The Table, the Ass and the Stick

Posted on Sat Aug 17, 2013 @ 5:45pm by Lieutenant Nicole Anderson

2,512 words; about a 13 minute read

Mission: A Whole New World: Part 1 - Precipice
Location: Holodeck

"Computer," Nicole said, walking briskly down the corridor, "where is Commander Hunter?"

"Commander Hunter is on Holodeck two," the computer reported quickly.

*Good, he's still there,* she thought, grumbling. She hefted her little black bag and came around the bend in the corridor, stopping in front of the holodeck doors and tapping an entry code.

As the doors opened, she stepped inside and looked around. "Oh what the bloody hell is this?" she mumbled to herself. A thick blanket of fog was creeping across the ground, obscuring her feet. Behind here were a dark woods full of gnarled trees, in front of her a small village. She sighed and started forward, heading for what appeared to be the local inn, judging by the sign hanging from the door. She pushed the handle and stepped inside to the relative warmth within.

As the door to the inn swung open, Hunter glanced up from his plate to see just who else had come to the inn on such a dark and gloomy night. The expression on his face, showed that the newest arrival wasn't one he was expecting. "Oh, for goodness sake! Not here! Not now!" the last said in an exasperated tone. "Shut the door! Your letting the heat out, in case you didn't notice." His statement met with murmurs of encouragement from the other inn goers.

Nicole's ice-blue eyes zeroed in on Hunter and she slammed the heavy wooden door, not letting up her gaze as she threaded her way through the room to his table. "Commander," she said, by way of greeting. "Shall I just chalk up your not reporting to Sickbay as losing track of time?"

Hunter wasn't the least bit phased by the CMO's icy stare. "Why hello Doctor. What brings you out on such a dark and gloomy night? I didn't realize you made house calls." He motioned for her to sit down. "Care for some stew? It's quite good." His tone pleasant, lightly jesting.

"No, thank you," Nicole said, sitting down across from him.

Hunter grinned broadly at her. "Suit yourself."

"Actually, on Rigel V I was one of the few doctors who made 'house calls,' as it were, to the local clan communes." She looked away a moment, her eyes looking all the way back home, then she blinked and looked to the Commander again.

He motioned for more ale. "Want some ale at least? It'll warm you right up."

"I'm supplied, thank you," she said, pulling her flask out of her uniform and giving him a small salute. "I was hoping to update your medical profile before we get too involved," she said, taking a swig from her flask.

"Why Doctor, that is bold. I didn't realize we were. You do move fast."

Nicole almost choked as she swallowed, her skin turning darker than its usual pale as she blushed.

He shook his head, "No need. I'm in perfect health, Tip top condition."

"Yes, well," she said, coughing, "that's for me to say, isn't it?" She cleared her throat, trying to save face.

"Oh? You don't take my word for it?" He asked, his mood jesting even more now based on the reaction he had just gotten from the her. "Are you coming down with a cold Doctor? That's a bad cough." His grin broad, his eyes twinkling in merriment.

Nicole cast him a dirty look, her eyes flashing for the briefest instants to red, then back to their usual ice-blue. She muttered a Rigellian curse word under her breath and put her black bag on the table. Deciding 'aloof' wasn't going to get her anywhere, she blatantly changed the subject. "So where are we?" she said.

"Why Doctor, such a dirty look. I'm glad looks can't kill." As he spooned another mouthful of stew in. "And such language as well and from a medical professional. Tsk, tsk." He looked around and then leaned toward her, "In the holodeck of the Victory." He whispered conspiratorially.

Nicole was sorely tempted to show him how wrong he was about what a look could do, but instead took another swallow from her flask to calm herself and put the flask back under her uniform top. "Are you always this much of a kau-bosh'u-thet? Or am I garnering special treatment?"

He chuckled at the word. "I'm not sure what you said, but it didn't sound good. I do apologize Doctor. I'm usually trading quips with the Captain. In any event, I meant no harm or disrespect." He looked around the inn, "We're in the village of the Captain's character. We have returned to find out what killed her brother. We've already had a run with wolves and rumors of winged creatures living in the mansion."

