...is worth a gander.

Posted on Mon Dec 23, 2013 @ 1:45am by Lieutenant Nicole Anderson

2,936 words; about a 15 minute read

Mission: A Whole New World, Part 2 - Durbatuluk
Location: Holodeck 2
Timeline: Wed, 05 Dec 2384 13:30:00 GMT

Nicole walked around the biobed and glanced out the window at the city below, then back at her patient. "Commander?" she said gently, prodding his shoulder. "Commander Hunter?"

Alec's eyes flickered open and he found himself staring into the icy blue ones of the Victory's CMO.

"I'm so, so sorry, Sir," Nicole said, her blue eyes full of sympathy. "You came onto the holodeck, I'm assuming to drop in on me as I did on you? Someone hit a dukal towards you and you stepped right in its path. I didn't have a chance to freeze the program." She shrugged helplessly. "Since we were right outside the hospital, I figured I'd just bring you up here, rather than taking the time to go to Sickbay."

"You're right, that's exactly what I was planning. Seems it didn't work out too well." He gave a wry grin. "Is that what hit me?" His eyes falling on a baseball size sphere.

She followed his gaze to the sphere sitting on a chair by the window. "Yes Sir." She picked it up and hefted it. "You should be fine though, just a bit tender."

He ran his hand gingerly along the back of his head. "A bit tender? Sore is a better word." He looked around, "So I can get out of here?" He gave her a sheepish smile, "I'm not a big fan of hospitals. What sort of program were you running?"

"I was feeling a bit homesick," Nicole said, shrugging. "Welcome to Rigel V."

"Indeed," an amused voice said from the doorway. "And what do we have here, hinek?"

"An unexpected patient, Doctor Hanopar," Nicole said, giving the man a genuine smile. "I was just about to discharge him."

"I see," the man said, amused. "Try not to come back," he said, giving Hunter a smile. "Good to see you, hinek," he said, patting her shoulder before continuing his rounds.

"Sage advice." Alec replied.

Nicole nodded and looked back to Hunter. "Want to try standing? I'll give you...what's the Terran expression? Iron tour?"

"Sure." Alec swung his legs over the side of the bed and stood up slowly his eyes closed as he felt a brief bout of dizziness, swaying slightly until his legs firmed up. Opening his eyes he gave Nicole a wink. "Okay, I'm ready just don't let me to go running any where." He smiled again. "And I think you mean Nickel tour, not Iron."

Nicole shrugged and picked up her little black bag that she'd had transported in from Sickbay. "What tours have to do with metal, I don't get, but there are a lot of Terran idioms I don't get." She gestured towards the door. "So, I suppose the first stop is to say welcome to the main city hospital in the city of Ancient Grace." She escorted him out of the room and down the hall, back to the entrance. "Welcome to Rigel V."

"Actually" Alec started as he began to walk toward the door. "In this case nickel refers to a form of currency once used on Earth and not the metal. It means an inexpensive tour." He moved into the hallway. "Thank you for the welcome, I wish it could have been under a less auspicious reason."

"Likewise," Nicole said, leading him out into the sunshine. "The joy and excitement of living in the city." As they passed down the stairs, a few people nodded greeting and she led him to a small town square. "All right," she said. "Here we are, the center of the city. Tour's over." She smiled and sat down on the rim of a fountain.

He noticed that her whole face lit up when she smiled. "My kind of tour: short. Does that mean I'm free to look around on my own or would you rather me stay with you? I don't fancy getting conked again."

Nicole laughed. "Well I'd probably better stick with you so you don't get lost." She gestured to a sign and walked up to it, pushing aside some multi-colored flags. "Excuse the decoration. I programmed this to be during the uroshal u'thet gads. " She looked around at the decorations. "Everything's a bit more decorative during the festivities." She returned her attention to the sign. "The City of Ancient Grace," she said by way of introduction. "Of course, this is the older part of the city. The new section has buildings that go as high as ten stories." She waved a hand over the map and it showed several patches in the surrounding forest. "Most of the population lives in large farming communes in the forest areas."

"Good idea, I'd never live it down if I got lost. And don't apologize, I like the decorations; they add to the charm of the city. How many people live here? I'm impressed with the fact that the people didn't destroy their forests, that they kept the natural beauty of their home." He looked around the square. "I'm hungry." He suddenly announced. "Is there somewhere we can go and eat and take in the local ambiance? My treat," he added.

She raised an eyebrow at his sudden chattiness but counted her blessings. "There's a cafe I used to go to during my lunch hour," she said, gesturing down a side street. "Taking official census of the planet isn't easy with all the outlying communes, but the planetary population is in the tens-of-millions. This is the main city on the planet, most of our people are farmers, few live in the city full time. There are many who've never set foot here."

