Sooner or Later

Posted on 14 Nov 2019 @ 4:17am by Captain Jonathan Reynolds & Lieutenant Commander True Keading

Mission: Mission 2 - The Agora crossroads
Location: Jon's Quarters
1645 words - 3.3 OF Standard Post Measure

ON:

True, keeping her word, went straight to Jon's quarters. She didn't even stop for a change of clothes. He had a replicator and she assumed he wouldn't mind if she changed into something a bit more appropriate than the dress her captors had tried to sell her in. She entered his quarters and went straight for the replicator when she heard a sound behind her and spun around. "Oh, Eddie. Sorry . . . . I didn't think anyone would be here."

"Woah …" the teenager stopped in his tracks spoon in his mouth and ice cream melting in a bowl. True was in his quarters in a dress. His mouth opened and closed several times and he caught himself. Remembering his dad had said not to stare. "Ermmmm why are you here …. actually how did you get in here? …. your not some alien intrusion or the goddesses teaching me a lesson right?" he asked suddenly as those ideas crossed his mind.

"I'm pretty sure your dad set the door to recognize me. And no, I'm real." True reached out with one finger and touched him on the shoulder. "See? I've had kind of a long and somewhat traumatic day and your dad suggested I used his quarters to unwind. But if I'm disturbing you I can leave?"

"I knew it. I knew it," Eddie said suddenly. "You two have something going on. So this has to be serious right for my dad to do that. Give you access to our quarters."

True looked at him with a neutral expression but she was too tired to pretend otherwise. "Yes, we've been seeing each other. We'd kind of like to keep it quiet though. It's rather awkward, but technically not against regulations given that he's now seeing a different counselor professionally. And to be honest we weren't sure how you would feel about it."

"Well thats a bit silly really," Eddie stated. "Dads an empath. He knows exactly how I feel all the time. But I appreciate it. Hmmmm … well as long as dads happy. It was going to happen at some point. I think your okay True," he said sitting down then added as an afterthought.

"Not sure if mum will freak though."

True relaxed, it actually meant a lot to her that Eddie didn't mind her there but she tensed at the mention of Charlotte. "Ah yes. I haven't met your mother yet." She wasn't sure what else to say. True never wanted to make anyone uncomfortable or to come between people. But they were divorced.

"Ice cream," Eddie suggested showing her his bowl. "You said you had a bad day so I think its required."

She couldn't help but crack a smile at that. Normally True would have gone for something more substantial but this didn't seem like the time to be all adult like. "I might have to join you," She moved toward the replicator, forgetting all about changing and ordered her favorite kind, cookie dough.

"Mum will just have to come around you know. She can't be angry forever," he observed sagely for a moment, then stuffed another spoonful of his chocolate creation into his mouth. "But you know more about that sort of thing. Being a counselor right?" He said around the treat.

"I'll tell you another secret. I don't have a lot of experience in relationships. Everyone always seems to be afraid of me. Sure, they talk about their problems and do want solutions and I'm trained to give certain responses but it's kind of hard because I don't have the experiences to back it up."

Eddie looked at her incredulously. "Nooo way. You're beautiful. You got to have had loads of men interested in you. Tons of experience. Well if thats true .... True …. "he looked mortified when he heard himself say that back ..... "Well your very convincing then as a unexperienced therapist ….

"Thank you," True said after taking a bite and trying not to choke on it. She really wanted to laugh but didn't think it would be appropriate.

"I'm the one with zero experience …. although there is this gir …….. never mind," he flushed suddenly. "You're not allowed to mention that to my dad by the way. Well it doesn't matter she was on the station and Mum was watching me like a hawk in a stupid French café so it hardly …..." he flushed even redder. "Tell you what lets not talk about that. I don't want dad giving me a lecture."

"Or you," he added quickly.

"It's all right Eddie. I'm a counselor. Even if your dad ordered me to tell him what you'd said, I couldn't do it. And I wouldn't worry about not a lot of experience at your age. There's plenty of time for that as you get older. I know adults always say that but it's true."

