Books, and Clues - Part II

Posted on Sun Jan 25th, 2026 @ 10:31pm by Lieutenant Commander Aaron Marcus & Lieutenant Xavier

1,585 words; about a 8 minute read

Previously on Books, and Clues....

Aaron was pretty sure he knew why this Xaiver wanted the information. Now he wanted Xaiver to admit it himself. "What do physical traits have to do with the person you think he is?"

He sighed and studied the doctor and then did something he rarely allowed others to see. He smiled a little. "You, Doctor, have missed your calling in psychology...or rather Holmes has had a good influence on you. I am trying to convince myself that he is not the man I have been corresponding with for the last fifteen years."

And now, the continuation....

And there it was Aaron thought with a smile. There is always a motive, people lie so often that they do not even admit it to themselves. "Very well. You are correct the eye color and lack of spots is unusual for a Trill but it is not unheard of. There are variances in the species as there are in any species."

"But rare enough that knowing two trills with the same...variances is unlikely." He sighed. He sighed. "May I ask you a personal question?"

"You can ask. Like with anyone else I reserve the right to not answer." Aaron said and then added to himself that he also reserved to the right to simply tell them anything he felt like.

"You and I are similar in our...introverted qualities. How do you handle putting yourself out there?" He truly wanted to know. He had a decision to make.

The question actually made Aaron laugh inwardly. Fact was he was not an introvert, he just didn't feel like anyone was worth his time. Although, Aaron knew better than most that simply telling Xavier that would not make this go away. So, he came up with an answer. "Simply put Lieutenant I don't. I don't put myself out there at all. I prefer to be in my office by myself working. Hell I would rather be there right now. Truth is people lie, they cheat, they are generally horrible. To that end they will only look out for themselves. Present company included."

Xavier sat there digesting. "I agree with your assessment. I do try not to only look out for myself but perhaps my past has...made me somewhat walled thus causing some selfishness in that respect." He stopped. "Fascinating. Are you certain you are not a therapist?"

"Therapists are useless, spineless, and well less when compared to me." Aaron was not a therapist, although he did study some psychology in med school. Almost all medical students did. However, it was his rubix complex that drove him to want to talk about others' problems, he had to solve everything he could.

"May I get your analysis on something then? In all honestly I trust you to be objective more then the counselor...she seems to be a romantic rather then a level headed person."

Now Xavier spoke Aaron's language. Amanda was one who should have never been given any sort of medical license, psychological or otherwise. "Well, my friend I am all ears. And believe me when I tell you I never hold back when it comes to analysis."

"How do you evaluate if a pursuit is ... worth perusing? How does one choose between logic and other aspects of the self?"

Aaron popped a French fry off his plate and into his mouth. Then while he chewed he spoke "The first question is always are they hot? That trumps everything." He smiled, his face turned a tad more serious although the smirk was still there. "The thing that separates everyone from Vulcans is simple. We learned to integrate emotion into our logic, they did not or choose not. That said if the pursuit will make you happy, even for a short time, then it is always worth pursuing. Take it from someone who knows a lot about happiness." For a moment Aaron's thoughts wandered to a point when he was happy. A point before doctor's ruined his life. His eyes drifted to the cane that leaned up against the wall next to him.

Xavier's eyes were drawn to the cane. "Doctor first, I do not know how you knew I was talking about a person rather than a thing...your deductive reasoning and capabilities rival Holmes' and second may I speak freely?"

Aaron's eyes narrowed at the question to speak freely. On the one hand Aaron did not want to answer anything about himself, or anything that he simply did not want to answer. On the other hand he did outrank Xavier and the request could have simply been protocol. "You may. However, I may not answer." That was his go to answer to the speak freely question.

"I will not ask anything. Simply state it and if you wish to take it you will if you do not you won't. I trust you be an intelligent and capable man who knows himself." He paused. "That all said, there is no reason for you not to be happy. Do not punish yourself for the past nor deny yourself a future. From knowing you in this little time I know you deserve happiness and if that happiness is attained from keeping the crew at a distance then do it for happiness sake not out of fear or self chastisement." He sighed. "That said feel free to tell me to um...bugger off, as Human's would say."

Aaron turned back to Xavier his face a tad darker, his mood turned foul. This change was not directed at Xavier per se, it was directed at Xavier's comments. "I was happy... Once... Then the happiness was taken from me by utter incompetence. I keep the crew at an arm's length not out of happiness. I do it because it is what people deserve. All people, and I do mean each and every soul in the galaxy is, to put it simply, horrible. So I keep people at arm's reach for my own sanity's sake."

"I get that. I tended towards that, to a certain extent I still do." He paused. "I know of two people that are not horrible. My friend Kerberos and you doctor....er...and the Commander and the Captain...and the engineer...jury is still out on the counselor." He paused. "Oh and Zero is not horrible, never was, even at the Academy he was a nice person."

If one did not know better one may have thought that Aaron was bipolar with the speed that his mood changed. Just like that he was back to his normal self. "Being nice, being competent, or anything else does not make you not horrible. I guarantee you that each and every person you just mentioned has wished someone dead, someone gone, wanted to do something that would be considered a horrible act. Hell I believe everyone would do anything for the right kind of reward." He paused and thought about the list that Xavier made. Aaron Marcus had never been placed on a list of nice people, he was not sure if he liked it or not. To cover his thoughts he took another fry and tossed it in his mouth. "As for me I am not nice, never was, never will be. I am entirely too smart to be nice."

His lips twitched. "Well, we shall agree to disagree. I find you both smart well more like brilliant and nice." He sighed. "I may also end up dating your nurse."

Now this got Aaron's attention. "No... Which one? Wait, let me guess." He leaned forward and began to scrutinize Xavier. Almost as quickly as Holmes may have arrived at an answer Aaron snapped his fingers. "You sly dog. Tox... Man I hope you do because if anyone needs to get laid more than me its that guy. Well, that and it is entirely possible that a relationship will make him see that not everything is sunshine and rainbows. Either way he will be the hell out of my hair, so its a win for me."

The good doctor had not surprised Xavier with his assessment but the last little bit did and he did something he rarely did. He made a sound that was between a snort and a laugh. "He does tend to be ... somewhat on the cheerful side. Perhaps I am making a mistake but his love of life is one thing that has been a pull for me...for years."

"There is truly no mistakes when it comes to matters of the heart. If you have feelings in any way for Tox then go for it. If it does not work you will see that I am right and you would have learned something." Aaron took another fry and then as an afterthought continued speaking. "Who knows? You could prove me wrong. There is a first time for everything."

He gave a nod. "Thank you, Doctor. I am glad to have made a friend like you." He stood. "I shall let you enjoy your meal. Thank you for talking with me."

"No thanks needed. All in a days work. After all someone has to be a Counselor around these parts. Next time you're buying." Aaron shouted the last part as Xavier walked away. Xavier called him friends, Aaron thought that they would have to agree to disagree there.

Lieutenant Commander Aaron Marcus
Chief Medical Officer
USS Ontario

Lieutenant Xavier
Chief Flight Control Officer
USS Ontario

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