Career Change (TPF)

Aniela stared at the screen and read the words again, Administrative Discharge – General. She got lucky thanks to her family connections but was never going to serve in the UNSC ever again. Her father wasn’t happy with the fact she almost got slapped with a Dishonorable Discharge. Fighting the JAG Corps for a Medical angle didn’t fly, especially when ONI wanted to make an example of her actions.
Looking at the result, she was glad to get away with the Administrative Discharge. Yet, a whole new wave of guilt hit her. What seemed like a thrilling romantic adventure, Aniela turned it into something that almost ruined Samuel’s career. She was in a romantic relationship with a direct subordinate and using her rank to help his career. In  the name of love, she almost took someone down with her.
“Do you regret what you did?” Her father asked as they rode back to her house.
She only stared out the window and watched Naval Station Mindoro fly by. The base she called home was being stripped away from her. Aniela needed to find a new place to live and search for a job, but she needed to make things right with Sam.
“Which part?” She responded after a long silence.
“Where you risked your partner’s career, placed yourself in a position where you could’ve gotten a dishonorable discharge, and didn’t call for help until you were neck deep in shit?”
Aniela hated being reminded of her poor decision-making. She didn’t want to deal with the lecturing from her father about the importance of integrity and whatever else he had drummed up.
“Yes, I regret it.”
“Good.” He said before looking back out the window. “As you’re probably aware, Section Zero ripped apart your house. We were able to gather what was left and placed it in a storage facility for the time being.”
“Fuckers.” She muttered under her breath. “What happened to Sam?”
Looking away from the window and towards Aniela. “Section Zero tried to turn him against you, they failed. They ripped his room apart. Luckily your brother was there, or someone was going to disappear. He was moved back to the barracks until his new CO stepped in.”
Aniela clenched her fists and tried to hold her anger in. “Where is he now?”
“Where we’re heading.”
She blinked at him then realized what was happening. “We’re going there? Now?”
“Of course. I figured you want to make amends to him.” He said with a slight smile.
“I don’t know if that’s a good idea.”
Aniela saw him frown and turned to stare back out the window. She wanted to see him, but she also didn’t. The idea of getting yelled at by him about what she did was something Aniela didn’t want to deal with. But she also wanted to be with him.
“We’re going there. If it’s bad, you can come home. But you’re not going home until you talk to him.”
She sunk into her seat as the vehicle pulled onto the street. Aniela hadn’t thought about what she wanted to say. As the car stopped, she looked at the house and then back down at her hands. It felt impossible to get out of the car and she found the strength to make it to the door.
Three knocks later, Aniela faced Samuel and watched as his facial expression changed from curious to excitement to frustration. Allowing her in, he waved to her father and closed the door.
“Are you ok?”
Aniela didn’t know what to say, she didn’t know where to start.
“Yeah. I guess you could say that after you get discharged.” She said before looking up at him. “Are you mad at me?”
“At first, yes.” She frowned hearing that. “But now, no.”
Upon hearing the revelation of his feelings towards her, Aniela hugged him tightly and buried her head into his shoulder. Once she felt his arms around her, she knew everything was going to work out.
“Thank you.” She said before enjoying the hug and knowing she was safe with him.
Category:The Weekly Winners