What does a chicken have in common with Zai and sacred place?

Posted on Thu Oct 31st, 2024 @ 10:21pm by Lieutenant Fang Lee & Lieutenant Adrianna Baciami

1,366 words; about a 7 minute read

Mission: Stars Around the Well
Location: Subspace Coms

ON:

Adrianna practically ran back to her quarters from Zai's. She quickly tapped for a call once the doors behind her shut, putting through an encrypted call to Vance. Her heart was racing and her mind was spiralling. "Come on, cazzone, pick up!" She muttered, wanting to pace, but wanting to try and stay calm.

Vance had been asleep for a good few hours when the call from Coms came. He muttered for them to patch it through and stumbled to the small desk. dropping into the seat he scratched his head and yawned as the screen came to life showing Adrianna's picture. "Oh my God. What's the emergency?"

"You didn't get a message from me last night, did you?" She asked, sounding a little nervous.

He yawned again. "Not since the last time we talked."

Ade took a breath and looked relieved, "Vance--" she wanted to ask him, but her mind was not allowing her to, "I--" she shook her head and looked away, "you're ok, right?"

He studied the screen. "Of course I am. I'm just working on a huge project that could mean a promotion so been tired and I could be eating better but doing okay." He paused. "What's wrong?"

"I have everything crossed for you-- I think that's the expression. But good luck," She closed her eyes, fighting with her mind about asking him outright-- why was he going to Betazed. Did he remember everything? She shook her head, and decided to push the feelings of hope aside, "si, I'm fine. It's just been a-- difficult-- past 24 hours. That's all. I just wanted to check in on you. That's all."

He sat up more awake. "Do you need to talk. I'm here for you. What's happened?"

"I'm sorry," she waved him off, "I screwed up-- merde, I screwed up so bad. Because of my screw up, I may have just cost a member of our crew their reputation and job. I know that I cannot blame myself-- not fully. The crew member's actions were theirs alone. But I know that it's because of me that they ended up in that situation and I just feel a bit guilty. That's all."

It suddenly caught up with her, the realisation of how dangerous the incident with Jason had been. She trembled a little and nervously ran her fingers through her hair, "I'm sorry. This isn't your burden. I just wanted to see a familiar face-- one I know would be attached to someone who will actively tell me to shut up and screw the crewmate."

He sat up straighter. "What happened. Are you alright? What crewmate?"

"I'm fine. I think I'm finally just realising how dangerous it could have been-- for both of us. Myself and the crewmate," she took a breath, "sorry. I shouldn't have called you. I evidently woke you up. I shouldn't have. I just wanted to talk to someone not on the ship because I don't want for this situation to be worse than it has to be for them."

Everything in Vance's blood screamed. "Listen we're not far out do you want me to shuttle back. I'll find a way I swear. Dangerous? Are you hurt?"

"Vance, please," she sighed, "I'm fine. No one got hurt. Well, the crewmate did, but they're fine. Everything is handled. I promise. I'm fine. You need to stay where you are. Get the promotion, then find me, ok? We can have a bottle of something between us like old times."

She paused, a memory suddenly coming to mind, "I'm not sure if you remember, but when I first joined your crew, I was hazed. Mercilessly. When I got to my limit, I told you. I didn't ask you to get involved until it was too much. What followed, is besides the point. What I mean to say is that if I need you to intervene, I'll tell you, ok? My Vance or not, I'll always be honest with you. Right now, I am telling you that I am ok. I just needed to say everything out loud."

He sighed. "Alright. I will trust you." He paused and then said, "Adrianna, listen to me. you are stronger then you know. Don't doubt that. You're going to be surrounded by people chiming in their voices but you need to know that your voice matters the most when it comes to issues dealing with you. There is nothing, and I mean nothing that you can't handle."

Her gaze softened and a small smile graced her lips, "I don't deserve you, you know that?"

He laughed. "Other way around." He got serious. "So, listen. Once things are done here I've got a months worth of Vaca and I'm going to be planet side. What better place then the galaxy's most beautiful planet. I'll be at one of the hotels if you want to talk for a bit but spending two weeks off grid with Zai's people. He's just signed a deal with Betazed to settle his people there." Vance shook his head. "I have no idea how he can be a Starfleet officer, and a leader for his people. When he found out I was headed that way he wanted me to look in on them and make sure his sister settled into her new home and her husband isn't being an ass and then he also mentioned that his people were healers. He suggested soul healing."

"Oh," her smile faded as a realisation came over her that perhaps he wasn't going to Betazed for their agreement. He had answered her actual question and reason for calling, "I thought-- never mind. Enjoy your time off, amore mio." She suddenly looked very guilty, or perhaps disappointed, it was unclear, "Betazed is beautiful this time of year." She cleared her throat, suddenly feeling a bit of emotion trying to make an appearance.

"Listen, last night I almost sent you a message," she looked away from the screen, finding the words, "I should have sent it because getting things into words is hard. I just want you to know-- whether you return or not, if you ever find yourself in the same place as me-- let's do dinner, ok?" She paused and added, "and, just for the record, my date the other night-- you asked me how it went and I never answered. It didn't go well. Myself and Jason are not a thing anymore."

"Okay well that's horrible." He pointed to his face. "This smile is ... just masking the pain at how sad I am that you two are not a thing."

She chuckled softly, relaxing a little, "subtle-- very subtle, you cazzone!"

He laughed. "Well what can I say except that once my tour of Betazed is done we may see one another again." He grinned. "Hell keep an eye out for any stray clowns that cross your way." He smiled and winked. "Got to go. Almost time to shower and head to work."

His words peaked her interest. She looked him curiously, the debate suddenly coming back as to whether he remembered everything again. "You are a cruel man, amore mio." She paused, "for the record, if we do try this-- you need to let me know how you want to deal with memories that you may not have. Whether you want us to start as if new--" Adrianna paused, feeling herself blush, "I am getting ahead of myself, I apologise."

She took a breath, "try and have a good day, amore mio. Don't be a stranger."

"Hey Adri...I know you love to solve puzzles sooo I have one for you."

"What is it, amore mio?" She smiled.

"What does a chicken have in common with Zai and sacred place." He winked. "Gotta run!" He ended the call

"Wait--" Ade practically screamed as the call ended.

Her heart was racing, but whether it was false hope, she didn't know. Ade ran her fingers around her neck, pulling out her necklace and it's locket-- a half of a heart with Vance's name on it.

"My gawd, amore mio, do not be toying with me." She let the words hang in her silent and lonely quarters.

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