Chatting the time away
"
By: Teilani Dane, Chief Medical Officer, [PC]
Patia Zoei, Chief Counselor, [PC]
Stardate: 58205.26 0830
She paused in the doorway to the bustling Sick Bay. There was only one patient in sight, but several medics went busily about their duties. Near the doctor's office, Patia spotted Dr. Dane.
Teilani had been busy the last few days. Preparing sickbay for any incoming casualties should they arrive at pacifica and encounter any hostile forces. They confiscated holodeck 1 as a backup facility and were now ready for what ever was going to happen.
She took a sip of her coffee as she saw Patia in the reflection of the window. She stood up and walked out of her office.
"Goodmorning Patia, what brings you around sickbay?"
"I thought I would stop in and see if you had time for a chat. It looks like you have everything well in hand here." Patia's hand gesture encompassed the visible area. "Would you be free to take a break at Miranda's for some coffee and biscuits?"
Teilani glanced around sickbay before she answered. "But of course, I think it has been ages since I last ate."
Patia smiled slightly, "After you," as she stepped back and gestured to the door.
Both women left sickbay and headed for the nearest turbolift.
Teilani sighed as she leant against the wall. " You know I wish a miracle would happen?"
"What sort of miracle would that be?" Patia asked
"That we dont encounter any problems along the way. I have the same feeling as when I first came on board here. Anxiety, anger. But enough about me. How are you and Silvio doing?
Patia's eyes softened slightly. With a gentle curve of her lips, she said, "Just fine. It is slow and steady, which is for the best. How about you? Any romance on the horizon for you?"
"Ha, I wish," Teilani chuckled a bit bitterly. "You know Patia, us Doctors are married to sickbay so the horizon is very very far away."
"Once, I could have said that as well, Teilani. I am still married to my office, I am afraid, but I am finding a little time for me as well."
*** Miranda's***
The brightly light restaurant was bustling with activity as they arrived. A small booth, near the window, was chosen because of its relative isolation in the restaurant. As they were seated, a large group of ensigns stood from their places and left. It looked like a close knit group having breakfast together after coming off the night shift. As quickly as they left, it became quiet throughout the room.
A petite waitress arrived to take their order. "Our special of the day is a white chocolate scone, perfect for a light breakfast and even better for a mid morning snack," she said as she smiled invitingly.
"That would be perfect. I would like a raspberry Italian Soda to go with it, please," Patia smiled at the young lady.
"Me too," Teilani responded. "Oh and of course a large coffee."
She watched the waitress' departing back before she swung her gaze back to Teilani. "I wanted to let you know I spoke with Joshua. I didn't feel Sick Bay was the place to talk about it, and my office was just too formal. If you prefer to wait to talk about what I learned, we could ask Marta to box up our order and we could go back to my office. If you don't, we can talk here, if you like?"
Teilani's eyes grew big. "Here will do, its not that crowded anymore. Shees Patia, you don't waste time do you?" Teilani was surprised to hear that Patia had already managed to contact her brother.
"Actually, I was reviewing the information I had about your family when I was notified of an incoming communication from Mars. It was your brother." Patia pulled her leg against her chest and propped her chin on her knee.
"So what did my big brother had to say. He was probably complaining right?"
"No, not complaining. He asked how you were doing. He did say he would be very happy to hear from you," Patia smiled.
"He would?' Teilani asked suspiciously. "He must be sick or so," she continued. "Josh would never initiate first contact.What did you say?'
"Unless he hid it very, very well, he wasn't sick. He said your uncle had contacted him. I told him you wanted to reestablish contact with your family." Patia tipped her head slightly sideways so her cheek rested on her knee as she watched the woman on the other side of the table.
Teilani nervously started tapping her fingers on the table. "What was your impression of him Patia?" she asked.
Patia paused to smile as Marta delivered the scones and beverages to the table. "Thank you," she nodded. Absently, she leaned forward and plucked a small section of the buttery scone and popped it into her mouth. The burst of white chocolate and brown sugar flowed through her mouth.
"My impression was he is a man who has had some trying times of his own. It appears there were some misunderstandings and miscommunications in your family. They were not your fault, nor his, nor your sister's. They just happened. He would like to mend the fence between you as well, but I think he isn't convinced that is what you truly want." She stopped to take another bite as well as to wait for Lani's response.
"Than I must try to convince him otherwise right?" Teilani said with a wry chuckle. She suddenly felt sick in her stomach and the smell of the scones was not helping. She stirred her coffee.
" Patia the war has torn up so many people. Having brothers fighting against brothers. Good friends becoming enemies. What I fear most is rejection. There are so many unspoken issues between us and fixing them will not be easy. To tell you the truth I simply don't want to be alone anymore. I want to have my home back like it was when I was little."
