"Gratification Delay"
by Ensign Viraj - Operations Officer
and Ensign Annikafiore Szerda - Nurse [NPC]
Location: Sickbay, USS Sulu
Stardate: 57907.25, 09h15
***
"I am tired of Risa," Viraj announced to Nurse Szerda in the private
examination room. The Deltan shrugged off his uniform jacket, and held it
out for her to scan with a tricorder. "During normal Starfleet operations,
I can get by with ease, but, like this, I can't stop second-guessing
camaraderie and casual hugs and empty-flirting. I don't know if my
pheromones are affecting crewmembers or if it's Risa or if it's genuine
interest. I'm just tired of it."
"Then stop putting effort into obsessing over it. Stop coming down to
Sickbay, because I'm not going to check your uniform or your pheromones or
your sweat glands, yet again. Cristobel may have humoured your neuroses,
but he's not here, and I'm not him," Annikafiore insisted harshly, but with
a half-apologetic tone. She didn't want to get bitchy, but she couldn't let
this continue. "I don't care if you're about to visit an orgy on Risa, or
if all of the senior staff gave you glances at that dinner a week ago, or if
you want to spend time in the lounge wearing casual clothing for your verbal
socialisation practices. There's no way that exposure to you, aside from
actual sexual contact, is going to turn anyone - not even Nurse Reese - into
mindless panting sex-bots, who can't get enough of you until it drives them
mad. The effects of casual interaction with you are slight at their
strongest..."
"You don't get it," Viraj interrupted her firmly. Sounding less confident
and more self-conscious, he continued, "Even if you're right, and my
pheromones only affect people slightly, it's not other people who I
don't trust to have restraint, it's myself."
Annikafiore let out a soft sigh, wishing she hadn't ranted at him, as Viraj
avoided eye contact and put his uniform jacket back on. Szerda tapped the
LCARS display on her tricorder, and started, "I can..."
Viraj walked past her to get to the doors. When they opened before him, he
stopped, and without looking to her, asked Annikafiore, "We're still
scheduled to be leaving for DS9 soon, right?"
"As far as I know," Annikafiore responded, and the doors slid shut.
"Shoving Off"
By: Captain Matthew T. Salinger
Commander Lyrr Tayla
Location: Captain's Ready Room, USS Sulu
Stardate 57907.25, 09h15
***
Matt Salinger looked over the top of the padd he'd been looking over,
to Commander Lyrr Tayla on the other side of his desk. She looked up,
noticed him watching, and sat up straighter. Matt smiled. "Looks like
all personnel have been accounted for, so if we leave we won't be
leaving them behind. There are a few I was worried about. Ensigns
Markham and Reese seemed likely candidates, as did, surprisingly,
Ensigns Rax and Mel'chir." He shook his head and sighed. "Looks like
Risa worked its magic once more."
"For some," she pointed out. "From what I've heard, Ensign Farrell
has had his hands full lately, and it hasn't been an all too pleasant
experience. One witness says they saw him bring Ensign Gui to tears
on one occasion - lover's spat, they say."
Matt shook his head and laughed. "Strange times, to be sure," he
said. "We'll have a crew rotation once we reach Deep Space Nine.
Colonel Kira, I imagine, will be more than happy to have some extra
Starfleet officers off her hands." He passed one of the padds over to
her and picked up another. "Starfleet appears to believe we need
additional counsellors. I'm inclined to agree. Dr. Ilan Potts?"
Lyrr searched her memory for the name, then shook her head. "I'm
afraid I'm not too familiar with those in counselling circles."
"He was a big name at the Academy for awhile. Civilian instructor.
Odd little fellow, from what I remember. However, he's a rather
prolific author, if you enjoy reading counselling books. This should
be interesting, at least. Looks like we're also picking up a high-
ranked engineer who will be running some tests in the Gamma
Quadrant...and a new...new Chief Medical Officer."
Lyrr looked down at her padd to hide the pain of O'Shea's departure,
still fresh in her mind, and nodded her head stiffly. "Any idea who
yet?"
"I'm not sure," Matt said. "However, Admiral Jansen keeps threatening
to send Pulaski if I keep getting injured. I told him I'm going to
start wearing Type-III Security Armour to bed, so I should be safe."
"I should hope so," Lyrr replied. "You are not leaving me in command
of this ship again!" She grinned. "Besides, you're better at all this
than I am. You belong in that captain's seat, Matt."
"You held things together very well under the circumstances," Matt
said. "I don't understand the breakdown in discipline however.
That...hopefully it won't happen again. Our brig isn't big enough."
"Maybe it was Risa," Lyrr suggested with a shrug. "We'll see once
we're underway. And if not...I imagine there'll be some crew
transfers once we arrive."
Matt tapped a stack of padds on the corner of his desk with a finger
and sighed. "Counselling reports," he said. "Farrell, Storm, Collins,
Reese, and the list goes on. I guess we do need Dr. Potts here.
Hopefully, you're right; once we're away from here, perhaps all the
problems will disappear. In any case, we're ready to go except for
one last shuttle with fresh provisions for the kitchen. Cargo Bay six
is going to be holding material and goods for Sikara."
