Delicious Desserts Require a New Uniform"
By: Patia Zoei, Chief Counselor, [PC]
Teilani Dane, Chief Medical Officer, [PC]

Stardate: 58206.25 1330

During her off hours Teilani had been constantly trying to get hold of her uncle Brexen as well as her family. Using the coordinated that she was given.

Up to now nothing..... only static noise

Teilani sighed and finished her last coffee. She tapped her combadge. Dane to Zoei

Zoei to Dane

Patia you got a few minutes," Teilani asked. "I need to talk."

If you can give me five minutes to wrap up some files, I can be free.

It took Teilani a few moments cleaning up her desk, putting the mug in the recycler and leave some notes for the night shift crew. Then she made her way to Patia's office.

Softly she hit the chime.

"Come in, Lani," she called.

"Hey Patia," she said as she walked in. "Sorry to disturb you around supper time."

"It is not a disturbance at all. Did you want to visit here? Or did you want to talk over dinner?" Patia asked.

"Dinner might be better, at least if you do not have a date with Silvio." Teilani answered.

"I have no plans for the evening. Either way works for me," Patia smiled slightly.

"The office makes me feel like a patient."

"Are you here to talk as someone who needs a friend? Or someone who needs to be a patient, Lani?"

"How about a little of both Patia." Lani said with a grin.

"Then, we shall have a little supper here. The replicator is at your disposal. We'll retreat to my office, rather than the treatment area. It will be the best of both worlds," Patia winked.

Teilani smiled. " Sounds good to me. Patia did you ever had a feeling that you needed to complete something and you didn't know what it was?"

She nodded. "I think most people experience it from time to time. It doesn't happen very often, but it is a most nagging experience when it does."

" Indeed it is and well what ever it is I got it .... Teilani said chuckling.

"Any idea what you are being called to do?" Patia asked

Lani shook her head. "Remember those coordinates you got from my uncle Brexen, those where I could reach my family?"

Patia nodded. "Yes, I do."

"I have been trying for days now, there is no response."

"Have you contacted your uncle again?"

" Yes, but he is not answering either, he must be out of range or simply not there."

"It could be that he was busy, too. Did he give you any indication he would be out of contact when you spoke with him," Patia asked.

"No not at all, so I am a bit concerned you see. I don't know what to do now. You know I just might get a shuttle when we are on QT and go visit them."

"I didn't think they had a shuttle service to that system now. Or what were you thinking you would try?" Patia asked.

Teilani grinned. " Yeah you right of course, however, I could of course try to hitch a ride on a freighter or another ship which might go that way."

Patia chuckled. "I don't think that would be the most legitimate way to travel. Do you seriously think someone would be able to arrange that?"

Teilani glanced in the distant, a bit absentmindedly. An dangerous idea formed in her head.

"Excuse me Patia, what did you say?"

Patia smiled slightly. "I asked if you thought someone would be able to arrange that. I wouldn't even know who to begin to speak with regarding something like that."

"Well Quark might know but then again the trip is much too dangerous."

Patia watched Lani speculatively. "What are you thinking?

"Well I could try to see if there is a ship going to Mars and perhaps give them a message or so?

"That would probably be a safer choice, although there are the questions of security and if the message would reach the destination. That one is a tough call, I have to say," Patia's eyes narrowed slightly as she considered.

" You might be right. Teilani responded. "So what are we having for dinner."

"I was thinking something light. How does a bowl of French onion soup and a fruit salad sound to you?"

"Sounds good to me. You know I have a brilliant idea!!. What if we, when we are back on the Zion, ask Miranda if we could have a cooking course?" Teilani said with a smile.

"Oh, that would be fun! I haven't cooked in years, but I do remember helping Mother when I was small. It was something that gave us time for just us." Patia smiled slightly.

"You don’t have any other siblings then, besides your brother?"

"No, just us, and he is significantly older, anyway. We had a lot of time where it was just us at home, but cooking gave us time to focus on each other." Patia smiled.