Nicole suddenly shifted uneasily in her chair. "Winged creatures?" she said slowly.

He nodded, taking in her uneasy shift in the chair. "Rumors have them as Vampires. Your not bothered by things that flap in the night are you?"

If it were possible for her to turn paler than her usual norm, she would have. She stood up quickly, knocking her chair back and grabbed for her bag. "Commander, I apologize for interrupting your holodeck time, I should let you carry on, we can reschedule," she said, rambling a bit, and looking around quickly for an exit.

He shook his head, "No, no, you're here now, You can't leave. Come on, give it a chance. Where's your adventurous spirit? You might find that you like it. I mean what's the worst that can happen? You end up a blood sucking undead creature of the night?"

Nicole was visibly shaking and her eyes were getting moist. "They're not all undead," she said, seemingly to herself, her voice barely above a whisper. She clutched her bag to her chest. "Commander I really think it would be best if I left now," she said, backing away slowly, trying to ignore the holodeck characters looking at her.

Hunter saw the terrified look in the CMO's eyes, she looked ready to cry. Instantly all traces of jesting were gone, replaced by calm concern for a member of the crew. Rising from his chair, he reached a hand out to her, gently touching her arm.

Nicole jerked away as if electrocuted. She jumped straight back over her upturned chair, crouching low as an animalistic growl came out of her throat. Her lip began to curl into a sneer when she jerked and took a deep breath, marshaling her strength and closing her eyes, taking deep, slow breaths.

Not wishing to upset her more, he spoke softly. "Doctor, calm yourself. You are in no danger. I humbly apologize for getting you so upset. My words were inconsiderate and thoughtless. Please sit back down. Take a couple of deep breaths." He waved the bar maid over and got the CMO a tankard of ale. "Drink this. It'll help calm you down."

"Alcohol...." she said, her voice husky. She cleared her throat and started again. "Alcohol gives me heartburn," she said, breathing hard. "I'm...sorry for my reaction Sir." She quietly picked up her chair and set it right by the table.

He looked at her, "Computer freeze program." as the computer complied and the bar and it's assortment of characters were frozen, he asked, "Doctor, please sit down. Care to talk about your reaction? I promise, no one else will ever hear of it."

"That would be nice, if it were possible," she said slowly, pulling herself back together and trying to reclaim some of her earlier bravado. "You'll forgive me, but I cannot, for the life of me fathom why anyone would want to create a program about those...Leeches." She shuddered slightly. "They're anything but entertaining."

"You're talking from a position of not knowing. I know what the legends say. This program is pure escapism for the Captain and myself. A way to unwind, relax. Try it, you might like it. Besides there are worse things in real life than vampires."

"Now who's 'talking from a position of not knowing'?" Nicole fired back. She sighed and shook her head. "Sorry," she said again. "Commander...you're right. We each have our own forms of escapism. If this is yours...well to each their own." She shrugged slightly and sat back down.

"I seem to have unintentionally struck a nerve," he said as she sat back down. "Why don't you at least try it? You may find you like it or at the least find it entertaining and a good way to pass the time. What have you got to lose?"

"My sanity," she said flatly, with no trace of humor. "This little 'idealized' village is charming and all, but given the rural planet I come from it's hardly unique. And as for the 'evil creature in yonder castle?" She swallowed. "I've no desire to see another one as long as I live."

"Never said the village was unique Doctor. And as far as the evil creature in yonder castle as you put it. That's what we're going to find out about." He fixed her with a gaze, Care to talk about it? Obviously this program has struck a nerve with you and I don't mean by filling you with warm and fuzzy thoughts."

Nicole looked at him, slightly confused then shook it off. "Suffice it to say, Commander, what you do for fun, I did for real, and it wasn't fun, and I don't feel the need to see it again. I'm sorry if I don't share your curiosity about a soulless monster that consumes people."

"Nothing to be sorry about Doctor, I'm sorry you won't be joining us. I think you would have enjoyed it but you made your decision. And for the record it's not curiosity, it's a way to unwind. No more, no less."

