Lieutenant T’Rel stepped into the lounge of the USS Neptune, a stranger in a strange land well away from his usual assignment. With his actual vessel, the Argonaut going through an extended refit cycle, he and others aboard the ship have been temporarily reassigned elsewhere in the galaxy so that they weren’t just idling their time in dry dock, their skills going to waste with the lack of tasks to keep them sharp. Having only recently come aboard, T’Rel had no real acquaintances to speak of, and as he was only attached to the vessel, he was not senior to nor really subordinate to anyone in the Operations section, his tasks being more advisory and training oriented than strictly functional. This did not bother the Vulcan in the least, as he could agree that assisting in the training of younger officers was a productive use of his time spent away from his own vessel. 

Set to make his way to the bar to enjoy a peaceful meal and a bit of tranquil respite, T’Rel weaved his way through the throngs of men and women chatting away with one another in small clusters about the space, paying only cursory attention to the faces before him as he went. It wasn’t until a stark flash of pale crimson passed in front of his view that his focus actually sharpened enough to take in the details of the people before him, and more specifically a woman he had known many years before.

“Ensign Bolton,” T’Rel called out in his resonant baritone before realizing that she, much like he, had been promoted more than once since their last encounter, “Forgive me… Lieutenant Bolton. It is agreeable to see you after such an extended period of time.”

Michaela had finished her stint in Astrometrics for the shift and was exhausted. She had been tasked with searching for information regarding the location of the blood dilithium near Devore space. It had been an exhausting few hours due to her objective to find something worth value to the Captain. Her efforts had yielded the information needed and sent it to the Captain for his evaluation. She had been heading Astrometrics for months now, but did not have the title. She wasn’t bothered by it, but she wondered why she had been working with others as their superior. 

She decided to head to the bar to unwind for a bit. She usually went in and found a table in the corner and quietly drank in her own solitude. Her calm nature sometimes made people joke that she had no emotion, but that was far from the truth. She entered the bar, which seemed to be busier than usual. She pushed her way through people, as her eyes were fixed on the spot she wanted. Her concentration was broken when she heard a voice from her past. A voice she didn’t figure she would ever hear again.

She turned around to see the attractive Vulcan sitting at the bar. It was him. She didn’t know what to say or how to react. She smiled, “Lieutenant T’Rel, it is nice to see you, though I can’t say I am a little surprised to see you on the Neptune.”

“Indeed,” the Vulcan nodded, “I am merely attached to this ship while the Argonaut undergoes a thorough refit cycle. This was simply where Starfleet decided my experience would be best utilized. I had not anticipated meeting anyone from the Potemkin when I reported aboard, so your presence here is equally unexpected. Have you been well?”

“Do you want to join me?” she said gesturing to the nearby booth. “Then we can talk more? I don’t fancy standing in the middle of the aisle if that’s ok with you.”

“Agreed, it would be difficult to hold a proper conversation while standing in an area prone to foot traffic,” the Vulcan nodded as he followed the woman to the booth she’d indicated. T’Rel slid into the seat opposite his old acquaintance and made himself comfortable before remarking, “I had recently contemplated where some of our crew mates had been reassigned to after we all departed each other’s company. Our unplanned reunion reminded me of that.”

Michaela took the seat opposite and paused, “If I am honest since coming to the Neptune I haven’t really thought of many people. This ship was a dream positing, but when seeing your face I was reminded of the time we worked together. We had some interesting missions, even as Ensigns and now look at us. Seems like we have made strides in our career. I have been here since the ship was commissioned by Captain Ryder. This command has seen some interesting challenges, but I wouldn’t change it for anything.”

“I see,” T’Rel said in a contemplative manner, “It is true that my time spent on the Argonaut was… fulfilling. While I do wish to return to that ship, I am curious as to what my time here might see me accomplish, even in the advisory capacity I find myself in. I am certain it will be very productive and aid in my development as an Operations officer. I will confess that I am amiable to the fact that I now know that you are aboard, and that we might reestablish our friendly relations now that we will be serving together for the time being.”

“Well,” Michaela said as her face started to turn red, “I am not adverse to that idea by any means.” She looked around for a brief moment. “We had some good times together,” she smiled as she remarked in a hushed tone. T’Rel had been the only person she had ever held any relationship with, but they had a skill of hiding it on the Potemkin. It wasn’t that she was ashamed of liking a Vulcan, but T’Rel’s family didn’t seem to happy about the idea.

T’Rel nodded at the subdued comment, “I agree. It was… unfortunate… that we lost contact. I believe that if I were to cite something that I considered regrettable about our previous interactions, it would be that they terminated in a less than acceptable manner. While I do not believe it logical to assume such, I am unable to deny that our reintroduction might be… as your people sometimes put it… fate.”

Michaela looked down at the table “I should have stayed in contact, but then after how your parents reacted the first time you introduced me I felt like the last thing that would happen was us being together.” She smiled though, “If it’s fate than I for one can’t stop it.”

