Frustrating problems with computers.

Posted on Sat Feb 3rd, 2024 @ 3:10am by Lieutenant Commander Rutherford (RJ) Milton

Mission: Starship Side Quest
Location: Sick Bay Planet side.
Timeline: Before Briefing.

ON:

Larissa headed for the CMO’s office at what felt like 20 clicks. It was ever so frustrating that even after the Iso room incident all of the pieces were not quite lining up. Everything was still that little bit out of focus. She came in the door to vent to the one person who would currently understand the situation the best, RJ Milton. Even after the cordial hi and an exchanged glance that spoke way more than words could, it still didn’t slow her down or dial the fire back.


"That system is like a bluddy Galah! Rocks up, squawks at you and does what it wants to! Shutdowns are random, timing is random... about as random as a bird dropping in! Ugh!!!"

Larissa was pacing back and forth; she had kicked her heels off within two minutes of being in the office. Those in Ops knew when that happened there was both serious thinking and serious frustration brewing. Every few paces she stopped and scrunched her toes in her stockings, almost like 'pawing' at the carpet.

"Maybe yew might want take a break and let your temper rest?" Milton said with a chuckle. "Ah find a bit of relaxation when frustrated helps."

"The answer is right there like a bunyip, just darts out of sight when you get close enough!" She turned towards him, brow furrowed under the deep brown fringe and bangs.

"Find a comfortable place tew rest the brain and let body just be for a minute and maybe the answer might not dart away?" Milton suggested. "some place yew feel warm and comfortable, relaxed and the mind clears... then the obvious is clear..."

There was an audible sigh as she turned, going on another lap back and forth.

"Git rid of some tensions and the mind and body just work together." He explained. "Find that little Happy Place and once yew all comforted the mind can think it through calmly like."

"Ugh, and I thought a slow labour was bad. At least I knew what was at the 'end of the rainbow'. " she sighed. "That happy place has been elusive for a while now..."

She looked to the lounge, seeing the blanket, thinking back ... his lap did seem comfortable, and she did slowly calm with him.

"Maybe curling up on the lounge, with a sweet southern accented man is just my speed."

Milton noticed the blanket they had shared earlier, she did feel soft, but even a glance at her legs and the body attached might make a temptation even a gentleman might find...a trial to keep the Rogue away.

"That... might be ... unwise a choice..." Milton stammered. "A Gentleman might have Roguish tendencies with a pretty little filly like Yew'all?"

"Man. Not gentleman, Ar-Jay. People are human, not saints. Nor do I expect them to be."

Larissa sighed. "I'm not sure I’m that much of a prize. I'm not even back at pre-baby weight yet. You may say I pulled up well... I had an eight-and-a-half-pound baby calling me home. I felt about as big as Tasmania! I'm not perfect and still have stretch marks."

A smile came across her face and waivered. "I didn't have Julian cuddling my bump and whispering ‘you're still sexy to me, babe’ in my ear. All I knew was it felt good to be carrying her, yet I felt real big at the same time.”

"That is a shame as you are a very alluring woman." Milton said before thinking. "No woman more beautiful than a mother being home to new life yew know." Winks. "Ah can see that yew are more the Prized Lady than yew all might think" He figured might be true and face repercussions?

"How do you mean?"

Larissa sat on the lounge, ladylike yet curled up a bit too.

"You haven't even seen pictures of me like that? How am I a prized lady when guys have walked off, even out of dates just as soon as they knew. I guess in their eyes only the mother of their own children is sexy."

"How wrong they were," Milton naturally crossed to sit and continue this. "I done kissed you more than twice, yew all might just accept complements as Ah dew not lie to impress, been Taught Honesty goes farther than Platitudes." He was serious. "Why look at the past, Ah like the woman yew are, very sensual by the few times I kissed ya?"

"So, why don't I feel as sensual? I dress to feel good and all. I know I have a lot of my figure back, yet I don't feel truly sexy. I'm finding it hard to have both the mum and sexy me." She fiddled with Julian’s ring and the pendant without even realising it.

Milton’s face reddened a little.

"Your dedication to be Jennifer's mom is evident."

He leant closer to kiss her, cupping the back of her head for emphasis as he deepened the kiss, softly caressing the exposed thigh from knee to hem and back with feather touch.

"Tew bad you don't feel how sexy yew are to me." He told her a bit breathless.

