Posted by Civilian La’kia Sata Kosiite (Visiting Ambassador of Zahara) in Quarters - La’kia

Posted by Lieutenant Riley Dekker (CNS & 2O) in Quarters - La’kia

Posted by Captain Julien King (Captain) in Quarters - La’kia

(snip)

Julien swallowed. He felt for her, of course he did, but right now, despite the moisture in those beautiful golden eyes, he had to concentrate on her words. They had never been that close to a solution - even if it wasn’t ideal.

Slowly, he nodded. “I’m sorry to hear about Gogi. I guess we have ourselves an agreement then. Of course I want to stay friends as well and I won’t avoid you.” he looked at her belly. “Our children will be half human too, that means they will need a father, they are entitled to learn about half of their heritage, meet their grandparents, see Earth.”
He looked up at her again, his eyes mirroring the same sadness she felt.
“It’s clear there is no ideal solution, we are both willing to give up a lot - but not all, and that would probably be wrong anyhow. And I was not avoiding you, I was hiding my pain from you. I didn’t want to burden you with it. You see on Zahara I realised that this moment here right now is inevitable, and it made me furious and it hurt like hell. You know how I get when my emotions get the better of me. I didn’t want you to get into the crossfire.” he looked at Riley.

“I used Riley for that. And that is the reason he is here, not because I can’t talk alone with you.”

• Julien King, CO

Riley looked at them both. It appeared they were on the path to a resolution. While he was sure he could help them navigate it further, he was equally certain he couldn’t be a crutch.

“Thank you for letting me be here, La’kia. I hope in some way my presence has helped, but I think it is time I leave. You two have more to talk about and,” he looked to Julien, “you don’t need me. “

He leaned in and gave La’kia a passing kiss on the cheek before standing. As he walked past Julien he gave the man a reassuring squeeze on his shoulder, then left.

Dekker, CNS

Julien looked up at Riley and gave him a thankful nod.

La’kia smiled softly at Dekker’s retreating form and took a seat again, gazing at Julien intently. “I understand you wanting to protect me from your stronger emotions, but you leaving abruptly on Zahara felt like abandonment. Even if it had been the right choice for you in the moment, for me it hurt more than this conversation we’re having right now.”

~La’kia, Ambassador

He nodded, pinching the bridge of his nose. “I’m sorry.” he said. He didn’t know what else to say, and it was the truth.

• Julien King