Lyrr sighed and shook her head disapprovingly. "I can't believe we
agreed to allow him on board. Ensign Farrell and his underhanded
methods...."
Matt nodded slowly. "His food was good, and it will offer a nice
alternative to replicators. I've asked Sam to monitor consumption,
efficiency, and a few other details. My hope is that Sikara's
presence will be a boost to morale while we're in the Gamma Quadrant.
Sam's findings will let us know for certain."
"I just...I don't enjoy giving Ensign Farrell his way," Lyrr
explained. "He's already gone far above his station with me on more
than one occasion. I don't want him to believe he can continue to
overlook our authority."
Matt nodded. "It's very dangerous," he said. "That sort of
disconnection in the chain of command can be the doom of a starship
and its crew in a crucial moment. Hopefully...hopefully that won't
end up being the case. We're getting away from Risa and back to where
standard procedures will be followed, normal duty shifts will be
adhered to, and all officers aboard will follow the chain of command,
including those who think they know better."
Lyrr cleared her throat, and mentioned delicately, "Including Lt.
Tagliesh. Forgive me, Captain, but that is a major concern of mine.
She's been known to be unruly in the past, and now that she's in a
relationship with you, she may be more inclined to misbehave,
believing she is exempt from punishment."
Matt nodded. "I understand," Matt said. "And, I am watching her as
closely as I can. When I decided to pursue a relationship, it was a
concern for me, on both sides of the relationship. I can't favour
her, and she can't take advantage of her proximity to me. Have you
received any reports of her abusing her rank or position aboard the
ship?"
"None," Lyrr admitted, almost grudgingly. "She's been her same
sardonic self as far as I've heard."
Matt nodded. "If you hear anything, let me know," he said. "For now,
I think it's safe to assume that she's not plotting anything too
dire, especially since she knows that doing anything will put me in a
difficult position."
"Hopefully that's enough incentive to improve her behaviour," Lyrr
told him. "I really don't want to be forced to ask you to end your
relationship with her, Matt. I'm not sure I could do that if it
becomes necessary."
"I don't know if I could without reasons that I can't really even
conceive of right now," Matt answered. "However, if we do find
ourselves in a situation where my relationship becomes a problem,
we'll always have the author of Turns Out You Really Do Need Your
Tonsils to step in and help out." He gave her a disarming grin.
"We'll be fine."
Lyrr chuckled softly and finally relented with nod. "I trust you to
do the right thing, Matt. And I promise not to interfere unless
necessary. I really think Lt. Tagliesh would appreciate that."
Matt chuckled. "I think you may be right," he said. "She's doing
really well, Tayla. I'm actually very proud of her, both as her lover
and her commanding officer. I think she's going to make a really good
science chief for us."
"We can hope," she said with a frown. "We've had a lot of new chiefs
recently; it can't be good for the stability of the crew. But I know
you can keep them together, Captain."
"We've had a lot of changes, but I think we're stronger than we were.
We have solid officers who know what they're doing leading the
departments right now, and as long as they can stay there long enough
to pass their knowledge on, we'll do well."
Lyrr smiled. "Always the optimist, I see."
Matt grinned. "Always," he said. "I find that optimism lends a more
hopeful outlook on the future. It's much easier to go through life
looking forward to what's around the next corner, rather than
dreading it."
"The motto of the explorer," Lyrr mused. "You're an inspirational
man, Captain." She rose from her seat, smiling. "I'll meet you on the
bridge."
"Thank you," Matt said, "and I'll meet you there in a moment. Then we
can get this show on the road."
She chuckled and started out of the Ready Room. "Strange Human," she
said to herself in amusement.
***
Matthew Salinger emerged from his Ready Room and approached the
center chair. Tayla, who had taken her spot there after leaving his
office, happily moved aside as Matt sank into the chair. "Helm,
status report."
Ensign Kit Markham looked up from his board and nodded. "Helm reports
station keeping, Captain," he said.
"Prepare a course out of system," Matt said. "Lt. Sam, status of the
ship?"
"Sulu is secure, Captain," Sam answered. "All personnel are aboard
and all shuttles are accounted for."
"Notify Dojit Terise we are ready to depart."
"Aye, Captain," Sam answered, and turned his attention to his
communications board.
With a grin, he turned to Tayla. "Excited?"
"To leave behind that disagreeable woman?" Lyrr smiled. "Of course."
Matt laughed. "Well, I was actually referring to getting underway
again, to be going out there to do what we're supposed to be doing.
It's time to be explorers again."
Lyrr watched him curiously and with admiration at his uncorrupted
desire for discovery. He was a pure scientist who used the
opportunities Starfleet offered to fulfill his desire for
exploration. Lyrr regretted that she no longer held such an
unadulterated view of service to Starfleet; it had become a safe
haven from the past she was fleeing, and was becoming little to do
with actual scientific advancement or service to an establishment she
believed in. She smiled ruefully and gazed out at the viewscreen.
"Goodbye, Risa," she murmured.
"Hello, Gamma Quadrant," Matt answered just as quietly. "By way of
DS9, of course. Mr. Markham, go to half impulse." He made a chopping
motion with his hand. "Engage."
The ship glided forward smoothly at Kit Markham's command, and soon
Risa was dwindling behind them.
