Dr. Lepage is Having Another One of *Those* Days

[Isabeau Delevan 0]

The last few days had been so busy with drills, Colonists' physicals and then some more drills that the lab seemed like an oasis and not just because of the artificial humidity level and the rows of plants. It was very quiet and peaceful. She sat, eyes on the work screen in front of her, ostensibly reading a soil analysis report. In actuality, she was just vegging. Not really thinking of anything, just letting random thoughts coalesce. When you took time to let your mind do its own reordering, it usually clarified-

 

"Isabeau, I'm going nuts up there!" Walking into the lab, Nick didn't bother with politeness and such. He just started talking as soon as the doors opened. He strode in and leaned against a worktop. "I have no idea what they are thinking," he added, throwing his hands up in the air.

 

It seemed to her for a split second that even the plants themselves recoiled in distress at the sudden and loud invasion into their peaceful existence. Resisting the urge to comment that she already thought he was nuts was not too difficult and she made an effort to look sympathetic and concerned.

 

"Um...what? They are thinking?" All right. So it wasn't that much of an effort.

 

With his arms crossed, Nick still stood there, glowering at the plants around him as if they were the cause for his bad mood. "Yeah, you're right. They are probably not thinking at all! Tell you what, I'll go up to the CT to Chirakis and resign my commission right now!"

 

She watched him steadily for a moment, unblinking, and counted to herself, one...two...three...wait for it...

 

"No, better still! I'll take the PADD with my resignation and whack them over the head with it. Yes, that's it! It's impossible to work like this. First the drills, then I have to tell some of my people to go packing and then they refuse to assign new personnel to the station. We have to 'weed out' those we think are not able to handle their post out here and then we're told we'll have to do with the people who'll be left. That's outrageous!" Nick paused; taking a deep breath but somehow it didn't calm him down very much.

 

"You'll whack them collectively or one at a time?" Isabeau turned her seat away from the workstation to face him and tilted her head, giving his statement some thought. "I suggest you whack Commander Chirakis first--you'd still have the element of surprise--although, I'm pretty sure she could take you down if she wanted to and then go for Ambassador Drankum. He's got that bad leg and can't scuttle away too quickly and being short, doesn't have much reach. I think you just need to avoid the cane. Oh, and be careful-I've heard Ferengi bite."

 

"Ha ha, very funny, Isabeau." Still glowering he turned his attention from the plants to her. "Wouldn't that drive you mad, too?"

 

He didn't like the drills. He didn't like being short staffed, but she knew that wasn't what had him so angry and he was mad enough to spit nails. She looked up to meet his eyes, understanding clear in hers, no longer teasing him. "You're a practical man, Nicolas, logical to a fault at times, but you also have a big heart. It killed you to have to recommend Rachel Garrett for transfer. And you will feel the same for each subsequent transfer."

 

Nick sighed and nodded, his anger had dissipated and he felt only frustration. "Yeah, well. It would be hard enough if they had done a bad job, you know. I just have to keep telling myself that it's best for them in the long run." He shrugged, not really knowing what else to say.

 

"It's not just about them, you know."

 

That reply surprised Nick. "What do you mean, it's not just about them?"

 

"We're all in this together and we're out here, on the edge of unexplored space, and anything can, and most likely will happen," she replied, steadily meeting his gaze. "Every person on this station has to react in a way that will not jeopardize their own safety but also that of the person next to them. If someone's not up to that challenge, then they need to go for the safety of everyone on the station."

 

"Oh, yeah, I know. But it doesn't make it any easier. Anyway, how is your work coming along?" Now that he had vented his frustration Nick didn't feel like pursuing the subject of his job. "These plants have grown quite a bit."

 

She stood up and walked to his side where he stood looking down at the trays of plants. She reached out and gave his sleeve a little tug; her own eyes on the green stalks that were just starting to show signs of budding. "I know it's not easy and I didn't mean to imply that it should be. I'm going to miss the ones who leave and I'm glad I'm not the person who has to make that decision. I'm sorry that you're having such a rotten time of it."

 

"It's ok," Nick said, smiling weakly. "I should stop complaining. I knew I'd eventually have to make difficult decisions. It comes with the job. So, now, how about your research? I don't remember getting any reports from you lately." He was teasing her, knowing full well she didn't have to write any reports to him for her research.

 

She gave him a sideways glance and then looked back to the plants. "They'll be blossoming within the next twelve days and I anticipate pollinating just after that. A couple more weeks after pollination will see the venom begin to develop and then I can start testing and see if the new soil mixes have affected the potency at all."

 

"Remind me not to tick you off." He paused to think for a moment and grinned. "That reminds me, maybe we could use the stuff to...well...you know." Nick shrugged and lowered his voice to a whisper. "We could get rid of some people who get on our nerves."

 

She gave him a chiding glance, although her eyes were sparkling. "Nicolas, please. Our motives are of the purest." She reached out a fingertip and gently tapped the throat of one of the plants, causing it to sway back and forth. "Letum Bellum is not a run-of-the-mill, everyday, household poison," she said fondly. "And besides, it causes complete paralysis and extends rigor by several hours. It would be a real inconvenience when disposing of the body."

 

"Good point. We should still tell our new chief of security about these, though. If he gives you any trouble, send him my way. I'll deal with it." He leaned closer to one of the plants and eyed it carefully.

 

"Yes, with everything that's been going on, I haven't sent him an update. I had sent Commander Riley a report but who knows if Lieutenant tr'Jeth will have seen it."

 

Nick nodded. "Yeah, it won't hurt to tell him again. Well, I need to get back to sickbay. I guess I'll see you tomorrow." He smiled again at her and then turned around and walked out of the lab, feeling much better than when he had entered.