Time to Put it to rest - Part II

Posted on Thu Dec 5th, 2024 @ 3:05pm by Lieutenant Fang Lee & Lieutenant Lanna Alexander

1,576 words; about a 8 minute read

Mission: Stars Around the Well
Location: Counseling Office | USS Arcadia
Timeline: Before Dead Zone Entry

ON:

"Am I the only one here who thinks that these two are not giving us the full story."

“Uh huh” Lanna nodded and looked between Fang and Sabastian. “What happened between the two of you?”

"That is a long tale counselor. Let's just leave things there. A friendship between me and Lee is not possible."

Zai sighed. He stood. "I need to go to the bathroom. I need a moment." He left, feeling frustrated and tired and a little scared at what could have happened to create that level of hate. Sabastian didn't have a mean bone in his body but with Lee Fang there was a real hatred. He had a hunch Fang deserved it but...

Fang watched Zai leave and sighed. "He should know Sabastian."

Sabastian snorted. "And what you think I want to have him hurt. He'll be devastated and frankly if a friendship with you brings him a small fraction of happiness I'll put up with you being around but not in my house. You meet him outside away from me."

“Have neither of you noticed that Zai is feeling scared and frustrated at what he knows is something between you.” She looked at Sabastian. “Are you going to start married life with a hidden secret?”

"He will find out when we bond. When the Vulcan link is made he will know it all."

Fang broke down. For the first time he cried. "I'm so sorry Sabastian. I really..."

Sabastian held up a hand. "I don't want you apology. I want to know why."

Fang wiped his eyes. "Because I knew he was happy with you. I knew that he was pulling away from me and I didn't want to loose how he made me feel so I hurt you. I made you believe a lie, I set it up so that you would be emotionally destroyed. That night I watched you drowning and I made things worse because I wanted him to myself. I didn't want him happy with you I wanted him happy with me."

"Man of the year there." Sabastian snorted.

"That's why I told you the truth....eventually. I doctored that voice print..."

"Do you know that I could have died that night."

Fang shook his head. "I didn't, not until..."

Sabastian stood up. "Enough. This is not about me and you this is about your relationship with Zai. I'm here to support him not you nor to engage with you." He walked over to the window and looked out at the stars. They always calmed him. He was too tempted to knock Lee Fang out but that wouldn't solve things.

Lanna massaged her temples, the emotion in the room was so high it was giving her a headache. “Alright, lets work this to a point where Zai can feel happy. As you said he’ll learn everything later on anyway. As for you Fang, we’ll talk about this separately another time.” She offered a calming smile. “

Fang was just about to say something when Zai walked in. He stumbled a little at the emotions in the room. He looked at Lanna. "Counselor are you alright..."

Lanna offered a brief nod. “Apart from the fact that my brain is trying to escape to my head I’m fine, thank you Zai” She offered a smile. “We need to get this sorted, and the sooner the better for all of you.”

Zai walked over to Sabastian who was looking out the window. He slipped his arms around Sabastian's waist and placed a kiss between his shoulder blades. "Are you okay?"

With Zai there a peace settled over Sabastian. He turned in Zai's arms hugged him back. "I'm alright Darling." He looked over at the counselor. "I am sorry as an empath I should know how to better control my emotions."

“Our own emotions tend to get in the way of what we’re broadcasting to others” Lanna offered a smile. “Don’t worry I understand. Let’s try and get this sorted for all of your sakes.”

Zai sat down and looked over at Sabastian. "Sabastian...come sit." He moved over so that he was closer to where Fang sat so that Sabastian could be farther from him.

Sabastian turned. "I'm sorry Darling I have to run to Nav. I have to make sure a few T's are crossed and I's are dotted. I don't think I'm really needed here. It's important for you two to repair your relationship. I'm going to be okay either way. Counselor thank you for allowing me to be in here. It's better that there is one less person with such heavy motions. I do apologize."

Before Zai could say anything Sabastian left. He could sense that Sab was running and just needed alone time to process. He turned to Fang. "What did you do?"

Fang looked down at the floor. "Zai. Listen there is a lot to unpack. I think Sabastian and I need to talk..."

"He's not going to do that. He doesn't like you." Zai rubbed the bridge of his nose. "Since he left I'll leave it for now." He turned to the counselor. "So how do we get this back on track and settle things between Fang and I?"

”Total honesty Zai, you need to completely clear the air between you, or at the very least you need to come to an agreement. One that you’re both happy with.” Lanna looked between them. “Can you both do that?”

Fang sighed. "It will take time but and won't be achieved over one session." He looked at Zai. "I guess are you willing to do that?"

Zai sighed. "Let's give it a try. I won't force anything." He looked at Alexander. "Should I go first?"

“If you want to Zai” Lanna nodded and smiled.

Zai sighed. "Fang, we're both different you and I. We were different even when we were kids, you Ainar and me Xingtian. We found paradise all those years ago. It was wonderful and healing for us both. When we separated things went a different way. For the longest time I thought you'd left me on the planet when you promised to take me with you. I thought you sent Starfleet to hurt me and I barely survived. My family was gone, my sister missing, I had to take the ropes. I had to be the leader while I healed physically and emotionally and mentally from loosing the person I loved. I had to stop feeling, I had to care about nothing but my people."

Fang turned his head staring out at the stars. He knew this and damned if he didn't feel guilty and hurt for Zai.

“Okay Fang, your turn” Lanna offered Fang a caring look. “Just say how you feel, no one is going to judge you.”

For a long time Fang was silent. "I tried, Xingtian. I tried to get to you that day from the shuttle but they wouldn't let me go. I tried to leave and say we could do this another time but one of the Fleeters knocked me out with a hypo. I later found out what happened and I felt...guilty and ashamed. It wasn't me that sent the officer it was a Klingon in disguise but I swear I looked for you."

"How?" Zai interrupted. "You had Starfleet look for me. You didn't go back to the planet to look for me. Either you didn't care enough or you were scared."

There was a long moment before Fang admitted. "I was a coward. I was afraid you were dead and of finding out. I was afraid you were alive and you wouldn't speak to me again."

Lanna sat listening allowing Fang and Zai to talk. “It’s been difficult for both of you, you’ve both got your sides of the story. It’s a shame you didn’t get to bring those sides together until now.”

Zai shook his head. "If you truly love someone you never give up, you overcome fear. Sabastian has never given up. No matter how hard. Somewhere on our journey that sank in and I realized how much I looked forward to hearing his voice, getting his note. I think that I tried to convince myself that I loved you even when I knew I didn't. In that sense I was afraid too. Afraid to let go of what I'd known for years, a pattern that was painful but comfortable." He sighed. "I think that there is a lot to unpack. I'm going to head out now and check on Sabastian." He looked over at the counselor. "Thank you counselor."

Lanna nodded. “Anytime Zai, I’m always available.”

Zai stood and left leaving Fang and Lanna alone.

“How are you doing?” Lanna offered Fang a caring gaze. “I can’t imagine how much all of this is affecting you.”

He shrugged. "I honestly don't know how to feel but...I think I have a lot of personal work to do."

Lanna nodded. “Well I’m here if you need me, just call.” She offered Fang a brief hug. “Sorry I don’t usually hug those who come to see me, but you’re not just a patient you’re a friend in need.”

He hugged her back. "Thanks. I think I needed that." He sighed. "Well back to work for me." He said his thanks again and headed out.

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