Chapter 14: Let the surgery begin
"Now that you're settled into your quarters. Should we get the surgery under way?", Archer asked with new concern for his sister and her father.
"The sooner the better.", Jareco lamented as Klarie shivered at the thought of it all.
"Do we have to do it right away?", She asked with beseeching eyes.
"That depends. Is the universe quiet?", He asked with compassion she obviously needed.
"No. Jonathan, I'm scared."
"I know you're scared, but it will be over as soon as you get started. Ok?", He asked hugging her before leaving to go to his duties on the Bridge.
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"Will you come, and see me afterwards?"
"Of course I will."
"Thanks. See you later alligator."
"In a while crocodile.", He said as they laughed. Before he was gone, and she was alone with Jareco. Awaiting a surgery she didn't want.
"I can comfort you if you need it.", He said in his quiet way.
"I know you can. Thank you. I'm hesitant about this.", She said taking his hand in hers for strength. As he indeed took strength from her.
"It isn't easy for me either, but we must do it. Who knows what will happen if we don't?"
"I know what will happen."
"You do?"
"Yes. We'll be in a coma or catatonic. Something bad like that.", She said trying not to tremble at the thought of it. Because once they had the surgery, that would surely not happen to them. At least, she hoped it wouldn't.
"I think we should talk about other things until they come for us. Agreed?"
"Agreed. Tell me about Ma-ma if you can. What was she like?"
"She had midnight hair and opal eyes. She always wore neck
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to ankle dresses, because she was a lady. She loved me though, and I loved her."
"Did it matter to her that you weren't on the High Council?"
"No. I told her how I felt about that before we were wed."
"But she didn't care, did she?"
"No. She said whatever made me happy was fine, because that was all she cared about."
"She sounds like she was a beautiful person."
"She is a beautiful person among the stars now. Doing her work for those out there."
"Father, what are you talking about?", She asked feeling confused by his words for a moment.
"Oh, don't mind me. I tend to--was
"You tend to what? Father?", She asked as he didn't respond to her dismay.
"Kristaklarie to Quace.", She said over the con after feeling apprehensive at what she saw. Because her father's eyes were as big as saucers focused on nothing at all.
"I'm here, Klarie. What is it?", He asked as she pointed to Jareco in the corner of the room.
"I see. Don't worry. I'll take care of it.", He said walking over to Jareco, and taking him in hand.
"Do something.", She said trying not to cry as she sat on a nearby sofa in wait.
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"Jareco Tamsin, hear me!", He commanded getting no response
"Oh no."
"Don't worry, Klarie. I'll take care of it.", He said trying to reassure her.
"Of course.", She said focusing on something else. The image of her canterico whom she loved with her very soul.
"All right. I get it. One, two."
"Coming through."
"Three, four."
"Gotta have more."
"Five, six."
"Klingon pain sticks."
"Seven, eight."
"It may be too late."
"It had better not be. Nine, ten."
"I must sleep again.", He said as his eyes returned to normal, and he went in search of a bed to lay down on. Just as Dr. Flox came with Rafe to escort them to Sick bay.
"I'm sleepy.", He murmured not wanting to move.
"I have a bed you can rest in.", Flox said as Rafe took Klarie's hand to go, and Leom took Jareco's.
"It's not very far to bed. Ok?"
"You promise?", He almost asked in the voice of a child.
"Have I ever lied to you?"
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"No, not on purpose.", He said as they walked down to Sick bay where he was indeed put to bed. Just as Kristaklarie was put to bed herself. Because she also was tired of everything.
"I'll be here when you wake. Ok?"
"You'd better be, Glorio.", She said laughing before going to sleep.
"I expect you to be where you always are when I wake, Quace.", Jareco said with a smile of his own.
"I always am, Jace.", He said as his son closed his eyes, and went unconscious. Just as Canterico departed, and the surgery with Flox and Quace began.