Facing the truth

Posted on Wed Jun 24th, 2020 @ 3:27am by Commander Owen Nash & Lieutenant Krysia Kaleri-Smith & Lieutenant Commander James Smith
Edited on on Fri Jul 10th, 2020 @ 5:53pm

Mission: Death in Paradise
Location: USS Pandora - Docked at Carwennan Station
Timeline: After the Pandora has returned to Federation Territory

With the wedding of Krys and James now a happy memory and the Pandora heading back to Federation Territory with its mission at Paradise Station complete, Owen had taken the chance to contact his father Andrew aboard the USS Maiden to see if he could spare some time to finally take the opportunity to meet his long lost daughter.

With recent events taking their toll on the crew, Owen was happy to enjoy a break from the norm and had invited James along for the meeting as well. With Captain Nash being out on patrol on the Beta Quadrant aboard the Sovereign-class starship, it wasn't always easy to contact him, however, Owen had managed to get a clear commline through to his father.

When he explained the situation, Captain Nash had shown a brace of emotion that Owen hadn't seen in his father before. He knew of how much he loved his mother and also of how strongly regard the elder Nash held family in general. Therefore, when he had jumped at the chance, Owen was overjoyed that he could finally give his father hope and also show him that there were still good things out there in the Universe, great things and wonderful surprises.

Owen had offered to pilot the Runabout himself to make sure that both Krys and James could take the time to enjoy their space away from the Pandora. With their Honeymoon soon to be taken, Captain Nash had made sure that he was free for a short time only. The Maiden was out of its normal patrol route and wouldn't be able to stay at Carnwennan Station for too long.

Krysia was enjoying the free time away from her duties on the Pandora, better still it was free time with her new husband. She had to admit she had butterflies at the idea of meeting her father after all this time.

James was glad to get this time away from the ship after the last few missions they had and he was happy that Krys was getting a chance to meet her father. He also felt a bit nervous as well. The last time he met anyone’s father was when he met his first wife.

Once Owen had docked the Runabout at the station, Andrew Nash had sent a comm to confirm the guest quarters that he had managed to secure for his brief stay onboard the station, with Owen making sure he kept the location a surprise. He secured the controls on the Runabout and looked around at Krys and James. "So, are we ready for this moment?" he asked in anticipation.

“About as ready as I’ll ever be!” Krys nodded as she squeezed her husband’s hand. The dress she’d chosen to wear was a flowing red dress that complimented her blooming figure. She had a fair size bump given that she was carrying twins.

"Good stuff. I've already got the location of where we are to meet, so lets go and meet your father... my father... (looking at James) and your newest Father in law," Owen said to them both.

Krys was bubbling with excitement, yet worried as she walked with Owen and James. “You already spoke with Dad, how was he when you told him about me?”

"He's very excited to meet both you & James. Dad holds family in high regard and he's looking forward to seeing you," Owen explained as they made their way out of the airlock and through to the Stations Promenade. It was a busy place to be & Owen was glad he'd gotten directions from the Runabout first.

Leading both James & Krys across the Promenade to the Hotel that their father had booked a room. Once he checked them in at Reception, Owen confirmed the apart number and tapped his combadge.

Krysia was squeezing James' hand pretty hard, she felt queasy but it was definitely more due to nerves than morning sickness. She took a few calming breaths trying to calm herself down a little as she offered James a nervous smile. "I don't think I've ever been this nervous before!"

Holding tightly to her hand as he kissed her, James said, “He’s going to love you, and I’ll stay with you the whole time, I’m looking forward to meeting my new father in law.”

Once he received the go-ahead signal, Owen located the required turbolift and guided both of them inside. He let slip a small smile as the car came to a halt on the required floor. He pressed the door chime as they arrived at the correct room.

"You smiled!" Krys looked at Owen. "I saw that!" His smile was contagious and Krysia was soon smiling as well, she couldn't help herself as she picked up on Owen's excitement. He was exuding it by the emotional ton load.

"That's because I've been looking forward to this for some time," Owen admitted. "This has been one of my happy thoughts in recent months."

Shortly after his admission, the door opened to show Captain Andrew Nash waiting inside the room. The older Nash stood up and walked over to the three of them with a big smile on his face.

