A Favor to Ask

Posted on Fri Mar 27th, 2026 @ 3:49am by Lieutenant Xavier & Commander Grace Vetur

1,233 words; about a 6 minute read

Mission: Preservation Instinct
Location: Captain's Quarters

ON:

It was seven in the evening, people on Alpha shift were settling in to rest for the evening but Xavier could not. He had a question for his Captain and she was the only one that he trusted with it. He made his way slowly to her quarters and rang the chime. In his study when asking for something monumental one opened with a joke.

Grace was relaxing with a book. It was her favorite way to de-stress after a long day. But when her door chimed she saved her place and set the book on the table before standing. "Come in." Percy hadn't returned, so she wasn't sure who wanted to talk to her.

Xavier looked up as the door opened. His research said always lead with a joke. "I have found a rather interesting answer to the following question. Captain why do bees have stickie hair?"

Raising an eyebrow, she asked, "Why do bees have sticky hair?"

"I believe it is because they use a honey comb."

Grace chuckled. "I haven't heard that one." She didn't even know Xavier liked jokes. "So, did you just come here to tell me a joke or is there something I can help you with?" she asked cheerfully.

"Um...well I do have something I wish to talk to you about if you will permit."

"Of course." Grace waved to the couch. "Please, have a seat." She sat down on the end of the couch so she could put her PADD on the side table and turned to face him.

He sighed. "Well...Tox found out who I am. It was...not the easiest way. There was a coms officer posing as me but Tox was able to figure it out and then he figured out I was Pluto and things are a mess now."

She wasn't sure if she should be surprised or not, but she understood what he said. "Two questions. One, why was a comms officer posing as you and two, how are things a mess now?" Grace would likely want to have a talk with that other officer as well. But first, she needed more information.

He sighed again. "He liked Mr. Tox and read our correspondences from when Tox boarded the ship and he thought if he could get Tox to like him then he would not be so mad at the lie." He shrugged. "It is understandable, being afraid to speak to someone you like. I can sympathize." Xavier paused. "Tox...figured it out quickly, there were inconsistences in his story and then he saw my necklace and recognized I was, in fact, Pluto. We spoke briefly with the counselor but she has not spoken to me since."

She sat quietly for a moment, mulling over what he said. "Do you want to speak with him?" she asked. "Or, more specifically, do you want to work things out with him?"

"Yes." He paused. "That brings me to the reason I am here. I wish to ask you for a favour...it is a rather large one."

And now he got to the reason. Grace was curious. While she wasn't sure if that was a good thing or not, she had to ask. "What is the large favor? I can't promise yet, not until I know if it's within my ability to help, but ask and we'll see."

He sighed. "Phobos and Deimos ... they frighten the Lieutenant. They are also quite picky. Phobos gives me the eye, as humans call it, whenever I leave him behind for my shift since he loves being on the bridge and Deimos...well he rarely warms up to anyone but both of them seem comfortable for you. Are you able to...maybe take them for a few days?"

Grace raised an eyebrow. She hadn't expected to be asked to crow sit. "This is not a no, but have you asked the counselor? I know they like her a great deal." If not, she would take them, because she wanted things to work out for Tox and Xavier.

"Actually, no. You were my first choice. While Phobos is easier going Deimos is not and he has warmed up to you. Ravens are...tricky birds and these two specifically are very picky. You will perhaps find this weird but I asked them if they would like to spend some time with you and both birds grabbed their favourite toys and sat by the door thinking I meant right away. Phobos...yes but Deimos...He's never felt comfortable with anyone but me."

That made her chuckle. "Then how can I disappoint them? I'll need to know how to take care of them as I've never had birds, and I'd like to know how long you expect them to stay, but other than that, I think we'll be okay." At least Grace hoped so.

He gave a nod. "They are birds of routine. I have programed two variations of breakfast, lunch, and dinner in the replicator. They are labeled. B1A and B1B for breakfast. L1A and L1B for lunch and D1A and D1B for dinner. I wrote that through five total but it would only be for a maximum of three days. They really just like to hang out on the perch or walk around on the floor. I take them in the evening to the holodeck for a flight simulator and let them fly for an hour. They have just had their baths so they will be good for a week since they hate the water. I will bring everything they need for the 3 days."

"Thank you," Grace replied. "That sounds easy enough. "But she knew that sounding easy was not always the same as being easy. But she was hopeful. An hour of flying each evening should be relaxing.

"They are not difficult and I do warn you Phobos will show off when he takes flight. He loves to show off." Xavier shook his head. "They are very interesting creatures. Very unlike any ravens I have studied on. In some ways they seem almost...human."

"They do sound interesting. As long as you don't think they'll get bored with me, I think we'll do okay together." And if she had any trouble, she'd ask Amanda to help. What could go wrong with that?

Relief washed over Xavier. "Thank you Captain. The favor you are doing for me is great. I owe you a lot."

Grace watched him for a moment and smiled. "Just work things out. The two of you have been dancing around each other for years. You both deserve to be happy."

He shrugged. "I must say now that I have met him I...have my doubts. He is what humans calls pure sunshine and I tend...towards the shadows."

"Remember that life is full of both light and shadow. Perhaps you'll balance each other." She had no personal experience as her relationships never went very far, or lasted long, but it was true of most things. No one lived in all light or all shadow.

"Perhaps." He studied her. "Thank you captain. This is a great favour."

"You're welcome," she replied. "Good luck, Xavier."

He gave a nod and stood. "Thanks again Captain. See you tomorrow."

---

A post by

Commander Grace Vetur
Commander
USS Ontario

&

Lieutenant Xavier
Chief Flight Control Officer
USS Ontario

 

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