Author's Note: Hello! No AN today, just want to say hi and give you all a big hug as well as hoping you all have a lovely day!

Disclaimer: I do not own Star Trek! All rights belong to JJ Abrams (movie references) and Gene Roddenberry (TOS references). If there's any grammatical errors or mistakes that you find I hope you can forgive me! Happy reading everyone!

I am by no means a medical professional, I've only done a little research as well as how I handle the situation when my bf has some of his panic attacks. Do not take my scene as a example to handle real life scenarios.

If I was doing this by myself, I would've been a nervous wreck…I still am if I were honest with myself, but it seemed like there was a development that was created without me realizing it. I never would've thought that I would ever be on the same footing as my older siblings in all my life, figuratively and mentally. But for once I feel as if I wasn't going into something, dealing with our family, alone. Don't ask me how that happened.

The dress I was wearing was suffocating, and I couldn't help but think how much I wished that Leonard and Khan could see me now. Maybe once this is all over I will wear this outfit again in a more comfortable environment.

While talking to my siblings outside of the banquet hall, I felt that the people around us, the hired help, were staring at us as if we were mythological creatures never before seen in a cage on display at a zoo. Even while we were talking I could've sworn I felt something creep up my spine, but it wasn't an uncomfortable feeling. I felt a sense of calm and warmth, something I've only felt when it came to Leonard and Khan.

Walking into the party I was surprised and slightly proud that I hadn't tripped on the ends of my dress, the calming music disguised the horror that was waiting for us inside. A false sense of calm that left me unnerved. Faces stared at the three of us, faces that I've never seen in forever as well as unfamiliar faces that I couldn't even remember the names of until after my research from the night before.

Aurelius led the three of us along the carpet that led up to where I could see our grandfather speaking to our father, and between the two men I could see our great-grandfather standing tall amongst the two men. It would seem that all the men of our family wore something similar to what Aurelius was wearing, though with their own color of choice mixed into it. While our father wore pure black, our mother seemed to have picked the same color to match with our great-grandfather…of course.

I haven't seen our great-grandfather before, only in pictures of his earlier years. He was gray and wrinkled, but he still stood tall with the help of a cane that he was leaning on for support. His eyes were dull, wise from years of experience, and he seemed unimpressed by the party that was being held in his honor. It was true, just as we could never tell what our father was thinking, our great-grandfather was just the same.

I felt my knees shake the closer we got to the three generations that were waiting for us to approach as three pairs of similar colored eyes watched us like a hawk. Aurelius's hands squeezed my own in support as I kept my chin up and my eyes focused forward on the men at the end of the walkaway.

'Image…is everything.' I repeated in my head as we stopped just a foot or so away from the table that our great-grandfather had to himself.

"Your children have grown since the last I've seen them, Caius." Our grandfather lightly commented as our father gave us a subtle nod.

Simultaneously, Aurelius had bowed slightly from his waist while Celestyn and myself had curtseyed.

"Fleet Admiral Cassius." Aurelius spoke out proudly as he gave our great-grandfather one of his rare, charming smiles. "As the eldest son of Promoted Fleet Admiral Caius DeLuca, our family wishes you the happiest of birthdays along with many more years to come."

Our great-grandfather nodded his head in thanks before waving his hand dismissively causing the three of us to release our hands and take our places beside our mother who was waiting patiently on the sidelines.

The waiters and waitresses, at the command of our grandfather, started to pass out the first round of glasses to every single one of us. It was only when we had drinks in our hands did our grandfather hold his hand up to silence and address us.

"Now that everyone is here, accounted for, and present. This is the first in a very long time that all of us from all over the universe have gathered together in a single room." Our grandfather, Barnabas, announced as he held his hands out to his sides in a sort of showmanship. "Let us begin to celebrate this joyous occasion that brought us all together! And let me be the first to say, Father, to have made it to 100 years is a miracle and a blessing. You have contributed so much to Starfleet, so many great accomplishments to celebrate and honor that we hope this small token of gratitude speaks volumes to how much we appreciate all that you've done. For Starfleet and for us. We wouldn't be here and there wouldn't be a legacy…if it wasn't for you." Our grandfather smiled, holding his glass up to our great-grandfather. "Happy Birthday, Father."

