One Step Back, Two Steps Forward

Posted on 28 Jan 2013 @ 6:20pm by Commander Scarlet Blake & Lieutenant Commander Amynta Markos
Edited on on 03 Feb 2013 @ 10:12pm

978 words; about a 5 minute read

Mission: Episode 03 - Frontier
Location: USS Galileo: Deck 3, Counselling Office
Timeline: MD -02: 12:45

ON:

Scarlet set the cooled jug of still lemonade on the low table by the sofas, just in time for the doorchime to sound. She was expecting a crew member for an evaluation and they were...she glanced to the chrono...right on time. She smiled as she straightened, tucking a stray wisp of dark hair behind her ear. "Come in!"

Amynta Markos smiled as she walked in, studying the other woman. "Hello," she said softly, taking in the dark-haired woman. There were a lot of impressions she got from her appearance. Well kept uniform. Good posture. And she was a very attractive woman. "You must be Scarlet Blake...I am Amynta Markos."

Scarlet smiled to her, resting her hands on her hips, letting out a soft breath. "Good to meet you, Lieutenant," she moved to her, offering her hand as she watched her with a similarly observant gaze. "Why don't you come and take a seat, help yourself to a drink."

She smiled as she took the hand, shaking it firmly before getting herself a coffee. "It's nice to meet you. Should I call you counsellor, or Scarlet?"

"Whatever you prefer," Scarlet assured with a smile, moving to sit and pour some of the still lemonade out of the jug she'd set on the table for them, sipping it as she settled back. "I'm sorry you had to wait to see me. How was your trip over here?"

"It was...interesting," she said and sipped her coffee, taking a seat. "I had a visit from...family. It is always nice to see familiar faces too, even if it is only every now and then."

"But you say it as if you're unsure," Scarlet pointed out, smiling gently as she crossed her legs and settled back.

Amynta met her eyes and smiled gently, shrugging at the words. "I suppose whenever I see him, I am hesitant. It is my son, you see."

Scarlet smiled softly at that, holding her eyes as she spoke, to consider how she felt about it. "Tell me about him?"

Amynta smiled gently as she held her eyes for a long moment. "He's a very smart boy. Intelligent. Sometimes a bit too intelligent. He was raised by his grandparents. He...is quite remarkable. And very excited about becoming a Marine."

Scarlet watched the other woman with interest, smiling softly. She wanted to ask what it was like, her child being raised by his grandparents, but she knew that was from her own curiosity, not for Amynta. They were talking about the here and now. "And how do you feel about him becoming a Marine?"

She met her eyes for a long moment, chuckling. "Resigned to it. It was doomed to happen. My sister is a Marine too...I had hoped he would stay a civilian."

"If it helps, it's not the nightmare some parents have," Scarlet said softly with a small smile. "It's not an easy ride either, not by any means. But if he's smart, and he keeps his head, he could have a good career."

She nodded as she watched Scarlet, her eyes gentle. "He is smarter than most, actually. Always has been. I can take no credit for that."

Scarlet searched the woman's eyes for a long moment before glancing down. When she looked back to her, it was with a small smile. "You seem to admire him a great deal," she said softly. "How was it for you? His being raised by his grandparents? You obviously care for him."

"I was young when I had him. And I am not fit to be a mother, not really," Amynta said and shook her head. "Too...I suppose too selfish. And I have never been that good at giving comfort."

"Those are some difficult things to feel about yourself," Scarlet said quietly as she watched her with calm eyes. "Some people just aren't comfortable with parenthood, it doesn't make them selfish or unfit for it."

Amynta smiled gently as she looked at her, nodding. "Some people aren't good at it. I am not good at it. But he is a good man, and I am proud of him."

"I'm glad," Scarlet smiled warmly at that as she watched her. She had to be honest though, Amynta hardly looked old enough to be the mother of a grown up child. She would have to ask what her secret was at some point. "How is Galileo treating you so far?"

"Well, thank you..." Amynta said and nodded gently, her eyes warm. "Although I have to admit, I have not done much here yet."

"Nothing wrong in that," she assured with a small smile, shaking her head. "I think a move to another ship is quite enough to contend with. How are you feeling about it?"

"Good," she said quickly, nodding to her before smiling gently. "I like this ship. The crew seems half decent too so far, but it is too early to tell."

"Well you sound thoroughly in control of the situation," Scarlet lifted a hand with a chuckle, shaking her head as she smiled. "Realistic too. I have no worries about your performance."

"That's always reassuring," Amynta said and smiled back to her, with warmth. "And I find myself quite fond of you already...you are really different from most counsellors. You have lived, girl."

Scarlet watched her with surprise at the warm words, laughing softly as she looked down, colour actually touching her cheeks. It wasn't often people said such things to her when she was working. Most people couldn't wait to get out of the office. "Well in that case we should catch up for a drink sometime," she offered a warm smile in return. "Drinking partners are always welcome."

OFF:

Lieutenant JG Amynta Markos
Intelligence Officer
USS Galileo

Lieutenant JG Scarlet Blake
Counsellor
USS Galileo

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