"If only I could. Not a telepath or empath. You could always try and describe it for me?" Secretly he had already sent a shudder through her heart.

He kissed her again with all the passion he could fill, his hand running up the leg, over the skirt to the small of her back...

"How about Ah show yew..."

He could not hold back a desire to express this affection he just accepted came off her at first gut punch of seeing her and not able look away.

"Ah could make Love to yew as proof Sometime? " He hoped she would not decide he went too far.

Larissa blushed, feeling her heart in her mouth.

*Oh my God! He wants to do that... am I even ready for that? I feel ever so rusty..*

She could feel herself fiddling with Julian’s ’s ring with one hand and the other over RJ’s on her back. *Julian did say you can move on, he even encouraged you to, girl! Here is a guy that is smart, sweet, likes kids and even has a fairy for a friend!*

Larissa could feel her heart racing and aching at the same time. She wanted to go with it and hated feeling just a little torn. *Julian isn’t here anymore, he can’t cuddle you, kiss you… or be intimate with you anymore. RJ can, is willing to, and already makes your heart flutter!* Her breathing changed a little, body and mind at a crossroads.

Larissa leant into him, feeling the warmth, and hearing his heart greet her. Strong, comforting, holding a slight pace, it was solid and undeniable. Hidden away from RJ’s sight her eyes welled up a little. Larissa knew she missed that warmth, being curled up in another’s arms with that strong, steady and undeniable sound of a beating heart under her ear. The hand came away from behind her and interlaced with his free hand.

Milton felt her hand upon his, her heart and mind had conflict. While catatonic she was mumbling to Her Fiancée who had passed, she must still be attached and Milton would respect that, could even deal with slowing the desire he had for her.

What is another moment, day or week, he wanted the whole woman. There is no rush for true affections. Larissa had whispered a conversation with Julian whom Milton knew to be Jennifer's Natural Father, he left suddenly, there could be some hesitation to share because of his loss, it was something Milton understood firsthand of late. He is content with where they are now, he really need not rush.

Where the hand went over his he would follow.

Her hand moved to interlace with his, he felt in his gut she wanted intimate exchange as well.

He moved with gentle care should Larissa wish to have what her heart truly desired?

"As much as I truly appreciate just how heartfelt that offer is I'm not sure this is the right time... or place. Something more private... and romantic might be more special that way. That and I am a bit.... rusty. The idea makes me a bit... nervous." She kind of looked to the floor. She was feeling more nervous in this moment then her first make out with a boy at age seventeen.

"I still like the idea of being curled up here and you have a way of kissing that blows my mind."

"Nervous is no fun." Milton winked at her. "I think Ah could arrange to give you'all something to ... think about..." He Kissed her with some heat and desire as he caressed her back in a way to send goosebumps.

"Yeah, that's food for thought. Enough to make your heart race."

"A Gentleman tries to give what a Lady wishes."

"I'm sure a doctor would know all sorts of things when it comes to that sort of stuff. It feels weird to be all nervous and happy to be with you." She returned the favour, feeling her heart race away and leap in her chest. "Did my heart skip a beat? I swear I feel like a schoolgirl again. It really can skip a beat like that, right. I didn't just imagine it?!"

"No tricorder needed." He kissed her for a moment.

She felt her heart seem to pause mid kiss, flying away as soon as the kiss came to an end. "Okay, you can make my heart skip!" Larissa blushed, her heart racing and breath rate was up a little. "This feels like magic."

"Do you believe in magic in a woman's heart?" He winked.

"I'm sure you can convince that it's there. Just like the bubbles coming from a grotto." Larissa blushed, looking deeply into his eyes.



A few minutes later


The warmth of a woman is a rare enough find, nearly a full lunch hour of exchanging like teenagers is something he had not done... since he was a teenager. And now she just relaxed leaning into their shared warmth.

"Awful quiet, I did not bore yew to sleep did ah?" He teased .

Her head popped up to look at him. Her hair was a little frazzled, yet well-kept for the most part.

"Mmm... I was just basking in how good this feels."

Milton could not resist a slight squeeze and to return the look into her eyes.

"Ah agree, could stay here fer a long spell." He smiled. "Never thought about instant connection, you all sure proved it possible." He leant down and kissed her deeply for a long moment.

"Do you all believe in love at First Sight?"

"Of course. It hadn't been a consideration til now" she cooed in reply.

