Advice

Posted on Sat Nov 2nd, 2024 @ 2:41pm by Lieutenant JG Elysian "Elly" Clarke & Lieutenant Commander Andrew "Drew" Chandler

0 words; about a 1 minute read

Mission: To Boldly Go...
Location: Elly's Quarters
Timeline: TBD

Elly sat in front of her computer, a look of sheer panic on her face. What was she DOING?! She should probably see the Counselor but first, she wanted to talk to the one person in the Universe who really and truly "got" her-her twin brother. She frantically issued the relay, and waited. She was glad she had a single suite-having someone else see her so verklempt would be...well. Both sad and hilarious. For them, of course. SHE was not having a good time with it.

Andy’s face appeared on the screen. He noticed the panic stricken expression on his sister's face and grew concerned instantly. "What's wrong El? You look like you're about to throw up." It occurred to him that perhaps she had received news from one of their parents. "Has something happened to Mom or Dad?"

Elly shook her head. "Nah, you probably would've been told, too," she said. They probably would've called Andy first, actually, as he was more accessible-his ship was in the BQ for the foreseeable future. "It's um...this guy." She said. She closed her eyes, waiting for his teasing her. "His name is...Andrew," she said, with a light chuckle. "But he goes by Drew," she said. Thank goodness, because if he went by Andy, too, she'd not be able to stop herself from gagging whenever she tried to kiss him. "I want...I don't know what I want. Anyway. We've had two "dates," she said, making air quotes around the word date with her fingers. "Well. One was his daughter trying to set him up, and the other was a party we all had for Halloween..." she said. "And you know me with alcohol," she said. He did. He was way better than she at holding his own. It was weird that they were twins but had several differences. Of course, they were only fraternal twins, but still. "I kissed him, though. The thing is...he has his kid and he IS a higher ranking officer, but he's tactical, so not my direct supervisor, and-" she stopped speaking when Andy looked at her with his one face he made when she was talking too much. Andy hadn't had to speak until he was about five years old because Elly would always speak FOR him to his parents, teacher, and etc.

Andy’s face transformed through several expressions as he listened to his sister. The first was relief that her panic attack was not due to an issue with their parents, next was humor do to the issue it was a guy, concern that it was a guy with a kid of their own which meant older. His expression finally settling on being supportive. "That's a lot to unpack. I guess my first question is...how do you feel about this guy...and his kid? Wait, he isn't married is he?"

She sighed. "He's a widower," she said. "Which is even MORE complicated, because there's THAT baggage, too," she said. "I like his daughter-Ashley. She's very smart, and responsible. I am helping her with her school work, actually," she said. She picked up a small piece of her hair and began to twirl it around a finger. "He is....a hard nut to crack, I'll admit. And probably smarter than me," she said. Elly had always been the one to play dumb-let Andy shine, keep the heat off of HER. In childhood, it had let her get away with a LOT of shenanigans. She just hadn't *stopped* it now, in adulthood. Now? It served as sort of an armor to keep people out, and to distract them from her feelings of inadequacy. "I don't know, Andy. And before you ask, yes, he's a little bit older than we are," she said, "About ten years," she said, with a sigh. She looked back at Andy. At least he didn't seem...mad? She didn't know what he'd say or react to sometimes.

Andy, despite all the pranks and ribbing growing up, always considered Elly not just his twin sister, but also his best friend. The two had always been one another's confidant in life, profession and matters of the heart. He thought about their parents and what they said about how they met. "I know you had just broken up with Kyle before heading to Deep Space Nine for this assignment and you said you weren't looking for anything...any time soon, but...did you feel anything the first time you met this Drew? Not what you were thinking, but how did you feel?"

She sighed. "Not like I did with Kyle. Kyle was fun, but nothing I wanted to be serious about. I couldn't see a future with him. he was good enough for right now, you know," she said. She sighed. "When I FIRST met Drew, actually, I just thought he was attractive. He actually got me in the Labs," she said, "He needed to use the Astrometrics lab to plot...something. I don't remember. Anyway. We chatted, and I was just glad he didn't seem that annoyed by me." She paused. "Then, on our first date, I felt like...I NEEDED to kiss him. And also just talk to him. At our staff Halloween party, he helped me. I knew then...it's...special," she sighed. That sounded...kinda lame, even for Andy.

Andy was quiet for a moment. Elly was his twin sister and he was always wanting to look out for her, especially when there was a guy a guy involved. "He hasn't like...tried anything, has he? If he has I'll...." Elly cut him off before he could finish his statement.

"NO!" She said. "He has been a gentlemen," she said. "Almost TOO perfect, really," she said. "OH! You know what else is weird? He has a twin sister, too!! Her name is Rachel. She's our Counselor," she said. "So she'd kill him, too." She nodded. "I am SO glad he goes by Drew, though. Could you imagine if he was also called Andy?" She made a face. "Anyway, if anyone has moved quickly, it's me. But...I am nervous about the kid thing, if I am being honest. I know it's too soon to think about it, but what if like....she thinks I am trying to replace her mother or something?!" Elly was smarter than she gave herself credit for, really, and had good insights into her own behaviors. If only she'd trust herself more.

Andy shook his head. "Sounds to me you like the guy. You're more concerned about how his daughter might feel about the two of you seeing each other. You should find out how the daughter feels about you. You do have a tendency to overthink things. Even so far as talking yourself out of doing something you want."

Elly nodded. "She likes me, I think. She DID try to set us up, after all," she said. "But yeah, I will. Maybe a girls' day with her and Rachel," she said. "Thanks, Andy," she said. She switched topics. "How's Elizabeth?" She asked, slyly. "Have you told Mom and Dad yet?"

Andy cocked an eyebrow in a very Vulcan like fashion. "Elizabeth and I are doing fine. We have a mini refit due at Utopia Planitia next month. We decided to meet each other's parents during the three months maintenance and upgrade schedule."

Elly nodded. "Good," she said. "Because they need to know. But good luck. Drop by and see your sister, too, sometime. I miss you," she said. It was true. They were close, and it was hard for them to not serve alongside each other, but she did understand the Fleet's rules about that. "Anyway. I should go. Thanks for the chat. I feel better. I promise...if it goes somewhere, you'll be the first to know." She smiled.

"I'm going to hold you to that El." Andy knew Elly better than anyone inside or outside the family. He was concerned, but he would always be supportive of her. "I hope things between you, this guy and his daughter turn out the way you want. If he hurts you though, treats you the way Jack Turner did. I will kill him."

Elly laughed. "I would help you," she said. "Hey. I might be just a botanist, but I can shoot!" She said. "Thanks. I love you," she said. "We had dinner, but now I need to go and panic." She turned slightly to click off the relay.

"Love you too El and don't panic, don't overthink it. Just talk to the guy and his daughter. Tell them how you're feeling and ask them how they are feeling." Andy knew. Elly thought this guy and his daughter were both special. "Trust your instincts. Talk to a friend and find out what they think." Andy wanted to be supportive. He looked thoughtful for a moment. Your last letter said that Trudy Mitchell was working as a nurse. Talk to her if need to." Andy glanced off screen. "Gotta run sis. Take care." A moment later the screen switched to an image of the United Federation of Planets.

Elly nodded. "I will," she said. "See you!!" She watched as the screen clicked off.

She plopped on the bed, and crossed her legs together. Now what?!


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