First meetings, family reunions, and other assorted lunacy

Posted on Wed Jul 31st, 2019 @ 5:25am by Lieutenant JG Gallia Norris
Edited on on Mon May 11th, 2020 @ 11:01am

Mission: Mission 2: Heaven On Earth
Location: Earth Spacedock
Timeline: upon arrival at Earth
3036 words - 6.1 OF Standard Post Measure

Tallia Strode stood at an observation panel at Earth spacedock, the venerable Dock 001, watching as the USS Elysium pulled in. She was in awe of the ship, unlike many she loved the new designs, and couldn’t wait to start her assignment there in the medical department. The best part though would be being with Anje again, this was the longest they’d been apart since they were six, so getting things back to normal was going to be great.

Commodore, soon to be Admiral, Marianna Brett stood unnoticed behind Tallia, the girl she’d helped raise since her mother’s murder at the age of nine and who’d become much like another daughter to her, “Daydreaming, Lieutenant?” She laughed.

Tallia jumped a little at the voice from behind dragging her back to reality, holding a hand to her chest as she turned around and saw Mrs. Brett, Mom, standing behind her, “Oh, wow, I am so glad you weren’t a purse snatcher or a Borg or something.” She said between gasps before walking over to hug the older woman, “Hi, mom.”

“Hello, baby.” Marianna laughed, kissing the shorter woman’s head, ~Poor thing’s almost as tiny as Anje.~ “So, this is it, the big day.”

“Right.” Tallia smiled, “So, tell me more about this case I’m working on?”

“You’re going to be working with Estelle Hertz, she’s a brilliant doctor, though an odd duck.” Marianna began, not providing too many details, Estelle needed to be experienced by all, “The patient is a soon to be graduating Marine cadet named Mark Robeson. Disruptor blast to the forehead. They already had him tagged and ready to be shipped home when a nurse on Elysium found faint brain activity, they got him into stasis after performing minor removal of dead tissue from the brain…”

“Did they begin attempts to replicate or stimulate regrowth?” Tallia asked.

“Not sure.” Marianna replied, “Though with him being in stasis at least we’ve managed to stop any further necrosis.”

“Right.” Tallia nodded, the Elysium’s medical crew had done a fantastic job saving that young man’s life, she hoped her performance would meet that standard in saving his brain. She decided to change the subject, “So, does your presence mean Anje is going to be joining us?”

“And Milla.” Marianna answered happily, hoping her girls wouldn’t come down the ramp bickering like they had been at DS9. She looked Tallia’s expression over and sighed internally, it seemed poor Tallia was still hopelessly in love with Anje, had been since probably the day they met a couple of decades prior, ~Good luck, honey. Probably would help if you actually said something though…~ “Just wish Tina was going to be here, too. Then we’d have everyone together.”

“That would be amazing.” Tallia laughed as Mrs. Brett referred to the third member of their childhood trio, Tina Vincenzo; they’d been inseparable, even consulting each other on their outfits for the next day to make sure they always wore the same color, “Maybe someday, huh?”

“Right.” Marianna smiled softly, “I hope it’s on a Wednesday though.”

“Because on Wednesdays…” Tallia began.

“We wear pink.” They finished together.

“Pink Wednesday for the win.” Marianna sighed, she had taken so many pictures of the girls together on Pink Wednesday, it was a very special memory for her, “You three always looked so pretty, like a bouquet of carnations.”

The sounds of a loud, nearly nonsensical discussion, parts of it with a Scottish accent, turned her around, “And there they are.” The older woman announced, taking Tallia’s arm and leading her over, “Dr. Tallia Strode, meet Hawkeye and Trapper…”

“Oh, hi, Commodore.” Gallia said, turning from the introduction almost as quickly as she replied, “One, I cannae believe ya tried doin’ an impression of me ta begin with, two, what in the galaxy possessed ye to use the word ‘begorah’ in an impression of me? Begorrah is Irish, I’m Scottish! It isnae the same thing!”

“But who other than you and possibly Kara would ever realise that?” Estelle wondered. “I figured throwing in a silly religious reference wouldn’t be a problem. Besides, your accent isn’t hard, so I had to trip up over choice of words.” She smirked, then looked at the group of people Gallia had greeted. “Oh, the welcoming committee for the Bretts, hello again.”

