The Morning After - Part 2

Posted on Fri Apr 24, 2026 @ 7:48pm by Commander Richard Fitzsimons & Commodore Kate Banninga
Edited on on Fri Apr 24, 2026 @ 8:02pm

1,035 words; about a 5 minute read

Mission: S03E01 - Something about Tribbles
Location: Langley Station - Adminstration Deck - CO's Office
Timeline: MD03 - 09.15 hours

ON:

"Yeh, it sounded a bit odd that of all the people on this station you ran into not only my brother but also Ron." Kate added. She finished the coffee, slowly starting to feel a bit better.

Kate didn't seem to be giving him a bone of information here for him to guess what might have been going though her mind. He wasn't used to her being closed off or keeping him second guessing; it also made him wonder more if he'd been right yesterday on there being a change between them that wasn't boading well for the personal lives. "It was nice though. It helped myself and Ron break the ice; the situation between us wasnt going to be easy. Sometimes being thrown together is better than trying to artificially make something work. He's back and I have his old job...I want there to be a level of respect between us and no awkwardness."

"I don't expect him to make things awkward. He had to leave when he did." she took a deep sight and rubbed her head again. "You can take a seat you know, I just need a little bit before I'm ready for the Tellarite delegation."

Richard choose to stay where he was, his mind stumbling over the words that he wanted to say. A slight vulnerability came over him as his eyes continued to watch Kate. The matter between him and Ron's situation was still something that played on his mind. Ron had never given him reason to believe that any resentment lingered; it was just something Richard himself struggled with. "I'm not saying that he would make things awkward but I guess look at it from my perspective. I'm trying to keep everyone happy. I might have eighteen months under my belt but...Ron's a good guy. Maybe it's just my own insecurities."

With her brain only semi functioning she said the first thing that came to her mind. "Why would you feel insecure about your position, you're position." She noticed the vulnerability in his eyes. "I'm serious, you're doing great and it's not just me who thinks so or you wouldn't have recieved your promotion." She again rubbed her forehead. Had she really been so bad in letting him know what she thought of him. Not just on personal level, but apperently also on a work level. She really needed to talk to him, but now was not the time.

"I...." Richard knew that wasn't the root of the problem; he was doing again what the lads had told him to stop doing. Stop talking around the problem and be honest with the woman. "I feel like there's been a shift between you and I in the last few days...since the run that we had. It's left me unsure where we stand...professionally more so than personally. I respect your space that you need; but we need to still work together."

Her head shot up, making her wince and closing her eyes. Why did that sound so final. "I really want to talk to you. No, I need to talk to you, but," she said in a desperate voice, not knowing how to continue. What if he misunderstood. She didn't want him to think she thought work was more important then anything personel. She put both hands in her hair out of frustration. "I wish we didn't have that freaking meeting in a bit." She couldn't deal with this headacke, pour her heart out and then go to a meeting with none other then a group of tellarites.

Richard paused as he considered what Kate had just said, he couldn't deny it hurt a little but he had to see her point. The meeting was due to start in mear minutes and was now really the right time? She was obviously hungover so he wondered also was her mind in the right place to properly talk.

He couldn't deny though that it still hurt. More time skirting around, and questions not asked and discussions not had. Suddenly he had the need for some distance; a chance to regather all his thoughts and be able to properly function again. "Would it be easier if I went ahead to the meeting room and give you a few minutes to try and somewhat clear your head?"

"Oh yes, thank you. I just need the asperins I took earlier to start working," she said. "Specially with the Tellarites, they are difficult when you're feeling well. I can assume it's only worst if you're not."

Richard pushed himself off of the door frame before looking at the woman once more. "I think the talk we need needs to be sooner rather than later Kate. At the end of the day personal can't effect professional but aslong as we keep avoiding the truth; it's going to effect us both."

"What do you have planned the rest of the day?" she asked almost deperately.

Richard smiled and laughed a little; surprised at the question after what he had just said. He had almost expected her to snap at him in her current mood. His hand hit the door opener as he looked once more at Kate. "How about you let me know whens good and I'll make the time for you?"

She couldn't help answer his smile. He should laugh more often. She took a deep breath before adding as she looked at him. "Please don't give up on me, Rick"

Richard almost stumbled as he had already moved to exit the room. He spun around to look at Kate directly but was too late as the doors slid shut and cut off his sight. "What the..." Externally he expressed astonishment while internally he tried to process what she had said. It was like being on a see saw at this point; he genuinely was starting to realise that he wasn't sure anymore what Kate would come out with. In one way it was not what he'd been expecting but it was a start...a giant step. And maybe some hope of there being something to salvage.

:OFF

Commodore Kate Banninga
Commanding Officer
Langley Station

Commander Richard Fitzsimons
Executive Officer
Langley Station

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