The Path Forward

Posted on Thu Oct 9th, 2025 @ 5:19pm by Senior Chief Petty Officer Jadizon Enor & Lieutenant JG Kally Kellerman

Mission: Lower Decks
Location: Jadizon's Quarters
Timeline: Morning After Generational Perspective

Kally walked down the corridor with some spring in her step. Time to reflect, to think and to be with both Jadizon and Cally, not to mention some time at work to get her mind off things, had helped her crystalize a few core truths for herself.

So, she'd gotten up early, tracked down Michelle, charmed a favor from her, and was now walking to Jadizon's quarters holding a case that contained something more precious than latinum. She rang the chime and waited.

The chime sounded, and Jadizon, still half-buttoning his uniform jacket, glanced at the door with a furrowed brow. “Enter,” he called.

Kally grinned as she stepped inside and the doors closed behind her. "Hey," she said.

When the doors slid open and Kally stepped through, case in hand, his eyes immediately dropped to it before lifting back to her face. His tone was curious, edged with that gruff caution he wore whenever things felt heavier than they looked. “That’s either trouble in a box… or something you’ve been thinking real hard about.”

He nodded toward the case, one brow raised. “So which is it?”

"Have you met Michelle? She's the bartender in the main lounge. Absolute angel. And she managed to rustle me up some real coffee. Not replicated." She opened the case to reveal a container of steaming hot perfection. "Can I buy you a cup?"

Jadizon froze when the case opened, eyes locking on the steam curling up from the container. For a heartbeat, he didn’t say anything, just inhaled the rich aroma like a man trying to convince himself it was real.

“…That’s not replicated,” he finally muttered, almost accusingly, as if daring her to prove him wrong. His brow furrowed, but the corner of his mouth twitched, threatening a grin. “You really walked in here with the holy grail of caffeine?”

"Pretty sure I covered all that, yes," she said, sticking her tongue out. "And the fact that you're repeating me says you definitely need it." She pulled the carafe out of the thermal case and set it on his table, then went and replicated some mugs and a small container of cream.

He leaned back slightly, still cautious, still measuring. “Careful, you know a gift like this could get you tied into more than you bargained for.”

"Well given we start our shifts in thirty minutes, tying me up will have to wait until tonight," she teased, setting the mugs down in front of them and pouring out for each of them. She added some cream to hers and passed it over, before sitting down, picking up her mug and savoring the warmth in her hands. She sat back and crossed her legs. "I thought we could talk before the day starts. I've been doing some thinking."

Jadizon wrapped his hands around the mug, letting the warmth soak into his palms before taking a slow sip. He closed his eyes for a second, savoring it, then let out a low hum of approval.

“Damn… that’s the real deal.” He opened his eyes, cutting her a sly glance over the rim of the cup. “Careful, Kalliope, you might just ruin me for replicated swill forever.”

The name slid out casually, almost like it was any other word—his tone steady, deliberate, hoping she wouldn’t catch the weight of it. He leaned back in his chair, setting the mug down with a faint clink.

“You said you’ve been thinking,” he prompted, brow raised. “About us… or about something I’m going to have to chase down in the duty logs today?”

Kally's jaw dropped a bit in shock and she closed it. "About us....but when we're done we're going to add 'punishing Katie for blabbing my real name' to the list." She took a sip of her coffee, buying a moment to try and compose herself, her previous poise and planning slightly derailed by his use of her full name.

"I had a long talk with Cally," she said at last, "and I've talked with Katie, and I've done a lot of thinking." She took another sip. "And what I keep coming back to is largely similar to where I stood before. I love Cally, and I love you. I hadn't...really been able to articulate that before. We both know I'm usually more physically expressive with my affection, but, also...I hadn't really wanted to admit deeper feelings."

She took another sip of her coffee and sighed. "I don't usually have deeper feelings," she said. "You and Cally are in a very special, very unusual position with me--no pun intended," she said mustering up a brief, cheeky smile. "And I think that because this is kind of uncharted territory for me; I didn't know how to handle it or acknowledge it." She blushed slightly, looking down at her mug. "I've never really had a girlfriend before, or a boyfriend, not a serious one. Now, I find myself juggling both. I don't know how...but I want to try."

