From: Christine Fontaine 
Date: Sat, 01 Mar 1997 13:28:09 -0500
Subject: USS CHESAPEAKE: LtCmdr Ledoux Comes Aboard (finally!)

SD 90301.1327
MD 1.1100
Scene: SB DELTA: Temporary Quarters
Lieutenant Commander Catherine Marie Ledoux, Doctor of Veterinary Medicine, 
Chief Medical Officer of the new USS CHESAPEAKE was feeling rather depressed.
Sniffling a few times, the vet rolled over onto her side, then propped 
herself up, her arms extending, and forcing her body into an upright 
position.  Swinging her long, thin legs over the side of the bed, Catherine 
was now seated on its edge.  Expelling a heavy sigh, the vet's elegant hands 
strayed to her hair, smoothing the long curls into some semblance of order.  
Finally, after pressing her lips firmly together in a look of determination, 
Catherine rose from the bed.  It was time to board her new ship and begin 
her new assignment.
Moving slowly, displaying an uncharacteristic reluctance, Catherine began 
gathering together the few personal belongings that she had deposited in the 
temporary quarters prior to her interview with Admiral Jokinen.  Not that 
those items were great in number, since almost all of her personal 
possessions had been lost in the destruction of the USS REGENT-A.  Some 
necessities had been replaced, and she had had them aboard the REGENT-B.  
Other items were still en route, having been requested once the survivors of 
the REGENT had arrived back at Starbase EPSILON.   Still other items were 
priceless treasures, and these could never, ever be replaced.  So much had 
been lost with the REGENT...  So much...
Catherine could not help the tears that began to well in her eyes, and they 
escaped, running in rivulets down her cheeks.  Releasing a sigh, the vet 
wiped them away with the right sleeve of her uniform, the medical blues that 
suited Catherine's colouring so well.
Casting her gaze about the room, wanting to ensure that she didn't forget 
anything, Catherine's sapphire eyes alighted upon what was now her most 
treasured possession, and there was no chance that she could keep the tears 
at bay.
Lieutenant Commander Richard Francis Wilson's flight jacket.
Rich's leather flight jacket.  Just about the only thing that Rich had left 
after the destruction of the REGENT.
Catherine glided over to the chair when she had reverentially placed the 
jacket and reached out with one hand, gently touching the worn leather.  As 
the tears continued to flow, she took note of all the squadron patches sewn 
on it.  Most of the patches had been well earned, even the honourary ones, 
as Rich was an incredibly talented pilot.  Indeed, most of the flight 
records he had set at Starfleet Academy still stood, and were unlikely to be 
overthrown anytime soon.
Through the tears, a small smile graced Catherine's lips as she recalled the 
first time she had worn Rich's flight jacket.  They had been on their first 
date, at the "Bad Attitude" on Starbase EPSILON, an establishment that 
catered to pilots and whose decor reflected this.  Catherine and Rich had 
been having a quiet dinner, when suddenly their conversation had been 
interrupted.
>"Stand up, Wilson."
>
>Rich looked over his shoulder.  The waiter and four other pilots were 
>standing behind him.  One pilot each grabbed Rich under either arm and 
>heaved him out of the seat.  Catherine's expression became one of 
>concern, but Rich comforted her with a wink.
>
>"This is just their way of saying the we've been invited to their private 
>party."
>
>"Oh, is that all?"  Catherine stood and began to walk next to Rich as he 
>was ushered into the Cafe.
>
>As he walked, Rich noticed a strange feeling by his left hand.  He looked 
>down to see if he felt what he thought he felt.  He did.  He was holding 
>Catherine's hand in his own as they walked.  He smiled to her, but he 
>couldn't remember if he took her and or if she took his.  It was nice, 
>though.
>
>The interior of the Cafe was just as Rich remembered it.  A shrine for 
>pilots.  Antique aviation equipment was proudly displayed.  Photographs 
>hung on the walls.  Models of fighters and shuttles were suspended from 
>the ceiling by string.  Loud music blared from a jukebox.
>
>While everyone was getting used to the darkness, Rich showed Catherine a 
>few of the more interesting pieces on display.  The Doctor stopped Rich 
>by a wall the was totally filled with photographs of pilots.
>
>"Who are these men?"
>
>"That's the Wall of Honor."
>
>"Honor?"  She began to look at the pictures, "You're supposed to be a 
>talented pilot, why isn't your picture up here?"
>
>"I don't qualify."
>
>"Why not?"
>
>"I'm alive.  All these men and women have two things in common, they were 
>pilots and they were killed in their machines."
That statement had sobered Catherine, but before she had had a chance to 
reply, Rich had been grabbed by the shoulders by one of the pilots and 
propelled further into the bar.  Trailing him, Catherine had followed, 
curious to find out what would happen next.
