Chapter Text
AGAIN-Ripley is alive and is Chief - Maya Bishop - demoted to Lieutenant -carves reinstatement to Captain so badly that she
uses her knowledge of good friend VIC HUGHES' relationship with Ripley to attempt to blackmail him to regain it.
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SFD psychiatrist Diane Lewis listened carefully to her patient's explanation of the troubles that they are having in their
relationship. Diane's first question after listening carefully to the client was, "Have you said 'I'm sorry' or 'Please take me back'?
Her silence is all the confirmation that Diane needed. "Our past informs our present and many times our futures-your experiences
with your father seems to have hardened you to the concept that saying 'I was wrong' equals weakness. That ideology won't serve
you well either in your career or in your personal life: as you may have already realized."
"I am seeing that," Maya Bishop said quietly. "I am."
Diane continued: "A sincere apology can also bring you PEACE, particularly if you're truly guilty over your actions. An apology alone
won't erase the hurt or make it OK, but it does establish that you know your actions or words were wrong and that you will strive
harder in the future to prevent it from happening again."
"Couldn't I just...SHOW her - through actions?"
"Not apologizing when you are wrong can be damaging to your personal and professional relationships. It can also lead to
rumination, anger, resentment, and hostility that may only grow over time. I'm not breaking any confidence when I say that a
dozen or so of your colleagues have complained about you in this very room about your leadership style while you are acting commander-
they describe you as 'abrasive'. And very few of them like you: I suggest that you dial it back a bit."
"I-I'm starting to see that," Maya admitted.
"Your first stop should be your Dr. DeLuca; next, Chief Ripley. After that, your best friend and lastly your colleagues," Diane advised.
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When Maya arrived at their condo after her appointment, Carina sat on the loveseat, drinking wine. She held up a hand when the
blonde tried to embrace her, saying, "I need time, Bambina. You…What you have done: from Gibson and how you treated me after - you
did what you did...and I need to think. Per favore : PLEASE."
"I know...I KNOW, Car. There's no excuse for my behaviour and"-
"I.Need.Time. TO. THINK, Maya! Do you understand?! I have had it with your excuses and justifications: you blame your childhood
trauma for every foul deed - Get out: Fuori !"
Defeated, Maya asks, "Can I at least get some toiletries, extra clothes?"
Two angry sips later, Carina spits, "Go ahead. QUICKLY."
Once she's finished, Bishop pauses in the foyer to say, "That's it for now...I can come back any day that you won't be here.
"Car? I'm going." No response, so after a final, sad sigh, Maya departs...
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Lane Bishop arrives unexpectantly, hours before his wife Kathleen expects him. "Oh...um...Lane...I...why didn't you call?"
"It's good to change things up now and again." Lane Bishop's lips curve a smidge upward, though not enough to touch his cold
blue eyes.
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TBC