Under the weather
Posted on Thu Dec 21st, 2017 @ 5:16pm by
Edited on on Thu May 31st, 2018 @ 9:55pm
2,479 words; about a 12 minute read
Mission:
Episode 2 - The Enemy Within
Location: Deck 2 Cabin 28 - T'Rish's Quarters
Timeline: MD002 1600 hrs
Tags: SD 71373.1600
T'Rish felt...odd. She couldn't shake the feeling that something was off. It wasn't logical for her to feel this way especially with her new friendship, or whatever it was, with Richard and her department was a work in progress but it was enjoyable enough. Even after her sonic shower she couldn't seem to shake this feeling .
Exiting her quarters the Vulcan Hybrid walked down the corridor and quickly arrived outside of Richard's quarters. She tapped the chime and waited for him to respond.
Richard had sat down in his living area. He was relaxing a little after his long day in Medical as his pale eyes looked at the PaDD he was reading. The Braille version of the Medical Journal had kept his interest until he heard the door chime. At first his brows furrowed as he sat the device down and stood to his feet and walked a step towards the door, "come in," the Azzian said in a polite tone.
With permission, T'Rish entered the Azzian's quarters. The warmth hit her first as she couldn't help but sigh in content as it started to push the chill from her body. "I haven't been here since the gravity was changed..." She replied leaving the remainder of that statement floating around her without remember that she didn't say hi.
"You should come more often," Richard said with a chuckle. He moved closer to her and grinned, "I take it you approve?"
"Very much..." T'Rish replied as she looked up at Richard. "The temperature is probably my favorite...It is more like my quarters." She grinned as much as a Vulcan grinned. "Oh, I hope you don't mind me just stopping by." She stated. "I figured after dinner last night..." She didn't finish it, she wasn't quite sure what her reasoning was.
The physician chuckled and tilted his head, "You don't need to explain T'Rish I'm just glad you're here." He tilted his head slightly, "Would you like to have a seat and can I get you anything, some wine perhaps?"
"Seat would be great." The vulcan hybrid replied as the feeling rolled though her. "Maybe some wine too..." She moved towards the couch a little less sure of herself than she would have liked. She sank down on the standard issue furniture and watched Richard for a moment. "How was your day?" She asked playfully but then silently question her tone.
Richard walked over to the cabinet style table where he kept a few bottles of wine from his sisters winery on Azzia. He hesitated as her heard he uncharacteristic question, "It was rather good actually though I did have to chase down a few crew members for their physicals." He grabbed two stemmed glasses and an opener then turned around to walk back towards the woman, "How as yours?"
"Played a game of Kahlto with Commander Malbrooke today." She replied. "That was unexpected." She admitted as she watched him approach. She noted the wine was not from the replicator and vaguely remembered him mention something about them. "You told me about this wine...correct?"
"I did," the physician said setting the glasses on the dining room table, "its from my sister's winery, "the bottles I have are not alcoholic though she does make that too."
"Interesting" She replied as she watched him. "Perhaps that is the best. I am feeling...odd and drinking probably wouldn't be my best choice." She paused. "Not, that that is your problem just because you are a doctor. Forget I said anything."
The head of the physician tilted slightly as he heard her statement. He abandoned this attempt to remove the cork and moved closer to examine his friend, "it is my problem beautiful, I happen to be a medical officer and well now you've got my curiosity." He crouched down so his eyes were equal to hers, "now what odd things are you feeling?"
Odd was the best word she could come up with. She shook her head. "I..uh..." She started trying to piece together how to describe it. "I seem to be a little light headed and more tired than normal...I don't have the same focus I normally have." She looked up at Richard. "Really, I am sure that I am fine...perhaps all I need is a good night sleep"
"Perhaps," The Azzian male said studying the woman, "when did you have your last Pon farr?"
