LtCmdr Connor Dewitt - Feelings... A Lot (Part II)

[Tim]

(( Cargo Bay 2, USS Khitomer))

Connor let out a dry chuckle despite himself, grateful for the levity, and maybe for the chance to dodge the rest of that question. For now. As the doors to the cargo bay slid open and the familiar voice of Amelia cut across the space, Connor did not mind the interruption. Her timing had always been uncanny.

He turned as she approached, his brows already raised in a half-smile that deepened at the sight of her curtsy.

Semara: Commander.  Miss Sparks.  Kael.  Sorry to interrupt.  How d'you do?

Connor: ::chuckling:: This is a cargo bay, Amelia, not a Regency ballroom.

Sparks / Kael: Response

Semara: Lieutenants Zerva and Michaels will be joinin' us shortly.  :: To Kael :: May I borrow the Commander for a moment?  I promise I'll give 'em back.

Connor glanced toward the torpedoes, then to Kael, then to Sparks. He gave her small nod to indicate that she would be in charge until he came back. She knew these systems best now.

Sparks / Kael: Response

Semara: Thank you kindly.

As he followed Amelia behind the crates, the space muffled most of the low cargo bay hum. For the first time in what felt like days, it felt… quieter. Calmer.

He exhaled as Amelia finally let out her own breath, and for a moment neither of them had to speak.

Semara: :: Shaking her head. :: This is... ridiculous. :: Beat :: How are you doin'?

Connor: ::with a dry laugh, eyes on the floor:: I’ve had better weeks. ::beat:: I keep thinking I’ve hit emotional capacity, and then it overflows again. Kael, Ayemet, Nolen, time travel… those torpedoes... ::he sighed:: And every moment, I feel like I’m about to fail someone. ::another beat:: What about you?

Her presence grounded him more than he cared to admit. She did not try to fix it. Did not rush to reassure. She just asked. That counted.

Semara: I'm too young for this.

He chuckled, genuine this time.

Connor: ::letting out a half-laugh, leaning against the crate:: Oh yeah? Membership for Starfleet comes with free existential dread and a commemorative stress ulcer. ::beat:: …and apparently a child.

Semara: Response

Connor exhaled slowly and slid down the side of the crate, settling onto the cool deck plating with a soft thump. His back pressed against the crate, out of view from the others working nearby. For a moment, it felt good to not be standing, like the weight in his chest needed gravity’s help to keep from spilling out. Hidden behind the bulk of stacked supplies, it was a rare sliver of privacy in a ship that suddenly felt far too full.

Connor: I don’t know… As far as I can tell, you’re going to be my sons mother-in-law. I think this is as close as we will get. ::beat:: Have you talked to Tori?

Semara: Response

TAG/TBC

LtCmdr Connor Dewitt 
Chief Engineer & Second Officer
USS Khitomer
A239901CD3