Meeting the other Dr Corrigan

Posted on Wed Jan 20th, 2021 @ 4:12pm by Lieutenant Commander Ariana Monroe-Wayne & Lieutenant Commander Carolyn Corrigan MD

1,781 words; about a 9 minute read

Mission: Episode 108 – Tragedies, Fortunes, and an Endgame
Location: Sickbay
Timeline: MD3

Once again, Doctor William Corrigan found himself quite lost. Rounding the corner he found himself facing exact same short stretch of corridor he had stumbled upon a few weeks before. Now, all the rooms were empty, the entrances open to give a more open feel since there was no patient privacy to consider.

He paused, eyeing the door where he had - quite by chance - met a friend of his daughter's.


(four weeks previously)



Clearly, he had taken a wrong turn. While he was certain he had followed the directions of the nurse to the letter, Dr William Corrigan found himself at the end of a corridor with a door leading into a patient room ahead of him and to each side. Peering inside each one in turn he found all but one empty. And no sign of his daughter anywhere.

Ariana looked curiously towards her doorway as someone peeked inside. “May I help you?” She smiled warmly.

"I appear to be lost. Or rather, my daughter seems to be. That or she is hiding in a store room," he explained. "Apologies, I did not mean to disturb you."

“You didn’t, please come in and I’ll get some help for you.” She motioned him to a seat. “I’m Ariana Monroe, Chief Counsellor of this Station. Who is it that you’re looking for?”

"My daughter," he repeated. "I was told she was in this area on rounds. She is the Assistant CMO and as elusive at times as a yeti."

“Carolyn?” Ariana nodded. “Give me one minute!” She grinned as she hit the buzzer by her bed. “I didn’t realise Carolyn had family visiting, it’s very nice to meet you Mr Corrigan.”

"It was unplanned, in case she decided to flee to another galaxy," he replied as he finally took a seat. "And you, Counsellor. I trust it is nothing too serious that has led to you being here as a patient?"

"Is everything alright, Counsellor?" one of the nurses asked as she appeared in the doorway.

Ariana nodded. “Everything is fine, could you tell Doctor Corrigan I need to see her please?”

"She was called off rounds for a surgical consult, I can have her come by as soon as she is out of the OR or if it's urgent, I can call Dr Kelley?" the nurse offered. At the assurance it was not urgent, the nurse nodded and headed back to her duties.

Turning her attention back to Carolyn’s father Ariana smiled warmly. “I’m recovering from surgery on my son” she rested her hand on her bump. “There was a genetic defect detected near his heart by Doctor Woodhouse, it needed to be treated so here I am.”

"The wonders of modern medicine," he mused thoughtfully. "As a General Practitioner back home, I often forget what it was like working in hospitals much like your medical facilities here. I can't say I miss it. I trust all is now well with your child?"

Ariana nodded. “He’s fine, thank you. Carolyn is my best friend, we’ve both been through a lot together. She’s had a lot to deal with losing Harris, but she has her baby and therefore hope for the future.”

"Ah, yes. The baby," he said slowly, looking troubled. "She is very much determined to remain here after the child is born. I can only blame myself. I have never quite... connected... with my children. Delivered every one of them, you know. I'm sure each one would say it is most time I ever spent with them."

Ariana nodded. “Carolyn has made a home here, she’s as much a part of our family as she is of yours. She has Hades as well, have you met Hades yet?” She wondered what Carolyn’s father thought, or would think, of Hades. “Hades and Carolyn saved my life when I suffered a miscarriage during my last pregnancy, I lost one of my twins ... a son. Which makes this little boy so special. All I can say is ... give it time. Give Carolyn a chance to really get to know you.”

"It seems you have quite the time of it yourself. And, not to be too blunt, saving lives is what she has trained to do and family is your flesh and blood," Doctor Corrigan pointed out. "I'm sorry, my mother's influence. I did not intend to belittle what friendships she has made here. I am pleased. Surprised, pleasantly so given all that has happened in the past."

He shifted uncomfortably. "But no, I haven't met him. I believe my daughter is going to some lengths to keep that from happening. Perhaps in case I make the same delightful impression as my mother. Who commended you, I might add. It was you, was it not, who was with her when she found Carolyn...?"

He did not - could not - finish the sentence.

