Spoiler: Fish in a Barrel - Part 5Show
FX | Sam's ready room door chimes
Sam takes his face out of his hands, and looks at the door curiously. Wiping his tears on his sleeve, he clears his throat. "Come in,"
T'Pia bounds in, "Hi dad!"
Sam blinks. "Oh... T'Pia," he smiles as he stands
T'Pia hustles over to greet him with a hug
Sam wraps her in a warm hug and gently kisses the top of her head. "How are you?"
T'Pia: "I'm... commendable!" she grins up at him
Sam: "Oh?" he holds her at arm's length and looks at her. "Commendable?"
T'Pia giggles, pulling the medal from behind her back and pinning it firmly back in place on her tunic, "Can you believe it? I'm not even /in/ Starfleet yet!"
Sam his eyes widen as he bends down to look at it. "My dear, this is wonderful!"
T'Pia beams proudly, "It's unbelievable! I... think mum had a hand in this... she seemed preeeetty sure for why I was given it..."
Sam: "Oh? Why did I not guess your mother had a hand in it?" he chuckles. "What was it for?"
T'Pia clears her throat and speaks as though quoting, "in recognition of her exceptional conduct in saving the crew of the Valley Forge from a transphasic parasite"
Sam quirks his eyebrow. "That's no way to speak about your mother," he chuckles
T'Pia giggles, "No! It was after we helped the Alesia colony. They thanked us with a provision of some local delicacies"
T'Pia: "Turned out one of the crates had this parasite festering inside but it didn't register any biofilters because it was transphasic..."
Sam: "Now, this is a story I haven't heard," he smiles as he sits back in his seat
T'Pia bows her head, "Thinking back, it was actually really scary..."
Sam takes her hand. "Well, that makes this commendation even greater now, doesn't it?"
T'Pia leans back against the edge of his desk, "Well sure, I mean... I know mum nominated me for it, like she does for all the crew"
T'Pia: "Huh?" she looks around, having caught something unexpected on the desk, "What's this?" she asks curiously, picking up the box
Sam: "That's one of the jobs of a commanding officer you know," he smiles. "Recognising when people are due to receive awards," he looks at that box. "It's something that I should get for you, now!" he grins. "Come, take a look," he pushes the PADD away and pulls the box closer to the pair. He gently unlatches it, and lifts the lid for her to see.
T'Pia 's eyes widen, "Woooow... are they all yours, or is this a collection for the whole ship?"
Sam: "These are just mine, over the years. If we had one for the entire ship, we'd fill up this room. There are many decorated officers here!"
T'Pia: "Oooh... I think mum has quite a few too, doesn't she? I have... vivid memories of standing in front of the fleet for presentations..."
Sam: "Your mum does indeed, she's quite well decorated. I can see who you take it from," he chuckles. "But now, I need to get you your own box, for all the medals you'll be getting," he says proudly
T'Pia beams proudly again, "That does sound exciting!" she frowns a little looking at his collection, "...she doesn't like them, does she"
Sam: "My medals, or hers?"
T'Pia shakes her head, "Hers. I know she keeps them locked away, and I feel..." her head dips, "...remorse"
Sam tilts his head. "Well, I can't claim to speak for your mother, but you see here, out of all these medals, do you know which one I'm most proud of?"
T'Pia shakes her head more vigorously and turns a curious look to him
Sam takes out the two Prentares Ribbon of Commendations and gives them to her. "These were for service to the Federation through diplomacy. Your mother has a lot of these. A lot,"
T'Pia looks at them in her hand and nods, "Yes, these are... familiar" she smiles, "These are warmer memories I think, prouder"
Sam: "Of course they are. These medals are for doing something great. Without the need for violence or death," he smiles. "Your mother, is great at that. She keeps a cool head when everyone else loses theirs. It's something I hope you will learn from your mother," he pats her head
T'Pia smiles, shucking her shoulders a little for the head pat. She traces a thumb of the metal of one and nods, "It's very important to her; proving she can control her emotions. I know from how focused our mind melds were on that. Is that why these are you proudest too? Because of what they represent?"
Sam: "Yes. It shows to me that I'm more than what these other medals show me to be,"
T'Pia tilts her head curiously, "Why? Do the others not represent great achievement also?"