From his seat, Matt reached down and adjusted the forward viewer to
give them a view to the stern, and the blue and green disk that was
Risa grew smaller and smaller until it was nothing more than just
another spec in the starscape. Matt returned the view to forward and
smiled. "Time to see what's out there," he finally said. "Warp 6,
Ensign Markham. Engage."
"Finding Common Ground"
By: Ensign Raina Derrell
Ensign Amy Reese
Location: Sickbay, USS Sulu
Stardate 57907.25, 09h35
***
Over the last several days Raina had found herself adjusting to life aboard
the Sulu a bit at a time. She never expected it to be something that
happened all at once but it did help to at least know who the other medical
staff on her shift were. So Raina had been introducing herself to them as time
permitted. Amy Reese was next on that list.
During her morning workout she figured that she must have pulled a muscle
slightly because it still hurt. Dumb move on my part, the thought stuck
in Raina's mind as she went about her duties. The last night call didn't
help anything either. But that was part of being a medical officer.
"You're limping," a passing Amy Reese commented. She stopped, then
backtracked until she was before Derrell. "Rough night?" she asked, smiling
suggestively.
"Well you could say that in a way. Got called in to consult on a case for
the night shift around 0200, then over did my workout this morning and must
have pulled something," Raina commented. "Not too smart
for the emergency medical specialist, I know."
Then she turned to meet Amy's gaze. "You must be Amy Reese. I saw
the name on the medical roster but couldn't place the face until now. Raina
Derrell."
"Nice to meet you," she replied cheerfully. "Why don't you have a seat on
the exam table and I'll fix you up good as new?"
Raina carefully made her way to the exam table. "Thank you. I feel dumb
admitting I got a little overzealous this morning." It didn't take her long
to realize just how good it felt to get off the leg for a bit.
"Oh, I know all about overzealous," Amy quipped with a touch of woe.
"Gotten me into a lot of trouble too." She pulled the instrument cart
closer, then retrieved a tricorder from it. Amy detached the probe from it,
and with a sigh began passing it over Raina's leg. "I've been having some
personal problems lately. My boyfriend and I aren't getting along well."
"I'm sorry to hear that," Raina commented gently, waiting to see just how
much damage she'd done to her leg. "Relationships are a complicated thing."
Briefly she reflected back on a rather checkered past when it came to that
very subject.
"Well, they get more complicated when people do stupid things," Amy
muttered. She frowned at the tricorder's readings, then regarded Raina with
a wan smile. "Pulled ligament. I guess one of us got lucky, huh?"
Raina nodded. "Yes they do." Her voice trailed off, then she looked at Amy
more carefully. "Wonderful. Which one did I pull?"
Amy referred back to her tricorder readings, and replied, "Anterior
cruciate, according to our good friend here. Easy fix. Don't worry." She
slid the tricorder probe back into its groove, then set the instrument
aside. "So, where you from, Raina?" Amy retrieved a protoplaser from the
cart and activated it over Raina's knee.
"Well that is an interesting question. All over actually. I grew up for a
time aboard my parents' ship, the USS Scimitar. Spent a lot of time on
Betazed
both before and after the Academy. Then various different assignments
for Starfleet, some starships some planetside." Raina considered the list
of places duty had sent her. Some she recalled more fondly than others.
"Wow, so you really have been everywhere." Amy sighed wistfully. "I
lived on earth all my life. The Sulu's my first ship, and boy has it been
some ride so far. Can't exactly say it's always been in a good way,
though."
Raina smiled. "Yes I understand that. There are portions of my various
assignments that I clearly don't want to remember for that very reason."
With her uniform leg pulled up so Amy could work on her, she knew a slight
scar on her upper thigh was visible. "But it goes with the territory if you
want to explore."
"Oh, exploring's been my problem," Amy told her with a wry chuckle. The
protoplaser beeped to signal the repair was complete. Amy traded it for a
dermal regenerator to heal the external bruising and swelling. "See," she
went on, "the rumours say that I'm a little...loose." She glanced up at the
woman. "If you know what I mean...." Lacking even an iota of tact, she
asked, "You ever cheated on a guy, Raina?"
"Can't say I have. Mostly because I can't seem to keep them around long
enough to reach that point. My duty on Yassir colony left me with more
than I bargained for. Once any of them hear about that they seem to run
like the wind." Raina could feel for Amy.
"Hear about what?" Amy inquired. Her eyes went wide and her cheek blushed
profusely as she quickly looked up. "Sorry...I'm rude. I don't mean to pry
or anything, so just forget I asked."
"No I don't mind; it's part of my past and as far as my medical records go
it's not really a secret. I was captured by the Cardassians, raped and
ultimately miscarried the baby I learned I was carrying after that. All of
it due to my treatment in captivity," Raina replied calmly.
Amy's eyes remained wide, and the dermal regenerator in her hand still over
Raina's knee. In comparison, her problems seemed embarrassingly trivial.
Clearing her throat and slowly overcoming her initial shock, Amy replied
with a completely understated, "Oh." Then she set the regenerator into
motion again.
She kept her gaze on Amy. "So you see, I understand. Since then I've
spent a good amount of time just trying to get my life back in order.
