Bonding

Posted on Mon Nov 25th, 2024 @ 12:16am by Ashley Chandler & Lieutenant JG Elysian "Elly" Clarke

0 words; about a 1 minute read

Mission: To Boldly Go...
Location: Drew's Quarters
Timeline: MD-16

Ashley was over by her dad's desk downloading the digital family album from her PADD to the main computer as Elly rummaged through her dad's boxes of knick knacks and personal items. She looked up at the woman who was clearly stealing her father's heart and smiled. She didn't feel any animosity towards Elly. If, anything she felt joy that someone was bringing back the way her father had been prior to her mom's death. It was good to see her dad spontaneously smile more often. "I will have the photographs uploaded in a minute and ready for the replicator to make. How goes the hunt for dad's trophys?"

Elly was rifling through boxes. She felt a little oddly about this; as if she was sort of invading Drew's privacy or something. "Not yet," she said. "Still more...whatever this is," she said, unearthing some kind of memorabilia she didn't recognize. "What IS it?" She asked the teenager. "One more, they've gotta be in here," she said. She opened another box. Sure enough. She carefully unwrapped one. "Here we go," she said, hading it over to Ashley. "You know, you SHOULD be doing homework, not messing with your father," she said, in a tone that she hoped sounded mature.

Ashley set her PADD down on the desk and walked over to see what what Elly had uncovered so far. "Dad's MVP trophy from last year's baseball season. He played short stop on the Niners." She looked at the first item Elly had uncovered and laughed. "You sure you don't recognize this idol?" It's a Risa Horga'hn and symbolizes sexuality and fertility. The Academy Commandant presented it to my parents on their wedding day."

Elly nearly dropped the relic. "Well, we'll just put that one...somewhere else for awhile, won't we?" She said. Oof. "That's sweet, though. It's cute that he's kept it," she said. "Where do you think it should go?" If this child suggested anywhere NEAR the bed, she was going to be airlocked. Not that she and Drew had even had sex yet, but still. The idea was there, wasn't it? She was just..slow and careful and still a little nervous. A lot nervous. "Ah, yes! I remember now. That is the intramural sports symbol at the Academy," she said. "On Copernicus, we only had one sports team, so we'd have to beam to Earth or Mars or something if we wanted to play other people," she said. Copernicus was still a small colony. "I played lady's volleyball in my freshman year but I preferred to swim or hike. I still do," she said. She remembered one of the first conversations that she and Drew had had-when he said he liked running and she nearly had a heart attack about it. It was still...not something she was going to do. Elly didn't like to run-it was boring and she didn't like to be sweaty from that kind of thing.

Ashley saw the look on Elly's face when she told her what the Horga'hn was and what it symbolized. She took the idol and looked around for a moment before putting it dead center on the coffee table. Some place her dad would see it when he got back from his bridge watch. "Hmmm, maybe some place else. I could put it on Dad's night stand." She looked at Elly's face with a grin. Elly's mixed expression showed equal amounts of shock and underlying desire. "What do you think?"

Elly shook her head. "Absolutely NOT," she said. "But very funny. How about here?" She said, perching it on top of the computer. She rubbed her temples. "Ok, that's done," she said. "By the way, your father and I aren't....there yet in our relationship, and please...don't say anything to him about it. I just...he's more...experienced than I am and I want it to be...perfect. Have you...had sex yet?" She asked the girl. "Because you know how you build up your first time in your head and you want it to be special and perfect, like in books and on holo-programs and stuff? It's like that, I guess," she said. Elly had been a little older than Ashley on her first time-about seventeen, with a boy from school but it wasn't...great. She had expected a lot more than it was. Since then, of course, it's gotten better, but still. "You're not...thinking about a sibling or something, are you?" She asked, suddenly horrified of the thought. Not that she didn't want children-she DID, just...it was too fast, too soon. Too...something.

Ashley made an ewww face and shuddered. "Wow! Really didn't need that image in my head." She grew serious for a moment. "Sorry, I was just messing with you and no. I have not done it yet. Heck, I have not even had a real kiss from a boy yet." Her expression changed. It grew curious. "Is it...is it good though? Sex I mean?"

Elly blushed a bit, realizing that she was probably not the one who should be telling Ashley about this but maybe it was too late. "Uh...I am not sure what your dad or aunt have told you, so I won't go into detail but...it can be," she said. "You're still a little young; I was seventeen. It was uh...not good," she said. "Not what I had thought it would be, anyway," she said. "I was thinking it would be like in the movies, but it was more or less...awkward. And so was the second time, but with each subsequent time, it got better. It got...nice. Plus some of it comes with learning about YOURSELF...and being in the right mindset. You shouldn't just DO it with anyone. It needs to be right, and that can include sober, or even waiting until you're an adult, or whatever it is that feels right to you. And under no circumstances should you ever let a boy tell you it's not cool to wait. It IS," she said. She crossed to the replicator then and got herself an iced tea. "Want something?" She continued. "Anyway. That's what I want with...well. Anyway, not to gross you out further, but it just hasn't been right yet," she said. "But I think...soon. He's a very nice guy and I DO like him." She nodded.

