."

"It's one of her few hobbies antiques. So you deserved the lecture you both got. Everyone knows she is the boss at home, not me." He sighed. "I miss having a home full of kids."

"Kids? I was my twenties."

Wain raised an eyebrow. "With the behaviour you were showing. Denise called it catching up on a missed childhood I believe. And to us you will always remain a bunch of kids."

"Fair enough Old man," Soran laughed.

"Don't, I feel old enough already laying here."

"You won't be laying there for long," he said. "I'm sure Rutherford will get you on your feet."

"Yeah back to the deskjob on earth. Don't get me wrong, I do like teaching youngsters. But I miss being on active duty."

Soran put a hand on Wain's arm, he'd never been able express the way he felt about this man. When he was ready to end it all… Wain took him into his family and gave him a purpose. He sponsored his way into Starfleet and renewed his hope that things could get better. What do you say to the man you wish had been your father?

"I know my boy. I know." Wain was very good at reading body language. "Don't worry about me, I will muddle through like I always do."