True Friendship is Honesty

Posted on 04 Feb 2013 @ 5:30am by Lieutenant Aria Rice & Lieutenant Theron Rhodes

1,553 words; about a 8 minute read

Mission: Episode 03 - Frontier
Location: USS Galileo - Lt. Rhodes Quarters
Timeline: MD -01 2330 hours

ON:

Aria let out a breath as she walked down the hallway. She had asked the computer where Rhodes was...and now she was seeking him out. Because she was seeking out a man she respected, someone who had been in charge over Security between Chiefs...because let's face it. The turnover had been there. She rang the chime, glancing around as she folded her arms, taking a slow breath as she waited.

Theron heard the Chime and looked toward the door. He wasn't sure if he wanted to talk to anyone at this time or not. He stood, looked down at his uniform, which he still wore following the department briefing, looked toward the door and took a long slow breath. He finally said, "Enter" and the door slid open.

Aria walked in, looking at him before sighing. She waited until the doors slid close before frowning. "So. When do we mutiny?" she asked, but there was a sulk in it...almost childish, not truly meaning it, but also wanting to let him know she wasn't happy with the situation either.

Theron closed his eyes and thought through so many things. He wasn't sure how to respond. He opened his eyes and said, "It may not be today." He left her with a slight smile.

"Okay, I can wait," she said and smiled weakly, taking a breath. "So...what's been up with you? Haven't really seen you since we started shoreleave. My own fault, I know. Been hiding in booze and dodgy places."

Theron gestured toward the couch with his left hand.

Aria moved and sat down, her eyes on him before chuckling. "Yes?"

Sitting down next to her he said, "I may have gotten myself in over my head with one of the other officers."

"Oh! Oh, that's not too bad....who is it? That new Irish thing in Sickbay?" she asked, with warmth.

Theron glaced up rocking his head side to side, thinking, then said, "I have tried to befriend Ensign Cho. Trying to help her out a little bit." He paused trying to think of the right words to use. "Well, to help her get out of her anti-social behavior."

"Ah..." Aria looked at him, unsure. She had spoken to Cho before, of course. And she found her draining...more because Aria herself wasn't exactly a great person to help with behaviour. "And....she has grown attached? Or have you?"

Theron gimaced slightly, "Unfortunately, I think she had grown closer that I would like. I want to be a friend to her." Looking more serious and turning his shoulders and facing her, "A true friend. But my interests do not lie with her nor her neurosis." He shrugged his shoulders adding, "I do not want to hurt her feelings, but do not want to get entangled in a relationship."

Aria watched him for a long moment, her eyes gentle before she looked down. "I...maybe just telling the truth? yeah, it'll hurt her. But so will keeping quiet about it."

"I know." He said thoughtfully. "The timing needs to be right, so she does not feel rejected." Theron looked at Aria, not knowing the right words, "You are also a friend. One I feel I can trust and share." He then looked down at his hands, "What do you look for in a romantic relationship?"

Aria met his eyes and laughed, covering her mouth quickly. "Dude...I am the wrong person to ask. I am a walking shuttle crash of romance..." she lowered her hands and smiled gently. "You're a good friend, and that is why I will say this. Your heart matters. And if it means that you have to tell her something that will hurt her, then...it's what it costs. Because if you go along, and then leave her, she will be shattered..." she sat back, frowning slightly. "And...if you ask me...I mean, what I want? I want love. I want to laugh with someone. And someone who I can hold, and who can hold me. I want a partnership. One day. When I grow up."

This dialog of hers made Theron smile real big. He parroted, "When I grow up." Nodding his head in agreement, for him as well. "I agree with your description." He felt moved to stand and walk about the room as he explained, "I have always been taught to seek out that individual, that when they are not around, I yearn for . . Like part of me is missing." He turned back to face Aria from a few feet away. "Do you know what I mean?"

She looked down, shaking her head. "No...but that is because I learned a long time ago that you only have yourself at the end of the day. You want a soulmate. You crave it. It's good too you know..."

Theron was quiet for a moment. He felt sad for his friend, that was very alone in her small world. He was not sure what to say or do to encourage her. He walked back and sat next to her, a little closer this time.

She watched him, her eyes gentle before she looked down, rubbing her hands together as the frown came to her. Sounded...strange, saying it aloud to someone.

After a minue or so, he nudged her slightly with his elbow. She did not react much, so he did it again, but this time a smile crept across his face.

Aria laughed and nudged him back, her eyes warm. "You mad hatter you..." she said and touched his arm. "Look. Just...whatever you do...tell her you like her as a friend. Be honest, you're not ready for more with her and it doesn't feel right either. She has to get it."

He looked at her nodding slightly, "I know," was all he could say.

Aria chuckled as she watched him, her eyes gentle. "Sure you do."

Then wanting to change the mood, he looked down at her hand on his arm, then at her out of the corner of his eye, wryly. And with over dramatically said, "You know in some cultures the slightest touch could be considered an assult. I many need to defend my honor and arrest you."

Aria watched him before pushing him hard, off the sofa, grinning as she made a show of stretching over it, taking all the room. "Assault this! I could still find ways of kicking your arse...even if it is getting Stark to be my wingman!"

Finding himself on his back on the floor, just a little shocked that she followed through in their play, but glad that she had. Theron moved up onto his elbows and looked up at Aria stretched out on the sofa smiling at him. "I just bet you could." He laid back on the floor looking up at the ceiling. "You know, if you were not so good at your job, I just might make a pass at you." He wasn't sure why he said that, but he continued to babble, "You are good looking, you are smart, you are great in a fight." He tilted his head and looked toward her and shrugged.

Aria laughed softly, shaking her head. "And you are a handsome devil and you know it..." and there was a but there, just like with him. But they were friends. But it would be awkward. But Aria was not mature enough and couldn't give him what he wanted.

Moving up onto one elbow and on his side he said, "Well, we have scuttled the mutany, dealt with needy females, and laughed at our own inadequacies. What do we do now?"

She smiled as she watched him, holding his eyes. "Whatever you want to, my darling..." she said and then giggled. "How about a drink and some rest?"

Nodding his head in agreement he said, "Excellent idea." Rolling onto his back, lifting his feet over his head, pushing with his arms, just like a gymnast he ended up on his feet, but with a dazed look. "Woe, I was not expecting the disorientation. I guess I should do that more often or I need more sleep."

She watched him with humour, shaking her head. "You need sleep."

"So, what will it be?" walking over to a cabinet. "I have a little Calvarian Rum, a bit of Talaxian Ale, something called Corona," holding the bottle up and looking through the pale yellow liquid. Then holding up another thick square flask, "and something green." Popping the stopper to smell it, he blinked his eyes at its overpowering smell, "Yep, it is still good."

She chuckled as she shook her head. "I'll have whatever you're having and only one..."

Theron dropped ice into a couple shallow thick glasses, poured a couple fingers of rum into each, and carried them back over to the sofa facing Aria and extending the glass to her.

"Thank you..." she said and smiled as she took the glass, holding his eyes.

Lifting his glass slightly and touching hers, "To friendship."

"To friendship...and honesty," she said and smiled, nodding as she knocked the drink back...glad to be spending this time with a friend.


OFF:



Lt (jg) Theron Rhodes
Asst. Chief of Security

&

Lt. jg Aria Rice
Security Officer

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