Par I - You were missed

Posted on Tue Oct 22nd, 2024 @ 6:55pm by Lieutenant JG Zai & Lieutenant Lanna Alexander

1,112 words; about a 6 minute read

Mission: Stars Around the Well
Location: Counseling Office | USS Arcadia
Timeline: After Away Team Return.

ON:

It was an official visit today. Zai sat outside the office waiting his turn. It was part of his promise to Fang that he would attend these and as much as he was not looking forward to it he really needed this.

“Hello Zai” Lanna smiled warmly as she stepped out of her office. “Please come in, and make yourself comfortable.”

He stood and walked in finding a place in a chair. "Alright. Back for another session." He sighed. "I still don't think this is necessary."

“Is that so?” Lanna took a seat giving Zai a look that clearly said ‘I don’t believe you.’ “So why are you here then? Just keeping a promise to Fang?”

He shrugged. "Pretty much. That man can be scary when he wants to be. Although ... maybe there is some frustration I do want to air out."

“Okay, that’s a good thing.” Lanna offered a warm smile. “You can air your frustration all you want in here.”

"Alright I’m a bit upset. Fang cleared the three new engineers without consulting me. I'm not just a little upset I'm really upset. They are from my academy graduating class and they are crazy. They make my crazy look sane." He crossed his arms. "There I said it."

“Okay” Lanna nodded. “As Chief Engineer Fang has the right to clear engineering staff, but I understand that you feel annoyed as your opinion wasn’t sought. Put in your place I’d probably feel the same.” She paused. “Perhaps we should involve Fang in our discussion?”

"He's not back yet." as if conjured by that the door chimed.

Lanna was just as surprised as Zai as she looked towards the door. “Come in...”

Fang had arrived back from Planet Q and had had wanted to drop off the new crew information for the counselor. He entered, his eyes widening, "Zai...I'm sorry I was just dropping this off." He walked in and handed it to Alexander. "I'll head out."

Zai huffed. "You suck Lee Fang. Really? The Three idiots?"

Fang laughed. "Don't call them that. They are our staff now. Besides." He walked over to Zai and flicked him on the nose. "They took good care of you for a year after I graduated. You never missed a class or slept in."

"Yeah torcher." But before anything else was said he wrapped his arms around Fang's waist and laid his head against Fang's stomach. "Never leave again!"

Fang smiled gently patting Zai's head. "I guess I was slightly missed."

Lanna smiled and nodded. “It would definitely appear that way Fang. Please join us?”

Fang recalled the conversation that they had, had prior to Rogers leaving. He sighed. "Zai?"

Zai moved over and Fang sat down beside him. "So what are we talking about?"

“Zai was just saying how he was feeling actually” Lanna gave Zai a look that said ‘tell him.’

Fang let out a breath. "Let me guess you're not going to rant about yourself so you were ranting about Anabelle, Frankie, and John."

Zai crossed his arms at his chest. "Well you could have consulted me. I was right about Rogers and I'm right about..."

"You were right about Rogers but not about them. They were your friends at the Academy, yes they teased you but never harshly. They kept you going to class when I wasn't there, they studied with you. They are your friends and you all haven't talked in a long time. I know that they will be a great support not only to you but the ship. Annabelle has written papers on warp drive that could put even Ito to shame and she is a genius. John is an expert in fixing anything that is broken and Frankie well he's been awarded so many times. Not only is he a top pilot but he's also organized, and has a memory unlike anyone. He's fast with repairs and has a spooky way of diagnosing problems."

Zai huffed.

Fang smiled. He put an arm around Zai's shoulder. "You all will get along."

Zai took the opportunity and laid his head on Fang's shoulder slinging his arm around his waist. The familiar scent of orange blossoms, bergamot, and smoky woods filled his nose. "I don't like Annabelle. She's always trying to snap pictures."

Fang laughed. "That's cause she has this crazy idea that we're a couple. She's harmless and she is a true friend to you. She just tends to tease a lot."

Zai grunted in disbelief.

Fang gently rubbed his back. "So you're not mad at me anymore?"

Zai sat back and once again crossed his arms over his chest. "Humm."

Fang looked at the counselor. "Maybe I should let you two talk?"

“If Zai has nothing else to say?” Lanna looked at Zai waiting to see if he had said all he wanted to say.

Zai looked at Fang. He wanted Fang to stay but didn't want to ask. He looked down at the floor. He wasn't good with this stating his feelings things. He honestly didn't know where to start.

“Zai...you know you want to say something, and Fang you know you want to clear the air between both of you.” Lanna looked between them. “You’re grown men, stop acting like children.”

Fang grinned a little especially as Zai stomped his foot petulantly "I am not a child!"

"You kind of are Zee."

Zai grabbed a pillow and whacked Fang. "Am not."

Fang threw his head back and laughed. "I stand corrected."

Zai sat down. There was silence and then. "I'm sorry if I was out of line with Rogers."

Fang gave a nod. "You weren't. I get it. I didn't pay attention to her or her behavior because I wasn't interested. I also understand where you are coming from. On Capella my tribe was...not the best at how they treated everyone. They were more Klingon than Capellan. Your people suffered and I can only imagine what you went through during the time you were there." He looked at the Counselor.

"I wish Zai would open up more." He did that in hopes that she would take the lead and maybe help with communication.

Lanna nodded at the hint. “Why don’t you tell us more Zai, what you say here stays here, and you did want to talk to Fang.”

Zai sighed. "What do you want me to be open about. I'm open."

Fang snorted. "Please. You tell me things but in the now. You refuse to talk about your past, you refuse to confide in me about your time on Capella..."


To Be Continued...

 

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