Unanswered Questions

Posted on Sat Jul 17th, 2021 @ 8:41am by Captain Bethsabée Leroux & Commander William Gerhard

Mission: Mission 4 - Eden
Location: Deck E - Outside Sickbay
Timeline: Immediately Following "Autopsy Results"
1205 words - 2.4 OF Standard Post Measure

William waited down the corridor for the captain to exit sickbay. He had several questions that he wanted to ask her, and he felt that it would be best if they were asked in private between the two. He felt alittle uneasy about questioning his own commanding officer, but he knew it was his job. He also could not hide the fact that he was not getting the full story from his captain.

Beth knew he would be waiting outside for her. The glance he had given her and the fact he did not ask more in front of the chief medical officer. Beth could have take a right instead of go left but she had to face the music with someone. “Waiting for me Gerhard?” She wondered in German.

William's German was alittle rusty, but it slowly came back to him as he spoke with Beth. "I felt it was better to discuss this in private, but I get the feeling that there was more going on between you and Aurelius than your letting on," he said as he stood and crossed his arms in front of his chest. He made sure his tone was non confrontational, but he knew it was better to get to the point quickly.

Beth appreciated the fact that he was doing this out of the way without anyone else around. “There was so much between me and Aurelius.” She sighed softly. “Me and him had a thing. And when all of this happened…” she indicated around them to mean the whole experience of the last 166 days. “I asked for time to lead my people and he moved on.” She said with a shrug.

William nodded slightly and looked away for a bit before proceeding carefully, "How long were you two together?" He knew that a relationship between a superior and junior officer was against regulations, but given their current situation he felt that it was pointless to push that issue. While Aurelius might have moved on, he sensed the captain had not moved on so easily.

“Since the Triste it’s been brewing.” It was on and odd again from when they had been nothing but department heads. “We weren’t together properly. It was complicated and when we got stuck out here less than six months ago.” Beth said to remind him for everything that had happened, it had happened in a short time frame. “I asked for time and he moved on. Felt hurt but so would you.”

William nodded in agreement to the captain's last statement, "And I assume this did not affect your professional relationship?" He kept his tone non-confrontational because he did not want to give the impression he was passing judgement on his captain's conduct.

"Well, you did not know about it until now so I am guessing I hid it well enough." Beth countered with a shrug. She knew how to bury thoughts and emotions. She knew how to be a block of ice and hide everything that made her human. Sometimes she wondered if she had Vulcan blood somewhere in her.

William chose his next words carefully, "So, do you know why he was where he was on that ship? Were you meeting up with him over there?" He braced himself for any anger this line of questioning from his captain. He would not take any criticism to heart, but he felt that these questions must be asked.

Beth cocked her head to the side and looked him up and down very care slowly. "He was investigating if anything could be used for morale purposes. As the crew is vastly struggling to find fulfilment," Beth said simply. "I was not planning to meet anyone over there last night. This morning I was part of a party looking for the library." Beth quickly assured. She was not good with engineering but books and information, she would gladly go in search with.

William nodded and looked back at the captain, "Understood. So if you weren't planning on meeting anyone over there last night, who were you meeting with." He quickly followed up with an explanation, "After all you did just say earlier you were with someone last night and that this person was your alibi."

Beth blushed just a little. She had not been planning to meet anything last night other than her bed for a long overdue early night's sleep instead she had to ended up in someone else's bed. She could not deny how right it had felt even if she had skipped out before he woke up and avoided him since. “I did not plan to meet with anyone to be honest, Lieutenant . It just happened.” The tension had been building for nearly a year if she was truth be told but that was her and Michael to talk about when they could. “I was with Sloan.” She revealed.

William nodded slowly and sighed as he looked down at his boots. The revelation that Beth had been with Sloan was difficult to take, but he would not voice his opinion on the issue. "I see," he said slowly before continuing, "I'll confirm that with him." He shifted the weight on his feet and looked back at Beth, "It's not my place to pass judgment on what happened. You have my word that I will keep this compartmentalized." He tried to keep his voice neutral, but he knew his tone conveyed his disappointment.

"Da haben wir den Salat." Beth said softly in german. It was one of her favourite german expressions. It literally translated to along the lines of everything is a mess. It was used to describe a situation that’s gotten out of hand or something that’s hopelessly complicated and it described her and Michael Sloan to a T. "I am very unlikely to admit that to you when you look at him like that knowing you. I know you feel betrayed by Sloan as your former boss and potentially me now but it is a lot more complicated. And sometimes things happen beyond control." She said not at all allowing him to make her feel guilty.

William looked back up at his captain and felt his face start to get hot. He knew that what she was saying was true, though he did not feel that Beth had betrayed him. However, William could not shake the feeling of irritation he got when Beth mentioned Sloan as his "former boss." William had promised to be professional with the former XO, but every time the subject of Sloan was brought up he felt that Beth continued to show special treatment towards him.

William sighed again and spoke softly, "Scheisse." He then looked back up at Beth, "Understood Captain. As I said, I will verify this with Mr. Sloan. Now I don't think I should keep Major King waiting too much longer, with your permission Captain." William then turned and made his way down the passageway towards the nearest turbolift. As he walked the sounds of his boots on the deck plates echoed loudly in his ears. He couldn't help but wonder if he was merely spinning his wheels until the Captain reinstated Sloan and William would be replaced.

 

Comments (1)