LtCo Sili and LtCo T’Penne rode the turbolift down to Engineering in silence. Sili didn’t know what her problem was. She had been in stressful moments like these with little to no rest before so she didn’t understand why she was now having a hard time shaking everything off this time. She looked to her right and saw the Vulcan standing tall and straight as usual, unbothered by everything happening around her. The pressure must have finally reached its boiling point because she now found herself ready to punch a wall or anything to get out of the turbolift.

LtCo Sili let out a grunt and punched the wall of the turbolift to her left. A rash decision that she immediately regretted. She winced and grabbed the knuckles of the right hand and rubbed softly. “Damnit!” she exclaimed.

LtCo T’Penne heard the grunt and lifted her left brow. She turned her head towards her First Officer and noticed the tension. “Are you alright?” she inquired.

“NO, I am not alright,” Sili exclaimed. “Can’t you see I hurt my hand?” she yelled and was taken aback at the loudness of her own voice. She didn’t even give T’Penne a chance to respond before she spoke again. “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to raise my voice at you. I’m not sure why I’m so bothered but apparently I need to take a moment.”

“It’s quite alright. I was unbothered so there is no need to apologize. Would you like to talk about whatever it is? I’m a good listener.” T’Penne offered.

“Honestly?” Sili said through a slight chuckle. “I must be worse off than I thought if the Vulcan is trying to counsel me.” Sili stopped the chuckling and took a deep breath before straightening her uniform.

“I will provide counsel if needed but I only offered a listening ear, if I recall.” T’Penne stated nonchalantly.

Sili couldn’t help herself. Maybe she was delirious and losing her mind. Maybe it was the straight face that T’Penne said it with. Or maybe she did just actually find the Vulcan to be funny. Regardless of the cause, she found herself laughing hysterically.

The Vulcan watched with no expression on her face. Occasionally, one of her eyebrows would lift and she would shift her head out of curiosity. Once the laughter began to die down, T’Penne finally spoke. “Emotions continue to baffle me. I fear I will never quite understand them despite my many inquiries into the subject.”

“Let me know when and if you ever do figure them out. I could use a few pointers myself,” Sili stated a little out of breath. “Even though you didn’t mean to make me laugh, thank you for the laughter. It was apparently just what I needed.”

“You are quite welcome. Though, if you are struggling you should speak to the Captain. I have found her to be a reasonable woman and I’m confident she will help you,” T’Penne offered.

“Thank you. I think you are right. I didn’t handle the news we received on the bridge well and I’m afraid I’ve messed up royally. I should apologize and speak to the Captain. If it’s okay with you, I will head off to do that now.”

“Sure, go ahead. I will handle the Engineering bit. I am the Chief Engineering Officer after all.” T’Penne blurted out.

“Was that your attempt at a joke, T’Penne? It could use some work.” Sili stated and then offered a small wink. “Thank you and I will notify the Captain right away.

The turbolift dinged that it had arrived at Engineering and the doors opened. LtCo T’Penne stepped out and offered the Vulcan salute to Sili just as the door closed again. First Officer Sili ordered the turbolift to return to the bridge and found herself comforted by the silence.

As she rode in silence back to the bridge, Sili took the moments to regain her composure. She knew that the past few months had been stressful but she had not quite realized the full extent until today. This type of behavior was not like her and she felt as though she had completely failed the Captain in her duties as First Officer. She determined that she would ask to speak with the Captain in private right away and that she would accept whatever consequences that came her way as a result of her behaviors.

The familiar ding sounded and she stepped through the door to the bridge. She found everyone staring at her. “Ah, First Officer Sili. Just who I needed to see. I was about to call for you. I have a mission for you.” Captain Harper looked at her with a slight smile on her face and a knowing look.

LtCo Sili stood just a little taller as her confidence rose. The Captain wasn’t mad at her and clearly still trusted her. Maybe the conversation with the Captain would have to wait but now she looked forward to it. She tilted her chin just a tad higher as she spoke. “Aye, Captain. I am ready.”