Friendship

Posted on Sat Sep 9th, 2023 @ 5:04pm by Lieutenant Commander Kara Starr {Kelea-Salik} & Lieutenant Tate Sullivan Ph.D.

Mission: MISSION 0 - History Speaks
Location: Common area shelter
1323 words - 2.6 OF Standard Post Measure

{ON}


"Hi," Tate offered as she approached Kara with a smile, offering a cup of a warm beverage. "I asked for raspberries and I got red raspberry leaf tea. From what I understand, this can be good for mothers to be, but perhaps you would know better. "Would you like some?"

Kara smiled warmly as she nodded. “Yes Please Tate. To be honest I have no idea about raspberry leaf tea, but it sounds delicious.” She sighed a little frustrated that she was still under medical care. “As much as I know full recovery is going to take time, it’s driving me nuts having to sit around. I know I’d be on reduced duties anyway due to my maternity status, but still.”

Handing over the cup, Tate nodded. "I get what you mean. We are all just trying to adjust to these new surroundings and cope with what we can't control." Sullivan smiled, then chuckled softly. "I suppose that's why I wanted to make my way over to you, replicator mistake or not. Taking care of people makes me feel a little less helpless, and while I know pregnancy doesn't make anyone helpless or an invalid, I can't imagine any of this has been easy for you right now. Are you feeling OK?"

“Outside of being frustrated that I can’t do much, I guess so.” Kara nodded. “I’ve got Malakai looking after me, but I can’t even look after my own daughter!” She looked across at Ezri who was happily doing some colouring nearby.

"I'm sure your bond is stronger than you know. It's going to take more than a momentary separation to break it. At least, that's what I've seen with other parents," Sullivan replied with a small smile.

Kara nodded. “I know you’re right, but it’s just how I feel. I guess I should look at this as an opportunity to rest before this little one comes along in another couple of months.”

"That's one way to look at it," Tate agreed. "Still, I'm not telling you you should get over what you're feeling. Feelings under these circumstances are intense enough without having pregnancy to complicate it. Are you feeling OK? Physically, I mean?"

Kara nodded. “At this point in my recovery, I do. It’ll be a while before I can walk properly again though. It’s just...frustrating!”

"I can only imagine," Sullivan replied. "You can still contribute in lots of ways to help the crew, or just to take care of yourself, and in turn, to take care of your family. Do you want to talk about how it happened?" She asked after a pause.

Kara paused before nodding. “I haven’t really talked about it much. I was helping out trying to find some medical supplies in the cargo bay, those crates can be awkward to search through at the best of times.” She sighed. “I was just about to start searching when all hell broke loose! The crates stayed where they were initially, but then they started breaking loose...”

"I'm so sorry," Sullivan replied. "I know this may not be much comfort, but I hope you know that could've happened to anyone of us. It was an accident and you had nothing but good intentions." She could appreciate the sense of added frustration. The universe didn't care about extreme circumstances when it came to the serendipity of accidents but in extreme circumstances, anyone could be that much more unforgiving of mistakes.

“I was pinned under those crates for what felt like an eternity...” Kara paused. “I thought I was going to die Tate! That I wouldn’t see Mal or Matt again! It scared the life out of me.”

Kara's words served as a reminder that everyone had their own stuff to deal with and as much as she and the other counselors tried to stay tuned in, they couldn't possibly know everyone's inner struggles from moment to moment. "That sounds absolutely terrifying and not anything you needed to have happen after everything you've already been through with the rest of us. How did you manage to escape?"

“One of the crew, she heard me crying out for help. The marines helped as well thankfully.” Kara smiled. “It was such a relief to know I wasn’t going to die there.”

"I'm sure it was," Tate replied with a nod. Considering her words for a moment, Sullivan offered, "I don't pretend to have the medical training you do, but given the number of scrapes we've been in, I've made a point of keeping brushed up on my medical skills. I've taken a special interest in obstetrics and pediatrics. I suppose it's only natural given my promotion to chief of pediatric counseling as well as trauma therapy. If there's anything I can do to give you peace of mind, just let me know. I know we're not exactly short on medical personnel, but I do know as healers, we have a tendency to put others before ourselves and not want to trouble anyone. Your well-being is just as important as anyone else's." She offered an apologetic smile. "Sorry, you barely know me and I'm getting all sappy on you. I guess becoming super protective is how I cope with trauma."

Kara offered a smile. “Trust me Tate, I’d be happy to have your insights and your advice. Plus it’d take some pressure off of Sthilg, he has every patient to watch over alongside the rest of the medical staff.”

"You make an excellent point, and beyond that, you've boosted my morale by giving me permission to focus on an area of healthcare I've fallen in love with I suppose by accident. Just out of curiosity, how long has it been since you've heard your little one's heart beat?"

“To be honest I don’t remember” Kara frowned. “I think it was probably my last check up prior to the accident. They tell me he’s doing well though.”

Tate's grin widened as she produced a tricorder from her warm lab coat pocket. "How about we check in on him and you?"

Kara nodded. “Yes please Tate!”

"My pleasure," Tate replied. Sullivan understood there was more to a thorough prenatal exam than simply listening to the heartbeat, but under the circumstances, she couldn't provide the same level of privacy and she didn't want to overstep. Placing the probe against Kara's well developed baby bump, Sullivan consulted her tricorder carefully but soon smiled in triumph. Pressing a button, she amplified the sound for both of them to hear. Some people said it sounded like a train, but Tate knew something so ordinary could never truly capture something so fascinating. "I'm sure you know what that is. I confess, I can never hear too much of this sound."

Kara’s smile practically shone as she listened to the sound of her baby’s heartbeat. “I know, I love to hear that sound. I could listen forever more.”

Tate's smile deepened. "Now that would be something...fortunately, it won't be long before you'll be able to hear this little one's heart outside your body soon. In the meantime, though, the heart rate's a perfect and steady 135 beats per minute. Say what you will about our current environment, but your baby seems perfectly at peace."

Kara nodded and smiled. “That’s a relief, thank you Tate. I appreciate everything you’re doing for me.”

Sullivan chuckled. "Any time. In fact, I think I should be thanking you for letting me get to know you and the little one. It gives me hope." Tate sighed, the nonverbal gesture mixed with pleasure and a touch of regret. "I suppose I better get back to work. Just let me know if you could use another break in the future. I'm happy to give you glimpses into your little one or just be a sounding board."

{OFF}