<div dir="ltr"><span id="gmail-docs-internal-guid-4e6db389-7fff-a613-c4d7-ba16bc19d4f9"><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt"><span style="font-size:11pt;font-family:Arial;font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap">Mission: Space was cool before it mattered</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt"><span style="font-size:11pt;font-family:Arial;font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap">Day: 2</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt"><span style="font-size:11pt;font-family:Arial;font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap">Stardate: 2446.04.26</span></p><br><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt"><span style="font-size:11pt;font-family:Arial;font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap"> </span></p><br><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt"><span style="font-size:11pt;font-family:Arial;font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap">(USS Exeter - Personal Quarters - CO Cpt Trip Williams and MorOff Ens(sg) Ashlyn Williams - 0300)</span></p><br><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt"><span style="font-size:11pt;font-family:Arial;color:rgb(0,0,0);background-color:transparent;font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap">It was the dead of night. </span></p><br><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt"><span style="font-size:11pt;font-family:Arial;color:rgb(0,0,0);background-color:transparent;font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap">There were moments in Ashlyn’s life that she felt that she were the only conscious being for light years. Even as she stood at the full length window, her heart in her arms as her and Trip’s son nursed. Her mind however found itself stepping outside the window, her Bracken blood, the innate, desperate desire to seek, to explore coming to the fore of her being. She was a Jones by rearing, a child of the wrong side of the tracks, growing strong and streetwise from the experiences of her childhood, she was a Williams by marriage, family and love the innate hospitality and love for those all around her had imbibed her during her courtship and marriage. However the Bracken blood ran strong, on finding her birth mother, she’d found herself growing into a family that was proud, unashamed of its abilities, and it’s strengths, and whose blood ties ran just as deep as the Williams’.</span></p><br><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt"><span style="font-size:11pt;font-family:Arial;color:rgb(0,0,0);background-color:transparent;font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap">It was a heady mix for a girl from the wrong side of fifth and main.</span></p><br><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt"><span style="font-size:11pt;font-family:Arial;color:rgb(0,0,0);background-color:transparent;font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap">Ashlyn’s consciousness was pulled back as Drew fussed. “You done?” She lifted her son, the second of the Williams-Bracken Progeny that graced the galaxy. LIfting him up to her shoulder and covering herself with the ivory satin robe, she started to gently to rub his back. </span></p><br><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt"><span style="font-size:11pt;font-family:Arial;color:rgb(0,0,0);background-color:transparent;font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap">Staring once more into the void as her local mind was patting and rubbing her son’s back trying to extricate the last vestige of wind that would herald the remains of the nights sleep. As she beheld the lateral view of the perseus arm of the milky way in front of her, she slowly became aware of a presence in her families’ suite.</span></p><br><br><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt"><span style="font-size:11pt;font-family:Arial;color:rgb(0,0,0);background-color:transparent;font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap">“Make yourself known, or so help me…” She swung her eyes once more across the milky way, seeing Andromeda’s vast presence in this light. “...So help me…even babe in arms I will exsanguinate your being and nail you to the prow.” It was total Ailynn, she admitted, but she had been around her niece a lot recently, and her tone and manner brought results. </span></p><br><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt"><span style="font-size:11pt;font-family:Arial;color:rgb(0,0,0);background-color:transparent;font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap">She lifted her chin defiantly in her nightwear as she turned round, to regard the room behind her.</span></p><br><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt"><span style="font-size:11pt;font-family:Arial;color:rgb(0,0,0);background-color:transparent;font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap">“It would not be the first time I died. Not sure if I can die a second time.” The figure said softly. “Though I guess this would be the first time we have met.”</span></p><br><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt"><span style="font-size:11pt;font-family:Arial;color:rgb(0,0,0);background-color:transparent;font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap">“You say that, but hide in the shadows.” On her shoulder, Drew fidgetted, as if trying to turn round. “Shh shh shh….easy honey.” She slightly stretched and patted her son’s back, causing him to be able to release the trapped wind. </span></p><br><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt"><span style="font-size:11pt;font-family:Arial;color:rgb(0,0,0);background-color:transparent;font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap">Ashlyn turned to the shadows, “You’re going to need to step out. I mean you as much harm as you mean me.”