“Hello, Estelle.” Marianna laughed and rolled her eyes, “Gallia.” She moved the younger woman to the front, “This is Dr. Tallia Strode, she’s the neurosurgeon I got for you to help with the Robeson case. Dr. Strode, Dr. Hertz, and the tall gorgeous redhead is Lieutenant Norris, who has shown up out of uniform.”

“Out of uniform?” Gallia stopped, looking herself over feverishly, “Where?”

“Where’s the little blue accessory on your chest, Lieutenant?” Marianna asked sternly, she’d come expecting a baby and was going to get one.

“Oh, Tay, right.” Gallia laughed, pointing over her shoulder, “Milla’s got her, they’re comin’ down the way with Anje directly.”

“Good.” Marianna nodded, she planned on taking that baby for at least a few minutes, it had been so long since she’d actually had one to play with and it didn’t seem any of her children were in a rush to give her grandchildren. She moved back a bit to bring Tallia forward, “Dr. Hertz, this is Dr. Tallia Strode, she’s the neurosurgeon I got to come in and help with the Robeson case…”

“Hello, Doctor.” Tallia said, extending her hand though she now felt extremely self conscious; looking at herself, thicker than she wanted to be, with mousy chestnut hair and brown eyes and skin to match versus the ‘gorgeous redhead’ Mrs. Brett described and her new colleague, who was a curvy blonde with glorious eyes and perfect skin, not to mention the Bretts, they were all perfect… Forcing away the haunting feeling of being the DUFF (Designated Ugly Fat Friend), she decided to focus on her credentials, hoping the assembled group of models might respect her as a doctor, “It’s a pleasure to meet you, Commodore Brett has told me wonderful things.”

“And I cry fowl”, Estelle chuckled, shaking the new doctor’s hand. “Waterfowl, in fact.” She raised her hand. “Look, I’ve got to interject something here that’s been bothering me. Why does everyone refer to Gallia here as tall, while she’s standing right beside me?” Estelle put her flat hand on top of her head, pushing down the locks, then moved it out horizontally until it hovered a good two inches above Gallia’s head. “See what I mean? It makes no sense.”

An argument in Russian began to fill the corridor, making Marianna groan as her hopes that she wouldn’t find her girls bitching at each other again were smashed to bits, she leaned around Gallia and focused on her children, saying quietly, but firmly, “вы двое заткнуться?” (Will you two shut up?)

“And maybe it’s because you’re in between four midgets?” Tallia offered, she was only a quarter inch taller than Anje, Mom and Milla topped out at 5-3 or 5-4, “And she’s… leggy.” ~My God is she leggy.~ Tallia noticed, hoping this woman didn’t have eyes on Anje, ~Can’t compete with that.~

Marianna had listened to the argument without wanting to, apparently they were bickering about Anje’s girlfriend, a subject she needed to broach with her daughter later, she’d not heard great things.

“See, Estelle, leggy.” Gallia smiled, “Ye cannae go wrong wit leggy, lass.”

“Wait…” Tallia interjected, something had just struck her, “Did you say ‘waterfowl’, Doctor?” ~What the Hell???~

“What the actual duck?” Estelle shook her head. “Fine, leggy.”

“Oh, yeah.” Anje giggled as she walked around the embrace and gently kissed Tallia on her cheek, “You’ll find out Ducky here is all about fowl play.”

“So, you’re going to be busy with family reunion things for a bit, yes?” Estelle asked. “There are a few things I want to get from the import market before going back. Then we can go over the case together?” She looked at Tallia. “Does that work for you?”

“Or, alternately, we can eat first.” Marianna offered, walking around to where Milla held Tayalas, opening her arms, which the baby quickly filled, “And I can spend some time with the best of them. Right, sweetheart?”

Tayalas cooed and giggled, she was enjoying all the attention, clapping her hands and saying, “Sana!”

“Okay, that’s it, she’s mine now.” Marianna joked.

“Okay, I guess after lunch isn’t bad.” Tallia nodded, turning to Estelle, “How’s the tea at this import market?”

“I don’t know”, Estelle said. “I’d go down to the planet and get that from the source. No, I need some Andorian things, there’s a birthday party tomorrow.”

“A birthday party?” Tallia asked, “For who?”

“For Tay.” Milla answered, “It’s actually overdue, we just couldn’t really make time for it during the mission. Same day as mine.”