"I have not gone through my first Pon Farr." The Hybrid responded easily. It was easy to assume that the Doctor was simply taking into account her Vulcan heritage and there was no reason to be defensive or embarrassed by the questions. "I would like to point out that based on my biology there is always a chance I will never experience Pon Farr. It is not something Betazoid go through." the irony was not lost on her that she was explaining anything Betazoid to Richard seeing as that he had far more knowledge than she did.
"Yes but what you are experiencing could be early signs that you are about to go into one," He chuckled, "either that or you're just developing feelings for someone."
T'Rish raised an eyebrow at the Doctor. "Perhaps you aren't very gifted at being a doctor." Leaning forward she pressed her lips to his cheeks lightly. She smiled at her own joke as she leaned back in the couch.
Richard grinned and his eyes twinkled, "Perhaps I need more practice, I really like my patient."
"Perhaps..." The Vulcan replied stoically. She could feel his amusement which only mirrored her own. Reaching out she gently touched her fingers to his. "I enjoy feeling you..." implying her emphatic abilities. "I have never asked your permission...I know that is the Betazoid custom but as a Vulcan we have to have tactile contact so the request is implied but as a Betazoid..." she left the remaining hanging in the easy silence.
The doctor leaned in supporting himself on the back of the couch and then sitting close to her, "You don't need to ask permission T'Rish feel away beautiful."
T'Rish couldn't help but lean into him slightly even if the movement was barely discernible. "I appreciate the trust." She replied not breaking eye contact with him.
"Well," Richard said letting the tips of the fingers of his left hand brush her cheek, "it would be illogical to try to hide anything." He leaned in letting his fingers touch her hair and he placed his lips on her neck, "but right now I'm not too interested in logic."
T'Rish knew she should stop them. It was illogical, but much like Richard she was conveniently disinterested logic as well. "Logic does have its place in these matter..." She tried to argue as she closed her eyes as she tipped her head to the side allowing him more access.
"So does psychology and physiology," The man replied in between soft kisses, "and your anatomy is working on my physiology."
T'Rish couldn't help the laugh that escaped her lips at the statement. It was a true statement that she reciprocated, but hearing it out loud was amusing. She turned her head playfully closing his access to her neck. She paused before leaning in and kissing him.
"It," the man began as he returned the kiss, "is only logical then that we research this."
T'Rish returned his kisses enthusiastically. She was just as physically affected as he was. "Wait..." She said softly between kisses. "I don't think....I can do this....tonight." She wanted too, but there was so much more involved in the situations. He had mates and kids and despite the openness allowed, she wasn't sure she was ready to cross this line. There was no coming back from it.
Richard paused and for a moment placed his forehead against hers before pulling back all together and sitting more straight on the sofa next to her. He nodded letting his eyes drift away from her a little, "You're right T'Rish I'm letting myself go a little too much. We need to take this slow don't we."
"You weren't the only one." T'Rish admitted as she pulled herself back under control. She turned her head to look at Richard. "Please do not think it is out of a lack of desire on my part...I just need time to process all of this." She folded her hands in her lap before continuing. "I have never..." She didn't finish the statement before a wave of dizziness came over her causing her to sway slightly.
Richard's eyebrows raised as he reached out as if to steady her, "I think we need to get you to sickbay young lady." His brow was furrowed deeply as he looked deeply into her eyes, "that dizziness concerns me."
T'Rish felt herself begin to recover. She looked up at him as she pondered what he had said. "It would be illogical to argue with the Doctor." She replied smoothly.
"I'd rather play doctor with you," Richard admitted as he stood to his feet and offered her a hand, "but I think I better get you on a biobed and find out what's going on."
T'Rish couldn't help but grin at the Doctor's comment. She was amused by his playfulness and enjoyed his attention. Taking the offered hand she rose to her feet, waiting to see if the dizziness would hit her again. When he didn't she look at him again. "I do believe that would be a good idea. Lead the way."
"I'm going to walk beside you," Richard said as he watched the woman carefully, "I want to be sure I can steady you if you start to fall again."
