Mac'hla stood at attention amongst their fellow crewmen.
A visit to earth meant a visit from family. But Mac'hla knew, deep down, there would be no one there to tap her out. No one would come up to her and touch her shoulder, or offer her a hug.
They were stuck on Vulcan, unable to travel due to being seen as a risk.
She would be left, standing alone.
As their crewmen slowly dissipated, walking off with their family, they remained at attention.
Until they were the last one standing.
They remained at attention, eyes burning.
Chekov laughed with his father and turned around to see his friend standing alone in the bright sun.
His heart sank.
"I'll be right back, dad." he said, and ran off into the courtyard.
Mac'hla saw him approaching in their peripheral vision, but still, they remained unmoved.
Chekov stood in front of her, still not touching her, and stood at attention as well.
"Lieutenant Mac'hla Ophelia Calliope Tirok-Elior," he said, admintendly struggling with their full name, "I think it is time you tapped out."
He gently put his hand on her shoulder, but she did not move.
He tilted his head, a little sadly, "Mags, you always have a family here. My... my sister."
Mac'hla broke and practically jumped into his arms, earning a delighted laugh from their friend.
A smile crept onto her lips and she buried her face in the crook of his neck, eyes brimming with tears.
Though moments before they had felt an empty pit building inside of them, it had been filled by this gesture from their friend.
Their brother.
