It's Complicated

Posted on Sat Apr 20th, 2019 @ 12:06pm by Commander Hades,MD & Lieutenant JG Ilan Rol & Lieutenant Commander Carolyn Corrigan MD
Edited on on Sat Apr 20th, 2019 @ 12:06pm

2,042 words; about a 10 minute read

Mission: Episode 98 - A Raid on Peace
Location: Counseling Office & Sickbay, SB400
Timeline: MD 01 0700 hours

ON:

Rol had been released from sickbay and while he was supposed to be resting he had work to do and would let nothing stop him from it. Hew as so engrossed that he didn't hear the door open.

"Lieutenant Rol, do you have a second?"

Out of uniform, Doctor Corrigan stood just outside his office, not even the toes of her boots crossing the threshold. Given she had been one of the many people advising Counsellor Monroe to take on restricted duties and to get more rest, she had instead decided to stop by the department to speak to Ariana's deputy.

He seemed hard at work, studying something on a PADD. "If you are too busy I can come by tomorrow?"

"No I am feeling much better. Doctor Hades says I'm back at 100%." He motioned to the sofa. "How can I help you?"

"Actually, I need a favour," Carolyn admitted, stepping inside but going no further than that for a long moment before sitting. "For one of our nurses."

"Oh?" He sat down across her. "Tell me what happened."

“Lynn came by my quarters earlier and she was, well, really upset. I would just appreciate someone trying to talk to her, nothing I said made the slightest difference.”

"I will of course speak with her. What has happened?" He asked while bringing up the file for Lynn.

“She made a mistake,” Carolyn told him. “Which is unlike her. And she is a great nurse when she wants to be. She’s feeling guilty but she is also not allowed near sickbay until Dr Hades agrees. And I think that might be a while, he still seems a little angry.”

"Hmmm. Let me ask you did the mistake cost someone their life or could it have?" He asked.

“Potentially, yes,” Carolyn confirmed.

"That's why he's a....little angry." Rol said. "Who'd she almost .... knock off?"

"Is that really relevant?" she asked, not sure why knowing who else was involved would make much of a difference. Except perhaps keep her here longer.

"Well that will have an effect on how long she's banned from sickbay." Rol said.

"I don't agree," she countered, "but I was the patient."

"Hm... well the fact that Hades hasn't locked her in an airlock tells me that he's exercising a lot of control." He sighed, "I will speak with her and with Hades. Perhaps we can figure something out."

"Thank you. Just maybe don't mention airlocks," Carolyn suggested as she stood, "it may give him ideas."

He laughed. "I won't mention airlocks I promise." He watched her go and decided that he'd close up for the day. He was still recovering from his injuries and he was hoping to get some rest tonight.

=/\=Sickbay=/\=

Hades stared at the screen. "I see. Explain."

With most of the medical staff completing handover reports on patients, it was quiet when Carolyn walked in. A few of the nurses spotted her but, realising where she was headed, decided against trying to speak to her right now. She wondered if she would get into too much trouble for using a site to site transporter to beam out after her meeting with Hades was finished.

Approaching his office she could hear voices and considered heading back. She was late, after all. Not by much but he had more things to do that wait for her. She paused as she got to the door, considering if she should just come back later even as she prepared to knock.

"Your mate is not considered...a good choice. You are Vulcan you could have chosen better."

Hades had a feeling the vain in his neck was throbbing but kept his voice cold. "I see. Fascinating."

"What is." The Vulcan on the other end said.

"It's fascinating to me that Surak gave us the IDIC, Infinite Diversity in Infinite Combinations yet the Vulcan race refuses to acknowledge this. The Science Council is pigheaded and xenophobic. So you will not allow my union to be entered in Vulcan records and acknowledged?"

"We will not."

Hades sighed, He was about to deal a powerful blow. "Very well. Then we shall speak of another matter. I send apologies for the late deposit of my donation tot he Science Academy. My family has been contributing financially for about...17 years."

"Doctor Hades you are in error. Your family has supported the Science Council for over 30 years."

"Ah yes. Well none the less my apologies for my late transfer of credits. I hope that you have completed all your scientific research."

The Vulcan narrowed his eyes. "I do not understand. You know we have not."

"Well I mean that was my last contribution."

"You cannot mean that. Without the funding your family generously provides we cannot..."

Hades went in for the kill. "What nobody else will fund your joint research with the Andorians and Klingons? Hmmmm I see that the IDIC principle is ignored by many."

"This is vital research and...."

Hades spoke over him, "And it will end unless I continue to fund it. You will not accept my mate and will ignore the teachings of Surak and the IDIC principle yet when it comes to research you are offended when nobody will help you work with the Klingons and Andorians. All of a sudden the IDIC principle should be honoured. Stolek you are almost human with your logic."

There was a silence. "There is no need to be insulting."

"Oh but there is. Speak with the council again. Let them know when I get my acknowledgement certificate that my mate is entered into the Vulcan archives I will restart my generous contributions. If they see my mate as... not acceptable then of course I will have to take my funding elsewhere."

