Phone Call ((Swan/Curtis))

[Caroline Curtis 0]

It was with a smile on her face, but also a feeling of mild back-of-the-mind trepidation that Caroline dropped into the chair in her office and told Deb to patch Schawnsee through. It wasn't that she was sorry to hear from the Reaent security officer; far from it. It was more that nagging worry that hung with you when you sent a patient off for treatment elsewhere; were they getting the proper care, had you done the right thing, was there anything else you could have done. It hung with Caroline now even though she was sure the answers were yes, yes, and no in that order, and she shook off the feeling with an actual slight shake of the head as she watched the screen flicker to life in front of her to display Schawnsee's face. "Hello, Kat," she said, her smile widening slightly. "Good to hear from you."

 

Kat's smile continued as the call transferred from Deb to Caroline. She was truly happy to see the doctors from her ship -- not really just the doctors, but folks who had become her friends. "Hi, Dr. Curtis. It's good to see you again. I have really been missing you follks and all of the officers on the Reaent. I'm glad that I have actually been able to call. Did you get my letter that I sent?"

 

"Yes, I did...and a report from Dr. Macready as well. It sounds as if you've made the most of your time off the ship," Caroline said, leaning back in her seat and folding her hands over her chest. Schawnsee's desire to see everyone was obvious and quite genuine, and Caroline couldn't blame her for that; in a sense it was a relief, as it meant she might be coming to terms to some degree with the reality and solidity of the people she dealt with aboard Reaent.

 

"Doc? The nurses here told me that I may be able to take a field trip back to the ship, if it's in the area? Do you have any idea when that might be? I'd love to see you all face to face once again. I really want to see Angel. I sometimes hear him at night in my dreams calling to me. But you're the only one Iwould tell that too. I know you know he has the way of speaking to me with our native no speak that I have never mastered." Kat had a tear welling up in her eye as she spoke about her husband.

 

She quickly wiped it away and continued trying not to let it show. "Anyway, do you know when the Reaent may be by this way?"

 

Caroline cocked her head slightly, not missing the shake of the other woman's voice in speaking about Angel but also not missing that Kat wanted to appear stoic, and so letting it pass in favor of the other question. "We're in the Benecia system at the moment, if that helps any. Where we'll be after that, I couldn't say; I'm not privy to official details on that score." She grinned. "My spies are everywhere but they don't extend quite that far. Let me know if you make any official plans, though...I'm sure we'd all be glad to see you."

 

"Definitely...I cant wait to get back home. I miss it, and you all, a lot. I'm really seeing how I needed this, though, and thank you again for making the arrangements with this doctor. He's been very nice and very understanding about everything. If it wasn't for you and Drs. Deb and Merina, I'm not sure what would have happened to me. I will never be able to thank you enough."

 

Caroline smiled. "You're a strong person and you'd have managed. But everyone can benefit from a rest now and then. And you don't need to thank me; I'm just glad you're feeling better."

 

Kat smiled, then looked at the clock on the wall behind her. "Dang it...I'm almost out of time, and I have a feeling Angel is busy and couldn't get to the comm fast enough. Please tell him that I called and I can't wait to see him. I'll let someone know if and when I get the chance to come to visit the ship. Bye, Counselor...it's been great talking to you, and again, thank you ever so much for all you did and for sending me here. I now know how much I needed it. Got to go, tell the Reaent..." The com-channel faded out over her voice, goes back to the Federation insignia as Kat's face disappeared.

 

"Yeah...don't worry, I'll tell them," Caroline said to herself with a slight smile, leaning forward to flick off the console. Kat was going to be ok; she'd turned things inside out for herself but they would go back to normal. And that made Caroline feel good.