He nodded. "Well no point worrying anyway. She's thousands of parsec's away now. Likely forgotten about me anyway. Likely I won't ever see her again anyway …… So my dad. He's treating you decent right cause if not you come see me," he grinned.

True couldn't help but break out in a giggle. "Eddie, you really need to keep your sense of humor. Girls like that in a guy. And yes, your dad treats me very well. Besides, You might see her again. It's a smaller universe than you realize. And if not . . . well I bet someone else will come along soon. Not that I'm encouraging you or anything, but aren't there a couple of girls on this ship that are close to your age?"

"Oh no bad idea. My dads the CO. That freaks them out and puts them off straight away. And I got this crappy reading emotions thing ….. which okay I can't really do well yet and probably not as well as my dad but what teenage girl wants that situation?" he asked.

"And then there's mum and Grandma. You're a son of one of the upper houses. You must conduct yourself in such a manner, socialize with those in your circle blah blah blah ….. getting to come on this boat with Dad was a life savior. Grandma was talking about bonding me. Oh no dad will kill me. Please don't get scared off. Grandmas lovely just …. intense sometimes …." He added quickly.

"Whoa, okay there. A lot of tension about your responsibilities and family back home huh? Eddie, I seriously doubt that your ability to read or not read emotions is going to be a deciding factor for these girls. There are lots of species who can read emotions. It doesn't stop humans from marrying them or being in relationships. And I'm not scared, I really like your dad. He's amazing to me. I figured his family might not be that easy at first. But let's jump that hurdle when we come to it," True said using a very human expression. "We haven't done more than kiss, I seriously doubt we're talking down the aisle next week," she joked.

"Weddings seem to move fast in my family," Eddie shrugged. He ignored the kissing comment. He didn't want to think about his dad kissing. "Well except Uncle Liam. Hes seems terribly unlucky. And Teena decided she liked woman ….. But Grandma, no one saw that coming. And well responsibility comes with the position … thats what Grandma always says. Thats why I like being here instead of Betazed."

"I can understand that," True nodded in agreement. "That's a lot of responsibility for someone so young, especially since you didn't ask for it."

"What happened to you anyway?" he asked. "And why are you dressed like that?"

"Oh . . . I was sort of kidnapped and was about to be sold into slavery," True decided not to mention that it might have taken different forms. The kid didn't need to be traumatized. "I woke up this way, dressed like this. No idea what happened to my other clothes. I was going to change when I got here . . ."

"Ahhh yeah … sorry. Feel free to use dads room. I'm going to get out of your hair soon. Mums organised me music lessons and wants me to come for tea," Eddie said stuffing more ice cream in.

"Oh you're fine. Actually I'm quite enjoying our conversation." True realized she hadn't eaten much of her ice cream and focused on that for a minute. But Eddie was proving quite a pleasant distraction from her worries. "So what kinds of things do you like to do?"

Eddie looked like a deer in headlights for a moment. "Errrrm well theres a couple of us from school started playing old style RPG card games. You know fantasy, hero's, warriors, wizards … you play a quest. It kinda predates holodec entertainment. Have to use your imagination more. And well …." he held his now empty bowl up. "I like dessert."

"How interesting. I've never done anything like that. Would it all right if I sat in sometime? Maybe you can teach me to play? And who doesn't like dessert?" True smiled warmly at him. She set her bowl down on the coffee table and waited for his answer.

"SUre …. I mean," he cleared his throat realising how enthusiastic he sounded. Bok and Felik were going to die at the idea of playing with True. "Sure yeah …. I guess we could set something up."

"Great. IT sounds like fun! I guess I'll go change now. But I really appreciate you distracting me Eddie. This turned into a great afternoon." True rose from her spot, put her bowl back in the replicator, replicated some clothes much more similar to her regular uniform as well as under things and went into Jon's bedroom, closing the door behind her.

"Great," Eddie mirrored. Had that just really happened?

OFF:

Eddie Reynolds
NPC Jonathan Reynolds

●● Lieutenant True Keading
Chief Counselor
USS Andromeda