Twenty Questions - Part 1/3

Posted on 09 Feb 2015 @ 5:55am by 2nd Lieutenant Carus Markos & Chief Warrant Officer 3 Alexion Wylde & Lieutenant Commander Amynta Markos

1,870 words; about a 9 minute read

Mission: Episode 07 - Sojourn
Location: Starbase 84 - Amynta Markos' Temporary Quarters
Timeline: MD 09 - 1550

ON:

2nd Lieutenant Carus Markos smiled as he stood in his mother's temporary quarters, studying the collection of things she had on display. He knew she was finishing some work up and...well, had headed here. Newly graduated from OCS, Carus would get his orders soon. It was exciting. His blond hair fell across his forehead and his shoulders were slumped a bit...whenever he was out of uniform he couldn't keep his back straight and shoulders back. He just...wasn't comfortable yet with his height.

Dr. Alexion Wylde let himself into the quarters in anticipation of a drink with Amynta. He'd had a heavy afternoon and he'd been looking forward to unwinding with her....but stopped in his tracks when he saw the man already there. He frowned, his mouth opening before he closed it quickly, recognising his profile from the picture on the shelf. "Carus?

Carus turned his head, looking at him with confusion. "I...yes. Who are you?" he asked, turning to face him properly, his arms coming across his chest. He wasn't sure what to do with them, so lowered them to his side.

"Alexion Wylde," he undid his jacket, sliding it off as he watched him with curiosity. "I recognised you from your picture," he motioned to it.

He glanced over at the picture before nodding, stepping forward and offering his hand. "I'm Carus Markos. Wylde...she mentioned you. You are her...friend?"

Alexion took the hand in the human greeting, shaking it with a small smile. He couldn't help but rather like the fact that she'd mentioned him to her son. "Yes, we were going to have a couple of drinks."

"I'm...here to surprise her. But she is still working," he watched Alexion, holding his eyes. He was a handsome man. He could see that easily enough. "I can leave you for your drink if you want. I can always see her tomorrow." He was acutely aware his mother had her own social life and he knew that by coming here unannounced, he risked things like this. He didn't want her to change her plans just because he was there.

"No, do not be ridiculous, sit down, she would never forgive me," Alexion chuckled, moving to the replicator, draping his jacket over the back of a chair. "What can I get you?"

He considered it for a moment before smiling weakly. "Green tea, please," he said and moved to sit, stretching his long legs out. "Actually, it's good to meet you without her. Not that anything I said would have an effect on your relationship."

Alexion glanced across to him as he ordered some green tea from the replicator, a pot for both of them to share. He couldn't help the amusement. He was probably right, but no doubt Carus felt as if he should protect his mother from rogues like him. "I am sure that is not true," he said all the same as he set the tray down on the table for them, sitting with him.

Carus watched him and arched an eyebrow, his blue eyes shining as he grinned. "Now you're lying to be polite. It's okay. We don't have that sort of...relationship, me and her. It's...need to know, but honest with it."

"I am not sure she has that kind of relationship with anyone. She does not need to be told what to do," Alexion admitted with a chuckle, pouring the tea.

Carus nodded, taking a deeper breath. "I guess she had enough of it growing up," he said bluntly, with a small shrug.

Alexion studied his features at the words, letting out a soft breath. "She has only told me a little," he said softly but honestly.

"Well, she has told me nothing. But I can guess," he took the tea, smelling it before sipping it with a sigh. "My grandfather's a hardarse. Controlling, dominating. Always thinks he is right. Don't get me wrong, he is my grandfather and he raised me and I love him. But I don't like him."

Alexion watched with interest, sipping his tea carefully. "Your mother loves you though."

"She does," Carus said and smiled to Alexion. "And just as importantly, she likes me. It's biology that makes her love me. It's...different that she likes me."

Alexion chuckled softly at the distinction, arching an eyebrow. Yeah, there was some of his mother's spark and sting in the young man. "Perhaps. Part of being a parent is making sure your child is someone you can like."

Carus met his eyes, studying Alexion for a moment. Oh of course. He had a child, he remembered now. "The first time I met her, I was 11," he suddenly said, unsure why. Maybe because he took pride in being someone his mother liked on his own merits, rather than shaped by those around him.

"I am willing to wager that she thought of you every day," Alexion said quietly, shaking his head as he rubbed the back of his neck.

Carus sipped his tea, watching him closely, as if he could pick up something from him. "I know she was," he said softly, with a sigh. "I know for all her...talk...she didn't want to leave me. She was just backed in a corner and it was the only option left."

