A Touch Won't Help

Posted on Wed Jan 2nd, 2013 @ 11:42pm by

775 words; about a 4 minute read

Mission: Romulan Ale.. I mean Aide
Location: USS Vindicator

Kevin and Nara had become rather chummy as they worked together daily. They started out by just talking about Saia the few times they weren't on shop talk. But she would tell him stories about Sakaria, the civil war, etc. and he was rather fascinated. "You and Saia have had quite the lives. Nothing too spectacular about my past."

Nara smiled as she sipped her drink. They were having lunch in the mess as they often did, especially this week since Saia was on the planet. "Maybe that's why you're perfect for her."

He looked down thoughtfully, "Yea. I'm perfect for her."

Nara sighed and looked at him, "But is she perfect for you?"

He shook his head tiredly as he shrugged, "It's exhausting. But I can't help loving her."

"Loving her or being used to her?"

He looked at her shocked, "Are you wanting us to break up?"

Nara shook her head, "No. But being stuck in a relationship that'll be unhealthy in the long run isn't fair to you or her... or whoever you could be with."

Kevin looked at her, "You speak from experience."

Nara chuckled, "I've been in it even when I hadn't heard from him in years. It's chaotic and stressful and can drive you mad."

"You seem fine."

"I want to kill someone I love. How fine is that?"

Kevin rose a brow, "I just want her better."

"Even when she can see a counselor and start dealing and healing, she's still broken. Forever. Gleeson scarred her for life. She'll never be the same." There was bitterness in her voice.

Kevin nodded, "I learned I started to get to know her in it, so... What was she like?"

Nara smiled, "We went over this, but you are really in love so love hearing about it. She was eccentric and passionate and soft. She loved art. She was shy when she first came back with me, went through a rebellious stage like most teens, then, after spending time with my father on an archeology dig, she grew fascinated with science and she's good at it. She felt sorry for these strange little animals on some planet she may never go to because they were the lowest on the food chain there. She hated the physical excercise part of being an officer. She only liked firing a phaser because of the science and beauty in it. Only on targets. She's not a fighter. She's not supposed to be hurt."

Kevin nodded, "I don't think she's grown hard like yo..." He swallowed and looked down.

"It's ok. I know who I am. I'm not ashamed, and I'm glad she's not like me. I grew hard, and she grew nervous. We all deal with things differently. One isn't better than the other. For her job, being more aware is a good thing. But she's still changed. She carries herself differently. She's not as affectionate. She's more weary of people."

Kevin nodded and looked up hearing Nara curse. He looked in the direction she did and saw Saul Bental enter and order something at the replicator. "Ya know. It's none of my business, but you're stuck on this ship with him... and he's about as close to a father as Saia had all these years... so..."

"He was no father!"

Kevin put his hands up, "Ok. Ok. But he was part of her life by being part of yours."

"She's more angry than I am. Rightfully so."

"Ok. Nara.... Whatever. But your tension... Sexual and otherwise... can be felt by that planet down there, I'm sure." With that, he stood and nodded to Saul as he walked out, looking pointedly at a sulking Nara.

Nara got up to leave as well, but Saul came up to her.

"Ensign." He looked at her searchingly.

"Lieutenant." Nara's voice was cold.

"Nara, I have things ready. Just need a meeting to get you and Saia in the loop."

"She's still on the planet."

"I know. But, in the meantime... Well, you've already had lunch. Dinner?" He touched her hand and a tingle shot up her arm. After all these years, she forgot the spark his touch had. Damned hormones.

She yanked her hand away before she lost her senses, "Do you really think we can pick back up?"

He smirked, "We always do."

She shook her head, "This is worse. You were involved with something that caused a scarring hell to someone I love dearly."

He frowned, "And you know I was clueless about it. I never would have let it happen."

"It's still your fault."

She walked out then, with Saul sighing and sitting down, alone.

 

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