Teilani sighed and swollowed her coffee. " I know it can never be exactly the same, but I want to have a place where I can go to when we are on leave. I want to have a photoalbum with snapshots to look at when I here. I want to be happy."
"It is good you realize you can't have life back exactly as it was. My suggestion is to contact him. Take what he says at face value and be honest with him. There are different ways to be honest, too. If you don't like my new haircut, you can honestly tell me it is the worst cut you have ever seen, or you can honestly tell me a little more bangs would frame my face better, if you know what I mean?
Teilani smiled as she reached for her own new haircut. " So telling him a little white lie?"
"No, no white lie, but the way you phrase the truth can be gentle or harsh. Maybe the reason you didn't like my haircut is because I have a high forehead and the blinding glare from the light reflecting off it didn't let you see it properly, thence, I need more bangs," Patia chuckled. "Your haircut, in case I hadn't told you yet, is lovely. Back to Joshua, maybe you should give it a day and gather your thoughts before you contact him. He knows there are issues to resolve, you know there are issues to resolve and you are both adults who understand the importance of family. It will work out if you give it a chance. Are you worried because you are at a point where you didn't think you might ever be?" Patia asked
Teilani nodded. "Yea why should these things be so darn difficult?"
"Because you are personally invested in the outcome. If you didn't care, it wouldn't be," Patia nodded.
"Did you ever had that problem?"
"Not this exact problem, but my darling brother and I will be having words when I arrive on Qul Tuq. He is trying to pull a fast one on me because he thinks he can," Patia said. "All families have issues, even the ones that look like they don't."
Teilani looked at Patia inquisitively. "What did he do to deserve your wrath" she asked with a giggle.
"He transferred to Qul Tuq and forgot to let his baby sister know of his arrival in her duty zone." Patia giggled and shook her head. "It wasn't one of the wisest moves he could have made. I believe he is trying to surprise me, sometimes he forgets how small the area where we live truly is."
Finally Lani ate a bit of the scone as she listened to Patia. But at the same time thoughts raced through her mind. It was like picking peddles of a flower, will I contact him or wont I contact him.
Patia leaned forward, bracing her forearms on the table. "This was something you really wanted before. Now that it is at hand, we are hesitating. I am not sure I understand why, though. Are you afraid of Joshua?"
“Afraid?” Teilani echoed. “ No, the only thing I am afraid of is his reaction. You know I really really want to contact him and make things right but am I truly ready for it and is he truly ready for it. Wasn’t his communication with you just a curtisy call because Uncle Brexen had told him to do so?”
"I think courtesy might be subjective. We would have been none the wiser if he just never responded to your uncle," Patia said softly.
“I could not handle another rejection, but on the other hand if I don’t try I will never know right?”
"No, you won't. Will you regret it later, might be the bigger question," she suggested.
“You must think I am weird, not knowing what I want,” Teilani said with a smile.
"Not at all, family situations can be nerve wracking. I hope you find peace in the decision you make, either way, Teilani."
Teilani smiled. "We will work out our differences, I am confident in that." She leaned forward and squeezed Patia’s arm. “Thank you Patia, for being my friend and for listing to my twisted mind.” She said softly. “ I will wait another day by contacting Josh like you said.”
"Please don't hesitate to talk to me if you have any other concerns or worries about it, that is what I am here for," she smiled. "Say, on a completely unrelated note, have you seen a crystal earring? The last time I remember having it, I touched my ear in the hallway between Sick Bay and my office. I have been through my office and my quarters with a fine tooth comb and I can't find it." Patia looked away and blinked rapidly. "It sounds silly after all this time, but Lio gave them to me for my sixteenth birthday, and it really bothers me it is missing. It isn't worth anything but sentimental value, but I would still like to find it."
"No," Teilani said shaking her head. "Wait.......yes I did find it, and I gave it away," Teilani said looking really guilty.
"Oh," Patia said.
"I had it in my desk for about a week and nobody asked for it, so I gave it to that little hologram from Ensign Tappert. She collects shiny things, I am so sorry Patia, I didn't know."
"That is ok, Teilani."
Teilani felt really guilty, if only she had waited a little bit longer. Another smudge on her long list of things being guilty off. She could hit herself in the head for being so inconsiderate.
"Look I will go to ensign Tapert and I will ask if her pixie will give it back, she can take my marbles in return for it."
"Don't worry about it. I have another set of earrings I will offer the sprite in exchange. Two is better than one, no? I just kept thinking it would turn up. I should have been asking if anyone had seen it sooner, but I really thought it would be in my office or my quarters. Live and learn, I guess," Patia smiled slightly.
"I am sorry, next time I find something I will sent out a message." Teilani said softly.
