Broken Road - Part I

Posted on Fri Nov 1st, 2024 @ 1:10pm by Lieutenant JG Zai & Lieutenant Lanna Alexander

865 words; about a 4 minute read

Mission: Stars Around the Well
Location: Counseling Office | USS Arcadia

ON:

Zai stood in front of the Counselor's office. He looked over at Sabastian and smiled. "Relax. I know you made a rough impression but she's Betazoid and is able to see through your anger. She'll know why you went after Fang."

He sighed. "I hope so. I should apologize."

Zai smiled and took Sabastian's hand. "I'm right there with you." They rang the chime again.

Inside the office Lanna had been mentally preparing herself for Zai’s arrival, walking across to the door she opened it offering a warm smile. “Hello Zai, Sebastian, please come in.” She stepped aside to let them in. “Make yourselves at home.”

Sabastian hesitated while Zai reached back taking his hand and pulling him in. The two sat on the sofa. "Hello counselor. Thanks for seeing us both," Zai said. As a contrast to other times this time Zai had no apprehension. He was calm and at peace and oddly his guard was down completely. He tightened his hand on Sabastian's and gave a nod.

For his part the pointy eared, grey eyes, half Vulcan and half Betazoid was a mess. He wasn't a fan of counseling sessions but feeling Zai's hand in his brought a calm to him. When he looked at Zai his whole being was filled with love. He smiled. "I guess I should start."

Lanna nodded. “Please do, From one Betazoid to another I make no judgements so you don’t have to worry.”

He gave a nod. "I apologize for the other day. My frustration with Lee Fang should not have been aired in the manner in which I did so. I was..." What had he been? He'd been angry because once again Zai had been hurt. He'd been sad that Zai had devoted time and energy into someone so dense as Fang and he'd be shaken seeing Zai unwell and under an anxiety episode. "I had been feeling to much and I failed to utilize my Vulcan side to calm myself."

Zai smiled and laid a head on Sabastian's shoulder. Contrary to when Lanna had seen him before he felt calm, at ease, and carried a sense of peace that was never around since he'd walked on the ship. Usually he was nervous being in counseling, avoided it but today there was a none of that. He just was as if fully in the moment.

“We all have our moments of madness, when emotions are so overwhelming that we have to let ourselves go.” Lanna turned to Zai. “I have never seen Zai so open and at ease, every time we’ve met he was always so...closed off, but not now. It’s nice to see you both so at ease in each other’s company.”

"And we want to stay that way." Zai said. "That's why we need your help." He looked up at Sabastian who smiled at him. Zai sat up. "If you're willing to help us...I mean Sab is here, at the station so sometimes we may have to have video calls but I want to work with you to...fix things. To figure things out. Sab will need to be a part of some of those calls sessions if that's okay."

“Of course it is” Lanna nodded and smiled. “That’s what I’m here for after all. I take it the two of you have discussed what you want, and how your relationship is going to progress from here?”

"Slow," both said at the same time.

"There is much to unpack and to be sure of. This is...unusual for both of us from our meeting to how we relate to one another," Sabastian said. "I was in love with Zai from the instant I met him."

"And I was never sure always confused. But I know how he feels about me and I have been feeling a little less conflicted as of late about Sabastian so we wish to try and...build. But I have a lot of past trauma to work through."

Sabastian gave a nod. "And work out feelings about..."

Zai smiled. "Lee Fang, yes." He looked at the counselor . "There is so much...what do we start with?"

Lanna looked at Zai. “Let’s start with getting your feelings about Fang out in the open, to help get you past that, so you can concentrate on your relationship.”

He looked somewhat panicked. Sabastian squeezed his hand. "Tell her everything...this stays confidential."

Lanna gave Zai a reassuring smile.

Zai sighed. "Okay...Counselor Please I have to have your word you won't breath a word of this to anyone."

Lanna nodded. “It’s strictly confidential just as Sebastian said, so be reassured it won’t leave this room.”

He sighed. "I am not Zai. My real name is Xingtian. I am the Fifth Prince of the Eleventh Tribe of Capella and Fang and I have known each other since we were children, he just ... doesn't remember me."

Lanna’s mouth dropped open before she closed again. “So you’re him...” she paused. “I can’t really elaborate but be reassured Fang hasn’t forgotten you, Xingtian.”


To Be Continued...

 

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