CH32 (111)
It was now 6 months later:
It had been a struggle for weeks. Elena had initially withdrawn from everyone. She had finished the school year, but she just wasn't the same person.
Elena did have some extended family but they had no objection to Kate and Rick adopting her. They had even signed over any rights they had to Rick and Kate.
Tellus had shut down the other 3 cruise ships for a complete check. It brought to a halt the final transfer of Earth personnel to Cyliene for a time. They had eventually found a software problem in the main computer that was mostly used to fly the ship.
It had a problem when inside a gravity well of a system, followed by another gravity well of the gas giant that all of the colony planets orbited. It took a special set of circumstances for the error to occur.
The program was corrected and the cruise ships were cleared to fly again. This run would be the last run for the three remaining cruise ships to get Earth personnel to Cyliene. After that they would go back to doing what they were designed to do.
The first destroyer had almost completed construction. As soon as it was ready for its shakedown cruise they would start construction of another destroyer. It too had its programming examined for the error.
Rick and Kate had insisted that Elena keep her name as a memory to her parents. Alexis and Elena would be starting their first year of college next year, so technically Elena could do what she pleased at her next birthday.
Kate had informed Madison and her dad what had happened that her dad now had another grandchild. Madison was sympathetic and was happy Elena had Rick and Kate to support her. Kate's dad had never been more proud of his daughter.
Alexis and Elena had just gotten home from their final year at school prior to college. "Mom, are we still going to Athos after the school year next summer?" Elena found Kate in the kitchen starting dinner.
"Of course, the ship will be done only about a week before we get there, so we will be cutting it a little close. …. Have you been doing your studying so you know what to do?" Kate responded to her question. They all had to study how to handle a ship that sailed since it wasn't just powered by engines.
"Yup, the girls and I have another round later tonight with Lucy. … Lucy is going too right?" Elena was sure they were going to need her.
"Yes, there will be a server to plug her into and monitors almost everywhere. It should be fun. … Did you see the girls on your way in?" Kate wanted to know if they were still out there. They got out of school before Alexis and Elena did. Making it difficult how to get everyone on and off the island.
"Yeah, they're down at the beach with dad." Elena had started calling Rick dad about 3 months ago. To her Rick and Kate were all she had left and they felt like parents to her.
Alexis had gone down to her room to change so it was just Elena and Kate in the kitchen.
"You two have plans?" Kate wanted to know when she should have dinner ready.
"We were thinking of taking the boat out for a quick spin." Elena explains, hoping Kate didn't shut them down.
"Just be back in an hour and make sure you two wear the life vests. I'm not losing any of my daughters." Kate only has the two rules.
"YES!" And Elena runs for her room to change into one of her swim suits, leaving Kate to chuckle at her.
Rick and the girls came in a little later. "I'll clean up and shower, then come back to help you." Rick kisses Kate's cheek.
"Thanks babe. You two go shower too. You smell like sunscreen." Kate tells Emily and Kali.
Rick is back shortly and starts helping with dinner while Emily and Kali sit at the breakfast bar watching them.
"Where are the girls?" Rick asks shortly.
"They're out on the boat. They should be back soon. I only gave them an hour." Kate answers.
"And you expect two teenagers to be able to keep time?" Rick teased.
Kate giggled. "They better or they're in trouble, and don't you two start getting any ideas." Kate sticks her finger out at Emily and Kali. Emily and Kali however just smile. They knew only too well just how far they could push their parents. Plus who would give in first.
Almost right on schedule Alexis and Elena come into the living room to show they are back.
"Go take a quick shower you two, dinner is ready." Rick tells them as he helps Emily and Kali set the table.
It was mostly quiet during dinner, almost too quiet. "Mom can we have a beach party?" Alexis asks after getting poked in the ribs by Elena.
"A beach BBQ? … Who's coming and how many?" Kate would decide after she knew the answer.
"It's just some kids from school, and maybe 8 or 10. Not that many really." Alexis wasn't sure how well this was going to go over.
"And how are they going to get here?" Rick asks his question.
"Two are going to get here by boat from their parents; the others are coming by shuttle." Alexis explains while Elena tries to not look nervous or overly excited, even though she is.
