getting to know the crew II

Posted on Wed Mar 9th, 2022 @ 6:24pm by Lieutenant Commander Rutherford (RJ) Milton & Commander Antonia 'Tony" Stoffels

Mission: Free write

Commander Antonia Stoffels

After meeting the chief counsellor it was only logical to visit the chief medical officer first. Get to know him and get the compulsory medical exam out of the way. Her uncle who was a doctor had complained to her often enough how he had to drag crew into his office to have their exams done. And she wanted to make a good first impression.

So she hit the doorchime of the CMO's office.

The door opened to reveal the man just getting up from behind the desk; looking up and moving around he glanced up slightly to assure the small sparkling dust had not been obvious.

"Welcome to my humble abode." He came around the desk and offered a hand for the shaking. "Please come in, my door always opens"

"That is good to know, doctor. I am Tony Stoffels the new XO. I thought I would get introductions and my physical out of the way in one go if you have time."

"Well, I do have a kettle going." Milton gave a smile. "So do you want the poking and prodding or the Cream and sugar first?"

"Hmm. I firmly believe in rewards for good behaviour so you can poke and prod first, doc." She walked over to the examination couch in his office.

Following her into his office ; Pix streaked across and through the doorway to land quite daintily on the edge of the desk, crossing legs as is proper and waving to Stoffels.

Tony nearly jumped startled by the new arrival. Then her eyes widened as she had never seen any of these species before. The little being was exquisitely beautiful. After gaping for a few seconds Tony waved back. "Hi, nice to meet you ma'am. I'm Tony."

"Oh, she was opened the door by flying at the sensor,,," Milton slapped his forehead. "My appologies, usually the rumors of her preceed her." He chuckled. "Commander Stoffels, this is Pix, resident Fae of the Medical Section, she likes to make an entrance as you can tell." He mentioned.

Pix extended her arm and a slight bow of the waits before looking up angain and a bright; literally as she had more glow it seemed, smile to the Commander.

"Are you one of the doctors on the ship, or a nurse?" Tony asked taking her absolutely seriously.

"I think you could put her under the category of 'Observer' as she is more of a tag-along." The Doctor explained. "We have been together for a couple of transfers now. He winked at Pix. "She is My Companion and helps out where she can Like activating sensors when she senses visitors and being a friendly ace about a place most people do not like visiting. We have people come around for snacks and to See Pix, make my Sick Bay more... friendly you might say."

"She is so beautiful." Tony said in awe. "Do you speak Pix?" Tony asked her directly. Not wanting to speak over her head.

Pix spoke in what sounded like a tinkling bell but no words translated. She then shrugged.

"Perhaps the question is can she speak legibly and can we understand her." He winked. "And after several years sadly we cannot as yet."

"Aw." Tony was dissapointed. "So how do you know what she wants and needs?" Her medical exam had completely skipped her mind.

Milton actually had to stifle a laugh.

"Pix has no problem getting what she wants or needs..." Pix raised her left eyebrow and stare at the Doctor. "Luckily she does weaqr her emotions on her sleeve." He was using the probe as he spoke. "SHe has never had a problem with letting it be known what she wants." Glancing up he smiled. "SHe is a highly intellegent individual." The scan of her cest cavity and surrounding area was clear while her heart and breathing steady and strong. "Call it empathy or telepathy, one just get a gut feeling that pops ideas into your head and when all else fails she give the universal signal to confirm what she wants..."

He watched Stoffel for just a second.

"She points to it." He winked as the data was coming up on his screen. "It is more of not getting what she wants but cannot have that we get in dispute."

The Alpha Waves and biometric chemical reaction seemed to be flowing as they should.

"Amazing." Tony said. "I hope you and I can be friends, Pix. And I am sure you are doing a great job distracting patients here." She turned to the doctor. "Where do you want me to start the exam?"

Pix tilt her head to the person and looked her up and down, crossing an arm over the other and then scratching her chin thoughtfully, she kept that pose for a couple of seconds as she seemed to ponder the relevant facts as her wings fluttered to raise her off the desk.

"Quit playing Pix." Milton warned with a suppressed grin. "What have we discussed about the gag line?" He had the tricorder in hand.

