Touchy Subjects

[Alexander Zier 0]

"Touchy Subjects"

a Kassem and Zier Production

 

((Log begins right after 2/11/07's sim ends))

 

>>BEGIN LOG<<

 

Alexander looked at Maria. Inside, he was nervous, and he hoped it wasnt showing. "I was actually going to have lunch before your party came aboard. Would you like to join me?"

 

Maria was brand new to this ship, but she seemed to already make a connection with someone. She smiled at Alex. "Yes, of course. Maybe you can give me a tour of the ship afterwards?"

 

He nodded. "It would be my pleasure." He backed out of her quarters. She followed him out of the room and into the large corridor of the Excalibur. It was a definate change from the cramped Reliant.

 

Alex looked at her. He wasn't good at making small talk. "So you just came back from the Reliant?"

 

Maria nodded as the walked. "Yeah, I guess you could say I got drafted. I was waiting on Camelot Station, but they needed a medical officer on a rescue mission."

 

He nodded, as they walked up the mess hall doors. "Did the rescue, go well?"

 

"It didn't go as well as we had hoped, but it still had a good ending."

 

He followed her over to one of the replicatore lining the near wall. "Thats good to hear." He smiled. She looked around at the large room. "So this is the mess hall?"

 

He handed her a tray. "Yes. Sometimes its used for other functions. I think one ot the botanists is trying to get a play going."

 

She took the tray, with a thanks. "I like plays, though I don't think I could see myself in one."

 

He grinned. "Neither could I." He looked at the replicator. "Computer, tomato soup, hot. Grilled cheese sandwich, on white, moderatly toasted."

 

She smiled at him, after getting her order from the replicator. It looked like a green mess piled on a plate. Grabbing her green tea, Maria turned to look out at the rest of the hall. "Where should we sit?"

 

He shrugged. "There are some tables there by the large windows." She nodded as she moved in the direction Alexander motioned to. She took a seat so she could look out the window. He took a seat across from her, and eyed her plate. He raised his eyebrow. Maria laughed, noticing his look. "It's a Vulcan wilted lettuce salad."

 

He grinned. "Ah. Well, it does look, wilted..." He winked.

 

She giggled. "It's actually quite good. Most Vulcan quisene is once you get past the looks." She took a small bite of the food. "And it's healthy for you too."

 

He nodded and sipped his soup. "Ive always been partial to Earth cuisine, since I arrived at the Academy."

 

"Unfortunately Terran food isn't always vegetarian friendly." She looked at him after taking a sip or her tea. "Where are you from?"

 

"I'm Betazoid. Lived there all my life until I was accepted into the academy."

 

"Oh really?" Maria seemed both surprised and intrigued. "I wouldn't have guessed. Most Betazoids I've met would've tried reading my mind by now."

 

He smiled. "Well, I was taught growing up that "mind reading" shouldnt be used for everything. Besides, it's not too polite to go exploring in someone's head." He winked.

 

She smiled at him, not seeming to care he could possibly read her mind. She was quite comfortable. "I'm glad you see it that way."

 

Alex sensed her easiness, and relaxed a little. "So, what got you interested in Starfleet?"

 

"You know, I'm not really sure. Me and my brothers always seemed to be interested in space, which was weird for my family. We grew up on a farm."

 

He nodded. "I grew up pretty close to a farm on Betazed."

 

She grinned, "I always liked the farm, but I felt there was something more that I needed. My two older brothers joined the Academy as soon as they were old enough. I was still too young though."

 

He nodded. "What do your brothers do in Starfleet?"

 

Maria sighed as she thought back. "Greg, my oldest brother, died at Wolf 359. Charles left Starfleet after that, and he's now a captain of his own merchant ship."

 

He dropped his smile, hoping he didnt hurt her in any way. "Oh, Im sorry to hear about Greg..."

