Coffee [Part One]

Posted on Wed Jul 16, 2025 @ 3:24am by Commander Cara Letsul & Lieutenant Kael "Vex" Tharien

1,635 words; about a 8 minute read

Mission: Time After Time
Location: Promenade Observation Deck
Timeline: MD 09 Later in the Evening

Cara showed up at the Observation Deck, looking around at what there was offered. This station was much larger than what she'd served on before. She chose to meet with Vex, in civilian clothing. Her attire was that of a sapphire blue dress its skirt full and flowed around her knees as she walked with graceful steps. The dress was almost sleeveless, and had a slight plunge to the neckline, but not to where it was blatantly low. Cara loved this dress as it was soft and silken to the touch. And it was made to dance in when she went out to dance, and the same for her black shoes. She walked over to the window which looked out towards the planet below, enjoying the view, as well as the starlight that shone through.

The lift doors opened with a quiet hiss as Vex stepped onto Level 141. His pace was measured, unhurried, dressed in a simple dark tunic and trousers—civilian, but with the unmistakable posture of someone shaped by Starfleet.

He saw her near the window, framed by the stars and the soft reflection of the planet below. Her silhouette was striking—elegant, at ease, and very much off-duty.

He approached with quiet steps and came to a stop beside her, leaving a respectful space.

“Commander.”

There was a calm in his voice, still precise, but less guarded than before.


He looked out through the glass.

“The view suits the hour.”

Then, a simple nod.

“I’m glad you came.”

Cara noticed his approach in the reflection of the glass, she gave a nod in acknowledgement as to his words. "You are welcome." she turned to face Vex, a warm gentle smile. "Since I am off hours,you may call me,Cara."

Vex turned slightly to face her, taking in the shift from officer to something more relaxed. The change in tone, in title—it wasn’t lost on him.

His head inclined with quiet respect, and perhaps just the faintest flicker of something lighter in his eyes.

“Then, Cara it is.”

He let the name settle naturally into the space between them, as if trying it out for the first time.

“Thank you,” he added, his tone low, sincere. “It’s... a rare thing, to be offered something informal in unfamiliar territory.”

He looked back toward the stars a moment, the silence between them easy.

“Have you been up here before? Or did you save this view for tonight?”

"This is my first time here, thought this would be a good place to meet." A smile, which lit up her features and danced in her eyes.

"When I am off shift, I don't wear the mantle of my rank, unless it is needed. I make certain to separate my work and my personal life as best as I can. Sometimes they do blend, but tonight no."

She took in his attire, noticed that Vex seemed to be relaxing a little.

"Shall we get coffee or even something to eat? And a table to enjoy the splendid view?"
Vex gave a small nod, his expression thoughtful, the lines of his posture loosening just slightly at her words.

“A healthy boundary. One most officers claim to keep, but few actually do.”

He looked back at her, the corners of his mouth almost lifting—not quite a smile, but close.

“Tonight sounds like the right night to keep them separate.”

At her offer, he glanced toward the nearby café alcove, where a few open tables faced the glass.

“Coffee would be welcome. Food, even better.”

He gestured lightly, allowing her to lead if she chose.

“After all… if we’re going to discuss spices, context matters.”

The tone was dry, but there was a quiet warmth behind it—a rare moment of ease, gently offered.

Cara led the way, stopping at a table which would give them a good view as well as well as a good spot to keep watch of others coming their way. Space enough to move from the table if need be. A habit Cara had developed in so many years. Right now though she did feel relaxed in the presence of Vex.

"This will be a good spot." Cara reached out to move the chair away from the table, preparing to take a seat. There was a pause as if something ocurred to her.

"Tell me something do you eat meat? Or do you refrain from doing such. This way I will know what I will order for a meal." Though Vex was a mix of both Vulcan and Betazed, Cara didn't know what his eating choice could be. And there are those who find that the scent of meat, gives them some revulsion.


