The holodeck doors slid open with a familiar hiss; inside the holodeck was the bustling scene of Pier 39 in San Francisco. This place had always been Elena Mitchell’s favorite retreat. The city sprawled out before her, endless and familiar. Seagulls cried overhead, their calls mixing with the chatter of people along the busy boardwalk. She took a deep breath. The salty air brought with it the mouthwatering scent of fresh food. For a brief moment, she was reminded of her childhood, when life was simpler, and the weight of command had not yet fallen on her shoulders.

Elena took another breath, hoping the familiar sounds and smells would settle the emotions twisting inside her. She had come here hoping to get a break; the holodeck was a brief escape from the life outside the recreated life. However, no matter how much she tried to lose herself in the familiar environment, the weight of her problems, especially Peter, seemed to hang around. It was like a fog she couldn’t shake.

She walked over to a small stall where a vendor served clam chowder in sourdough bread bowls. After handing over a few credits, she smiled and accepted the steaming bowl. The vendor reminded Elena of days spent here with her parents, which were full of laughter and love. San Francisco was home, and home always seemed to relax her.

Elena found a bench near the water’s edge and sat down, cradling the warm bowl in her hands. She looked over to a group of children laughing from the nearby carousel, their shouts bouncing over the water. Normally, the sight would’ve calmed her, but today, it only masked the tension she couldn’t shake.

“Mind if I join you?” a voice came from behind her.

Elena looked up to see Jason Okafor standing beside her. His familiar, warm smile was a welcome distraction. She nodded toward the empty spot. “Of course, Obi. Sit.” She slid over a bit, giving the Counselor some room.

Jason sat down, looking around before taking a seat next to Elena. “This place is beautiful,” he said quietly. I see why you come here.”

“It’s where I grew up,” Elena said, stirring her chowder absently. “My parents brought me here all the time. They would say it was our little getaway.”

Jason nodded, sensing there was more beneath her words. “And now, it’s your escape from everything on the station?”

Elena sighed, her eyes drifting out to the sailboats in the bay. “Yeah, I guess. But I can’t seem to escape everything.”

Jason didn’t push. He knew Elena well enough to wait.

After a long pause, she finally spoke. “Peter and I… we’re done. I’ve been avoiding the divorce papers, but it’s inevitable. We’ve been drifting apart for a while now. After everything that’s happened… I can’t keep pretending. He kept too many secrets from me, Obi. It’s like he used me, just to climb the ladder. Getting my assignment here, Gab as my XO; hell even AJ on the Edison.  Peter has been assembling the pieces of his career and using us like pawns.”

Jason’s expression softened. “I’m sorry, Elena. I know how hard you tried.”

She nodded, still looking out at the water. “It’s not just us. It’s the station, the crew, the constant decisions. And now, with these damned underspace portals—every day feels like I’m waiting for the next disaster.”

Jason leaned back slightly, his voice calm. “The portals have been unpredictable, and I can see how much it’s weighing on you. The uncertainty, the risk… it’s a lot.”

Elena closed her eyes for a moment. “I wake up every morning wondering if today’s the day we lose another ship. Or if something worse is going to appear. And now this virus… It’s hard not to feel like you’re standing at the edge of a cliff.”

Jason’s voice was steady, grounding her. “You’ve faced more than most could handle. You’re still here, leading, making the tough calls. That says a lot about your strength.”

“But at what cost?” Her voice trembled. “I’m losing Peter. And… I no longer know who I am outside of this uniform.”

Jason put a gentle hand on her shoulder. “You’re more than just a captain, Elena. You care about your crew; you fight for what’s right, even when it’s hard. But you don’t have to carry this all alone.”

Elena met his gaze, her eyes clouded with doubt. “It feels like I do. Like if I don’t hold it all together, everything will fall apart.”

“That’s the burden of command,” Jason said softly. “But you have a crew, dare I say friends, who want to help. You need to let some of this go.”

She stared down at her chowder, now cooling in her hands. “That’s easier said than done.”

Jason gave her shoulder a reassuring squeeze. “Letting go doesn’t mean giving up. It means trusting that others can step up. And it means taking care of yourself. You deserve that.”

Elena swallowed hard, nodding slowly. “I know you’re right, but…”

“Start small,” Jason interrupted. “Take moments like this. Breathe. Remember who you are outside of the uniform. Then, when you’re ready, take the next step.”

Elena took another deep breath. “One step at a time,” she laughed. “Do they teach you that at the Academy?”

Jason smiled. “Remember, you’re not alone.” 

“Thank you, Obi,” she said softly, “I really needed this, even if this was a terrible attempt at shoreleave.”

They sat together for a while longer, the conversation drifting to lighter topics. Elena found herself laughing at one of Jason’s stories. It was a small step, but moments like this helped. For the first time in days, she felt just a bit more like herself.

As the holodeck sun sunk lower on the horizon, they both stood up to leave. Jason paused, giving her a thoughtful look. “You’re stronger than you think, Elena. Whatever comes next, you’ll get through it.”

She met his gaze, offering a small but determined smile. “I will. Thanks, Jason.” As the two walked out of the holodeck, Elena’s comm badge sounded, and she tapped it, “Mitchell here.”

There was a brief moment of static followed by an exhausted Dr. Rodriguez’s voice, “Elena,” she spoke.  She’d forgone the rank and formalities, but Jason and Elena knew this couldn’t be good.  “Ensign Heskett, has passed away.”

“I’ll be right there,” Elena replied, giving Jason a look as the two ran down the corridor to the nearest lift. As Elena hurried down the corridor with Jason by her side, the weight of everything, Peter, the station, and the crew pressed down on her, but she felt a slight shift within. The conversation with Jason reminded her that even in the chaos, she wasn’t alone, that her strength didn’t come from holding everything together on her own. As they stepped into the lift, she took a deep breath. “One step at a time, right?”

Jason nodded, “I’ll coordinate with the Edison and help Commander Tindal with the notifications. You can help Millie and her people.”

“Hey, I thought I was the Captain here,” Elena tried to joke, but this wasn’t a time for humor.

“Ma’am,” Jason replied. “We got this.”