"Owen! Finally!! It's been too long," he said, as Owen walked inside. Andrew gave his son a hug before letting go and turning to both Krys and James. He stood fast before introducing himself. "I'm Captain Andrew Nash, USS Maiden...and you must be the lovely Krysia," he began before seeing that she was in full pregnancy. Andrew looked back at Owen...

"You never told me that she was..." he started.

"...Surprise number 2!" Owen finished.

Andrew looked back at the happy couple. "Please, where are my manners, please, the pair of you, please come in and make yourselves welcome whilst we are here."

Krysia's smile beamed as she looked at Owen before looking back at her father. "I've waited for this moment for so long!" She took a seat to rest her back still grinning like a Cheshire Cat. "I wasn't sure how you'd take the news about me."

"To be honest, when Owen explained to me that I had another daughter in this life, I was overwhelmed. As he's probably told you, I'm very proud of both he and Isabelle, his sister, however, I can't wait to find out more about my daughter and catch up after so much time has already been lost."

"My mother told me all about who you were, she never kept that from me." She relaxed back in her seat still holding firmly onto James' hand like he was going to disappear at any second. "I spent a few years following Owen around getting to know him before finally telling him who I really was. Then I met James and it's all seemed to have flown by since then. Given another few months you'll be a grandfather to twins!"

Andrew sat back almost stunned. "Twins? Well, I never... First of all, congratulations are in order," Andrew said. "Owen had explained that both you and James have recently gotten married, so my most heartfelt congratulations to you both." He took a breath as the new facts sunk in. "How long do you have until your due to give birth?" he asked.

"It's about another three or four, depending on whether or not the twins go full-time for a Human or Drax." Krysia smiled. "There's not that much difference in between."

As both Andrew and Krys were talking, Owen went over to the Replicator and ordered a round of drinks for everyone, making sure that Krys' was non-alcoholic due to her current state. He couldn't help but feel a glow inside as he watched them talking and getting to know each other better. As he came back over to the seating area, he placed the drinks on the table.

James thanked Owen for the drink and took a look at Krys and her father talking he was so glad to see her happy and smiled without interrupting them.

Owen nodded in return as he sat down and took a sip of his own drink. It was good to see such a positive atmosphere in a room since they had left the Pandora a few hours ago. Looking over at his father, Owen asked the one question he really didn't want to but realised the importance of his father's role as a starship captain. "Dad, how long have you got with us? I know you took some time out from the Maiden at short notice to meet us today," he asked.

Taking a sip of his drink, Andrew almost scowled as he answered the question. "Unfortunately I have about two to three hours at best, for this visit anyway," he explained. "The Maiden is scheduled to make a run into the Beta Quadrant on an exploratory mission of the Paulson Nebula, to re-chart the nearby systems. this will almost be a flying visit I'm afraid."

"So is the Starfleet life." Krysia nodded understandingly. "All I've ever wanted was to meet you and for you to be happy about me." She looked at James and offered a smile before looking back at Andrew. "That was my only dream but I've found so much more since then. Between Owen accepting me as his sister and James having me for his wife, I've found so much more! I just want to make you all proud. I would love more time to get to know you." She looked at her father. "At least you know I exist now."

Andrew smiled. "Not just that you exist, but that you are a part of the family, aling with Owen & Isabelle," he confirmed. Looking at James, Andrew continued. "As are you my boy. You've won the race to become my firat son in law and please feel free to consider yourself a part of my family. Isabelle is too busy consumed with her work as part of Stafleets exploratory division of Earths Oceans and Owen... Well I'm not sure there."

James smiled, “Thank you sir, it means so much to me. It’s been a while since I’ve been this close to anyone and now to have a family I’m part of means a lot.”

Owen kept quiet when his father questioned how his own personal affairs were going. He looked across at him after he and James exchanged words. "My personal affairs are...under review," he clarified.

Krysia smiled as she looked at her father. “Don’t worry I’ll watch over Owen for you, I am ships Counsellor after all. I’m glad I chose not to wait any longer to tell him who I was, I waited years but now I have what I always wanted....my family!”

Owen smiled. "Yes you do and so do we all now. Dad has another daughter to care for, a son in law to get to know and the prospect of becoming a Grandfather for the first time," he said.

