A welcome visitor

Posted on Saturday, 31 October 2020 - 4:39pm by Lieutenant Alex Kingsley & Lieutenant T'Lanna Vali

Mission: Operation: Ouroboros
Location: Sickbay
Timeline: 2393

{ON}

T’Lanna was sitting up on the biobed politely tucking into a nutritious meal and protein shake. She hadn’t taken into account just how awkward it was to do the simplest things with a rounded stomach and it certainly made her back ache. She was going to have to strengthen her back muscles but she had a feeling Ryan would say no to an exercise plan until she was back to her proper weight.

“Am I interrupting?” Alex asked politely as she approached the biobed. “I can come back...”

T’Lanna shook her head as she finished off the last of her food, politely wiping her mouth on a napkin. “Not at all, please grab a seat. It’ll be nice to have some company.”

“I thought I’d stop by and see how you were doing,” Alex said as she took the offered seat. “And to apologise. In engineering... if I gave you the idea that I was uncomfortable around you? I am sorry. Truly.”

“Ohh .. no, you didn’t give me that impression at all.” T’Lanna offered a smile. “I know how people feel, in general, about the Borg. I wasn’t feeling very comfortable about having those extra implants. It made me think back to times I didn’t want to think about.” She nodded politely as a nurse fetched her plate and moved away the over bed tray so she could relax easier.

Alex nodded. “To be honest, you are the first ex drone I’ve ever known.”

“That’s understandable given that there are so few of us in Starfleet. Up until Talarn I think I was the only one.” She shrugged her shoulders. “I think that was down to the fact that Starfleet didn’t want to cause a diplomatic incident.” She moved to make herself more comfortable, popping a pillow behind her back for support.

“Let me help,” Alex offered, standing and leaning over to help adjust the pillow before sitting back down and asking her immediate question. “Diplomatic incident?”

T’Lanna nodded. “Between the Federation and the Vulcans. My father is pretty well connected with the Vulcan high council, he advocated for my joining Starfleet. I think if I’d looked more Borg then he’d have had a fight on his hands but as it was I didn’t look Borg and I wasn’t classed as a security risk.”

"Oh." Alex had never given much thought to politics but she seemed to hear a lot about Vulcan these days. Well, she had married one... "So, how are you feeling anyway?"

“Tired and huge!” She rested her hand on her bump. “I go to sleep at four months and wake up like this! Ryan seems to think I’m around seven months now, I’ve lost a fair amount of weight so I’m under observation until I’ve put at least some of it back on.”

"I guess it means less waiting," Alex suggested, "every cloud and all. But yes, you need to look after yourself. Besides, Jupiter station isn't that exciting."

“I just hate being off my feet!” T’Lanna smiled. “I have paperwork piling up, I’ll never be able to catch up at this rate!” She paused. “To be honest ... I’m not looking forward to giving birth.” She hung her head. “It means I’ll have to leave my son behind, I can’t face that!”

"I can't even imagine," Alex apologised, taking her hand. "I've never asked what you planned to do. Do you have family on Vulcan? If not I have a super crazy - but in a good way - mother who has just agreed to look after two seven year old children. I'm sure she'd love to help if you ever need it."

T’Lanna smiled warmly. “There’s my son’s grandparents on his father’s side and my father has also asked to look after him, but I’m struggling with what to do! I can’t leave Raith and I can’t leave my son ... I’m in limbo!”

"Only you can decide that, I'm not sure what I'd decide in that position," Alex admitted. "But you are strong and I think you will make the best decision you can. It's all anybody can do. I'm sure Raith would support your choice no matter what."

“I know he would Alex” T’Lanna nodded. “I wish he was awake for me to talk to him. He’s going to have quite the shock when he wakes up to see me like this! Ryan assures me he’s doing okay but he’s not waking up yet.”

"He will, when he's ready," Alex assured her. "Until then, they will take good care of him. And I'm sure the doctor will give him advanced warning to help ease the shock. Is there anything you need from your quarters?"

“I don’t think I’ve got much to fit me now!” T’Lanna grinned. “I did replicate a maternity uniform so if you could grab that for me I’d appreciate that. It’s in my wardrobe. I’d like to go shopping over on Jupiter but I can’t see Ryan letting me out to do that right now.”

"I can do that, no problem," Alex promised. "And no, you need to rest. But if there is anything in particular you need, I can do the shopping for you. I have no idea what Soral wants to do, if anything, so I don't mind doing some shopping."

T’Lanna nodded. “Would you mind picking me up some maternity dresses? Just charge it to my account aboard ship. You’ll get an idea of what I like from what’s in my wardrobe. I can replicate extra uniforms once I’m up on my feet again.”

“Sure,” Alex grinned. “Is there anything else you need?”

“How’s about chocolate? Lots of real chocolate!!” T’Lanna grinned. “Ryan said to go with what my body wants and that’s what I want. Call it a craving or whatever.”

“Now you’re talking,” Alex laughed. “Chocolate I can definitely do.”

“Excellant!” T’Lanna grinned. “Can I ask you something personal?” She waited for a nod before asking. “I know about Soral’s son and daughter. I was just wondering how you’re feeling about being a mother?”

“Wow,” Alex said slowly, tucking a lock of hair behind her ear. “Well... huh. I was surprised, obviously. Just as Soral was. But Severine is just incredible. Brave, stubborn like her father, sooo clever. An old soul, my mother says. She’s incredible and probably what anyone would wish for.”

“Is she what you would wish for?” T’Lanna looked at Alex curiously.

“I’m twenty-three years old,” Alex pointed out, “I’d never given any thought to marriage let alone family. It is a lot to take in and adjust to. But yeah, I think she is an amazing little girl and we get along great.”

T’Lanna nodded. “That’s good, she’s a very worried little girl at present from what Soral told me she’s been calling him every hour on the hour.”

“I’m glad Soral told someone,” Alex said after a long moment. Pushing it aside she sighed, “I don’t blame her for being worried. Starfleet is dangerous and she just found him. If I were in her place, I would do the same.”

“As would I” T’Lanna nodded. “Well if there’s any problems you know where to find me, and thank you for offering to do the shopping for me. I appreciate your help.”

“No problem. I’ll pick up your uniform before I go,” Alex promised as she stood. “Be good and follow the doctors orders.”

“I will I promise!” T’Lanna nodded. “Thanks again Alex. I’ll see you later.”

{OFF}