Indecision

Posted on Fri Mar 20th, 2020 @ 7:13pm by Fleet Admiral Mike K`Wor Bremer & Lieutenant Commander Carolyn Corrigan MD

1,345 words; about a 7 minute read

Mission: Episode 106 – Stalemate
Location: SB23
Timeline: MD1 2055hrs

ON:

Daddy’s Little Princess... the first time she had visited the store, the baby pink outfit had made her feel lost. Like a big neon sign which reminded her that for their child, daddy would be someone she heard about from others rather than someone to talk to. And yet here she was, emerging from the store with the exact same outfit and plenty more.

Because it was true. Harris would have treated her like a princess, loved her unconditionally the way a father should and with luck, his kindness would be genetic.

So she had gone back, determined. Only she hadn’t intended for the determination to translate into a shopping spree.

Vowing to go straight back to the Mercy to avoid temptation her thoughts were miles away, specifically on thoughts of chocolate ice cream, as she headed out of the store and collided with someone unfortunate enough to be walking by. “I am so sorry,” she blurted out as she knelt down to gather up the few things which had spilled onto the floor. As she packed she glanced up, eyes widening, “Admiral! I am so, so sorry!”

Mike smirked, "It's not the first time someone has run into me while they weren't looking or had another things on their mind and I'm sure it won't be the last." He offered a hand to help her to her feet. "Is everything okay Doctor?"

“Thanks,” she said with a grateful smile as she stood, bags in hand as she stood. “I was thinking of chocolate. Ice cream, actually. Together. It’s one of the Best therapies. Well, when you can’t drink alcohol ... that is obviously not medical advice. Unless you’re in Dublin, in which case it is recommended.

I thought I’d try some retail therapy but it didn’t really help. I mean, I just spent thirty minutes debating over one outfit and came out with about twenty. Perhaps I should go for double chocolate sundae instead. Would you like to join me?”

Mike flashed a smile, her comments reminded him of a convocation he and Janice had once upon a time. "Sure." He needed the break, and he knew it.

“I saw a place back that way,” she told him, leading the way. “And I want to thank you, properly. My head has been... distracted and the promotion - it meant a lot.”

"You're welcome, you earned it." Mike reached out his hand, offering to carry Carolyn's bags. "With everything that's happened in the last several months, I know we've all been distracted at times."

“Thanks... they are a little heavy. I went overboard,” she admitted as they reached a small cafe and she picked a table. “Three months ago, life was very different. It seemed much less... complicated.”

“What can I get for you?” The waitress inquired with a bright smile.

“I’ll have chocolate sundae with extra chocolate sauce please,” Carolyn asked without pausing to check a menu, “What would you like, Sir?”

Mike looked over the menu. He wasn't much of a fan of chocolate. "Um, just a rootbeer float please." It was something Mike hadn't had since his last year at Starfleet Academy, a few months before graduation in 2370. He and five others had gone to Charleston South Carolina. While there, they had stopped at an old 'soda fountain'. For some reason, that memory had popped into his mind. Now, out of the six total only two where still alive, he and Harry. Becky, Mike's first wife, Lindsey, Augustus, and Janna were all dead, killed in either the Dominion War or the current conflict.

Mike paused another moment then looked back at Doctor Corrigan, "I know we haven't spoken much since you arrived on Starbase 400, but how have things been going for you...not counting the war?"

“You can’t speak to everyone,” she pointed out with a grin. She paused, considering. “In all honesty, I don’t know. I guess Doctor Hades told you about Doctor Harris... he died saving my life. Saving our unborn child while we were in First Federation space. Sometimes I think, I can do this without him because I’m a lot stubborn and other times... I’m lost. Sorry. You have had your own issues.”

"Don't apologize. Sometimes, we all need to be reassured. Sometimes, we all need help. This war has taken a lot from us, a lot of good people. It's our bonds, our stubborn resolve that will pull us through." Mike really did believe it, but he was also fueled by his own hate right now, as well as he's desire not to see another loved one or friend die.

“Well, good thing I’ve got Irish blood in my veins, we can be incredibly stubborn. Enough for the entire Federation,” she mused as her sundae arrived. Taking a spoonful she grinned. “Now this, this is immense.”

She eyed her impromptu companion curiously as she took another bite. “I'm sorry but, if we all need to be reassured ... who reassures you?”

There wasn't a real answer to that question, now. Mike turned away for a moment as a took a sip of the rootbeer. He then turned back, "All of you do. Your actions, your hard work, your dedication," and his own hate now, "that's what keeps me assured and going day to day."

“That’s okay,” she assured him with a shrug, “I’m no counsellor. Heaven forbid. You can be a little lost too, and that’s okay. I won’t tell. And I won’t pry. I remember those days all to well. It gets old and then they wonder why you punched a therapist ... Anyway, are you sure you don’t want chocolate? It is the cure to many ills, and eating it in copious amounts leads to immortality. Although there is zero scientific evidence to back that up.”

Mike smirked, "No thank you. I never had a sweet tooth. Growing up mostly on Klingon foods I didn't enjoy the flavor like my friends. Even rootbeer took a while to enjoy, and even then its not often."

Mike looked around the area for a moment, the war seemed far aware.

Mike looked back at his companion. "Where did you serve before Starbase 400?"

“The Rhode Island. Twice. I went back there after my medical leave finished and I shouldn’t have. That stubbornness again,” she admitted. “I served as head of the first response team. It was intense and dangerous but it was so me. Being able to make that difference, it kind of makes up for those days when nothing you do seems to help.

So yeah, I was out for a little over a year before I was approved to go back. But I wasn’t the same and it was too many bad memories. The opening came up here and the rest is history.”

Mike smile, "So you know Harry? We were both born and raised in South Carolina, went to the Academy together. Our own Commander MacLeod was Chief Security/Tactical aboard her for a while too, from '86 to '87." Captain Ramon was a good man. Harry is becoming a good Captain himself, and Commander Reese is a capable XO."

Mike realized he was rambling a little, but it just showed how small Starfleet really was.

“You smiled,” she noted with a grin as she took a bite. “She was a good ship. But when I was ... injured... a lot of others weren’t so lucky. It was a long road back and if I hadn’t came here, well, I wouldn’t have met Harris at all. And a star base is like having an entire hospital on hand. I get to go from trauma to surgical to pediatrics in a heartbeat. You have good people and we will get back there, I’m sure of it.”

Mike nodded, "Believe me, before this war is over, we're going home."

“I know,” she smiled. “And I look forward to it.”


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