Ironing Out Matters

Posted on Mon Jul 22nd, 2019 @ 6:25am by Brigadier General Kaden Ross & Lieutenant Commander Carolyn Corrigan MD

1,560 words; about a 8 minute read

Mission: Episode 98 - A Raid on Peace
Location: Turbolift
Timeline: MD4, 1725 hours

Kaden was walking down the corridor reading his messages on his personal PADD some concerning a few matters with the Marines he commanded others at home. One message, in particular, was from Freya which mentioned she was heading to have a chat with Security about something. He wondered what it was all about maybe it was something pertaining to her rape he hoped. Rounding around the corner to the turbolift he still had his nose in his PADD when he ran into Dr. Corrigan who had her back to him. Causing Kaden to drop his PADD on the floor at his feet. “Sorry, I didn’t mean to run into you such a klutz to have my all attention on my PADD.” He said to the doctor not knowing it was her while he was bending down to grab his PADD.


Carolyn had been staring at the envelope in her hands, lost in her own little world when she felt someone knock into her. It was painful by any means, just surprising as it snapped her out of her reverie. Sliding the envelope into her bag, she turned, recognising Kaden as he scooped up a PADD.


"That's okay," she said, sounding tired as she glanced at the turbolift, waiting for it to arrive and at the same time not wanting it to. The fates were against her, the door opening almost as soon as she glanced at them. She offered a polite Hello as Ensign Jardine emerged, leaving an empty lift for them. Moving inside she ordered it towards sickbay, waiting for Kaden to order the lift to wherever he was heading.

Kaden recognized the doctor’s voice from their last encounter before cursing at himself under his breath. Looking up he could see the woman standing inside the lift waiting for him as he quietly entered tugging on his uniform and clearing his throat. Ordering the lift towards his quarters he took a moment to look his personal PADD over for any any damage but couldn’t help nervously look over his shoulder at Dr. Corrigan.

From the looks of things it seemed she was tired that or she didn’t seem none too pleased to see him. At which at that point Kaden was kicking himself that he didn’t have some chocolates on him as Liam had suggested when they was having a good chat back at Kitty’s earlier. He stood in silence for a moment thoughts running thru his head on what to do but couldn’t think of anything finally he figured it was best to just spit it out. “Computer, halt turbolift.”

Turning to the doctor crossing his large arms over his muscled chest. “Alright, look you probably think I am the biggest prick in the universe since we last saw each other and that is fine. But let me tell you something about my family medical history my father Gerard Ross was diagnosed with Iverson's Disease when he was visiting a planet looking to build a new factory for our family business which would leave him paralyzed from the neck down if he was not taking medication for it. For a long time my parents was unaware that he was given some bad supply which would make his kids suffer some...issues. My brother their first child was born with dwarfism but has a I.Q. of 250 he may not have the physical stature which don’t bother him the least but sure as hell can out smart any idiot that tries him.”

Kaden paused to gather himself as it was always hard to talk about his past to other people. “Then there is their second child...me I was born with Myostatin my body naturally produces too of the natural chemical that causes muscle growth. I have to take medication everyday since I was a baby just keep my muscles from growing so big it crush the bones in my body and kill me. Unlike my brother I didn’t have his smarts outwit those that messed with me and I spent alot of my childhood being bullied and chastised like the freak of nature I was and at times still feel I am today. Physically I can out muscle every one of the punks at my school but it took a toll on me mentally and it didn’t help matters when I almost died at 7 years old when I was pushed off a jungle gym by one of the kids at my school.” He paused finding himself almost crying and quickly looking away from the woman so she didn’t hopefully notice.

Carolyn stood in silence, letting him vent. When he finally paused she took the chance to speak up. “I don’t think you are anything of the sort, Kaden,” she told him. “I’d love to say I’d forgotten about it but that’d be a lie. I remember everything. But I don’t dwell on it. You were upset and I had ... Well a night from hell and wasn’t my best that morning. I shouldn’t have lost my temper to. We are only Human, right?

I am sorry for all the things you’ve gone through and that medical science cannot give you the assurance and guarantees you want about any children you may have. Believe it or not, we hate that too. But we aren’t the enemy and that day, you just were so intense and aggressive when you spoke about my colleagues. My profession. And the topic was hard for me. It still is.

But I mean it, Kaden, it is over. Done with, in the past. And I do hope it works out for you both. Freya has been amazing helping the nurses look after baby Hope. But I know it is a complicated decision for you both. I’m leaving the station for a little while and not to be rude but can we start up the lift please?”

Kaden shook his head at her as he turned to face Carolyn. “That is the problem, it was medical science that made me this way it is medical science that keeps putting the fear of god into me about any children I want to have that could wind up like me. After I was born my father got the medication he was taking corrected and you know the funny thing? My baby sister wound up perfectly healthy with no problems why is that? I am sorry, Doc, but it is not easy for me to just let things go when I am constantly having my hopes that my kids will be spared the horrors of my childhood torn from me by people like you.”

Kaden could feel a tear roll down his face and he angrily wiped it away. “Counselor Monroe and I were lovers once but every time she spoke of children I would always think of the wonderful wisdom you medical types constantly say to me and I be scared out of mind unable to sleep at times. It costed me my relationship with Ariana and I feel at times that it may cost me my marriage with Freya.”

He took a moment to gather himself as to not lose his temper with Carolyn. “I don’t hate you, Doc, and I am sorry I came off that way back then. But I don’t like having my hopes for a better future of a family I desire free of my suffering I endured squashed by everyone in your field of work either. I just...I want my all kids I have to best damn childhood ever free of any conditions than I had. Can’t you understand that?” Asked Kaden calmly.

"Of course I can. If you can also understand that sometimes we aren't God, we can only be honest with you and go from there. If you do decide to try for a family of your own, Dr Kelley will be here. She's the best, you could not ask for someone better. But only when you are ready. I'm not sure when I'll be back but of course Hades is around."

Kaden couldn’t help but form a grin on his face. “Well, Doc, I have to tell I...am trying with Freya right now but in case things don’t pan out for the time being we always got Hope to look after.” He frowned again before taking a step forward. “Look, before you go I want you to understand I was not really trying to expect you medical types to be gods or anything I know you can only do so much. But I had to convey the fact that sometimes you don’t really help me make the decision to father kids easy.” He confessed.

“You succeeded,” she assured him, ordering the lift to resume. Within seconds it had arrived at her stop. “Now, if you’ll excuse me, I have a few things to take care of. Good night Captain Ross.”

Kaden watched her leave the lift clearly feeling a little better over them getting things ironed out he had hope to chat with her a little longer but it was probably best they do it another time. “Night, Doc.” Once the doors closed the lift resumed again to his destination.

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