Let’s talk

Posted on Thu Oct 13th, 2022 @ 6:25pm by Lieutenant Commander Rutherford (RJ) Milton & Lieutenant JG Kiara Rahl (Jansen-Carey)

Mission: The Lost Brother
Location: Sickbay

{ON}

Sickbay had been moderately busy on and off during the early part of Kiara’s shift, she didn’t mind one way or the other, but it did make shift fun. Kiara loved her work, she tended to lose herself in it of late instead of sitting in her quarters dwelling on events in her life. She was just finished clearing up after the latest patient when Rutherford stepped out of his office.

“That’s Sickbay tidy again Doctor, is there anything else you need me to do?”

"Have you seen Pix of late?" Milton asked. "She has been sneaking off and today I have not really seen her. "If worst comes to worst I will check with Sky but thought I would ask first?" He had a handkerchief in hand as he leant on the office door frame. "Not that you are a keeper for Pix, just thought I might ask?" He pulled the kerchief up and a flash happened with a wrapped chocolate in hand. '"Here is your treat for keep things neat." He lobbed the candy to Rahl.

Kiara grinned as she caught the candy. “Thank you Sir!” She offered a shake of her head as she answered his question. “I’m afraid I haven’t seen Pix for a little while, I haven’t really met her properly yet, we seem to always be in two different places.”

"She does tend to get around." Milton chuckled. "I am sure your paths will cross in the future, not many people in sick bay that she is not acquainted with." He nodded. "I really have not gotten to know you myself, an oversight of a large command , takes a bit to get to know everyone." He gesture into his office. "I have some brewed tea if you could spare a moment for an introduction chat?"

Kiara nodded. “By all means.” She headed towards the office, once inside she took a seat ready for their chat.

Milton made two cups and brought a tray with cream and sugar and a small clear plastic teddy bear filled with honey , placig it between them before taking a seat across the small table between them.

SO how do you like the ship so far, anything you would like me to know about yourself that is a good story to tell?" He placed her tea in front of her. "I like to hear a good story about people, lets me know they are getting along well and all."

Kiara shrugged her shoulders. “There’s not a lot to tell about me really. I tend to keep pretty much to myself most of the time, I returned to duty a couple of years ago after a year off on personal leave. I wasn’t sure at the time if I’d return or not, but I enjoy what I do.”

"I am glad that you did, you are a good nurse and all." He took a sip of tea before continuing. "I am one to allow my staff to share what they like and I am ot one to pry, Pix keeps me pretty straight on that. She is a good gauge of others and won't let my inquisitive side get the better of me. SO is there anything you would like to know of your humble Boss?""

Kiara smiled. “Actually I err...I was wondering about you and Pix. The two of you seem to have a very close relationship, how did that come about?”

"She followed me home." Milton said with a grin. "I mean literally followed me somehow onto the ship I was serving aboard at the time. Not really able to discern why or how. After a twelve system survey we discovered a new life sign on the ship. She had been hiding and decided to just show herself in my Cabin." He put simply. "If you can imagine my surprise as a new and unknown person just sat daintily upon a makeshift seat eating some real chocolate that I had in a bowl." His expression became almost whimsical. " Pix is beautiful and has this essence of ... innocence about her. She just smiled up at me and offered me a candy from he bowl with the cutest smile I had ever seen." He shrugged his shoulders. "Needless to say Security took immediate dislike of me at having 'smuggled a sentient life form aboard, we were both in a brig. Me literally and Pix in the hands of Science and medical for study..."

Kiara smiled at the story. “That’s so sweet! Oh...not you being locked away...just the whole circumstance with Pix. So, what happened next?”

"Pix ended up in the cell with me when I woke one night, sleeping on my pillow next to me, some of my hair gently in her hand, the guard on duty noticed before I knew it and Pix was taken back to science section and I was questioned how she got there?" He laughed. "To this day I have no idea. STill, it was sensory logs that showed she had come onto the ship without registering. We had no idea where she came from or how long she had been here? I was exonerated as there was no way I could have brought her knowingly aboard and after a Betazoid probed me it was dropped from my end."

He took a sip of tea.