"Happy Birthday!" We all cheered as we took a drink from our glasses, signaling that the party and the war had begun as we all went about to mingle and talk to relatives we haven't seen in years, or never spoken to at all.

"Don't you three look splendid." Our mother commented, a sickly sweet undertone in her voice, clearly a facade to look good in front of others as she looked over the three of us in satisfaction. "Aurelius, the more you grow, the more you start to look more like your Father, so incredibly handsome." Our mother smoothed out Aurelius's coat before looking to Celestyn and myself. "And you two beautiful women, I don't know where the time went, I gotta say your mother sure knows how to pick them. I deserve a pat on the back as well as…"

Our mother looked at Celestyn and myself expectantly, waiting for something from us, and I could only sigh.

"Thank you, Mother." Celestyn and myself said simultaneously.

"You're welcome, so...I'll be off! Must go and talk to the other mothers, see friends that I haven't seen in years. You three must do the same." Our mother advised as she started to run off to where we could see a number of the elder women gathered close to the middle of the room.

"More like a bunch of older women boasting about their children's achievements." Celestyn commented as I heard her sigh.

"The air in this room is suffocating." I said, just above a whisper, as I leisurely took another sip from my glass. "You can practically see everyone walking on eggshells as they talk to each other."

"Aurelius! Cousin!" Tobias came strutting up to our group with his arms held up and out to his side in a fake warm welcome followed by his wife, Faye, who also wore a condescending smile on her face as she snubbed both Celestyn and myself. "It has been so long since we've last seen each other, has it not?"

"Since we were children…" Aurelius stated as he lightly backed away from Tobias the closer the pair got to our little family group. "Faye, pleasure to see you again. How are the children?"

"Pleasure to see you as well cousin-in-law." Faye flipped stray pieces of her hair over her shoulder, a smug smile permanently on her face. "The children are around, probably socializing with the other children from our Great-Grandfather's siblings side."

"I see that you're expecting one more." Celestyn noted, seeing the slight bump through Faye's dress.

"A little girl." Faye nodded her head in prideful, boastful, satisfaction in her attempt to make us jealous...I suppose.

"You're going to have your hands full. I suppose congratulations are in order." Aurelius said in a dull tone before motioning for another woman to come over to join our group. "Elizabeth, come greet our dear cousins."

Elizabeth, Aurelius's wife and First Officer as well as his SoulMate, an embodiment of beauty and finesse and someone that I had fairly gotten along well with in the past, came striding toward my brother's side. Elizabeth gave a graceful bow before smiling sweetly at Tobias and his wife. "Hello Captain Tobias, Commander Faye. Lovely party this evening."

"It truly is, dear cousin. You look quite…decent tonight." Tobias turned his attention back to Aurelius, dismissively ignoring my brother who instinctively wrapped his arm around his wife and glared at Tobias's behavior as well as his comment toward his wife. "we have much to catch up on. Celestyn and…Allyson, do us a favor and leave us alone."

He had sneered at my name as if it was leaving a bad taste in his mouth just saying my name, but what else did I expect from someone who thought so highly of himself. Someone who thought that he was above the others in our generation, and I suspect Celestyn didn't particularly care for Tobias or his attitude as well.

"He can try all he wants," Celestyn scoffed as she and myself turned to walk away. "Aurelius doesn't even consider him worth his time."

As we were walking away something had rammed hard into my knee causing me to slightly double over in pain as I bit my lip to prevent the yell that was crawling up my throat.

"Hey! Watch it!" Celestyn was not as cautious as I was, or willing to hold her anger in. I suppose something had also ran into her as I saw her rubbing her own leg.

When I straightened up I turned to see a group of kids had ran past us, stopping in their tracks at being scolded by Celestyn.