"Havin' to break the warmth to do our jobs does not seem fair." Kissing her head. "But cannot hide here fer'ever ya know?"

"Much as we would love to, and I was just getting used to the sound of your heart there. You were right that my mind is clear. Hard to think about work after something like that."

"Maybe a trip to Galley and food might git us back on track, Love?"

"Maybe. I think my heart keeps taking my head off track. I don't think I have ever felt this giddy." She had a smile that crept up and brought a shine to her eyes.

"Not that I didn't enjoy every last second of it." 'Riss' left a kiss on him that said as much. "Until we find those little pet names for each other, my adopted sisters.... call me Riss. I already call you Ar-Jay, fair's fair."

"Rissa sounds nice ... fer now" He winked. "Luck still holding, Lovely Riss."

"You have a cheeky streak all your own, Ar-Jay. Maybe even a little magic up your sleeve." She snuggled with him for one last moment. "After this, visits back on the ship are a given."

"More of a future pleasure." Milton said with a grin and kissed her lightly. "You know that Ah always try to meet a lady's request."

"That bedside manner is really growing on me." She returned the favour on the kiss. "I'm glad I met you, Ar-Jay. My heart isn't feeling quite as heavy all of a sudden."

"There will always be one little spot left for Julian." She smiled softly. "I think you might have performed a little magic when we first met. I think my heart is with you, and I'm holding on to yours. I hadn't thought I'd have that happen so quickly or so easily. I swear you must be magic or something."

"Ah do dabble a little." Milton played with her hair. "Ah have a Pixie, cannot deny a little magic in Mah life." He had to move the blanket to expose her back a touch. "But yew are enticing a de-lay to breakin our de-lightful time here and gettin the job dun so Ah can come a callin'"

"Can't blame a girl for wanting to draw this out."

Milton kissed her sweetly. "Sooner we all solve this, then A Gentleman can come calling official like and time for 'Lingering' in affection without impending... interruptions." He winked

"Interruptions are the worst...." That was when the proverbial bomb went off in Larissa's head. "Interruptions..... like power interruptions.... from the constant resets wreaking havoc! The spread.... was not unlike a virus! Oh my God!" Larissa kissed him quite passionately in that eureka moment.

"You're a genius, Ar-Jay! It's like a forced reset patch and a virus met and had a baby! The forced resets are what's doing the damage. It's a stop and start, not a shutdown , diagnostic, or recalibration! Talk about your epiphanies!"

"Glad to be of service." He smiled. "If Ah understood what conceived what? A re-set and Virus are not usually comparable, don't one be used to eliminate the other?" He asked. A hard reset used to eliminate a virus?"

"This was some sort of an introduced patch, like a reset all machines at this time. It's been corrupted by a virus in the system. The virus 'played with the DNA' of the patch. Rather than one reset at 1 appointed time, it many at varied times. At least in knowing the recalibration, shutdown and hard reset of systems is working we can fix this, albeit slowly. The real bugger is finding where this patch and virus came from and what point they 'found a room and got all cosy like."

Milton raised an eyebrow glancing around. "Like expressing intimacies in another Doc's Office?" He teased. "Might be simpler than you'all think. If a repair program thing failed and is mutated, can yew not reverse engineer it or something?"

We have to 'find the parents' to do that. Too much intermingled code now. It's like when a tumour digs in, it creates more of itself and better cells. It's hard to tell others apart unless you have samples of original DNA."

"Can you all find the Cancer code and cut it away?" He really was in over his head.

"That much we can do, the problem is this bugger is in the bloodstream and self-replicating. Was like that when I got here. Little one has been left alone with good food for too long."

"It is remonding me of some things I have been reading about, linked to the Dominion, of all things! If the Dominion is involved in this somehow.... this is suddenly far bigger than a trace and repair. I think this surgery just got very complicated."

"Ops and Engineers might help?" Milton pointed out. "Fond exchanges may have ta wait a spell, need get this idea to them like second Opinion for diagnosis."

It was sadly time to get serious. "Does this kind of Intimacy really spark that creative brain?" He teased. "Could like to help spark that anytime yew need, Lovely One."

He removed the blanket in preparation of getting this news to the parties required.

"Just like Magic when you need it most. You can cast that spell over me anytime." She beamed. "First, let's get this diagnosis done."

OFF

Lt. Rutherford Milton
Chief Medical Officer
USS Resolution


Larissa Riley
Operations
USS Resolution