Sam: "They do," he nods. "In most circumstances, they are to be praised. If you were to win one, you would not know how proud I would be. How proud I am now," he smiles. "But I won these for mainly doing what I was told to do, in war. It's easy to win medals in war. It's harder to do so in peacetime. That, is true bravery,"
T'Pia frowns a little, not really understanding the context for lack of wartime experience. "But... we're not at war now, and they gave lots of people medals?"
Sam: "Exactly," he beams. "That is why everyone who receives a medal now, is worthy of the praise given to them. They don't do it because they're told to. They do it because they are great officers,"
T'Pia: "But then... if medals given in wartime are devalued, why do they give them more then?"
Sam sighs, not sure if he wants to give her his cynical opinion on these matters. "That... is a good question," he states simply
T'Pia looks from the box to Sam and back, "That's why you had these out, isn't it. Trying to answer that question" she slowly turns her gaze back to him
Sam smiles. "The reason I had this out was to put my medals that I won in it," he teases, pinching her nose lightly
T'Pia crinkles her nose, smiling softly as she looks him over again. Yeah, she can read him better than he thinks. She follows up with another long hug, still resting her head on his shoulder as she perches on the arm of his chair, "So what are all these different ones?"
Sam: "Those? Those are campaign medals. For all the battles that I've served in. Everyone gets one of those,"
T'Pia: "Aah, that's why they look different to the rest!"
Sam: "Mhm! They're rather fancy," he picks up the Hur'q medal and pins it to her chest. "You served in this one, so you should get one! Well, you shouldn't because you're not Starfleet, but... I won't tell if you don't,"
T'Pia blinks and looks down at it, "But we weren't involved in engagements with the Hur'q?"
Sam: "You might not have been, but there are many other roles in the campaign outside that of direct engagement,"
T'Pia: "Really? So these count for just being in service during the times the conflict took place?"
T'Pia looks down at the medal pinned to her, clearly liking the feeling of accomplishment but then frowning, "I think then I see why you said wartime devalues them..."
Sam nods. "Most of these service medals are,"
T'Pia traces a finger across it smiling again, but the shakes her head and removes it, setting it back in the box. "I didn't earn it, and accepting it would only devalue your achievement dad. But thank you" she smiles, kissing him on the cheek
Sam just corrects the positioning slightly. He's very fussy like that. "And thank you..." he stands, pulls on his jacket and stands to attention. "For your services to the Federation," he says formally. "Congratulations, Ms Bishop-Se'Lai,"
T'Pia mirrors his attentive stance, just less successful at looking serious as she grins playfully
Sam relaxes. "You... need to stand a bit straighter," Sam lifts her head up a tad. "And keep your head just a bit higher. And square your shoulders, like this,"
T'Pia: "Oh, right!" she giggles and tries again, face straighter as she focuses better. ]T'Pia stiffens, straightening her back, "Like this?" she asks, raising her chin a little
Sam: "There, much better. You know that they have classes in the Academy for this?"
T'Pia: "You know mum used to secretly enjoy them as she found it quite meditative?" she grins, briefly forgetting herself but snapping back.
Sam raises his eyebrow. "Did she now?" he chuckles. "Typical Se'Lai..."
T'Pia nods firmly, "You should ask her about it sometime. She doesn't like to think about them because it was very hard for her, but I think you would find it interesting as who she used to be" T'Pia apparently feels no shame in betraying her mother's deepest emotional secrets...
Sam blinks, at the fact that he was getting marriage counselling from his not-even-one-year-old daughter. "I will, when we get the chance to sit down," he smiles. "We barely do, because of all this," he glances to K-7 outside his window
T'Pia: "I hope we can do more of that now you're better still..."
Sam frowns sadly and strokes her cheek. "I would love nothing more, but... I'm afraid that it's going to be a lot busier now. We have to rebuild,"
T'Pia nods, dipping her head with a slight pout
Sam: "Hey, hey, hey," he says, lifting her chin up. "When your mother and I put on our uniforms, we do it for you. I want you to always remember that. Whatever we do, we always do it for you," he smiles. "Because there's nothing more important in the universe than you," he kisses her forehead
T'Pia slowly turns her eyes back up to meet his; slightly watery and wearing a sad smile, "I just wish we could all be together more"
Sam: "I know. And I do too. But I'm really glad you live with your mother. I really am,"
T'Pia pauses a moment before pouncing a hug around his shoulders
Sam closes his eyes and hugs her tightly, "You know, it just makes these moments with you extra special," he whispers
T'Pia smiles warmly as she eases back from the hug, "You have a point there, dad! Very logical" she grins
Sam: "What can I say, I married a Vulcan. Logic rubs off on you,"
T'Pia: "Not as much as grandma wishes..."