"When you are a parent and you love your child more than the universe, you will do anything for them," he met his eyes, firmly. "If the world were falling down around your head, you would shield your child with your own bare back. Sometimes, it means you do things that you feel will result in the best for your child, even if it might sacrifice your relationship with them."

Carus looked away, frowning slightly as he considered the words. "I think your son is very lucky," he said before meeting his eyes.

Alexion looked to him with surprise before giving a small smile. "I am all he has, he has little choice," he teased gently, resting his elbow on the back of the sofa and his head in his hand. "She talks about you a lot. She is proud of what you have achieved."

"Graduated now," he said, with a small, almost shy smile. "I did reasonably well. Not brilliantly, but not badly. I...have been told I lack the bloodlust for it. I don't see that as a bad thing."

"Neither do I," Alexion said firmly, holding his eyes. "Sometimes it is better to know when not to fire."

Carus chuckled, watching him closely before leaning closer. "So you are going to treat her well? Because...she isn't always as strong as she wants to be. She's human after all."

"Are you giving me the father lecture?" he asked, but with a good natured smile.

Carus shook his head, smiling weakly. "Not really, but since her own father doesn't speak to her, maybe I should."

Alexion smiled gently, reaching for his tea. He liked that he cared enough to do it. "Let me help you. I admire Amynta, a lot. I love how much fire she has. It is what a woman should be. Full of fire and life and spark. The other thing I love about her, is that if I were to ever try to annoy her, let alone hurt her, she would be the first to tear my hearts out and stamp on them."

Carus smiled at that, relaxing at the way he had spoken about her. "Well, at least you know what you are getting into," he teased softly, his eyes warm.

"That I do, and I have yet to meet anyone else like her around the Federation," he laughed gently, refilling their cups. "Makes her special you know. Whether you like that or not."

He smiled to Alexion, watching him closely. "So you love her," he said, his voice soft.

Alexion grinned at the words, just looking away for a long moment, wrapping his hand around the handleless green tea cup as he considered his reply. "She is amazing."

"Don't worry, I won't rat on you," Carus said and smiled, blushing as he watched the other man. "Wow. I didn't think...I mean, I've never met anyone she's...cared about. Not a boyfriend. Or even a friend. You're the first."

Alexion watched him with surprise at that, shaking his head. "Do you scare the others off?" he teased.

"Yeah, because I look so intimidating," Carus laughed, grinning widely as he sat back, trying to get comfortable. "She just isn't...much for that stuff."

"I am learning," he assured with a soft chuckle, watching him for a long moment, recognising the slight awkwardness in the tall, young man. "But what about you? How are things in your life?"

Carus smiled warmly, meeting his eyes. "I've got my first assignment. USS Bunker Hill. It's...a lot bigger than the Galileo. 50 officers, 150 enlisted. It has a Marine detachment and I get to...learn the ropes there. It'll be exciting...I am a bit nervous, it's different being on a ship than on a base."

He nodded at the observation, letting out a heavy breath. "A lot different. You'll have long waits in between action. Not everyone can handle that, oddly. And you will be mixing with us low down regular Starfleet," he teased.

"Luckily I have a healthy respect for you...regular Fleet," he said and looked at the door as it opened. "Amynta..."

"Carus?" Amynta looked at him with surprise, and then Alexion. "What are you doing here?"

"I thought I'd drop by before deploying. And I met Alexion..." he stood, brushing his clothes down. "Who isn't a bad man. Or bad looking."

Alexion laughed at the words, shaking his head with something close to a blush appearing on his skin; an unusual state for the doctor. "I think I passed the test."

"Just as well, you two had to meet eventually," Amynta said, moving to Carus and giving him a hug. "Congratulations on your graduation..." she pulled back, watching him before shaking her head. "Have you got your orders yet?"

"Yes...but I think I'd rather just...enjoy some time here rather than talking about deployment," Carus admitted, looking over at Alexion. "Maybe we could all have dinner? You could bring your son? I could cook?"

Alexion watched with surprise, glancing to Amynta, unsure. "If you don't mind. But....I am happy to keep out of the way. You do not have long here, you should spend it with Amynta."

"Actually, I think that having you and Laeon here for dinner would be nice," Amynta admitted, with a small smile. "I don't think there's anything urgent that I need to talk to Carus about in private."

Alexion glanced between them, as if working out if she meant it before nodding with a small smile. "Tonight then. But for now, I am definitely going to let you...catch up, as you put it."

"Thanks," Carus said, nodding as he watched Alexion. "And I promise...I'm a good cook."

TBC:

LT CMDR Amynta Markos
Chief Intelligence Officer
USS Galileo

MWO Alexion Wylde
Doctor
USS Galileo
[PNPC Blake]

2nd LT Carus Markos
Marine
SFMC
[PNPC Markos]

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