To the Pain [Back Post]

Posted on 16 Mar 2026 @ 12:09am by Lieutenant JG Todd Hewitt & 2nd Lieutenant Melody Hawthorne

2,176 words; about a 11 minute read

Mission: S04 Episode 02 The Hackers Backdoor (Incidentals)
Location: Lounge - The Dive
Timeline: Few Weeks Before Launch Date

[ON]

Melody had finished her set on stage a soft reedition of an old terrain song based off a children's tale about a creature called a "Jabberwocky", She sat her guitar down by the stage and headed to her usual place at long polished star kissed ebony of the Bar. The lights were dim in a friendly personal way that invited one to get lost in their thoughts. In the music and the rhythm of the world outside the over large windows that opened to the stars twinkling beyond. Melody loved it here. Had taken solace here many a night to lose herself to music, time and space. This place they called The Dive.

Todd was leaning against the far wall near the jukebox, his lanky frame half-shadowed, a beer bottle hanging loosely from his fingers. He had that look again—distant, as if he was seeing something beyond the walls of The Dive, beyond even the stars outside. Todd’s head snapped up, a half-smile breaking through his haze. He pushed off the wall, his boots scuffing the worn floorboards as he made his way over.

“That voice. That brooding deepness, like the Galaxy itself,” he said, sliding onto the stool near the stage. “Thought I was just… contemplating the mysteries of the universe.”

Melody smiled in her usual friendly fashion. "Why, thank you." She accepted a beer of her own from the bar keep. Would you like another?" She asked nodding to his beer and it's nearly empty state. "my treat. In return you can regal me with your thoughts on the mysteries of the universe." She offered.

Todd smiled. She was a cheerful singer. She certainly was here often. “2nd Lieutenant Melody Hawthorne.” He turned to watch her walk past to the bar and kindly refilled his drink.

“You want my perspective on the Universe? The Engineering theorized training, or fantastical?” Hewitt cocked his head and pulled out the chair for Melodie.

"Both." Melody said as she slipped into the offered seat. "I'll even buy your drinks while you enlighten me." She offered in her usual sweet way.

"You want to know?" Hewitt was surprised. Not many humans were into sharing and talking about relationships that he knew of. "I don't know..." Hewitt frowned as he looked at his beer. "I just think my GF doesn't want to marry me?" Hewitt had an odd understanding of Humans. Sometimes, Maggie needed time to herself, and perhaps Todd was suffocating her.

The doctor took a sip from her drink, listening to Hewits words with interest. "What makes you think that? Did she say as much to you?" She asked urging him to continue.

"I believe she is nervous. Maggie is the fighter pilot type. She is her own boss... Maverick type." Hewitt gestured. "I think this marriage thing makes her feel boxed in. I know she likes me, wants me..." He blushed. "I can be wrong. I need to talk to her about it."

"What about you?" Hewitt was El-Aurian after all; he was a happy listener.

"What about me? What?" Melody asked curious at the turn around.

"Do you have confusion with the sexual partners in your life? I am only 100." Hewitt had reminded Melody. Any help she had on relationships would be greatly appreciated.

Melody seemed to have a lot of knowledge about relationships. She looked. Social. Well kept.

"No sexual partners here. I'm married to my work I'm afraid. I do however have experience with people and their experiences with relationships." Melody explained smoothly. "From what I can tell of your you have said, it sounds like you and your partner should extend your engagement and take time to discuss each other's thoughts and feelings on the relationship. Try to get a deeper understanding of what each of you wants and expects. If it's been a whirlwind courtship she might feel overwhelmed and as you said a bit out of control of the situation. She obviously loves you and cares about you or she would not have agreed to marry you in the first place. I'd suggest just slowing it down a little bit. Help her feel more safe and secure in relationship. It's like that human saying 'all good things to those that wait' if it's love... True love then there is no reason to rush forward. Enjoy the moment, enjoy each other. Take time to plan the wedding in baby steps and listen to what each of you wants and needs."

Hewitt nodded, thinking it through. It was a sound thought. It made sense not to speed up anything at this moment, let alone tend to something that was already in need of slowing down.

“I agree.” He nodded, taking a drink from the beer. “Thank you for the beer, it is much appreciated. The next round is on me!” Hewitt stated. As he couldn’t help but burrrpppp!!! Up, the Carbonation. His body was just built for a beer belch!

"No problem." Melody said admiring the burp. He had good range. "You sing at all?" She asked suddenly curious. She was sure he had a natural talent for vocalizing.

"You know... I don't think I can. But... I do like to sing to the music of certain periods of Earth. It's exciting, the beat, the language, the drama... So very intricate. How about you, Doctor?" Hewitt took a drink as it was handed to them, and then gave another to Dr. Hawthorne.

Melody motions to the stage. "I perform here after work every day." She stated with a warm smile.

Hewitt took a drink and set it down. "What do you aspire to do one day? Where is your dream location within the Federation if you had your choice?" Hewitt often found the future aspirations of humans to be exciting, as he usually lived far longer into the future.

Melody arched a delicate brow. "Oh I'm already doing exactly what I want." She took a sip of her beer. "What about you? What do you aspire to be? Aside from a husband."