“Oh, now that is just too precious.” Marianna said, “We’ve simply got to celebrate them together! Is that okay with you, little blueberry? You wanna have your birthday with Rainbow?”

Tayalas clapped and smiled, “Sana!”

“I’d say that’s a yes.” Anje smirked, “Right, Rainbow?”

“You’re despicable.” Milla rolled her eyes, then kissed Tay on her head, “And you just try keeping me away from my Blueberry on our birthday, huh?” She’d had the chance to babysit Tay a few times, she’d fallen in love with the baby quickly.

“Aww, isnae this cute?” Gallia smiled, tickling Tayalas’ tummy, “Ever’body jus’ loves ma little girl.”

“Probably the easiest thing everyone here can agree on”, Estelle mused. “So, how many ducks do I fry up for this party?”

“As many as you like, Doctor.” Marianna replied, not really caring what was being said, she’d already started singing to Tayalas in Russian.

“Oh, Geez, mom’s gonna be on the baby kick again.” Milla sighed, there was nothing more in the galaxy that the elder Brett wanted to be than a grandmother.

“Least you’re only eighteen.” Anje sighed, “No pressure for you.”

“Thank you for reminding me I should really appreciate my parents never bothering me about that”, Estelle said.

“That’s a shame.” Marianna sighed, “You and… Liorga? A little genetic manipulation of a brother’s sperm, you two could make a beautiful baby.”

“And there it goes.” Milla rolled her eyes hard.

“It’s not like we aren’t already spreading across the galaxy at an alarmingly rapid rate”, Estelle smirked.

“Fine, fine.” Marianna sighed, “Before Milla rolls her eyes so hard they blow out of her skull. Come, let’s eat.”

“Right.” Anje nodded, grabbing one of Tallia’s bags.

“Thanks.” Tallia smiled. Anje looked fabulous, as beautiful as ever, then thinking back to what little Russian she knew, something about a girlfriend… ~Damn it.~

Estelle noticed Tallia making eyes at Anje but said nothing. She didn’t know what Anje’s status with the Trill twins was, anyway. Not her place to prod, even though she’d been working very hard indeed on restraining herself from making the appropriate jokes about mistaken identities.

“So, is everyone here hopelessly beautiful?” Tallia asked, though the unspoken part was ‘But me.’

“It helps having a good surgeon around”, Estelle winked. “I try to keep them that way.”

“Oh, you do plastics?” Tallia asked, that was amazing for a shipboard surgeon.

“Speaking of which.” Marianna interjected, “We brought a patient along from Deep Space Nine, seems she’s a good candidate for plastics now.”

“I was hoping to go on a nice, long holiday”, Estelle admitted. There had to be many people on Earth who were capable of taking this patient, she figured. People who didn’t get out much, and who never got shot at.

“Tell you what.” Marianna offered, “Give me six hours and I’ll get you an extra two days at a cabin in the Black Forest. Deal?”

“Sweet.” Tallia smiled greedily, “So what do I get?”

“Remembered at Christmas and your birthday, love.” Marianna replied with a smirk, patting Tallia’s shoulder, “She picked up some bad habits from Milla…”

“It’s easy to get spoiled”, Estelle said. “I’ve been lately, now that I’ve got Liorga in my life.”

“Someone else I expect to meet during the party tomorrow.” Marianna said, running her hand over Tayalas’ head, “Probably won’t carry her around though.”

“No, please don’t”, Estelle said. “She might like it too much and I want my hands free when hiking.”

“Aww, now that would be somethin’ I wouldnae wanna miss.” Gallia jabbed, “Ye jus’ need a bigger version of that snuggly what I cahry Tay in.”

“And don’t forget a hat for her.” Anje chimed in, “I mean, we don’t want her little head to get sunburned.”

“Aye!” Gallia followed, “We dinnae want that!”

Estelle shook her head. “Funny.”

“I guess this is why you’re the comedian and these two are your sidekicks, Doctor.” Tallia snickered, sticking her tongue out teasingly at Anje.

“And occasional victims”, Estelle admitted. “Ask Anje about Dickens, sometimes.”

“Dickens?” Tallia raised a well manicured eyebrow.

“Right.” Anje nodded, “Dickens presented by the two stooges.”

Estelle snickered. “Somehow, she immediately knew it was us.” Estelle looked at Gallia. “We’ll have to do a better job at covering our tracks.”