“Yes…” the Vulcan said in what passed for a frown, “I was disappointed at the reception you received from my family. I was unaware of how… traditional… they were, given that my mother also served in Starfleet and was exposed to a great deal of differing viewpoints regarding similar circumstances. It is encouraging to note that in recent years, they have… reconsidered their position on such matters, even if I have not initiated any other partnerships since our time on the Potemkin. Perhaps my extended suspension of contact with them was a contributing factor in this decision. However…”

T’Rel leaned forward and looked Michaela in the eyes, “Their approval or disapproval carried no weight on my willingness to be with you on a personal level. What developed between us back then is something I still regard favorably when I recall it. And because of that, should the opportunity to resume such agreeable interaction present itself now, I am more than willing to put forth the effort that may be required to see that it becomes a similar, if not more enjoyable partnership in the future.”

A tear dropped from Michaela’s eye, it was the one thing she had wanted to hear. “I truly never wanted to stop caring about you. In fact, you were the one person that made me feel safe. When I spent time with you all my worries faded away. I said I didn’t think of many people from the past, but that didn’t include you,” she paused for a second, “In fact I had written this to you, but I never sent it.” She said, grabbing her PaDD and accessing the letter she had written.

T’Rel watched as she clutched at the PaDD. It was obvious to him that their separation had weighed rather heavily on her. While not necessarily logical, the fact that he did not possess this information when they started to drift apart might have been part of the reason he’d allowed it, thinking that her perception of their relationship had changed in a negative way. T’Rel reached over the table and took Michaela by the hand, one of the few expressions of affection the Vulcan had ever allowed himself to show, though it was the first time he’d done so in full view of anyone other than her.

“I appreciate the difficulty of the emotions you are currently laboring to process, even if I do not understand them as you do. Logic is… hardly comforting in these situations,” T’Rel said as he struggled to find appropriately reassuring words, “However, I am here. And I will continue to assert a positive presence while aboard the Neptune. If I can provide a small bit of sanctuary again, I am… glad to do so.”

Michaela wiped her eye as she felt the touch of his hands to hers. She had missed it, though she didn’t know how much until now. “I know emotions aren’t easy for you, but you always tried to understand me and that alone showed something that most people don’t care about in my life.” She grabbed the PaDD and handed it to him. “I want you to read this if you want to know the truth. It might say a certain word I always wanted to say to you, but just never could given how I thought things were going to go.”

T’Rel took the PaDD and scanned the contents, his eyes stopping several times when they fell on certain phrases that he had to ponder the meaning of briefly to fully absorb the message being conveyed. When he finally reached the part she’d alluded to, his brow drew together in brief vexation, followed by his right eyebrow furrowing upward as he considered his response. After giving the matter the consideration it was due, and leaving their conversation hanging awkwardly for an extended period of time, the Vulcan drew himself to his full sitting height and gave her a measured looked.

“I reciprocate the intended message, though I am uncertain how to adequately express it in a meaningful manner as I am, as you are no doubt aware, not given to emotionalism,” T’Rel remarked soberly.

Michaela paused and as she did it was like the whole world slowed down. She didn’t really care what anyone said at this moment. They were in a secluded booth so it was easier to hide from everyone she leaned over the table, scared to make this move. She leaned toward T’Rel’s lips and gave him a kiss. “This is the way I can express it to you.”

The Vulcan sat stock still during the exchange, then as she pulled away he couldn’t help but mutter, “Fascinating…”

Michaela wasn’t sure how to feel about the response. It was T’Rel and he was Vulcan so maybe she should have expected it, but she thought he might have said something more to her. She sat there in silence fidgeting with her hands not knowing how to react now.

It took the Vulcan a few more moments before he realized he’d probably caused a bit of self-consciousness in the woman. He cleared his throat, attempting to recover the composure that he’d lost entirely at the abrupt and unexpected gesture of affection.

“I apologize. I had not anticipated such an exchange and was unable to formulate a proper response in the moment. I did not, however, find the exchange to be unpleasant in the least. I am interested to know more about this particular ritual, as it is entirely different from what I have experienced among my own people,” T’Rel remarked, his thoughts tumbling forth with far less cohesion than normal.

Michaela looked up and composed herself to think of what she should say, “If you want to know more about this ritual we shouldn’t talk about it here because it could be awkward for others. Let’s just say this is one way we show emotions among some more grandeur and not so appropriate. Just something you hold with one person in privacy.”

“I see…” T’Rel said, nodding to himself as he processed the information, “Then I suppose for the time being, we will need to place that topic on hold. I also believe that we may wish to consider placing an order, lest we continue to occupy this space for purposes other than what it was intended for.”

The Vulcan turned to look at the nearby bar before looking back at his companion, “Is there anything you would like from the bar that I might be able to procure for you?” 

Michaela could tell she hit a spot even for T’Rel, “First off, I am sorry. I wasn’t trying to make you feel uncomfortable, but you asked so I wanted to answer it for you.” She thought for a moment, “If you’ll let me order something for you as well. Grab two Steakhouse Burgers with A1 sauce, a basket of seasoned fries, and two Sweet Teas.”

“I am not uncomfortable,” T’Rel denied flatly before pushing himself out of the booth, “I will, however, procure the order. I remember you speaking highly of ‘burgers’ on the Potemkin, but have not been of the mind to partake of one before. This should be an interesting experience to add to the other memorable exchanges already today.”

The Vulcan turned away from the booth, beating what could only be called a measured retreat as he weaved through the throng of patrons on his way to the bar.