Will make it work
Posted on Sun Dec 24th, 2023 @ 11:41pm by Ensign Ronan Elsher & Ensign Zoya Solwick
Edited on on Mon Jun 3rd, 2024 @ 9:22am
3,485 words; about a 17 minute read
Mission:
Mission 5: The Price of Paradise
Location: Betazed, Various
Timeline: M5 MD02 (2268.07.25) 2000
"Well, we survived that." Zoya said as she looked over to Ronan. Her mother took him to the ringer, and they just finished family dinner the family is her grade that they were still going to get married despite the fact that both of them just wanted time to process everything.
“I was beginning to wonder if we would.” Ronan replied. “Our mothers together are a force.”
"Are you sure you want to be part of this family?" Zoya ask him playfully, realizing that neither really had a choice all they could do was delay the inevitable.
“I want to be a part of this family for sure.” Ronan nodded. “I can deal with our parents in small doses.”
"I think that's true for both of us, only a small doses." Zoya said as she smiled. She was annoyed, I herself because of the situation they had actually become closer than I thought they would. She wanted to be angry but there's nothing being angry about.
“I just wish they would settle down and let us handle things without pushing us.” Ronan said. “But they won’t change.”
"Maybe Mom is right, you dont understand our culture." Zoya said in a teasing manner.
“That seems to be their reasoning when we don’t budge.” Ronan smiled back.”
"I believe its fair to say its more than just them. But it annoys me, I am not sure when I want to get married, not after they took away that choice from me." Zoya proclaimed to him.
“I understand how you feel.” Ronan nodded. “I think we just need to be a family away from here first.”
"Work on our family, before we work on them." Zoya said to him. She hoped that's what he meant.
"Yes." Ronan said with a smile. "Its a good plan."
"It is a good plan." Zoya said, as a smile rose from he face. For the first time, she could see herself being with him. She was not ready to admit that just yet.
“From our strength together.” Ronan said quietly. “Once we have built things for our family then they will see that.”
"We'll get there, when we're both ready." Zoya said to him with a serious look on her face, she wasn't going to about anyone didn't pressure into something she wasn't ready for.
“I couldn’t agree more.” Ronan nodded. “Our assignment away from here will give us the time we need.”
"Speaking of our assignment what do you think of it?" Zoya asked, this should be her first time on a constitution class starship.
"I think its a good one." Leland replied. "I am looking forward to it."
"I don't know too much about the Midway or her crew or her captain. Which means my mother doesn't have that much influence, so this could be a good chance for us." Zoya told him.
“It is what we need.” Ronan admitted. “No outside interference to make us second judge ourselves.”
"Hopefully we can get past the judging ourselves part and just try living together." Zoya said, not really liking the words of he chose there.
“Well.” Ronan said sheepishly. “I meant second guessing not judging. I would never judge you.”
"It's okay to be judgemental, we are only Betazed after all." Zoya pointed out to him with a warm smile on her face.
Ronan smiled at her. “Good point.” He felt that pull towards her but he pushed it back, telling himself to keep it slow.
"Are you hungry?" Zoya ask, if she felt the pool too but it was also resisting.
“I am.” Ronan grinned. “You think we could sneak out for some ice cream?” They had eaten dinner a little while ago but he wanted something sweet.
"Ice cream sounds nice, long as it's double chocolate!" Zoya said with the teasing grin on her face.
“Yes!” Ronan grinned. “That is the best there is.”
"Well Romeo lead the way, it's a human expression but I think you get the meaning of it." Zoya said if she wanted her bowl of ice cream.
Ronan led the way out the door and down the street to the ice cream shop. “Now I’m thinking of peppermint.”
"I'll stick with my double chocolate." Zoya said as the two of them continue to walking.
10 minutes later.
Running and Zoya made it into the mess hall, and walked over to the chef. "Can I get a double chocolate scoop of ice cream in a bowl." Zoya called out. Luckily their daughter was at daycare for the moment. They were leaving the planet in the morning and heading out to the USS Midway.