</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt"><span style="font-size:11pt;font-family:Arial;color:rgb(0,0,0);background-color:transparent;font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap"><br></span><span style="font-size:11pt;font-family:Arial;color:rgb(0,0,0);background-color:transparent;font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap">The figure stepped forward. “Is this better. I don’t mean to be in the shadows, but I guess, I am a wraith. Not sure why I am here, just that…well consider this an apology from a friend.”</span></p><br><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt"><span style="font-size:11pt;font-family:Arial;color:rgb(0,0,0);background-color:transparent;font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap">Ashlyn watched the figure step out of the shadows, a touch taller than she was, dark hair, a sense of vibrance about him. His eyes, deeply intelligent, she was drawn to his outward confidence and calm. All her neurons were screaming at her.</span></p><br><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt"><span style="font-size:11pt;font-family:Arial;color:rgb(0,0,0);background-color:transparent;font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap">“Your earring is beautiful, I had one just like it.” The figure said.</span></p><br><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt"><span style="font-size:11pt;font-family:Arial;color:rgb(0,0,0);background-color:transparent;font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap">It was Ashlyn’s most precious possession, she would sooner lay down her life than surrender what she wore on her ear. “It was my father’s, only one like it exists….” She was unable to finish the sentence.</span></p><br><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt"><span style="font-size:11pt;font-family:Arial;color:rgb(0,0,0);background-color:transparent;font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap">“It’s amazing, the woman you grew up to be, Ronal Ashlyn.” </span></p><br><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt"><span style="font-size:11pt;font-family:Arial;color:rgb(0,0,0);background-color:transparent;font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap">She felt her heart grow and explode at the ritual acceptance. “I hope that I bring honour to your name….” She paused, a tear in her eye. “Ronal Ashalon” she threw aside ritual blessings. “Father…?” her entire being was in her throat. “Daddy…?” her soul took control of her voice, the only thing she had always yearned for.</span></p><br><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt"><span style="font-size:11pt;font-family:Arial;color:rgb(0,0,0);background-color:transparent;font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap">“Yes.” he smiled. “Yes. Or at least his consciousness, not his soul, not his body, but everything that made me, well me, is here before you. And look at you.”</span></p><br><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt"><span style="font-size:11pt;font-family:Arial;color:rgb(0,0,0);background-color:transparent;font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap">Ashlyn blushed demurely, taking a step toward the wraith before her, utterly unafraid, had he meant her harm, it would have happened by now. “From the moment I found out who my father was, a part of me has held regret. The chance to be held in a caring father’s arms.”</span></p><br><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt"><span style="font-size:11pt;font-family:Arial;color:rgb(0,0,0);background-color:transparent;font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap">“I am sorry, I am sorry I could not be there, to give you the childhood you deserved, the father you deserved.”</span></p><br><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt"><span style="font-size:11pt;font-family:Arial;color:rgb(0,0,0);background-color:transparent;font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap">“As much as I wish the pain of my youth away, and would yearn for a life where I grew up being cared for by you and Dale, the lives you led, the paths of destiny that you chose to forge were more important. I didn’t understand that at first.”</span></p><br><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt"><span style="font-size:11pt;font-family:Arial;color:rgb(0,0,0);background-color:transparent;font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap">“How is your mother? I assume she is, what is the earth phrase, busting balls?”</span></p><br><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt"><span style="font-size:11pt;font-family:Arial;color:rgb(0,0,0);background-color:transparent;font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap">“Mum?” Ashlyn sighed, “More lonely than she admits. I’m not sure she’s ever got over losing you. She works to keep herself from brooding on it. </span></p><br><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt"><span style="font-size:11pt;font-family:Arial;color:rgb(0,0,0);background-color:transparent;font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap">“Well, she’s lost two great loves, and lost two great daughters, but she has you and your sister once again. I know you make her whole.”</span></p><br><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt"><span style="font-size:11pt;font-family:Arial;color:rgb(0,0,0);background-color:transparent;font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap">“As whole as we are able Father, yes.” She smiled gently, still rubbing her son’s back, who’s body was relaxing back into a heavy sleep.</span></p><br><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt"><span style="font-size:11pt;font-family:Arial;color:rgb(0,0,0);background-color:transparent;font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap">“And, to think, so I am told, that you married the young man she views as beyond a mentee, beyond a surrogate son.”