Post 213: Gilmore's Girl

Stardate:70531.0900
Title: Gilmore's Girl
Author: Lt. Lily T'Ana
Scene: Sickbay
Time: After "In an Instant" and before "Fight or Flight"

"Uncle, please listen to me." Your heart has just plain lived out it's course, but you haven't. I know we've talked about your opinion of artificial organ replacement, and I have talked to you about my wishes also, but please listen to me. It has been at least five years since we had that long talk, and-"

"Lily Emiko T'Ana," Gilmore began, waving his hand. "Dry your eyes. I'm an old man. I've lived my life and if this is my time to go, it's my time to go."

"What are you talking about? You're not so old. Fifty-two is not old!" Lily's eyes flashed fire, and she felt February pull her backward gently once again.

"Perhaps you should leave," Dr. McBrayne said worried about Gilmore's blood pressure and knowing that this was not going to help matters.

"I am his next of kin, I will have my say." Lily said, determination etched on her features. "Might I have a moment alone with my Uncle?"

The title had been bestowed out of respect, it was true, as they were in fact no blood relation. But McBrayne had verified that Lily was indeed next of kin as listed in Gilmore's file, and so respected her rights as such.

"Just a few moments. And calmly." Cliona looked at the young woman sternly, and February finally let go of Lily's arm.

"I'm just outside, Lily. If you need me." February looked at Gilmore a moment, and their eyes met. He averted his quickly, hating that she was seeing him like this.

Lily looked down at RJ with traces of tears that had left paths on her cheeks. Never had he thought that he would be loved this much by anyone.

"Listen to me, replacing a damaged heart is nothing like it used to be, we agreed years ago that neither of us wanted some Borg-like artificial thing beating away in us. This is NOT how it is today. I have done the research personally. I am the one who knows how strongly you feel, and I love you so much that I would never, ever try to talk you into something that would go against every fiber of your being. "

"It does go against every fiber of my being, Lily. You don't know what they did. What I saw."

He had tried to shield her in many ways from what his experience at Wolf 359 had done to him, but as she had gotten older, joined the Fleet and read as many public records she could as to what happened on the Fearless, she knew that it was bad.

"You know that I trust you, that I would listen to your voice above all others in matters of family." he stopped, taking a moment to catch his breath. "But this is the very heart of me. To have something so cold, and artificial."

"I love that heart," Lily began again. "Even though we are not flesh and blood, you are closer to me than my own father at times. You are the one I always came to for understanding, for a shoulder, and fatherly advice. You know J'Dok was just not capable of it, although I love him with all my heart, and he is my father and I respect him, it is you RJ, that has understood the human part of my soul, my very being. And for that, you are my father, the only one I have known emotionally and I am not ready to let you go and there is no reason to. Not now, and your body is not ready to go yet either."

"J'Dok is a good man." Gilmore said thoughtfully. "Fallible. Flawed. Like me. Only you have never looked at me with anything less than complete adoration."

RJ had turned his head so that she could not see the emotion on his face, the tears that had fallen down the sides and soaked into his pillow. He couldn't hide this from Lily.

She reached up with her delicate hand and brushed them away and gently kissed his cheeks. He turned his face to her and looked into her eyes, his hands reached up and took hers.

"I always dreaded the day when I might have to say no to my little butterfly." Gilmore continued. "Lily, I just don't know if I can say yes this time."

"If you've ever loved me, and I know that you do, Uncle," Lily wept softly, "If you've ever trusted my judgment as your family, and your daughter by choice," she stood tall, her hands clenched at her sides now. "Then trust me. Don't give up. I know that you're tired. But you have so much left to do. So much left of life to see."

Lily's combadge signaled. The voice of Commander Salvek was heard.

[Lt. T'Ana, please report to the conference room for a meeting of the senior staff immediately.]

"On my way." Lily replied. She really didn't want to leave him with so much unsaid, but she also knew that her words would sink in and hoped that they would resonate with him after she had finished speaking.

"You have duties to attend to, Lieutenant." RJ said sternly. "Go on, don't keep everyone waiting."

"They can wait all day. I want you to tell me that you'll think about it."

"I'm tired," Gilmore replied, his eyes beginning to close. "So tired."

"Sleep a little while. You won't be alone. I'll ask February to stay with you." Lily replied. She leaned over and kissed him on the forehead. "I love you, Uncle RJ. Please, stay here with me."

Gilmore felt the purity of the affection that she had for him, and it soothed him as he slipped into slumber. As he fell asleep the only thing he was aware of was the sound of her voice, telling him over and over how much she cared. He considered her feelings above all else as he weighed his options again.

The love of a child for a father figure such as this, was indeed something worth living for.

Lily walked up to Lt. Grace who stood, pacing nervously out in the waiting room.

"Well?" Bru asked.

"Stay with him, I have to go but I'll hurry back." Lily replied. "When he wakes up, if I'm not here yet," Lily continued on knowing that February and Gilmore were friends in their own right.

"Talk to him and don't let up until he agrees to the damned surgery."

Lt. Lily T'Ana
Science Officer
USS Independence NCC-90791