"Sorry Captain Celestyn." One of the kids, very identical to Tobias, called back as he attempted to continue to catch up to the other children who I suspected to be his younger siblings as well as a few that I didn't quite recognize.

"Have you not been taught the proper way to apologize? That's very unbecoming of a DeLuca." Celestyn glared as the young boy simply scoffed.

"A proper DeLuca apologizes to their superiors. I apologized to you, Captain Celestyn." The young boy turned to give Celestyn a small bow before glaring at me. "Commander Allyson is not a captain or even a high ranking commander like my Mother. Father said I shouldn't pay her any mind."

The group of boys ran off, some having been told off by a few of our family members that were nearby as well as a few waiters who attempted to steady themselves after almost being knocked into.

"Tobias and Faye are more concerned about competing with Aurelius and Elizabeth that their attitude is rubbing off on them." Celestyn commented as I started to walk away. "Spoiled brats through and through."

"Suppose more of that attitude is to be expected from his children." I simply shrugged, not as concerned about the slight insult from the little boy.

Celestyn and myself started to walk through the party, being stopped momentarily by a few of our relatives, both distant and 'close'. They would ask Celestyn how her ship was doing, her crew, how she was carrying out her duties, but each time it was always the same question for me…am I still a Commander? Am I a First Officer? Aren't you embarrassed to be the only one who's not even a high ranking officer like my brother and sister? The usual, and each time I gave the same, automatic, robotic response. It was draining on my body being exposed to such personalities, constantly under a microscope, but I had to keep in mind that if I did what Aurelius asked me to do? I'd be free once this was all over.

I needed a break, I made my way toward the back of the room, to mentally recharge…when I suddenly realized something. I turned around to face my sister who looked at me with her head tilted to the side. "Are you going to follow me the whole night?"

"No, I'm just going in the same direction as you, also I wanted to avoid Faye as well as tweedle dee and tweedle dum." Celestyn said as she motioned back to where Aurelius was still talking to Tobias, and I saw two girls had joined their group, both flocking to either side of Faye.

"Naomi and Charolette. Faye's lackeys. It's a wonder how they turned out the way…" I sarcastically remarked with a shake of my head and a roll of my eyes. "Aurelius spoke to Elizabeth, the information we gathered the night before won't go to waste. If anyone can handle those three, it's Elizabeth."

"More so why Tobias will always be second best." Celestyn said as she lazily waved goodbye. "Duty never ends, must go to drink and mingle. Stay out of trouble."

"The same goes for you." I called back as I turned my head in her direction without taking my eyes off the large gathering in this room.

I stood alone in the back of the room, watching our family 'dance' among our relatives. Laughing, talking, smiling, but even though the occasion looked joyful…I could see that it never really reached their eyes. Everyone in this room put up a front, myself included, to hide what we're truly feeling. You could never really tell who was being real, or who would freely walk all over you. I was alone when I shouldn't be, and I wished that I had someone by my side to truly enjoy the evening with, to make this night just slightly more tolerable and enjoyable.

Our family were all frauds in the sense of family, a tight leash of devotion, duty, and commitment wrapped around our throats. We were brought into this world not by choice, and forced to fall in line the moment we could walk and talk. Just a glance at the show going around me and I knew, I couldn't wait for all this to end so I could truly be free.

I felt something bloom in the center of my chest, a warm…fuzzy feeling that made me look back down at my drink in wonder. I only got this feeling when I've been slightly buzzed, or drank a really strong drink that warmed me from the inside out. It felt like…a comforting hug. I felt reassurance, immense love, and longing. I suppose Khan or Leonard, maybe both, were missing me and I really couldn't wait to get back home to them.

'How strange…' I thought as I leisurely took another sip from my glass. 'I'll go back onto the floor after resting here for another few minutes.'

"Horderves?" A passing waiter asked as I saw a tray of tiny glass cups enter my peripheral vision, surprising me that someone had suddenly decided to talk and offer something to me.