You're not a bad person, Amy, by any means. We all have obstacles
in our lives. Sometimes I wish getting along with a boyfriend was the
problem."
Amy smiled awkwardly. "Well if it means anything...I'm really sorry all
that stuff happened to you." The last of the purple discoloration on
Raina's knee vanished and again Amy looked up. "But you seem to have gotten
through it alright. It...sorta makes me believe I can get over the stuff
bothering me, too."
"Well I happened to be in the right place at the wrong time," Raina
commented. "That's part of my past. I'm not perfect and certainly things in
my life aren't presently. But you can get over your problems, that much I
do
know.
I'll be the first to tell you I'm only human myself."
Amy sighed and leaned her hip against the biobed as she relaxed into the
conversation. "I wish Kit - that's my sorta boyfriend - could understand
that. He doesn't realize that I'm a young woman with urges and
that I'm bound to make stupid mistakes. The sad part is...I kinda love him,
Raina, but I don't know how to keep him."
Raina wondered just what started it all but she wouldn't push. "Have you
tried talking to him? Coming to some understanding for satisfying those
urges without upsetting one or the other. I'll be honest here if your
relationship is such that he's not doing his part to satisfy that then
perhaps it isn't right for either of you. Love is a tricky thing. " She
paused. "I've
tried very hard to find that very thing yet get left in the dusty quicker
than you can
blink. We are simply human females with needs and desires. Granted there
are many
days I wish I had not been on Yassir that day. Free will was taken from me,
it left me with no choice. The most important thing on your side is you
have a choice."
"The choosing's the hard part," Amy muttered. "But...you're right. I've
gotta decide one way or the other." She smiled at Raina curiously. "You
give good advice, Raine. You don't mind if I come to you for some more once
in a while, do you?"
With a nod of agreement she smiled. "Thank you, Amy for taking a look at my
knee. You are welcome to come to me for advice. Just remember that
Emergency Medicine is my thing, not Counseling so I can only assist you as
any friend
would."
Amy smiled. "That's exactly what I need right now." She held a hand out to
Raina and helped her down from the bed. "Go easy on yourself, Raine."
"I will certainly do that," Raine commented. "One torn ligament for a day
is more than enough." Purposely interjecting a bit of medical humor into
her response. She shook Amy's hand after she helped her off the biobed.
"I guess we're even for now," Amy quipped. "I mended your knee, and you
helped settle some conflicting thoughts. I'd say this could become a
mutually beneficial friendship." Her smile was hopeful and expectant.
Raina smiled at that. "I'd certainly like to think so. I could really use
some friends aboard this ship." Truth be told she'd been more than a bit
lonely since her transfer.
Amy's grin broadened. "Great! So...a drink in the lounge later tonight?"
"Best idea I've heard yet." She had to admit it was an excellent
suggestion. "Name the time and I'll be there."
"18h00?" Amy asked.
Raina made a quick mental note of it. "Perfect. I'll see you then. One
last thing casual or uniform?" She wasn't exactly sure of Sulu's unspoken
protocol related to such things. Every ship had their own variation of
those.
Amy's lips curled into a mischievous smile and she placed both hands on her
hips in a daring pose. "Casual, of course. It's the only way to go."
Once again she smiled before turning to leave. "That's good to know. I
look forward to this evening."
"Me too," Amy called after her. She waved vigorously at her new friend,
hopeful that she could gain at least some much-needed insight from someone
other than a condescending counsellor. If not, at least she will have made
a friend in the process.
"Crisis Management"
by Ensign Kit Markham
and Ensign Ainsley Chambers
Location: Counselling Offices, USS Sulu
Stardate 57907.25, 13h45
***
Kit stepped into the counselling offices and looked around. He noted
one of the counsellors -- at least he thought she was one of the
counsellors. As she turned, he recognized her and sighed inwardly. He
moved further into the office and cleared his throat. "Hi there," he
said. "I'm Kit Markham...and...and I need to talk to a counsellor."
Ainsley had recognized Kit from his picture in his file. To be honest
she had been wondering the other day, during one of her sessions with
Amy, how long it would take for him to show up at the counselling
offices.
"Hi, Kit. You've certainly come to the right place..." She indicated
her office door. "Why don't we go in there and we can talk?"
"Thanks," Kit said and started toward her office. "I had a hunch that
I might find a counsellor in the counselling offices." He gave her a
grin, then slipped through the doorway.
Ainsley grinned in return and followed him. "Have a seat anywhere,"
she said. "Would you like something to drink?"
"Thanks, but no," he said. "I'm alright. I had some fruit juice a
little bit ago." He took a seat and tried to find a comfortable
position. Given everything, it wasn't easy.
Ainsley nodded and took the seat opposite him. "Okay then. What
brings you here exactly?"
"Relationship trouble," Kit said. "I'm sure you've heard the rumour,
but I'm dating Amy Reese..."
Ainsley nodded. "Yes I know. You're having a hard time are you?"
"Yes," Kit said. "Things...things aren't going well. I talked to Lt.
McKenzie about transferring to another ship. He's looking to see who
around the fleet has flight control openings available. I don't know
if I can keep doing this, especially after...after everything."
