Broken Part II

Posted on Sun Sep 21st, 2025 @ 12:50am by Lieutenant Xavier & Commander Grace Vetur

1,697 words; about a 8 minute read

Mission: Preservation Instinct
Location: Main Lounge
Timeline: Post Away Team Mission

Previously on Broken...


He sighed. "If I tell him and get rejected then I will have lost a fifteen year friendship." He shook his head. "I wouldn't even know how to tell him."

"Then wait to see if he tells you." Grace shrugged. "All I'm saying is, don't do anything you will regret later. But waiting to see what happens next is not the same thing. Let a relationship develop--if it does--and continue your friendship with your pen pal. He may find out who you are and still want to get to know you."

He looked at the Captain. "May I ask a question?"


Now, the conclusion...


"Sure. What's your question?"

"It's something I have always wondered of you Humans. How does forgiveness feel? How do you forgive? Do you need to in order to release the demons of the past?"

She knew what she wanted to say, but took a moment to consider her words. "I believe so. Forgiving others for the pain they caused helps you let go of the anger and bitterness so you can move on. It doesn't mean you have to go back to a toxic situation, though. Some go as far as sending a message that they forgive them. Sometimes it's just saying aloud that you forgive them. Then you have to tell yourself that you are letting go. It may take a little time to completely get over it, but it can help." She paused, not sure if she was clear enough. "The point is that the negative feelings don't hurt them, they only hurt you. So, by holding on to resentment, anger, and pain, you allow them to continue controlling your life. You left that environment. You moved on. Now you have to let go of those feelings so you can truly embrace your future."

He smiled. "Why couldn't I have you as a mother...." He sighed. "I will think on what you said."

Grace smiled back. She wished his parents had seen his potential. "That's all I ask. Think on it, and let me know if you need a listening ear again."

He looked over at her and blinked. "You are a really good person, Captain."

"Well, I try anyway." Grace smiled. Whether she was successful at being a good person or not was up for debate--depending on who you talked to.

Xavier sighed. "Well, I guess I should head back and sleep. I have much to think about."

"You do, but remember you're not doing this alone. You have friends here. It'll work out." She hoped he'd take that as the encouragement it was. "And if you need to talk, let me know."

Before he could say anything a familiar voice broke the silence. "Captain! Fly boy!"

Xavier winced. They had just been speaking about him.

Tox sat down by Grace. "So! We're having drinks and talking about?"

"Family," Grace replied blandly. It was true--in a way--and hopefully far enough from the heart of the discussion to protect Xavier. "Our own and ones we create." She waved her hand in the air. "In many ways, this has become my family. I was telling Xavier that I hoped he would be able to find a family of sorts here as well."

She raised an eyebrow as she focused on Tox. "What about you? Are you looking for a home or family here as well?"

He sighed. "Back on my other ship I had it all but here...I don't know. Just finding my way I guess. Not sure why the admiral brought me here but I have met amazing people. The only thing that would make it perfect is if my PLUTO was here."

Xavier winced and stood. "I should go. Captain...thanks for the talk."

Tox watched Xavier's retreating form. "What in the hell got into him? He's been avoiding me since the away mission."

"Did something happen on the away mission between the two of you?" Grace asked.

"Not really. I mean we discovered a kitten, as you know from the reports." He paused. "We did talk. I actually shared quite a personal story with him. Something I only shared with one other person, my friend, PLUTO...but other than that, nothing really."

That explained it. Xavier knew, but Tox did not, and Grace wasn't going to be the one to tell him. "How is Pluto?" She couldn't be the one to out Xavier, but maybe she could help Tox look a little more closely at his friend.

He sighed. "It was going well. We finally agreed to get to know one another before this whole away mission. In terms of voice notes and we were supposed to see one another in a month or so but....I haven't received a response from him since just before the away mission...it's been a few days. Counselor Rose thinks he's busy or perhaps on an away mission himself but .... I checked the read status and he's read them, heard the voice ones but hasn't responded. I..." His voice thickened a bit and he stopped to drink a sip of the water he'd brought. "I wonder if it's me? But we've communicated for fifteen years." He sighed. "I'll give him a bit more time."

