Not Hungry, Thanks

Posted on Thu Jan 2nd, 2025 @ 10:57pm by Lieutenant Ame Solis M.D. & Lieutenant Commander Savin

Mission: Character Development
Location: USS Athena: Messhall
Timeline: Pandora's Box - MD03 Late PM
3496 words - 7 OF Standard Post Measure

Timekeeping wasn’t Ame’s finest quality that day, she’d been rushed into making her way to the messhall and had to make sure there was ample coverage which involved coaxing NVeid out of the research lab. There was both Zorak and Marcus to support him, but he would be the duty lead. A rough start especially when the Bolian was involved. Savin had stated 15 minutes but it was much closer to 30 by the time she’d travelled between decks and squeezed her way into the busy turbolift.

It had been a long emotionally turbulent day that seemingly showed no signs of stopping. The Bajoran paused just outside the sensor range of the messhall's doors for a moment, a deep breath exhaling to help shake off the tightly wound muscles in her chest. “Just a drink, no food.” She repeated to herself before stepping inside and looking for her colleague.

Savin had been patiently waiting for her, sat by one of the window tables, calmly gazing towards the stars as if oblivious to anything else. He was holding a mug of steaming -something- in his hands, a small plate of what appeared to be cookies sat untouched on the table. Beside it stood a ceramic pot, and another mug. While he senses the incoming whirlwind of emotions, the counselor made no move to turn and wave her over.

After spotting him she jogged over and almost threw herself down in the opposite chair. “I’m sorry, I got here as quick as I could. NVeid is covering duty with Zorak and Marcus.” Ame explained before stopping to inspect the plate and then studying her colleague, “What are those? And are you really sat drinking tea?” There was a tone of disdain especially after the day they had apparently both experienced. Her nose scrunched and she used her fingers to sweep back her hair from her face. “Not something more … I don’t know, cutting? No pun intended.” A slight smile crept across her lips.

"I was not given a choice of accompaniment," Savin answered, turning his head a fraction before she sat down. "I was given the tray as it is, pot, two mugs and this plate." He turned fully towards her and picked up the pot pour a fragrant fluid into the mug. "I have no idea what is in this tea, but it smells and tastes quite good. I must assume it is a chef's secret?"

The Bajoran couldn’t help but grimace, it would be the second cup of tea he had poured for her and she had declined. “I’m going to have to pass, tea just isn’t going to do it today.” She gently tapped her thighs and sprung to her feet scuttling off toward the bar with determination. A quiet whisper to the large green Chef and she returned with two amber-coloured drinks in short glasses with ice and a slice of green citrus. “This is a Orion spiced rum and ginger fizz. Apparently, it goes well with the biscuits ... cookies?” She shrugged and placed the glass down in front of him before settling back into her seat. She leaned back and crossed her legs at the knee, taking a moment to close her eyes and breathe.

"I do not consume alcoholic beverages," he reminded her, not even reaching to push the drink away. Instead, he sipped his tea as he regarded her over the brim of his mug. "What made you run late?"

She knew there was something she forgot. “Right, sorry.” Two was too many, but one would do. Ame sipped from the glass and sucked on her tongue from the tangy spiced warmth spread through her. “I had to get NVeid out of the lab to make sure there was duty cover. Like you said, there are always people to help …” Her eyes dropped to the cookies and pinched her lips in resistance. “I’m trying.”

"I know. I assume he was not pleased being pulled from his lab?" He knew his fellow Romulan wasn't one to get out much, preferring solitude over a crowd. He sipped his tea again, then picked up one of the cookies, turning it back and forth to examine it. He sniffed it carefully, then took a tiny bite. "This too is fragrant, what is it?"

Ame shook her head gently, “No, he was not. But I understand that you also want to be included in the occasional duty roster as well. The previous CMO wasn’t a fan of that idea?” She probed before turning her attention to the cookies, “He said they were a crystalised ginger, usually my favourite. I love ginger.” She resisted still in favour of her glass.

