A Different Kind of Chat

Posted on Tue Jan 28th, 2025 @ 11:31am by Lieutenant Etan tar-Lexros & 1st Lieutenant Kayleigh London

Mission: Those who are left behind
Location: Kay's quarters
Timeline: After "A Chat"

It was strange for anyone to see Lieutenant tar-Lexros 'charging' anywhere. But after his encounter with Marshal Sorrel, he'd barely managed to complete his shift. His strides were long, and to anyone who didn't know him well, the stance of having his head high, eyes seemingly focused on the middle distance, and shoulders back would look like a man walking with pride. To those who recognized panic attacks, they'd realize that the Ops Chief was fighting a breakdown with all his might. His finger stabbed out to the bell and he choked out a few words. "It's me. I need to come in."

Kay rushed to the door and let him, recognizing something in his voice scared her. "Etan, come in." When she saw him Kay immediately recognized the signs. "Let's get you seated." She touched him lightly so he knew there was someone he could hold on to now. "I'm here, I am here for you." She said softly.

Etan returned the gentle touch, and nodded. His tone was different than usual, affected by his emotions. "I might have made a mistake." He hesitated before speaking again, as gruffly as he ever got. "Marshal Sorell informed of his bigoted, sex and gender oriented views. I... made my position clear. I didn't threaten him." Etan's eyes, wild as he got, fixed on Kay's with a vehemence very few had seen when lives weren't on the line. "I swear, I did not threaten him. I just said that I would send him a copy of the Starfleet regulations on discriminatory conduct, and that if anyone could prove his command decisions were based on bigotry, he'd have to stand for the general court." The Efrosian's eyes were wide and he was nearly in tears. "... I couldn't stand him disparaging you in that way. You, or Commander Stoffels."

Kay started to listen with a very concerned face but by the time he was finished it was very hard for her to keep a straight face. She would have laughed if it had not been for his anxiety and the fact that he had done that for her. "Oh Etan, you sweetheart, you did that for me and Toni?" Kay wanted to give him a hug really. "That is the nicest thing anyone has ever done for me. But don't worry about it please, his bark is much worse than his bite. Granddad Sorrel thinks he means what he says but many of his actions over the past have been the reverse. Please don't worry about him."

Etan nodded and squeezed Kay's hand firmly, taking her advice to heart. At least, he tried to. It was hard to work against the stress he felt. Saying that he hadn't threatened the Marshal was as much about convincing himself as it was about making sure she knew. He knew it was the closest he'd ever come to the line of insubordination in his career, and that bothered him. He tried to take a deeper breath, but it still came out rather shallow. Still, he focused on her, and even with the physical remnants of his anxiety raging in his mind, he was able to focus on Kay. "Of course I did that for you. You are my closest friend, you've saved my life. You've proven time and again that you're one of the best officers on this ship. I... care about you a lot, Kay." His grip eased, now holding her hand by choice rather than clinging to her. "I hope I don't have to worry about him, Kay. I also hope I never have to testify against him as a witness in front of a court."

"Aw just ignore what he says. He doesn't mean it." Kay said. "I... I care about you a lot too." She blushed. "You are very dear to me and I am so sorry that granddad Sorrel has upset you so much. Believe me, I will be having words with him."

Etan nodded slightly, and then it hit him, exactly what she'd said. His eyes widened. "No, you shouldn't have any words with him, that'd be insubordination and actions on the back of scuttlebutt. You could be given demerits, even a demotion that you don't deserve.You're in his chain of command, and if he decided to act on it, I wouldn't be able to defend you."

"Etan! He is retired." She said laughing. "And honestly it would not be the first time he and I have words. Probably not the last either." She finished half under her breath. "But it is sweet of you to worry so much. But please don't. Please don't have an anxiety attack over me." She gave him a pleading look. "That would make me very unhappy as I care about you a great deal as well."

Etan smiled back tightly, but forced himself to take a deeper breath. The tightness in his chest eased slightly. "I promise that I'm working on avoiding a full attack. They're no fun for me, either." He closed his eyes and inclined his head downward, obviously focusing on a breathing exercise in the quiet, holding Kay's hand. He looked back up at her and shifted his shoulders as his body language loosened. "And if the alternative exists, I'd prefer not to have an attack at all. But if it must happen whether I want it or not, better that it be in your defense, so that it can be resolved relatively easily, as soon as I am certain that you are safe."

She smiled at him. "You are doing great by the way." Kay said to him. "I am sure that when we continue to work together we can get them under control and you have a set of tools to combat them. You are growing so much." She said with pride.

Etan's smile returned and he nodded at Kay. "Having someone I care about helps, a lot." His voice was regaining confidence gradually, such as he ever had it. He kept her hand in his. "I really appreciate all that you do for me. I hope that I can do the same for you."

Kay began to blush very red. "You do." She whispered. "You really do, you make me feel less lonely." She should not say things like that to a patient but Kay did not care anymore. He was so much more to her.