Friendship Rekindled

Posted on Mon Jun 30th, 2025 @ 9:32am by Lieutenant Amber Laurell & Lieutenant Joshua Silas

1,307 words; about a 7 minute read

Mission: Short Treks
Location: Amber's Quarters
Timeline: Current

Joshua Silas, newly arrived on the Enterprise was beside himself. The news was too good to be true! Amber, Amber Laurell was also aboard the Enterprise as a counselor. It had been years since he had seen her, not since Kurt's funeral. It was time to rekindle their close friendship. He quickly located his quarters and after storing his gear and making sure he wasn't pulling a shift, he located Amber's quarters and hurried to them. Arriving, he took a deep breath, straightened his tunic, wiped his sweaty palms on the back of his pants (he couldn't believe he was nervous) and taking a deep breath pressed the door chime. As he waited he turned his back to the door so he could truly surprise Amber. He hoped she was as glad to see him as he was about finding her.

Amber was busy unpacking her belongings when the door chime rang, walking across to the door she could sense waves of nervousness, excitement, and a whole jumble of other emotions. As the door swished open she stood for a moment, “Can I…?” She paused. “Josh?”

He turned to face her, a bright smile on his face. "The one and only. Hiya Amber!" He answered happily. "Long time no see." As he opened his arms to hug her.

Amber happily accepted the hug as she stepped towards Josh, giving him a hug in return. “It’s been a while, please come in.” She stepped back motioning for him to follow her.

"Thanks Amber." Josh answered as he followed her back into her quarters. "And yes it has been awhile." His voice taking on a more somber tone and quality.

“Not since…” Amber paused her smile fading somewhat. They’d last seen each other the day she said her final goodbyes to Kyle. “Please make yourself at home.” She walked over to the replicator, she still remembered Josh’s favourite drink so she replicated them both a drink and brought his back over to him.

"'I'm sorry Amber. I didn't mean to ruin the mood, put a damper on a happy moment. Please forgive me." He finished as he was truly sorry for casting a pall over their reunion. He accepted the drink from her and sat on the couch.

“No, it’s not your fault.” Amber offered a warmer smile. “I’ve moved on, I’ve had to. Not that I’ve bothered finding anyone else, I’ve just concentrated on my career instead.”

Josh smiled. His emotions were rampant. He was right here in front of her! He would always be there for her. Could Amber not see he more than liked her as a friend?

Amber could indeed see, and feel what Josh was feeling, but right now she wasn’t ready to start something that might not go anywhere. “Josh I…” she paused. “You know I can feel what you’re feeling, right?”

Josh had been staring at his drink when Amber spoke to him, saying she could feel what he was feeling. "Good. I want you to know Amber." He answered slowly, "I want you to know how I feel about you. How I've always felt about you. I apologize for saying this to you now but I wanted you to know and I didn't want to hold it in anymore." He looked at her, "I can't be Kurt. I can only be the best Josh, I know how to be."

Amber nodded and offered a smile. “We always did get along well didn’t we? Kurt used to tease me about the fact that if he wasn’t around, that we’d be good together.” She paused.

Josh offered a small smile. "Yes, we always did get along well and if you agree, I'd like us to continue to take the next step. In our friendship."

Amber offered a nod of her head. “I’d like for us to get to know each other again, and see how it goes from there. We always did get along well together didn’t we?”

Josh nodded his head in agreement. "That sounds good to me as well Amber." He nodded his head again, "We sure did and we're going to be even better at getting along. Just you wait and see." Josh assured her with a bright smile.

Amber smiled warmly motioning Josh to take a seat. “So tell me what you’ve been up to since I last saw you.”

"Well, I worked for a bit as a private pilot, flying charters. It was great fun. got to see lots of famous places I never would have seen but It was missing something, I didn't feel fulfilled, so I applied to Starfleet Academy, got accepted and here I am! What about you? What have you been up to?"

“I’ve been flying the universe aboard various Starships” Amber grinned. “I always wondered what it would be like to serve aboard a starship as important as the Enterprise and here I am! Here we both are! This is my first assignment as Chief Counsellor, so it’s a big responsibility.”

Josh flashed a warm smile at her. "Not too big for you. You can handle anything that comes your way. I am sure and confident of that. Besides, you need to settle down, stay in once place for a while."

Amber nodded. “I’ll admit it would be nice to be able to stay for longer than a couple of years, I seem to have been constantly moving. I’d like a real chance to settle properly.”

Josh's smile grew as Amber spoke. "Here's your chance to settle down, stop running. Give yourself a chance to live again Amber. I'm here, I'll help you."

Amber nodded. “I think I’d like that Josh, thank you.”

Josh gave an answering nod. "You are welcome. Life is more enjoyable when you have someone to share it with and problems don't seem so large when you can talk to someone about them."

“That’s very true. It would be nice to spend some time with you rather than be on my own.” Amber offered a warmer smile.

Josh grinned bright and wide, "Say no more, you don't need to worry about being alone anymore starting now."

Amber nodded. "So, how long have you been aboard the Enterprise?"

Josh chuckled softly, "Just a few months. I transferred on at the last lay over it had. So we're both newbie Amber. We can explore and learn the ship together. Exploring is always better when you have someone to share it with."

“That’s true” Amber nodded. “In that case let’s meet up later and do some exploring. Right now I have to get through a load of files.”

Josh nodded, "Sure thing," He said brightly. He was a little disappointed to be nicely pushed out but he hid it. He realized Amber had a lot of work to and that he was being selfish. "We'll meet up later."

“Ohh Josh!” Amber felt a tinge of what Josh was feeling. “I’m sorry if that felt like I was pushing you out, I really do have work to do, but I want us to spend time together.”

"No Amber, don't be sorry. I'm sorry. I was being selfish. It is just so darn good to see you. I want us to spend time together. So please accept my apology."

“No need” Amber offered a warmer smile as she walked over giving Josh a hug and a kiss on the cheek. “It is good to see you again, I’m glad that you’re here.”

Josh nodded and returned the hug along with a soft kiss on Amber's cheek. "Thank you Amber and it's very good to see you as well." He said as his face broke into a smile.

 

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