"And I suppose some of these school friends will be boys." Kate knew what that meant.
"A few." Alexis goes back to eating dinner.
Kate looks at Rick with a silent 'What do you think?' look. Getting a 'He would go along with what she chose.' Look back.
"Ok fine, your father and I will kinda chaperone your beach party. … But no alcohol. You two know the rules. We'll even supply the food for you to cook over the fire." Kate offers.
"YES!" Elena finally speaks up. Getting Rick and Kate to grin knowing who's idea this was and was using Alexis to bring it up.
"We'll even try to keep Emily and Kali out of your hair." Kate offers getting both Alexis and Elena to smile.
"Aaugghh MOM!" Emily and Kali however took exception to this plan.
"Just be ready for us not to succeed 100% of the time." Rick points out, knowing these two.
It was enough for Alexis and Elena.
"When is this party?" Kate asks wondering how much time they had to plan for this.
"This Saturday." Elena scrunches her shoulders worried that was too soon since it was already Wednesday.
"I'll take the girls into town to get the meat tomorrow." Rick offers.
"YES!" Coming from both Emily and Kali. "And it sounds like it may take a few hours." Rick was smiling.
"In that case I might as well go with you." Kate offers to help with Emily and Kali.
Alexis's and Elena's party seemed to be going fine. Rick had delivered the meat for the BBQ part and Kate was bringing down the drinks.
"How is your party going pumpkin?" Kate had Alexis off to one side.
"Mark brought alcohol mom and some of the guys are drinking." Alexis confides knowing if they kept it to themselves Kate might get bad at her and Elena.
"Which one is Mark?" Mark was about to leave the party. Getting Alexis to point him out.
Kate came up to Mark who was with two other guys. "You knew the rules, no alcohol." Kate is standing directly in front of him.
"It's a party!" Kate could smell it on his breath.
"Yeah, it is. Just not for you. You're leaving, let's go Mark." Kate offers to let him come on his own.
"NO! It's a party and I'm the one who is staying." And Mark finds himself on the ground with his arm shoved up his back while Kate charges her weapon and points it at his two friends.
"You two are going to help me and leave with him. Do you want to go standing conscious or lying on your back unconscious?" Kate gives them a choice.
"We'll leave." One says quickly getting the other to nod his head.
Kate has hers on his feet with no trouble. "Alexis go get your father, he's the pilot." And watches Alexis head for the house.
Elena has shown up with 2 of the girls that had been invited. "What's going on mom?"
"Some of your guests decided the rules didn't apply to them. This one is drunk and these two are probably not far behind him." Kate informs her in a tone that doesn't allow for any counter discussion.
Elena walks right up to the one Kate has a hold of. "You knew the rules. My mother is a detective and you knew the rules." Elena was pissed at him, and then looks at the other two.
Those two still had the dignity to look down at the sand. "You need some help mom?"
"No thanks honey. It's only three stupid teenage boys. …. Let's go." Kate shoves the drunk in front of her with his arm still shoved up his back.
"Sorry honey." Kate had hoped for something better.
"I hear we have a problem." Rick meets Kate at the shuttle pad.
"Be a dear and pilot us to the mainland." Kate asks of Rick.
Rick lands them near the closest GETS train station. Kate has the ramp open and escorts these three out the back. "I'm a detective and you three are idiots. I'll have your parents come get you." Kate turns her back on them and walks back for the shuttle.
"Oh, …. And if you give my daughters any trouble, your troubles have only just started." Kate looks over her shoulder and then strides into the shuttle and closes the door.
Alexis has returned to the party after checking on Emily and Kali who are busy watching a movie.
The other girls and the lone surviving guy are all around the campfire cooking when Alexis walks up next to Elena. "The girls are fine. They're still watching a movie."
"Your mother is a detective?" The lone guy comments not really asking, more like stating. "That is so cool." Plus he was the only guy with 4 teenage girls around him. Dream come true.
Kate brought out the ice cream after she was sure they were done cooking and eating and were now just sitting around the fire, talking.
"I'm sorry about your friends." Kate tells them.