"Thank you." I switched my glass I was holding to my left hand as I gently reached out to grab one of the cups, making sure to avoid getting the fabric on my sleeve caught on anything. I was about to attempt to eat whatever was in this tiny glass before I realized the predicament I was in. I turned to the waiter beside me and let out a bashful laugh. "Do you mind?"

"Not at all." The man held out his hand as I placed my drink glass in his hand and took out the little spoon that accompanied the tiny cup. I took a little nibble from the contents inside, it was some sort of dessert and I couldn't help but let out a content smile. The waiter standing beside me decided to strike up a conversation as he waited for me to finish. "Quite a party tonight."

"It sure is." I said as I placed the spoon to my lips. "A gathering of our family from all across the universe, a room containing such large personalities. Fantastic."

The dessert was easy to eat, vanishing before I even realized that I had eaten it all, and for a few seconds I stood there not knowing what to do with the empty cup.

"I'll take that from you if you're finished, ma'am." The waiter said, holding his hand out for my empty glass as he smiled back at me. I placed the cup into his hand and he replaced it with my drink. "I must get back to serving the other guests."

I nodded my head in a silent dismissal, and just before the man left I heard him slightly whisper back to me, so quiet that for a second I thought I had misheard him. "You look exquisite tonight, Miss Allyson. A picture of beauty above all else."

I looked back at the waiter, wishing to ask how he knew who I was, but he had disappeared into the sea of black and white, tending to the other guests as he had said he was going to be. With the masks on their faces I wouldn't have been able to single him out even if I wanted to.

'Miss Allyson? I must have misheard him.' I thought as I squinted my eyes in an attempt to find the man again. 'What a curious waiter…'

"Allyson." A voice, void of emotion, called out my name and when I turned to see who had called out to me I saw the daughter and son of Vice Admiral Ignatius.

"Commodore William. Captain Katherine." I greeted as they got closer, noticing the quiet and soft spoken Abigail glued tightly to William's side. "Commodore Abigail. It's been a while."

"We're family, Allyson. William is fine." William, the more easy-going of the fraternal twins smiled, reaching out to clasp his hand on my exposed shoulder. William, an identical copy of his father, with his mothers personality raised his glass to clink it with mine. "How long has it been since we last saw you."

"Since the academy, Brother." Katherine, stone faced to match her icy words, pointed out. Knowing full well that her brother knew the answer…even if he feigned ignorance. Insisting on making small talk with the family. "Allyson, pleasure to see you again."

"Sister, must you be so tense? It's a party! We're supposed to unwind, chill, speak to family we've never spoken to in years." William smiled before gently urging Abigail forward. "My love, say hello to Allyson. You two were pretty close in the academy right?"

"Y-yes." Abigail nervously smiled, holding her sleeve up to her face to cover her reddened cheeks. "H-hello Allyson, y-you look beautiful in that dress."

"You as well." I forced my smile, Abigail was indeed someone I had spoken to on occasions in the academy. More so than William and Katherine. Her slight stutter if you can believe was worse when we were in the academy. Though when we had graduated, they had gone off to be something more while I stayed behind, losing all contact.

"Still a Commander I see." Katherine pointed out and I simply nodded my head, not bothered to respond with words. "I'm surprised Fleet Admiral Caius hasn't voiced his concerns with your…ranking."

"I never said he hasn't." I said plainly, Katherine and myself never quite got along, but at the same time we never butted heads like my brother and Tobias. Our relationship throughout the academy was very neutral to say the least, which is the best I could've asked for when attending the academy with family.

"Let's not talk about work, eh?" William tried to steer the conversation away as he nudged his sister lightly. "How's the search for your SoulMate coming along?"

"SoulMates weren't part of my family plan." I shook my head, the pre-designated response that my family had rigorously trained me to say in the past.

"Th-that's awful." Abigail quietly sympathized. "I-I can't imagine n-never having W-William a part of my life."

'I can't imagine never having mine either…' I thought sadly. "It's how our family works I'm afraid."

"You should be more confident Abigail." Katherine lightly scolded her sister-in-law causing Abigail to nervously nod her head.

