What's wrong with me? pt 1

Posted on Fri Oct 14th, 2022 @ 8:28am by Commander Antonia 'Tony" Stoffels

Mission: The Lost Brother

Soran sat in his office, waiting for Tony to go over the weekly security reports. He was distracted this morning, Tony's reaction to seeing him with Kiara surprised him. He was trying not to get ahead of himself; he hadn't spoken to her yet. If Kiara hadn't mentioned sensing something from her he'd have thought nothing of it. He and Tony were friends he knew her family, they were more like siblings than anything else. So why did he feel conflicted?

"Sorry I am a bit late." She said when walking into his office. "Busy busy." Tony felt a little awkward. In the past they had always almost gossiped about his girlfriends and he had asked for advice as well. Now he had not mentioned anything to her and she was not the one who wanted to start talking about it. Now she sat down opposite his desk. "Anything unusual?"

I put two ensigns on reports for being in restricted area last week, there was no security breach so wasn't a ton of paperwork. They wouldn't tell CJ why they were in the torpedo bays.

"You want me to have a word with them? Put some fear into them?" She inquired.

"Tony when you were on ensign would you have ratted out your mates?"

"You did not say they had to rat out somenone. You just want to know why they were in a restricted area or do you think there were more involved?"

"How would you feel about an officer who made you rat? No damage has been done. I will keep an eye on the situation."

"Ok. But you have to teach me what to do. Because I was a counsellor I am afraid they will see me as soft. But so far you have only told me off for being too harsh."

"I'm sorry Tony," He said. "Neither of them were in the tactical department. I didn't have access to the room. So someone had to let in, they too have responsibility for their actions. I left it up to CJ and he chose not to push, I prefer a hands off command style."

"Ah ok, I get it." She said it. "But I am still finding it difficult." She leaned back in her chair. "Anything else?"

He was a little distracted this morning, his late night date had gone well... Until they'd got to the arboretum... In the past he'd tell Tony all about it, but he was hesitant to do that and he wasn't sure why.

Soran paused for a moment, "have faith in the chain of command. The captain relies on you and you rely on me and the other department heads, In less an ensign errors in front of you allow their commander to handle it. This is a simple rule that I have found helps me keep things manageable."

"So basically a first officer does nothing?" Tony asked. "That sounds pretty boring. But I don't mind our weekly chats."

"You're serving a vital role and you'll learn how to use your experience as a therapist in your command style." He smirked. "You'll have a softer touch than I do."

"You would think. But so far I have been harder in my approach than you have been. Isn't that funny?"

"Not really I'm an outsider, I've gotten used to people not liking me." Soran shrugged, "So when it comes to those under my command I'm never overly concerned about how they feel about my orders. I love my comrades and I'll take care of them, whether they care about me or not. You're a wonderful person Tory your best quality is caring for others sometimes gets in the way."

She blushed and had to look away. "Thank you." she said softly. "I wish people took more time to get to know you and see how wonderful you are."

"Lt. Rinne is good cop and I'm bad cop, I'm okay being the bad guy." He shrugged. "Sometimes it's what's needed for good discipline. CJ likes to embarrass me just enough in front of others to keep them from thinking of a total bastard."

"You are not a bastard. I am glad you are doing so well, Ren."

Soran smiled trying not to think about his time with Kiara, "things are going well."

"I am glad to hear it." Tony said with a bright smile.

He paused, "I had dinner with Lt. Rahl last night."

"I know." Tony said a little too fast.

"Is something on your mind Tony?"

"Nothing. You know I respect your private life, always have. Now can we talk about something else?"

"Okay he said. "What do you want to talk about?"

"Sometimes you are an ass, Ren." Was the only thing she managed to say.

"Huh?" He blinked. "What did I do?"

"Absolutely nothing." Suddenly she was so irritated with him. Tony heaved a deep sigh. "Forget it, it's my time of the month."

"You've never used that excuse before so please don't do that now." Soran said.

He was surprised and hurt by Tony's reaction. There was more going on than he realized.

"I don't know what to say, Ren." She came to her feet. "Was that all commander?"

"I'm honestly not sure why you're upset with me, I wish you'd just tell me." Soran said.

"I can't because it is not rational and I will get over it. It will just take me a while, ok."

"If you can't talk to me about what's bothering you Commander, please make sure you speak to someone." Soran had a look of concern.

Tony just couldn't take it. Normally she would talk to him about her problems and she couldn't do so now. How could she say that she was jealous and hurt. So she just nodded.

[OFF]