Zenon IV: Second Chances
Chapter 3
Zenon sat in an alcove and watched the stars out of the viewports. She tightly clutched a crystal necklace she wore, a present from Sage from shortly before he died.
Suddenly, a voice came on the comm. "Zenon Kar to Civilian Dock 4. Zenon Kar to Civilian Dock 4, please." Zenon took a deep breath, then stood and began the walk to Civilian Dock 4.
Once she arrived at the Civilian Dock waiting lounge, Zenon gasped when she saw the Wonder Bus on a monitor. The doors hissed open, revealing Proto Zoa.
"Proto Zoa? Cetus-Lupeedus, what the maelstrom are you doing here? Zenon said before hugging her idol and friend.
"Zee, I came to see how you were doing after Sage's death," Proto Zoa said. "That, and I wanted to try my latest song out on you."
"Did you write it?" Zenon asked. "Not entirely," Proto Zoa said. "He helped." Proto Zoa gestured to Greg, who entered the waiting lounge behind Proto Zoa.
"Greg? You helped Proto Zoa write a song for me?" Zenon said. "Yes," Greg said. "As I said the day of Sage's funeral, I want to make up for the mistakes I made when I broke up with you nine years ago."
"Well, this is a good start," Zenon said. "I hope what else you have planned is just as good." "Oh, yeah. They're good," Greg said as Zenon led him and Proto Zoa out of the lounge.
After she heard the song, entitled "New Beginnings," she smiled at Greg. "That was a wonderful song, you two," Zenon said. "Thanks, love," Proto Zoa said. "But Greg deserves much of the credit."
"Oh?" Zenon said, turning to Greg. "Aidan needed the right inspiration to finish the song. He said that he didn't want to bother you, as you were still mourning Sage's death," Greg said.
"And you provided what he needed," Zenon said, a sly smile crossing her lips. "Well, I do what I can," Greg said, returning the smile. "So, how am I doing?"
"Well, let's just say that you and I might go to a holo-theater together, but we're not..." Zenon was interrupted by the door chime. "Who is it?" Zenon said.
"Florist, Ms. Kar," the voice on the other side of the door said. "I have a delivery for you." "Come in," Zenon said.
The doors opened, revealing a deliveryman with an enormous bouquet of flowers in his arms. "Check the card," Greg said. And so, Zenon did.
"'The gang and I chipped in to get you this,'" Zenon said, reading the card. "'I've always loved you, Zee, even after we broke up nine years ago. Will you be my ''Supernova Girl''-friend? Greg.'" Tears began to form in Zenon's eyes. She handed the bouquet to Proto Zoa, then ran out of her room.
Margie was the first to make contact with Zenon. "Zee, what lit up your thrusters?" Margie asked. "Greg...[sniff] Greg asked me to be his girlfriend," Zenon said through her tears. "And, did you say yes?" Margie asked.
"No," Zenon said. "Marg, I'm not sure what to do. I'm not so sure of anything anymore. I..." Zenon stopped talking when she felt a tight grip on her arm. She looked over and saw that Nebula, who had joined Margie, held the vice grip.
"Zenon Astrid Kar, ever since I have known you, you have been the most sure-about-anything person I have ever known," Nebula said. "You were sure about Wyndham and Lutz. You were sure about the Zoans. You were sure about Selena."
"Well, that was before Sage died," Zenon said, wrestling free from Nebula's grip. "I was sure that Sage was the one I was going to spend the rest of my life with. I was sure that Sage and I would be together forever! Well, whomever or whatever caused that shuttle accident sure taught me the basic truth of life in space: NOTHING IS A SURE THING!!!"
Nebula then did something she thought she would never do: she cocked back her hand and slapped Zenon in the face. "Shut up!!!" Nebula screamed. "All of us have been working hard to bring you back to the way you were before Sage died. We all came up with the plan to have Proto Zoa write 'New Beginnings' for you. Well, it seems you're..."
Zenon rubbed her cheek where Nebula's palm made contact. "Neb, listen," Zenon said. "I was overwhelmed by everything—you all banding together to help me, P.Z.'s new song...but most of all, I was overwhelmed by Greg out and out asking me to be his girlfriend."
Zenon moved over to Nebula and put her hands on Nebula's shoulders. "Nebula, I am grateful for everything you have done for me," Zenon continued. "It might not have seemed like it a moment ago, but...I am. Will you ever forgive me?"
"On one condition, old friend," Nebula said as she hugged Zenon. "Name it," Zenon said. Nebula broke the hug, then looked into Zenon's boundless blue eyes as she said the condition. "You will march back into your quarters and say yes to Greg."
"I...Wait," Zenon said. "How did you know Greg is in my quarters?" "I have my ways," Nebula said. Zenon shook her head as she walked away.
Moments later, Zenon walked back into her quarters. "Sorry I ran out on you, Greg," she said. "No problem, Zenon," Greg said. "You were overwhelmed. Who wouldn't be?"
"Well, I just needed some time to make up my mind about this," Zenon said, "And, what did you decide?" Greg asked.
"I decided to ask a few old friends for some advice," Zenon said. "And they all told me to say—some more forceful than others—'Yes, Gregory Karl Andrews. Yes, I'll be your girlfriend.'"
Greg moved to hug Zenon. Then, the two lovers felt the gulf between them narrow until they passionately kissed. It was as if the previous nine years had not even occurred.
Later that day, in the mess hall, Dasha's jaw dropped when Nebula told her about how she slapped Zenon. "Well, did she go back and say yes to Greg's question?" Dasha asked as she heard the mess hall doors open.
Margie smiled. "Well, turn around and find out," she said. And so, Dasha did. She saw Zenon and Greg holding hands. And, most importantly, Zenon was wearing the clothes Dasha was used to seeing Zenon wearing.
"Looks like Zee isn't in mourning anymore," Nebula said.
::TBC::
