Consulting and Visiting Friends

Posted on Friday 13 January 2017 @ 00:54 by Commander Caroline Miller

Mission: Old, New Ship
Location: StarBase
Timeline: MD11
2059 words - 4.1 OF Standard Post Measure

ON:

Galeraz hated being in uniform. He much preferred being in his 'dungy scrungies' for working with alien races in the frontier zone. In StarFleet Uniform, other's attitudes changed immensely upon seeing you. Still, he was here on behest of Caroline to check out a very rare, reverse color Mephetian, one with a highly unusual birthmark on her forehead. Still, it boggled the mind, that a healing mesh made of syntheduralex had remained inside the Mephetian for six years. It should have been gone over two or more years ago, at least from what he knew of their physiology, and he had treated several of them on Argelius II. And her medical file about the time before starfleet, an utter mess. While one expected private practice to not be the same as the practiced and ducks in a row Starfleet, the issue was with Starfleet Records about her when she was a civilian.

He tugged on his collar a bit, then returned to staring out the viewport. He was told the Merlin was inbound, and... that must be her. And, yes, there were the markings and name for the Merlin. 'Wow, big ship' he thought as the ship slowly moved into the cradle within the interior of the starbase. Shortly, she was docked. Galeraz smiled at two Caitian ladies checking him out, shifting himself to gently show he was available in a Caitian way, which was not lost upon the two ladies. He held up three fingers, then a small drinking motion. The invite to the bar in three hours was accepted.

He moved to where the crew would be existing, expecting to NOT see Caroline and having to go onboard to find her. Still there was a chance she might come out looking for him, so he waited, even as he passed small flirts to the Caits nearby.

Caroline did in fact come onto the station. Shore leave had officially been organized and she was dressed in a purple dress, leggings and boots. "Take me for a drink Galeraz," she insisted upon approach. She was still trying to come to terms with a double murder, suicide that had occurred and so quickly in her sickbay a couple of days prior.

Galeraz whistled lightly, giving praise to how Caroline was dressed. However, he caught her serious nature and subdued his natural banter, instead saying, "Done, let's go." He fell in step beside her and offered her his arm. "Did you want to talk about it?"

The blonde took his arm and leaned her forehead against his shoulder for a moment. She welcomed the comfort of someone familiar. "Three aliens. They just destroyed themselves in my sickbay. There was nothing .... I couldn't do anything. I'm sure the Counselor will have the monopoly on me talking," she said sadly. She pulled back again and composed herself, she added. "And I have a Mephetian lying to me."

Galeraz held Caroline's hand with his as he shifted to be up closer to her. It slowed down their walking, but she was needing a friend, a good one, who would listen and care without expectations. A wide vista of replies crossed his mind about the aliens, when she added a comment that was out of left field. He exhaled, "Whoah. Okay." He removed his arm from hers, then placed it around her waist to hold her close. That done, he kissed her temple, and then said, "Remember, you just said it. There was nothing you could have done. They willfully destroyed themselves, of their own choice." He did a quick squeeze of reassurance, "I know, it hurts losing patients like that, but at least, Caroline, they were under care of someone who gladly would have helped them every way possible had they NOT made that decision. Mmm'kay?"

He leaned his head over to just brush against hers, accentuating what he told her. Yes, she would still beat herself up for a while over this, but at least he reaffirmed what she knew, deep down. She just had to have a friend who would reaffirm it, and be there with her as she came to grips with the situation. They could do that well together. Next, a small grimace came over his face, "As I don't think your ship acquired another Mephetian as crew, you must be talking about the young fem with the messed up record and mesh not going away." He sighed gently as he guided her around a knot of people talking. Mephetians hated to lie, even in social situations, so something was up. He asked her, "What is she lying about, and do you know why yet?"

"Well we know she hasn't told the truth about the bio bed and insisting I use that chip which clearly is concealing what's really going on. The rest I don't know but she's hiding information," Caroline insisted comfortable in his embrace.

She relaxed a little but kiss was overkill. It wasn't his usual style. Flirting ridiculously and making quips about them had always been the name of the game and it had never gone any further. However she had to put it down to him comforting her. She was far too vanilla for him. Yet ... she had enjoyed it. Or had she enjoyed it? Perhaps because she was feeling vulnerable. Watching what had unfolded in sickbay had been horrific. Inwardly she groaned. Caleb was going to have a field day with her when he finally got her in his office.

As they rounded the corner of the promenade, he seemed to steer her towards the first bar in sight. "The why, I am hoping your going to help me get to the bottom of."

Galeraz humphed in light humor, replying, "And that, my dear, is why I am here, to help you with our little lying Mephetian. Which, to me is a bit of a quandary. Mephetians hate to lie, it's not in their nature in how they are raised. Still, each is their own individual, so, as one of my favorite book heroes say, 'The game is afoot'." He reached out a hand to activate the doors to 'Beguiling Enchantress Nights' bar and club. "Speaking of game, I do believe this is our stop."

