From: Christine Fontaine 
Date: Thu, 10 Apr 1997 23:05:08 -0400
Subject: USS CHESAPEAKE: Friends

SD 90410.2300 (EDT)
MD 04.1905
Scene: USS CHESAPEAKE: Sickbay: CMO's Office

Catherine lowered the PADD with a sigh, gently placing it on her desk.
Yawning, the vet rubbed her eyes, which were blurry with fatigue.  Brushing
a loose curl off her forehead, Catherine felt like her mind was encased in
a heavy fog that practically nothing could penetrate.  Every time she tried
to concentrate, her thoughts just meandered off in other directions,
refusing to focus on the task at hand.
More often than not those thoughts turned to Rich.  One minute, a bright
smile lit the vet's face as she recalled all the wonderful moments that
they had shared, and all of the special times yet to come.  The next
minute, she would be on the verge on tears, longing for Rich, missing him
terribly, needing his warm, comforting embrace and his infectious grin.
Catherine sighed.  There was so much work to be done and she was getting
nowhere.  Part of the vet recognized that she needed to talk to someone,
but who?  Aboard the REGENT she had always confided in Rich.
There was always the counsellor, but the vet dismissed that notion out of
hand.  Although Counsellor Tats-Marush seemed very kind, Catherine really
wasn't in the mood for another formal counselling session today; she needed
something less 'official'.  She needed a friend.
Anne!  Perhaps she could contact Lieutenant Murray and ask the Science
Officer if she had some free time?  Part of Catherine, the shy reticent
part, drew back from the idea.  How could she summon the courage to contact
Anne?  Another part of Catherine, the actress, the singer, told her to go
right ahead; it wasn't that difficult.
Finally, she made her decision.  With her cheeks coloured a rosy pink,
Catherine prepared to contact the Chief Science Officer.
Taking in a few deep breaths the vet gathered her courage together.  It was
never easy for her to make the first step and contact someone else.  Taking
in another deep breath, she opened the connection.
"Doctor Ledoux to Lieutenant Murray."
[ Murray here.  Go ahead. ]
Catherine paused, tucking a loose strand of hair behind one ear.  Taking in
another deep breath, she continued.
"Hello Anne, its Catherine," feeling very nervous, the vet hoped she wasn't
being too forward.  "I...  I was wondering if you had some time free right
now."  Beyond that, Catherine didn't know what to say.  Hopefully Anne
would suggest a place where they could meet; the introverted vet hadn't
thought that far ahead.
--------------
CSciO's Office
--------------
"Yes, I do, as a matter of fact," said Anne.  "Why don't we meet in my
quarters, then?  I can be there in five minutes."
[ All right, ] came Catherine's quiet voice, sounding a trifle nervous.  [
See you soon.]
As she shut off the connection, Anne tried to think of the best way to
tell Fielding to keep her out of interruption's way.
"Derek," she said, walking over to the aCSciO's office, "please be sure
that no one interrupts me in my quarters for the next two hours, short of
a Red Alert."
"Anything I should know about, Anne?" asked Fielding.
"No, Derek," said Anne, her tone serious.  "This isn't for me, it's for
someone else.  Trust me, if you can."
"All right."
That accomplished, Anne headed toward her quarters.
----------------
CSciO's Quarters
----------------
MD 4.1910
As she waited for Catherine to arrive, Anne felt a bit uneasy.
The doctor hadn't sounded at all well.  Something must have upset her,
and she wasn't sure how she would be able to help.  Still... she set a
chair down near the piano, another facing it.  The computer console was
out of view.  She would be able to tune it out while she and Catherine
had their talk.
Catherine was standing outside of Anne's quarters, twirling a golden strand
of hair around and around one index finger.  Now that she was actually
here, the vet felt a little silly.  While she wanted to talk to someone,
she wasn't good at making conversation.  Catherine also didn't want to be
an imposition; she didn't want to inflict herself, and her problems, upon
Anne.
Hesistantly, she reached for the door chime.  Her hand hovered above it,
quivering.  Finally, taking in a deep breath Catherine pressed it.
The door slid open to reveal Anne, a friendly smile on her face.  Brushing
a loose curl off her forehead, Catherine relaxed a fraction, but only a
fraction.  After all, this was not a 'social situation'; this was just two
friends, and Catherine allowed herself a tiny smile at the thought of
having a friend, getting together to talk.
"Hello Catherine," Anne greeted the doctor.  "Please, come in."
"Thank you Anne," the vet replied quietly.  "I...  I hope I'm not
disturbing you."
"Not in the least," said Anne.  She stepped back and let the CMO into her
quarters, then followed her inside.
At first glance, Anne's quarters seemed rather cramped; this was
accentuated by the dim lighting and the blue carpet.  Since she was fond
of privacy to a certain extent, Anne had managed to insert a wall
partition near the entrance, making a sort of entrance hall.  As they
rounded the corner of the partition, Catherine saw that Anne liked bright
lighting after all.
The living area was brightly lit; the carpet only reflected back the
light and enhanced the brilliance.  Straight ahead was the upright piano
that Anne had managed to get onboard somehow; on top of it sat an
