A Final Goodbye

Posted on Sun Apr 23rd, 2017 @ 1:04pm by Commodore Samantha York & Commander Alexandra Vance

1,332 words; about a 7 minute read

Mission: Pulling Together
Location: York's Ready Room

Alexandra had made several trips to sickbay to check on Jennifer Tate since her return from Jenefra. Just prior to her transport, Tate had attempted suicide leaving her in critical condition. The first few visits had been quiet and uneventful whilst Tate recovered. The only verbal exchanges took place in the latter visits.

Now, Alexandra would speak with Samantha about the next steps, namely getting Jennifer the help she needed.

She stood patiently by the door to the ready room, awaiting Sam's call to enter.

Sam stood to greet the new arrival. "Come in." She nodded when she saw Alexandra. "The doctor tells me Jennifer is stable. I've also heard from Starfleet Medical. How are you and your father dealing with the situation?" As Jennifer was more like a daughter to Jethro Vance, San was concerned about how this was affecting them.

Alexandra turned her head slightly from Sam looking out the window to the stars letting out a sigh. "He's being his usual self, stone faced and hiding. He won't admit it but I know he feels responsible."

"There was no way to predict this outcome. All of her medical and psychological tests showed normal," Sam assured her. "Keelan was very good. He fooled a lot of people, not just Commander Tate."

"Tate never should have been sent down there. While she may be gifted in diplomacy she had no field experience. She was easy prey for Keelan." Alexandra stated continuing to stare into the universe.

"She wasn't supposed to do diplomacy," Sam said. "Her job was to analyze the information given to her by both the Jenefran security and by our investigation teams. It was Keelan's choice to frame her for the murder of King Mrowen when he could not marry into the position. At that point, we were bound by regulations to leave her in Jenefran custody until we found the proof that she was framed."

"She should never have been left alone...but that is no excuse for what Keelan did." Vance replied.

"So, was this visit to lay blame for Jennifer being left on Jenefra overnight, or did you have some other purpose in your visit?" Sam asked.

"No." Vance replied seemingly choking on her words. She stood silent for a moment as she worked to collect herself. Feelings of regret, remorse and shame would radiate off her. While not clear to the eye, something inside was clearly bothering the usually stalwart Commander.

She cleared her throat. "To tell you the truth I don't really know why I came here."

Her words, nothing but a lie. Her inner emotions did nothing to mask that.

"Sit down," Sam said gently. "What's really going on?"

Alexandra turned from the window obliging Sam as she took a seat. She sat silent for a moment before smirking seemingly at random. "It's probably nothing, just nerves before travelling to a new place. Believe it or not even I get nervous apparently." she feigned a joke.

Once again her feelings contradicted her words.

Sam just raised an eyebrow and looked dubious.

Alexandra countered by raising a brow of her own. "What is that look for?" she asked.

"You're lying and we both know it. Something is bothering you,. commander. What is it?"

Alexandra once again remained silent for a moment. In all honesty, she had never felt the two had connected and if anything there seemed to be more of a disconnect. The two had lived two very different lives, and yet they found themselves intertwined and expect to act as a team.

Vance was never very good at that.

She sighed before speaking. "The prospect of leaving this ship, it has led my mind to wander and begin to consider things I normally pay no heed to. I'm sure it will pass when I get home."

"Like what?" Sam asked. She had a feeling that it had something to do with the Calypso, or with her, and she felt that if they could at least talk about this honestly and openly, they would be able to put a few ghosts to rest.

"I suppose I will be carrying some regrets when I leave here. This was not how I envisioned our journey ending, but all things must eventually end." She said with a sigh.

"No. This was not how I envisioned it, either," Sam admitted. "I have learned over the years that I cannot control where my road leads, I can only control how I choose to travel it."

"I feel as though I was never afforded that chance. That blame, lies on me." Alexandra admitted.

"You were given the chance, but your choices did not keep you on that particular road for long." It was blunt, but it was also the truth as Sam saw it. "I'm not saying it was good or bad, it was what it was."

"Stupid, dangerous, irresponsible." Vance retorted.

"You or me?" Sam asked humorously.

"Me." Vance responded flatly dismissing the humor.

"In Starfleet, stupid, dangerous, and irresponsible happen more often that we like. You're not the only one," Sam said. "Learn from it."

"It is a weak excuse for my actions and I for one will not hide behind it. What I did put a lot of lives in danger. In my former position, I was supposed to set an example of leadership, not defy everything it stood for."

The statement of her position being a former seemed to bring discomfort to the seasoned officer, this being only conveyed by her inner emotions.

"Pride blinded me, now I'm not even sure I can even think rationally anymore." She replied.

Sam walked around the desk and sat in a chair near Alexandra so that the desk was no longer between them. "At least you see more clearly now. Take some time away from the craziness to find peace with yourself. Then decide what you want to do. I think it will help you deal with your past and prepare you for a beter future."

"My future is no longer about what I want but rather the consequences of what I have done. My life has seen its pinnacle, now the journey down the mountain begins." Alexandra responded softly.

Sam shook her head. "Your life has not seen its pinnacle. Your life is only beginning. Every day, every year, we learn and grow. You have a great deal to look forward to. Don't give up on yourself just because you made choices you now regret."

Alexandra smirked. "I always admired that about you, you inspire the uninspired, even if it is not deserved. I see that now."

Sam chuckled. "You aren't beyond hope, I assure you."

"While that may be true, my time is Starfleet has seen its end. There is no place for me here anymore." Alexandra said.

"Then find a place for you somewhere else," Sam said. "Starfleet is only a small part of what you can do with your life."

Alexandra sighed. "It is what it is I suppose. Alexandra said disappointedly rising from her seat. "I guess this is goodbye Samantha York."

Sam stood. "Why are you disappointed? What were you expecting?"

"Only a fool would expect anything different. For that, I am disappointed in myself." Alexandra replied.

Once again Sam smiled. "Don't do anything rash. Take some time to get away from Starfleet and relax. Maybe take Jennifer with you, if Starfleet medical and Starfleet Intel agree. It might do you both some good to get away for a while."

"My final orders have been to ensure Commander Tate makes it safely to Starfleet Medical after which I will be released of all duties to Starfleet. Thank you for everything." Alexandra replied somberly holding back tears. This was a day she had hoped would have taken several more decades to transpire.

"I'll do what I can," Sam said. "For both of you." She gave Alexandria a hug. "Be well."

____
OFF

Commodore Samantha York
Commanding Officer

Commander Alexandra Vance
Intelligence Officer/Former XO

 

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