A Look and a Voice

Posted on Tue Nov 30th, 2010 @ 10:53am by Lieutenant JG Hannah Andeti & Commander Earlond

Mission: Episode 1.3 - "The Time of Trial"
Location: Commander Earlond's Quarters
Timeline: Backpost: "The Time of Trial" MD04 1930

::BACKPOST::

Hannah had watched the commander's testimony with the sense of foreboding that seemed to increase with each new witness. She had been trying to stay away, the last thing he probably needed right now was her harassment but with the session over for the day she couldn't resist and found herself in the familiar corridor that led to his quarters. She knew he was technically under house arrest but, not for the first time, would her perogative as a counselor come in handy. After a brief discussion with the computer, the doors slid open.

The lights were low as she entered and it was pure instinct that inspired her to duck out of the way of the commander's fist. The doors were still open and the light that slid in only revealed his vague outline, but she intentionally rolled into the glare from the hall. Hoping that he hadn't switched completely into fighter mode, he would recognize her before he managed to kill her...she hoped.

"Ah, hello, Counselor," Earlond said calmly, resuming a casual posture as the last of the adrenaline faded away. "Computer, raise the lighting to full. You know, it's not a good idea to sneak up on someone who's plotting murder. Care for a drink?" As the room slowly brightened, Earlond regarded Hannah with interest. Technically, he shouldn't be having visitors, even if it was the Counselor, but he wasn't about to send her away.

The counselor couldn't resist a smile as she returned to her feet and took a few steps towards him. "Next time I'll send my butler ahead to announce my presence." The door hissed closed behind her and she stopped. As much as she wanted to greet him properly, she was also wary that his combative instincts might still be peaked. "And I'd love a drink."

"Anything in particular?" Earlond asked, moving towards the replicator.

Hannah grinned. "Do you really have to ask?"

"No, I guess not," Earlond said with a smile. He returned shortly later with what he knew was her prefered beverage. "You know, this isn't good for you. I shouldn't indulge your bad habits."

She took the mug from him slowly, running her fingers along his before taking advantage of their proximity to lean in for a brief kiss. As she pulled away she took the coffee with her, but looked up at him with dark eyes. "But you know I'd just find a way even without your permission."

The close contact with Hannah was both a comfort and a welcome relief from the day's frustrations, but Earlond's mind was still buzzing with the implications of what had happened. He took a prepatory breath. "I'm leaving the Pandora," he told her.

Hannah felt her eyebrows rise and her smile fade as she stepped back to look at him. "Leaving...because of what happened today in the trial?"

"Not just today," Earlond said, shaking his head. "I've been thinking about it for some time. In my present state.....I'm just not suitable for an officer position in Starfleet."

"You're leaving . . . Starfleet?" Now Hannah really was shocked. "To do what?"

"I'm not sure, yet," Earlond said quietly. "I guess I'm hoping to find out when I'm....whereever I'll end up. I just know that this isn't the place for me right now. My presence only causes a negative impact on everyone - including me."

Hannah wasn't sure how to respond. The part of her that was deeply disappointed wanted to say something sarcastic or flippant but the part of her that knew the commander understood that this was something he needed. She lowered her coffee to a nearby tabletop and the sound of metal touching down on glass rang hollow. "I can understand that." She paused but in that silence made it clear that she wasn't finished. "I guess I'd just like to know where that leaves us."

Earlond looked at her. "I don't know," he finally said. "It was not my original intention to leave so soon after we...well, I just think it's best for me not to be here. But I will keep in touch." Somehow, this seemed far too inadequate, but it was through his own actions that he had caused all this.

If asked, Hannah would have agreed that it weren't nearly enough of an answer but she didn't say as much. She looked away, thinking as her fingertips dwelled on the rim of her mug. At last she nodded and her eyes flicked up to him. "Alright." Her fingers left her quickly cooling coffee and fell instead on Earlond's shoulder, enjoying the warmth that came through to her. "I'm not planning on waiting forever for you to come back, but if that's what you need I'm not about to stop you."

Taking a deep breath, Earlond shook his head. "I'm not asking you to wait for me," he told her. "I don't know how long I'll be gone. There even exists the possibility that I might not come back at all."

The counselor raised an eyebrow. She had never expected that he wouldn't want to return to the Pandora. Not because of her, but his place had always seemed to be at Iluvar's side. She nodded again, feeling her throat tighten around the idea that she might never see him again. But she didn't want to think about that now, much less deal with it in front of him so she continued. "When are you leaving?" Her voice was hollow and unemotional and it sounded strange even to her.

"As soon as all the procedings are finished, I'll be talking to Iluvar about my departure," Earlond said. "Depending on what he says about it, I'll be leaving sometime after that." Leaving was the logical thing to do - why was it suddenly so hard?

"Alright." The counselor said for a third time but couldn't think of anything to say and stood for a moment. At last she reached for her mug and took a tentative sip, but the cooling liquid felt heavy in her mouth and she returned the cup to the table. "I...think I should probably go, then."

"I would rather you not have to," Earlond said, "but I am confined to quarters. I doubt Iluvar would be happy with me having guests."

Hannah felt a flare of anger rise in her chest but she did her best to repress it. As though Iluvar were the reason she had to go. "I..." she stopped and then laughed. "I think it would be better."

Earlond looked at her. "For what it's worth, I'm sorry," he told her. "I didn't want this to have to happen." He was doing the right thing; the Pandora was far better off - at least for now - without him. He wouldn't have imagined it would be this hard to leave.

She looked at him and at last offered a smile. "I know. I hope you find what you're looking for out there." She leaned in for a kiss and found herself lingering on it far longer than she had intended. Hannah knew he wouldn't be doing this unless it were absolutely necessary, but still knew that she was going to miss him a lot more than she was willing to admit.

Earlond, too, held the kiss longer, but finally - after what seemed to both like too short of a time - he pulled reluctantly away.

There was nothing more to be said and the counselor gently slipped away from him before taking her leave. She did her best not to look back.

Watching her go, Earlond realized that it had, indeed, been harder than he'd thought. There were many reasons to stay on the Pandora - but he still knew there were many more for him to leave. Turning to resume what he'd been doing, he repeated silently to himself that leaving was best for everyone - even if it didn't always seem like it.

OFF

by

Commander Earlond
Relieved of Duty
USS Pandora

and

Lt jg Hannah Andeti
Chief Counselor
USS Pandora