old-fashioned colored picture of Myron and one of Jon Dameon.  A stack of
music lay on the music holder.  Unopened, almost waiting for someone to
open it and play its contents.
The replicator sat in a corner between a window and the wall, its
presence stated but muted.  There were some scribbled notes on its
surface, taped there with some old-fashioned cellophane adhesive tape.
It was conveniently located next to the door leading to Anne's sleeping
area; she often liked to snack late at night.
Two chairs occupied what would normally have been a large open space,
facing each other, one facing the piano.  They were comfortable enough
chairs: portable, but not frugal; inviting, but not lavish.
The computer terminal and its attendant desk -- as well as Anne's working
desk -- were located a few meters away from the "entrance way," its audio
alerting system set on "mute."
Finally, the bookshelf completed the picture.  Filled with what appeared
to be large boxes, it occupied the space between the computer
paraphernalia and the entrance way.  Some of the boxes were opened, its
contents piled in an otherwise unoccupied shelf.
"Please, have a seat," offered Anne, indicating the chair facing away
from the piano.  "Would you care for something to eat or drink,
Catherine?" She paused, looking at the vet.  "Some orange juice,
perhaps?" she suggested, remembering the CMO's selection of two nights
ago.  When Catherine nodded, Anne proceeded to the replicator and
ordered a glass of orange juice for the Lieutenant Commander and a glass
of half-frozen lime soda for herself.
While Anne was getting the beverages, Catherine ambled over to the piano,
and lightly ran her fingers across the top of the keys, barely touching
them.  Still looking at the piano, she softly asked Anne, "do you play?"
"No, I can't say that I do," said Anne.  "Not very well, anyway.  Myron
likes to play... so I try to keep it up just a little bit." She smiled a
bit wistfully. "Do you play Catherine?" Anne asked in turn.
Catherine shook her head gently.  "Well, I wouldn't call it playing.  I've
had a bit of piano, so I can play a simple tune, but nothing more," she
trailed off silently, then moved away from the piano, taking her seat.
"So, Catherine," said Anne, handing her the glass and seating herself in
the chair facing the CMO, "What's going on?  I got the feeling that you
have something on your mind."
Catherine could feel a warm flush creeping up her cheeks.  Although the vet
wanted to talk to Anne, the doctor's introverted nature made it difficult
for her to unburden herself.  Cautiously, she took a sip of her orange
juice, then lowered her gaze to the floor, intently studying the carpet
underneath her feet.
"Well," Catherine began timidly, her voice soft.  Putting down her glass of
orange juice, she clasped her hands together, resting them on her lap.  A
moment later, her hands came apart, her right hand reaching for a golden
curl.  Nervously, she began fiddling with her long hair.
"Well," the vet said again, her cheeks coloured a pale shade of pink.
Glancing up at Anne, who gave her an encouraging smile, Catherine tried to
gather her wispy thoughts together.  Lately, they just seemed to fly away on
gossamer wings...  exactly like they were doing now.
Taking in a deep breath, Catherine brushed a curl off her forehead.  This
was Anne, her friend; there was no need to be tense or uptight.  Releasing
another deep breath, the vet plunged right in, her words rushing out in a
whispered torrent.  "Well, first I guess I should let you know I won't be in
sickbay for the next two days."
"Catherine?" Anne looked at the CMO with concern.  "What happened?"
Anne knew all too well that emotionally high-strung people did things
they weren't supposed to do.  She hoped that Catherine hadn't done
something to cause her to be relieved of duty... or something worse.
"I...," Catherine could feel the heat that coloured her cheeks bright pink
and she quickly reached for her glass of orange juice, taking a few sips of
the cool beverage.
Returning her sapphire gaze to Anne's carpet once again, Catherine explained
in a soft voice, "I... I've been ordered to take a 'vacation' for the next
two days."  There, now that wasn't so bad, was it?
"A vacation?" Anne gently queried.  A vacation... euphemism or actual?
Catherine nodded.  "Ship-board vacation," she murmured softly.  "I'm not to
do any work or go near sickbay."  The vet sighed.  "But there's still so
much work to be done," she concluded, almost speaking to herself.
Anne closed her eyes for a moment.  She knew that feeling so well.  It
had happened to her, just today.  But... she pulled her mind
back.  This was Catherine's time... and Catherine needed
reassurance, of that the Science Officer was fairly certain.
"Catherine," said Anne softly, "it's wonderful that you care so much
about your department, it really is... but you need this break.  Think
how much better you'll be able to serve them after you're rested and
refreshed.  We're starting on a mission soon... I think it'll be best if
you were in top form, don't you?"
Catherine gave a barely perceptible nod.  "I...  I guess," she softly
agreed.  But sickbay also needed to be in top form, and while she trusted
her staff, Catherine wanted to make sure that things *did* get done.  After
all, she was the Chief Medical Officer, it was her responsibility to
