Checking on Miranda
"
By: Giuseppe Silvio, Chief Engineer, [RNPC]
Patia Zoei, Chief Counselor, [PC]
Stardate: 58205.28 1200=20
=93If those techniques aren=92t effective, come back to see me. There = are some hypnosis options we can try next, but it would be better for you if this could be resolved without taking that step,=94 Zoei smiled gently at the = tired officer.
Jones placed the bright red pillow that she had been holding in her lap = back into place on the couch and stood up. =93I will see you next week.=94
Rising gracefully, Zoei smiled again, =93I will see you at the same time = next week, but don=92t wait that long if you still aren=92t sleeping.=94
The two of them crossed the counselor=92s office. The door opened as = they approached and they walked out into the waiting area where they found = Silvio sitting quietly in a chair. When he saw them Silvio stood up and smiled at them both.
Jones returned his smile and then turned to the Counselor, =93Have a = good evening,=94 she said, and then left the waiting room quietly.
=93You as well,=94 she said to the retreating back of her last = appointment. The waiting area doors softly whooshed shut. Zoei turned and leaned against = the wall. A slight smiled tipped the corners of her lips. =93You look a = little more rested than you did earlier today.=94
=93I am feeling much better,=94 Silvio admitted, =93I am heading back to = work, but I thought maybe we could go and check in on Miranda first.=94
=93That is an excellent idea,=94 she agreed, =93I had hoped to stop in = earlier but I had more drop in visitors than I had anticipated.=94
=93I am not surprised that you have had a busy day,=94 said Silvio, = =93Considering the battle yesterday.=94 Silvio paused, =93Are you ready to go?=94
Zoei tucked her hair behind her ears. "Let me check my appointments. I think I am free, but I don't want to miss an appointment." She turned = to the door and it quietly slid open. "You can wait here or come on in. I will just be a moment."
Silvio paused a moment to admire Zoei as she walked into her office. Smiling, he quickly followed her in before the doors slid shut again. = Silvio sat down in a chair by Zoei's desk.
She settled into her seat and wrapped her ankles around the base of the chair. A few taps of the keys revealed a two hour break in = appointments. She had one extended appointment scheduled for later in the evening, but = for now, her time was her own. She propped her chin on her hand. "Are you working all night again tonight?"
Silvio shook his head, "Nope, we got most of the tough work done last = night. This ship should be ready to get back underway this evening. I will probably be done by 2300."
She chuckled slightly, the fine lines around her eyes emphasized. "Such = an early night of it you will have. Ready to check on Miranda?"
Silvio thought it would be nice to get off work and spend some time with Patia. In his mind's eye he pictured them snuggling and listening to = music. Silvio was suddenly aware that while he was daydreaming, Patia was = waiting for his answer, "Ah yeah," he said standing up. "Let's go see Miranda."
She slipped around the corner of her desk and slid her hand into the = crook of Silvio's arm. "I prefer jazz, and snuggling on the sofa while = cuddled up into a fleece throw." Carefully, she watched him from the corner of her eye.
Silvio looked at his toes, "You know, that is really not fair," he said smiling at her.
"I know, but you have to take your advantages where you can get them," = she snickered.
The two of them left her office and walked down the corridor to sick = bay. Silvio looked around until he spotted Miranda.
Miranda smiled as she watched Silvio and Patia coming towards her. = "Hi," she said to them, "How's my favorite couple?"
"I would hazard a guess that we are better than you." Zoei gestured at = the flashing lights and humming equipment. "This is a rather extreme way to = get a little time off from Miranda's, wouldn't you say?" A slight smiled = teased at the corner's of Zoei's mouth. "Seriously, how are you doing?"
"I'm much better now," she said, "I had a really bad headache earlier." = She looked at Silvio, "You need to do somehting about those power conduits = that blow up."
Silvio smiled, "It would help if the Federation would stop firing = torpedos at us."
Zoei took a half step back and watched the interplay between the = friends. They had an obvious respect for each other. Miranda looked better than = she had thought was possible from what she had heard of her injuries = earlier. "What sort of headache, Miranda?" she asked.
"Apparently, I developed a blood clot in my brain," she said running her hand through her hair. "The doc took care of it though. She says that I will be back at it tomorrow, but I am not sure I agree with her on that one."
With eyes narrowed, Zoei asked, "Do you think there is something else = still going on? Or you feel like you need to rest up some more?"
Miranda smiled at the concerned counselor, "I am just tired. I think I = will let my staff run Miranda's for a couple days and take some time off."
She nodded slightly, the movement almost imperceptible. "Sounds like a plan. You have to take those opportunities when you can."
Miranda looked at Silvio and Zoei. Zoei's hand was touching Silvio's = arm. She smiled, "With no Miranda's tonight, you two will need to find some = other entertainment." Miranda adjsuted her position in the bed.
Zoei nodded. "It is amazing what a crisis does for my patient load. I wouldn't say it is entertainment, but this is the farthest I have gotten from my office today, and it is about 15 feet down the hall," she = chuckled. "Need some help fluffing your pillows?"
Miranda shook her head, "I'm fine."
"What do you plan for your time off?" Zoei asked.
"Rest," said Miranda, "I am just going to rest."
"I have the next chapter in the Cowboy holodeck program almost done," = said Silvio.
Miranda smiled, "Ahh, no thanks. Your prgrams a bit too realistic for = me, Silvio."
Zoei shook her head slightly. "It looks like you need to rest. Please, = let me know if there is anything I can do for you once you are released from Sick Bay."
Miranda smiled, "Thanks. I will let you know if I need anything."
The smile again accentuating the small lines around her eyes, she nodded = and backed up to allow Silvio to say his good nights.
"I'll check in on you later," said Silvio. "You should get some rest."
"Thanks for stopping by," said Miranda to both of them.
"Good night, Miranda," Zoei stepped back and turned softly on her heel.
Silvio said his goodbye and followed Zoei out of Sickbay. The walked = back down the hallway in silence. They stopped out sife of the counselor's office. "Well, I better get to work." Silvio raised his hand and = stroked the side of her face, "I think a little Jazz and suggling sounds like = fun. Your quarters? 2300?"
"2300 it is. I have the fleece blankets there, too."
Silvio let his hand slide down the side of her face and behind her neck. Gentley, he kissed her. "I will see you then."
She stepped back, the palm of her hand resting on her cheek, still warm = from the touch of his callused palm. "See you later, Silvio."
Silvio winked at her as he turned around and headed for work.