Fault Lines

Posted on Sat Jan 3rd, 2026 @ 10:37am by Lieutenant Jaina Zalla & Commander Wesley Evans

1,236 words; about a 6 minute read

Mission: Respite

The gym was blessedly empty. That suited Jaina perfectly since it seemed that solitude was the only thing keeping her from breaking apart. She launched punch after punch into the punching bag with relentless force, each strike a barely contained release of frustration. The bag recoiled violently under the barrage, the anchor overhead groaning in protest. Sweat beaded down her temples, and her breathing was coming out in harsh, uneven bursts. Every blow was an attempt to silence the echo of Commander Alesia Harrington’s voice and the painful and somewhat bitter memory that had led Jaina to the gym. Jaina’s fists slammed harder. The bag swung back unexpectedly, forcing her off balance. She caught herself, palms pressed to the leather, her forehead dropping forward, eyes shut in pain and frustration.

“I hate this,” she muttered. “I hate this.”

Wesley hadn’t come to the gym expecting anyone to be present. His intention was nothing more dramatic than escaping Sickbay for an hour to clear the fog that had built behind his eyes. The last thing he expected was to find the ship’s Chief of Security punishing a punching bag like it owed her money. He set his gym bag on the bench and watched for a moment until she paused before he spoke with a quiet voice that cut through the stillness. “That’s obvious.”

Jaina spun around, her muscles snapping into readiness mode only for her to see Commander Evans standing just inside there. She felt some of the tension in her body loosen, but she still felt on edge.

Wesley raised his hands in a friendly manner while offering a cautious smile. “I didn’t mean to intrude. I just wanted to make sure the equipment wasn’t about to file an abuse report.”

Jaina glared, though exhaustion softened the sharp edge a little. “It’s fine,” she said as she forced her breathing into a normal pattern.

Wesley studied her expression carefully, too closely perhaps, but years in medicine and experience made it impossible for him to miss the signs. The tension in her stance and the grief simmering just under the surface. “It’s not fine,” he said gently. “I recognize pain when I see it.”

Jaina bristled. “You don’t know what’s going on, so don't even pretend that you do,” she snapped, perhaps harsher than she meant to.

“I’m not here as your doctor,” Wesley replied. “I’m simply here because I couldn’t sleep.”

Jaina blinked, surprised at first. But the anger returned quickly, only this time she managed to shrug it off. “Join the club,” she said, the edge finally leaving her voice.

Wesley gestured toward the weights. “Mind if I work out here too?”

Jaina hesitated, then stepped back from the bag. “Do what you want,” she said.

Wesley took the space she allowed, moving toward a weight bench. He didn’t push and he didn’t pry. He had decided to just let the quiet settle between them while he began a set.

After a long stretch of silence, Jaina's voice finally broke it. “Evans.”

Surprised, Wesley paused mid rep and looked over at the lieutenant. “Yes?”

Jaina stared at the floor for several seconds before speaking. “Do you know what Harrington said? When she ended things?”

Wesley looked up, his expression softening. “No, I'm afraid I don't,” he said.

“She said she wasn’t leaving because the love between us was gone. She said that we were never going to last. That she couldn't pretend anymore,” Jaina laughed under her breath, although it was a low, bitter sound. Her fists tightened at the memory. “As if I was just something to distract her and then throw away,” she snarled.

Wesley set the weights down and moved a little closer, not enough to crowd her but enough to show he was listening. “Love isn't meant to be a distraction,” he said.

“Apparently it was to her,” Jaina drew in a shaky breath, the muscles in her jaw trembling. “I thought we had something real. That she wanted me. That there was a chance for something real between us.” Her voice finally cracked, barely audible. “I don’t know what to do except feel that I did something. That it's my fault.”

Wesley approached slowly and carefully, aware of every shift in her posture. “Breakups hurt,” he said softly. “Especially the ones where the love doesn’t disappear, even if the relationship does.” He gently set a comforting hand to her shoulder, a light and respectful gesture.

Jaina tensed beneath the touch, not in resistance, but as though the contact hit a nerve she’d been trying to keep hidden.

Wesley immediately pulled back. “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean...”

“No,” she whispered. “Don’t stop.”

Wesley hesitated. “Jaina... you’re hurting. I don’t want to make this worse.”

“You’re not,” Jaina said softly. “You’re being here.”

Wesley's voice dropped to something quieter. “Being here might be dangerous.”

“For who?” Jaina asked.

“For both of us,” Wesley answered, trying to figure out a safe way out of the situation that was forming that wouldn't end up with either of them being hurt.

Jain stepped closer, her breath mingling with his. “Maybe danger is what I need tonight,” she said softly.

Wesley swallowed, unsure. “We should think about this...” he started.

“I’ve been thinking,” Jaina interrupted. “I've been thinking for days and all it’s done is hurt. I need something else.” Her fingers brushed his wrist, one small, trembling point of contact. “I just want to feel something else.”

Wesley searched her eyes, seeing the truth behind her words and actions laid bare. Slowly, he let his forehead rest against hers. There were no words, no promises, just a shared understanding and need.

Jaina tilted her face and pressed her lips to his, the movement hesitant but seeking.

Wesley didn’t stop her, not this time. He returned the kiss, gentle at first but with a growing need.

Some time later, the gym was quiet again. The punching bag swayed faintly from an earlier blow. A scattering of gym towels and uniform pieces marked a trail across the floor that only made sense to the two of them.

Breathing steadily, Jaina lay with her head resting against Wesley’s shoulder, her muscles finally relaxed for the first time in days.

Wesley brushed a stray lock of hair from her forehead. “We’re going to have to talk about this,” he murmured.

“Not yet,” she replied, eyes closed.

He nodded. “Not yet,” he said. "But we should at least get dressed and maybe tidy up the gym before someone else decides to visit."

Jaina's eyes widened as if she finally realized where she was. Muttering a quick "Oh, no!" she tried to stand, only to fail as her legs were still tangled with the commander's. She finally managed to separate their bodies before grabbing her uniform. "I'm sorry," she started, but broke off.

Wesley smiled and reached for his underwear. "I'll tidy up the gym," he said. "You go get some rest, and some sleep. Doctor's orders," he said.

Jaina blushed, but she nodded and finished dressing before heading to the doors quickly. She wasn't sure what to think, in fact her mind was almost completely numb. She simply headed out of the gym and towards her quarters.

 

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