“I would like a scoop of double chocolate.” Ronan said with a smile.” “And a scoop of peppermint, please.” Ronan always got two different different scoops of ice cream.
"Two scoops, and you have a good figure, what's your secret?" Zoya asked with the teasing grin, it was probably the first time she actually made a positive comment about his body, so she hoped he would appreciate that.
“I have the hated metabolism.” Ronan admitted. “I never gain weight.”
"You say that now, but there will be a time when your metabolism does change." Zoya pointed out to him.
“So what are you saying?” Ronan downed. “I need to cut back now?”
"Have you heard this thing called the joke?" Zoya asked him. He needed to loosen up a little bit, cuz they can get it he's giving himself an ulcer.
“A joke?” Ronan repeated. He felt pretty stupid. “Of course it’s a joke.”
"If we're going to make this work you're going to need to learn to get a sense of humor or work on your sense of humor because I'm not changing that aspect of my life." Zoya suggested to him, hoping that he took what she said to heart.
“I do know what jokes are.” Ronan replied. “I just didn’t happen to get that particular one is all.”
"if you have any desire to marry me you're going to need to learn my jokes, nothing you have to like them, but you have to at least learn them." Zoya pointed out to him.
“That is fair.” Ronan said with a smile. “I am certain I will be able to tell when your joking before long.”
"There may be hope for you yet." Zoya said with a smirk on her face, she was being playful and she hoped he could see that now.
Ronan grinned back at her. “I am hopeful that you believe that.” He knew it was kind of corny but it was what he had at the moment.
"I wouldn't have said it if I didn't believe it." Zoya said to him. He needed to work on his confidence, he was way too typical of beta man. He didn't mind to beat it man but he needed at least be able to speak up for himself and have a little bit of confidence in himself to keep her interest.
“I was joking in return.” Ronan said. “That is why I used the word ‘hopeful’. I wasn’t being serious at all.” He messed up again.
"using words like that diminish what you're trying to say in my opinion, I prefer you just say what's on your mind and move forward granted it's a lot like my mother's approach but I promise you I'm not like my mother." Zoya said to him. But in reality maybe in a small way she was like her mother and she just want to come too that reality just yet. Is something she had thought about but she'd always dismiss.
So she was basically saying she can joke but he cannot. Ronan thought she was wrong in her statement what was he supposed to do, turn humor off and on Luke a switch but only when she felt like being funny? He decided to ignore it. “The ice cream is good.”
Zoya was unimpressed by his tactic. She decided to telepathically say to him. "Do you often avoid confrontation?" she lets you know let's just go because if they're going to have a chance then they need to be able to communicate.
”No, rarely ever!” Ronan sent back. I didn’t understand how you want me to get your jokes but you don’t want me to joke is all.
"I did not say that." Zoya said with a big grin. She just wanted his jokes to be funny.
“You enjoy confusing me.” Ronan said with a grin. “I think it’s a little game for you.”
"Yes, I could lie to you and say no but that would be a lie." Zoya admitted to him.
“I can tell you are enjoying this.” Ronan smiled. “It’s a good thing I have a good sense of humor.”
"Is that right?" Zoya said she felt the connection growing stronger and stronger between them, damn her parents were being right.
“Yes it is.” Ronan said with a smile. He could feel the pull of their connection and knew that things were becoming closer for them.
Zoya good night help her self as you walked over to him and then grabbed his head gently and leaned up towards his delicate lips and give him a kiss, not one that was forced or pressured but one that felt natural and right. She thought to herself damn this bond.
Ronan couldn’t help himself he returned the kiss and felt the bond tightening it’s hold on both of them. He was falling for for more and more.
Zoya slowly pulled away, she gave a slight smile on her face. He was a good kisser, she remember that from last time.
Ronan smiled at her. He knew they were supposed to be taking things slowly but he wasn’t going to pretend he didn’t feel the bond getting stronger.