Ainsley nodded. "You and Amy are through then?"
"I hope not," Kit said. "I hope we can work through this. I do love
her very much, and...and I'm not ready for it to be over. I just had
to get away yesterday, to...to have some space, some time to think. I
guess there's a part of me that thinks it is over, that...I talked
to...about the transfer, but...I guess I keep hoping we'll work
things out and things will be fine again."
"Do you think that you can work things out?" Ainsley asked. "You
mentioned yesterday, what happened? In your own words?" She wanted to
get his take on everything, see what he saw and how it was affecting
him.
"I came back to my quarters, and...at first I didn't realize, but
they were there. They were holding each other real close, much closer
than a 'thank you' would warrant, faces practically touching, among
other parts. Then...then they said that nothing was going on, then
something almost happened, but they were stopping. I listened to
them, he locked the room so I couldn't get out. Finally...finally
they let me go, and I haven't seen her since then. I don't
know...it's...I don't think I overreacted."
Ainsley thought for a moment. She debated about telling him that she
had already spoken with Amy but decided that she couldn't; she had
not cleared that with Amy and that would be a breach of patient
confidentiality. "This was not the first time that something happened
like this was it?"
"No," Kit said with a shake of his head. "They...they almost did
again before...Amy felt really bad and told me afterwards, but
then...then it happened again. There have been others she's either
almost or did...and... I can't help thinking it's something I'm not
giving her that I should."
Ainsley shook her head. "I don't think that's the case. As long as
you're not actually withholding anything from her then I can't
believe that it's a problem on your end."
Kit nodded. "So...so what should I do?"
"Well that's completely up to you," Ainsley responded. "Do you feel
like you will ever be able to trust her again?"
Kit was silent for a long moment before he finally sighed. "I want to
be able to," he said. "But...but I don't know...if she...if she can't
stop, I don't know if I ever can. I want to though..."
"What you need to determine is what she'd have to do to make you
trust her again, and then stick with it," she responded. "What would
she need to do?"
"She'd have to stop getting seduced by other guys so easily. I don't
know what other than that though...what else could be done."
"I think that's something that you and she should discuss. Maybe
she'll have some ideas. Maybe you need to go to couples counselling,
maybe you need to just sit down and have a long serious talk, or
maybe you need to spend a little bit of time apart. It's really about
figuring out what the two of you think needs to be done."
"We were planning on doing counselling, but...but it hadn't gotten
very far." He looked at her, then sighed. "I should talk to her. I'll
talk to her. I want to work this out, Ainsley. I have to work it
out."
"I think you guys can make it work," she responded. "It's going to
take a lot of effort, but I think you two love each other enough to make a
go of it. I'm here for you guys if you ever want to talk individually
or as a couple."
Kit smiled. "I think we'll probably take you up on that," he said. "I
need to do some more thinking, and then I'll go find her. Thank you,
Ainsley. It helps to talk."
"You're welcome, Kit," she responded with a genuine smile. "Come talk
whenever you want."
Kit stood up and started toward the door. "After I talk to her, I'll
let you know how it goes."
"That's great! I want to know," she responded as she watched him walk
away. "Take care of yourself!"
Kit stopped at the door and turned back. "Ainsley, do you think...do
you think I should worry about Ensign Farrell? This is the second
time something like this has happened between him and Amy, and...and
I guess I'm...I'm just a little worried."
Ainsley closed her eyes for a moment. What could she say to that? She
took a deep breath and said, "My suggestion would be to worry about
you and Amy for the moment." Then without thinking she added, "If
Mason Farrell knows what's good for him he won't be going anywhere
near Amy over the next little while." She cringed the minute it was
out of her mouth.
Kit just watched Ainsley for a moment, then he nodded sullenly.
"Thanks, Ainsley," he said. "I'm sure he'll stay away."
Ainsley nodded. "Just focus on your relationship with Amy and I think
you two will be fine." She had serious doubts about her and Mason
though, and it really all depended on what he was capable of
committing to.
Kit nodded. "Thanks," he said. "I'll put all of my attention into
me and Amy, and making it."
"Good!" Ainsley nodded and then watched him leave. As the door
closed behind him she took and deep breath and let it out with a
sigh. Why did she always end up liking the ones that were hard to
get?
With more hope than he'd entered the counselling offices, Kit stepped
back outside. He tried to smile, but it wouldn't come. Not yet. But
soon. He just had to find Amy, talk to her, and make everything
right again. If he could.
"My Old Position"
by Ensign Cristobel Sefton
Location: Promenade, Deep Space 9
Stardate: 57907.25, 14h00
***
Without a job to perform on Deep Space 9, while he waited for the Sulu,
Cristobel played the part of a tourist. He still wore his Starfleet
uniform, because it was most comfortable, but spent the better part of the
morning simply staring out a viewport on the upper level of the Promenade,
watching for the opening and closing of the wormhole, and striking up
conversation with passing strangers.
Since every mind around seemed to be unfamiliar to Cris, it came as a
surprise when a man across the Promenade called out, "Tobe?"