There was silence again and the other Vulcan Stolek spoke, "Doctor Hades, I speak for the entire Science council when I say congratulations on your marriage. Your mate will add infinite beauty to our world. You shall receive your acknowledgement for the council within a few days and your mate will be entered into the records. You will of course have a ceremony conducted by a Vulcan priestess."

Hades supressed a smile, "My family is honoured to contribute to the Science Council and their research."

"You honour us with your contribution and we are....enriched by the news of your union." The screen faded.

"Ass!" Hades said to the black screen and sat down hard.

Knowing how much he valued his privacy, Carolyn had wanted to hear nothing of his conversation. But she had. "Bad time?" she asked, not entirely sure how he would react. She braced herself to be on the receiving end of some of his more recent outbursts, fully expecting it.

He sighed, "No of course not." He stood and motioned for her to sit down. "Please have a seat. How are you feeling?" He walked over to the replicator and got her a hot chocolate and him a coffee.

"Better than Lynn I think," she commented, taking the offered seat. When he handed her the hot chocolate she smiled in thanks, taking a sip.

"Yes well she can just think about what she could have done. The woman needs to be careful. Her gossiping could have..." He shook his head. "Lynn will be fine."

"She came to see me earlier, hence me being late. I stopped by to ask Rol to speak with her. Nothing I could say to her seemed to make much of a difference so maybe someone not involved can help."

"Lynn will be fine. Trust me. And when you say see him was he working or resting?" He had yet another person not listening to him. He sighed, "Carolyn I appreciate you trying to help Lynn out but she needs to know she's in the wrong here and she needs to feel it in her bones."

“He was totally resting,” Carolyn lied as she took a long drink. She didn’t want to push him in the subject of Lynn, clearly it was not even close to that time. She did think it ironic that she was the one who wasn’t mad at her. “Sooooo ... that sounded a fun conversation. And very official. Am I allowed to say congratulations?”

"Young lady hasn't anyone told you that eavesdropping is just wrong." He sighed, "It's complicated. Nothing is for certain yet..."

"Okay," she said slowly, expression hardening a little as she set down the almost full cup of hot chocolate. No congratulations. No speaking up for Lynn... she was doing well. "How about letting me come back to work then you can take the time to sort out the complicated part?"

"Carolyn, you need rest. Take another day just breath and enjoy life. You worked hard. You are one of my best doctors and I don't want you burned out," he said honestly.

"That is unfair. I feel fine," she countered.

"It's just a day. I want to make sure you are 100% fine when you come back." Hades studied her. He'd grown to like Carolyn. He saw her as a little sister or maybe a daughter even though they were only 8 years apart.

She sighed, sensing he would not budge. “You’re the boss,” she conceded, her tone making it clear she wasn’t happy.

Hades sighed, "Carolyn I'm not doing this to be mean, or to sideline you. Hell if something happened to you I'd be a basket case and utterly lost. I want you on your A game. You work so hard, harder then any of my doctors. I don't want you to burn out and I want you off those sedatives.”

“Appreciate the vote of confidence,” she said after a long moment, not entirely sure what else to say. Knowing he was just looking out for her but what he wanted was not something she would promise.

Hades sighed, "Alright. Now let's head to the main sickbay and I'll check you out." He stood and lead the way.

Climbing to her feet, she followed him, ignoring curious looks. The whole incident had undoubtedly been the main source of gossip. Let them, she didn’t care. What felt weird was being here out of uniform.

Hades indicated a bio bed. He pulled out the tricorder an the hand held probe. Twisting it to the right setting he ran it over her. He typed a few things into the tricorder and sighed, "Better. The sedative is still in your system. I have rescheduled some of your appointments. Ensign Waters, and Lieutenant Liora."

“Thank you,” she said quietly, letting him work. All things considered, she'd take it...

"Alright. Everything else seems good. You can come back to work in the morning. I know you think I'm being harsh but I only bow to logic in this situation." He said sounding more the Vulcan. The symptoms of the Pon'farr madness had not fully left him yet they were abating. The after is what he worried about. Many Vulcans became more logical, more Vulcan like....he wasn't sure that's what he wanted yet he could feel it in his system. Also the headache that had been lingering for days was starting to ease a little.

“Perfect,” she grinned, jumping down from the biobed.

"Carolyn..."

“Yes?” She asked, looking up at him.

"Nevermind. Just take care of yourself. See Splendora today. I called her and let her know you might be dropping by."

“I can make my own plans,” she reminded him, sounding angry.

"Do not make me make it an order. Carolyn I will do what it takes to get you well and get you off those sedatives. You are not addicted yet but you could become so. Just for once don't fight me on this."

“You seem so sure I’m going to crash and burn,” she challenged, keeping her voice low because the last thing the needed around here was more gossiping. “I appreciate the vote of confidence.. are we done here?”

Hades gave a nod, "For now."

“Thanks, guess I’ll see you tomorrow ,” she said before heading for the exit.

"See Splendora!" he called after her as she rushed out. Hades sighed after she left. He suddenly felt tired.

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