Both Rich and Captain Christof Fife, Commanding Officer of the USS REGENT 
had been looking in awe at a pair of Arco Attack Sled Simulators.  Both were 
obviously eager to give the machines a try.  A tiny smile still hovering 
about her lips, Catherine closed her eyes, clearly recalling that day's events.
>In a hurry, Rich stripped off his leather jacket and wrapped it 
>over Catherine's shoulders.  This served two purposes: It kept her warm, 
>and it marked his territory.  You never leave a beautiful woman alone in 
>a bar full of pilots.
One Rich and the Captain had climbed out of the simulators, wide grins on 
both of their faces, Captain Fife had been approached by a pilot.
>"Captain, we've never had the chance to meet.  I'm Commander Casey 
>Hamilton.  I'm the CO of the 105th of the 6th.  I never got the chance to 
>thank you for your help during the battle."
>
>Rich and Catherine wandered a bit closer.  Rich wanted to hear this 
>conversation.
>
>"I've talked it over with the men, and we want you to have this."
>
>Another officer handed a box to Hamilton who handed it to Fife.  It was 
>heavy.  A couple of pounds.  Fife raised an eyebrow and placed the box on 
>the bar to open it.
>
>Inside was a leather jacket, similiar to Rich's.  There were only a few 
>small differences.  Rich's jacket had a few more squadron patches sewn 
>on, and Fife's had a small black nameplate on the left breast.  In gold 
>writing, it said, "Captain C. Fife - White Leader"
>
>Wilson whistled in appreciation.  All around, everyone clapped and 
>cheered as Christof put it on.
>
>"And for you, Lieutenant."  The Commander stuck something small into 
>Rich's hand.  It was a patch - the insignia of the 105th.  He and Fife 
>were now honorary members of the squadron.  There could be no higher 
>honor for a pilot.
Both Wilson and Fife had piloted fighters during the Kzinti attack of 
Starbase EPSILON.  Seeking to secure the secrets of the AWAD facility, the 
Kzinti had engaged the fighters in quite a battle.  Catherine shuddered at 
the memory, for the attack had come just after her assignment to the REGENT. 
 So much had happened since then, so much...
Blinking away the tears, Catherine gave herself a little shake, attempting 
to propel her thoughts back into the present.  All of that was over and done 
with.  Time to get on with her life, as empty and vacant as that life seemed 
right now.
After a moment's consideration, Catherine slipped into the jacket, feeling 
its comfortable weight settle about her shoulders.  Not caring that she was 
now, technically, out of uniform, the simple act of actually wearing the 
worn, leather jacket somehow brought a measure of comfort to the vet.  Not 
only did Rich seem closer, but the jacket was almost a talisman, a real, 
physical symbol of their love, a promise that they would be together again 
someday, a reminder to always keep in touch, not that either of them really 
needed a reminder.  Rich, who was always in her thoughts, her heart and her 
soul, was somehow conjured into the present.
Thus attired, Catherine went in search of her two troublesome Siamese, 
Whiskers and Dawn.  As expected, they were curled up together, fast asleep, 
seal and lilac tails intertwined.  Not wanting to disturb the slumbering 
felines, Catherine nevertheless had to rouse the tiny cats, for they all had 
to be on their way.
Gently, she reached out and extricated Whiskers from the tangle of legs, 
tails and paws.  With a huge yawn, followed by a whining "meow", the Seal 
Point Siamese came awake.  After giving his front paws a few good licks, 
Whiskers turned to look at Catherine, his deep blue eyes seeming to say 
"you'd better have a good reason for waking me from such a pleasant dream!" 
before returning to his ablutions.
As Catherine began to carefully fasten Whisker's harness around him, the 
other Siamese, Dawn, awoke with a long, languid stretch, seeming to flex 
every muscle in her tiny, lithe body.  Once awake, she, too, set to grooming 
herself, her rough, pink tongue covering every inch of her fur with neat, 
efficient strokes.  Then it was her turned to be harnessed, after which 
Catherine snapped the leashes on to each cat, ready to walk them through 
DELTA's corridors, en route to the CHESAPEAKE.
After retrieving the PADD that contained her orders from the corner of the 
desk where she had flung it earlier, Catherine was ready to depart.  Having 
already arranged to have her personal effects transferred directly to the 
CHESAPEAKE there was nothing else that she needed to take with her.  Forcing 
herself to take a few deep breaths, hoping that she'd be able to keep her 
volatile emotions under control, Catherine keyed opened the door, stepped 
out into the hall, and began the walk towards the berth where the CHESAPEAKE 
was currently docked.
Fighting to keep her emotions in check, the vet paid little heed to what was 
going on around her and she strode through the corridors.  Soon, she arrived 
at the airlock leading to the ship.  Foregoing the pleasure of a scenic 
shuttle ride, Catherine simply wanted to get herself aboard, and proceed 
from there.