"Trust me when I say, I couldn't be happ..." Andrew started to speak when his combadge beeped for attention. "Operations to Captain Nash, we have priority one signal for you from Starfleet Command," reported the voice on the other end of the comm line. He scowled as he pressed it. "This is Captain Nash, re-route it to my location, I'll take it down here." Andrew looked at everyone as he excused himself and took the comm at a terminal on the otherside of the room.

Krysia looked at Owen with concern written all over her face. They all understood what it meant when a priority one message came through.

James looked over at Krys and could tell she was concerned, but if it was anything that he learned with Starfleet Intelligence that these priority one messages weren’t always good news.”

Krysia lay her head against James’ arm, for the moment she had to sit and wait for whatever bad news was coming. She offered him a brief smile just glad that they’d be together no matter what.

Andrew made his way back over to them. "My apologies, the departure time for the Maiden has been brought forward and I need to get back on board. Starfleet Command has made this decision and as you can appreciate, I can't go into why or the details of the mission itself," he explained. It was clear that he wasn't happy about this, however, duty came first as a Starfleet Captain.

James stood as he shook Andrews hand, “ I understand sir, if I can help in anyway feel free to contact me on the Pandora, I may be able to access some Intelligence that could assist on your new mission.” Looking over at Krysia who could tell she wasn’t really ready to leave yet.

Krysia stood and moved alongside her husband, she was having a hard time holding her emotions together. Having just met her father she didn't want him to go yet, she had so many questions and wanted so much to get to know him. She was holding back tears as she offered a brief smile. "Just make sure...you come back safe...Dad." She stepped forward and gave her father a loving cuddle before stepping back and taking James' hand.

"I will, thank you for the offer James, I'll take good care getting back to the Maiden. You make sure you take good care of Krysia and Owen and especially that bump," Andrew said as he gathered his things.

James held her close as she watched her father getting ready to leave, he prayed that his new father in law would be ok on this mission, but he also was thankful that Krysia got a chance to finally meet him.

Andrew nodded to Owen before making his way out of the apartment and towards his awaiting shuttle. Once he was gone, Owen turned back to Krys and James. "Well, that's Dad..." He started, seeing how upset Krys was. "Listen, we still have plenty of leave to use. We can stay here as long as we want to," he offered.

Krysia nodded and wiped away the tears that were rolling down her face. "I just wish...we could have had more time!" She took a deep breath to calm herself. "I'm ready to go home whenever you both are."

Owen nodded as he agreed with her. "I understand. Look at it this way, you can now contact him as and when you wish. It would just take some time to get an answer back from the Maiden depending on her position is all," he explained. He knew it was hard on Krys, however, the duty of a Starfleet Officer was never an easy one and this meeting had brought home that truth as well as giving his half-sister a chance to meet her long lost father.

Krysia nodded. "I know you're right Owen, I just wish we'd had longer." She offered a more relaxed smile. "At least we can arrange another visit now Dad knows I exist."

"Oh trust me, he definitely does now," Owen chuckled. Looking at the both of them, he sighed. "Well, if you really want to get back to the Pandora, I understand. However, I'm going to stay on here at the station and make use of some of the leave I have to use. I can arrange for the Palatine to pick me up once she's back in the area," he explained. With the recent news he'd received from Janet, Owen had also felt the want to get some time alone to try and get his head straight over everything. Having the room booked aboard the station seemed to be a good idea.

"Are you sure?" Krysia looked at Owen. She understood that he needed some personal time. She looked to James. "Are you wanting to stay on here at the station James?"

James looked down before responding, "We could for a few weeks, we both have leave coming and I'm sure the Captain wouldn't mind. however if you care to go back to the Pandora we can do that as well."

“As much as I’d like some leave this is the last few weeks of my work time before I go onto maternity leave, I’d like to at least finish out my work time.” She looked at James. “Would you mind if we take some leave once I start my maternity leave?”

James shook his head as he thought about it, “We can do that once you start maternity leave I’ll put in for time as well, and then we can come back to the station.”

Krysia nodded. "Sounds good to me. I'll be needing the rest by then!" She offered more of a smile. "In the meantime, lets get back to the ship."

Owen smiled. "Now that sounds like a good idea," he agreed. "I'll signal Captain Rao when I'm ready to come back, I know that the Palatine is due in around the next few days, so that will give me time to get my head straight. Make sure you both get home safe," he said.