From: Christine Fontaine 
Date: Tue, 08 Apr 1997 19:39:40 -0400
Subject: USS CHESAPEAKE: On My Own

SD 90408.1939
MD 04.1130
Scene: USS CHESAPEAKE: Sickbay
Doctor Caitlin Donne watched in dismay as Doctor Ledoux strode out of her 
office, crossed sickbay, and proceeded to head out the doors.  Something was 
clearly troubling the Chief Medical Officer and Caitlin wished that she were 
able to help her.  Unfortunately, Doctor Ledoux had vacated sickbay before 
the Irish doctor even had a chance to approach Catherine.  Promising herself 
that she would track Doctor Ledoux down later and remind her that even CMOs 
had to undergo physicals, Caitlin went back to work.
	***		***		***		***		***		***
MD 04.1140
Scene: USS CHESAPEAKE: CMO's Quarters
Frustrated, tired, and longing for Rich, Catherine returned to her quarters. 
Feeling distinctly out of sorts, the vet longed for the comfort of a 
friendly face, even if those faces happened to belong to her two Siamese 
cats.  
Whiskers and Dawn enthusiastically attacked the doctor as the doors to her 
quarters swooshed open and she stepped inside.  Meowing at the top of their 
lungs, creating a cacophony of sound as only Siamese can, the two cats 
imperiously demanded attention.  They wanted Catherine's affection and they 
wanted it now.
"Alright, alright you two," Catherine said as the cats brought a tiny smile to
her lips.  Sitting herself down on a corner of her bed, the vet's lap became 
an open invitation for the Siamese to make themselves comfortable.  The cats 
eagerly clambered up, their deep rumbling purrs vibrating in harmony.  
Sighing, Catherine allowed herself to listen to the soothing, comforting
sound.
Catherine absently stroked the Siamese, attempting to relax.  *What is wrong 
with me?* she wondered.  *Why can't I concentrate?  Why can't I get any work 
done?*  Sighing, the vet shook her head in frustration.  If she didn't get 
her act together soon, well...  Catherine cut that train of thought abruptly 
short; she certainly didn't need to get herself any *more* depressed.
While Catherine was ruminating, Whiskers and Dawn were becoming more 
insistent in their demands for attention.  As sharp claws began to dig into 
Catherine'sthighs, she grabbed a cat in each hand and proceeded to deposit 
them on the floor.
"I do not appreciate being treated as a pin cushion you two," she
mock scolded her cats.  Catherine actually felt a deep and abiding
affection for the two trouble-makers.  It was her passion for animals
that had first prompted Catherine to pursue veterinary medicine as a
career.  Further medical studies had followed after that, a natural
progression of her healing skills.
*Perhaps some music would be relaxing,* Catherine thought, rubbing the
pricks the cats had left on her legs. *I might even try singing.*
Possessing a rich alto voice and having perfect pitch, Catherine loved 
singing and had acted in many musical theatre productions.
Feeling rather down and missing Rich as much as she did, Catherine knew that 
there was only one song that suited her current mood.
"Computer?" she softly inquired.  "Please play 'On My Own' from _Les
Miserables_ in Ledoux musical theatre collection."
As the mournful strains of an oboe began the song, Catherine closed
her eyes, losing herself in the music, preparing for the melody to
come.
	'And now I'm all alone again, nowhere to turn, no one to go to;
	Without a home, without a friend, without a face to say hello to;
	And now the night is near, and I can make believe he's here.
	Some times I walk alone at night when everybody else is sleeping,
	I think of him and then I'm happy with the company I'm keeping;
	the city goes to bed, and I can live inside my head...'
Catherine's powerful alto voice filled her quarters, the passion and the 
anguish of the words ringing out as she was caught up in the beautifully 
woven harmonies.
	On my own, pretending he's beside me,
	All alone, I walk with him till morning;
	Without him, I feel his arms around me,
	And when I lose my way I close my eyes and he has found me.
	In the rain, the pavement shines like silver,
	All the lights are misty in the river;
	In the darkness the trees are full of starlight,
	And all I see is him and me forever and forever.
	And I know, it's only in my mind
	That I'm talking to myself and not to him;
	And although I know that he is blind
	Still I say there's a way for us.
	I love him, but when the night is over,
	He is gone, the river's just a river;
	Without him the world around me changes,
	The trees are bare and everywhere the streets are full of strangers.
	I love him, but every day I'm learning,
	All my life, I've only been pretending;
	Without me his world will go on turning,
	A world that's full of happiness that I have never known.
	I love him, I love him,
	I love him, but only on my own.  

Respectfully submitted,
Chris Fontaine
LCDR Catherine Ledoux, DVM
Chief Medical Officer
USS CHESAPEAKE
<< NRPG >>
Sorry I've been silent for a couple of days - year end projects keeping me 
busy.
Chris

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