Following on from "In the Mind of the Gorn"

Posted on Sun Nov 3rd, 2024 @ 6:58am by Lieutenant J'airesh Mora-Heath & Commander Sthilg

Mission: MISSION 0 - History Speaks
Location: Main Sickay
Timeline: the next morning
1294 words - 2.6 OF Standard Post Measure

J'Air clocked in for her duty roster the next morning and come into the medical stores for a new pack of sterilising wipes as she had finished off the last pack in Med Bay 4. She pressed her fingertip onto the padd for admittance and jumped, startled to find Commander Sthilg already inside. He looked as if he were stock checking again and she knew he had been doing that yesterday on the late shift (Gamma rota).

"Good morning Doctor, you're here early, did you not just recently pull an evening shift?" she asked.

"I mean, I know it's not for *me* to question *you* about your shifts but I do still worry when I see how tired you are of late. You're not going to be able to pull these extra hours when the twins arrive, I wondered if perhaps you might be able to delegate some of the chores to me now I've been here what seems like forever?" she began to worry that she might be speaking out of turn but she felt it had to be said.

" I hope I won't have to my dear." Sthilg said with a smile and a sigh as he picked himself up from the box he had been checking. " But i am the mossst sssenior doctor on a ssship without any chance of aid coming, but I will accept any help you can offer. Come let'sss sssee how well you can do at ssstock taking. The last thing we need isss sssomeone ssstealing sssomething."

J'Air brightened visibly at being asked to help and immediately picked up the nearest PaDD to begin checking.

"No" she agreed.

After a while and several PaDDs and sections of medical supplies later, she put down the latest completed one into the holder at the end of the rack she had just done and as she was reaching for the next section she looked over at Sthilg and said:

"Thank you Commander for selecting me for this job.... I mean my ACMO position, not just the stock-taking....." she gave a little chuckle as she realised she needed to distinguish those two for what she wanted to tell him.

"I love learning from you in the Operating Theatre. You really are an extraordinary Surgeon but also in your Research Labs, which fascinate me. They're so important and I feel part of something really medically radical when I see the results and effects and quandaries that are challenged and solved here. I just am also aware that - as those are the icing on the cake of my work - I would also like to feel that I do the mundane and assist you properly. I mean I am supposed to be Assistant Medical Officer so i'd like to assist more, with the bread and butter.... like this...." she indicated the stock in row after row of racks/shelves/bins in front of them.

"I love doing the surgeries and seeing the patients and doing what I can within Sickbay itself, don't get me wrong, but I feel like you let me have all the nice bits and then do all the more tedious stuff yourself." She tilted her head to try to get in front of his muzzle and see both his eyes at once, but failed, so she settled for the one nearest her.

Softly and with a fond tone, she summarised. "I'm trying to say that I think you go easy on me. Maybe spoil me a bit?" her eyebrows raised in question.

" I appreciate the comforting wordsss my dear. I made ssure when I left my world that i would do my utmost to be the bessst doctor in the galaxy. If you think you are up for it i can let you take the lead on sssome of the more dangerous tasssk we will get but be warned i will be keeping a close eye on you." The lizard replied a warm fatherly smile on his face.

"I couldn't ask for more and I wouldn't want anything less" she enthused, looking animated.

"Should I maybe also do more of the less interesting things though? To help you get through it all without having to shoulder the load on your shoulders?" she asked, aware that she DID want to be of support to him, especially as he was always so considerate of her and teaching her so much with great patience and care.

" Any help with the paperwork would be gratefully appreciated. " the old gorn replied with a slight chuckle. " Though trussst me you will regret it."

J'Air had to smile. That was probably more true than she had considered. "I think you might be right" she grimaced jokingly. "But it's important for those days when you're too submerged in nappies to do it for me!" she grinned happily at the subject of the imminent twins.

"Can I ask you something personal, Sir?" she changed to a bit more serious. "Are you two beautiful parents ready for the incoming storm?" It wasn't a rhetorical question nor was it an obvious answer but J'Air was aching to start her own family one day and the excitement, hormones and pure joy of the CMO's little ones being on their way had really grabbed her attention and made her think seriously about the whole subject.

Sthilg pushed as he thought it through. " Honessstly. I'm terrified. The lassst time i lossst my love and our daughter. I don't think i could live with myssself if i failed another time. "

"Failed?" J'Air was taken aback. "Why would, Goddesses forbid, the loss of your loved one and child.... children.... be your fault Doctor? If even *you* couldn't save them then it wasn't within the scope of mortals to have prevented it, I believe. You mustn't blame yourself for *failure* that can't possibly be fair on you, Sir".


" My first wife and daughter." The gorn explained as he reached for the holo crystal still around his neck. The hologram of the Orion with the warm smile who was always in his thoughts crackled to life. " No matter how long hasss passed it ssstill feelsss like i failed them. Even after she told me it wasssn't my fault."

"I can't imagine she would have said that if she didn't mean it and it sounds as if she didn't want you to blame yourself! Do you think that perhaps, after all this time, you might be able to forgive yourself for whatever you think you did wrong - in respect for her wishes that you shouldn't take the blame?" J'Air suggested gently and with great respect, hoping to reason with him without offending his memories of such a terrible event.

" I try but part of me will always think i could have done sssomething." The old lizard said letting out a sigh. "Though that isn't going to happen this time. "

"Of course not." J'Air agreed emphatically. "but its still a shame that your grief, as painful as that is, should be further devastated by your feeling guilt added to it, particularly when you are, in fact, not to blame at all. There was nothing more you could have done at the time so your heart needs to heal at least from that self accusation.

The gorn nodded softly as he breathed in and out. " I know my dear i know. Still enough about me and the ghost of my past. How about a coffee and some pie?"

"oooh!! Now THAT's a super acceptable plan!" J'Air brightened. "Shall I go to the replicator and fetch some? What flavour Pie?" she enthused, suitably and happily distracted.

" I have ssseveral fresssh in my office my dear. " Sthilg said with a smile as he lead the way.

tbc?