you did well

Posted on Sun Dec 8th, 2024 @ 1:35am by Lieutenant Etan tar-Lexros & 1st Lieutenant Kayleigh London

Mission: Those who are left behind
Location: Deck 2, Etan's Quarters
Timeline: After "Command Centre"

Kay had heard what had happened back on the ship while she was on the awful away mission with the captain. Etan had been on the bridge and from what scuttlebutt had to say he had done brilliantly. She felt flushed with pride for her friend and went in search of him when she finally had a bit of time after most of the survivors had been settled. She decided to go over to Etan's quarters uninvited to congratulate him. So here she was, a little nervous and hit the chime to his quarters.

Etan was sitting on his bed, reading from a PADD while off duty. He was (unusually) dressed casually, in a pair of sweatpants and a loose short-sleeved shirt. He heard the chime on his door and looked up, trying to figure out who might be visiting him. He set down the PADD and sat up, then crossed to the door. He opened it, and smiled widely at seeing Kay. "Oh, Kay, it's you. Come in, please." He gestured for her to enter, and he found a pair of comfortable chairs, bringing them to his table, clearing away a small pile of PADDs, which mostly had data pertaining to the salvage operation. "How're you feeling? I know you weren't on the ship when everything went wrong. You weren't hurt, I hope?"

"Oh man, it was nuts. Frustrating as hell." She shook her head. " I really needed a friend to talk to." Then she smiled. "I heard that you did really good though from several people."

Etan nodded and smiled back, gesturing for her to take a chair. He replicated two glasses of water for them and brought the drinks to the table. "I don't think I could ever think of being shot at or held at gunpoint to be just 'frustrating', honestly. Terrifying, more like. I did what I could. I just didn't want anyone to get hurt." He sighed and sat down. "I needed several minutes just to get my anxiety down, and I was many decks away from the situation. I was worried someone would get badly hurt."

She switched a little to counsellor mode now at what he told her, shoving her own problems to the background. "But you did it right? And I heard from others that you did really good at the bridge. I don't think anybody knew about your anxiety. That is a great first step."

Etan nodded with a smile that didn't show much confidence. If it had come from anyone but Kay, he'd have denied it outright. But when it came from from her, he could accept it. He looked at her. "I hope so, yes. What happened with you while you were away from the ship?"

She threw up her hands. "It was a nightmare." Kay looked at Etan. "Promise me that if I tell you it goes no further, ok? I have to talk to someone."

Etan nodded emphatically, seeing the frustration written on Kay's features. "Of course, Kay. Anything we talk about in private stays between us." He reached out, offering a hand to help ground her, but not being too demanding. "Tell me what happened."

She began to tell him the whole story of how the captain had joined her away team and took over the lead right away and went against her recommendations in front of her security detail. "I felt so deskilled, Etan, so small. I was asked to step in as chief of security but I knew nothing about security and I haven't had department head training. So I went about it the marine way." A tear escaped her eye.

Etan sat and listened, his expression neutral as he processed what Kay was telling him, and what little he could understand of the 'read between the lines' context. He exhaled sharply through his nose, a sign of frustration. "As far as I've seen, you've done an excellent job of security on the ship." He looked at her and extended a hand to hers. "I'll admit, I sincerely doubt that Xavier meant anything hurtful. But you should discuss it with him in private. You are not small. You have been Marine Commander of this ship, you have been Chief Counselor, and you have been head of Security with Talsi as your Tactical support. You are an amazing person, able to hold roles in both the Marine division and the Fleet. You should never doubt yourself. The Captain was out of line going on an Away mission that should have been yours to command. You saved my life and the lives of others on Lantea when you got that message to the Captain on foot, I'm sure of it. You may not have Starfleet security training, sure. You're a great person and a great officer."

"Awww Etan, you are so sweet." It was exactly what she needed to hear. Before she could help herself she hugged her friend. "Thank you."

Etan didn't immediately know how to respond to the hug, but after a brief moment he responded, holding her for a moment. "I'm just honest. You're welcome."

They sat together for a few seconds before Kay pulled back again. She was blushing and unsure of herself. Not sure what to do next. "You are a great friend."

It was a moment of quiet, holding her hand and blushing more fiercely than he could have predicted. He nodded and smiled. "So are you, I promise."

More blushing from Kay, they were a right awkward pair. "Thank you, you helped a lot." She cleared her throat. "I guess I have to go."