Cristobel searched for the mind behind the voice, since he knew only Watson
Tuc had ever called him 'Tobe.' Once Cris located his thought patterns, he
immediately spotted the tall black-haired Bajoran man, who was Cris' age and
was wearing an orange-collared Starfleet uniform, jogging towards him. Cris
ran the rest of the distance towards Tuc, and they embraced even tighter
than when they had been lovers back at Starfleet Academy.
Taking a step back to look Tuc all the way up and down, Cristobel grinningly
chided, "Watson Tuc, what are you doing in that uniform?"
"It's Sebarr Tuc, now. I changed to my birth-family's name, because I
wanted a fresh start when I enlisted as a Crewman." With amused chagrin,
Tuc admitted, "My writing fell through when I realised I had nothing to
say, and so I became a Communications Specialist." Cristobel chuckled,
and an endearing grin spread across Tuc's face. "It took me time and
frustration to realise there was room for me in Starfleet, even if being
an Officer wasn't for me." Mockingly, he tacked on, "Sir."
Scoffing, Cristobel asked indignantly, "And why didn't you tell me about
this before? Crewman?"
"I didn't think you'd care to know," Tuc responded with a sheepish shrug.
"I dumped you...five times, was it?"
Cristobel playfully glared at Tuc as he counted off on his fingers, "When
you had your bisexual phase in second year. When you dropped out of the
Academy just before third year, and you didn't want to stay in San Francisco
or deal with a long distance relationship. When I accepted the Cadet Cruise
on the Miranda, and you didn't want to leave San Francisco or deal with
long distance. When I graduated from Starfleet Academy, and you didn't want
to leave San Francisco or deal with long distance. That makes four times.
And, to be fair, Corran crossed the Alpha Quadrant to be with me at
graduation. If he had arrived three days earlier, I would have dumped you."
The fake glare fell from Cris' eyes completely, and his gaze had already
slipped down to admire the way the fabric of Tuc's uniform clung to his
torso. "You look good in orange, by the way. In fact, I seem to recall
always telling you that orange would bring out your copper eyes."
"That wasn't the reason I went into Operations," Tuc assured him with
mirth. "Besides, we were both Science Cadets when I met you. I see the
Sciences couldn't hold your attention either."
"Medical is just another term for Life Sciences," Cristobel retorted,
defending his attention span.
"Like your mother," Tuc teased. "Except she's a real medical officer."
Cristobel gaped, pretending to be offended by his temerity, and insisted, "I
am a medical officer. I mean, a life sciences officer. I'm...whatever,
I'm just not a Doctor."
"Uh huh," Tuc smirked. Cristobel tended to run verbal circles around him,
and so it amused Tuc greatly when Cris ended up tripping over the words in
his mouth.
Cris crossed his arms over his chest and stewed in silence as he considered
his response. Then he spat out, "My mother never liked you anyway."
It was Tuc's turn to be offended now. "You said she adored me!"
"She was afraid you'd brainwash me into your cult, and that I'd be
worshipping the Bajoran wormhole and various other celestial phenomena by
the time I left the Academy," Cristobel told him matter-of-factly.
"Uh, Cris, I'm an atheist, I wasn't raised on Bajor, and I didn't even see
the wormhole until I was assigned to Deep Space 9. You know that," Tuc
reminded Cris with a touch of condescension. "Your mother knows that."
"...Yeah," Cristobel said in a way that Tuc knew meant that Cris was
recalling something guiltily. Sefton continued, "My mother also knows that
you joined the Maquis to be with your Bajoran brethren."
"I never," Tuc firmly reminded, "joined the Maquis."
"That's not what she thinks," Cristobel told him apologetically, a mix of
regret and amusement all over his face. "...Why do you think you dumped
me?"
Folding his own arms over his chest, Tuc tersely asked, "Which time?"
"The third time," Cris admitted. "Or maybe the fourth time."
"Does she think I'm still with the Maquis?" Tuc bluntly asked.
Shrugging, Cristobel snickered, "Maybe."
Incredulous, Tuc asked Cris, "So you never told her about when we got back
together?"
"...Hunh," Cristobel vocalised his non-verbal equivalent of 'fascinating'.
He hadn't realised before that he had never told his mother about his
relationship with Tuc during most of fourth year at the Academy. It had
seemed more like a friendship with benefits, that time around, and it must
never have come up in subspace communications with his mother. "I guess
not."
Tuc shook his head, but didn't say anything because a Starfleet and Bajoran
medical team was running down the Promenade. Putting a hand on Cris'
shoulder firmly, Tuc pulled him closer to himself and manoeuvred them both
closer to the bulkhead, making room for the passing medical team.
"Outbreak of Thoalin Yxrk Virus," Tuc answered Cristobel's bewildered look.
"For the most part, it's under control now. No one's suffering, but they
think there could still be a couple of unknowing carriers. The MedStaff's
been running all over the station looking for carriers for the past two
days, but they've all been false alarms."
After Tuc's first sentence, Cristobel lost all interest in the medical
staff. He looked into Tuc's eyes with concern, and whispered, "Were there
any Tholians on board?"
Unblinkingly staring back in Cris' eyes, Tuc responded softly, "A diplomatic
assemblage. Two weeks ago."
"From the Serrin political party?" Cris asked immediately, putting an urgent
hand on Tuc's left bicep.