</span></p><br><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt"><span style="font-size:11pt;font-family:Arial;color:rgb(0,0,0);background-color:transparent;font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap">Nodding, she spoke gently. “An accident of circumstance, or perhaps Fates winged whimsy. We reconnected, and found soulmates in each other.”</span></p><br><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt"><span style="font-size:11pt;font-family:Arial;color:rgb(0,0,0);background-color:transparent;font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap">“Yes. They do. They are crazy thing those fates. Unfortunately your mother has received both her share of sad and happy fates.” He walked forward, “so who is this little guy?”</span></p><br><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt"><span style="font-size:11pt;font-family:Arial;color:rgb(0,0,0);background-color:transparent;font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap">She turned Drew around, he was already asleep again, of course. “Your grandson, and you have a granddaughter too, by means of somewhat contrived nature, but she is her grandmothers granddaughter, and we worship them both.”</span></p><br><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt"><span style="font-size:11pt;font-family:Arial;color:rgb(0,0,0);background-color:transparent;font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap">“Ah yes, Ronnie, the girl out of time, getting a second chance of life.” Ashalon walked towards Ash, “May I hold him?”</span></p><br><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt"><span style="font-size:11pt;font-family:Arial;color:rgb(0,0,0);background-color:transparent;font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap">“Of course,” Ashlyn said, “I wasn’t certain that you were here; in the physical sense I mean.” she carefully passed over hers and Trips son.</span></p><br><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt"><span style="font-size:11pt;font-family:Arial;color:rgb(0,0,0);background-color:transparent;font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap">“Support the head, relax. Let him rest in your forearm…” Ashlyn’s hands were fidgeting. “Sorry.”</span></p><br><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt"><span style="font-size:11pt;font-family:Arial;color:rgb(0,0,0);background-color:transparent;font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap">“I know how to hold a baby.” He said laughing.</span></p><br><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt"><span style="font-size:11pt;font-family:Arial;color:rgb(0,0,0);background-color:transparent;font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap">“Your Grandson, Williams Drew, of the House Ronal. I hope that I honour my family.”  Ashlyn blushed as she spoke. She’d never been worried about someone's acceptance before, but this time it seemed more formal.</span></p><br><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt"><span style="font-size:11pt;font-family:Arial;color:rgb(0,0,0);background-color:transparent;font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap">“You already have my dear, you already have.” Ashalon said smiling.</span></p><br><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt"><span style="font-size:11pt;font-family:Arial;color:rgb(0,0,0);background-color:transparent;font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap">Looking at the figure of her father, holding the youngest member of assorted clans, she watched as her son woke briefly, and held his grandfather's proud gaze. </span></p><br><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt"><span style="font-size:11pt;font-family:Arial;color:rgb(0,0,0);background-color:transparent;font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap">“Did you know?” Ashlyn asked gently. “When you gave that speech I mean; Did you know of the danger? Ronal the Unifier. That’s a lofty benediction.”</span></p><br><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt"><span style="font-size:11pt;font-family:Arial;color:rgb(0,0,0);background-color:transparent;font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap">“I knew that everytime time I left the house I was at risk. But even if it meant….never meeting you, I knew that I needed to continue to speak. I apologise for that.”</span></p><br><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt"><span style="font-size:11pt;font-family:Arial;color:rgb(0,0,0);background-color:transparent;font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap">“No apology needed. You did what had to be done, what no other had the stones to do.” She said gently, watching as her father’s avatar and her son shared a moment.</span></p><br><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt"><span style="font-size:11pt;font-family:Arial;color:rgb(0,0,0);background-color:transparent;font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap">“But, I am thankful for this chance to meet.” He smiled. “She saved his life, you know?” Ashalon said, “Your mother, she saved Trip’s life.”</span></p><br><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt"><span style="font-size:11pt;font-family:Arial;color:rgb(0,0,0);background-color:transparent;font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap">“He told me. Rae is still a big part of his life, our lives, and that’s fine. We honour her memory at the appropriate times.”</span></p><br><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt"><span style="font-size:11pt;font-family:Arial;color:rgb(0,0,0);background-color:transparent;font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap">“Yes. As is right to do.” He smiled at little Drew. “The fates have a weird way of having their will unfold. Your mother, having no knowledge that you and Trip would ever cross paths again, nursed that broken young man back from the brink. Repairing body and soul, restoring his will. She restored him, even if she could not have known, for you. The daughter she lost, the daughter she gave up willing to protect, and the boy whom she cared so deeply that she brought him back to life. Together in wedded bliss. Sometimes it makes all the grief worth it.”