JP Petras & Kelrod: Wherever the destiny send us (3 of 3)
Kelrod Dickens
(USS Veritas - Holodeck )
Jayla pulled her hands away from his and took a step back before sitting back down on the towel. She wrapped her arms around herself as if chilled. In a way, that was how she felt.
Kelrod looked at her, willing to hold her, but it seemed that she needed the space. Even with the sunny weather, she wrapped herself, that wasn’t a good sign.
Petras: Something you didn’t seem to think about is that I love my job. I truly love what I do. Working with computers has always fascinated me. But more than that. I love aspects of engineering. You don’t need to be a warp core technician to aspire to Chief of Engineering. Or for that matter, Chief of Operations is another path. Hades… I might want to be captain one day.
Kelrod: Captain? I didn’t know that you thought about the big chair.
Petras: ::looks at him:: Did you ever think of that? While you were looking at a teaching position? If I went with you, what would I be doing?
Kelrod: Okay, definitely I’m bad with words… I didn’t look for a teaching position. As the Veritas was being put on drydock, I received word from Starfleet to consider those positions or being transferred to a station to be determined. That’s why I told you about those academy postings, because they’re the only variables I could have control about. The alternative is to be sent somewhere… Have you ever considered doing something like that? teaching?
Petras: I have no interest in teaching. I have neither the interest or the aptitude to do it. So what could I be doing?
Kelrod: I have no experience teaching, aside from getting new security officers assigned and getting the best of them. What were the options you’re considering after Veritas?
Petras: There are a number of positions I could apply for. Ships always need computer systems managers. Stations… I’ve even heard of a new outpost in the Delta quadrant.
Kelrod: On the Delta quadrant? oO talking about distance relationships...Oo
Petras: The point is, Kel, I wouldn’t have asked you to drop your career to go with me. I would have talked things over with you first. To see if there were places we could apply to together. ::long pause as she swallowed hard:: Or, if we had to… try to make this work long distance.
Kelrod looked at her, obviously he’d made the wrong approach to this situation. Maybe it’d have been better, as she said, to tell her about the offerings before even planning this escape. It was turning down to a situation he didn’t want to be in, he didn’t want her to be, he just wanted them to be together and happy.
He sat looking at her knowing that he has to do things right, try to regain her confidence and show that he’ll do everything he could to make their relationship work.
Kelrod: I’d love to see you become a department chief and, eventually, getting on the big chair, I’m not asking you to abandon your career. If our assignments get us separated, I’m up to make this work over distance, or do whatever is necessary to be there with you. That Delta quadrant outpost seems like a great career opportunity and if you have the chance, I believe you should take it.
Petras: What about us?
Kelrod: I’ll follow you, wherever you go.
Petras: But they may not post us together.
Kelrod: It’ll be easier to get together if we become family…
Petras: ::she blinked at him, stunned. Was he saying what she thought he just said:: F-family?
Kelrod: I love you, I want to be part of your life, I want you to be part of mine, now and for as long as we are alive.
Petras: Kel… I love you… I want to be with you… You’re the first male I have ever had such a bond with… ::slowly she held out two fingers to him in the Vulcan manner:: A true bond, despite how much of a bonehead you are.
He looked at her and despite that the gesture wasn’t in any way a Betazoid one, he reached out to her in the same fashion, their fingers touching and enhancing their natural telepathic bond.
Kelrod: I know I’m a bonehead, I’m double thick than most of the people, I, … not Marcus or Kelrod on their own. That’s who become in love with you.
Petras: I know you’re a merged personality now. I don’t feel the separation of you and Marcus any more. You are Kelrod Dickens… the man that I fell in love with. The man whom, I think, would be a wonderful father.
Kelrod: Father,... :: distant thoughts crossed through his mind that he discarded as quickly as they appeared :: Maybe before that, I could try and be a wonderful husband...
Petras: ::slightly strangled voice:: Are you proposing?
Kelrod: All right, I'll do it the old fashion way. Jayla, I might not come from a noble family, we may not be bonded from birth, but I feel that you’re my Imzadi and as such, I’d be honored if you’d like to share your life with me,... by the four deities, do you want to be my wife?
He could feel through their bond that it was something she wanted almost more than anything, but there was still a hesitance.
Petras: Kel… there are things we need to get straight between us. We haven’t exactly been a… couple.
Kelrod: Well, maybe not the usual couple...
Petras: ::gestures around them:: This is the first time you’ve… done something like this. Most people aren’t even aware that we even have feelings for each other.
Kelrod: I believe most of the senior staff, at least, know about it.
Petras: I want to say yes… more than anything… But I need you to… to… I don’t know. Maybe feel that I matter in this relationship.
Kelrod: I feel it, I really feel it. I’ve been selfish, self centered before, but no more. I just want to be with you, to make you happy. I just want you to feel the same love.
Petras: I love you, Kel… ::sighs:: I’ll put in requests for where you are going…
Kelrod: I’ll do the same with the ones you choose and we can let destiny decide where the next chapter of our lives will begin.
Petras: ::nods and lets her fingers slide in to hold hands:: That sounds fair. ::she gave him a weak smile.
Kelrod: Shall we speak with the captain about us?
Petras: What would we say to her?
Kelrod: Whatever we feel right, It’ll be too sudden for her to marry us?
Petras: How about we just try to enjoy the next few hours… ::she wipes her eyes:: See how we are as an actual couple perhaps…
He smiled at her and caressed her face.
Kelrod: I’d like that.
Petras: After that… I suppose we’ll find out where we’ll end up… hopefully together.
Kelrod: I’m sure the universe will blow in our favor.
Kelrod and Jayla embraced each other and Kelrod felt trully free for the first time in many years. There was nothing to hide, nothing to pretend, nothing to be watchful about, just him, her and the simulation, and after that, a whole new life and universe to explore!
END
NCC-95035
K238008KT0
&
Lt. Jayla Petras [PNPC]
Computer Operations Officer
USS Veritas
G239107RM0