Chapter 3

Transferred

Char and Karu are sitting on the observation deck watching the stars together. Karu takes her hand and holds them, she leans into his shoulder.

"I will miss you Karu."

"I will miss you too Char."

Hikaru didn't want to go through another heartbreak or disappointment in the relationship. He realizes that it would be best to part ways or try to come to an understanding. He knows that there would be other men try to date her and didn't want to be a recipient of a 'Dear John' transmission.

"Char, I wouldn't be offended if you decide to… date other men."

Charlene was overcome with shock and disappointment, he is breaking up with her. She turns from him.

"Is that what you want?"

"No, but it will be hard to maintain a relationship, and I don't want to hold you back from your career."

Charlene takes a deep breath and tries to hold her composure, turns around to him.
"Is that what you think?"

"Starfleet is giving you something you always wanted, and you have worked hard for such a position."

Charlene exhaled and took the hurt: "Ok thanks, I'll do it. I have to go now bye."

She turns and leaves before he could stop her, she runs to her quarters and cries again. He didn't love her after all.

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Meanwhile: The Ready Room meeting:

"Thanks, captain."

"It's not a problem Uhura, just tell me what you need and I get the galley to whip anything you like!"

"Well, I know the entire engineering department needs to be invited."

"Now that needs to done in shifts, I can't have my engineering dept unmanned."

"Of course captain! We have to do it in shifts, I might as well invite the whole ship for those who want to celebrate her new promotion."

"You're taking this much better Uhura."

"I'm trying sir, but it's not easy, but I more worried about Sulu.

"Sulu? What's wrong with him?"

"You do know that Masters is heavy dating Sulu?"

"Yeah, so?"

"This promotion affects their relationship."

"Awe yes, I see. I hope they come to an understanding.

"Me too, I will miss my friend."

"Is there anything else I should be aware of?"

"No, sir that's it, I inform the crew of the interval of times to celebrate."

Uhura leaves the ready room to proceed to her next destination to the galley to arrange the food and schedules to the cook.

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Sulu took it hard what he said hurt his girlfriend. He thought he was doing the right thing to let her date other men. People are human after all, promises are always broken in time. Karu sat on his bed and reflected on their relationship from the time the starting talking a year ago at Uhura's wedding. He hit it off with her, she was different, and she is the only woman who didn't mind his sword collection. He liked the fact she can hold her own, fight for herself and fix mechanical gadgets. To Karu she is a good looking woman, nice figure especially when she wears her gray/silver hot pants, it reveals her long brown legs and butt. Karu was always a breast man, but Charlene changed him into a butt man, he couldn't stop looking at her butt. He wonders if all brown/dark skin woman has that feature. She socially is accepted by the whole crew, great personality. And respected. Now here they are at the crossroads of their relationship, his heart ached at the thought of another man dating her, kissing and loving her. Karu lays on his bed and wonders, did he do the right thing for her? Did he do the right thing for himself?

Uhura ended her day revisiting her friend. And again find the door locked, and again overriding it. The room is dark, and Uhura hears loud crying. She runs to Charlene and pulls her up from the bed.

"What happened Char?"

Charlene looks at Nyota with bloodshot eyes and swollen face. Sucking in air trying to talk.
"He… he...he.. bro..ke…up... wit..with ...me." Then another barrage of tears. "I… I ca..n't tak.. take… this … any… mo..re!"

"What? Sulu did what?, I don't' believe it.

"He… ga..ve...me per..miss..ion to da.. date.. other.. men." trying to breathe through each word. Charlene was heartbroken, Uhura hugs her and tries to comfort. She knew what Sulu was doing, try to do. But it's not the answer.

"Char, he's hurting just like you!"

"What?! Then... why did he break... up with me?"

"Char, he's afraid you find someone else."

"Really,... you really... think that?"

"Yep"

"Then what do I do? How can I convince him that I won't?"

"You two have to sit and really talk about the issues, no more dancing around the problem. You need to listen to him and hear how he feels."

Charlene starts thinking about what Nyota is saying what she needs to do to keep her relationship with Karu. She really loves him, but afraid to say it because of all her previous failed relationships. But mostly Jaamal he hurt her the most, who left her without even saying goodbye.
Uhura went to the bathroom and got a wet face cloth and tissues, and gave it Char, she blew her nose, then she took the towel and wiped her face.

"Ny, can you help me with this? Set up the meeting for both of us?"

"I don't know?"

"Please, I love him, and I want this relationship to work no matter where we both end up!"

"Ok, I'll set it up, but after that, you are on your own."

"Thank you, thank you so much." hugging her best friend.