He helped maneuver her through the knots of people and straight up to the bar. Normally, he would use bravado to get a waitress to immediately serve them, but, he was in his starfleet uniform and not his typical civilian garb. However, this was a starbase, and so, just maybe.. he lifted an arm as he whistled gently. A bartender immediately stopped chatting with a patron and moved over to help out the new couple. As the bartender made his way over, Galeraz asked, "So, Caroline, a cocktail, or straight to the hard stuff? I still enjoy spiced bourbon straight up for shots, and I think we both could use the mind and body relax of this evening. So, of course, my treat, and your choice."

"I'll take the bourbon," she said suddenly. "It might help with the shock of the last few days."

Galeraz nodded, "You got it, m'lady." He smiled to the Bartender, "Whiser's Spiced Bourbon, or any other type as long as Vanilla Spiced and at least 86 proof."

The bartender nodded, then brought out a Roricks Rocket Spiced Bourbon. As he poured them, he noticed Galeraz indicating double shots, and proceeded to pour such for the couple. Galeraz, used to having money on him due to being on a frontier world, handed over cash with tip for the drinks.

"So," she said as the bartender passed her the glass. A double it seemed. She didn't knock it back though. She took a tentative sip and pulled a face when she rediscovered just how potent his poison was. "Come on there's a table." She led him to it and sat down.

"How does the uniform feel again?" she asked.

Galeraz took a sip of his whiskey, the expression on his face one of satisfaction at the taste and fire of the drink. He chuckled lightly, then answered, "As terrible as always. I much prefer my normal work grubs." He smiled to her, "And, after seeing you, dressed so nicely and ready for a night out, only makes the uniform seem even worse." He reached out and put a hand over hers, "It's nice to see you again in person, Caroline. I just wish it was under better circumstances." He tilted his head to show his right ear, "Want to talk about it? Or, just sip our liquor and admire each others libations as they slowly dwindle?"

Caroline smiled slowly, "The second option. And there's a games table over there, so prepare to get your arse whipped."

Galeraz chuckled, "Then let the Libations and Games commence." He stood up and offered an arm to Caroline. "You do realize, my dear, I'll do my best to whip your lovely backside instead." He led the way to the games tables, bypassing the first one and going to a second one that had just been vacated. "First one likely broken or house cheated as no one at it. This one is more than likely good." However, before seating her, he brought up the games menu. Depending on what game Caroline was wanting to play would depend if they sat side by side or across the table from one another. "My buy. What game are you a hankerin for, my Lady?"

"Surprise me," she grinned mysteriously. "And if you paying I'll get another of these." She indicated their empty glasses, " Try not to watch my lovely backside," she smirked getting up and heading to the bar. She returned soon with more of his beloved spiced bourbon. She took a leaf out of Melodys book and had purchased the bottle.

With Caroline getting their refills, Galeraz set up the table for a speedster racing game through an asteroid belt circuit, even though she always creamed him in these. From what had happened to Caroline on the Merlin, he stayed away from any shooting games or deep thinking games that would allow her to drift onto that. Besides, by sitting next to each other, they could push, shove, and hamper each other all in good fun. He had just finished when she showed back up.

"When was the last time we got drunk?" She asked.

Galeraz smiled to her as he saw the entire bottle. "Not even an hour and the lovely, young doctor, bottle in her hand, makes a play for the rugged stranger that has appeared, once more, into her life." Winking, he took the bottle from her to refill their liquor glasses, a triple in each. "I would believe that was back in 89', when you were on the USS Siegfried and had come by the colony world where I was stationed to help battle a rather nasty engineered virus. We had finally won the battle and got royally plastered. I fondly remember waking up to your radiance and beauty before me the next day, even more so enchanting by the lack of any clothes."

Caroline sighed happily, "Yes we kicked that viruses arse, saved lives. Sometimes the doctor thing works out eh. I don't remember a rugged stranger though," she said playfully. "Maybe I'll let you remind me."

Galerez grinned, "Oh you don't, do you? I am going to have to take you up on that offer." He picked up his glass and saluted her, taking a sip, then setting it down on the nearby lounge table with the bottle. He handed over a controller to her, "Your favorite, Circuit Racing, but with a twist. This is the latest Asteroid Circuit from this year's races." He picked up a controller, then sat down with her, right next to her, while slyly pushing his throttle forward.

He smiled to her, saying, "Remember, no fair using your feminine wiles to distract the more than male racer.." As he said this, he pushed the start for the game and zoomed ahead without saying go. He was going to make this a fun time for her, as well as a fun time for himself, their troubles forgotten in the friendly competitiveness of the game.

OFF:

Dr Caroline Miller
CMO, USS Merlin

Dr. Galeraz Zephyr
Xeno Doctor
Outpost 785 on Argelius II
Visiting Consultant