Part II - I'm starting to worry about his sanity

Posted on Mon Jan 26th, 2026 @ 3:59am by Lieutenant Amanda Rose & Lieutenant Xavier & Lieutenant Endymion Tox

1,022 words; about a 5 minute read

Mission: Preservation Instinct
Location: Mess Hall

Previously…

"I'm pretty certain that was metaphorical, not literal, Xavier," Amanda answered trying not to roll her eyes. Tox and Xavier were definitely a match given their mutual blissful ignorance.

"In any case, let's get back to what you need me for with Tox. Everything sounds planned well."

"Indeed." He paused and then said. "I am starting to worry about Tox's sanity."

"What in particular? He's a lovable goof, as I believe you called it."

And now, the conclusion…


"He is but he is more curious then I thought. Yesterday he came to yell at me for, and I quote, bringing the counselor upon my head, and half way through he kept looking around my quarters and then asked if I sleep in a coffin and then marched into my bedroom to check." He shook his head. "Then he came out yelled some more and said he had to look at the bathroom fully." He sighed. "Then he came out and noticed the birds and ran away."

"In fairness to him, you have that dark goth thing going on and your love for Dracula, I believe...."

He flushed a little. "Yes, I do tend toward the ... darker esthetic. You are not worried about his lack of attention span and easy...distraction factor?"

"Starfleet was not. He obviously passed admissions," Amanda replied simply, having her own misgivings. After all, she could always do more testing and if required, medication could be used to even some of Tox out. However, those were problems for another day. Right now, there were no complaints about his performance, so as far as Starfleet was concerned, all was well.

"Would it be wrong of me to confess that I find his attention span, or rather lack there of, and his ... bouncy energy fascinating?"

"There is nothing wrong with that at all. It is often said that opposites attract. Though, statistically speaking those who have more commonalities tend to have healthier and longer lasting relationships."

Amanda smacked her lips together for a moment, making an audible sound. "At first, I wondered what you saw in each other, but I am learning that you both have more in common than I would have expected at first blush. However, I'll let you both figure out what on your own."

"Well now I'm curious. You cannot make a statement like that without elaborating."

"No, no," Amanda protested, waving her hands in front of her. "You both have told me things and I can't tell you what the other has said. Even that is saying too much."

"That would be logical, if I didn't wish to know so much."

"You are a rather emotional Vulcan, Xavier. I hope that you do not take that as an insult. I find it to be rather endearing."

He shrugged. "I think...you are amongst the few who do. My parents found it to be a weakness that was a constant source of disappointment. My father, a Romulan, had overcome his emotion yet I seemed to inherit that condition so despised. I believe that I was the only defective child of my parents.

Amanda's eyes narrowed. "I do not want to hear you ever say that again, Xavier. You are anything but defective. Being different is not something that makes you defective. Also, you're not some sort of machine, unless there's something that I don't know...."

He shrugged. "Sadly, I am just flesh and blood. As for the defective part it is something I have come to terms with and something my family reminds me of often. Thus, it is a belief based in fact." He shrugged. "Now that I think on it perhaps my pursuit of Tox is not wise. He deserves someone who is not...who is more." It had been the most open Xavier had been with the counselor since meeting her.

"You know, if I were a Klingon counselor, I would go and take you onto the holodeck and beat you until you were senseless for this illogical way of thinking. Infinite diversity in infinite combinations. Is that not a Vulcan truism? Are you not one of those infinite possibilities? One of those infinite combinations, Xavier?"

The Counselor cleared her throat and said, "My apologies. I should not have spoken so forthright or harshly. I just consider you more than a normal crewmate who requires counseling."

He smiled slightly. "Perhaps you are correct but I believe that Humans have a saying. Sometimes the bad things are easier to believe then..."

Before he could finish a familiar voice drifted. "Ah... the counselor and the tattler."

Xavier looked up to see Nurse Tox walking up."

Tox was smiling. "Well not even you two can dampen my mood."

Xavier raised an eyebrow. "Oh? Why is that Nurse Tox?"

He snorted. "Cause I am finally going to meet Pluto!"

Xavier looked confused. "I..." He looked at the counselor.

Tox barreled on. "That's right. He set a date tonight in the lounge, a dinner! I finally get to meet him!" He did a little dance. "Now if you'll excuse me I'm going to have a fabulous day and a fabulous night!" He turned and walked away.

Xavier's mouth opened and closed a few times. He looked at the counselor. "I sent no such invitation."

Bewilderment was all over Amanda's face as her eyes screwed up. "Neither did I and I doubt the Captain did either." She frowned as she said, "Who could have learned this and why would they use it?"

She looked up at Xavier, "So, are you crashing the date?"

He looked at her. "Perhaps....But." He groaned. "Counselor...may I ask a favour?"

"Of course!" Amanda replied sincerely.

"Would you attend with me? I may discouraged to punch the impersonator if you are there. Fear of being yanked off duty is a motivator."

"Of course I will go with you. I very much would like to know who is doing this too." And I may have some words with this impersonator, myself.



Lieutenant Amanda Rose
Chief Counselor
USS Ontario

&

Lieutenant Xavier
Chief Flight Control Officer
USS Ontario

 

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