Deep Conversations - Part 2

Posted on Fri Feb 20th, 2026 @ 12:09pm by Lieutenant Lanna Alexander & Lieutenant Commander Sabastian Walker

1,125 words; about a 6 minute read

Mission: Forgotten Wounds
Location: Mess Hall | USS Arcadia

ON:

Lanna nodded. Sebastian had raised a valid point, she could have spoken to him along with their new Captain. “I understand, and you do raise some valid points.” She paused not wanting to try and make her point sound valid, knowing she could alienate Sebastian further. “If you wish to speak with T’Prel from here on in I have no problem with that.”

They sat in silence a while before he said. "May I make a professional suggestion?"

Lanna nodded. “Please do.”

"When you have a concern about someone try to address it with them." He sighed and rubbed a hand down his tired face. "The Captain came in here with grief of his own. I did my research on him. He needed the time, he needed space to breath and that's fine but he painted me with the same brush. Now yes, he is new, but he too over stepped. He didn't speak to me he made the decision for me., in essence you two treated me as if I were a child and made a decision you thought was best for me without even a word. When you come across that again, and i have no doubt, with what I have seen of the CO that you will, stop and ask him if he's trying to cure himself by his orders or if he's thinking about that person."

“You are correct in that the Captain has experienced loss of his own, but have you stopped to think that is why he sees you the way he does? He sees the grief you’re trying not to feel, he’s experienced that grief himself, and he’s worried that it may affect you. Worried that it could lead you to lose your career, and that’s not what he wants, and neither do I. Zai was my friend, I want to do what’s best for the love of his life.”

He was silent. "That all being said, I will continue to see T'Prel for now. I'll be honest. Right now if we were in a life or death situation I would give mine for this crew for you, for the Captain but I do not trust either of you two to watch my back. This breech of trust was...big for me. It will take time to work through all this. I've given myself until the end of this mission we've been sent on if I am not back in my XO position I will consider doing the most difficult thing I can think of. I will leave the home my husband loved and start over on another ship. That is how strongly I feel about this and you are welcome to convey this to the Captain. He knows I've spoken with several COs about being their XO." He sighed again. "You and the Captain have deeply wounded me. That's all I can say." He stood "I'm sorry Lanna, I wish I could say all this without hurting your feelings but right now...I'm living in my pain."

Lanna nodded. Sebastian was right, it did hurt her feelings, but she was trying not to show it. “I understand Commander, I really do.”

"One more thing." He sat back down. "I was asked to review the counseling program. You will get my report as will the Captain. I told Starfleet command that I thought having counseling aboard ship was important but I have told them about my experience as well with what happened. In fact I've launched formal protests of how I was treated by this behind my back decision. What Starfleet does with it is their business but they have agreed to T'Prel taking lead through my grief process. As for my protests I doubt they'll do much but speak to you both and perhaps make a note on the file but with Zai gone...it seems on this ship I have nobody to fight for me so I have to do it all my self and frankly I'm used to it so I can handle it. I didn't do this out of spite or vengeance I did what I felt was right for me and as I said I endorsed the counseling program and I think having you aboard is helpful to the crew and I hope that Starfleet will expand this program eventually. It's a learning process for all of us." He stood up again. "I should go back to Engineering, perhaps the only safe space on this ship."

Lanna nodded, for once she was at a loss for words. Had she really made a mistake? One that had lead to a patient wanting nothing more to do with her? To say it made her doubt herself was an understatement. She wasn’t going to sit and start blubbering, that was something she did in private if she felt the need after a hard day, but the watery twinkle in her eyes gave away just how she was feeling. “You don’t have to leave on my account Commander” she stood up to leave simply wanting to go home and hide away. “I’ll get out of your way.”

He shook his head. "No. I need to get back there are still a few things I have to work out with these new upgrades. Our engines are having a bit of a tantrum." He sighed. "I should go anyway. Again I'm not saying anything to hurt you. We all need things to take away from this. I appreciate the Captain's reasoning with the loss of his son and what he went through but make no mistake he didn't do this for me he hadn't even met me before he made his decision. Bottom line is I may have even agreed to all this but you both did it behind my back. That's your learning for next time. Talk with the patient in the room give them a voice a place to state their opinion and then make decision. Even if it's the same decision at least you leave them not feeling betrayed. You're a good counselor. You helped Zai a lot when he was here and I'll be grateful for that for a life time." He sighed. "Anyway I'll see you at the briefing in the morning. I need to get these repairs and upgrades blended before my dinner with Captain Rogers tonight." He rubbed the bridge of his nose. "Also Zai bought something for the baby, I can drop it by tonight after my dinner if that works."

Lanna nodded offering a brief smile. “That’s very kind of you, I’ll see you then. I hope that you get the problem with the engines sorted out.”

OFF:

 

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