family

Posted on Tue Apr 9th, 2024 @ 11:01pm by Captain Xavier Carey & Commander Antonia 'Tony" Stoffels & Lieutenant Sky Jansen-Carey

Mission: Brief Stay
Location: various

Tony was so nervous while she was waiting to beam down to earth. There had been very little information available about her family members. The only thing she had been told was that she would be picked up and then taken to a secure location to meet with them. That was all. So she had knots in her stomach while waiting. She had sent a quick message to the Carey family asking if any of them were willing to go with her. Right now she still did not even know if everyone survived the ordeal.

Having received Tony’s message, Sky wasn’t going to let maternity leave stop her from going with Tony. Arriving at Tony’s quarters she pressed the door chime and waited for an answer.

Tony opened the door and almost dragged Sky inside. She was anything but her normal self. "Sky, I have just been told I can visit my family at a safe location. I still don't know who survived and who didn't. And I am scared. What if they are all dead and they are going to tell me that. And why have the security bastards let us all hang so long without any news. Gods I can wring their necks."

Sky offered Tony an understanding smile. “Tony take a breath and relax, do you really think they’d drag you to a secure location to tell you your family are gone? If they were they would be here telling you. I’m going to go with you, I’ve already told Xavier I’m going.”

"You are really ok with it?" Tony asked although her face showed her relief. This is why you should not mix friendship and client/therapist relationships but on ships it really could not be avoided. "It won't be too much strain?" She had no idea how much it showed on her face that she was going to pieces over this.

“Don’t worry about me, I’ll be fine. It’s not like we’re going into battle or anything.” Sky smiled a wry smile. “I want to be there for you, like you were for me.”

"Thank you so much." Tony hugged her again. "Let's go then. They are picking us up on the docks soon." She began to lead the way out of her quarters trying to take deep breaths so she would stay calm.

Xavier walked up to Tonys quarters, and rang the chime. The message seemed urgent, so he made a point to visit immediately.

Just as she opened the door she saw the captain there and Tony briefly explained what was happening.

"Do you want to join us as well?" She asked Xavier

Xavier looked to the two... "Given what we have already invested, I will join you." Xavier replied as he nodded

Sky smiled, in all honesty she was glad Xavier was going with them.

Sky walked alongside Tony & Xavier, looking towards Tony. “I’m not slowing you down am I? I’m afraid walking at speed with the weight of these two on my spine is nigh on impossible.” She grinned trying to take Tony’s mind off of her worries.

"Nope it is fine." Tony said.

*** Ten minutes later***

The man waiting for them was not in uniform. But his black suit almost looked like a uniform and he also wore wrap around black sunglassses that hid his eyes.

"Commander Stoffels." He said in a deep low voice. "Who are that with you?"

"My friends the Careys. They have been briefed and are coming with me or I am not coming."

He gave them a stare and then turned away to confer with someone on a communication device.

Bloody spooks." Tony whispered.

“If it’s a problem, then you go.” Sky looked at Tony. “I don’t want you missing out on visiting your family just because I’m here.”

"Given what’s happened, with spooks, I do not want anyone dealing with anyone without an escort. We will join you."

The man turned back. "Alright, they can come. Let's move."

They were taken to a hovercar with blacked out windows so the passengers would not be able to see anything while sitting inside. "Please." The man indicated.

Tony took a deep breath and got inside.

Sky followed Tony without hesitation, getting in proved a little awkward but she managed it just fine. Moving across to allow Xavier in as well she looked around the interior. “As much as I understand the need for security, I can’t say I like not having windows.”

"Me neither." Tony grumbled. "It makes me almost sure my granddad survived after all.' This was something Moxley would pull.

"Seems something larger at work." Xavier replied off hand.

"I have no idea." They were in the air now and Tony was getting nervous.

“Tony...relax, you’re always the one telling me to relax but it’s hard for me to do so when I’m picking up on you.” Sky offered her friend a warm smile whilst all the while holding onto Xavier’s hand with something of a vice-like grip.

"You are right." Sky reminding her that she was also her patient helped Tony relax. If not for herself then she had to for Sky.

**
They were in the air for about an hour before the car began to descend and finally stop. And a little later the door opened. Immediately they could feel the humid heat outside. "Welcome to the American South." Tony mumbled as she got out. It was not one of the family estates as she did not recognize it. But it was an old mansion and there was plenty of heavily armed security around.

Sky followed Tony out glad to stretch her legs and muscles after the long ride. "It's certainly hot, I hope it's cooler inside." she offered Tony a smile as she waited for Xavier.

Xavier looked around. "What has your family gotten themselves into Commander."

"I don't know exactly, I just know it goes back decades."

A man in some sort of uniform came towards them. it was not any kind of starfleet uniform. He nodded to the three guests. "Miss Stoffels, I am Aron Stern, I command the security detail hired by your family to guard them. Do you have any weapons on you?"

Tony nodded no and looked at her friends.

“No, nothing” Sky offered a polite smile.

"Given our prior dealings with the people you... I found it only logical to come equipped." Xavier replied showing his one of three phasers he had on him.


"If you could hand them over please." Stern said. "I promise you, you will get them back when you leave."