"Yes, I wish to be included. I can allot for the time in my own schedule and keep it free from appointments." He shook his head. "No, I do not believe your predecessor was a fan as he never assigned me a shift. He knew I was capable, because I was acting CMO until his arrival. It is a position I do not care to keep, but I can cover it when required. I am a doctor of psychology but I do have the necessary training as a doctor. Just a different specialisation."

She knew from her own training that everyone had to know the basics. “Many hands make light work. I’ve no objection to giving you a rotation as you like.” Ame tilted her head to one side as she watched him nibble at the cookie, “Not a fan? Ginger is an acquired taste.” She sipped from her glass again tapping her finger along the rim.

"I am not certain. I have never had these before." He took another small bite. "From a medical perspective, ginger has certain properties to help with an upset stomach, but I somehow doubt a cookie will have the same effect. I can appreciate the scent but as you say it is an acquired taste." It wasn't that he didn't like it, but to him it did taste odd. "Chef is aware of my food allergies so I would assume they are safe for me to consume. I would not wish to get rushed back to sickbay over having eaten something I should have avoided."

“He’s very astute. I’m sure he’d not put your health at risk.” She commented the tap of her fingers turning to an impatient drum before her gaze returned to the Romulan in front of her. “Why am I here Savin?” The woman seemed genuinely confused, “It’s not like we can drink away our concerns and woes. Duty and all.” Her free hand flexed outward in a gesture that signified his choice not to drink alcohol. She felt in the mood to wallow, recover, perhaps even float given their earlier conversation.

"You are here, because I have the distinct impression you need to be," the counselor answered calmly, still looking at her over the brim of his mug. "If this is synthetic you can drink all you like, if it is alcohol we can treat you in sickbay if required. I never indulge, as I explained I cannot afford to." He sensed a shift in her emotions. "Why did you come, you could have said no."

The Bajoran sighed quietly and rocked her glass on the table the urge to devour the baked goods gnawing at her from the inside out. Her gaze flicked over to the Orion behind the bar who happened to catch sight at the same time giving her a polite nod. “I can only have one, there will be no sickbay treatment required. I have to be able to do my job at any given time. Shore leave is a different matter entirely. Then, sickbay may be required …”

She shook her head gently at his comment about declining his invitation. “I’m not going to say no to you. We both get the same black marks, people avoid us, they usually only see us when they absolutely need to. I see this as your cry for help Savin, getting beat on by a mystery woman and then blushing a deeper shade of green when she says goodbye.” She grinned, “It was very adorable.”

"I am not crying for help. Yes, I am avoided unless unavoidable." He frowned. "She kissed me," he muttered, "she has not done that before. Nor do I recall her ever hugging me." He looked up after a brief sideways glance. "And you can say no. You are not required to spend time if you do not wish to."

Ame did her best to hide the roll of her eyes by briefly turning away to finish her drink, she was off duty so such decorum wasn’t needed. The empty glass returned to the table with a ringing thud as she looked back at him. “Just as much as you see me, facing truths and things I’ve avoided for too long. I think there’s a bit of you that needs to do the same. You don’t literally have to cry for help. I don’t know what it is you need to face but you can’t just be duty and swords. She did kiss you, and it was very, very adorable. Clearly, she missed your company and cherished the time you spent together, even if it's not romantic. Sometimes you just need to be close to someone.”

Her finger brushed the side of the glass, the warmth of Orion rum ran through her chest and she cleared her throat with a cough then sighed. “Go learn to dance, find music, make music, take someone out on a date.” She held up her hand to him, “Not me. It doesn’t have to be serious, or romantic. It’s been two years since I let anyone in, I miss that. Not sure if I’m ready for that but I guess we’ll see how that goes.”