Sam: "You could learn a lot from your grandmother you know,"
T'Pia: "It would be nice to spend more time with her. I don't even know her well from mum, at least... not in any good way. But I know they've started to repair the relationship now!"
Sam: "Family is the most important thing for us Bishops, you know,"
T'Pia nods firmly, "I... I wish I could have know uncle Seb better..."
Sam: "I er... oh," he seems disarmed by that question. "He was... well... a very respectable man,"
T'Pia holds a hand against his chest to pause him, smiling softly, "I didn't mean to... I just, well, like you said; family is important and I only have vague memories of him..." T'Pia 's smile warms, "I remember that he felt strong. Confident and... reassuring"
Sam smiles. "We will visit home one day, and I will teach you all that I can about my family. About your family,"
T'Pia: "I would very much like that!"
Sam: "As would I," he smiles "Hey, come here," he takes her hand
T'Pia smiles, resting her hand in his
Sam gently pulls her ouy to the bridge and points to the Captain's seat
T'Pia sticks close to his side, a little intimidated by the big fancy bridge and all the officers quietly working away
Sam: "Take a seat," he smiles
T'Pia gives him an unsure look before slowly looking to the seat, "...really?"
Sam: "Yes, really!" he takes her hand. "I'm with you the whole time,"
T'Pia smiles and nervously steps up to the big chair, standing in front of it a moment as she takes it in before turning and slowly lowering herself into it
Sam grins and takes the seat next to her. "Sorry Tash, I'm nicking your seat," he calls
T'Pia wriggles around a little, feet swinging as she looks around the room
[Tasha] "It's not my seat!"
Sam: "How does it feel?" he asks her gently
T'Pia gradually leans herself back - causing feet to dangle more prominently - and sliding her hands along the armrests "It feels... proud"
Sam: "Good," he looks to Pippa. "Helm, lay in a course around the system and back. Impulse speed only. On... orders of the Acting Captain," he looks at T'Pia
Sam: "On your command, ma'am," he beams
T'Pia can't help but grin happily for a brief moment, having to take a deep breath to steady her nerves. She closes her eyes a moment and points forward, " Helm, take us out; let's give them the show they've been waiting for!"
[Pippa] glances at Sam.
T'Pia blinks and flushes deeply, "I- I mean... take us out." she nods, shying away quickly
Sam: "You heard the lady Ms Bonzi," Sam chuckles. "Just like your mother," he says gently to T'Pia
[Pippa] "Aye aye sir... I mean, Miss," she smirks and punches the command
T'Pia nods silently, having turned pale as a ghost
FX| The ship turns away from the station and moves out at low impulse, before suddenly zooming forward!
Sam: "You okay?" he notices T'Pia's light shade
T'Pia: "You said it... just like mum..."
T'Pia looks to Sam, "Sorry dad, tha-... that was a vivid memory trigger I had not anticipated..." she tries to shake the feeling off
Sam takes her hand and squeezes it tight.
T'Pia gives his a light squeeze in response but soon nods her head and looks ahead to the viewscreen
FX| The emptiness of space gives way to the satellites of the system as the ship runs her course around
Sam: "This view should not be seen from the viewscreen," he smiles. "One of the best things about this bridge is this," he stands and holds out his hand for her and leads her to the glass front
T'Pia stands, following more eagerly "Wooooow...." she awes, pressing her face and hands up against the screen
Sam: "There," he leads her to the front, where the large glass screen shows the view. He puts an arm around her shoulder and stands next to her, looking out
T'Pia: "I would spend so much time up here taking it all in if the Valley Forge bridge was like this!"
Sam grins. "You can always sit in out quarters and see the same view," he smiles. "Besides, on missions, civilians are restricted access to the bridge,"
T'Pia: "But even in our quarters the view isn't so... expansive!"
