Asking for Help

Posted on Wednesday 29 March 2017 @ 01:48 by Lieutenant Commander David Tan & Captain John "Apollo" Barstow, M.D.

Mission: The Perez Nebula
Location: USS Merlin
Timeline: Various
1072 words - 2.1 OF Standard Post Measure

ON :

Apollo smiled as he watched Sierra play in the living room in front of his desk. He had spoken to Scoops, his ex-wife, and the two had decided Sierra needed to spend some time with her father after a year of being separated. Sierra was excited at the prospect of not only being able to spend time with her father but being able to stay in space. John was just as excited, but, fear had gripped him as well. All the things that could happen suddenly flooded his mind and he wondered how he was going to balance being not just CO of a ship, but, a Task Group as well with being a good father. Barstow drummed his fingers on his leg for a second before reaching up to his comm-badge, "Barstow to Lieutenant and Misses Tan, I know your on leave with your family still, but, I was wondering if you had time to meet with me unofficially ?" He asked, not wanting it to feel like an order.

Lana had watched David walk out, knowing he was doing the right thing in going after Stephanie, but the fact he was doing the right thing wasn't alleviating her worry any. She looked at Kenzie and Mia, who as usual knew something was amiss and were looking at her expectantly. Smiling she took their hands and led them to her and David's room, they could climb in with her until morning ...

At breakfast, she told the girls that their Father would be away for two or three days. They asked questions, which they had always been encouraged to do, and Lana answered as best she could, realising that she was being somewhat foolishly, that they were hardly going to be interrogated over his absence. The comm chirped to life, it was the Captain. She got up, telling the girls to eat their cereal as she sat at David's deck and activated the comm:

=^= Captain .. This is Lana Tan .. I'm sorry but David isn't here .. There's no school today or tomorrow .. I don't have any firm plans and I'm hoping the girls will entertain themselves while I play 'catch-up' on a few things .. So we should be in if you would like to call around .. Bring your Daughter if you like .. I'm sure Mackenzie and Mia would like to meet her again =^= ...

"That sounds good, ma'am, we'll be down soon," John replied and stood up and walked towards Sierra, who had overheard the call and popped up to her feet holding her favorite stuffed animal. John took her hand and the two walked out of their quarters. As they moved through the corridor Barstow could see some of the double takes and grins, most Starfleet starship Captains elected to leave family, if they had family, on starbase or a colony. Very few brought even their wife, let alone their young children with them. It wasn't long before the Captain was at the Tans door and ringing the chime.

Inside, both children had listened to the conversation and had been waiting. When the chime sounded they looked at their mother, who nodded. Mia beat Mackenzie to the door, Lana lagging behind as it slid aside:

"Hello Captain, Sierra." she said, smiling down at the six year old, "Please, come in ...."

"I like your name." Mia said without hesitation taking Sierra'a hand and leading her into the living area. Lana noticed that the little girl glanced at her Father for a fraction of a second before allowing herself to be led away.

"Listen girls, why not take Sierra into your bedroom and play for a while while the Captain and I have a little talk OK ? ... I'll get you all some drinks and treats, how does that sound ?"

"You like chocolate Sierra ?" Kenzi asked, receiving a nod of confirmation, "Then chocolates it is !" she said with a grin. Lana agreed even though both her girls knew that chocolate wasn't something they had on a regular basis, but today was an exception. The girls ran off and Lana asked the Captain to excuse her while she got the 'bribes' ready. She came back from the girls bedroom, making sure to keep the door open, surprised that the Captain was still stood in the middle of the room.

"Please, Captain, sit down, I think we've got past the 'formal' stage in our friendship, or at east I would hope so, Now, can I get you anything before you tell me what's on your mind ?" she asked.

< Tag >

OOC : I'm going on the premise that you are about to ask for help with sierra while you are on duty, if this is not the case then feel free to edit Lana's next replies : Steve.

Lana listened to the Captain, realising that whatever he was asking came harder to him because he was a single parent, but she had no hesitation in saying that they were more than willing to help in any way with Sierra, in fact:

"Captain, there's more than enough room if you want Siarra to stay over at any time during school time. She's a lovely little girl, and it's obvious that our two love her already, I'm sure they are going to become firm friends in no time at all. Of course, if I'm overstepping by offering I hope it didn't offend you, I wasn't implying ....." she stopped talking as Barstow grinned.

Lana listened to the Merlin's Captain, knowing what it was like to be in a 'one parent family' herself and was only too willing to help the man out. She shouted the girls in before he could object:

"Listen you two ... How would you feel about the Captain's Daughter, sierra, staying over now and then ?" both girls began to jump up and down shouting.

"Like a sleepover you mean ?" Mackenzie asked excitedly.

"Well, yes, but sometimes just in the day, so she would come home with us after school, and if the Captain isn't on duty he'll pick her up."

"YEEEEAAAAAA !" the two shouted in unison.

"OK you two, go get changed, the Captain and I want a chat." the girls ran into their room, the door sliding closed behind them. On this occasion Lana didn't mind though normally their door would remain open, "Can I refresh that for you." she said, taking his glass .....

OFF :

Lieutenant David Tan
Chief Operations Officer

Lana Tan, Mackenzie Tan, and Mia Tan