Feelings

Posted on Tue Dec 12th, 2023 @ 9:34pm by Lieutenant Commander Kevin Lance

Mission: CSI: Chuck Norris
Location: USS Chuck Norris
Timeline: Current

on:
{Deck 5, Port Landing Thruster Bay}

The check of the computer components in the port side landing thruster bay on deck 5 had so far been unproductive. The room was definitely hotter than the rest of the ship despite the continuous flow of cold air from the ventilation ducts. Computer systems had continued to insist that everything was within normal parameters and even the portable heat gun was next to useless. Which is why Kevin now found himself measuring the rate at which ice melted in different parts of the bay to determine where the excess heat was coming from.

He sat back against the interior facing bulkhead of the ship and looked at the data on his PADD. There hadn’t been any additional incursions since the latest attack on Commander Rodale in the medical bay. Kevin was considering the timing of incursions against the timeline of incidents when the maintenance chief petty officer addressed him, “So what’s your story, Lieutenant?”

Looking up from the PADD, Kevin blinked twice before responding, “What do you mean?”

“Well, I get Rodriguez,” the CPO continued, “but you are an enigma. You are clearly interested in the XO but I don’t think that I have ever seen you do anything about it.”

The heat in the bay had already dilated the capillaries in his face so Kevin did not turn a deeper shade of red, “She is my superior officer. What more is there to say?”

“Pssh. Nobody cares for that whole dynamic anymore. You have someone back home?”

“No,” Kevin replied, hoping the CPO would drop this line of questioning.

“You were incommunicado for nearly a week on Earth. Where did you go?”

“Where did you get that information?’ Kevin asked.

The Chief shrugged, “Scuttlebutt. Crew member talk. So, where were you?”

Exasperated Kevin replied, “I was on a fishing trip.”

“Why didn’t go on the camping trip with Commander Rodale. I hear that the fishing in Rocky Mountain National Park is excellent.”

Kevin ignored the Chief’s question and focused on the PADD in his hand. Unable to concentration on the data, he started scrolling through the security video feeds inside the ship. When he got to the camera in the quarters that Ambassador Sheris was assigned he stopped. The video feed had not be deactivated and Kevin has a clear view of the Ambassador and Commander Rodale.

There was no sound but the XO was sitting on the desk in the room, talking to the Ambassador. They seemed relaxed with no hint of aggression by either. Kevin wished he could hear what they were saying but even if there was audio attached to the video, he wouldn’t have been able to play it without alerting the CPO.

The two were separated at first but then the Andorian leaned in towards her expectantly. Mira placed her hands on the male’s shoulders and reached up to kiss him. And it wasn’t a short peck but rather a long, intimate kiss that lovers might share. Kevin let out a small strangled noise as he gripped the PADD tighter. Remembering himself, he shot a glance at the maintenance chief who had fortunately not heard over the background hum of the warp coils coming through the deck above.

Looking back at the PADD, the two had broken the kiss and Mira was smiling. Seeing her lips, that had only moments before been on the Andorian’s, curled in satisfaction filled him with a dark rage even stronger than the one he had felt when presented with the MiraQ-Rodriguez baby. He cut the feed as he saw Mira moving towards the door.


Kevin leaned his head back against the bulkhead and closed his eyes, trying to subdue the raging emotions that he felt. He was accustomed to being attracted to women who were, for whatever reason, romantically unavailable and did not have feelings for him. And the unrequited love that came from his unwillingness to take action. Kera, his only long-term love, had been the one to initiate the relationship and had had to put up with him until he had felt comfortable as the object of her affections.

Why did Mira affect him so? In the past, Kevin had endured his feelings with a stoicism that would credit a Vulcan. Now, his thoughts outside of duty turn evermore towards the Trill. The urge to protect and nurture her as a women was getting stronger. Yet he knew that he had no right to these emotions. She didn’t need his protection, was fully capable of caring for herself, and clearly had interests that did not include him.

Letting out a slow long breathe, Kevin brought his raging emotions to heel and opened his eyes. Noting the time on the PADD’s chronometer, he address the Chief, “Let’s check the rate of melt.”

:off

Lieutenant Kevin Lance
Chief Flight Control Officer
USS Chuck Norris