Sam chuckles. "Look, we're going past K-7. First one to spot the Valley Forge, wins!" he points to K7 as it appears
T'Pia: "oh oh oh!" she cranes her neck trying to get a better view
Sam: "Oh I found it!" he grins, pointing to the Lexington
T'Pia squints then shakes her head, grinning, "That's not mum's ship, that's the Lexington! See-" she points"- it has a different polymer ablative on the hull so doesn't catch the light like..like that!" she points to the other side
Sam: "Huh, I did not know that,"
T'Pia looks back up at him with a proud smile, "The Valley Forge is one ship I've been able to study more than any! And having the Lexington on hand to compare makes these distinctions very apparent!"
Sam: "Of course," he chuckles. "So... you win!"
T'Pia: "Yay!" she giggles, "That may not have been fair on you though" she leans against him, enjoying their daddy-daughter time
Sam: "You're talking to someone who has over thirty years of experience with ships, I should have got that one!"
T'Pia hrms playfully, "Maaaaybe you'd have had a fairer chance as an engineer... or, well, on just about any other ship in the fleet!" she giggles
Sam chuckles and tickles her stomach. "I'll have you know that I know the Valley Forge quite well, thank you very much!"
T'Pia squirms and giggles profusely, "Daaad, no- da-... DAD!"
Sam laughs and stops as Tasha pulls in behind them and coughs a little
[Tasha] "I just thought that our young Captain would like to be in the chair as we complete our round?" she enquires
T'Pia tries her best to beat the giggle fit as she looks around
Sam: "I believe that our Captain is overwhelmed by a strange alien attack that has left her inoperative. Therefore, I, as First Officer, will do the job!"
Sam glances back at T'Pia "Race you to the seat!" he says before jogging off
T'Pia gasps, "No fair, you cheated!" as she tails after him
Sam slows as he reaches the Captain's chair, winking at her and nods to the chair, taking the XO chair for himself
T'Pia pauses after barely making the central arch before he wins, beaming as she bounds over for another moment of glory. No hesitation in taking the seat this time
[Pippa] "Well Captain, we're nearing the end of our run. Orders?"
T'Pia glances to Sam briefly, not wanting to assume to say or do anything without permission
Sam: "That's for you, my dear," he nods his assent
T'Pia looks back to Pippa, "Helm... bring us back to our starting coordinates; maintain position until further orders" she again looks to Sam, hoping she got it right
[Pippa] "Yes ma'am," she says without hesitation. "Orders recieved and understood. Bringing us about, 348.3 mark 8 and holding,"
Sam smiles. "You'll make a fine Commanding Officer," he smiles
T'Pia grins, "I have a lot to live up to between you and mum! And grandma... and uncle Seb..."
FX| The Endeavour smoothly makes her final turn before sliding into the position she was before and slowing to a stop.
Sam ruffles her hair. "You do not have to worry about that. You've already lived up to, and far exceeded, us all,"
T'Pia smiles, flushing lightly, "One day..."
Sam shakes his head. "You did that the moment you were born, my love," he leans over and kisses her head
T'Pia flushes deeply again, "Thank you for this, dad!"
Sam: "No," he smiles. "Thank you,"
FX| There is definitely not a dry eye on the bridge
T'Pia: "One day I hope I really will give you and mum something to be proud of! I don't care how hard I have to work, I'm going to get into the ASDB and, one day..." she smiles back up at him, "One day... when I design a new ship, we'll all be on the bridge for the maiden voyage - you, me and mum"
Sam stands and hugs her tightly. "Of course,"
T'Pia: "And on that day I will know I have done something worthwhile to make you both proud!" she nods firmly. She's decided. It's happening that exact way, no choice
Sam does his best to fight back his own tears. He is not going to cry in front of his crew. He buries his head in her hair
T'Pia hugs him back tightly
Sam: "I love you," he mumbles quietly
T'Pia: "I love you too, dad" she replies softly
[Endeavour Bridge Crew] "Awwww"
Sam: "Come on sweetheart," he pulls out of the hug. "Let's not disturb my crew too much now. We'll go down to the lounge, and replicate something sweet for you," he strides towards the turbolift.
T'Pia giggles "Of course! Thank you everyone!" she says to the bridge crew and bundles after him.
Sam pauses before the doors shut. "Alright you lot, get to work!" he says to his crew, before he disappears.
[Tasha] "He's not even the Captain right now..." she shakes her head.