Tuc shook his head 'no' and Cris clearly appeared to be relieved. In a
remote dialect of Tholian, Cristobel asked Tuc a question, and the Universal
Translator could only translate two words of it into Federation Standard.
The UT couldn't even translate that many words of Tuc's Tholian response.
"I should go," Cristobel said in Federation Standard, letting his hand slip
off of Tuc's arm. "I'm supposed to meet--"
Tuc grabbed Cris' forearm to keep him from leaving just yet. He worriedly
asked, "Where's Corran?"
"Achicar Prime," Cristobel answered flatly. "Working through a sort of
virus of his own."
"Why didn't you go with him?" Tuc asked gently, but was distracted by one of
Cris' spiked bangs drooping in front of his eyes. Tuc brushed Cris' bang
aside, but let his fingertips linger, and at that familiar gentle touch,
Cristobel pushed his forehead forward to feel more of Tuc's warm hand
against his skin. Cris' eyes half-closed when Tuc ran his fingertips down
the side of Cris' face to reach the sensitive skin on his neck.
When Cristobel heard himself led out the hard breath he'd been holding, he
opened his eyes wide and recoiled from Tuc's grasp. "Uhm...I really have
to--"
"Go," Tuc disappointedly finished for him.
"Right," Cristobel affirmed.
"Wrong," Tuc blurt out.
"What?"
"Sorry," Tuc immediately said. He started to say, "Never mind. I'm sorry
to--", but his thoughts said, ~Don't leave so soon.~
"Don't worry," Cris responded to the verbal words. "I understand. But I
have to-- It's good to see you."
"Might I see you again?" Tuc asked once Cristobel started backing away.
"I'm actually assigned to the Sulu, not Deep Space 9," Cris explained as
he continued walking backwards. "And we're not going to be within your
acceptable distance range; I'm going to be in the Gamma Quadrant for..."
"Maybe I could get reassigned," Tuc suggested hopefully. He thought, ~I
don't want to lose you again completely. Even if we can only be friends.~
He said, "I've always wanted to see the Gamma Quadrant."
Responding to Tuc's words and thoughts, Cristobel said, "I don't think
there's a position open for you."
"Re-Reconciliation"
By: Ensign Kit Markham
Ensign Amy Reese
Location: Amy's Quarters, USS Sulu
Stardate 57907.25, 23h45
***
Kit stood outside the door. It seemed like it was hours, days maybe. The
courage was there, he just needed to reach down inside. Just needed to find
the hope, the confidence. He took a deep breath, let it out, and then
stepped forward again. He pressed the chime next to her door. It was
time...he had to do this now, and...and he needed her back, forever in his
life.
The moment dragged on as he waited for his summons to receive a response.
It came, however, in the form of Amy Reese, naturally strawberry blonde hair
combed in an unimpressive, plain style and body clothed in a simple
nightgown that neither fit tightly around her, nor revealed too much. With
her feet bare and Kit in his boots, they stood nearly eye-to-eye, and with
her wholesome appearance, she seemed sorrowfully vulnerable. Her blue eyes
filled with tears at the sight of him. "Hi," she whispered.
"Hi," Kit whispered back, his voice tight with the emotion that was making
his chest a knotted mess. "I...I thought...thought maybe we could
talk...about things. Are you...is now...okay? I can come back..."
"No," she said hurriedly. "N-Now's good." She smiled ruefully and stepped
aside for him. "Come in...please?"
"Thanks," Kit said and stepped inside. "I...I talked to Counsellor
Chambers, and she was helpful. It also helped to just walk around the ship.
How...how are you Amy? How...how are you doing?"
"I'm okay," she replied, less than convincingly. Her bare arms came up to
hug herself, and with a sigh she made her way towards the narrow sofa. "You
doing alright?" she asked softly. "I mean...considering..."
"Considering," he said with a weak smile. "I'm doing alright, I think.
Just feeling...empty. Alone."
Amy stopped at the foot of the sofa and turned around towards him. Her face
was an image of pure sorrow. "I'm so sorry, Kit," she whispered. "I didn't
mean to hurt you. I messed up again...and I don't know how to fix it."
He reached out and brushed a hand along her arm. "We need to figure out how
to make it stop, how to make it work. We have to make it work, Amy."
She sighed and closed her eyes to savour the touch. It was enough to send
her body aflame. "I don't want to hurt you again," she murmured. "And I
can't make any more promises. I-I'd just break them."
Kit's breath caught in his throat, and he nodded slowly. "Alright," he
whispered. "I...I...I should go then...I guess. I'm sorry, Amy..."
She gasped and her eyes flew open in a panic. "No!" Amy's hand closed
around his wrist, keeping him from leaving. "Kitty...please don't go," she
pleaded. "I'm dying without you. I-I will die if you leave me. I'm
falling apart." Amy sobbed and trembled as if she'd suddenly gone cold.
"I-I was in sickbay today...taking inventory. I was sorting through our
supply of medication...and for a moment I thought about how easy it would be
to just...make the pain go away. Just a little too much Kayolane...and I'd
never have to wake up again knowing I'd hurt you." She looked down and
shook with silent tears. "I'd never have to wake up again," she whispered.
