Breakfast with Patia "
By: Patia Zoei, Chief Counselor, [PC]
Giuseppe Silvio, Chief Engineer, [RNPC]

Stardate: 58205.28 0600

==USS Zion - Patia's Quarters==

Silvio had worked though the night with his team to get deck 5's power stabilzed. Silvio was very weary, however, instead of going to his quarters to rest he found himself standing outside Patia's quarters. He figured that she would have also had a late night like everone else after the battle, and hoped that he would not be waking her. Silvio rang her door chime.

Patia adjusted her collar as the chime echoed through her quarters. Slowly, she turned on her heel before she called, "Enter".

The door slid open and Silvio wearily entered. "Good morning Patia," said Silvio quietly.

At that time of morning, an unnatural hush filled the ship. "Good morning, Guiseppe," Patia backed away from the door, "come in." Her voice was breathy, still hoarse from an all too brief night's sleep.

Silvio smiled at her and then walked over and kissed her on the forehead. "I just finished work on Deck 5 and was on my way to get some sleep, but I wanted to stop in see you. How are you doing?"

Her eyes drifted shut as his lips brushed tenderly across her skin. They fluttered open as she answered, "Upright and functioning. It will be a long day after a short night, which I can see you understand." The hint of a smile highlighted the beginning of the crow's feet at the corners of her eyes. "You look like sleep will be the best thing for you." The area under his eyes had the appearance of faint bruising that can only come from sleep deprivation.

"Yeah, Deck 5 has a nice hole in it," he said, "The power was unstable. It almost decompressed on us." Silvio surpressed a shiver at the thought of being sucked out into space throught that breach. "It was a long night."

A shudder ran along Patia's spine. The thought of Silvio, and his crew, out in space was frightening. She suppressed a flutter of nausea at the thought of notifying families and handling the reactions of the crew. She refused to acknowledge the empty feeling she had at the thought of Silvio's death. "You look like you need to get some sleep. Did you want to have a seat for a few minutes before you head back to your quarters?" She gestured toward several comfortable chairs in the sitting area.

"If I sit down, I will probably end up sleeping here," SIlvio chuckled. SIlvio considered his options. Being here and seeing Patia had given him a second wind. He really did not want to just leave now, "I was thinking that it might be good to get something to eat before turning in. What do you think?"

Briefly, she considered. With a shrug, she said, "If you can give me two minutes, that would be perfect."

Silvio could not see what she wold need two minutes for. She already looked good to him, "Sure, no problem."

She shook her head as she chuckled. "It is a girl thing," she winked conspiratorially, as she turned toward her dressing area. With efficient movements, Patia ran the stiff bristled brush through her hair before twisting it into a loose knot at the nape of her neck.

One last glance at the mirror, and she was ready. When she left her quarters this early, she was always afraid she would carry the sleepy, tousled look common to people in the first minutes after they arise rather than the cool, professional image she preferred to carry throughout her day. "Ready," she asked, her heels clicking on the tile floor as she walked back toward Silvio.

"Absolutly," said Silvio with a smile as he offered her his arm.

She tucked her hand in the crook of his elbow and gently squeezed. "Miranda's?"

Silvio's smile vanished slightly as he shook his head, "I guess Miranda was injured in the battle, she is in sickbay," he said. Notcing the looke of concern on Patia's face he quickly added, "I am told it was not a serious injury. I thought I might go visit her later. I do not think Miranda's is open."

"What happened?" She drew back slightly to look into his face.

"She was in her quarters and apparenty an EPS conduit blew. That is all I really know," said Silvio. He felt a bit guilty that he had not checked in on Miranda sooner, but he was just too busy with the ship.

"Want to stop there on the way to the mess?" Patia arched her eyebrow slightly.

Silvio shook his head, "It is too early in the morning. Sick people need rest," Silvio smiled as he lead the way to the turbolift and then on to the Mess hall. Once there Silvio ordered his breakfast from a replicator.

Patia ordered a slice of toast and a glass of tea. She settled into a seat and waited for Silvio to join her. Absently, she picked the crust from the edge of the dry bread.

Silvio sat down at the table accross from Patia. He had ordered just toast and glass of orange juice, "So, we survived another battle," he said, "Some of us did anyway."

Gently, she nodded. "Most of us did. And, the Zion did, too. With a little work, she will be back to her old self. How many of the casualties were from Engineering?"

"Crewman Spencer was killed and his friend Busch was injured, but it looks like he will make it. The rest seem to ahve some through fairly well. I have not seen the final casualty report yet," silvio took a drink o fhis juice. "I wish this war would end," he said saddly.

"It won't, not in the foreseeable future anyway. There is too much at stake, too many decisions have been made and too much face would be lost for either party to back down." She shook her head slightly, and couldn't quite suppress the sigh that whispered from her lips. Leaning forward, she put aside all pretense of eating as she slid her plate to the side. "Right now, we can just do the best we can for the cause we support." She propped her chin on her fist and watched the emotions play across his face.

"What would you do if the war ended today," asked Silvio, "Where would you like to go?"

"I would go home for a visit with my parents, and then I would come back here. Even if the war ended, the military need wouldn't disappear. My life is here, so here I would stay. How about you?" She arched an eyebrow as she asked the question.

"I am an Engineer so I would stay here as well, however, if I had a break I might like to travel," he paued and looked at Patia, "Maybe I would like to go see Betazed."

Her eyebrow hiked up a fraction of an inch higher. "And what would you like to see if you were to go to Betazed?"

Silvio finished his toast, "I am not sure, I have never been there. What would you suggest?"

"It depends on what you are looking for in a vacation," she smiled slightly. "You could have an adventure in the jungle or tour museums, visit the temples or laze on the beach. Betazed can meet most ideas of relaxation."

"Sounds interesting," said Silvio, "Maybe some day it will happen."

Patia smiled softly, again, this time with just a hint of sadness. "Maybe." Her eyes took on a far away look as her voice trailed off into silence.

"Is everything ok," asked Silvio.

"I have a feeling I won't ever go back to Betazed again. I don't know why I feel this way, but I don't think it will ever happen." She sipped at her tea, but didn't taste it as she drank it.

"Well, who will I have to show me around," asked Silvio, "You have to go back at least once." Silvio gave Patia his best pleading look.

She chuckled softly. "I will see what I can do. If it doesn't work for me, you can always have Papa show you around. He is much more familiar with Betazed and quite proud. Even if I went back, he would be the better tour guide. If he showed you around, you would also have the benefit of my mother's cooking. When it comes to traditional Betazed cuisine, she can't be beat."

"Sounds good to me," said Silvio, trying to stifle a yawn. "I suppose I should go and get a few hours of sleep," he said. Do you want to go check on Miranda with me later this afternoon?"

"Yes, I would. I might pop in on her this morning, depending on how my morning rolls out. As close as my office is to Sick Bay, I might not be able to resist the temptation to stop in and check on her sooner."

"Okay," said Silvio, "Are you ready to go?"

Quickly, she stood up and brushed her pants to smooth them along her thighs. "Yes, ready as I'll ever be anyway." The change in her was subtle, but there was nothing personal about her now. Her professional mien was perfectly in place.

Silvio also stood up, noticing how quickly Patia put on her game face. "I'll walk you to your office," he said, "It's on my way." Together they left the messhall.