"Are you almost ready to go, we leave tomorrow morning for the Midway." Zoya reminded him.
"I am ready." Ronan nodded. "I am looking forward to getting away from here and our families."
"Me too, they can be a bit much at times. And when I mean times I mean all the time." Zoya said trying to make that humorous.
Ronan laughed. “We are of like minds. The sooner we are on the Midway the better for us and our daughter.”
"I wish the Midway was going on a 5-year mission." Zoya said teasingly.
“For sure.” Ronan grinned. “I don’t know if our parents could handle it.” He knew his mother wouldn’t she would try to find a way to see them.
"as they like to point out to us that's not our problem that's their problem." Zoya said with a grin.
She remembered her mom arguing with her saying that the forest Union between the two families was not their problem even though they're the ones they were enforcing it.
“That is good reasoning.” Ronan replied. “I should use that on my mother.”
"I have a feeling your mom would eat you alive if you tried that." Zoya said to him. He tended to carry his emotions on the surface level.
“She would.” Ronan nodded in agreement. “I normally just try to avoid disagreements, it is easier.”
In her mind it sounded like his mother was just a big bully and he was a very baited type mailed I just put up with it for whatever reason. "He's going to learn like she doesn't get the bully us." Zoya said that she finally decided to speak what she was feeling, they're going to learn stand up against her and earn her respect. He knew they needed to prove to his mom that they are ready to start their family and to live a traditional betazed life within starfleet.
“I agree.” Ronan murmured. “I will stand beside you and be strong. She will learn we are one in this.”
"I'm glad to hear it, I don't want you being your mama's boy on me. The only mama you answer to now is me." Zoya said teasingly.
“I will not be a mamas boy.” Ronan replied seriously. Then, he realized she was joking and grinned. “Well being yours is okay.”
"I was starting to wonder, if you could take a joke, now I see you can." Zoya said with a smirk on her face.
“I can.” Ronan smiled. “Though sometimes I don’t get the joke. I think that can be said of everyone.”
"There might be hope for us after all." Zoya said with a big grin on her face. She wanted traditional beta mail but she wanted somebody who could understand her humor.
Ronan grinned at her. “I believe you are right.” He was certain they were going to be good together.
Zoya hated the fact that her emotions were starting to control her, this genetic Bond was really strong. She wanted to stop fighting and stop resisting it, but she did not want to give her parents a satisfaction known there right it was going to take her time to accept this and absorb it.
"Do you want to pick up Suki today?" Zoya ask him, they still needed to pack up and get ready to leave but they also need to get their daughter and get ready for the move.
“Yes.” Ronan nodded. “I think having her with us now is a good idea.” He didn’t want to delay picking her up.
"She seems to be having fun." Zoya said as they approached Suki.
“Yes.” Ronan nodded. He watched as their daughter laughed, her whole face lit up. “She reminds me of you when we were little.”
"Are you trying to say she's a mini me?" Zoya asked, wondering where he was going with this?
“She is.” Ronan said with a grin. “She looks like you, though her temperament can be like me.”
"Oh we need a toughen that girl up then." Zoya said, if he couldn't handle her mother then what chances of their daughter have to stand up to her or to anyone else for that matter. She knew she needed to be the alpha of this family it was becoming even more apparent. She still hated the fact that she felt like she was being forced into this, but deep down she was starting to give into it, the bond was becoming very strong between them.
“I don’t think you need to be concerned.” Ronan said with a smile. “She worships you and from watching you and your mother, alpha comes naturally.”
"I hope you're right, traditionally men are supposed to be the nurturing ones." Zoya pointed out to him.
“I am basically.” Ronan admitted. “But without an aloha influence in my life while in Starfleet I’ve had to become partially alpha to survive.”
"so you're willing to sacrifice who you are to become somebody who you're not?" Zoya asked him. This was not a big turn on for her.
“No.” Ronan shook his head. “I am a mixture of both but I mean more towards not being an alpha. I am content with who I am.”