Pix dropped the pose and hovered around Stoffels, laughing to the sound of jingling bells, nodding in a way that gave the defined impression she agree with the woman question. Pix stopped in front, not violating the woman's personal space and extended her hand almost like a handshake but the palm up.

"She wants you to extend you arm palm up." Milton said as he checked the monitor. "Her way of agreeing to your request."

"Cool." Tony put her hand up gently. "Nice to meet you, Pix. If you ever want to come visit me in my quarters you will be very welcome."

Pix decended to the palm of Stoffels' palm and with ax expression of glee her wings in motion but not providing lift she bobbed excitedly up and down with her hands clasped together for a couple of seconds as her glow brightened slightly with her excitement, then looked over at the Doctor.

Meeting her hopeful face Milton chuckled. ' I do not lock you in the Sick Bay Pix, you can go where you please, you know that." He stated as he made notes on his tricorder. "If you want a girls night out I am not one to stop you."

Pix clapped her hands before looking up at SToffels with eyes that begged the question 'when?' most clearly.

"Weeeell I have not had a chance to decorate. But if you don't mind that we could do it as soon as you have time. Have a movie night or something. Do you eat popcorn?"

"You do realize a six inch tall Fae would not need more than one Kernel?" Milton observed. "Pix has a sweet tooth, chocolate is a good thing to make her happy." He completed his scan. "Just a little insider knowledge. " He put the probe away. "You are fit as a Fiddle, I logged it in the system so now you need only drop by for tea or socializing with me and Pix."

Pix lifted off from the hand and flew backwards to sit on and whisper in his ear.

"You can let her know when you are ready." Milton relayed his impressions. "Her social calendar is pretty open at the moment." He chuckled.

"You did the scan already?" Tony laughed. "Sneaky, doc, very sneaky. And I can certainly do chocolate, love that myself. So that is a date Pix." She turned back to the doctor. "And now I want to get to know you better. And I am sure you have questions for me."

"You were a very good girl." With a flowing circile of his hand , a small white rosebud that he offered to SToffels. "You deserve a reward."

Pix shook her head and flit off to a small greenhouse type enclosure within the Doctor's office. A small doll house type set up for one Pix.

"I think she is ready for tea?" He chuckled . "Come have a cup and we'll chat. Lucky for you evryone else is avoiding their physicals."

"I never understood that. My best friend is deadly afraid of doctors. While we both have a basic medical degree as well. She is a psychiatrist like me." Tony said as she followed the doctor. "But then of course my uncle is a doctor as well, maybe that helped for me growing up."

"I have found one bad experience at a younger age will spark a life long trauma in some cases." He went to a tea pot on the shelf behind his desk. "Do you like fresh brewed or I could replicate if you like?" He asked.

"Oh if you have fresh brewed I do prefer that." Tony said. "Yeah in her case it is actually her dad giving a bad example. He is paranoid about hospitals. Like my dad is paranoid about shrinks. So he was not too happy with my choice of careers. I used to be a therapist before going into the command track." She explained. "Well I keep my licence active, seeing a few patients over video."

"There is no such thing as a former Doctor, or counselor for that matter." He pour her a cup with his own before placing them on a tray to bring over and offer her the cream and sugar. "Lighten to your tastes." He handed her the tea cup and saucer. "I am just what they call an old Country Doctor, though I do like to keep learning. " He took his own as he sat across from her. "What was your father's specialty; internal medicine, cardiovascular or maybe neurology?"

'Uncle and he is still practicing. My mum's younger brother. He is a marine surgeon, so it is really all kinds of surgery. Now that he is higher up in rank he doesn't get to work on the frontline anymore and he hates that. And Uncle Pete hates the paperwork that comes with rank." She grinned as she could hear his mutters in her ear. "My dad is just a marine."

"I have done my share of Field Surgery." He took a sip of tea. "Never the front lines though, I was a little more on the research and finding out the cause of things. He placed the cup down. "So what sparked the route not to go Marine, most 'Higher Ups' like pass the baton to the next generation?"

"I wanted to prove I could do it on my own without daddy and granddad's help. I knew I wanted to join starfleet so going for the navy was the obvious choice. My best friend did exactly the opposite because her parents are admirals. She became a marine."

"Do I sense a rebellious streak in you Ms. Stoffels?" He grinned to show he was kidding. "I like people who make their own decisions, makes my life easier."

