A Chat with Emerick

Posted on Friday, 15 May 2020 - 6:14pm by Emerick & Lieutenant T'Lanna Vali

Mission: Operation: Recall
Location: Sickbay
Timeline: MD 4

{ON}

T’Lanna walked into Sickbay, she wanted to make a point of meeting the EMH Emerick, she’d heard about him but hadn’t yet had a chance to meet him. “Computer activate EMH”

With a bit of a perplexed expression etched upon his face, the hologram looked around. "What is it with everyone on this ship and the lack of a medical emergency," he said turning to see the woman who had activated him. "Oh," he said as his optics met the woman's gaze.

T’Lanna smiled. “Sorry Doctor there is no emergency, I’m T’Lanna Vali, ships Psychologist, Counsellor and Acting Chief of Intel.” She paused realising just what a mouthful that was and how much work she’d given herself too. “I’d like to ask for your help.”

"Fancy titles," he said with a small smirk creeping upward. "Hello, Lieutenant. I am aware of who you are" he added with a polite nod. "Though I was not aware of how overworked you are," he said as he quickly grabbed a medical tricorder and started to scan the woman. "Increased estrogen production, increased development of vascularization...have you been experiencing nausea?" he said as he closed the tricorder and reached out with his hand and placed it on her stomach.

“Very definitely and I’m seven weeks pregnant.” T’Lanna smiled warmly. “Doctor Rose recently gave me the news.”

Emerick smiled. He had never thought about a baby being aboard or at the very least a pregnant member of the crew. "I don't know how trained Doctor Rose is with delivering children, but I am sure he knows how to as part of being Chief Medical Officer. Nevertheless, I can be activated to assist."

T’Lanna smiled. “That’s good to know. Ryan has assured me that my mixed genetics shouldn’t prove too much of a problem, I’m just hoping that holds true. My baby’s father was Human, so my baby will be a mix of three races. I have Betazoid senses, and the green blood of my Vulcan heritage.”

"The gestation period for Betazoids is ten months. I'm curious to see if yours ends up being closer to nine months or the previously stated ten" he replied with the observation. "Your child will certainly have interesting heritage and very likely an increasingly difficult liberty."

“Indeed” T’Lanna smiled. “I know I already asked Ryan but do you foresee any possibility of problems with my pregnancy? Given that I’m adding a third genetic to the mix? I’m understandably concerned this being my first baby.”

"Once upon a time perhaps" Emerick replied trying to ease her concerns. "We know a lot about Betazoid, Vulcan, and Human physiology fortunately. Aside from a few surprises here and there that may happen with any pregnancy, I would not see any reason to raise an alarm of concern. We will monitor your vitals as well as your child's. At the slightest sign of anything changing, Doctor Rose and I will ensure the best care that we can."

T’Lanna nodded. “Thank you Emerick. Do you mind if I call you Emerick? It saves the titles.” She smiled warmly. “I didn’t come here to talk about the baby funnily enough, I came to ask for your assistance with the Counselling duties. Ryan is already helping with my workload but he has duties to attend to and Commander Victrix suggested I speak to you about help with my workload.”

"I do not mind at all actually," replied the hologram. "Being called Emergency Medical Hologram or EMH is not all that appealing to me. I may be a hologram, but I am adaptive and sophisticated. I contain information and personality comprised of dozens of physicians, sociologist, psychologist and such" he explained. "I would help you as much as I can though I do not get much use out of the counselling side of my programming. I lack some of the 'social graces' needed to provide the best care."

“Well that was what I was going to ask your help with.” T’Lanna grinned. “My energy levels are practically in the floor, although I do have a habit of burning the candle at both ends, as the saying goes!”

"Doctor Rose has been trying to help me with my socialization and I think I am improving...hopefully" he said as warmly optimistic as he could manage. "Though I have not had many lessons recently. I think I may have offended him and I do not know how to mend our friendship."

“Oh? May I ask in what way you think you offended him?” T’Lanna leant against a biobed to rest as she studied Emerick.

"I asked him out on date" he replied. "Not that I thought anything about it. He said people could date and not be romantically involved. So, I thought I would ask. He did not take it well and I believe I assessed he was a very broken man."

“Ohh I see...” She nodded. “I’ll be honest, he hasn’t said anything to me about it but it is something that could be easily misunderstood. Doctor Rose has been to see me but I’m not at liberty to discuss that without his permission. Might I suggest we get the two of you together in the same room and get you talking about it? He may not even be upset with you, there’s only one way to find out.”

Emerick nodded. "In due time. Right now, I need to figure out some things on my own before I spend any more time with him." The EMH looked at the woman. "I can take on some of the crew as a counselor for a while under one caveat; in no way am I taking in Chief Eyelaya."

T’Lanna nodded. “I did hear something about Eyelaya and yourself, so not to worry. She’s a difficult case. I appreciate your help. I wasn’t expecting the news that I was going to be a mother, it’s come as a surprise but a welcome one all the same.”

"Yes, Eyelaya has 'feelings' for me which is why I went to Doctor Rose for help" he explained a bit more. "Is she mentally sound?" asked Emerick. It was not polite nor professional.

“She is quite mentally sound” T’Lanna nodded. “Eyelaya is ... lonely I’d say. She is reaching out to the one person she feels comfortable with and that is you. The only interest she has in me is the fact that I’m ex-Borg. It’s a case of trying to understand Emerick, as a Counsellor you need to be tactical in what you say. You can’t offend your patients, or make them feel alienated.”

"She's interested in you because you are an ex-Borg. It fascinates her. I don't believe I am much different in that being, Lieutenant. Eyelaya may seek companionship, but it hasn't been from the 'normal' members of the crew. She initially wouldn't let Dr. Rose tend to her because he's an organic life form. She was more comfortable with me...I'm a Hologram."

T’Lanna nodded. “Her case is far from simple but we’re slowly learning more about Eyelaya. Once I know more I’ll be able to help her more. For now, we are just friends, as much as Eyelaya will allow it. If you’re not comfortable with that then it’s fine.”

Emerick nodded. "Yes, I am fine with that. I will do everything that I can to help you."

“Thank you Emerick” T’Lanna smiled warmly. “I’ll let Ryan know you’re helping with the Counselling duties.”

"Ryan," he said echoing her with a look bordering on suspicions "Interesting. You've referred to the Doctor by name several times in our conversation" he added before nodding. "Thank you, Lieutenant."

“Sorry Emerick, it’s force of habit. He’s my friend and a colleague, I consider those onboard extended family. That’s what a Starship crew is. I can assure you there’s nothing going on between Ryan and I, I already have someone aboard that I’m involved with.”

"Oh okay" he said feeling a little better. "I am a bit protective of the Doctor" the EMH admitted. "Probably not a good thing."

“It’s okay” T’Lanna nodded. “He needs friends and those who care about him, whether he’s willing to believe that or not. I’ll admit if I wasn’t already involved it might have been a different story.” She grinned. “I’m happy just to be a good friend.”

Emerick nodded "Preach" he replied swiftly. "If I understood the actual fragility of emotions and intimacy it may be another story as well. That and if he was a holosexual, but nope he likes them with flesh, blood, and different equipment."

T’Lanna nodded. “Emotions are ... notoriously hard to understand. Intimacy is something that could be explained but it’s easier to learn and experience. Perhaps you should allow yourself to get to know a young woman whose willing to get to know you. It might do you both some good.”

"I'll consider it" replied the EMH. "Thank you for the conversation" he added politely.

“My pleasure” T’Lanna smiled warmly. “Thank you for putting my mind at rest.”

"Of course" he replied and bid the Ship's Psychologist a polite farewell.

{OFF:}