Treat, Talk, Idea

Posted on Friday, 17 April 2020 - 2:32pm by Lieutenant Ryan Rose MD

Mission: Operation: Overdrive
Timeline: 2393 (During Away Mission)

{ON:}

The work had been satisfying. Lots to do but also lots that could go wrong. Eyelaya had been helping move some rather large items and had felt a pain in her back. She headed to sickbay not liking the fact that she had to but glad Doctor Rose was on this away mission. If Emerick trusted him, so would she. She ventured into the sickbay and gratefully found the doctor. "Hiya Doctor Rose!"

"Eyelaya." Ryan greeted her. "Hello. What brings you in here?" He had refrained from joining the betting pool on the next 'accident' Eyelaya would have. She seemed relatively unharmed though, so hopefully it was nothing too serious.

"I think I pulled a muscle." She said pointing to her back. "I was lifting and something just went wrong." She sighed.

"Come on, I'll take a look." Ryan led her to a bio bed. "Stay standing for a second though. Where exactly is it hurting?" Ryan asked.

She pointed to the lower part of her back. "It's not horrible but a little painful none the less." She smiled, "I'm glad that you are. If Emerick trusts you so do I!"

"Glad to hear it?" Ryan smiled. "I don't know if I've told you this, but I have magic fingers." Ryan wiggled his fingers, then pointed to her back. "Do you mind? I'd rather get a feel for the muscle by hand."

"Sure." She paused. "Doctor Rose, can I ask you something?"

Ryan started working his thumb into the muscles around the area she indicated were hurting. "Of course, ask away."

"You and Emerick are really good friends. Can I ask you something about him?"

"Sure." Ryan replied, as he continued to massage Eyelaya's back.

"That feels lovely!" She smiled but it faded. "Do you think that Emerick feels....emotions I mean."

Ryan smiled at her initial exclamation, but then seriously considered the question. "I honestly don't know. When does a simulated personality become real. It's far too philosophical for me. He wants to be treated as real, and there's no reason I can see not to, and that includes considering his emotional well being. So I guess my answer is, whether or not he feels emotions, I would treat him like he does until proven otherwise. Does that help?" He stepped away, having worked on the muscle enough. He grabbed a glass of water though, and handed it to her.

She took a few sips. "Much better!" She smiled. "Your answer helps too! I'm going to ask him out on a date." She said proudly.

"Really." Ryan was surprised. "You know what, good for you. I see you coming out of your shell a bit more, and yes it's probably going to be complicated, but then relationships are often complicated."

The reception to the idea from Doctor Rose was much better then from the CO. "There is just one problem."

"What's that?" Ryan asked.

"I've ... never asked someone out." She pointed to her. "I'm not exactly... beautiful so he might say no."

Ryan snorted. "If he says no because you don't match some outward expression of beauty then he's an ass hat and good riddance. But you do have a point. He might say no, not because he doesn't like you, because I think he does. Whether that's romantic or not, I don't know. But he can't possibly say yes if you don't ask him."

She grinned. "Then it's settled! I will try." She looked at the doctor. I should tell you something. Sam is my new roommate. I know it's not my place but can I say something? Call it the wisdom of the lonely."

"Sure." Ryan braced himself.

"Love is difficult. Sometimes it's unusual. Perhaps with you and Sam it wasn't love but there was a draw and that draw, that attraction might blossom into great love but it has to be given a chance." She gently touched his wrist. "Don't throw it away. We're in Starfleet to explore and part of that is exploring each other too. Why don't you two get dinner, as friends not as spouse. Take turns talking about who you are give yourself a chance before you walk away."

"That's very kind Eyelaya. I wish it could be that easy." Ryan ran a hand through his hair. "I've tried to open up to Sam. But I don't think she's going to stop seeing me as broken, and I'm not giving up my career to adopt 2.2 kids and live planetside. For the first few months, we really did try and make it work. Like you said, clearly there's something there. But all it did was show us how much we're not compatible." Ryan found himself sharing.

She smiled, "Ah but neither of you was willing to compromise. Have you ever tried to bring her into your world, tell her, show her, what it is about space and being a doctor that gives you strength and gives you pleasure? Why do you think she sees you as broken?"

Ryan tensed up slightly. "I'd rather not discuss it. I'm sorry I brought it up. It is nice that you are trying Eyelaya." He didn't want to discourage her, but he wasn't ready or willing to open up. He didn't hesitate to change the subject. "How's the back feeling?"

She studied him. "Good. Do you know something. Being broken is not always a weakness. It can be a great badge of strength. I have one more question."

"I doubt I could stop you from asking it." Ryan managed a smile. "Go ahead."

"Is it that she sees you as broken or do you see a brokenness that you project on her and use to push it away."

Ryan sighed. "Eyelaya, still not discussing it. Really, thank you for your concern. I need to get back to work. Go easy on your back for a bit, lift with the knees, team lift, all that good stuff, and let me know if it starts hurting again."

She sighed, "Alright but don't be too hard on yourself. You seem like an amazing man. Don't let others convince you that you are not or better yet, see it in yourself." She reached up and kissed his cheek. "Thanks for your help."

Yep, that was definitely where Emerick got it from. "You're very welcome, and thank you Eyelaya."

She smiled and waved. "Don't give up Doctor Rose. Remember the lesson of the phoenix."


{OFF:}

Dr Ryan Rose
CMO

&

CPO Eyelaya
Engineering Officer