Pix yawned as she lay down on her bed.

Tony grinned when she saw it. "I bet. My granddad was so not amused. He had not retired then and he seriously tried to change my mind. Dad backed me though."

"A good father backs his children." Milton complemented. "So with your licence in order does that mean I could utilize you as opposed to my subordinate my next review?" He had a twinkle in his eye. "Somehow, having Lt. Jansen know the inner workings of her Chief is a little unnerving, as Command you are not in Medical and could be more ..." He smiled. "Impartial, no emotionally or professionally lines to cross. Not that she is bad at her job, just if I have to be in charge best not to have her know what is in my Closet. I am wondering how Pix will be around her?" Grinning. "She seems quie content around you so that is good."

"Uhm yes, of course." Tony was surprised. "But I would not cut any corners." She smiled. "I have met Lt. Jansen and I think she is very nice though."

"My point is in the chain of command, I am the Chief Medical Officer, next above her in command, you are not part of that command chain so apart from any conflict of interests. Most ships do not have that option and while we do why not utilize that and have one less worry for her. Also it will help with you maintaining your creditials." He took a sip of Tea. "I could Bring Pix along and you get a Two- for- one?"

"I get it. Same with counsellors. It is so hard to live amongst your patients when in civilian life we are forbidden to socialize with patients. Is that the same for you? Iti's lonely. And I already know I will love spending time with Pix."


"I am a copiuntry Doctor so atending a Birthday for a child I helped bring into the universe is alright; just nothing of a romantic kind. I can 'socialize, just keep it 'Friendly' and it is condoned. People are not as scared me knowing their innards as much as wht might in their heads." ANother sip of tea. "Guess Doctors are lucky that way?"

"you are. People somehow don't mind you knowing all about their plumbing system but they are scared shitless of 'mindreaders'. Even in this day and age I get people who are afraid to be around me because they think I can read their minds." Tony shook her head. "I hope being an XO is not as lonely on a ship."

"I have seen your lack of Alpha Waves that is linked to 'Mind Readers." Milton chuckled. "And if it gets lonely you can always come down and have tea with Me and Pix. When she is awake that is." Again he chuckled. "And if you are more comfortable I will even have Ms. Sky do my evaluation so you can have a friend with no Conflict of Interest." He offered. Though Pix I am sure will be more than willing to keep you company upon occasion."

"Oh no that is fine. I don't mind doing the exam and as you said it helps me keep my licence current." She smiled. 'I am already making friends on the ship and that feels really good."

"I did not think there really was a chance of being alone on a Star Ship or anyplace in fleet." Milton was thinking for a second. Maybe I am just a Social creature by nature but my thing has been getting time alone." He glanced at Pix sleeping. "And after her nap she will make sure I do not get lonely." He shook his head. "Like most ladies I know, she does require her Beauty Sleep once in a while."

"You would be amazed how many people can be alone in crowds." A shadow fell over her face. She had treated enough friends of crew members who had committed suicide because they felt lonely and nobody had seen it coming. "You are a very lucky man, doctor."

"There is an old saying 'To have a friend yo need to be a friend." He nod. "I just try to be a friend to everyone I meet."

"That is wise and kind. I wish all beings were like you. There would be far less trouble in the world."

"Happiness is where you find it." Milton mentioned. "It is a point of view and I learned it over time."

"I guess so." Tony came to her feet. "I certainly hope all of us will be friends. Will you bring Pix over or does she roam around on her own?"

"If you have not guessed Little Pix is w a woman of her own mind and whims." Milton rose as is proper. "Leave an air vent open and she will find her way there; I figure a 'Girl's night' would e be any harm and the three of us can meet later. It is good for Pix to get some friends. SHe would have found you eventually, she liked you; I can tell, so you two have fun and the rest will work out." He gesture to the door. "I'll escort you out, leat I can do." It was old fashion proper to escort a lady to the door, but chivalry has not died yet.

"Well thank you sir. You remind me of my grandfather. Not in age of course but he is an old fashioned gentleman."

"That is why some call it 'Old School' as it still works." Milton strode with her out through the Sick Bay. "I try to be a gentleman, sometimes I even succeed."

"you certainly do!"


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