“The only way we coulda made it more obvious was if we ‘ad ducks in the simulation.” Gallia laughed, “Ya’d be proud, Commodore, yer daughter didnae take a full minute befar figurin’ out it was us who done it.”

“Of course not.” Marianna laughed, bouncing Tayalas in her arms as they walked, “Anje was always a quick study, possibly due to the abnormally long span of her gestation.”

“Mother, please…” Anje groaned.

“Oh, hush, angel.” Marianna continued unimpeded, “This woman is a doctor, she knows I didn’t find you on the front porch in a wicker basket from the stork. Don’t be silly.”

“Right?” Milla giggled, “You’re such a spaz, Anje.”

“And this is what happens when you don’t have an extra century to season them.” Marianna quipped, jerking a thumb towards Milla.

“MOTHER!” Milla exclaimed, she couldn’t believe her mom had actually said that.

“Oh, Milla, don’t be a spaz.” Anje returned her sisters’ prior barb with interest.

Estelle chuckled. “You should perform in the lounge. I have to labour to come up with the right ideas, you just live the dream.”

“Oh, yeah, you just struggle so bloody hard.” Gallia rolled her eyes, “Ye dinnae believe any of this, do ye?”

“I’m new here.” Tallia protested, “I don’t know what to believe.”

“Neither of them.” Anje said, “They’re both always on some kind of joke or something, you have to assume they’re both playing a game until you know for sure.”

“You wound me, Anje”, Estelle laughed.

“Right?” Gallia chimed in, “She didnae even stop fer a second befar she skewered us that way.”

“Well, if you ever actually get skewered I’ll seal your wounds.” Tallia playfully offered, she could already tell she was going to like it here, and hadn’t lost hope of finally landing the woman of her dreams, ~This time she’s mine.~

“Can I watch?” Estelle asked.

“Always with the watching.” Anje sighed, Estelle was something else.

“Pranks aren’t nearly as much fun if you can’t see them unfold”, Estelle said. “And let’s face it, without a little fun every now and then, working on the Elysium wouldn’t be nearly as enjoyable.”

“If ye didnae ‘ave us, yer life would be borin’, Anje!” Gallia laughed, “Ye wouldnae know what ta do.”

“Probably not.” Anje agreed, having decided long ago that she didn’t really want to find out.”

“Now the question is, how shall we involve our new crew in our shenanigans?” Estelle mused. “I’ve already left a little gift four our new counsellor, Lunara Hol. Now I’ll just wait and see what she’ll make of it.”

“Gift?” Tallia raised an eyebrow nervously, silently dreading the thought of receiving some gag gift from her new shipmates, ~Please nothing with spiders.~

“Oh, her chair’s now creaking because it’s got a screw loose”, Estelle said, “And there’s a basket case with a bowl of nuts in it, and so forth. You know, because she’s a counsellor.”

“Am I safe around these people?” Tallia asked, her eyes filled with genuine concern, the doctor with the perfect curves and the gorgeous redhead were both apparently nuts.

“You two take it easy on Tallia for a while, got it?” Marianna ordered, turning to Gallia, “Mommy and Auntie Estelle are so silly…”

“Silly!” Tayalas giggled, clapping her little blue hands together.

“Well, the kid’s got you two figured out.” Anje laughed hard.

Estelle laughed. “Of course she has. Birds of a feather.”

“What does that mean?” Tallia wondered aloud.

“Well, long story short, we’ve come to suspect Tayalas is screwing with Gallia.” Anje explained, snickering, “She’s learned all these new words, all starting with s or sounding like they start with s, but so far, no mama.”

“Surely it’s just something with the sound of s…” Tallia began, immediately going into medical theory, “Children sometimes find one sound and practice it until they can master another and it’s really nothing to worry about. Though if you’d like I’d be happy to scan her brain, check her ears and antennae and…”

“Tallia, dear, that’s quite unnecessary.” Marianna assured her, stroking Tayalas’ hair as she did, “The child is fine, relax.”

“I’ll relax better when she makes another sound, any other sound.” Gallia interjected, “Come on, Tay, say mama.”

“Sana!” Tayalas exclaimed, giggling as though it would be punishable by law soon.

“I cannae stand it.” Gallia sighed, laughing bemusedly, that kid was gonna drive her nuts.