"You can say that again." William chuckled before pointing toward his sister. "Katherine met hers, he's over there talking to your older sister."

I looked to where William had pointed and saw Celestyn speaking to a man who looked fairly older than William, speaking to my sister along with Ignatius and his wife Enya.

"My First Officer, Anwyll." Katherine introduced, though her Mate wasn't standing beside her. "Father's favorite, Anwyll is working his way toward becoming a Captain."

"Stumbled upon him when he was assigned to her ship." William laughed. "The universe works in mysterious ways." "Father had him reassigned to my ship, he was a simple Commander before he was promoted to my First Officer." Katherine butted in, dodging another of William's attempts at silencing his ever logical sister.

"Hello children."

Inwardly, I groaned, and judging off William's expression as well as Abigail tensing up, we all knew who had called out to us. When I turned around I saw the head matriarch of our family line headed our way, almost gliding along the glossy tiled floors.

When she came to a stop in front of the four of us we immediately stood as tall as we could to greet her formally. "Hello Grandmother."

"The last I saw you four, you were but babies, barely reaching my knees." Our grandmother smiled, though the smile hadn't reached her eyes. "I trust you have all been well." When we had all nodded in affirmation, our grandmother continued. "It's so wonderful that we are all here to celebrate your Great-Grandfather's accomplishments."

We had all listened as our grandmother spoke, speaking to each of us at the same time, firing question after question. She wasn't necessarily a social butterfly, but when it came to our service to Starfleet? Her interest was solely on the officer she spoke to. She could hold a conversation with an auditorium of people and still give a lecture to get her point across. This woman could talk for hours and not grow tired when it came to Starfleet and the knowledge we had accumulated. But the more she spoke I noticed her sharp eyes suddenly zeroing in on me.

"Allyson, are you still serving aboard the Enterprise?" Our grandmother asked me.

"Yes, ma'am." I nodded my head.

"As their First Officer?" Grandmother asked, though by the tone of her voice I already knew that she knew my answer.

"No, ma'am. Their Second Officer." I said and immediately our grandmother shook her head in disappointment.

"Allyson DeLuca-" Grandmother began, the tone of her voice indicating that she was about to lecture me on the choices I've made up until now, before another voice had cut her off. "Excuse me, ma'am."

Our grandmother's eyes turned to glare at the newcomer that had interrupted her, not being used in the slightest at being rudely interrupted as we could hear in the tone of her voice when she addressed the waiter. "What is it! What do you want? Can't you read the atmosphere? I'm speaking to my Grandchildren!"

"Apologies ma'am." The waiter bowed his head lightly and I saw that compared to the other waiters that were running about serving our family, this one had an odd bandana wrapped around his head. "But I had overheard your husband wishing to speak to you and your sons."

"Whatever could he want now…" Our grandmother moaned before swiftly turning on her heels, marching back the way she came to where our grandfather was. The waiter who had come to retrieve our grandmother had said nothing more to us, simply bowed his head before disappearing back into the crowd of people.

"I wonder what they're talking about?" William asked with a hum.

"Something important judging off who is gathered." Katherine said as we saw that our own fathers were swarming around our grandfather and great-grandfather. "It's none of our business, and even if it did concern us our Father would tell us in private."

"If you three don't mind." I smiled at my cousins. "I'm going to take a trip to the restroom."

"I'll come with you, Allyson." Abigail swiftly volunteered, before I saw her close in on herself, slightly intimidated from the looks of it but I had no idea why. "I-If you don't mind."

'I do actually…' I thought before putting on a smile that came so naturally. "Not at all."

Abigail waved goodbye to William and Katherine before following close beside me. On the opposite side of the room, there were two doors that sectioned off two areas, one for the men and the other for the women. Once we entered the women's section, there were multiple doors that led to individual rooms that acted like a small waiting room. These waiting rooms had all the necessities a restroom would have and more. When we entered, thankfully, it was just the two of us and Abigail had taken a seat on the small couch that was inside the room.

