Trey

Trey drove home to his apartment ready to go over his training once again. A true obsessive-compulsive, Trey obsessed over the smallest detail and he knew that as an engineer on the ship in charge of calculating the ship's trajectory, a lot of pressure was on him to get even the smallest calculation correct. As a result, Trey trained obsessively and had the simulation of the ship installed at his house. Captain Kanada warned Trey against overtraining, telling the younger man that by doing so, he could end up making himself completely paranoid and unable to fulfill his duties, but Trey was unable to listen. Too many lives depended on this mission going on smoothly, especially since Icarus I failed and there were no resources left to build a third bomb. Trey knew that he had to be on his game.

Getting on the treadmill, Trey set the dials for 5 and began a smooth jog that turned into a dead run. He loved the feeling of a dead run. It felt as though he were moving forward without really moving at all. Running was the only time his mind was actually clear of any thoughts at all. Yet tonight his mind was cluttered with equations, calculations and the surface of the sun. Not finishing his usual routine, Trey slowed down the machine and then turned it off. For a moment, he stood on the machine and listened. Except for the wind scrapping against the house, Trey heard nothing and for a moment, he felt completely depressed. Unlike his fellow crew members, Trey had no one special in his life. He was not a father like Mace or a lover like Kanada and Corazon or a husband like Searle or Harvey. He did not even have a crush like Cassie and Capa. For Trey, his greatest love was computers and he had always accepted it as such, but leaving on a mission where he might never return did leave him feeling a little lonely, especially tonight.

Getting off of the treadmill, Trey wiped his face down and walked toward the simulation. He stopped before he reached his chair. Tonight, he couldn't sit there and go through the same calculations. He needed to do something else, but what? Spinning his wheels, Trey thought about his next door neighbor, a pretty blonde named Jo. She had always tried to speak to him whenever they met up in the hallway, but Trey, other than articulating a few monosyllabic words, never said anything of value. Maybe, thought Trey, that should change tonight. Walking into his bedroom, Trey changed his clothes and checked his breathe. Determining that he looked as good as possible, Trey left his apartment and walked across the hall. In front of Jo's door, Trey paused and wondered if he was making a mistake. Then the door opened.

It was Jo and another girl and they seemed surprised to see Trey standing there. Instantly, Trey felt embarrassed and turned to leave, but Jo reached out and grabbed his arm. "Hey, did you need something?"

Trey turned back and managed to smile. "Nahh, I'm leaving tomorrow and wanted to say good-bye."

Jo smiled at him. "Why don't you come in?" Turning to her girlfriend, she leaned forward and kissed her on the lips and brushed the girl's hair back from her face. "I'll see you tomorrow Nancy." Nancy smiled at Trey and walked toward the elevator. Jo looked at Trey and asked, "Do you want to come in?" Trey stunned by the turn of events, merely nodded and walked into Jo's apartment. It smelled of warmth and femininity and immediately Trey was at ease. Turning to Jo, he said "I like your apartment; it's very feng shui." Jo laughed. "Yeah, I like it a lot. Do you want to sit down?"

Trey moved toward the couch and sat down. He sunk into the cushions and felt so warm that he could have fallen asleep. He was surprised that he was so tired. Kanada was right. The overtraining had gotten to Trey and he was beginning to physically feel it. Jo was still standing, looking at Trey carefully. Without saying anything, she walked into the kitchen. Trey could hear her moving around, but did not get up to help her as he should have. He was just so tired and her couch was so warm. For a moment, Trey closed his eyes and saw blackness. He was grateful. It was the first time since he had been assigned Icarus II that he did not dream of the surface of the sun. Trey was uncertain of how long he had kept his eyes closed, but when he opened them, there was a warm steamy mug of what smelled like tea. Jo was sitting across from him, sipping her own cup and smiling at him. Trey grabbed the cup of tea and took a sip. It tasted of raspberries and although Trey never liked fruity drinks, he had to admit this one was pretty good. He looked up at Jo and grinned.

"I really like this." said Trey. "Thanks."

"My pleasure." said Jo. "Do you mind if I ask you something?"

"Out of all the times I tried to speak to you." asked Jo. "Why did you decide to come by tonight?" "Don't you leave tomorrow?"

Trey, for the first time, felt uncomfortable. She had a point. He had avoided contact with her, partially because he was leaving and partially because he had no idea how to act around women. Yet he did not want to admit that, so he merely shrugged.

With that gesture, the atmosphere in the room changed and Trey swore that he saw waves of frost coming off of Jo. She glared at him and Trey felt himself sinking back in his chair out of nervousness.

"It is because I'm gay." said Jo in a voice that was barely above a whisper.

Trey felt his face redden. He had no idea that Jo was a lesbian and frankly, he didn't care. Trey never understood why some people made someone's sexual preferences an issue. Wasn't that their business? Trey sat up in his chair and looked at Jo directly.

"Let me make this clear." responded Trey in a steady tone of voice. "I don't care if you're gay, straight and anything in between." "I never spoke to you because I was embarrassed."

"By what?" asked Jo warily as if she didn't believe him.

Trey sighed deeply. "By me."

Jo's eyebrows arched and a smile seemed to dance around her face. "What about you? she asked.

"Well," Trey began, "I'm not that great at talking to girls."

Jo bit her lip to keep from laughing. "You don't say."

"Well," began Trey and they both started laughing. After the ice was broken, the two couldn't stop laughing or talking. It wasn't until light appeared through Jo's window that all conversation stopped. Trey looked at Jo and they both quietly acknowledged that it was time for Trey to leave. Getting up, Trey walked to the door. He turned to Jo and felt compelled to apologize.

"I'm sorry, Jo." Said Trey.

"For what?" she responded.

"For not saying hello more often." said Trey. "For not becoming friends sooner."

Jo just smiled at Trey and to his surprise, she put her arms around him and kissed him on the cheek. Trey put his arms around her and nearly cried from the human contact. This would be the last time he would have it. After one last squeeze, Trey let her go and opened the door. He thanked Jo for a great evening and started up the stairs. Jo stood there watching him and suddenly called his name.

"Hey Trey" cried out Jo. "Can you get email in space?"

Trey turned around in surprise. "No, but we can get video packages sent through satellites." "We have to provide NASA with a list of people who will be our contacts."

Jo grinned at him. "Do you mind putting me on that list?"

Trey grinned back. "No problem." He paused. "Sweet dreams Jo."

She was still smiling. "You too."

That night, Trey went to bed happier than he had felt in a long time. That night, he dreamt of Jo and her girlfriend. They were running hand-in-hand in a meadow and the sun was bright and shining in the sky.