It's Just Not That Simple....

Posted on 15 Jun 2015 @ 12:39am by Rear Admiral Lirha Saalm & Lieutenant JG Drusilla McCarthy

1,595 words; about a 8 minute read

Mission: Episode 08 - NIMBUS
Location: USS Atlas/USS Galileo - Private Offices
Timeline: MD 02 - 1025 hrs

[ON]

Lirha picked up a PADD from the unorganized mess of slim silver devices littering her desk, quickly skimmed it, then tossed it back into the shuffle after she realized it was the wrong one. The new assignment orders had to be on one of them, somewhere here, she thought to herself with a bit of a fluster.

It had been a busy morning for the young rear admiral, mostly due to the large amount of paperwork and personnel changes she and Holliday had had to deal with over the past two days. With the war games set to commence in a matter of hours, she now found herself scrambling at the last second to file all the appropriate forms and put the information into her logs. So far she'd managed to take care of most of her work, but suddenly she remembered a final transfer which she needed to process.

Not even glancing at the monitor, Lirha reached out and tapped the large black button on her desk's LCARS console, then gave it a short verbal command while she continued to look around -- and under -- her desk for the desired PADD. "Computer, open a private channel to USS Galileo, Lieutenant McCarthy's quarters," she instructed, then continued her search for the paperwork.

Pulling her knees up closer to her chest, Dru sat in the middle of the double bed; almost lost in Markum's skirt that she wore. The sleeves feel past her hands but she found it a comfort. She wasn't used to such spacious quarters, never mind being on her own. The space still felt so alien, the boxes with her personal possessions still stacked in the main seating but she was trying hard to find a way to make this home.

As her thoughts were interrupted by the computer indicating an incoming message, the counselor moved over to the computer terminal before tapping a number of controls to allow the message through. "Lirha?'

"Hello, Miss McCarthy," said Lirha with a pleasant enough smile. She was initially surprised that her hail had been redirected to the COB's quarters, and the sight of her wearing what must have been one of his shirts explained much of the story. "I hope I am not disturbing you?"

Miss McCarthy? Subconsciously Dru straightened her back as a faint blush tinged her cheeks at the state of dress she was in on what seemed to be a formal communique. "No Ma'am. I'd just been taking the opportunity to catch up on some work and downtime prior to the games commencement in the next few hours. Was there something that you needed me for? I can be ready within five minutes."

"Oh, nothing too important," the Orion replied with a dismissive wave of her green hand. "I am not sure if you are aware, but there have been some recent personnel departures aboard Galileo which have left us rather understaffed in certain departments," she began to explain, wondering how much Dru already knew about the sudden reassignments of several DHs.

Pulling her legs back up against her chest, Dru rested her chin against one knee as she studied the image of the Admiral on the monitor. "Word gets around...I got a note from Prudence regarding some of her cases which needed a close eye kept on. But the ins and outs of why this has happened I don't know."

In a strange way, it was good to hear there had been communication among the various counselors before Devin had departed, especially considering the rapid nature of what had transpired. "I cannot say I know either. Most of the details were classified, but the orders from Starfleet Command were clear," she said. "And now, it has left us in a situation with several unfilled senior staff positions. I...know you have much counseling and medical experience, and am wondering if you have any desire to assume the duties of chief counselor aboard Galileo?" There was really no need to beat around the bush, and Lirha wondered if her old friend wanted her original job back after being away for more than a year.

Dru blinked at the suddenness of the promotion in position being raised. It's not that she hadn't been aware it might happen, she knew that there was an off change given the chain of command but that hasn't made her any more ready for the request. Hell...she was trying to resettle with a ship and crew who were different to before and deal Keith her own issues.

As her eyes continued to study the Orion on the otherside of her monitor, the decision tossed and tumbled through her head. "You are aware of my current situation? I'm assuming medical would have informed you?"

"..Situation..?" asked Saalm with a slight tilt to her head. "No, I have not been informed of anything," she added. Part of her was concerned that it was something a bit serious, and the other part of her wondered why such information -- whatever it was -- had not been presented to her prior to this conversation.

Dru looked down at the bedsheet which can become entwined in her fingers during the conversation. Her fingers continues to pull at the nonexistent threads as she mulled over how to say it and figured she should just come out with the news. "I'm pregnant...about eight weeks according to medical."

"Oh." Lirha was definitely surprised but also happy for Dru. Having a baby was an exciting time and would hopefully bring a lot of joy for her. And hopefully, it wouldn't restrict her from her duties too much. "Well, congratulations," she smiled. "Are you excited?"

Dru felt the blood leave her face as the skin turned pure white. She hadn't expected such a question and as such she didn't even know how she was meant to answer it. "Ah...sure....I guess the news is still settling in."

Lirha narrowed her eyes a bit and peered at Dru through the screen. "You...must have known by now, yes? Eight weeks is a long time..." she let her voice trail off before shaking her head and recollecting her thoughts. "If I may ask, who is the father?"

Dru's face went even whiter as she looked like she'd seen a ghost. Her hands begun to fist in the sheets at her side as she looked away to one side; closing her eyes as she tried to recompose herself. "Are you asking as a friend or as my superior?"

A small sideways grin tugged at the corner of the Orion's gold lips. "I suppose I could order you to tell me...but I am just curious and asking as a friend." She looked closer at the counselor and noticed the color in her face had seemed to disappear. "...Is everything alright?"

Dru's hand moved to pinch the bridge of her nose. It was on the tip of her tongue to tell Lirha the truth, a women who knew her better than anyone onboard. But, on the other hand, she didn't want to burden the woman. "Everything's fine...morning sickness and all of that can be a killer at times."

Pulling her fingers away from her nose, she looked back at the woman. "I'm happy to accept the promotion.... Should I feel at any point that the pregnancy is interfering, I will let you and Captain Holiday know. I'll also put out a few feelers for cover during my maternity so as your not left empty handed."

"That would be a prudent idea," Lirha nodded in agreement. As much as she was sympathetic to any pregnant woman on board, the performing the expected duties of a Starfleet crew member was the reason every person was aboard the starship. Any temporary gaps in performance capability were usually handled as well as possible, as long as it was not detrimental to the good order and nature of the starship as a whole. "Well, I wish you the best of luck with your new child, and congratulations on your advancement to chief counselor. Please contact Lieutenant Commander Warraquim in order to coordinate your efforts with her and the rest of the medical staff."

Dru nodded her head in understanding, as she at least appreciated the first opportunity to be able to meet the chief medical officer. "Understand. Thank you again for this opportunity. After the last time, I didn't see becoming chief counsellor onboard again as being achievable. I'll not let you and Captain Holiday down."

"I would not have it any other way," Lirha grinned, giving Dru a final look over one last time before closing the channel. She was happy for her old friend, not only for her future child, but the sense of family she was going to soon experience. Something very important for any Starfleet officer, she felt. "We will speak again soon, I hope," she said, then closed the comm.

Watching as the screen went blank, Dru drew her knees back up against her chest as she rested her forehead against her kneecap. She wondered if she'd made the right decision...so many decisions seemed to be being presented to her and she nolonger knew the right ones from the wrong ones. She could only hope that this promotion fell into the category of right decisions because if it didn't...she was screwed.

[OFF]

--

RADM Lirha Saalm
Commanding Officer
USS Atlas

Lieutenant JG Drusilla McCarthy
Chief Counsellor
USS Galileo

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