Dinner for Two
Posted on Tue Aug 31st, 2021 @ 9:26am by Lieutenant Commander James Trallos MD & Lieutenant Adora (Addie) Hart
Mission:
Season Two - Incidentals
Location: Personal Quarters
He said and jokingly looked down to his stomach. "Although I seem to be able to turn down the gym pretty often."
Addie laughed as she stood up and moved across to the replicator. "Every night I promise myself that tomorrow I'll start eating healthier and getting more exercise, and every morning I 'forget'," she said, using air quotes. "There are just too many good foods to choose from!"
"Isn't there something about knowing is the first step?" He asked, unsure of it it was actual psychology or just his own brain trying to be clever. "And you don't want to run too fast right? That's at least what I told myself."
"You know, it would be easy to resolve, right? Just have all the replicators taken offline and have everyone live on ration packs. There's literally no way anyone would ever over eat..." she grimaced at the thought while she opened a cupboard in the kitchen and started removing tableware, carrying it across to the small table and laying it out. "I mean, the whole ship would probably go crazy in a day or two, and no doubt there'd be a revolt... possibly more carnage and bloodshed... but for at least two days everyone would eat perfectly nutritionally balanced meals."
The doctor chucked. "Well, the carnage and bloodshed would keep me from eating. Set me infront of a holofilm with a couple ration packs and I'd eat them all probably. Why I don't watch anything after 2000. I'd just keep eating." He joked and took the tableware. "Thank you. Maybe we need to do the gym or a holodeck workout. I heard the holodeck has a hot tub. They had those at earth gyms, so that's got to be healthy right?"
"Well, they are definitely good for relaxation, that much I can attest to, and after the most recent events, I'd say some relaxation would be highly recommended, wouldn't you?" Addie laughed as she started replicating some plates of sides for them to share, placing them in the center of the table before ordering two meals of steak and baked potatoes. "What kind of films do you watch?" she asked curiously.
"I think it is most definitely in order. Any relaxation programs you can think of would be a good idea." He said and sat down at the table. "I watched a lot of the older science fiction films. Some modern-day ones as well, but usually that and fantasy style. How about you?"
"You know, I don't think I've actually watched a film since I was at the Academy." She smiled as she set a bottle of wine and two glasses on the table before sliding into her seat. "There was a holoprogram we used a few times that simulated an old Earth movie theater. The alien invasion movies were always funny. Mostly now if I use the holodeck it's for relaxation. A good book, a beach, a nice breeze, it's a good way to spend a few hours."
"Sounds lovely." He said. "Add a Mai Tai to that and what I way to relax. I may have to get some deck time in soon." He looked up at her. "Oh, once your back on duty, you may get a call from crewman Anderson. I laid him out in the med bay while you were out." He chuckled.
Addie supressed a laugh. "Well I guess I should be grateful it took you so long to get to the bridge then," she replied as she poured two glasses of wine. "I do seem to recall a certain statement about how you intended to sedate me?" She raised an eyebrow slightly as she watched him for a moment.
He laughed. "Ah, you were already there. Oops. Well, I appologize for the method of sedation I was thinking of at the time. That was unprofessional anger nebula or not." He took a drink of the wine quickly then failed to suppress a smile. "You didn't just lace my wine with something as payback did you?"
"If I did, do you really think I'd tell you?" Addie asked cryptically, the corners of her mouth turned up in a smile as she held her own wine glass at her lips.
He laughed. "Well, incase it is, let me say well done ahead of time." He raised his glass. "To friendship. No matter how short or preferably long it may last."
"To friendship," she responded, holding her own glass up. "And where ever it may take us." Taking a sip, she smiled across the table at him. "So, tell me more about yourself. Family?"
He chuckled. "Family? I'm pretty different from all of them. My father was a gamma welder at Utopia, mother an administrator. The rest of my family lives in the Appalachian mountains of North America. They like to keep the old traditions of the hill folk alive. I'm their space man since I was the first to be born offworld."
Addie smiled. "Your family sounds interesting. It's nice to see that there are still people that hold fast to traditions, especially when everything around us changes so rapidly, it can be easy to get caught up in everything new and shiny and forget about the old, especially when the new seems so much easier and more appealing."
He nodded. "Yes, I did learn on one of my visits hoe to make good ol fashion shine. Equivalent of Romulan ale only clear." He shook his head. "It's almost like I am an alien to them. I changed my accent as my old one does not instill confidence in a patient." He laughed. "Same blood is there, but almost like a black sheep. My parents were the outcasts but retired back to Earth from Mars before it was attacked." He shrugged. "Guess I really am the space alien. How about you?"
There was a soft laugh as she twisted the wine glass in her hand. "My family is all on Earth, all very stereotypical. My Father is an architect, he actually contracted with StarFleet a few times on building designs, that's how I got interested. My mother is a school teacher. I have nine older brothers, all went into civilian jobs, settled down on Earth and started families." She smiled for a moment, the wistful smile of one recalling a memory. "I was ten the first time I saw a starship. My father went to a ship yards to meet with some people about a project, he took me with him. The Captain's yeoman took me on a tour of the ship. That was the moment I knew I wanted to join Starfleet. Medical came later."
He nodded. "I was very young when I saw a starship. I grew up around them on Mars. Wanted to be a welder like my father was and help make those pieces into a massive ship that traveled the galaxy. They convinced me to try college for a year, see if I liked anything. Liked science and just went from there.