</span></p><br><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt"><span style="font-size:11pt;font-family:Arial;color:rgb(0,0,0);background-color:transparent;font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap">“It makes me reconsider my thoughts about fate, and destiny.” She sighed, a rare moment of her inner sadness coming to the fore. She had moments of course, but the only time she cried was when everyone was asleep.</span></p><br><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt"><span style="font-size:11pt;font-family:Arial;color:rgb(0,0,0);background-color:transparent;font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap">“Oh my sweet daughter, the prophets called me home, but oh how I wish I could have been there for you.”</span></p><br><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt"><span style="font-size:11pt;font-family:Arial;color:rgb(0,0,0);background-color:transparent;font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap">“Father…? Can, I have a hug? Just to feel it, just once?”</span></p><br><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt"><span style="font-size:11pt;font-family:Arial;color:rgb(0,0,0);background-color:transparent;font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap">“What father would deprive his daughter of such a request. I may be a spectre of a memory, but I would never deny you that.” He replied.</span></p><br><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt"><span style="font-size:11pt;font-family:Arial;color:rgb(0,0,0);background-color:transparent;font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap">“ Here, Drew can go back in his bassinet.”</span></p><br><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt"><span style="font-size:11pt;font-family:Arial;color:rgb(0,0,0);background-color:transparent;font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap">“He will be a strong one, this one.” He said handing the child back to his mother.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt"><span style="font-size:11pt;font-family:Arial;color:rgb(0,0,0);background-color:transparent;font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap"><br></span><span style="font-size:11pt;font-family:Arial;color:rgb(0,0,0);background-color:transparent;font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap">“He has rather unusual genetics,” She said gently as she took Drew, and gently placed him back in his bassinet, placing a kiss on his head before turning back to Ashalon.</span></p><br><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt"><span style="font-size:11pt;font-family:Arial;color:rgb(0,0,0);background-color:transparent;font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap">Opening her mouth a couple of times, to frame a sentence, Ashlyn regarded her father, stepping shyly toward him. “Daddy?”</span></p><br><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt"><span style="font-size:11pt;font-family:Arial;color:rgb(0,0,0);background-color:transparent;font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap">He embraced her in a deep hug. “Daughter.” He said smiling, tears of joy streaming down his cheek. “I am so proud of you, Ronal Ashlyn. So proud.”</span></p><br><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt"><span style="font-size:11pt;font-family:Arial;color:rgb(0,0,0);background-color:transparent;font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap">For the first time in her life, Ashlyn felt a true father’s embrace; strong, and proud. She felt his shoulder muscles encompass her, enveloping her in a deepest sense of a true paternal relationship. The strength from his arms, wrapped around her warmed her being. She felt a tear fill her right eye, which grew, crystal-like, and ran down her cheek. Resting into the embrace, she had no idea how long it lasted before her Father’s time was at an end. </span></p><br><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt"><span style="font-size:11pt;font-family:Arial;color:rgb(0,0,0);background-color:transparent;font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap">Though she didn’t know it at the time, years later, on a visit to Bajor, Ashlyn would slip away and purposely make the acquaintance of a perfumier, a man of considerable age and reputation on Bajor. He would nearly have Ashlyn thrown out physically, but upon seeing the jewellery that she wore, and her proud stance, had dipped his head. Slowly, and with painstaking detail, she would describe a smell to him, one that she hid the source of, but one that she would remember to that day.</span></p><br><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt"><span style="font-size:11pt;font-family:Arial;color:rgb(0,0,0);background-color:transparent;font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap">The aging perfumier, that night would close his shop with shaking hand and soul.</span></p><br><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt"><span style="font-size:11pt;font-family:Arial;color:rgb(0,0,0);background-color:transparent;font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap">The scent that the daughter of the ‘voice of the fire in the grass’ had described, had been his preferred after-shave, and she had described every single note of it’s concoction perfectly.</span></p><br><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt"><span style="font-size:11pt;font-family:Arial;color:rgb(0,0,0);background-color:transparent;font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap">Yet on this very night, this singular moment in time, Ronal Ashalon disappeared in the Embrace he gave his daughter. Smiling, Quella appeared beside Ash.