"What in the name of Ancient Grace would make you think I would enjoy it?" she said, exasperated. "Music is a way to unwind. A good meal is a way to unwind. Sex is a way to unwind. Walking into a lion's den?" She realized her voice had gone up about ten decibels and she reeled herself in. "I'm sorry...I'm doing it again." She pulled her flask out again and took a quick drink.

"All good examples Doctor and all I have used to unwind. This is just another tool. Why don't you talk about what it is that's bothering you? Clearly something is."

Nicole eyed him, toying briefly with the idea, then sat back. "I'm sorry," she said, looking him in the eye. "I just don't care for hunting monsters. I've seen too many, and I don't like being reminded of them."

"It's fine Doctor. I'm sure you have very valid reasons. My offer for you to talk about them still stands."

Nicole nodded. "For what it's worth, thank you. It's a kind offer." She offered him a half smile. "I'm sorry if I came off a bit crazed. Sometimes I forget where I am with everything. I've been here all this time, and I haven't even begun to speak to you about your medical review. Perhaps that should wait until you're..." she looked around again, "relaxed."

"A kind offer." He repeated "But not one your going to take up." he nodded, "Suit yourself Doctor. My offer stands. As far as my medical review, you can speak about it now if you desire. I'm quite relaxed right now."

Nicole's eyebrows bobbed and she opened her black bag, pulling out a tricorder. "Other than a hyperactive smart-assery gene, any complaints I should be aware of?"

"Why Doctor, you do have a sense of humor," Hunter bantered easily. He shook his head from side to side, "Nope. I'm in tip-top health."

She threw him another look and rolled her eyes. "Why do I get the feeling even if you were aching somewhere, you wouldn't admit it," she said, scanning him quickly.

Smiling broadly, he observed her reaction to his statement but said nothing in response to it. His only reply was to her statement. "An excellent observation. Perhaps because I'm not a complainer; everyone has aches and pains. You deal with them and carry on." He trailed off as he watched her scan him.

"Well, as the saying goes: what doesn't kill you, can eventually cripple you," She closed her tricorder and placed it on the table, pulling items out of her bag: a small black rod, an old, small, dog-eared book, an old-fashioned stethoscope, a few old-style hand-held optical scanners, and finally a modern, programmable hypospray. She tapped in a dosage and pressed it to his neck with more gentleness than her more petty side wanted to use. "You're showing some strain in your rectus capitis lateralis--that's the neck-bendy one," she added for his benefit. She returned the hypo to it's place and began repacking her bag.

He nodded in agreement at her statement, even as she pressed the hypo to his neck."Neck-bendy one? Is that a medical term doctor? " He cocked his head to look at her, "So in layman's terms, "I have a neck strain?"

"If you want to put a general term that doesn't in any way indicate which of the several neck muscles it is? Yes." She knelt down in front of him and put her hand to his neck, kneading the muscle gently, probing and feeling along it. "Just try not to make any sudden movements for a couple days and it should feel fine," she said, catching his eye and finding her voice softening.

"General terms work just fine for me Doctor." Hunter answered, no trace of jesting or mocking in his voice just a quiet sincerity. His eyes met hers. "Sound medical advice. I appreciate it and your concern. as well as the neck massage."

Nicole blinked and suddenly realized how she looked and cleared her throat, standing up. "Yes, well, you should be fine, just don't let any monsters give you a blow to the head." She kept her eyes on her bag as she put the last of her items back in and snapped it shut. "That, um...that should do for now Commander. Thank you for your time." She looked at him again, suddenly feeling vulnerable again, but not quite understanding why.

"Sage advice. I shall to my best to make sure it doesn't happen." No trace of teasing in his voice. He met her gaze, "No thank you Doctor, for taking the time to find me as well as your professionalism. I greatly appreciate your dedication."

She gave a clumsy shrug. "Well, if I let you get hurt, it makes me look bad," she said, smiling. She took a breath and looked around one more time. "Quaint," she declared finally. She turned and headed for the door. "Computer," she said, "resume program." She walked out, closing the door behind her.

He watched her go. *Definitely a spitfire,* he decided as he resumed eating his stew.

JP

Lt.CMDR Alec Hunter
Executive Officer
USS Victory

Doctor Nicole Anderson
CMO
USS Victory

 

RSS Feed