She led him down to an open-air cafe and sat down at a table.

He caught her raised eyebrow, "What?" He questioned, "If it makes you feel better you can pay." He bantered as he followed alongside her until they reached the cafe. He nodded in approval, "This is nice." he commented as he sat down, looking out at the passersby as they went on with their daily routines. "Okay, what's good?" he asked. "You're the local expert."

Nicole shrugged. "I've yet to find something I really don't like, but I'll take a liberty," she said as the proprietor approached. "Fair morning," she said. "Two glasses of sel-berry wine and two steaks with sides, mine extra rare please," she said, looking towards Alec.

"I'd like mine well done please." He looked across at Nicole, "Extra rare? I never would have guessed that. It's probably still moving. However to each their own. " He joked. "I like my steak done."

Nicole made a slight face of distaste. "Contrary to popular opinion, I don't like my food still living," she said, a slight growl in the back of her throat. She cleared her throat hastily and shifted in her seat. "On other hand, by the time a steak is 'done' it's also considerably drier, with far fewer nutrients." She shrugged. "Of course, here that doesn't matter with a replicator, but back home? The real treats are out there." She gestured towards the woods. "The feasts that the farmers put out are amazing. I'm good friends with many of the Odva clan, and they cook some of the most amazing meals during the festivities." She sighed in a way that betrayed her homesickness.

"Popular Opinion? Oh, you mean someone other then myself said the same thing? Nice to know I'm not alone." He paused as he heard what he thought was a growl coming from her but it was over so fast he couldn't be sure. His gaze shifted to where she pointed, "I'll have to try them." he agreed as she sighed, "You miss this don't you?"

She nodded. "I know I come off as all tough as nails, but this is my safe zone, you know? This was where I grew up, where I went to school, where almost every good major point in my life happened. And, admittedly, some bad ones, but it's still home. It's one of the things that I took a point of pride in on my first ship, the Nazareth. Most of the senior staff there didn't have a homeworld. To have a place to come back to was a serious point of pride."

She nodded in thanks as their drinks were delivered, giving a small gratuity from her bag. "Of course, it's like Hanopar would say." She dropped her voice a bit, trying to imitate his tone. "Hinek, no matter where in the galaxy you travel, this is where you will remember. Nothing can leech this soil from your body." She smiled softly. "I don't trust easily, and I don't smile easily...except where I know everyone. This is one of those places."

Alec listened as the CMO revealed a little about herself. When she finished, he didn't make any wisecracks instead he answered, "I do indeed understand. This reminds me of Cadmus Prime, my home. It's a simple way of life. Cadmus Prime is a agricultural world. My parents are research scientists there. I miss it a great deal but I'm not a farmer. I'm an explorer, a flyer, a........." he stopped as though something was tugging at him. Then after a moment he continued, "You'd find it easier to make friends and smile more if you'd relax just a little."

"And give up on this diamond I've been working on?" she said, raising an eyebrow. "I don't think so." She shrugged. "I don't relax easy either. And if I did, what would become of the other constants in the universe?"

"I think you'd be surprised that they would all remain exactly as they are." He looked at her for a moment before going on, "It's true you know. Doctors make the worse patients. You're proving that right now. Why is it so hard to relax? Just what are you afraid of?"

"That the person I confide in will betray me and everyone around me, attempt to kill everyone I care about, and blow up my ship," she said flatly. "Again."

"I can't begin to understand the hurt and anger you have inside over such a betrayal. However I thinking you're doing others a disservice by not giving them a chance to prove themselves as trustworthy. Not to mention what it's doing to you. However that is just my opinion. You are the one who has had to deal with the fallout. "

"For what it's worth, Commander? I do give people a chance. That doesn't mean I'm about to get into an orgy of hugs and backslapping. It also doesn't mean I'm so naive that I think I can't be fooled." She paused as their food arrived. When the server left, she looked back into his eyes. "I trust, for as long as I'm able, but I'm vigilant; I have to be. If I have to miss out on an orgy of hugs and backslapping to keep myself and my brethren safe, then so be it." She picked up her utensils and began tearing into her steak.

He watched as she attacked her steak. "I don't believe I've suggested that you get into an orgy of hugs or backslapping. Nor did I say you were naive. Let me ask you something, when did you become appointed as the sole guardian of the ship? I can tell you right here and now Doctor, that no one takes the safety and well being of ship and crew any more seriously than I do."

"And what would you be willing to do to protect the ship?" Nicole said.