"I was a senior in high school when I knew I wanted to go into medical. Counseling came after my cadet cruise. I maintain my medical licence, I do enjoy practicing." She shrugged slightly as she broke a piece of potato off with her fork and shifted it around her plate. "Sometimes I think my family was right, that I should have just opened a small family practice back on Earth, settled down and all that... especially after events like this."
He shrugged. "It's always an option Addie. It goes the same for me. I always have that option to say enough, get a quiet practice on some planet of my choosing, live a comfortable life and take nice vacations." He shrugged. "Maybe when I'm older I'll head that route. Right now..." he sighed. "If I did that right now I'd feel like I took the easy way out. Like the Galaxy got to me. Struggling out here, overcoming past problems, overcoming new issues, sure I've got plenty I still deal with, but I'm still here fighting on while I can. I feel like the longer I'm still showing I got it out here, the more of the finger I'm giving this Galaxy and all the bad in it."
"I guess that's one way of looking at it," Addie said with a smile, setting her cutlery down and leaning back in her seat, watching him for a moment. "You certainly have a very unique way of looking at things, you know that? I don't know that I've ever met anyone who's mind works the way yours does."
He laughed. "Thanks, I think. Not the first time I've been told that. Usually it's a good thing. I figure it's what keeps me going." He said and took a drink. "If you need to get any practice in on the medical side, let me know. I'll gladly give you some rotation time."
"Sure, sign me up," she replied without hesitation. "I actually enjoy doing medical rotations. And, you know, if you ever want to brush up on some shrinking skills, I can hook you up," she added with a smile.
He nodded. "Wouldn't hurt to keep abreast on that." He said taking a drink. "I think you'll get a little life in you once you get to practicing again. Help stimulate your mind in a different and productive way."
"I'm not really sure that's quite such a good thing then," she replied with a laugh. "Last time my mind got stimulated I tried to kill several people, remember?"
He laughed and moved his hand in a dismissive gesture. "Nobody died and only people's pride were injured. Everything else was just cosmetic injuries." He chuckled again and then looked in her eyes and thought a moment. "Maybe we need to stimulate your mind more often? You have a lot of mind up there that is only being used in a while necessary way, it's limited. Not saying it would help that situation again, but may improve your overall well-being if you were stimulated regularly."
"To achieve what?" Addie asked curiously, watching him. "I mean, I don't know that I was ever meant to be telepathic. I don't even know if it would be possible to do it again. Even if it was, would I want to?" She sighed softly and shook her head. "It was..." she struggled to find the right words. "It was scary, and I don't know that I'll ever forget that anger, the voices, the intensity."
"Hmm?" He asked confused for a moment then realized how it came out as she completed her thought. "Oh no, nothing like that my dear. I was just thinking in terms of general wellbeing. Dabbling in telepathy is not something I would want to try. I was thinking mostly to improve your attitude and help avoid any melancholy that may be trying to inch in after such an event. Anything to stimulate you and your mind in a positive manner."
Addie smiled slightly, opting to not take his statement about 'improving attitude' personally. "Have you ever tried meditation?" she asked, picking her wine glass up and taking a sip. "I usually start my day with some yoga and meditation in the mornings in the arboretum. There's a setting that allows me to set the lighting to simulate sunrise. I find it a very relaxing way to embrace the day and improve my general mental mood. You're welcome to join me if you want?"
"That does sound like a good idea." The doctor nodded taking his own wine in. "Although I'm about as flexible as a gamma welder bulkhead." He chuckled. "I would be willing to give it a try though. My mornings are usually less than cheerful."
Addie smiled. "Tomorrow morning, zero six hundred, it's a date," she said holding her glass out toward him. "Don't worry, I'm sure you'll do just fine. Just, dress comfortably."
"That early?" He said with a look of bewilderment, then laughed it off. "Just a joke. Oh dark thirty it is, at least for this doctor. I'll be there, just make sure you don't hurt yourself laughing." He said and raised his glass to hers.
Addie grinned, holding her own glass up in response. "I promise not to laugh, at least, not too much."
He took a drink of the wine and smiled. "I wouldn't hold it against you if you did. Just don't record it for Pennsylvania's funniest moments." He paused "unless there is prize money involved, then we can split it."
"Seventy thirty sounds good, in my favour of course." Addie laughed easily. "But I'd consider sixty forty if you made it worth my while."
"Sixty-forty I'll do. Trust me, my level of contortionist is going to make for a very entertaining morning." The doctor thought for a moment and looked at his glass of wine. "Although, alcohol is a natural muscle relaxant. Maybe I just need to tie one on a little bit and I may actually bend." He joked as he finished his wine.
Addie laughed. "Sip and stretch is always an option," she replied brightly. "Not sure the Captain would approve before duty shifts though."
He nodded. "Saddly no, but there are days for sure I'd be ready to day drink." He said finishing off his wine. "Thank youbfor the lovely meal. I'm sorry to dine and dash, but if I need to be even somewhat alert at that hour, I better start finding my way back to my quarters and get to bed earlier than I usually do." He said as he stood up and took his plate and glass to the recycler.
Standing up to clear the last of the dishes from the table, Addie smiled. "Thank you, for walking me home and for the company. It's been very appreciated. Sleep well Doctor Trallos."
"Same to you Counsellor." He said with a smile. He left her quarters and turned for his own. Morning would come much faster than he wanted so he better turn in early.