"They were idiots Mrs. Castle. We're sorry." One of the girls tells her.
"You girls let me know if you have any trouble with them. I'll take care of it." Kate tells them and turns and walks back for the house. "Have fun." Kate calls over her shoulder.
"She's cool Elena." One of the girls tells her.
"Mom's the best." She was also the only mom she had left.
"I should have warned you about Mark. I'm sorry." The lone guy knew better but didn't say anything.
"You need to learn when to talk Guy. What those 3 think isn't important. You don't need them." Alexis tells him.
Alexis however somehow knew he never would, and Alexis spent the rest of the evening keeping Elena away from him.
Four guys at school down a few more left to try.
Their parents came and got them all and thanked Kate for hosting the party. They hoped everyone had a good time.
"I'm sorry mom, we screwed up." Elena stood in front of Kate.
Kate however moved in and hugged her. "It's not your fault honey, some people are just the way they are. … I'll give you a clue. Next time, listen to your sister. … I don't know how she does it. I just know she has a gift.
Between finding Madison, my dad, the Quellers, the Walkers and recently you. She just seems to have a gift with people. …. You just stick close to your sister honey. Everything will be fine. I promise." And Kate kissed her head.
"Your father and I will do everything we can honey. You're with us now. Even when you start college we'll both still be here to help you. Always." Kate kisses her head again.
"Mom?" Elena hesitates not sure how Kate will take this. "Honey?" Kate waits patiently.
"Can you, …. can you teach me to be a detective?" Elena finally asks the question that has been on her mind since losing her parents. With it recently becoming a priority for her.
It was a question Kate was not expecting, not even a little. "What do you know about a detective?"
"Only what you teach me." Elena only knew her mom was one and that she helped people.
"I don't have the authority to make you a detective. And I can't give you one of these." Kate lifts her arm to make sure Elena sees it attached to her arm.
Elena however remains silent. Kate hasn't said no yet.
"You need a special school to be a detective honey, and even if you go there is no guarantee." Kate still hadn't said no yet and didn't know why. Why was Elena so interested in this now? She had never shown an interest before now.
"But you'll teach me so I know what to expect. I'll already be good before I even start." Elena asks again.
Kate steps in close. "Why honey?"
Elena's tears start. "You're all I have mom. You, dad and the girls. I want you to teach me. …. Please. … I want to be there for when Emily and Kali grow up, and have a family."
Kate steps up and hugs her. "You'll have your own family someday. What about them? College will teach you a lot. Help you decide who you want to be and what you want to do."
Elena however buries her head in Kate. "I can't have a family. They told me at my last physical." Elena's tears increase.
Kate is instantly shocked. How, why? "Oh honey, why didn't you tell us? …. Do you know for sure? Get a second opinion?" Elena however just cried in Kate's arms. And why didn't the doctor inform her or Rick? Elena was underage. Someone was going to get a tongue lashing!
"Lucy, call Madison. We need to talk to her." Kate wasn't giving up just yet.
Kate walked a still crying Elena over to the monitor.
"Hi Becks, what's up? You're not canceling coming next summer are you?" Madison teased, and then saw Elena crying. "What happened?"
"Elena's last physical they said she couldn't have children. I need you to look over her medical records. Tell me they're wrong Mags. Please tell me they're wrong." Kate needed her friend. Madison had fixed her now she needed Madison to fix her daughter.
"I need her medical records and I need her here so I can look at her. Send what I need and her Becks. Just get her here." Madison couldn't help but cry. She knew what Elena had already been thru and what this was doing to Becks.
"Lucy?" Kate asks of her.
"Request for medical records sent. … Captain Montgomery is presently in orbit. Request to take Elena to Athos sent." Lucy informs them.
"Include me Lucy I'm going with her." Kate asks of Lucy.
Elena suddenly stands up and looks at Kate. "Mom you don't have to, ..." But gets interrupted by Kate who places her hands on each side of her face.
"You're my daughter and I'm going with you and that's the end of it. We're going to fix this honey. Madison can do it.
Lucy where's Rick?" Kate needed to talk to him. "And find Alexis and the girls. They need to know we're leaving for Athos."