 

She waved it off. "No, no It's alright. It was a long time ago. I was still young. If anything, it drove me harder at what I wanted to become. After his death, I knew I wanted to be someone that could help people." She smiled, "And here I am, Dr. Kassem." Taking another sip of her tea, she looked into Alex's eyes. "So tell me about yourself. I suppose you're married? Have four kids," giggling at that last part.

 

He chuckled. "No, not married yet." He winked. "I was raised by my neighbors after my mother died, and they were more focused on me studying." He smirked.

 

"What about your father?" He shrugged. "He abandoned my mother when he found out she was pregnant with me. I never did meet him." He took a bite of his sandwich.

 

"I'm sorry." She kind of laughed. "I guess we both have some touchy subjects."

 

He laughed too. "Everyone does, even if they dont want to admit it." Smiling, he continued, "My story isn't all that bad however."

 

"That's good to hear." She finished her salad. "I've always been a fan of happy endings."

 

He grinned. "I have an adopted son. His name is Martin. I found him during an away mission during my semester aboard a ship at the Academy."

 

Maria seemed a bit surprised, but continued to smile. "Really? Maybe I could meet him sometime. I love children. Part of the reason I studied pediatrics."

 

Alexander had expected her to be surprised at that, but was it good or bad? "He's a great kid. Chaotic at times, but it's all worth it." He smiled.

 

"I think all kids are worth it, through good and bad." She rested her chin on her elbows as she seemed to daydream slightly. Perhaps about the day she would have kids of her own. He nodded, and watched her carefully. He could tell, even without picking at the feelings she was emanating, that she really did like kids. He sat there thinking, too.

 

Maria soon snapped out of it, when she realized she was daydreaming. "Oh, I'm sorry. I was out of it for a moment." She smiled at Alex. "I believe you promised me a tour?"

 

He smiled. "I did, didn't I?" He stood up and gathered his utensils. "Shall we start in Sickbay?"

 

She stood up, clearing off her half of the table in the process. "That would probably be the most logical place to start," She smiled.

 

-=10 minutes later, Sickbay=-

 

Alex walked into Sickbay, closely followed by Maria. "Well, here we are." He smiled. "Chief Pilot's office is right over here, the biobeds are there, and around that corner. We have some labs and private rooms in the back as well. And my office is just back there."

 

Maria stood there for a moment, trying to take in as much as possible. Sickbay was huge indeed. It might take a little time to get used to. She had spent much of her time in small trauma units when working with the relief taskforce. "It's larger than I had imagined."

 

He grinned. "Yeah it is. You'll get used to it though."

 

"I'm sure I will," she said as she walked up to a biobed, running her hand along it's surface.

 

Alex looked at her. "I'm also partly trained in Medical, I figured I could never sit in an office all day."

 

She smiled, "I completely understand. I'm not much of a desk person."

 

Alexander opened his mouth to say something, but just then the doors to Sickbay opened, and he heard an all too familiar cry. He whirled around to see Martin holding his arm in the other, being helped along by his "babysitter", Nurse Linden. Martin, seeing his dad, immediatly ran to him..."Daaaad......::sniffle:: It hurts so badddddd!!!!"

 

Nurse Linden looked at Alexander anxiously. "I'm so sorry sir, I didnt see him climbing up a bench in the holodeck, he just fell over. He can't move his arm..."

 

Maria's eyes followed his to the sound of the door, and cry soon after. "This must be Martin?" She smiled sweetly to him.

 

Alex lifted Martin up onto a a biobed. "It's allright Martin, don't you worry sport. We'll fix it right up." He looked at Linden. "It's allright Jacklyn, really, don't be so upset."

 

Martin looked up at Maria. "Who're...::hic:: you?"

 

Maria grabbed a medical tricorder off a nearby table. She knelt down to be eye level to the boy, so as not to look intimidating. Smiling gently at him, she glanced at the arm. "My name is Maria. May I take a look at your arm, Martin?" She held up the tricorder to show him. "I'll let you help me if you do."