"As I said, no worries. I know where it went, I will track it down," Patia smiled. I hope the rest of your day goes well, Teilani. I am going to Miranda's for supper around 1900 today. If you are free, you are more than welcome to join me."
"Thank you for your offer Patia, " she replied. "But I don't think that Silvio would appreciate that."
"What do you mean?" Patia asked.
"Well I can imagine that two people in love would much more prefer eachothers company then having supper with a 3rd person. You know what they say 2 is company and 3 is a crowd."
"I wasn't planning on having dinner with Silvio tonight," Patia shrugged. "I was just planning to take that time to go and eat. With my schedule, I found I haven't been eating. I have lost weight I didn't need to lose and have been so, so tired lately. Now, with regular meals, it has gotten a little better," she smiled. "I will be dining alone tonight, unless you care to join me?"
"I would love too join you," Teilani responded. "Are you kidding, I see too much of sickbay already, the only thing missing there is my bed. I can't remember having had supper here in ages."
"Shhhhhhhhh, but the one couch in my office is quite comfortable," Patia chuckled.
"You know," Teilani leant forward a bit. "Wouldn't you sometimes just wake up and do nothing, no appointments, no running around. But just be lazy and do something you really like or just be a couch potatoe?"
"I say I would, and I mean I would, but if I had it, I would probably complain about that, too. I would really like an entire 24 hour block of time, though, that was my own. I could sleep in, drink my tea in my pajamas with my feet up on the coffee table, read a book, practice in the holodeck, enjoy a leisurely meal, and while away my day. I am not sure I could swing that even if I had all that free time anyway. I tend to think too much about work even when I am not there," Patia winked.
"O my gosh, me too," Teilani said laughing. "Even with the meeting, I was thinking, ok I have to approve some leave, check on the biocultures, approve the order for new supplies, check on outstanding physicals etc. Did we take into account the holodeck as a secondary sickbay etc. etc."
Patia nodded, "Not to mention, reviewing data on patients seen, incoming appointments and reports, reports, reports."
"We are to sorry people, workaholics I might say!"
Patia nodded, "Quite pathetic we are, I have to agree. Good think I love my job," Patia laughed.
Teilani started to giggle. "You know I would love to learn some other stuff and I made a deal with the commander."
"You did?" Patia raised an eyebrow as she asked.
"Yeah I did, he has some knowledge of medicine and I m going to teach his some more advanced stuff and he is going to teach me something about command."
"That will be a good opportunity for you," Patia nodded in agreement.
"Well imagine if something awful happens to the bridge crew, then who should fly the ship?" I mean you and I are the most senior officers left then."
"We have a pretty inexperienced crew, then, if you really think about it," Patia chuckled.
"You know," Teilani said with a giggle. "I can picture this in my mind, sitting in the big chair, saying computer, heading 234 mark 7. Warp 7 engage." Teilani started to laugh.
"I can see you in that chair, too. Taking charge is something you are quite comfortable doing. If you had the desire, I am sure you would make a wonderful commander some day. Would you ever want to leave Sick Bay for that?"
Teilani frowned. "I don't know, I never thought about that. I love being a doctorbut sometimes the burden get to you. As a commanding officer you have to sent people to places and you never know who is coming back, in a way I ahve the same responsibilty we both decide who lives or dies."
Patia nodded. "I can see that as well. It would be a challenge, but sometimes it needs to be done."
"How about you, have you never had the desire to do something completely different. I mean listing to peoples problems and helping them finding a solution for it must be hard for you as well."
By now one of the waitresses had taken away their empty plates and replaced their drinks. Thanks to Miranda it was not necessary to repeat the order.
Patia smiled at Marta as the cold glass was set in front of her. She thanked her as she stirred the tea slowly. "No, I can't say that I have. My sister-in-law and I have joked we will open a flower shop back home when Lio and I are both retired and return home. She is a florist now, and so talented. She loves what she does and sometimes, I would love to mold arrangements into what I saw was fit. An inanimate object, with no mind of its own, that will stay where I put it and listen to reason, is very appealing. Of course, then you have to deal with the thorns and the itchy plants as well, so that isn't 100% perfect either," Patia smiled, even white teeth flashed in contrast with her olive complexion. "Seriously, I love what I do and I can't imagine doing anything else."
Patia shifted in her seat and propped her chin on her knee again. "If you were to start over, would you still be a doctor or would you choose another profession?"
Teilani stirred her coffee and smiled. "Come to think of it. Not really, there are so many good things about being a doctor. I mean seeing a baby being born, the love of a mother for it. Finding a cure for some virus, and making it known to the world so that others can benefit from it as well."
She sipped her coffee. "Being a doctor has its down side but so many good ones as well, but I must admit that learning new things reactivate the little greys cells."Teilani said with a chuckle and tapping her head.