"…th-thank you Allyson…" Abigail whispered as I went to the mirror and started to do a few touch ups on the makeup on my face.

"For what?" I asked as I looked at the frail woman in the mirror, and what stared back surprised me. Abigail looked to be on the verge of hyperventilating as she held the sleeves of her dress up to cover her face. "Abigail?"

"I don't know how you do this." I heard Abigail sniffle. "How do you handle…all-all those strong emotions and opinions?"

"I…" I turned around to look at her as I saw Abigail's shoulders begin to shake, and for once I wasn't sure what to do. Consoling my crew is one thing, it came naturally, but consoling a family member who knows what our family was like? Who knows how disconnected our family was with each other? I was at a loss for words.

"It's-it's already been an h-hour since this whole party started and all I've been hearing from our family is people negatively commenting on this stupid goofy dress I was forced to wear to make myself look innocent." Abigail shook her head. "J-joking about my n-nervous stutter, silently mocking me when my back was turned, and then the elders of our family would scold m-me for not being confident enough."

"Abigail…" I hesitantly stepped close to her before I heard the door creak open, causing Abigail to freak out even more. I reached out and forced the door closed, locking it before raising my voice. "Occupied!" I listened carefully as I heard two female voices apologize before walking away, and when I couldn't hear their footsteps I turned back to look at the girl who was silently crying on the couch. "Abigail-"

"If-if that waiter hadn't in-interrupted Grandmother…I-I feared I would've had a panic attack…" Abigail said as I heard her breathing stagger. "We-we have to en-endure a few more hours of this? And-and William can't say anything…"

"Abigail…" I quietly called out to her and walked around the woman, pushing the trail of fabric from my dress behind me as I kneeled on the ground in front of her and placed my hands on her knees. "First, we need to even out your breathing. Can you do that with me? You can get through this." Abigail, through her fit, furiously nodded her head and accepted my proposal. "Breath with me."

I took a deep, even, slow breath and saw her body do the same, repeating the process until I could feel her body cease her shaking just a bit. "What you're experiencing right now, Abigail, will go away. Don't worry. I understand what you're feeling, and it's going to be alright." I smiled at the woman even when she couldn't see me at the moment, still breathing with her every time she did. "Can you name me five things you can smell?" "Wh-what?" "Or we can count to 50. We can even recall the lyrics to your favorite song?"

"Ro-roses, I smell the flowers outside for our Great-Grandfather." Abigail let out a breathy response as she slowly lowered her hands to her lap which I immediately took into my own. "I-I smell…the disinfectants in this room. The-the smell of the food the waiters are passing around. The lingering smell of Williams' cologne and...and l-lavender. I smell lavender." Abigail listed off before lightly smiling with tears prickling the corner of her eyes. "I-I used to l-love this one song…I used to listen to it when-when it was just William and myself."

"Good, you're doing good." I encouraged the woman, feeling the shake in her hands slow. "Can you recite it to me?"

It was difficult for Abigail at first, she started off at barely a whisper, but slowly she started to speak with confidence. Why I'd even go so far as to say that she even started to sing for me. I listened carefully as her voice became stronger and her breathing became normal and at that I knew she was out of danger.

I got back to my feet and went over to sit beside her on the little couch, as close as I could with our shoulders touching and smiled at her in reassurance. "You did great, Abigail."

"Th-thank you Allyson." Abigail continued to breathe now with a smile on her face. "How-how did you know to do that?"

"The Academy." I said. "The courses our family said weren't beneficial or necessary to our goal, I took them."

"I didn't want to be a Captain, but if I wanted to be worthy to be by William's side…I at least had to make sure I was a First Officer. But I think I only caused William more problems by being his Commander. Father Ignatius as well as William always said I didn't have to push myself, but I didn't want to cause William any more problems. So, in public I worked hard, became a Captain, and made sure that no one would ever see me so…weak." Abigail confessed. "Physically, I did good for a couple of years, but mentally I was having nervous…panicky fits so I requested for a promotion since I couldn't handle it anymore."

