### *Tobias: Closed Doors*

The next morning, Tobias found himself sitting in Felicity’s small living area on the Epsilon Nebula Outpost. She had managed to sneak him in unnoticed, providing him with a proper meal and a place to rest for the first time in days. For a brief moment, he felt like things might be turning around.

But that fragile hope was shattered when the door to the quarters opened, and two imposing figures entered. Felicity’s parents—both high-ranking Starfleet officers—walked in, their expressions stern and disapproving. Tobias immediately recognized them from his brief time at the Starfleet base: Admiral Celeste Irwin, her black-and-white tuxedo fur as neat and polished as her uniform, and Commander Vincent Irwin, a tall, silver-furred fox with piercing green eyes.

Felicity’s ears flattened slightly as they entered, but she stood her ground. “Mom, Dad, I can explain—”

“You don’t need to explain,” Admiral Irwin said sharply, her gaze snapping to Tobias. “We already know who he is.”

---

### *The Confrontation*

Tobias stood, feeling the weight of their disapproving stares. “Admiral, Commander,” he said awkwardly, his voice low. “I didn’t mean to cause any trouble.”

“Trouble?” Commander Irwin’s voice was cold. “You stowed away on a Starfleet vessel, endangered its crew, and violated every protocol we uphold. That’s more than trouble, young man—that’s criminal behavior.”

Tobias clenched his fists, his ears flattening in frustration. “I know what I did was wrong,” he said, his voice firm. “But I was desperate. I didn’t have anywhere else to go.”

“That’s no excuse,” Admiral Irwin said, her tone unyielding. “Desperation doesn’t give you the right to break the law. And now you’re dragging our daughter into this mess.”

“Mom!” Felicity snapped, stepping between Tobias and her parents. “Tobias isn’t dragging me into anything. I’m helping him because he needs it. Isn’t that what Starfleet is supposed to do? Help people?”

Admiral Irwin’s eyes narrowed. “Starfleet helps those who show integrity and accountability, not those who disregard the law. This young man has made his choices, and now he has to live with the consequences.”

---

### *Tobias Speaks Up*

Tobias took a deep breath, stepping forward despite the intimidating presence of Felicity’s parents. “Look, I get it,” he said, his voice steady. “I messed up. I broke the law, and I’ve lost everything because of it. My rank, my home, my future—I lost it all. But I didn’t do it because I wanted to hurt anyone. I did it because I had no other choice.”

Commander Irwin’s gaze softened slightly, but his voice remained firm. “And what do you expect from us? Sympathy? A free pass? That’s not how the world works, Tobias.”

“I’m not asking for a free pass,” Tobias said, his tail flicking behind him. “I just... I just want a chance to figure things out. A chance to fix what I’ve broken.”

---

### *A Hard Refusal*

Admiral Irwin crossed her arms, her expression unwavering. “Felicity, I understand your desire to help, but this is not your responsibility. Tobias needs to face the consequences of his actions, and you need to stay out of it.”

“But Mom—”

“No,” Admiral Irwin said firmly. “This discussion is over. Tobias cannot stay here, and you are not to involve yourself further. Is that clear?”

Felicity’s ears flattened, her face a mix of frustration and defeat. “Yes, ma’am,” she said through gritted teeth.

Tobias looked down, the weight of the rejection settling heavily on his shoulders. He had expected this, but it didn’t make it any easier to bear.

---

### *A Quiet Departure*

As Felicity’s parents left the room, Tobias turned to her, his voice quiet. “Thanks for trying. I didn’t mean to cause trouble for you.”

Felicity shook her head, her expression defiant. “This isn’t over, Tobias. I’ll find a way to help you, with or without their approval.”

Tobias managed a small, bitter smile. “You’re stubborn, you know that?”

“Always,” Felicity said with a faint grin. “Just hang tight. We’ll figure something out.”

As Tobias left the quarters, blending back into the shadows of the station’s corridors, he couldn’t help but feel the sting of rejection once again. The doors to a better future seemed to keep closing, one after another. But Felicity’s determination gave him a sliver of hope—a reminder that even in the darkest times, he wasn’t entirely alone. 

For now, though, he would have to rely on his own wits to survive.