Ariana nodded. “Yes, I was. Carolyn and I ... shared an experience a while ago and it seems to have left me somehow connected with Carolyn. I felt something was drastically wrong. However ... that is all in the past now, I helped bring Carolyn back and in return she brought me back. I think of her as the sister I never had.” She smiled warmly.

"You may regret that," he commented with a rueful smile, "she once broke her sisters nose when they were fighting over a cookie."

“And I once locked Carolyn and Hades in a room together to make them talk out some differences!” Ariana grinned. “We’re well matched."

"Getting my daughter to talk? You are clearly a miracle worker," he grumbled. "It is true what they say, your children grow up so quickly. Be sure to make the most of every moment. I failed to do that, especially when my wife became ill. I allowed my duties as a father to fall away and, well, now all of them are grown up. Blink of an eye it seems."

“That’s very true, my daughter is growing up fast a little too fast for my liking.” Ariana smiled. “Give Carolyn another chance, she’s gone through a lot. She might come round.”

"We did have dinner," he conceded, "and survived. I had hoped we would get more time alone before I went back to Dublin. But of course her work keeps her busy. Even in her condition she seems unwilling to slow down."

Ariana nodded. “Carolyn is tough in that respect, just like me. We’re as bad as each other when it comes to not slowing down. Might I suggest you just try and keep up with her?”

“I don’t understand...” he admitted.

“Well instead of trying to talk her into slowing down, try being there to help.” Ariana smiled. “I’m sure Carolyn would appreciate that more than a lesson on slowing down her routine.”

"I doubt there is much I can help her with," he lamented. "And she would never accept such a lesson anyway. From anyone. She is very much her mother's daughter. Which is why what I did is perhaps completely unforgivable. I can but try. Listen to me! Bending your ear when you are stuck here. A captive audience indeed. You must forgive me, you don't want to be listening to an old man's troubles."

"Of course I do!" Ariana grinned. "It's my job and I'd also like to help you. As I said Carolyn is my friend, I'd do anything to help her, even if she doesn't know it yet."

He gave a small ghost of a smile. "That is reassuring to know."

"Is everything all right?" Carolyn asked as she rounded the corner and entered the room, still adjusting her uniform jacket after a change out of scrubs. Her look of concern eased as she surveyed the vital signs over Ariana's bed and then her gaze fell on the visitor and she gave an almost audible sigh.

“Everything’s fine” Ariana smiled warmly. “Your father and I were just getting acquainted.”

"I was hoping we could perhaps have something to eat?" he asked hopefully as he turned in his seat to face his daughter.

"We can walk and talk," she countered, before glancing at Ariana, "if you are sure there is nothing you need?"

Ariana shook her head. “I have chocolate, a drink, reading, puzzle books, what more could I want!?” She grinned. “I’ll be fine.” She smiled warmly at Carolyn’s father. “It’s been nice getting to know you.”

"And you," he nodded as he ushered his daughter towards the door. "I was beginning to think you were avoiding me..."

The rest of their conversation was cut off as the door to Ariana's room closed over, leaving her alone.


Present Day

"Dad?" a familiar voice cut through his thoughts and he turned to see his daughter. "I thought you were packing..."

William offered a small smile, momentarily lost for words. She was so like her mother, from her fiery determination and stubborn streak all the way to her looks. Oh, she had his eyes. But there was no mistaking how much of his wife still survived through all of their children. He noticed it more and more. Or perhaps he had simply not looked.

"I was," he nodded, "but my transport has been delayed, technical issues. I wanted to let you know I'll be around a couple of more days. If that is alright?"

"Of course," she said quickly. "I'm on duty though..."

"Oh, don't worry about that. I will keep myself amused," he assured her. "Oh, and I saw a music shop opened on the promenade. Just today, actually. I thought you'd like to know. I haven't heard you play in such a long time."

"Good luck getting me in front of any musical instrument right now," Carolyn quipped, rolling her eyes as she rested one hand on her swollen stomach. "But I'll check it out."

He nodded, leaving it at that. Wishing her a good morning he headed back the way he had came. He hoped.

He was almost out of earshot when he heard footsteps and then a simple question, "do you want to have lunch?"

He smiled. For the past four weeks been true to his promise. Never pushing. Just waiting for little chances as he bit back the temptation to step in, to say she was doing this all wrong. Working to hard, not taking enough time for herself...

Offers like this came rarely but often enough that he kept delaying his departure.

Regaining his composure he turned and nodded, "I would like that."


OFF.

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