Patia nodded. "Yes, but hobbies can help with that, too. It has been so long since I have had a hobby, though, I am not sure I remember how. Do you have any?"
"Well I used to be very skilled in holodeck programming but it has been ages since I did something with it. And of course I like music and reading and walking in the woods. Come to think of it I don't seem to have many hobbies.
"What kind of hobby did you used to do?"
"Once upon a time, I did floral arrangements. Trina, my sister in law, was my brother's intended from the time they were small. Since he is so much older than me, it was more like having an older sister rather than acquiring a sister-in-law because it was a given she would be his wife long before I was born. She used to send me PADD instructions for flower arranging, starting when I was seven or eight. Now that I think about it, it was shortly after Lucio died. I wonder if she sent me them to give me something to distract myself. There is more to floral arrangements than just the plants. There are accent pieces, vases, and any number of small things. I learned to blow glass vases, shape ceramic bowls, and design and make accents of crystals, beading, lace," Patia smiled fondly. "It has been a long time since I have done that, but I really enjoyed it. I learned self defense as a young girl. That is still something I practice, but not as dedicated as I once was."
"You know what," Teilani said with a twinkle in her eye. "What if you teach me self defence and I create for you a holoprogram for Ikebana (Japanese flower art). I could even put in a original tea ceremony. We could brigthen up the place.
"Ooooh, that would be fun! It would be good to be back on a regular schedule practicing. Somehow, a commitment with the holodeck is not the same as agreeing to meet up with a person. It is much easier to skip it," Patia chuckled.
"It's the first time I hear you speak about Lucio," Teilani said softly. "You must miss him dearly right?"
"I do. It is like a little part of me is empty. It isn't gone, the space is still there, but the life and vitality that used to fill it are no longer present." Patia smiled slightly, wistfully. "With time, it gets easier but it hasn't gone away yet, and it has been almost thirty years."
"What is it like to be bonded at an early age?"
Patia pulled her leg up in front of her and tucked it against her chest. She leaned down and rested her chin on her knee. "As young as I was, it is hard for me to tell you what the difference is between being bonded early and not having been bonded, just because I don't remember much prior. I will tell you being bonded itself is like carrying a piece of your best friend with you everywhere you go. It is warm and reassuring. You spend your early life preparing to be with someone, you get used to their likes and dislikes. You get comfortable with the feeling of them with you." Patia chuckled softly, "Does that make any sense to you or does it sound foreign since you haven't experienced it?"
"No it makes perfect sense, its somewhat similar as I have with Eric. He will always be here, but not knowing where he is creates this gap. Its a bit difficult to explain. You think that the emptyness you feel will ever go away?" Teilani asked, placing her feet on another chair.
"No, I don't, and to be honest, I don't really want it to. It doesn't make me sad or make me feel incomplete in a negative way, but it is a reminder of him. I think I understand what you mean about Eric, too. I feel the same about that brat of a brother of mine," Patia winked, "the only difference is, I know where he is even though he thinks I don't. It is a good feeling to have."
"Indeed it is," Teilani replied. ==If only I knew where he was now== Her gaze wondered off and she sighed softly. ==Oh Eric, what have you got yourself into==
Patia watched Teilani's face, the emotions flickered across it. If she would only get in touch with Joshua, together, they might be able to find Eric.
"So what you think of our new computer expert Maxine Tappert?" Teilani then asked.
"I haven't had the pleasure of meeting her as yet. Scheduling an appointment with her is high on my priority list, though. I understand she is doing a wonderful job so far." Patia smiled slightly.
Teilani nodded. "Indeed, I heard from Ensign Valdez that she managed to clean the computer from the virus Birkhoff left behind."
"Considering the damage he managed to wreak, that is quite impressive."
"You know I don't have that many wishes but I truly wish I never see or hear that face of Birkhoff or even Johnson again." Teilani shrugged.
"I have to agree with you on that. Neither of them are exactly pleasant people. I wonder when they will turn up next."
“ Well you can bet on it that they will turn up sooner or later. Those type of people are like rodents. Very difficult to exterminate and they have a tendency of becoming a pest.
Patia nodded, "You have a point. They are also good at hiding in tiny crevices where you least expect them."
Teilani giggled. “ Indeed so true.” She then stretched and yawned a little. “ What time is it?”
Patia glanced at her chronometer. "1030 already. I should get back to the office, but it has been a pleasure visiting with you, Lani. We should do this more often."
“ You are quit right, but I guess I should also go back to sickbay.” Teilani said reluctantly.
Slowly, Patia stood. She smoothed the wrinkles from her pant legs. "I'll walk back with you."
Straightening her uniform and brushing through her hair Teilani stood up and both she and Patia walked out the door. Work was calling.