Erik Pressman

And I think the best way is to try and coax her memories back and use her to help us get in, because I doubt she'd want to protect them after she remembers what they did to her, like what happened with you...

*he smiled and took her hand and let her pull him to his feet*

I...I would like that...

I should have...you were the closest I had to being a father again and this time doing it right and...I let them take you...again...just like they took Anne and Calleigh away from me...

*he tried to hold it in until he could no more, breaking down in tears for the first time since losing them*

no...to my shock they...gave you the hitwoman program...and slowly...bled that innocence out...turned you into a monster...by then...I wasn't in charge of your training completely anymore...Cole was taking point then...and he turned you into...the worst of the worst...and I could do nothing and I...

so innocent...before they revealed that fake past to you...I never wanted that for you...I guess what I'm saying is...you filled that hole in my heart that she left...so much so that...when it came time to give you a new name...I gave you hers...I thought that they might make you a strategist, but..

*and as he lay there, surrounded once more by death he began to speak*

Years ago...after I had lost...Anne and...Calleigh, my wife and daughter to 31...I was assigned to you and...back when you were first learning after they had...taken your memory away...and...you were so much like her...

He very nearly did...

*he pulled his coat open to reveal a small bleeding wound in his side*

But before we deal with that...there is something I have to get off my chest too, Angel...

*he gasped at how tightly she gripped him, Angel had never hugged anyone before*

Y-yes, I am...Angel...did you...did you really mean that...?

A...Angel...? I...I never knew you...felt that way....

Damn! Are you okay Ang-ahhhh!

*he felt a phaser beam slam into his torso as blackness descended on him*

*he launched himself into action, firing the phaser he had put back together at the bulky 31 agent, clipping him on the shoulder as he raced through the door*

*he ripped open the lining of his suit and handed her the small items he took out*

Y-yes, Angel!

*he flipped the sidearm to stun and zapped her, catching her as she fell and lowering her gently to the ground, then he started putting their weapons together*

*he felt himself coming to, his back ached from the position he'd been dumped in*

Wha-what...?

Which is...?

*he asked as he fastened the manacles on his wrists*

Yes, Angel!

*he hurriedly followed his former student out and sat down on the couch opposite her in the living room*

Yes...Angel...

You called me...Erik...

Erik...?

Agreed...lets end this...

Okay...what exactly can that be...?

The only person who hasn't left me behind...my student Angel...

I...I'll try, Angel...I don't really know where that'll be though...

I just wanted to say we should get ready...they're on their way here now...

Right...yes, we should...

*he walked over to Angel and tapped her gently on the shoulder*

So...have you found out anything?

I was an idiot...blinded by patriotism and my own arrogance...and it cost me everyone I ever cared about...until I had no one left...and I was left alone...

Just for a heads-up, block and report @startrekfan79.bsky.social. He's a creep, a chaser, and a menace to women.

Please repost to spread the word.

Thank you...I hope so too...

*he stared at her through the doorway as she leaned over the database console, wondering what might have been if he had had a stronger backbone, maybe, maybe it wasn't too late to develop one...*

The...Nevermind...bottom line was...I was a coward...and I still am a coward...but Angel...she's not a coward...she's braver than I ever was...if anyone can kill this cancer in Starfleet...its her...and maybe...just maybe, through her...I can do something right for once...