Breaking the News

Posted on Wed Oct 25th, 2023 @ 2:40am by Lieutenant Commander Finnley Keating VII

Mission: Character Development
Location: Keating Residence
763 words - 1.5 OF Standard Post Measure

"I made you a drink," Quinn motioned towards the counter as his daughter walked through the door. A classic rum and coke. He wasn't sure she'd want to discuss the meeting with Kane, but he knew a drink might at least help. "Wanna talk about it?"

"If I don't will you make me run and do push ups until I can't stand anymore?" Finn half chuckled.

"I mean, as long as you don't act like a brat about it," Quinn laughed and gave her a gentle nudge as he picked up his own drink and sat besides her.

The two drank in silence for a moment before Finn spoke. "It went better than I thought it would. Not at first. At first, the Commodore was justifiably pissed," Finn smirked. "Who can blame him really. I took the stand against him, lied, almost got him thrown away for life..."

"But you did it because there was a threat to Starfleet, it was the only way..."

"I know, I know," Finn put her hand up to stop him. "He asked what happened to me and I kind of blew up on him. I rattled off about Rondac and me submitting my resignation because I felt my judgement was off and then what happened with the court case..."

Quinn let out a low whistle.

"Yea, not my most professional moment. Anyway, I told him that if he thought I was wrong for lying in an effort to expose the bigger problem then he might as well approve my resignation now because he was just proving the point I tried to make when I left the Athena."

"I'm sorry, kiddo," Quinn put his arm around her, assuming that her resignation was final and that was the end of the story.

"Don't be sorry yet. That was when things changed. He talked about having faith in me when he first offered me the CEO spot and eventually that led to him asking me if I had reconsidered my permanent leave of absence. In return I asked if he'd even want someone like me back..." Finn paused to take a quick drink. "To my surprise his answer was yes."

"If he'd said no, I think I'd have to have a word with him myself."

Finn chuckled and looked over at her dad. "You know I feel like you two would either get along great or absolutely horribly."

"From everything I've heard and seen, he's a good man and a great commanding officer. I'm sure we could find plenty in common." Quinn's smile was sincere and his eyes were filled with nothing but unconditional love for the daughter next to him. "You did the right thing Finn and I'm proud of you for that. I always will be, even if you reconsider your leave of absence and decide to make it permanent."

"Well, dad, I have reconsidered. I asked Kane for my spot back on the Athena," she couldn't hold back her own smile. Nerves aside, she was excited to step foot in that engineering room again. "He said yes. She took some heavy damage so I'll be headed back tomorrow but I promise to still drop by for dinners when I can before we leave Earth."

"Thank God, your mother and I have hardly had time alone since you came home," he laughed before pulling her into a bear hug. "In all seriousness, I'm happy for you kiddo, but I will miss you. These past few weeks, though trying, have also brought back so many things that I'd forgotten I've been missing all these years. BBQs on the back porch, surfing, working on that old shuttle in the garage..." He pushed away, still holding onto her shoulders and looked into her eyes. "No more travelling on shore leave, you'd better come home next time. You gave me a taste of what it's like to have you back and I'll miss it too much. Do you understand?" The corner of his lips curled into a soft smile.

"I will. I promise."

"Good. Now you'd better get to bed if you plan on reporting back to your ship in the morning. You'll have to tell your mother tomorrow and I imagine she'll be less excited with the news. She's always understood the calling for Starfleet, but never much liked the danger that came with it."

Finn nodded and gave him one more quick hug before heading down the hall. He was right, tomorrow would be a big day. The first day of her last chance and she had to be ready.