Vex followed with quiet steps, his gaze briefly sweeping the space around them before settling on the table Cara chose. Strategic placement. Thoughtful. Practical. He approved.

He remained standing as she reached for her seat, responding with a subtle lift of his brow at her question—an almost Vulcan gesture, softened by the faintest twitch of humor at the corner of his mouth.

“I do eat meat, yes. I find that denying myself something simply because one half of my heritage might disapprove tends to lead to more conflict than clarity.”

He eased into the chair across from her, his posture relaxed but still composed.

“That said… Klingon gagh is where I draw the line. If it’s still moving when it arrives, I consider that a failed negotiation between the cook and the flame.”

The delivery was dry, deadpan—but unmistakably a joke, and one he didn’t mind sharing.

He glanced at her, the glint in his dark eyes a little more visible now.

“So please, order freely. I promise not to recoil in judgment. Unless it wriggles.”

"I will save the wriggles for when I dine with my Klingon friend, Major K'doc Valadorn, and his wife." an amused gleam in her eyes. "though what I have mentioned, I have eaten gagh."

Once they were both seated a waitress quickly appeared, handing them menus. "May I have some water and a smallbowl of lemons wedges?" Cara requested.

"How about you, sir?" the waitress taking a look towards Vex.

Cara picked up the menu to peruse what was being offered, it looked like quite a few dishes would be available to those who wished. Sandwiches, steak, seafood. Cara would have to think on what she was in the mood for.

Vex gave the smallest nod at Cara’s mention of Major K’doc and the gagh, his expression unreadable—save for the faint lift of his brow.

“I admire your resolve,” he said evenly, though there was a glint of restrained amusement in his eyes. “My relationship with Klingon cuisine remains diplomatic… but distant.”

When the waitress turned to him, he answered without hesitation.
“Black coffee. Hot.”
He offered no pleasantries, but his tone remained polite. After a breath, he added,
“And a glass of water as well, please.”

As she stepped away and they were left in the quiet of the deck, Vex set his menu down. He glanced once at the planet through the window, then returned his focus to Cara—not intrusive, just present.

“You referenced a moment of transition earlier. A friend. A tavern. Civilian life. It was offered without pretense.”

There was no edge to the words. No interrogation. Just observation, spoken with a steady tone and an undercurrent of empathy that didn’t need to be announced.

“You could have chosen to stay in that space—civilian, anonymous, free of structure. But you returned to a uniform.”

He folded his hands lightly on the table.
“I’m curious. What called you back? Or perhaps… who?”

It wasn’t an idle question. It was a small window—offered not to dig, but to connect.
Because Vex understood what it meant to stand between two versions of oneself.
And tonight, it wasn’t the officer asking.

It was the man.

"It was a little bit of both, which is what called me back and who called me back. While I was on what I called a sabbatical, I met a man who I knew needed to talk to someone, and since I was in the status of being a bartender, as well as having been a counselor. I-- spoke to him,made a connection with him. Which opened up a great many things, including my finding family, I had forgotten about."

Cara looked out towards the planet, as if she were looking back into the past. "My cousin, who was the man's wife.There was also something that happened where, the Former XO and second officer had left. And the Captain needed help. By that time I had already fallen in love with the station and with the people. And wanted to help out my cousin's husband who ended up becoming a very good friend, and also family." her eyesc came back into focus as she continued her tale.

"StarFleet had also asked me to return to duty, and they also used 'The needs of the many, outweighed the needs of the few, or the one." I countered with an offer of 'If they wished me to come back, to drop me from being an Admiral to being a Commander and I wanted to be a counselor as well. They were surprised that I wished to be a Commander, instead of being a Captain. I didn't feel it would be proper because the CO was a Captain, and I didn't want anyone to get confused as to who was in charge. And they knew I wasn't going to back down from my request."

TBC

Lieutenant JG Kael "Vex" Tharien
Star Fleet Officer
Deep Space 5

Commander Cara Letsul
Executive Officer
Deep Space 5

 

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