Bitter Dregs
By: Turtlewoman
Rating: G  
Written: March, 99

(The dialog plot device marries a Pond Seventeen challenge, write an angsty story starting with :)

"I have coffee with your mum, she seems so glad to see me... What makes you think I hurt her and that I should stay away?"

"My Momma always cries when you come to visit any more."

"And you that's why you think I hurt her."

"Yes."

"I see……..and that's why you don't want to let me in."

"Yes."

"Naomi?…..open the door."

"Hi Sam."

"Naomi…….open the door, now. I'm sorry. I don't know what has gotten into her."

"Naomi, I'm not going to hurt your Mother."

"Hurt me? Naomi, this is my friend! Why do you think I've been hurt?"

"Because you cry."

"Honey, sometimes I need to cry. When I cry with a friend, it doesn't hurt as much."

"Like when I get hurt and you cuddle me?"

"Pretty much sweetheart. Do you need a little cuddle now before you go to bed?"

"Just a little one. Will you give me a little cuddle too?"

"I would be happy to Naomi. Good night, sweetie."

" I'll go to bed now so you can get your cuddle too Mom…and you can cry if you need to."

"Thanks Honey…..I'll just tuck her in."

~*~*~

"Is she sleeping already?"

"Yes, a little cuddling goes a long way with her. I wish we could solve our problems so quickly. Want some coffee."

"When have I ever said no?"

"So … whose turn is it to cry? Ah, yours I see. So its true then."

"I think so…only this time it’s a crew member. This could be the one that lasts."

"Isn't this what you said you wanted?"

"I never said its what I wanted. I said it would be for the best."

"You look like hell. Just whose best?"

"We been through this before….the ship's best."

"I'm sure the ship will be appreciative."

"You're supposed to help me feel better, remember."

"I just don't see why both of us have to be so miserable when there is a way out for one of us."

"There are ways out for each of us, Sam…we just won't take them."

"I can't just walk out on my vows because I've fallen in love with another. You know Kitarians mate for life. Am I supposed to just ignore that because it's not convenient? Moreover, I still do love him as well. We've been all over this before. Besides, it's my turn to cheer you up."

"If we cheer each other up anymore, we can both go repeat the void. Couldn't you just suspend them until we get back?"

"Oh that would be fair to the both of them wouldn't it? How come I'm supposed to accept that you won't walk out of your vows and you keep pushing me to walk out of mine."

"Yours don't make any sense."

"They do if you're Kitarian."

"Well these do too... if you're a Starfleet officer."

"Check."

"And mate…..or in our case, not to mate."

"Ready to chuck the coffee and hit the brandy."

"Oh yeah."

****************************