"Wishful Memory"
[previous "Clear As Mud"]

[/\]

Setting: PI ALPHA III, Underground cave system
Stardate: 30148.1400

He had been a long-time expert in losing himself in a single memory, one that consumed his every thoughts and feelings.  It had taken a lot of time and work to have him be free of that one memory, a part of his past that threatened to destroy his future.  The moment the Captain's order was heard, that specific memory came to mind pushing all others out of its way.

Jayson closed his eyes and did his best to hold back his tears, but the memory had been too strong for him to control.  Leena had been his world, and when she announced that she had been pregnant, the two of them became the only thing that mattered in his life.  When the explosion destroyed the medical facility, it did not only kill mother and child, it also destroyed everything that he had and was.

His breathing became quick and shallow as the memory took a stronger hold of his consciousness.  Details that had been made vague over time were as sharp as the day the memory had been created. The radiance of her smile, the happiness in her eyes, even the way she always tilted her head to the left.  Part of him wanted to turn away and run, to escape this place that he had worked so hard to leave behind, but part of him wanted to stay and hold this memory until the end of time.

::The most important though is that this thought, this memory be created.::

The order from Captain Morningstar had been specific. Whoever or whatever had been looking into the memories of the crew had likely wanted to learn about them.  To give a single memory for them to study would limit their access a great deal, but to make that one memory inaccurate would make their efforts worthless.

Jayson wiped the tears with his sleeve as he called upon every ounce of strength at his disposal.  He needed to do this, not only for himself but for the rest of the crew.

He actually smiled when he saw Leena's blonde hair once again, the light of the bright overhead sun giving his wife an aura that was rightfully angelic.  As he welcomed her into his arms, Jayson's mind extended to detail their surroundings. A field of bright wild flowers surrounded them for as far as the eye could see.  The perfectly blue sky had not been touched in the slightest way by the presence of clouds, reflecting like a mirror the gentle color of her eyes.

His breathing as well as his heart rate slowed as the embrace went on.  The flowery scent that hovered in the air mixed in with the delicate smell of the shampoo she used each and every day.  they shared a lengthy gaze which was interrupted by a small yet insistent tug on his uniform shirt.  As he looked down, Jayson's eye met those of a small little girls staring back at him. The blue of her eyes matched that of her mother, as did the golden lightness of her long wavy hair.

A smile that could only be found on a youth, happy child filled the space between them before the little girl reached for her parents' hands.  The three of them headed out into the field of flowers without a care in the world, enjoying this moment as the perfect family that they were.

[/\]

Jayson Sousa

Ensign Jayson Stark
Operations
USS ANUBIS, NCC-18501