The events of the past couple of weeks had forced him to re-evaluate his relationships with his family. Tyler had hoped to make peace with his father while he was home, but he realized that would never happen until he 'gave up these silly notions of being some kind of space hero'. They had no idea how close Earth had come to being destroyed... more than once. Tyler finally understood the true importance of being a part of something greater than himself. Even if his parents never understood, even if his parents never approved, he would be out there... for himself, for them, for everyone. He looked back at Tony with eyes that belied his age. "Warlord is where I was meant to be." He raised his glass.
Tony nodded approval. "I'll drink to that. To the Warlord!" He raised his glass as well.
"To the lives that were lost and the lives that were saved." Stephen added as he raised his glass.
"To a crew so talented, you truly deserve to have me aboard!" Dorrin added with a smile. He raised his glass, too. Everyone laughed.
"To new friends." Tom added as he lifted his glass.
"Hhhhhto new family." Box corrected.
"I agree. To new family." T'Nia added. Everyone nodded agreement.
Elaine just nodded as she raised her glass. Her emotions had been so conflicted these past several days. She had just gotten used to the mission Warlord had been built for when she got home. Then, she met up with her friends. Earth was a safe place. Her friends were safe to be around. When she was with them, her life seemed normal. She had even considered requesting a transfer to UFP Headquarters. She had been approached for a translator postion a year ago, but turned it down. She had been rethinking that decision as everything had gone back to comfortable.
Yet, even with all the comforts of home came all the temptations. She had too much to drink her first night back. She even met a guy who she thought was nice. Elaine let her guard down again... even though she promised herself she wouldn't do anything stupid... then last night happened. Why did she keep falling for the wrong guys? It had cost her her last assignment. It had cost her first choice of assignment after graduation. Now, she was sitting across from another seemingly nice guy. Elaine was so confused, so conflicted. The decision almost seemed cut-and-dry. She could apply for a transfer and stay here. Something about that choice, however, seemed so defeatist, so cowardly. She decided to quietly eat her food and hope no one engaged her in any real conversation beyond the 'what have you been doing', 'just hanging with friends' Q and A she had when she first arrived.
To her relief, no one did. Tony shot her an occasional glance, but she avoided eye contact as much as possible. The remainder of the evening was spent enjoying three more bowls of food, of which the doctor ate as though he hadn't eaten in days, and finally fortune cookies. Being quite late at night, the group decided to head to their respective homes. Several promised Tyler they'd watch the hyperbike race Friday.
As the group broke for the night, Elaine tried to quietly duck out and head for a taxi. Tony followed her, though. He gently caught her by the shoulder. "Elaine, wait a sec."
Reluctantly, she stopped. Dorrin and Tom walked past them and said 'good night'. "Hi, Tony," she said quietly.
His look was one of concern, a look she wasn't used to seeing from others. "You've been a real wet blanket all night. Are you okay?"
Tyler then exited the restaurant and bid the two good night. They both waved back. Still trying to avoid eye contact, she slowly turned back around to Tony. "I'm fine, Tony. I just have a lot on my mind."
His concern was genuine. He hoped he wasn't what was on her mind. He liked her. They had made a connection back on the Warlord. He had figured they could be friends... maybe more eventually... but definately part of their 'inner circle' of friends. "Would you like to go somewhere and talk about it?" He asked innocently.
Those words were like insults to her. That's what the guy said Monday. "No!" She replied with venom. She took his hand off her shoulder. She would NOT fall for that again. "Look," she said finally, her eyes now locked on his, "you're an okay guy, Tony. I just want to be alone right now. I'm through with relationships for awhile."
He was taken aback. Partly because he hadn't mentioned anything about a relationship... partly because he wanted to. His own defensive personality kicked in at that point. "Who said anything about a relationship?" His own tone became rough. "I was only asking if you wanted to talk. I wasn't asking you to marry me!"
The thought of marrying a fellow officer was even worse than just sleeping with one, although he was kind of cute... especially when his face turned red like that. No, no, NO. "Tony, good night. I'll see you Saturday at the ceremony." She turned and walked away.
"Can't wait." He said half-heartedly. Was it something he said? Maybe he came on too strong on the ship. Maybe it was just emotions being overcooked during a stressful situation. Who knows.
T'Nia, Stephen, and Box had been waiting just inside the restaurant door for their conversation to end. T'Nia was the first to speak. She turned to Stephen with a perplexed look. "Well, this should make for an interesting voyage."
Kirk rolled his eyes as he pushed on the door. "The queen of understatement speaks again." The three walked outside and up to their dejected friend. His eyes showed a mixture hurt and confusion.
Kirk walked up to him and put his arm around his shoulder. "You're trying to understand women again, aren't you?"
His thoughts now returning to the present, and not reliving possible mistakes in the past, Tony looked at his friend. "Does my head look like it's going to explode again?"
Kirk smiled. "Well, it is starting to swell a bit. You might want to hold your head like this..." Kirk put his hands in front of and just above his ears to mock holding his head together. Tony chuckled.
T'Nia smirked. "With rare exception, I cannot tolerate human women." She turned to Tony. "There are a number of more progressive Vulcan women who have not been pre-arranged. If you wish, I can introduce one to you."
Tony waved his arms. "Please no. I program computers all day long. The last thing I want is to be married to one."
"Your loss." T'Nia said and almost added a smile.
"Hhhhhhperhaps you should simply mate with a sister." Box added with a toothy grin. The four began walking down the street.
Tony grimmaced. "You have SEEN my sister?"