"I would rather keep them on me." Xavier replied.

"In that case I have to ask you to wait outside." Stern was not going to budge on this.

"Xavier please." Tony said.

Sky looked at her husband. “If it helps he’s telling the truth. I’m not sensing anything of concern.”

Xavier sighed, disapprovingly. Tossing the weapons to the ground at the feet of the man.

"If you would follow me inside, please." Stern said not missing a beat or changing his facial expression.

Taking another deep breath, Tony followed.

Sky followed on giving Xavier a glance as she did so. She knew he preferred to be armed incase of trouble especially with her being in her current condition.

Xavier followed with out a word. He did not like having no back up if needed. With everything going on, it didn't sit easy with him.

Once inside Tony finally spotted someone that she knew and she rushed to him. "Uncle Mike." She rushed into the arms of a tall blond man with greying hair and grey eyes. He smiled as he opened his arms for her as they stood in the old fashioned entrance hall of the mansion.

Sky smiled as she watched the happy reunion between Tony & her Uncle, it was good to feel the relief that Tony was feeling.

Finally they broke together and the man gently touched Tony's cheek. There was so much sorrow in his eyes. "How much have they told you, puck?"

Tony smiled at her childhood nickname. "Only about grandma and that other people were hurt, uncle Mike."

He nodded. "Your grandma died instantly. Ginny was with her and she was very badly hurt." Ginni was one of their three daughters.

"Is she..." Tony could not finish.

"She lost a leg. But she will survive." Mike said. "But there was a second attack. I don't know how they got past our defenses but they attacked us when Pete and I were at the big house to talk to your grandfather." He paused for a few seconds. "Everybody survived and that is a miracle. Pete... he is still in a coma though."

Tony moaned.

"Your grandfather is very weak, we thought for a long time he would not make it. The old bastard saved Savannah's life. And Caroline was only slightly wounded. I was knocked unconcious myself and spent some time in the hospital."

Tony held on to him and just cried. For once she did not have to be strong.

“If there’s anything I can do..” Sky stepped a little forward to introduce herself. “I’m Sky Jansen-Carey, I’m a Counsellor, and also Tony’s friend.” She offered a warm smile.

While still holding Tony with one arm Mike freed his other hand to shake Sky's. "There are some people here in need of counselling, ma'am" He said. "Normally I would do it, captain Michael Falcon starfleet counselling at your service. I am married to Tony's uncle."

Sky moved closer to shake Mike’s hand. “It’s nice to meet you Captain. I’m happy to do whatever I can to help while I’m here, I might as well make myself useful.” She smiled warmly.

"Mike please. You are the first that Stern has allowed in to see us except for the doctors and nurses. It has been lonely." He struggled with his composure. "I hope you can stay a while."

"You mean everyone is here?" Tony said looking up and her uncle nodded.

“I’ve no doubt Tony wants to stay for a while, and we are currently on stop over.” She looked to Xavier. “I’m not sure exactly how long for though.”

Xavier nodded, "You take the time off you need, with Sorans Death, and this happening... you need this Commander." Xavier replied looking at his first officer.

Sky nodded and looked to Mike. “I’m not sure if there are details I’m not permitted to know, but I’m willing to listen and advise where I can.” She motioned to a comfy chair. “Do you mind if I sit, carrying all this weight around is uncomfortable at the best of times.”

"No of course. Do sit. I am being a very bad host." He said. "With everything going on. My husband is a real southern gentleman, he would have my head." He stopped and swallowed back tears. "I am sorry."

Tony just held on to him, Mike had always been a rock. Seeing him like this was hard.

Sky sat down. “Thank you. Please don’t hold back your emotions, bottling it up isn’t going to do you any good. I can only imagine how hard it’s been for all of you.”

"I have to be strong for our girls. To tell them that their father will be fine, that he will survive. Thank god Moxley is out of the woods now. The old bastard is actually doing his best." He shook his head. "I am sorry you don't know my father in law."

“Actually I do.” Sky smiled. “I’ve talked to him via subspace before now.”

"Ah, I hope that was pleasant." Mike said with a smile.

“It was” Sky nodded. “I think it would do Tony the world of good to spend some time here with all of you, put her mind at rest.” She gave Tony a warmer smile. “You all need it.”

"But I was going to stay on board so you could all could have some downtime before the babies come."

“We’re all taking a break right now Tony, I’m not planning on working during leave.” Sky smiled. “That gives you a chance for some time off as well. Spend it with your family.”

"But isn't it law a senior officer stays with the ship?" She looked at Xavier.

"I will be there on ship, I have a few things to do, COs eyes only, for the moment at least." Xavier replied. "We are just taking some time to visit our son at the academy."

"If you can help my family even if it is over vid. I can't do that. I can't be their therapist just like uncle Mike can't."Tony said to Sky.

"And I will return to the ship when you visit your son and please take all the time you need." Tony replied to Xavier.

Sky nodded. “I’ll do everything I can for your family Tony, that’s a promise. I’ll make myself available whenever I’m needed.”

"The ship is in dock, its safe to leave it without command. It ain't going anywhere Commander."

"If you are sure." Tony said mostly convinced and then followed her uncle upstairs.

{OFF}