It’s good to talk

Posted on Sun Oct 18th, 2026 @ 2:34pm by Lieutenant JG Kiara Rahl (S.Carey) & Lieutenant Commander Melor Pallara (Stoffels)

Mission: The Next Watch
Location: Various

Melor was sitting in his quarters. He had finally had some rest but a nightmare had woken him up. It had been a long time since he had felt this low and that bad part was he could not really point out what it was that had him so low. Another reason not to go and talk to a shrink. They would try to pick him apart and he did not like talking about his feelings. Maybe he should take Kiara up on her offer to talk. Or maybe not, he liked the woman, he liked her a lot and Melor did not particularly want her to see him weak. So instead of giving her a call he went into his living room and picked up his Klingon guitar to make some music. Something he had picked up from his foster father who was a skilled musician.

Kiara wasn’t resting well either, her thoughts were stuck on Melor. He’d seemed troubled on the shuttle and she had offered to talk to him. Something seemed to tell her that she needed to get up and go, though what it was she wasn’t sure. She couldn’t be bothered with a uniform at this hour so instead she wore her cosy, comfortable pyjamas as she walked the decking to Melor’s quarters. As she approached his door she could hear the faint sound of music, as much as she hated to interrupt she pressed the door chime.

He stopped playing. "Come!" He called and was only half surprised to see Kiara come in.

“Hey, I hope I’m not interrupting your playing?” Kiara offered a warm smile. “It sounded lovely.”

"No that's fine. I just started in the hope it would help me unwind. Come in!"

“Thank you” Kiara smiled politely as she stepped inside, it looked like a mix of Human and Klingon styles as she looked around. “I like your choice of decor.”

"Thank you." He smiled. "A klingon would call it semtimentally full. But I lived amongst humans for too long. Would you like to sit?" He pointed towards a comfortable looking couch.

Kiara nodded and walked over to the couch to sit down. “It’s odd something seemed to tell me that I needed to come here, probably because you were on my mind after being on the shuttle.”

"You threatened me with 'the talk' didn't you." He smiled. "So I am not that surprised to see you here."

Kiara nodded. “I did, but I wasn’t planning on it being in the middle of the night, which leads to the question why are you up playing music?”

"I couldn't sleep for some reason. My fosterfather taught me that music can relax the mind."

“That’s very true, it helps patients in sickbay to relax when they’re wound up.” Kiara added. “So what’s got you so wound up you can’t sleep?”

"Not really. I have been on way worse missions. Seen horrible things and walked away without a single problem." He shrugged. "Maybe a phase I am going through, getting older, I really don't know."

“Would it have anything to do with being half Klingon? I haven’t met many Klingons but I do know that they’re very driven. You don’t get chance to fulfil any of those Klingon traditions here.”

"I think I have worked through that long ago. My fostermoster is a psychiatrist so I have been shrinked."

Kiara grinned at the term. “Shrieked huh? That’s one way of putting it.”

"Ah well, she knows I love her." He smiled affectionately thinking of Denise. "Never knew my birthmother."

“That’s a shame.” Kiara gave him a caring look. “At least you’ve had a good family to grow up with.”

"The best." He smiled. "I really see them as my family so I am glad I am on board here to keep an eye on little Kay. Oh and on Toni as well."

Kiara nodded. “The ever protective brother huh? That’s nice.”

"Very. I am an only child myself so it was a shock to suddenly have so many brothers and a sister. But I got used to it pretty quickly. How about you?"

“I’m an only child as well, but I have extended family thankfully.” Kiara smiled. “I’ve been used to just my own company.”

"Me too and sometimes I crave it. Like after the mission, I had been constantly together with others for too long. Not that I don't enjoy your company." He smiled at her.

Kiara smiled blushing at the comment. “Thank you. I know the feeling it’s nice to have someone there with you. There are times I do find it lonely. Is that why you’re awake now?”

"Guess we are not used to ship's time yet seeing you are awake as well. It takes a while. And I still can't shake the blues. And I still don't know why."

“Funny thing is I felt like I needed to be here, after seeing you looking so down on the shuttle earlier.” She shrugged her shoulders. “Would you like me to stay?… ohh not like that!” She blushed when she realised how it sounded. “What I mean is… I could sleep on the sofa, just so you have a little company nearby. It might help you sleep.”

"I could not allow it. Both my fathers would box my ears if I would let a lady sleep on the couch. If you are staying, you can have my bed and I will sleep here."

“I certainly don’t expect you to do that for me!” Kiara added. “It was my suggestion after all.”

"But I am too much a gentleman to allow it." He was enjoying this banter and already feeling a whole lot better.

“Maybe you are” Kiara grinned. “But these are your quarters, so you should be the one in the bed.”

"Nope. Not happening." He said laughing. "You are the guest."

“Oh heavens! Fine.” Kiara grinned. “That’s if you’re sure you want me to stay?”

"Well you need your sleep as well. And I do feel a lot better already, you made me laugh." He smiled. "So I think it would be ok if you sleep in your own bed." He hesitated for a second. "I would like to see more of you though."

Kiara’s smile practically shone despite the fact that her cheeks blushed red. “You would? I err… I think I’d like that.”

"Good. I am glad to hear it. I am free tomorrow evening."

“Funnily enough so am I” Kiara smiled. “What time suits you?”

"How about six? Have an early dinner and then we will see afterwards?"

Kiara nodded. “Sounds good to me. Are we eating in, or out? Do you want me to meet you here?” She blushed. “Sorry, I’m in a million questions mode!”

"What would you like?" He looked amused. "I am not the world's best cook. That is one thing my fostermother is terrible at. She can't even boil an egg. I have picked up some skills through the years but not much."

Kiara grinned. “How’s about we eat out this time, and next time I’ll treat you to a home cooked meal?”

"Deal!" he said. "and now we had better both try and get some sleep or we will fall asleep over our meals tomorrow."

“Agreed” Kiera nodded and smiled. “I’ll leave you to it, I’ll see you tomorrow.”