JP - Carry on my wayward son - Part 8 of 8 - LtCmdr. V'Len Kel, Lt. Nesre Salo, Lt. Jack Kessler, Krystal Kessler
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((Writer’s Room, Deck 8, USS Butler))
The door slid open to one of the large lounges on the Butler. It was a very different vessel from the Ronin. He’d take the antiquated Ronin any day. The lounge at least, seemed well lit and comfortable. Across the room Jack, Krystal and Nesre sat at a small table. Krystal was beaming at Jack and V’Len felt a bubble of joy rise up seeing it. It was tempered by the reality of what he needed to finally say to Jack. He walked over to the table and slung his pack to the ground.
Kel: May I?
Eyes turned upward, and all three sets settled upon the Trilldorian. Nesre’s smile brightened at the sight of the blue doctor, and Krystal’s did too, though a hint of colour came to her cheeks and she quickly looked away, unable to hold his gaze. It had been a while since she had seen him in person.
Salo: V’Len!
V’Len gave Salo a broad smile and a tight hug. It was good to see her again and she was glad to see she was with Krystal and Jack. They both had a lot of healing to do and Salo was the best person for it.
Kessler: V’Len buddy, please do.
Jack was so excited to have his family back with him and with all respects that’s what it felt like. Although V’Len and Nesre were not family, Jack felt as close to them as if they were and would do anything for either of them. Krystal was family and the most important thing to him right now. He was actually scared to let her out of his sight even though he had been the one to take on a dangerous assignment without telling her.
V’Len sat down at the table. It was exhilarating to be with them all again.
Kel: ::looking at Kessler:: You’re looking good my friend. I’m glad you’re back.
Krystal began to play with her spoon, turning it around and around in her hands. Nesre cast a glance at the young woman, but made no comment. Instead, she addressed the man who had once been a fellow crewmember and was now a guest.
Salo: I’m glad to see you in person again.
Kessler: (in a somewhat joking voice) Well if anyone was coming to rescue me I had hoped it was you my friend. But I am curious, your name does not appear on the Butler’s crew manifest.
V’Len regarded the pack on the floor and looked at Jack.
Kel: There wasn’t really time to bring it up but I’m not an officer on the Butler. I’m CMO of the USS Ronin. I need to get back.
Well V’Len had been CMO of the Ronin. If Beck was doing half the job V’Len expected then he might not have a job when he returned. Maybe Niac would let him peel potatoes.
Immediately, Krystal’s expression fell. Perhaps the arrival of the doctor had given her some hope he might return, but Nesre knew that he was only there temporarily. As much as she hated it, V’Len was no longer a member of their crew.
Jack paused for a moment, allowing the comment to sink in. V’Len was not going to be here on the Butler with him. That didn’t sit well on his chest and a tightening of sorrow started to emerge at the thought of his best friend being off on another ship.
Kessler: You left to go to the….(beat) did you say Ronin?
V’Len could not help but see the change in the tone of Jack’s voice and body language. He could feel his temperature rising, but did his best to play it off.
Kel: ::awkwardly:: It’s a great ship, Akira class. And I’m overdue to return. I just hope that Captain Niac hasn’t thrown all my stuff out.
In truth, Niac was the least of his concerns. His biggest worry was Kristy Carpenter. How would she greet his return? He wondered if she’d made good on her threat to sell the Foxy Lady for parts.
Nesre doubted he would do such a thing. She didn’t know the man personally, but he had certainly made headlines and she’d looked into him after a couple of articles mentioning him had passed her newsfeed. He had a good reputation, and she had a feeling he wouldn’t be so quick to dismiss V’Len.
Salo: I don’t think you have anything to worry about.
V’Len threw Nesre an appreciative smile. He never ceased to be amazed by Nesre’s ability to take things in stride. He knew she hurt, their parting had been hard, but they remained friends and V’Len felt some peace having brough Jack back to her and Krystal.
At that point, Krystal elected to glance up at the doctor and squirmed a little in her seat.
Krystal: You’re leaving now?
Kel: There’s a Ferengi transport heading back through the wormhole. Ferenginar is not far from the Apha Isles where the Ronin is stationed. Hopefully I can track them down without too much trouble.
Jack was at a loss of words. He had just made it back to Starfleet and his friend was leaving. Yes things change and nothing ever remains the same but this stung deeply for Jack and he really didn’t know how to respond. Krystal’s words rang out more true for Jack as his own thoughts were about to say the very same thing.
Kessler: Unexceptable V’Len. You belong here with us. oO That was too over the top. Oo
V’Len looked down. How could he possibly explain the situation? He loved his friends on the Oumuamua, many of whom were now on the Butler, and he hated to leave. But now, months later, he’d built a life on the Ronin, one that he’d enjoyed with new friends who he cared for and who needed his guidance and expertise.
The disappointment on the child’s face was far too obvious, but she nodded, her face hardening a little bit. Nesre remembered something that she had said. They never come back. Although she had been proven wrong with the return of Jack, she also knew that changes were hard for her, because her life had been so full of them - changes where she had little to no choice in the matter.
Salo: Perhaps you will get a longer visit sometime soon?
There was a hint of hope both in Nesre’s voice as well as Krystal’s expression.
Kessler: (saddened) A much longer visit indeed.
Kel: ::elated:: That would be excellent! Perhaps we could all link up somewhere. DS9 would be a convenient spot. Half way between in some respects.
Salo: And easy for us to get to.