"I…I begged William to skip this party." Abigail continued to speak to me. "Father Ignatius is a kind man underneath his stone demeanor, but I knew I wouldn't be able to face all those strong personalities. William and Katherine knew that too, but…it was just one night, and they…we all knew we had to show our faces."

"Just one night, Abigail, just make it through this one night. Put on a smile, even when you don't want to, develop a thick skin right here before we leave this room." I said as I reached out and grabbed one of the hand roll towels by the sink, unraveling it and lightly dabbing Abigail's face without smudging her makeup. "If you feel like you're about to have another fit, you come find me in the crowd."

"C-can I just stick with you for a bit?" Abigail meekly asked. "William and Katherine will be busy talking to their cousins, Uncles, and Aunts…I-I'd just feel out of place and uncomfortable."

'Being with me is comfortable?' I thought before nodding my head. "Of course." Just as I was reaching out to unlock the door, Abigail had reached out to stop me.

"I know what everyone says about you…and-and I know that as a family we're not really…a family. William is usually the one who talks me down from my attacks, but I understood that he needs to be proper in front of our family. It means a lot that you were kind enough to sit with me for a few minutes to make sure I was okay." Abigail said, the two of us smiling as we reentered the banquet hall to return to being exposed to the judgmental eyes of our family.

However, just as we were getting ready to blend back into the crowd, we were stopped by my fathers youngest brother.

"Commander Allyson." Aloysius stopped us, nodding his head in greeting as he came to stand in front of us.

"Commodore Aloysius." Abigail and myself respectfully greeted before I nodded back toward where our great-grandfather was seated. "I trust your meeting went well."

"It was insightful." Aloysius said. "Allyson, I wish to speak to you, in private."

From the corner of my eyes I saw Abigail stiffen, I don't think she was ready to be off by herself and I was concerned about her health after what I had seen in the individual waiting rooms. "With all due respect Commodore, I'd like for Abigail to stay with me for a while."

"Abigail…" Aloysius hummed as he turned to the woman beside me. "you're Ignatius's daughter-in-law."

"Yes, sir." Abigail confirmed.

"Then, Abigail, you are free to stay and listen." Aloysius said before motioning for us to follow. "My brothers and I don't get along, but Ignatius is someone I can trust and respect. I also trust the people he keeps around himself."

Aloysius led us to a quiet area, standing around a round table and ordering us a few drinks as well as stopping some waiters for some of their horderves on their tray. And while the table we were at started to fill our uncle started to speak.

"Allyson, there's a reason why I asked to speak with you." Aloysius called over three people, two boys and one girl. "I'd like you to meet my children. My sons, Robert and Dimitri, and my only daughter Elizabeth…or as she likes to be called Liz or Lizzy."

"Hello." I greeted as I saw the boys nod their head as Lizzy bowed.

"They're currently attending Starfleet Academy. My children are, as predicted by our family reputation, geniuses. My two sons are destined to be captains, and my daughter is going to be graduating from the academy this year who is also on her way to leading a fine crew." Aloysius pointed out. "But, there's an issue. An issue that my brothers would find a problem, but I am different in the way I raise my children. Liz?"

Elizabeth, Lizzy, looked a bit hesitant, glancing at her father for support to which he encouraged with a small smile.

"If we went with our Grandfather's plan, I'd be going off to be a First Officer under my Father's old ship." Lizzy said before leaning close to whisper to me. "My Father actually got me to be a Chief Medical Officer for his old ship."

"A…CMO?" I looked toward Aloysius who's attention was centered around his daughter.

"You see the issue don't you, Allyson? My eldest son wishes to be a Chief Engineer while my second eldest wants to follow in my footsteps." Aloysius said. "Once they graduate the academy, I intend to get them to serve in my old ship, to be mentored by my old crew, which is currently being commanded by my old First Officer."

"Commodore, I don't understand…why?" I looked to Aloysius for answers.

