AJ entered the observation lounge and took a deep breath. He wasn’t sure what Elena wanted back when she called, you didn’t leave her waiting.

“AJ.” Elena sat in a chair, one leg over the side. She raised the glass in her hand as she pointed to an empty chair. She always had that way of making herself at home. She looked at his arm, “I was hoping you had something better than this,” she said looking at the replicator.

AJ dug a small bottle of whiskey out from under his arm. “Better than your average replicator swill.” He shook the bottle.

She took the bottle, as she read the label. Pouring herself a glass, “I’ll let it slide this time, Captain” she winked. “So… Galileo. How’s she treating you?”

AJ leaned against the window, “We lost people, Elena.” He drank. “Liz… she’s gone. There’s a normal now, but I’m not sure I’m used to it yet.”

Elena stood up, “You carry that weight without complaining. Liz would’ve…” Her grin flickered. “…screamed at everyone until they did what she wanted. You? You survived. That counts for more than most people realize.”

“Maybe,” he said. “Maybe it just says I’m stubborn.”

Elena laughed and poured herself another drink. “Stubborn or smart. Either way, you survived. And that’s what matters.”

He looked out the window. “Yeah. Calm doesn’t come easy after the Vaadwaur.”

“No,” she said, tilting her glass. “Mission first, right? Shackleton Expanse. Exploration. Quiet… hopefully maybe even boring. For a week or two, at least.”

AJ snorted. “Quiet. That’s always the warning, quiet? Then something wakes up. Always does.”

“Some things never change,” she said.

“I’m still me,” he grinned, “At least I’ve got Delar at my side. He’s different. He’s patient, methodical, and not Liz. Not even close.”

“Not your style,” she questioned. “He’s a mentor, a teacher, and that might be exactly what the crew needs now.”

AJ shrugged, “Maybe. Worry he’s too patient.”

“It’s different,” she said. “Good different. You carried them through chaos. Now you’ve got someone to help guide them through calm.”

“We’ll try,” he said, quietly. “After the Oberon and now the Yager, calm was going to be difficult.”

“You’re not alone,” Elena said, “You’ve got me. Always.”

It was a small gesture, but their years of friendship was a comfort. “I know,” he said.

She didn’t push, didn’t talk. Eventually, she stood, smoothed her uniform. “I should let you get back to your ship,” she said. “But one last thing, my friend.”

AJ raised an eyebrow.

“Take care of them,” she said. “Not just the ship. Your crew. They’ll need a captain who remembers what matters.”

AJ nodded. “Always, Elena. Always.”

She smiled as she left. He took a slow sip of whiskey, letting it warm his chest. The Galileo waited, full of promise. The past wouldn’t disappear. Hiding in the past wasn’t going to help. For the first time in months, AJ knew he had to face that past in order to move forward.