Since they were in the Gamma Quadrant, they were technically almost as far out as those in the Delta. The only thing that closed the distance was the wormhole which acted as a shortcut between them. Glancing over at the young woman on the other side of Jack, the expression on her face made it obvious that Krystal liked the suggestion.
Kessler: Always an adventure to be had on DS9.
Kel: I’d love for you to meet Kristy. Maybe I could even convince Dr. Beck and Captain Niac to come along.
V’Len noticed that Krystal’s face had a strange look of either annoyance or anger on it. He could not tell which.
Salo: I would like that.
Nesre remembered he had mentioned Kristy Carpenter in a previous conversation. Noting V’Len’s gaze, she followed it to see Krystal who seemed a bit…uncomfortable?
Kessler: (looking around the table) Something I missed again? Who is Kristy?
Kel: Kristy Carpenter is our Chief of Security. ::glancing at Jack:: Very nice woman.
Nesre cast a glance at Jack. Although he hadn’t come out and said it, she had a feeling there was more between him and that ‘very nice woman’ than he was admitting. Perhaps it was best not to. There would be time for that discussion later.
Jack caught Nesre’s glance and paused connecting with her eye’s. Those eyes had been in his forethought many times during his imprisonment by the Zet and now they were here, sitting right in front of him.
Kessler: (grinning slightly at V’Len) A very nice woman? I should meet her. (the grin curling into a smile)
Salo: You’ve spoken of her before.
Nesre smiled. For V’Len to have mentioned her more than once indicated something more than simple friendship. She hoped that V’Len found happiness, whether it was her or someone else, and she was grateful they still had their own friendship that remained strong, despite the distance.
V’Len’s cheeks grew purple and he suppressed a smile as best he could. It seemed like a good time to change the subject.
Kel: Speaking of which, Krystal, can you see to it that these two ::gesturing to Nesre and Jack:: get together for a meal together every now and again. I’d hate for them to be lonely.
V’Len knew well that there was something between Nesre and Jack and to an extent between Nesre and himself. It was clear however that he and Nesre would only be friends and he accepted that. He’d moved on to the Ronin and so there was no reason why Jack and Nesre shouldn’t at least explore their feelings for each other.
Krystal: Uh…sure. I guess.
She glanced up between the two adults, one who she was related to, and the other who had taken her in despite no relation at all. She liked Nesre, and she wanted Jack to be happy. Even more so, she wanted Jack to stay. The euphoria of his return hadn’t dissipated yet, but underneath it, a fear niggled at her, though she didn’t admit to it.
Nesre, for her part, smiled, though a hint of sadness tinged the edges. There was a lot left unspoken between her and V’Len, but she knew this wasn’t the time. Nor was she sure there ever would be.
Salo: I guess this means goodbye for now.
Kessler: I’m not happy about this buddy.
Kel: I’m sorry, truely. But the Ronin is a home and I have people waiting for me to get back. Hey, let’s get a picture together.
V’Len signalled a waiter who came and took V’Len’s padd. The quartet huddled together and V’Len hoped his eyes weren’t closed. The padd returned, he stayed standing and hoisted up his pack.
Rising, Nesre stepped over to the Trilldorian and embraced him. She would always care for him, whether he was close by or far away. She would also never forget the major part he had played in helping Jack return home.
As the others stood, Jack followed suit but was desperately trying to hide the sadness that came with his friend departing.
Salo: Don’t forget to call.
Thus far, they had a standing meal date, even if it was just over the comms.
Realising that he really was going, Krystal jumped up, then froze as she realised how quickly she’d gotten to her feet, which sent a bit of pink into her cheek. She didn’t move, even as Jack also rose to give his final farewell to Kel.
Kessler: (giving V’Len a brotherly hug) Thank you for coming to get me. Now I owe you one.
Kel: ::patting Jack on the back:: You don’t owe me a thing pal. I’m just glad you’re back.
That was it. He really was leaving. Krystal’s face contorted with uncertainty, but before the doctor could turn and walk away, she finally got over her hesitancy and rushed to throw her arms around him in a big hug.
Kessler: She’s not going to forgive you for rescuing me and running like this.
The comment was made with a slight smile on his face but the sentiment came more from his heart than it had at seeing how much his sister had missed the Doctor's presence.
V’Len felt himself embraced by a tight squeeze. Krystal was a tough cookie, but she was also vulnerable. She’d lost much of her family, Jack, her adopted parents, her true parents. V’Len felt bad being another person to walk in and out of her life. Nesre would have her work cut out for her
Kel: I’ll miss you Krystal and I do hope you’ll come along for a visit. It wouldn't be the same without you.
Releasing him, Krystal’s face burned. Nesre put a gentle hand upon the child’s shoulder, then nodded to V’Len.
Salo: Until we meet again.
Kessler: You need anything V’Len, you know where to find me.
Kel: ::smiling:: I do. And vice versa.
There was more to say, but it would take far too long to say it all. He turned on his heel and headed out, hoping he could find the transporter room. He wanted to look back and give them one final smile, but if he did they would have seen his eyes becoming like little pools. It would only make the parting more difficult for all of them. He walked out of the lounge and heard the door hiss closed behind him.
Lieutenant Jack Kessler
Zet Prisoner
Itech'eman Facility
T239901JK1
&
Lieutenant Commander V’Len Kel
Chief Medical Officer
USS Ronin NCC-34523
T239811VK2
He/Him (character and player)
&
Lieutenant Nesre Salo
Councilor
USS Octavia E Butler
M239008AD0
&
Krystal Kessler
Civilian
USS Octavia E. Butler
M239008AD0