In The Long Run
Posted on Sat Jan 12th, 2019 @ 1:45am by
Mission:
Run Afoul
Location: Lt. Rai's Quarters/Lt. Com. Sommers Quarters
Timeline: MD 5 20:00 Hours
1315 words - 2.6 OF Standard Post Measure
Wilfred stood outside Jex's quarters knowing that this was very unprofessional but he did it anyway. He pressed the button tried to breathe so that his heart would slow down. As soon as she opened the doors he thrust a PADD into her hands and said, "I know you didn't really mean it, so I forgive you. Read that."
Standing still for a moment to recover from the shock of the outburst, Jex replied, "I'm not sensing forgiveness." As Wilfred's supervisor, she knew that she had to almost make a statement here. "Sit down," she pointed toward a chair, her tone made it clear that it was not a request.
Maybe that was true, maybe he hadn't completely forgiven her. There was still a lot of emotions within him but he wanted to put all that behind him. He didn't want to come in. He didn't want to sit down. Wilfred did so anyway. He hated that she had so much control over him.
As she sat at another chair facing his, Jex let out a calming sigh. It was a trick she had picked up back home to help her hide her own emotions, and to keep from saying something that she'd regret. "Admittedly, the Halloween prank was unprofessional and probably shouldn't have happened," her voice abruptly stopped as her dark eyes looked over her brig officer. She was too frazzled to get out her next point about his behavior, so she decided to let the statement sit awkwardly unfinished.
"Okay," Wilfred said, feeling his nervousness creep back in instead of the other emotions which had been prevalent only moments before. He wasn't sure if this was an apology or if he was going to get a lecture so he remained quiet, just watching her.
"Why did you have that reaction when I opened the door?" Jex asked as calmly as possible. She was still angry, but she was starting to realize that Wilfred was a bit on the timid side. Maybe her perceived slight was not what was intended. The question was meant to gauge his intent.
"Which one? I just wanted to put what happened behind me, actually put everything behind me and I thought the easiest way to do that was to write you a letter because it gets everything out." He didn't continue to say that it got everything out without him having to face her. He didn't intend this, to be sitting in her quarters and explaining himself. It was the very thing he had tried to avoid because he was terrible at expressing himself.
Calming herself with a sigh, Jex sort of held the PADD up a bit. "Should I read this, then we can talk about it later?" she offered. It was not the most ideal solution, but the man was clearly quiet shaken.
Wilfred nodded. "Okay, yeah." He stood, he knew where the door was.
Wilfred made his way through the ship until he was outside the other quarters of the person he'd written a letter to. He stopped, pressed the button and sincerely hoped he'd just be able to hand this off and not get dragged in for tea or something. Although, being in Jex's quarters was no doubt more awkward than this.
A little girl appeared in the doorway. She sized the man up then yelled for her father over her shoulder. The man appeared from elsewhere and joined the girl at the door. "Ensign Wexler," he acknowledged, while shooing the girl off to go play. "What can I do for you?"
"Uh, this is for you. Please read it." There wasn't anything else to say but for some reason Wilfred didn't turn to go.
Accepting the PADD, Lhaes gestured for him to come inside. "I'll read it but I'd like to know what this is about," he said calmly, knowing that there was more to it than just reading something.
"It's about what happened on Halloween," Wilfred said frowning. Why did everyone suddenly want to invite him into their quarters? "It was the easiest way, to make my feelings known, so I can let go of everything."
"The easiest way to make your feelings known is to express them," the Romulan suggested, mildly irritated by the fact that he'd have to read a letter who knows how long when the man was in fact standing right here. "Insofar I understand, Halloween is a festivity which is accompanied by pranks and tricks."
"Yeah, but you've met me. You know I can't express myself to anyone, especially not her and after the way I was treated I'm not able to do much better with you." He frowned. He was just inside the door but he had only moved inside so the door would close.
Taking a step back to give him some space, Lhaes nodded. "I met you, but I don't know you. And the best way to learn to express yourself, is by taking a leap of faith. And I'm not sure what you refer to... we didn't treat you unfairly. Perhaps it went a little further than intended, but no harm was intended."
"Well it did, harm me I mean. But that would be the point of the letter, to forgive and let it go." Wilfred didn't know where the strength in his voice was coming from but he was a tad worried in the back of his mind that he was going to be court martialed out of Starfleet for this.
Concern creased the Romulan's brow as he pointed towards the couch, while pulling out his tricorder. "Sit," he ordered, the medical man in him instantly wanting to give him a once-over. "How were you harmed?" His tone had changed too, as he slipped into doctor mode.
"I wasn't harmed physically." He frustratingly started to explain. "But it didn't make me feel great to be made fun of, especially in front of my boss, in front of her . . ." Wilfred didn't know how to explain but he thought Lhaes might understand.
"You have feelings for her," Lhaes prompted, smiling ever so slightly, "I can understand that, she's a beautiful woman. Does she know you have feelings for her?"
"I'm sure she suspects, she's Betazoid." Wilfred remarked. "And, well, I told her in the other part of the letter I gave her a few minutes ago. I figured it was easier to get everything off my chest at once before I chickened out."
"Then I'd suggest going back to her and talk to her," Lhaes chuckled, patting him on the shoulder. "And I'm pretty sure she knows if she's Betazoid." He smiled encouragingly. "You're broadcasting your feelings quite loudly ensign. I'm pretty sure any telepath can pick up on it, because even I can sense it without much effort."
"Or half Betazoid maybe, I don't know. I know she can sense feelings. It was just easier to let her read the letter and be done with it. I can't even talk to myself about my own feelings, much less her."
"So can I," Lhaes informed him, "sense feelings, I mean. Strong feelings, that is. Perhaps you should talk to a counselor about your inability to express yourself? I'm a medical doctor, not a counselor."
"I don't want to talk to anyone." Wilfred assured him. "Can I go now sir?"
"You were free to go any time you wanted ensign, you are a guest here, not a prisoner." He smiled pleasantly, not even starting to explain how he'd be if he had been a prisoner.
"Well . . . thanks, for trying to help." Wilfred said and exited the doors without a look back.
Lhaes just shook his head and laid the PADD aside. He'd read it later.
Ensign Wilfred Wexler (pnpc by Saulitis)
Brig Officer
USS Majestic
Lieutenant Commander Lhaes Sommers
Chief Intelligence Officer
USS Majestic
Lieutenant Jexasi Rai
Chief Security/Tactical Officer
USS Majestic