"Doctor, I am not the issue here, I know how to relax and still keep this ship and crew safe. Needless to say I will take the appropriate steps at the appropriate time. To discuss what they might be is an exercise in futility."

"Or a way to plan ahead," Nicole countered. She sat back a moment, putting her animosity aside and the corner of her mouth actually twitched up a bit in a smirk. "I see why she likes you," she said after a moment's thought.

He was taking a bite of his steak as she spoke and her reply caught him off guard for a millisecond, though he recovered enough not to choke. Taking a sip from his glass, he made his reply. "Why who likes me Doctor? Who are you referring to?"

She found herself taking way too much pleasure seeing him off balance, even for so short a moment, but put it aside. "Your significant other," she said. "I see the less-annoying side of you that she must find very endearing." She gave him a smile with a hint of her usual brass in it and took a sip.

"My significant other?" He repeated all all while alarm bells were going off in his head yet he was determined to play this out to the end. "Doctor, just who finds me endearing and what less annoying side?" He threw in, trying to keep her off balance.

"The Captain," Nicole said matter-of-factly. "Although I'm re-evaluating my decision that you have a less-annoying side."

"The Captain?" he repeated, he didn't deny it not did he confirm it. "While you're re-evaluating if I have a less annoying side, and I do, tell me how you arrived at the fact that the Captain is my significant other."

She tapped her nose. "I have an extraordinary sense of smell," she said. "I gave her a drink that has some very distinct chemicals in it and they tend to linger. Plus, everyone has their own particular...flavor." She made a slight face over her choice of words. "Flavors tend to mix together when there's close contact."

He saw the face she made as she tried to be diplomatic in explaining her discovery. "Doctor I am the First Officer of the Victory, of course I'm in close contact with the Captain. The very nature of our positions demands that." He said in rebuttal. He knew what she was driving at but he'd be damned if he was going to admit that.

She gave him a very patronizing look. "I know why you're maintaining plausible deniability," she said, "but not all of us believe certain regulations are to constantly be adhered to."

His face was expressionless, a mask, "You do do you? That's a comforting thought." He said with a scowl. "Though knowing that some don't believe in a strict adherence to regulations is nice to know especially if I wasn't adhering to one." The last said with a smirk.

"Cheers," Nicole said, raising her glass and taking a swallow. "The first ship I served on, the Admiral commanding was in a relationship with a junior counselor, an Ensign almost fresh out of the Academy. Being another member of the Junior team, she and I got close. Some of us rolled our eyes a bit, but for the most part, if they were happy, we were happy. Course, when the Admiral wasn't happy, no one was." She shrugged slightly. "As i understand it, love for humans is a very nebulously-defined thing that is treated with extreme complexity and mystery. If you two care about each other, then that's that I say."

Cheers." He echoed as he raised his own glass and took a sip. " All Admirals are grumps." Then shaking his head he continued,"You have no idea just how complex and mysterious. It is also a wonderful exhilarating time." A smile coming to his face as he took another sip from his glass. " I know we seem to rub each other the wrong way but thank you for your show of support. Even though this is all hypothetical. I do appreciate it," he said honestly.

She rolled her eyes slightly. "Right, strictly hypothetical. Just so you know, I haven't said anything to the hypothetical Captain, so don't let her know that I know just yet. It'll be your little secret still."

"Oh of course. Mums the word. Though I believe it's our little secret." He sighed, "I do appreciate your discretion in this matter hypothetical that it is. It could prove embarrassing if rumors started to spring up all over the ship."

At that, Nicole grinned. "The Admiral and the Counselor never admitted anything either, but that didn't mean no one knew," she said. "At this point, if no one's said anything, my guess is everyone's all right with it. After all, if the people in charge are more serene, the ship is all right, right?" She raised her glass again. "To the secrets we keep, for the good of those around us."

"Good sound logic, can't argue with that. I hope you're right." He raised his glass in reply, "To the secrets we keep." Setting his glass down, he took another bite of his steak. Then, swallowing, he faced her, "I appreciate you telling me this and keeping this 'secret' I know my trust isn't misplaced."

"I appreciate your trust as well," Nicole said, nodding. "Thank you for stopping in Commander, it's been...unexpectedly informative."

"Thank you for showing me your home and why shouldn't I trust you?" He countered "You've never given me a reason not to."

Nicole's smile was strained for a moment, but she raised her glass again. "Thank you again, Commander," she said.

"My pleasure Doctor." Hunter answered as he took another bite of his steak.

Nicole did the same, keeping the same placid smile on her face for the rest of their lunch.


Dr. Nicole Anderson
CMO

Commander Alec Hunter
First Officer

 

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