"Well I m not the best cook but I know my mom made these tiny little biscuits, with honey and lime... then topped off with ragellian fudge cream....Teilani rolled her eyes.

"Three of those and you need to have a new uniform." she said laughing as she helped Patia setting the table."

"I bet you would, but just one of those sounds delightful," Patia smiled. She shifted a vase of lilies from her desk to the small table, inhaling the scent of the pleasantly fragrant blooms.

"Well you know what, lets see if the replicator can re-create one, they will not be the best but its going to be fun." Teilani said walking to the replicator controls. She looked at the various recipes in the memory. "Now if I could combine that with option 2.... she mumbled, vigorously tapping the controls. " Then there we should have .... Dane creation number 1!!." She chuckled

Patia laughed at Teilani's obvious delight with her process. "I just don't think in a way that allows me to be that creative," she shook her head. "That will probably be the hardest part for me to learn."

"I can teach you?" Lani stated.

"I would be happy to try to learn. I am missing the creative gene, though, so it might be a tad bit difficult," Patia said in mock seriousness.

"Well what you think?" Lani asked as she showed the plate with a stack of cookies, cream in the middle, the smell of honey and nuts rose from them.. fudge was dripping on the plate. "If we let them cool down a bit it might make a nice dessert."

"It looks like it might require a new uniform," Patia giggled.

"Nah, we both can use a little comfort food. Besides we only have 1.." Lani chuckled and she could feel her stomach rumble.

Helping Patia set the table, Teilani could not get rid of the idea which now had formed firmly in the back of her mind. If only it was possible.

Out of the corner of her eye, Patia watched her dinner companion. She hoped this idea did not form any further than it had, for Lani's sake.

Propping her long legs under the table Teilani sat down. "You know I am exhausted. I spend all after noon in the infirmary, trying to make Ensign Barcley understand that having some skin blemishes were not the end of the world.

Patia nodded. "For some people, they certainly seem to be."

"Oh... but your not getting away that easily Patia.." Lani said with a grin. "I told him to go and see you."

With a chuckle, she replied, "After this week, working through issues related to skin blemishes sounds like something I would prefer. I am exhausted, too." She stifled a small yawn.

Then a soft ping indicated that the union soup was ready and together with some toasted bread and a fresh green salad both ladies were silent for a while.

"Oh boy this tastes awesome. I didn't realise I was so hungry." Teilani said while putting her spoon down.

"I was, too. There is something comforting about a bowl of warm soup, too, don't you think?" Patia asked.

"Oh definitely, Oh and you know there is a new place on the promenade."

"No, I hadn't heard. What is it?" Patia asked.

"Yes its a Bolian massage shop. Only saw the sign yesterday."

"Oh, that sounds divine," Patia sighed. "It has been years since I have had one of those."

"Well massages can be relaxing and after the holodeck adventure and Ensign Barcley I might need one.

"This will sound very strange, but ask the masseuse to pull your hair." Patia cocked an eyebrow at her.

"You can't be serious." Teilani responded with a chuckle.

"No, seriously. They use a consistent, gentle pressure. It stretches your scalp and loosens the locations where the muscles attach to your skull. Once that is done, it is easier to loosen up the trapezius muscles." Patia smiled.

"Hmm there is a sense of logic in there, but it sounds hilarious."

"People look at you kind of funny when they suggest pulling your hair. At one time, they had quick suggesting it, but definitely knew what to do if you asked for it specifically," Patia stretched slightly. "I think I will have to check into one of those for myself."

"Well if you have time perhaps we could go together tomorrow or so?"

"Yes, we should," Patia agreed.

"What time is it?"

"1900 hours," she replied.

"Oh shoot, I promised McIntyre to go over some crew's medical reports." Teilani said as she stood up. "I hope you don’t mind I 'm leaving you with the dishes."

"I think I can handle it," Patia winked.

"Thanks for the chat Patia, see you tomorrow."

"I am going to take a walk tonight and take a look for the shop. Then I will be ready for tomorrow," she smiled. "What time?"

"How about 10 am?" Teilani said walking to the door.