"You see Allyson, I encourage my children to do what they want to do because I saw what my older brother had done to you. So, it's beneficial for my children to have met you today, I wanted to show them that even if the path they chose will be looked down upon by their relatives, someone in our family has done it. You are an example of it being possible, you just have to remain strong." Aloysius said. "My children are the only thing I have left of my late wife. They remind me everyday of her, they are my precious treasures and the proudest thing I've ever done with my life. I've never….quite gotten over her death. I've tried my best to raise them, and their happiness is the only thing I could ever wish for. If they don't want to be a captain, I will not force them, I've encouraged them to chase their dreams."

"And if that dream was to not be a Starfleet Officer?" I asked curiously, this new information a bit much to take in for I had the impression that only I felt this way, but this party sure had a lot of surprises.

"Then I would've encouraged them to go a different path. They would still be my children, even if my brothers would agree otherwise and look down upon my parental skills." Aloysius stated. "My wife…my Mate, bless her, was a saint. If she were alive, she would've wanted our children to be happy. And I will continue to uphold her image and her plan for them."

"Allyson." Robert took my attention away from his father. "Was it hard defying your family?"

I thought back to my mother and father, no one knew of my predicament that pushed me over to defy my family, but they didn't need to know that part. "…yes, it was hard to defy them. The constant judgement, the stares…it was difficult."

"Do you regret it?" Robert asked.

"No, I don't. I couldn't be happier." I said without hesitation. "Your path will be hard, but all you'd have to do is continue to push forward. It'll be worth it in the end."

"Go and enjoy the party." Aloysius bid his children goodbye, Lizzy coming over to give her father a peck on his cheek before following after her brothers. When they were a bit away Aloysius turned his familiar honey eyes back to me. "Allyson, I didn't just want my children to meet you…to hear from you how you handled the hand that was dealt to you. It was also my children's wishes to speak to the woman, their cousin, who stayed strong while paving her own path."

"I'm not someone your children should look up to, Commodore." I said before Abigail shook her head defiantly beside me.

"Allyson, for those that feel like they don't fit in with the family's expectation, for people like me…I don't think you realize how much of an inspiration you are. You're only a Commander, a Second Officer, yet…you're happy. You're able to face your Mother and Father head on with no fear. That is something admirable." Abigail smiled. "Not many will actually say that to you, because…no one would actually dare to admit it…"

"Abigail is correct, Allyson." Aloysius nodded his head in agreement as he downed a shot of whatever he had grabbed from a passing waiter. "My Brother won't say it, neither would my Father, they will never admit that they are wrong. They're too proud to ever say anything, but you are a great officer, Allyson. You'll have my full support in the future."

"You'll have my full support?" I asked, repeating after Aloysius, not understanding what exactly he was implying. "What do you-"

"I will make sure all the dirty laundry I find is aired out once this is all over. All of it, ours included."

What was that? That was my voice! There was no mistaking that.

All chatter in the room lowered in volume, people were muttering and wondering where that sound was coming from.

"We know better than to act this way." Celestyn's voice echoed around the room.

I had looked toward Celestyn, who looked like a deer in headlights. Her eyes were wide in shock as she heard her voice being played back from our conversation a few days ago.

"We know better, she doesn't." Aurelius's voice added in.

I didn't understand what was going on, and when I turned to where my brother was standing for answers. It bothered me that I couldn't even tell what he was thinking or feeling in that very moment when his own words were being repeated back to him.

Dun, dun, DUUN! Gotta love cliffhangers haha. Allyson realizes for the first time that she's not the only one who feels trapped, but what is going on! Who's playing those recordings? Only one way to find out...in the next chapter haha. (I also hope that this chapter was okay, =/ because there is no movies or tv shows I'm going off on it's all off the top of my head, so I hope you still enjoyed it).

If you are enjoying yourself and my story: review, follow, and favorite! but it's not mandatory =) just knowing that you gave my story a chance, and decided to read my creation makes me incredibly happy! I hope everyone is continuing to stay safe out there wherever you may be in the world!
-SO