"Well, my bliss did not last long as the next night Pix was on my pillow in my cabin. I woke this time to her head resting on mine and when I rose I just had time to note a content smile on her face before she stirred and ginned up at me." He shrugged. "I was kind of smitten with her then, but not normal, it was more like a part of me was.. connected to someone but not romantically just like she belonged right there." He shook his head. "Of course Security came in and we were separated and only the sensory logs showed me in my room and nowhere near where Pix was held. She had gotten out on her own, she got put in a ... gilded and furnished cage of sort behind a forcefield."

His expression turned less whimsical.

"The days that followed I had headaches and it was not noted but her glow was fading slightly. I had an uncontrollably strong urge to see her and when I was near the glow then was noted as rising over the level before I arrived. Her vitals were also improved so it was decided I should visit and they gauged her being away from me." He was annoyed. "They were emotionally poking and prodding her, the Betazoid scientist tried to lightly probe her and Pix shut her down, seems Pix exceeds the normal parameters of Betazoid power ranges."

He shook his head.

"Still they kept her locked away as a danger to the ship ; her being able not to be detected when she moved. It was after all the scans that a baseline was created and the computer finally acknowledged her presence." He smiled. "That night the sensors tracked her exiting her cage and then lost her when she entered the Jeffries Tubes and then emerged in my Cabin. The Security Team trying to find her were maybe twenty minutes behind and very annoyed. But I was not taken in as Pix cowered on my shoulder I suggested she stay in my presence and we see how that 'Experiment' works? The Captain was a fine lady and released Pix to my care."

Kiara was enthralled by the story. “Sounds like the two of you are meant to be. Pix sounds like she’s taken quite a shine to you, pardon the pun! So does she make connections with others, those she trusts, in the same way?”

"You would have to ask Pix's BFF and other friends about that." Milton replied. "She makes friends easily and is personable so telling who she is friends with and who are her confidants can be is tricky. Pix is more than just a glowing little lady, she tends to be a light in more ways than one. Her empathy is not gradable, it just is what it is. She likes to love everyone and expect the best in people." He tapped his head. "But Pix and I are like Imzadi with the exception being more dependant upon each other, especially in Pix's case she seems to have a life connection to me. Her being is fine but if I am away long she starts to litterally fade."

Kiara nodded. “So if anything happened to you, or her it would have a detrimental affect on you both? If it does then we need to understand all we can about your bond. It’s the only way we could help you both.”

THere are databases full of what our Bond can mean." Taking a sip of tea. "It actually has more of an effect on Pix, it might be due to size and effect upon the 'life force' for lack of better word. I would rather keep things as they are since we have not really had a problem so far and I do not really know what to do if we are both affected?" He grinned. "Be a good study and professional paper if it happens,'

Shaking his head to clear it.

"Pix is not one to make another bond, if it comes to that I am quite sure we will go together." Shrugging he winked. "I hope to be in my declining years before I actually contemplate not having time with her. We tend to just enjoy our time together."

Kiara smiled. “Whatever it is, it’s beautiful. I only hope I find someone who shows me the kind of care, and love that you show Pix.”

"I hope for someone to give you more." Milton said. "Pix and I share our lives but she is more supportive of my finding someone to share my life with. It is a feeling I get from her."

“Really?” Kiara looked at Rutherford curiously. “Pix wants you to find another woman? I thought perhaps the two of you were...well, close in a romantic sense.”

"We are life partners." Rutherford put down the tea cup and look Kiara in the eyes. "I once had an image of a few of her people that had 'Bonded to other life forms, like deer, birds and other lifeforms on her planet. Non-humanoids, and so Pix can bond and just shares my life with me and i live a normal life." He wined. "She tends to hang out with her BFF's while I date. Pix is very alien to the rest of us on the ship. I do not think she and I would be ... compatible."

Kiara nodded. “I see, so it’s more symbiotic between the two of you. That’s very sweet. To be honest I like her, she’s unique around here.”

"She is unique in many circles." Milton commented. "There is only one Pix."

“Well I For one am glad she’s here, I’ve seen how good she is with patients.” Kiara smiled.

"Best help a Doc could ask for with the kids and Talsi." Milton added. "She is on her way back." He commented.

Kia nodded. “Then I’d best get back to work instead of sitting here.” She grinned.

"If you want to catch Pix today be mindful of the air system grates, she likes to use them as her personal entry gate." He stood as a gentleman does. "It was nice chatting, I always have fresh brew so feel free to get a cup if you need it."

“Thank you, I will.” Kiara smiled. “It’s been nice talking to you too Doctor.”

"You as well." Milton added.

OFF