"Oh Amy, oh no, oh...oh, I couldn't...not if you...how do we do it? How do
we make it work? How can we make it work, Amy?"
"I don't know," she sobbed. "I just don't want to be without you, Kitty.
Can't you just...be with me?"
"I want to be with you, Amy," he said. "But...but I don't want to share you
with anyone else. I don't want to feel like I have to compete for your
attention, or that...that you're getting something from someone else you
can't get from me. I want to feel like I'm number one, and there is no one
else. And...and I can't feel like that if you sleep with other people."
"I haven't, though," she told him desperately. "Kitty...I haven't, not
since Dwayne. I-I may have been close..." Ainsley's advice came back to
her, telling her she needed to take responsibility. Then there was Raina,
who had told her she had a choice, and one day she would have to make it.
She would need to make it today if she wanted to keep Kit. "I...I want..."
She took in a deep breath, and formed a smile as she exhaled. "I want you,
Kitty, just you. I've been stupid, and impulsive, and I want to stop that.
It's not your failings that drive me to others, Kitty." Amy cradled his
face in both hands, then tenderly kissed his brow. "It's me, Kit," she
whispered, letting her lips linger there. "Help me fix this.
Please...let's just fix this."
"I don't want to lose you," Kit whispered. "I want this to work, Amy.
We'll figure it out and get through it. Together. But we have to be honest
with each other, and not hold anything back. We have to make sure if we're
in danger, we...we find a way out."
"We?" She frowned. "Me, you mean. I-I have to avoid temptation. I just
don't know how."
"We're in this together," Kit said. "There's no you or me; there's we.
And, we will get through this together, Amy. We just have to figure it
out, figure out how to get through it."
She nodded sullenly, then collapsed into Kit's arms with a heaving sob.
"I'm so sorry for being so stupid," she blubbered. "It feels so horrible
making you hurt so badly."
"We have to stay together, Amy. I've never been happier than I am with you,
and...and I don't want to lose that. I'll do anything to make this work, to
make us work. I love you too much not to."
"I love you too...even though I haven't shown it lately." She sniffled and
took in an unsteady breath as lay her head upon his loveably scrawny
shoulder. "Stay tonight," she whispered against his neck; she felt the
hairs rise where her lips brushed it.
Kit smiled, and slipped his arms around her. "Gladly," he said. "It's time
for our new beginning, isn't it?"
"I want it to be," she answered fervently. "I need to change. I'm so
damned angry at myself, Kit. I need to control this and it won't let me."
Her arms clung to him tighter and she trembled with the intensity of her
inner rage. "I need to quash the urge before it overwhelms me." She sighed
through her clenched teeth. "I hate it," she muttered.
"You know," Kit said softly, "I don't have a new roommate yet. Maybe...if
you're interested, we could...we could get couples' quarters."
Amy smiled slowly, uncertainly and raised her head towards his. "You mean
that, Kitty?" She chuckled and glanced down at her attire. "I mean...this
is what I look like without all the flashy clothes and wild hair. You sure
you can handle this every day?"
"Every day," Kit said, then kissed her. "Every single day."
She sighed happily and relaxed into his embrace again. "I missed you beside
me at night," she murmured. "We'll request couples' quarters tomorrow so
we never have to sleep alone again."
Kit grinned and slid himself even closer. "I like the sound of that," he
said. They sank down onto the sofa as one. They fit well together, together
on Amy's couch, clinging to each
other, and existing only for each other. "I've missed you."
"It was my fault," she told him. "But...we're gonna make sure it doesn't
happen again." Amy smiled. "I think we need to write a song about this."
"That sounds like a great idea," Kit said, a grin spreading across his face.
"It'll be the first song we write together, but far from the last."
Amy whimpered as she pressed in closer, yearning to meld with Kit. It would
mean never parting from him again. "I'm glad you came back," she whispered.
"So am I," Kit whispered into her ear. "So am I. I never want that to
happen again, Amy. I don't think I could bear it...I don't think I could
bear to almost lose you again."
"Then don't. Please don't let me go, Kitty." She kissed him tenderly,
pressing her hands lightly to his chest and easing him down onto his back.
"I'll make it up to you," she murmured.
"Thank you," Kit whispered, and let his hands get reacquainted with her
body. While it had only been a little bit, it seemed much longer. "I love
you, Amy. For now, and always. And, I want an extra big bed."
"Then we'll have one." She snickered and brought her legs up to straddle
Kit's waist. After
kissing him again deeply, she giggled and hastily hiked her nightgown up.
"We have to be quiet," she whispered. "Dwayne's in the other room."
Kit chuckled. "Or we could let him know how much we love each other."
"I think I like that idea better." She grinned mischievously and quickly
helped Kit shed his clothing, with squeals for each time he tickled her bare
flesh, and boisterous laughter in response to every playful nip of her
breasts. "Sing me a song, Kitty!" she exclaimed, then shrieked and giggled
as their overzealousness landed them on the floor.
It only took Kit a moment to pick a song that would offer a good beat for
their passionate frenzy. He was less concerned with the song than he was
with enjoying his time with Amy, with finding whatever it was they may have
lost.