Rura Penthe #103"
By: Patia Zoei, Chief Counselor, [PC]
Teilani Dane, Chief Medical Officer, [PC]

Stardate: 58205.13 1300

“Breaking the Bad News”

Patia put her head in her hands. Teilani's godfather had said it would be up to her if she felt Dr. Dane was ready to hear the news about her parents. Unfortunately, there never is a good time to share news like that. Not advising her of her loss when it came to light could cause a loss of trust when Teilani found out Patia had known for some time. As poor as the time was right now, it was truly the only time to share the news.

"Computer, locate Dr. Teilani Dane."

"Doctor Dane is in science lab 1,"the reply came

Zoei to Dane

Dane here.

Teilani, when you have a moment, please stop at my office.

Of course Patia

Teilani wondered what was wrong, or at least what the problem was. Patia's voice over the con sounded serious. Teilani looked at the cloned arm. She had replaced the gelnutrition and adjusted the vital statistics. The growth rate had reduced some what but due to the schematics Commander Wrights arm would be finished a little sooner than anticipated.

She walked over to a little washroom and sterilized her hands, when she looked up in the mirror she was a bit startled. The face which looked back at her was that of a stranger, black circles under her eyes which looked somewhat sad. She looked pale and her hair had somehow lost the natural volume and gloss.

Teilani shook her head and splashed some water in her face. It was not the time to be giving in to vanity. She cleaned up the mess and left the science lab.

Slowly walking through the Zion’s corridors her mind started to wander; perhaps Patia had found her family. Perhaps she had been in contact with them. She sighed. There were a lot of perhaps.

Finally she reached Patia's office and Teilani hit the door chime.

"Enter," Patia called.

"Good morning Patia, you wanted to see me?"

"Good morning, Teilani. Yes, I did." Patia rose gracefully from her chair. She gestured to the sitting area. "Please, have a seat."

Teilani walked over to the big couch and sat down, rigid, her hands clutched nervously together in her lap.

Pausing at the replicator, Patia stated, "Jamaican blend, double hot, double sweet. Raspberry iced tea." As the glass and mug materialized, she picked them. She crossed to the sofa and handed Teilani the steaming mug of coffee. Slowly, she settled into her chair and tucked her feet up under her.

"Teilani, I am not sure how to say this without sounding funny, but you don't quite look like you. You look haggard. Have you had someone take a look at you? Make sure you are physically ok?"

Teilani shook her head in denial. "I 'm fine, sickbay has been very busy. Security has had some extra training and they were in need of treatment." Teilani took a sip from the hot coffee, her hands were shaking a little, and she had been living on caffeine for the last few days.

"I am just very tired and I don’t seem to be able to relax but it will pass I 'm sure of it."

"It looks like there is more to it than that, Teilani. I would not be helping you, either as a friend or as the ship's counselor, if I did not bring this up. Teilani, you need to have someone take a look at you. You will be of no use to yourself or this crew if you don't take care of yourself." Patia leaned slightly forward. "Promise me you will take care of that as soon as you leave my office, and promise me you will let someone other than you run the tricorder."

Teilani's green eyes looked at Patia. "I will, I promise. Teilani smiled. "Now what was it you wanted me to see you about?"

Patia smiled slightly. "I will hold you to that promise." Patia shifted back into her chair. "I was able to reach your Uncle Brexen today."

"You did??" Teilani's face lit up. "How was he? Where is he now, is he alright? Did he know..... Teilani asked hesitantly. Hopefully she looked at Patia.

"He is good. He is still on the USS Tiberius and would be happy to be contact with you again. Tell me, how did you lose touch with each other?" Patia asked.

Teilani wrapped her hands around the hot coffee mug. The warmth of it caressed her hands, which of late were cold.

"You know how it goes Patia, first the Academy putting it off until one has more time and before you know it months have passed. Then a first assignment same thing and before you know so many time has passed that it would perhaps be inappropriate to contact one after such a long time."

"Ah, yes. I can understand that very well. Our conversation was cut off when he went through an area of disturbance. I had suggested he get in contact with you, but please do not hesitate to contact him. He sounded very receptive. He also told me your brother and sister was still on Mars. If you like, I can attempt to contact them today?"