"I cherish her company too," Savin admitted slowly, equally slowly setting down the mug, "and believe it or not, I actually do know how to dance. Classic Terran, mostly, and my dance partner will have to lead, but I do know how. Making music is impossible for me to do, as I would not know how to make it sound right." He paused. "Doctor, heal thyself," he finally suggested, "as you say it does not need to be romantic, but you cannot keep everyone at arm's length."

“What exactly is Classic Terran dance?” Her eyes narrowed almost willing an impromptu demonstration. She moved to music, whether it was classes as dancing was a different matter. “Have you not ‘heard’ or felt Klingon contemporary?” Her eyes opened wider and she reached for the second glass. Part of her felt she deserved the reward for not beating the Helmsman until her hands hurt. “Music doesn't have to fit everybody, it's something to feel, not just with you body.” A smile tugged at the corner of her mouth as her mind wondered.

“One day at a time please.” Ame countered to his heal thyself mantra. “Everyone's rate of healing is different, over scarring and keloids. It might not look like much but everything I've done since the day I took this post was to move on and heal thyself.”

"I am not familiar with any kind of music, i can only go on a rhythm if the music is palpable for me. A good beat which resonates through a floor, for example." He gave her a quiet nod in approval. "That is good to learn," he answered as he watched her idly twirl the second glass around, "and yes, one day at the time is perfectly acceptable."

Ame’s lips pinched again as he continued to explain medical facts on how vibration affected the enjoyability of music. “Try it, it might surprise you. Sounds like you’re making an excuse.” She countered, trying her best not to give a smug smirk. “I’ve not drunk it yet.” The temptation was too much, so she gave in to a cookie, catching the crumbles with her free and letting her eyes roll back into her head.

"I am aware." He picked up the pot to refill his mug, then took another small bite of his cookie. "Why would I make an excuse, to what purpose?"

Her shoulders raised into a shrug, “I don’t know, you’re the counsellor. Maybe you’re cautious and unsure about trying new things just because they don’t go as expected? You’re asking the wrong person.”

"I am hardly cautious," he chuckled, briefly looking away, "and I have no expectations. You however, are making excuses. You keep telling me you would only come for a drink and would have no food. Yet here you are."

Already mid-second bite, she scoffed, “It was the drink or the cookie … and they’re my favourite.” She crunched away with a playful narrowing of her eyes. “I think we’re at a stalemate. I can see why she didn’t let up now.” Ame murmured quietly but still with enough view to be seen.

"What do you mean with that?" The surprise that flickered across his face was genuine. "Let up...how?"

There was little etiquette when it came to cookies with Ame, she made light work of the caught crumbs from her hand before she answered him. “I meant, your friend when harder when you finally told her the truth. You’re very hard to get a read from sometimes and I’m not even a telepath. That’s not a bad thing mind. I appreciate you just listening to me this morning … I know it's your job, but, I don’t like to share things. Especially not things like that.” Her eyes fell back down to the glass with a pinch of her lips, pushing it away with the back of her fingers.

"You do not have to share that which you do not wish to share," he reminded her, "I can only recommend that you talk to me, I cannot require it. I can insist, but I cannot make you therefore the decision will always remain yours." He set his mug down yet again but kept both his hands circled around it. "Being hard to read unfortunately is part of my upbringing, but I assure you that those who know me well have very little issue. Jerant will probably tell you I am very expressive, and I do emote. I can apply emotional control when I need to, but most of the time I choose not to do so."

Watching her decide to push the glass that was meant for him away, he smiled at her. A pleasant, reassuring smile which he often employed. His expression soft, non-judgemental as he regarded her. "You are a doctor, you see things others do not." Shifting, he reached out to lightly touch her sleeve, carefully avoiding skin contact. "And if talking to me has helped you achieve what you set out to do today, then that is what you were meant to do. And then I know that I achieved what I needed to do to help you. I am aware it is my duty, but even off duty I am available to help. As I stated before, I am never really off duty, no matter how hard I might try."