"I appreciate your concern, Dr-Richard." T'Rish started, struggling with not addressing him by his title. "However, I have been dealing with this for a day or so and I have yet to fall." She walked next to him as they moved though the ship.
"A day or so," the physician questioned, "why didn't you come see me sooner?" He shook his head and placed an arm behind her back as they moved into the turbolift, "this could be a symptom of something much more serious."
"I have been a bit...distracted of late." She looked to her companion with the implication of blame. The levity was in her eyes much more than it might normally have been. The turbolift ride was short as they only two decks the travel before arriving at Deck 5 Sickbay.
Richard chuckled at T'Rish's implications, "well then let me not distract you anymore Ensign." He moved closer to the sliding door to sickbay and waited for the woman to enter.
T'Rish entered sickbay for the first time since boarding the ship. It was a standard Intrepid sickbay with the triage area near the entrance. She easily navigated her way to the empty bio bed and took a seat.
The nurse on duty rounded the corner carrying a PaDD in her hand with a puzzled look on her human face. She was in her late twenties though she looked a little younger. Her straight brown hair tied neatly back behind her head revealing her rounded ears leaving less doubt as to her heritage.
"Doctor Balston," she began as she walked over towards him and T'Rish, "I was not expecting to see you here."
Rochard had come to the side of half Vulcan and was about to kiss her forehead before easing her back to lying down but with the nurse present he stopped and took in a deep breath, "Ensign T'Rish is experiencing some Dizziness and I thought it best we check it out."
The enlisted woman gave a smirk as she took a tricorder in her hand and waved began scanning her patients. She joked with her superior, "so it's from being in close proximity to you Doctor?"
For a moment Richard looked puzzled and tilted his head as he tried to figure out what the nurse was implying then his face turned beat red, "evidently not."
T'Rish raised an eyebrow questioningly at the interchange between the Doctor and the nurse. "I feel...less in control than normal." The Vulcan explained hoping the move this along. "In addition to being lightheaded."
The nurse handed Richard the tricorder, "I know this isn't your but it does have braille."
Richard nodded, "thank you Nurse Patrick," not even looking at the woman as he took the device and continued to concentrate on the patient.
His furrowed brow showed his concern for the woman on the bed, "well T'Rish, your about to become more Vulcan."
"Meaning?" T'Rish inquired. She could tell by the look on Richard's face that she wasn't going to like this answer.
Richard glanced over at the nurse who got the hint and and merely nodded as she walked away, He watched long enough to see her disappear into his office before commenting, "you will be going though your first Pon farr T'Rish. Do you have a mate we need to contact?"
"I-I-I don't have a mate." T'Rish said returning to her normal stoic manner as she spoke. She had always known this was a possibility. Before she had discovered her Betazoid heritage it has been a forgone conclusion. She had just hoped she would have more time.
"How do you want to treat this," Richard asked stepping even closer to her and looking into her eyes, "there are other ways than having a mate, that route is safer until you are actually bonded."
"The likelihood of my ever being bonded " The Vulcan replied as she pushed herself up into a seated position. "Is minimal." It was a honest assessment and was part of the reason she had left Vulcan. Vulcans prided themselves on the ability to live without emotions which is the polar opposite of a Betazoid. She knew the chances of finding a Vulcan mate willing to deal with her heritage was slim. "How long do I have to make a decision?"
"Based on my experience," Richard began, "you may have to seven to ten days at the most."
"Seven days until full on set and seven additional days until..." T'Rish paused and left the remainder of the thought unsaid. She turned to Richard. "Thank you, Doctor." She dropped her feet to the floor moving into a standing position. "I will think over the options and let you know." Without waiting for the Doctor to say anything she turned and left Sickbay. She had a lot to think over.
A Joint Post By
Lieutenant Richard Ballston M.D. PsyD
Chief Medical Officer, USS Pioneer
Ensign T'Rish
Chief of Operations, USS Pioneer
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