Ashley shook her head. "I'm good thanks." Her mind shifted to something Elly had said after the offer of something she had said after the beverage inquiry. "I gotta tell you. I don't think dad has kissed anyone since my mom died. Well, nothing besides a good night kiss for me and Aunt Rachel." She smiled a little as she remembered seeing the lipstick smear on his face that morning. "I hope he wasn't a bad kisser last night."

Elly nearly spit out her tea. "I am sure he hasn't. He's very loyal," she said. She just knew it; she KNEW him already and it had only been a short time. "He was a fine kisser," she said. "Uh...not sloppy at all." She didn't expand on the topic. "Anyway. What's next?" She asked, hoping to change the subject.

Ashley retrieved her PADD from her dad's desk. "Photographs. I think I have them all uploaded to the main computer and they're ready to replicate. Want to help me pick out some?"

Elly nodded, and looked at the PADD. She smiled as she swiped through them. There were so many. She held one up. "Is that your mother?" She asked Ashley. "She's beautiful," Elly said, with a smile. Elly recognized Rachel in a few of them. The two siblings seemed as close as she and Andy.

Ashley looked at the picture and nodded. "Yes. I think it was about eighteen or nineteen years ago. Mom and dad had only been dating for a little while I think." She got a wistful expression. "Dad told me how it was love at first sight for him, but he was to afraid to say anything. I guess I should feel lucky that Mom was smart enough to make the first move and asked him to the Starfleet Academy Sadie Hawkins Dance."

Elly laughed. "HE was nervous?" She asked. He'd definitely grown out of that, then. "You look like her," she said, looking again. She smiled. "It's ok, right?" She looked at Ashley. "I don't want to replace your mother; I never could, but...I DO like your father, and I think I want it to go somewhere..." she had moments where she could be serious. Andy would be proud of her. "But I don't want it to be weird for you. I mean. It probably will be anyway, but..." she sighed. She didn't know how to do this. Truthfully, the thought of a man already a father was a bit scary-she was sailing uncharted waters and was about to lose her oars.

Ashley gave Elly a reassuring smile. She reached out to give Elly's arm a gentle squeeze as reassuring as her smile. "We are okay. I'm not saying I am or ever will be ready to call you mom. Perhaps, some day. I just want my dad and you to both be happy. He's always been the greatest father, but he's been sad for a long time. He hides it well most of the time, but Aunt Rachel and I see it. Since he met you...he hasn't been sad as often." She looked at Elly with an intense interest. "If you guys ever decided to get married, just know that I am cool with it."

Elly nodded. “You don’t have to call me mom. Even if I marry your dad someday…just Elly is fine.” She let it be quiet for a moment. “Alright. I like these,” she said, showing Ashley a selection of the pictures. “Have you decorated your quarters yet?” Elly asked. “I can help if you need me, but I’m sure your aunt will, too,” she said. “I wonder if it’s too soon to replicate some nicer linens,” she said, making a face. “The Fleet issued stuff is itchy,” she said.

Ashley seemed a bit confused. "I never really noticed that." Her expression changed to one of concern. "Do you have sensitive skin?"

Elly nodded. “Yes, but also…it’s just one of my weird things. I like nice linens,” she said. She realized then that it was because the ones she’d had as a kid were pretty shabby-mostly passed down from kid to kid. It must’ve been difficult for her parents to have twins. “I haven’t, uh… tried your dad's yet.” She blushed a little. It seemed kind of lame, really, that she was scared of what he’d think.

Ashley nodded. She looked at the clock then back to Elly. "Speaking of Dad. He is getting off bridge watch in 30 minutes. You might want to go get ready for your DATE. I mean it is actually a date isn't it?" Her grin pretty much answered her own question.

Elly sighed, but nodded. "Yes, it is. You're right. What do you think I should wear? A dress? Something more casual?" Oh, gosh, why was this so hard?! She smiled. "Want to come help me get ready?" She asked. "THEN. DO YOUR HOMEWORK," she said. "I know it's a weekend but you don't want to be up late tomorrow night, doing it at the last minute," she said. "TRUST me." Elly had been there, done that a few times in her life. Always regretted it.

Ashley smiled. "Homework is all caught up. A dress most definitely and I would love to help you get ready, but dad asked me to swing by the galley and get the ingredients for tonight's dinner for you two." She hugged Elly. "You don't need my help to impress dad. You are doing great on your own. You got this."

Elly chuckled. "Thanks," she said. "Ok, go help your dad, and I'll go get cleaned up," she said. She ran through her wardrobe in her head. She COULD replicate something new, but she'd just bought a dress before they'd left DS9, and she was dying for a reason to wear it. This would do! She excused herself to the teenager, and made her way to her own quarters. She didn't have time to panic this time, only to shower and dress. Luckily, she was mostly already clean, so she just needed a sonic shower and she'd be golden.

Ashley waited for Elly to leave and sat for a moment lost in thought. She finally nodded and ducked into her dad's bedroom and stripped off the bed cover. She sighed and then stripped off the bed sheets and placed them in the hamper. She went to the closet and dug out the silk sheets she knew her dad kept on the shelf. Several minutes later she had the bed remade. She stepped back into the living room and spotted the Horga'hn. She knew her dad would probably put it back in the box and hide the box if he saw it. She looked back into the bedroom and back at idol. She locked the door in the open position and retrieved the idol. She returned to the bedroom and stuffed the idol under the bed. THEN she left to go get the ingredients her dad needed.

 

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