"That is a tricky question." Todd had professed. As an El-Aurian, planning lives, planning to commit another El-Aurian, or a human, in his case. He wouldn't be able to go on if he were to outlive Maggie. He would not do it.

"I am happy in my Engineering role at this time; it is fulfilling. I learn a lot from the Akira Class vessel. The mechanics are wild!"

The El-Aurian was puzzled. Not often did outsiders ask them about their ambitions. Perhaps he should have prepared as he had asked Dr. Hawthorne the same question!" His mistake.

Melody nodded. "I always enjoyed engineering myself. It's always evolving and there is a challenge in keeping up and ahead of it." She agreed with him heartedly. Then asked. "So you have any family?"

"I have Family. However, most of our lives are spent building ties and forming relationships with new relations and family. I plan to grow a tree with my chosen one. At 100, I have plenty of time left. But. I is hard." Hewitt shrugged. My world treats me like a child still. "Melody. What is your most exciting conduit in Engineering and why is it that?" Asked Todd.

Melody chuckled. "I could no sooner pick a favorite star in the sky. I envy you though. A future wife, possible children, A family. You are living the dream. The best part is your still at the very beginning with many happy years to enjoy it." She sighed wistfully and finished her beer and waved the bartender over to bring her anther. "As fun as Engineering is, or even medical advancements for that matter. The world is quite empty without people to share it with. No matter what is going on with your future bride, your going to work through it. Your going to be happy." She smiled at him then. "So how did you two meet?" She asked her curiosity getting the better of her now.

"I asked Maggie out around twenty times around the flight deck over the year. I annoyed her, but I could tell. There was something… And then one day she said If it would make me stop.” He chuckled. “Love is funny.”

Hewitt burped a bit and excused himself. He then swallowed, asking in return. "Why. What makes that so ideal for love? You can walk out this door, tonight, and end up bumping into your husband."

Melody chuckled. "I highly doubt that." There was something sad in her tone, in her eyes as she spoke. It shifted quickly as though it had never been there. "I tend to be quiet invisible when I'm not on stage."

Todd leaned back in his chair, the faint creak of the wood mingling with the hum of the ship’s engines. He studied Melody for a moment, catching the fleeting shadow in her eyes before it vanished behind her quick smile. Her words lingered, and he felt a tug of curiosity mixed with something softer, like the instinct to tread carefully.

“Invisible, huh?” Hewitt said. His voice low but warm to keep things light. “Gotta say. That’s hard to believe. Someone who lights up a stage like you do? You’re probably turning heads even when you’re trying to slip through the shadows.” Todd took a sip of his drink… letting the moment settle. Todd leaned forward slightly, his tone softening. “But I get it. Love’s funny, like you said. It’s not always about bumping into someone on a starship corridor. Sometimes it’s about someone seeing you—really seeing you—when you’re not even trying to be seen.”

Melody’s smile softened as her eyes lingered on Hewitt, her usual playful sharpness giving way to something warmer, gentler. “You’re sweet, you know that?” she said, a hint of genuine gratitude lacing her tone. “I mean, you’re out here trying to convince me there’s magic waiting just around the corner, and honestly, I think that’s kind of lovely.”

She leaned back slightly, her fingertips tracing the rim of her glass as if collect her thoughts. “I guess I’ve always believed love’s a little more complicated than fate and chance meetings. It’s… seeing someone, really seeing them. Not just when they’re shining, but especially when they dim a little.”
Her expression softened further, a small, almost bashful laugh slipping from her. “Still, thanks for reminding me that sometimes, love might be closer than I think. Maybe I’ll try looking a little harder, huh?” She lifted her glass ever so slightly toward him in quiet acknowledgment. “To the hopeful hearts out there trying their best.” she offered.

He raised his glass in acknowledgement as well. Taking a sip of the drink and looking at the glow of the lights on the stage. "You know the saying... El Aurian's are Listeners. But more than listening... We notice subtlies that take years, decades, a hundred years. "Doctor. Melody..." I sense your connection, I sense your energies. To many that is a powerful suble light within you. If you were on El-Auria you could be classified as an 'AL-Kin'TA.' A child respectively, with a hundred year soul. Its takes radiance of energies, and your body has learned this whether you realize it or not, those energies are quite charming. "I'll take you to El-Auria sometime. You would be very welcomed by many Males." He winked in serious.

Melody apricated his kind words. "Well hopefully they will be as handsome and well spoken as you if I have any luck." She responded in her usual sweet way.

“Well. Dr. Hawthorne. It has been nice to meet you. You have a Fantastic Voice, might I add.” Todd smiled friendly.

“Thank you for your company. If you ever need time to speak with a friend, just let me know. I am all years.” Hewitt fondly said as he got up from his chair and finished the bottom of the drink.

“See you around, Dr. Hawthorne.” Todd then slowly let himself out of the lounge. The scene was quiet and dimly lit, bathed in amber.

She watched him go her head titled slightly she gave a light wave to his retreating figure. She wasn't sure if she had helped him any with that problem of his. Actually, she was pretty sure she hadn't. Letting out a soft sigh she promised herself to be more mindful in the future. Moving as though in a dance she made her way back up to the stage. His compliment still lingering. She had a fantastic voice he said. Well then shed share it with everyone else a bit more. At least she had made a new friend. So that was something worth singing about.

[OFF]




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