She licked her lips. "What I proposed before....with Katie, you two are more traditional. With me...we're more open on a limited basis. I meant what I said...I'd scale back my explorations and keep it to those who are close to me. It's not traditional, it's not monogamous, but it gives both of us time to grow. I learn what this whole 'love' thing is about for me, and we still get to be together. And you get to impress a couple other women with your morning workout routine." She gave him another small smile.

She put her coffee down, her smile fading. "But I don't want to hurt you, and I know that you aren't necessarily the open-relationship type, despite our current non-traditional arrangement. You talked about a cost...I need to know what that cost is. Because if trying this means you're hurt, or you and Katie are hurt...then we can't do it. I can't risk hurting her, and I want to cause you as little hurt as possible. I know this isn't the decision you wanted me to make, but it's the thing I can't get past. So, now I ask you...what decision do you want to make? Can we continue to be a non-traditional throuple? Or is this as far as we can go?" She tried not to let her eyes water, but she could feel her heart aching already. She picked her mug back up and hid behind it, taking a sip.

Jadizon sat quiet for a long moment, rolling the coffee in his hands like it might give him the right words. He let out a slow breath through his nose, eyes fixed on the dark liquid before finally lifting them to her.

“You know, Kallio.....Kally," he grinned briefly at the fury in her eyes, "I’ve spent more time staring death in the face than I care to admit. It is simple out there. You either get up or you don’t. You either fight or you let go. What you’re asking me here? This is harder.” He gave a faint shake of his head. “Because it isn’t just my heart on the line. It’s Katie’s. It’s yours.”

He leaned forward, resting his forearms on his knees. “I meant what I said before. I love Katie, and I love you. Not just the physical. Not just the nights we’ve shared. I love both of you in different ways. That is not a line I throw around lightly. And if I have one of you or both of you, it does not change one thing. I will take care of you both. That is my promise.”

He gave a small pause, voice dropping. “But I won’t lie. There is a cost. Every time you step out with someone else, every time I see that look in your eyes and know it’s not for me, it cuts. Maybe not deep enough to break me, but enough to remind me I bleed. I can endure it, but if it ever puts Katie in that same place, that’s where the line is. I won’t let her carry that kind of hurt.”

He straightened a little, meeting her eyes with steady seriousness. “So here’s my answer. We try it your way, carefully, with honesty. I’ll shoulder the weight if it means we all get to grow together. But if it starts breaking Katie? Then I draw the line, and you’ll have to decide which way you walk.”

He reached over, brushing a knuckle lightly along her wrist before pulling back. “You asked what decision I want to make. That’s it. I want us. All of us. Non-traditional, messy, complicated as hell. Because I’d rather fight for something real than settle for safe.”

He picked his mug back up, taking a sip, and allowed a ghost of a smirk. “And as for the workout routine… I’ll have you know it impresses more than just a couple women. I’ve had whole security shifts asking how the Chief keeps in shape.” His smirk faded, and his eyes softened again. “But jokes aside, my choice is both of you. That hasn’t changed.”

Kally took her mug and set it on his table, then reached over and took his, setting it down carefully as well. Once they were securely set, she stood up and walked over to him slowly and leaned over, taking his face in her hands and kissing him. "I think then, we've established three core truths," she said, settling into his lap.

"First and foremost," she said, "Katie's happiness is first priority for both of us. Neither of us want her hurt. Secondly, I don't want you bleeding, even a little. I will do everything I can to avoid that. And third..." she smiled at him, brushing her lips against his. "You call me Kalliope in public and I'll knock you flat on your ass." Her smile didn't fade, but her eyes were nearly throwing off sparks.

Jadizon let out a low, satisfied huff as she settled into his lap, one arm sliding around her waist to hold her close. He brushed his thumb across her cheek, eyes warm.

“Three truths, then,” he said, his voice rough but sure. “Katie comes first. I won’t let her get hurt. You won’t be the one bleeding on my watch either. I’ll do everything I can to keep you both safe.”

He gave a crooked smile at her last warning. “As for Kalliope in public, I’ll…” He paused, pretending to think, then leaned in and murmured against her lips, “I’ll call you whatever you let me get away with. Preferably something that keeps me on my feet.”

He kissed her softly and held her there for a moment longer. “Good. We’ll figure the rest out together.”

"Agreed," Kally said, sealing the deal with a kiss.


Joint Post Between:

Senior Chief Petty Officer Jadizon Enor
Chief of the Boat
USS Chimera

&

Lieutenant(JG) Kally Kellerman
Chief Medical Officer
USS Chimera