 

Martin's eyes looked from the tricorder, to Maria. "Ok!"

 

Giggling, Maria gave Martin the scanner part of the tricorder. "Good. Take this, and point the flashing lights over your arm. They are going to tell me what is wrong."

 

Martin carefully took the scanner, and looked at it. "It's not going to hurt, is it?"

 

"No," she smiled. "You won't feel a thing."

 

Martin finished looking at the scanner, and placed it over his arm. He glanced at the tricorder.

 

Alexander stood by and watched, amazed at how Maria had gotten Martin to stop crying so fast.

 

Maria looked at the readouts. "You're a lucky little boy." She showed Martin the readout. "Your arm isn't broken, only bruised." She gave a playful pout, "I had my arm broken once. It hurt so bad, I cryed."

 

Martin looked at her. "YOU cryed?"

 

"I sure did, but it's much better now. I had a good doctor fix it for me." Letting Martin hold on to the tricorder, Maria moved away from the biobed, grabbing an object from a table. She then turned back, keeping the object from sight. "Martin, why don't you scan your daddy. See if everything is ok with him," she winked at Alexander.

 

Martin grinned. He pointed the scanner at Alex. "Hmmm, Dad, I think you need surgery.....your flitibula looks broken...."

 

Alexander laughed.

 

While Martin was distracted, Maria gently held up his injured arm, so not to cause much discomfort. She then quickly and quietly began running the small device over the arm. Once done, she pocketed the device, smiling. "There all done Martin. You were an excellent assistant."

 

Martin looked at his arm, flexing it. He blinked. "Wow! How did you do that?!"

 

She laughed as she held up her empty hands. "It's my little secret," giving a little wink.

 

Alexander chuckled. "Thank you Doctor Maria..." He gave a knowing look to Martin.

 

Martin got the drift. "Yes, thank you Doctor!"

 

"My pleasure." Maria leaned in whispering a little loud for even Alexander to hear. "Now I may be the new girl, but I'm sure if the next time you're hurt, I may be able to find some treats for you." She looked up at Alex, grinning.

 

Martin grinned. "Really?"

 

"Of course. A doctor and her assistant have to stick together don't they?"

 

"Just don't go hurting yourself on purpose Martin..." Alex laughed, grinning and winking at Maria. She smiled back at him.

Martin looked between the two of them. He frowned. "Are you my Dad's girlfriend, Doctor Maria?"

 

Maria backed away slighty, completely blindsided by Martin's bluntness. She began blushing. "Oh...n..no Martin. I just met your father."

 

Alexander looked down at Martin, surprised. "Uhh, why do you think that, sport?" Nurse Linden blushed. "Uhhh, i think he mightve overheard me on a comm."

 

Alexander winced, and gave her an apologetic look, trying hard not to burst out laughing. "Martin, uhh....why don't you go back to the Holodeck with Ms. Linden, we'll have time to talk later when Im done working for today."

 

Martin jumped off the biobed. He winked at him, saying, "Ok dad!"

 

Trying to recompose herself, Maria managed to respond. "Bye Martin. It was nice meeting you."

 

Martin skipped out the doors. "Thanks again Doctor Maria!"

 

As the doors swooshed closed, Alex burst out laughing...."I'm sooooo sorry Maria....."

 

She looked back up to Alex, trying to hide her blushing, as she too began to laugh. "I forgot how straightforward children can often be."

 

He grinned. "Martin can be a real gunslinger at times."

 

She smiled back. "He's a nice boy."

 

"Thanks, I've tried. It's been a little rough, what with how we found him, but it's all worth it"

"I'm glad things have worked out for you." She didn't want to dwell too much on the subject. It was obviously a conversation for a different time, when they got to know each other more. Maria looked around sickbay for a moment. "Well, you've shown me sickbay. So how a bout a tour of the rest of the ship?"

 

He smiled. "Of course." He motioned to the door. "After you."

 

>>END<<