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt"><span style="font-size:11pt;font-family:Arial;color:rgb(0,0,0);background-color:transparent;font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap">“I come in peace.” She said putting her hands up showing that she had no intention of hostility. Quella was fond of Trip for many reasons, but was equally as fond of Ash, though not for those same reasons. When Quella had pretended to be Addison Queen, Ash showed Quella a respect, dignity, and value, that had Quella truly been mortal it would have meant the world to her. But Quella was not mortal. Though she treasured how well Ash had treated her. </span></p><br><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt"><span style="font-size:11pt;font-family:Arial;color:rgb(0,0,0);background-color:transparent;font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap">Ashlyn turned to the newcomer with a warm smile. There were many who would not have understood Ashlyn’s forgiveness of Quella. She would say the same thing to all of them should she feel like airing her view. ‘Before you judge someone's actions you walk a mile in their shoes.’ and so it was with Quella. Addison had been quite a quiet, almost shy girl, profoundly lonely in her life, but eager to learn, relishing Ashlyn’s gentle, almost maternal tutelage. She had seen a number of the same qualities in Quella, and beyond all the personal, she’d understood her motives on the profoundest of levels, she herself came from a family where ‘difficult decisions’ was a family trait.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt"><span style="font-size:11pt;font-family:Arial;color:rgb(0,0,0);background-color:transparent;font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap">“Quella.” She smiled. “No antagonism, I promise.”</span></p><br><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt"><span style="font-size:11pt;font-family:Arial;color:rgb(0,0,0);background-color:transparent;font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap">Quella approached Ash and kissed her on the cheek. “This is but my humble apology for what I put you through, what I tried to take from you. You have a kindness in your heart that goes beyond your Bracken genes. A capacity to love and forgive that you received from him. I just wanted to give you this gift.”</span><span style="font-size:11pt;font-family:Arial;color:rgb(0,0,0);background-color:transparent;font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap"><br></span><span style="font-size:11pt;font-family:Arial;color:rgb(0,0,0);background-color:transparent;font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap"><br></span><span style="font-size:11pt;font-family:Arial;color:rgb(0,0,0);background-color:transparent;font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap">The gentle kiss on the cheek was warm, almost exotic. The revelation that Quella was responsible for her father’s appearance made her heart skip a beat. Pulling Quella into the tightest embrace, she whispered, tears in her eyes, and rolling down her cheeks. “I can never repay you for this. Wherever you are, however lonely you feel, there’s always a seat at our table. Thank you Quella, from the bottom of my soul.”</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt"><span style="font-size:11pt;font-family:Arial;color:rgb(0,0,0);background-color:transparent;font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap"><br></span><span style="font-size:11pt;font-family:Arial;color:rgb(0,0,0);background-color:transparent;font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap">Quella then kissed Ash on the cheek and in a flash, vanished.</span></p><br><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt"><span style="font-size:11pt;font-family:Arial;color:rgb(0,0,0);background-color:transparent;font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap">Left alone in the room, she glanced at her son, and picked him up, a solid little lump of sleep, Drew briefly opened his eyes. Sure, he was mostly his father, the cheeks, the nose, the set of the jaw, shoulders even made him a true Williams, in other places hints of Bracken came through, however, her father’s true face emblazoned in her mind, she looked into her son’s sleepy eyes she saw the self same set about the eye. </span></p><br><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt"><span style="font-size:11pt;font-family:Arial;color:rgb(0,0,0);background-color:transparent;font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap">A tiny skip of her heart as his eyes surrendered once more to sleep, she placed a kiss on his brow.</span></p><br><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt"><span style="font-size:11pt;font-family:Arial;color:rgb(0,0,0);background-color:transparent;font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap">“Sleep well, whether you are part Williams, part Bracken, or the Scion of House Ronal. My baby boy.” Back in the bedroom now, she placed him carefully back into his cot and removed her robe, slipping back between the sheets, and losing her own battle against the sandman; her dreams, profound and love filled.</span></p><br><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt"><span style="font-size:11pt;font-family:Arial;color:rgb(0,0,0);background-color:transparent;font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap">(Reply none)</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt"><span style="font-size:11pt;font-family:Arial;color:rgb(0,0,0);background-color:transparent;font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap">(posted by Mark and Will)</span></p></span><br class="gmail-Apple-interchange-newline"></div>