It was quiet in Alex’s quarters. Whether that was due to the late hour or the stillness of the room’s only occupant was a toss up… but it was quiet. Alex sat in a chair facing the window, looking out into the black void of space. A half-full glass of an amber liquid sat on the left arm of the chair, his fingertips barely resting on the rim of the glass. He was motionless, his eyes fixed onto something that no longer existed in his world.

Zef was gone. Not transferred… resigned. Returned to Baj to complete her pregnancy and seal an even more auspicious role with her people. She had said it was better this way. She loved him, but the timing… it was always the timing. When they first met, they argued. They spoke at cross-directions on matters they actually agreed on. They went on a date and Alex hadn’t known it was a date. Even their first night together started off nervously and slightly awkward… although they finished closer to each other than ever. Timing… it always came down to timing…

For the first time in over an hour, he moved. He lifted the glass to his lips and took a drink before returning it to its place of residence on the arm of the chair. His other hand went to the pendant on the chain around his neck. He rubbed it with his fingers. The last gift she had given him… the last gift she would ever give him.

If he was being honest with himself, he knew she was right. She had an obligation to her people before any obligation she had to him. Just like his role as Captain would always come first because it had to, the same could be said for Zef. So he wasn’t mad at her… he was simply heartbroken. He took another drink and then said “Computer, send a message to Lieutenant Commander Calloway asking her to come to my quarters please. And have Operations come get these crates.” There was chirp of acknowledgement…

Then silence once more.

Alex