Teilani nodded. "I had not expected it to go so quickly Patia. I am a bit nervous. What would they say? I mean, well you know." Teilani shifted her weight, then she bent down and removed her shoes, she pulled up her legs and tucked them underneath her. She reached to the left and took the fluffy pink pillow again.

"The hard part is we do not know what they would say. We won't know that until we ask them. If this is too fast, I can wait. This is for you, so your schedule is the one we will abide by." Patia smiled gently.

Teilani smiled nervously to Patia. She had to think about it. "It’s better to get it over and done with Patia. My crew can handle sickbay." Teilani shifted on the couch; finally she got up and walked to the replicator. "Coffee, black extra strong. With a new mug in her hand she walked back and looked outside of the view port.

She took a deep breath as she turned back to Patia. "Let’s do it."

Patia nodded. "Your Uncle Brexen had some news about your parents as well."

"He did," Teilani said with a cheer. "How are they? Where are they now? Teilani smiled brightly. "You know Patia I think that all will be fine now, I mean when contact has been made, finding mom and dad and perhaps even Eric slowly Teilani's voice trailed off as she noticed that Patia did not join in her cheerful mood.

Teilani felt a coldness creeping up inside her. "There is something wrong isn't there Patia?" she asked with a small whisper.

"Mr. Refelian said their shuttle was found in the Badlands several months ago. There were no survivors, Teilani."

The mug with coffee shattered on the floor as it slipped from Teilani's hands. She felt silent, and tried to find her balance by leaning against the wall.

Patia slowly stood. "I am so very sorry for your loss." She spread her arms wide as she walked toward Teilani.

Teilani almost threw herself into Patia's arms and she broke. All the pain, the worries, the hardship welled up inside her and she cried. Tears ran across her face, she could not stop. With a sobbing voice a muffling sound came from Patia's shoulder. "What must I do Patia? I feel so lost." Teilani freed herself from Patia's hug and walked over to the couch. She sat down in a corner and pulled up her knees embracing them with her arms and resting her head on top of them.

"What if, she sniffed, what if my family does not want contact Patia, what then? What’s the use of living then?

"First, there is no point in dealing with those 'what if's' right now, Teilani. Let's cross that bridge, when, or if, you come to it. I want you to take a moment now, though, and think about your life. What is your purpose in life? What are your goals? What do you love about living?" Patia settled into her chair again, and pulled her feet up under her.

Teilani remained silent for a while; an occasional tear ran down her cheek. "My purpose in live, hmmm I exist cuz there for I am," she responded. "I want people, my family, this crew to be proud of me, but I guess first step is that I have to be proud of my self. I want to be remembered as someone who tried to make a difference. Not only in the way of medicine but also in the way people think about each other. My biggest goal is to find my brother, that is what I am living for now. I want to feel whole again, I want to feel the warmth of a family."

"You know Patia," Teilani whipped away a tear. "When I was little things seemed to be so simple. And now everything is changed. Lots of people or even crew I speak with have become bitter and hard. It all used to be so simple in the early days before the war. Hearing the robins sing was enough to put a smile on ones face. Now there are hardly any robins left. Families have been torn apart, brothers fight against each other and for what.

"Yes, things have changed in our lifetime. I wonder, though, how simple it was when we were small. Or does it just seem like it was simple because our families protected and shielded us? Each generation faces its own challenges, but I agree this one is a serious threat. Unfortunately, Teilani, I don't have any answers to the questions I know you will have about your parents. Your uncle may be able to help you out with that a little more."

Teilani nodded as her sad eyes looked at Patia. "I would not know what to ask him Patia. It has been so long you know. However, the human mind and body are resilient I just have to learn to give it a little place and keep on living."

Patia nodded. "I would agree they are. I also think, though, when you have the opportunity to speak with him, the questions will come."

Teilani smiled as she reached for her shoes and putting them back on. "If you would excuse me Patia, I have to get back to work."

"My door is always open if you need to talk. Don't forget, you promised to have someone else check you over, also," Patia smiled slightly.

"I know," Teilani said softly as she walked to the door. "Patia will you be contacting my brother and sister?" Perhaps it is easier when you break the ice so to speak." Teilani looked hopefully at Patia; her face was all swollen and puffy.

"Of course. I will let you know once I have reached them." Patia rose gracefully from her chair. She watched Teilani leave her office. That would have been a terrible blow for anyone, but the doctor already looked tough.