oversee the ship's sickbay.  If she wasn't there, how could she do her job?
"I know it's hard *not* to work when there's so much to be done," said
Anne, her tone understanding and sympathetic.  "It's hard for me, too, to
have to do that sometimes.  But you have competent crew, Catherine.  Show
them the trust that they deserve.  They'll hold the fort until your
vacation comes to an end... and, meanwhile, you can regroup.  I guess I'm
just trying to say..." Anne swallowed, then continued, "it's *not* a
punishment.  It's a... sort of overdue reward.  Am I making any sense?"
Catherine nodded, the corners of her lips turning upwards in a ghost of a
smile.  "I...  I guess I'm...  I'm just not sure if it will do any good,"
she quietly confessed.
"Why, Catherine?" asked Anne.  "Is there something you're not telling
me?  That you haven't told the Counselor?" She looked at Catherine with a
mixture of sympathy and alarm.  "What's *wrong*, Catherine?"
"I...  I don't know," Catherine admitted, sounding defeated.  "I mean, I
miss Rich, I miss him terribly, but..." she trailed off, unable to find the
words.
"Sometimes... sometimes I wonder why I'm here," Catherine whispered.  "I...
 I had everything I wanted aboard the REGENT, and now..."  Pressing her
lips tightly together, Catherine stopped, blinking back the tears.
"I...  I know that I *should* be happy, after all, I have the love of the
most incredible man in the universe," Catherine smiled as she thought of
Rich.  She was lucky, she was blessed, so why wasn't she happy?  "I...  I
just don't know," the vet lamely concluded, giving her head a gentle shake.
"Catherine..." Anne's voice was gentle.  "Of course you're unhappy...
it's one thing to know that someone loves you, somewhere out there...
it's quite another to not have him easily accessible.  You want to be
with him, Oh, Catherine..." Anne remembered well the first time Myron had
seen her go off Earth; he had been devastated.  "Catherine... may I give
you a hug?  Just so you know I'm here, and I *will* be... whenever, no
matter what time, ship day or night."
Catherine nodded her assent, not trusting her voice.
Anne approached Catherine and gently gave her a friendly hug.  As Anne
reclaimed her seat, Catherine  gave her friend a timid smile.  "Thank you
Anne," she said softly.
"Any time, Catherine," said Anne.  "And I mean that." She took a sip of
her lime soda, which was (oddly enough) still half-frozen.  She thought
about Catherine's life now, she thought about her own.  She saw a common
thread... she wondered how Catherine would react to what she was about to
suggest to her.
"You know, Catherine," said Anne, a rather embarrassed smile beginning to
take hold,  "I think we might be both good candidates for a second visit to
the Counselor... and I really think she'll be able to help.  I mean, I'm
very touched that you feel you can trust me, and I love talking with you.  If
you want to talk more with me now, that's wonderful... and I'll be available
always... but I also think that a little professional help won't hurt.  What
do you think?"
Catherine could feel her cheeks blushing again, but she had to admit that
Anne was right.  Nodding, she agreed.  "She was very nice," the vet stated,
"but..."  Catherine trailed off.  While Stavay had been very kind, Catherine
didn't agree with the counsellor's assessment that she was in mourning.
Catherine *knew* that she and Rich were still very much in love, they were
meant for each other, and nothing could change that.  The bond between them
hadn't been sundered, it had simply been stretched over many light-years
distance.
Looking up, Catherine realized that Anne was waiting for her to finish her
sentence.  Tucking a loose curl behind one ear, she quickly added, "yes,
seeing the counsellor would be a good idea."
Nice?  thought Anne with a bit of a pang.  She thought of the blunt,
aggravating woman she had met with just the day before.  This sounded
a lot like her previous experiences with Counsellors.  Maybe, she
thought, there was something about her that made Counsellors unattractive
to her.  Almost every single Counsellor she had ever known had been
popular with others who knew them.  But... Stavay Tats-Marush... *nice*???
Anne shook her head slightly to clear it.  Whatever the discrepancies,
if Catherine liked the Counsellor, so much the better.
"Okay," said Anne with a smile.  "Will tomorrow be all right?  I don't
think there's anything exciting going on in the Science Department in the
morning, and I think we should probably get it over with before the
mission briefing."
Catherine nodded.  "Tomorrow morning sounds fine."  After all, might as
well get it over with on the first day of her 'vacation', right?  "Thank
you Anne," she paused, her cheeks blushing a pale pink.  Then tentatively
she softly added, "it's nice to know I have a friend aboard ship."
Catherine gave Anne a timid smile.
"Catherine..." said Anne, "I'm glad, too." She smiled at her and leaned
back in her chair.  "If you wouldn't mind..." her smile became warmer,
more confidential, "will you tell me more about you and Rich?"

Respectfully submitted,
Chris Fontaine                 Masako Goto
LCDR Catherine Ledoux, DVM     LT Anne Murray, Ph.D.
CMO                            CSciO
USS CHESAPEAKE NCC-31813       USS CHESAPEAKE NCC-31813

<< NRPG >>
James: Looks like Stavay has two customers coming up! :)

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