I get that,” she countered. “You’re still on the job. I don’t need on the job; I need a distraction to ‘heal thyself.’ Or maybe I just need to sleep it off. And” She paused with a distinct wag of her finger, “I never said you don’t emote, just that you’re hard to read. I’m sure I’ll pick up on the little nuances when I’m not dealing with whatever hell-storm apparates in my sickbay.”

There it was, a little nuance. The touch without contact. He’d done it earlier that day too. It reminded her of the awkward shoulder pat her dad used to give when he wasn’t sure how much comfort she needed after an argument with a tutor or getting caught hiding in the Jeffries tubes. She knew the gesture was well-intentioned.

“Maybe sitting around talking isn’t our best bet, then. Maybe we need a sensory experience or something.” She shrugged, trying to think of an alternative. A steam room, a sauna, or a hot stone massage. Not that a steam room would be much help to someone who needed to see her speak. Probably time to finally get around to learning some sign language.

"Strictly speaking, I am currently not on duty," he offered, "what would you suggest instead?" He could see she was considering options. "What do you have in mind?"

The remainder of the cookie was quickly demolished in two more bites. More choices and more decisions. Her lips pressed together in thought of the best words to describe her mental state. “I think the closest descriptor of my mental state at this time is decision fatigue. Please … just make a decision.” There was still a playfulness to her words but the underlying factor was a plea for someone else to take the wheel.

A sensory experience...Savin looked thoughtful for a moment. "How about you take the rest of the evening off, and I will cover your shift. By morning I will have thought of something. It seems to me, that you are in need of rest." So was he, but that aside. She has just admitted to fatigue, had she not?

Her mouth opened to counter everything he’d just said. Having already taken action to cover the last hour of her shift by luring NVeid from the lab and admitting to herself that she needed the time to get her head in the right place. She wasn’t sure how he was going to cover a shift that had already been covered, especially given the unnecessary strain he’d inflicted on himself with the Betazoid whirlwind he’d introduced her to. “That’s a hard pass.” She countered abruptly. “You need to rest. NVeid has everything in his very capable hands. However, I’m not going to decline an early night and a shower. If you want shifts in Sickbay, between the -” She quickly counted the number of available duty staff on her fingers, “- the four of us we could add you in for a half day to give our Surgeon the undisturbed peace he longs to have.”

"Agreed. But I will still think of a sensory activity by morning. And if you come up with a preference before I do, you will let me know." He finished his tea then stood. "Will you permit me to walk you home?" Their quarters were both close to sickbay so it wasn't out of his way anyway.

Ame uncrossed her legs and picked up both the glasses and plate. “Sure you can walk me home. Just don’t tell my husband.” The joke was in very poor taste at her own expense. She shook her head and hauled herself to her feet, “Let me just get rid of these.” There were a few steps between the table and the bar where she didn’t hesitate to down the second glass (mostly out of view). Thanking the older Orion for his mixing skills and impeccable baking skills before returning toward her colleague.

"Your secret is safe with me doctor," Savin chuckled, offering her his arm after she had disposed of their cups and glasses. He gave the Orion a quiet nod of thanks before leading her out. "Perhaps we should do this more often, have a bit of a wind down, after a shift. No requirement of course, just a suggestion."

A warm ripple of alcohol spread through her body, softening the edges of the world around her. Ame scratched the ridges of her nose with the back of her hand before tucking her hair behind her ear. Though his gesture seemed innocent enough, after all the emotionally charged conversations of the day, she chose to avoid it. "We should. Like I said that very first day, we need to look out for each other." She clasped her wrist behind her back but remained close as they continued their journey.

It had been an innocent gesture, something he had seen Human males do while attending the academy. He had also observed the gesture on various assignments and therefore assumed it was something polite to do. Taking no offers her refusal, he copied her posture as they walked. "We do," he agreed. They walked in silence for a while until they reached her quarters. "Good night doctor, I will meet with you again tomorrow."

“Good night Savin. See you tomorrow.”