Zoya let's not sure if she could handle a wannabe Alpha. His open to France could be an issue for both of them. He wasn't making any easier for her to fall in love with him, they can have a physical attraction all they want but her heart would not give in to him until he proved that he was Worthy and his constant need to prove himself as an alpha and accepting his role as a beta it was more than she is willing to tolerate.
"It is impossible to be both." Zoya flat out told him. Genie in the bottom of her heart that an alpha would always be an alpha and a beta would always be a beta.
Ronan looked at her for a long moment. “I am a beta, it is who I am and who I want to be. I was simply saying it will take me a bit to realize I don’t have to act the alpha part.”
"Yet you're not seeing the bigger picture here, once you get a taste for being an alpha it's very hard to give it up." Zoya said to him. She wasn't buying this false sense of going back to the way things were before, she knew better than that. He had been spending way too much time with humans.
“It isn’t what I ever wanted.” Ronan disagreed. “It doesn’t make me happy. Shouldn’t I be true to myself?”
"your actions speak louder than your words, I don't know why you're trying to back pedal around me. You need to be you, if this is going to work between us you need to be you and I just need to learn to adapt or to grow with you, and you can learn to grow and adapt to me." Zoya pointed out to him.
“I am a beta.” Ronan replied. “On rare occasions an alpha. That is who I am.” His eyes met hers. “I am not both. It feels most natural to be a beta.”
Zoya was not buying this persona, she could sense of player. He was really giving off player like vibes. "Okay." With all she can think of to say at this moment.
Ronan was a little frustrated. He knew himself well and knew that he was more a beta than alpha. It was who he had always been. He decided that maybe they were concentrating too much on this and time would tell the story. “I don’t mean to frustrate you.” Was all he said.
"This is what happens when our cultural mixes with other cultures, we learn to change. It's that circle of life kind of stuff you know. As much as you don't want to admit it, you're not the same man that left Betazed to attend the Academy."
“I am not.” Roman agreed. “I admit that, there is some Alpha in me but I don’t have a driving need to be in charge.”
"Really." Zoya said, and she got in his face to see what he would do. Would he be a helper and push her away or try to kiss her or would he cower away or complain more.
Ronan looked her in the eyes and replied. “Really.” He didn’t say it meekly but he also didn’t make it an argument. “It is who I am.” He leaned in and kissed her softly. “You are cute when your irritated.”
"And you do that again you're going to get smacked." Zoya said out loud, but deep in her thoughts she rather enjoy this slight kiss. But on the same token he didn't want to be with an alpha male. And she didn't want biology telling her to be with this guy. She really hated her genetic Bond.
“Zoya.” Ronan said to her quietly. “I have a few alpha habits but they aren’t who I am. As we spend this time together I’m going to revert to who I am meant to be. It can’t happen in a second.”
"This was our problem last time, you thinking, you can control me." Zoya pointed out to him.
“I am trying to control you?” Ronan said and thought for a moment. “That is not my intention at all.”
"I can take care of our family, and I can provide for this family." Zoya insisted to him.
“I agree.” Ronan nodded. “You can take care of all of us.” He wasn’t arguing the point with her. He was waiting to see what it was she wanted him to do.
"I want to believe that." Zoya said to him, but seeing how he was acting, she was having a hard time believing it. She believed he meant well, but habits are hard to break.
“I believe it.” Ronan replied. “Who I am comes naturally it’s those habits learned I will overcome.”
"Okay, we can debate this all day but at some point we need to leave the conversation forward." Zoya said, feeling like they were going on and on.
“You are right.” Ronan agreed with a nod. “Time to move forward.”
"Thank you for acknowledging that. I know I must have been hard for you to admit that." Zoya pointed out to him.
“It was but you were correct.” Ronan smiled. “Let’s see what our little girl is up to.”
Zoya just smiled as the scene starts to fade Away. She still had her reservation about him, but she believed there was hope for them.
Ronan smiled in return. He had confidence they would make it, they just had to be patient and things would fall into place.
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