"You've heard his voice?" she asked. "And he heard yours?"

"He's heard mine lots over the years. I've only heard his voice a few times. Once talking but a lot singing." He sighed. Tox smiled. "He writes music, sings. Beautifully." There was a pause "Is it horrible that I listened to his one and only voice message over and over? It's either pathetic or ..." He sighed. "I don't know. Anyway, I think I'm so drawn to our resident pilot because he has a bit of that low rasp to his voice. My theory Transference big time."

That was interesting. "Why do you think it's transference?" Did he refuse to consider the possibility Pluto and Xavier were the same person, or did he not want them to be the same person?

He sighed. "Well Pluto and I have never met and we're on separate ships. Flyboy and I are here and he has some similarities. The voice is similar. Flyboy plays with Tarot Cards. Pluto does too their outlook. It's very similar so maybe I'm transferring my yearning for my friend to Flyboy....." He sighed. "I don't know." He shrugged. "It is what it is. Now you know what would really be nice? If my Pluto had that whole Vulcan Vampire mystic going..." He snorted. "There are days where I wish they were the same person."

Grace nodded. "I understand why you'd want them to be the same person." It would be convenient as he seemed to be attracted to both. "Are there ways they aren't alike?" That might make an interesting comparison.

Tox sat silent a moment. "Well...PLUTO is a drop of joy in this universe. I always think of him as light in dark. Flyboy...he's got this mysteriousness about him. It's like he conquers darkness and masters it...hard to explain. His voice is maybe a touch deeper than what I heard on the computer message and PLUTO shares a lot with me. Flyboy...speaks when he thinks he can add something. It's as if ... he doesn't want to waste words."

Grace leaned forward. "That's an interesting observation. While I've spoken with the lieutenant a few times, I haven't noticed that trait. What else have you noticed?"

He sighed. "He sees fear in others and wants to help them get through it but sees his own fear as weakness. He exists through life doesn't live it...PLUTO was like that too to a certain extend." He sighed. "Ugh...all this is giving me a headache. How about we turn to something less serious."

Grace inclined her head. "Sometimes you need to be less serious. So, tell me about the trip to the planet."

He sighed. "It was interesting. Dead quiet and our team found a cat!...well Kitten. She's in sickbay now. That was exciting. Also, it's creepy. Like really creepy."

"Yes. That's definitely creepy." She deliberately used his words. She was more concerned about what happened. "I'm glad you two were able to rescue the kitten. Where was it to be the sole survivor?"

"In a closet. There was some water...food. She was fine but ..." He paused and shuddered. "There were people there once. What happened to them. I would say talk to Xavier he seemed disturbed by it but he's Vulcan they pick up on emotions and energy and psychic imprints. But you didn't have to be Vulcan to feel something final about all this."

"They're touch telepaths," Grace replied automatically. "They have to touch someone or something to pick up any emotions. Still...yes. There is something odd about an empty colony."

Tox sighed. "I honestly.... I don't know I feel sad. What happened? Where are the people? How can we help? It's a helpless feeling knowing you can't do anything."

"We owe it to them to find out what happened," Grace said quietly. "If we can, that is. Still, colonies don't disappear without a trace. Something is definitely wrong here." She shook her head. "We'll go over what you found and see where we go from there."

"What about sending a small team to spend a few nights there. We may be able to lens out something?"

Grace shook her head. "Not until we're certain it's safe. Although we might put some cameras down there to observe." In fact, that would be a good idea. She would suggest it to Yiv before he took a team back to the planet.

"I love that idea." Tox sighed. "Well, I should go..." He grinned. "I have a full day of bringing sunshine to Dr. Grumpus' day tomorrow."

"I wish you luck," she said, grinning. As good as Tox's intentions were, she didn't think he'd get through the doctor's grumpy shell. She wasn't sure anyone on the ship could manage to do that.



A post by

Commander Grace VEtur
Commanding Officer
USS Ontario

&

Lieutenant Xavier
Chief Flight Control Officer
USS Ontario

 

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