A young Ensign stood at the airlock, ostensibly guarding the entrance to the 
ship.  As Catherine approached, his eyes widened, and he could not tear his 
eyes away from the figure that was now standing before him.  Although she 
was a little on the slim side, the woman was beautiful, with dazzling blue 
eyes and soft, lustrous curls that were just crying out to be touched.  
Gulping the Ensign stood a little straiter, trying, in vain, to make his 
gawking a little less blatant.
With her emotions already on edge, Catherine was not prepared to deal with 
the brazen looks that the Ensign was directing her way.  Almost at the point 
of tears, the vet could feel the flush creeping up her face, turning her 
pale, thin cheeks a rosy shade of pink.  Closing her eyes, Catherine fought 
to maintain her composure, and took a few deep breaths, inhaling and 
exhaling slowly, in an effort to quell her rising emotions.
Unable to speak around the tightness in her throat, Catherine extended the 
PADD containing her orders, keeping her eyes firmly fixed on the deck 
beneath her feet.  Barely affording the PADD a glance, the young Ensign 
waved her through, still looking longingly at the Commander that had 
presented the PADD.  Catherine, forcing herself not to run, restrained, in 
part, by the presence of the two Siamese, could feel the Ensign's eyes 
following her as she left.  His gaze seemed to burn into her back, and she 
fought the urge to flee.
A few paces, and a few paces more, and she was around a corner, out from 
under that unwanted scrutiny.  Pausing, Catherine leaned against a wall, 
sighing in relief.  Then, with another deep breath, she continued on.  After 
stepping through another airlock, she was finally aboard the CHESAPEAKE.
Glancing towards the wall panels, Catherine waited for the computer to 
provide directional lights, leading her to her quarters.  A few moments 
later, after they didn't appear, a puzzled frown registered on the vet's 
countenance.  Why weren't the helpful lights appearing?
"Anna?" Catherine queried, "could you please direct me to my quarters?"
Patiently, the vet again awaited a response.  Receiving none, she began to 
tap her foot lightly in frustration.
"Anna?"  
Nothing.  
"Anna?"
Again, no response.
"Anna, are you functioning correctly?"
Tucking a loose curl behind one ear, Catherine finally realized her mistake. 
 Blushing in embarrassment, the realization cracked the fragile wall holding 
back the tears.  Wiping away tear after tear with her free hand, Catherine 
felt incredibly silly.  She was no longer aboard the REGENT.  She was now 
aboard the CHESAPEAKE.  No anticipatory computer system, that knew what she 
was thinking almost before she did herself.  No "Anna", for that was how the 
REGENT's computer had preferred to be addressed.  At first it had felt 
strange, addressing a computer by name, but it had become second-nature.  
Continuing to cry, Catherine had known that she would miss Rich, but she 
hadn't realized she would miss so many others from the REGENT.
Luckily, no one passed through that particular hallway as Catherine regained 
control of her emotions.  Once she had herself together again, the vet was 
ready to try once more.
"Computer?  Could you please provide directions to the quarters assigned to 
the Chief Medical Officer, Dr. Catherine Ledoux?"
This time, she received a response, and the corridor panels lit up in 
succession, guiding her towards her new home.

Respectfully submitted,
Chris Fontaine
Lieutenant Commander Catherine Ledoux, DVM
Chief Medical Officer
USS CHESAPEAKE

<< NRPG >>
Finally aboard! 
Just one small note:  I usually go by Chris as opposed to Christine.  When I 
actually hear Christine, it usually take a few moments to register, if it 
registers at all. 
Masako: Nice series of posts. :)  I *do* plan on having one of my NPCs take 
care of Kirko in sickbay. (The post *is* actually started.   Its just 
that this post was getting long enough as it is... )
Takako:  I'll have Catherine report to Brennan in my next post as well...
All: Sorry for all the reminiscing, etc., but Catherine is my primary 
character (yep, she's the one I took though ALB) and consequently she has a 
*long* history.  Right now, she's trying to deal with three very emotional 
events that have occurred recently:  the loss/destruction of the REGENT-A, 
leaving the REGENT, and parting with Rich.  Catherine and I had been aboard 
the REGENT since I first joined ASR, and leaving that ship was one of the 
hardest things I ever had to do, even more tough a decision to make than the 
decision to leave my own command (which I left due to lack of time, in case 
you were curious...)  Basically, my reasons for leaving the REGENT are the 
same as Catherine's - without Rich (and his player, my fiance, Chris Morley) 
aboard, I just couldn't conceive of remaining aboard without him...  So, 
that's my story...  The funny thing about this is that Catherine and Rich 
had their first date before Chris and I had ever met!  Yes, we're both Chris, 
confusing, I know... ;) 
BTW, much of the quoted material above was written by Chris Morley (to give 
credit where credit is due)
Okay, I think I've rambled enough for now... 
Chris - time to do some studying...

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