A Long-Overdue Conversation - Part II

Posted on Wed Jun 11th, 2025 @ 5:42am by Commander Grace Vetur & Lieutenant Amanda Rose
Edited on on Wed Jun 11th, 2025 @ 5:43am

1,207 words; about a 6 minute read

Mission: Preservation Instinct

[PREVIOUSLY]

"I understand," Amanda simply answered, clearly believing that the Captain somehow wanted exoneration or some sort of thank you for dating someone that turned out to be undesirable. It made no sense. Why dredge up this stuff at this juncture. "You also wanted to speak of Percy," she reminded the Captain.

[CONTINUED]

"I did, but I'm not sure if it would do any good at this point." She thought talking would help clear things up, but she only succeeded in digging a hole for herself. It had always been a possibility, but Grace honestly hoped time and distance would make it easier. Or Amanda refused to see any side but her own. No. That was Grace letting her frustration get the better of her. "My purpose in talking to you is to clear up misconceptions. Nothing more. So far, I have not been able to explain in a manner that will aid in that understanding. In fact, I think I've only managed to convince you that you've been right all along. You seem to still believe I stole Elijah from you and that if you'd been a commander, he would still be here and the two of you would be living happily ever after. That is not true, but nothing I have said or can say will change your mind. Therefore, I believe there is no point in continuing the conversation. For that, I that I apologize."

"I think you have misunderstood me again, Commander. I've not said that I was right about anything about Elijah. I merely said I was not given the opportunity to discover it for myself. I have no reason to doubt the veracity of anything that you said. After all, he left and never gave me a second thought after dating you. I've also explained that I'm long past this issue, though I wished you had approached me long before now and that you trusted me more than you do."

"It's not a matter of trust." It was a matter of Amanda's feelings and not wanting to hurt the counselor. But she doubted the counselor would see it that way.

"Then what?" Amanda asked, half suspecting the answer.

"You'd been hurt enough. I didn't want to add to it by explaining what a cad Elijah was."

"I appreciate that consideration. I do. But you could have trusted me to be able to handle it. I'm not a fragile flower and I am a counselor. Yes, I'm human and yes, I have emotions, but there's nothing that a good book or holodeck program cannot do for me to work through it, if needed."

Amanda sighed heavily. "I am starting to accept that I'm just invisible when it comes to love and that is alright. I can still help others and be fulfilled in my profession."

Grace nodded. She really wasn't sure what else to say at this point. Or, rather, NOTHING she could say at this point would help Amanda see that this didn't mean she wouldn't find love. Amanda didn't even recognize that Grace had been dumped just as readily as the counselor had.

"So, did you want to talk about Percy or not?"

Grace was not going to say what she originally intended. It would only make things worse. Again. "I believe Percy is serious about wanting to make amends."

"I agree," Amanda answered. She wondered if that would surprise the Commodore.

"Good. I hope this is a new beginning for both of you." Although Grace was fairly confident the two would continue to have issues. But if they were fewer and farther apart, she'd be good with it. "That is all I wanted to talk about. Thank you for agreeing to meet with me."

"Of course," Amanda answered, not addressing anything further having to do with Percy. "Is there anything that I can do for you, Captain? Any other concerns that you have with the crew or myself?"

"Not at the moment." Haruna was gone, Percy was getting help, and there was no longer a bounty on Grace and Amanda's heads. She was good...ish. Grace was second-guessing the whole idea of talking to Amanda, but other than that, things were more settled than they'd been since she arrived on the Ontario.

"If you ever need anything, or think of something, you know where to find me." She rose from her seat, intending to leave soon. The Captain did seem to be somewhat aware of things on the ship, even if she addressed them too late. She was trying and that was all that one could ask most of the time.

"I do. Thank you." Grace also stood. Right now, she was just looking forward to some peace. "I hope you take some time to enjoy our brief shore leave."

"I've got some things that I'm doing on board. Believe it or not, with the quieter ship, staying here is a bit more enjoyable."

"I can see that with the doctor, but it does surprise me that you feel the same," Grace replied. "But it's up to you. I will be spending most of my time here as well so that more of the crew can visit the station."

"Everyone needs to recharge," Amanda started to explain. "I see the crew every day. I handle problems every day. It is nice not to have to deal with any of that and truth be told, Captain, I am not a person that likes crowds. Call me an extroverted introvert, if you will. A nice book will do me just fine."

"I understand the value of a good book and some quiet. I hope you enjoy the next few days," Grace replied. She, too, wanted to spend some quiet time with a book.

"What do you like to read, Captain?" Curiosity piqued on Amanda's face.

The question took Grace aback. "I often read fantasy."

"Is there a particular genre of fantasy that you enjoy? Science fiction? Romantic? Historical? Arthurian?"

"Are you a reader?" Grace asked, hoping to turn the conversation away from herself.

"Yes," Amanda answered simply and then audibly voiced her thoughts. "But why did you not answer my question? Have I offended you somehow?"

"No. Why do you have a problem with my answering your question with a question?"

"A problem, no. It is just a common deflection technique. So, I became concerned."

"I simply found your timing a bit odd, but I'm not offended." Frustrated, yes. But Grace was not going to talk to Amanda about that. Nor would she talk to LuAnn. Right now, she just wanted to end the conversation. "Like you, I'm looking forward to some time by myself. Unfortunately, that will not happen until I finish my reports." Then she needed...something to de-stress. Perhaps a walk? Or not. She'd just focus on the reports.

"Alright, then," Amanda answered. "I should let you get back to that. Hopefully it will free up some time for you to do something that you enjoy."

"As do I," Grace admitted. "Enjoy your time off." After recent events, they could all use a short break away from the Ontario.



A Post By

Lieutenant Amanda Rose
Chief Counselor
USS Ontario

Commander Grace Vetur
Commanding Officer
USS Ontario

 

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