An Uncomfortable Plea

Posted on Thu Jul 25th, 2019 @ 9:38am by

1,260 words; about a 6 minute read

Mission: What Stalks The Night
Location: CMO's Office

Amélie hesitated outside the office of the CMO, first making sure her jacket was fully zipped and then tugging it down to her hips. She was feeling less than happy, that much was definitely certain, but she was hoping that at the very least Xavier would be able to help get some more information for her patient, and that along was worth the discomfort she felt.

With a sigh, she cradled the PaDD's carefully in her arm, reaching out and hitting the chime, taking another moment to smooth her hair back while she waited.

Xavier was treating a mild burn on an engineer putting his hand where it didn't belong. It was an accident and the injury wouldn't cause any lasting side effects other than a little tenderness later. Once it was done he entered his office from the side door to hear his door chime going.

"Come in." He spoke slipping off his white coat and hanging it up.

Amélie stepped into the office and cast a quick glance around. "Commander Patrovski," she said with a warm smile. "I apologize for the intrusion, I hope I'm not interrupting anything?"

"No, no please come in, I just finished treating a case of hot plate, wondering hand." He answered. "A minor thing at best, he knows better now." Xavier put his hand out to one of the chairs in front of his desk. "So, what can I do for you?"

Taking the offered seat, Amélie smiled gratefully. "I actually wanted to speak to you about a patient I saw earlier, Ensign Matthew Leeson? I think he said he's in Engineering?" she said quietly. "He just came aboard before we left Earth, but there was a mixup and his very pregnant wife didn't get onto the ship, she's a patient in Starfleet Medical because of a high risk pregnancy," Amélie explained.

Xavier called up the record of Ensign Leeson. "Well that complicates matters." As Xavier considered the situation a new one appeared. "Though...I'm not sure what I can do. Ensign Leeson is healthy, his last physical was clean, blood tests too." Medically speaking Matthew was cleared to be on board.

"His wife was supposed to be transferred to your care here, but there was a mixup with orders..." Amélie sighed and set the PaDD on her lap. "Medically he might be fine, but mentally he's a mess and ready to jump the first transporter back to Earth. I've temporarily relieved him of duty, simply because I have a genuine concern he's going to hurt himself or someone else because he's so incredibly distracted. I'm not entirely familiar with the medical side of transferring patients around, but is there any way we can arrange for her to be put on a medical transport to rendezvous with us? Or is there anything else that may be able to be done?"

"I don't mean to be the cold one here but that is part of the risks involved with the uniform, mistakes happen, couples pulled apart. The only option I can see is to speak to the Captain." Considering what Xavier knew about the cargo and that he couldn't tell her about it. The Captain was the only option he had.

"If the Captain doesn't approve his departure from the ship I'm honestly not sure what to suggest. Its unfortunate true, but orders are orders and we have a mission to undertake." He could only hope they didn't get too far from Earth, or that an outpost was along the course they were taking that maybe, could drop him off.

Amélie smiled faintly. "That's why they assign counselors, we provide the warmth to balance out all the rest of you," she replied lightly. There was clearly no malice in her voice, it was simply a light hearted remark. "I will speak with the Captain and see if something can be done before we get too far from Earth. In the interim, is there any chance you can access her medical records? If I can at least tell him how she's going it might help ease his mind a little."

Xavier accessed her records from Starfleet Medical, she was not hard to find. "She is in observation in the maternity ward." A few button presses gave him more information. "Blood pressure is slightly elevated. Heart rate is steady, scans show the baby is health." He paused for a moment, if anything he needed to buy some time. Pressing a few more buttons and then handing over a PaDD he pushed it across his desk.

"That is the baby's heart beat for the last 15 minutes as of a few seconds ago." It was the best he could do.

"Thank you Commander, I appreciate your time," Amélie said genuinely. "I'll pass this along to Ensign Leeson and then see when I can speak with the Captain."

"Sorry I couldn't be more helpful, I just hope the Captain can do something for the man." Xavier replied with a sigh. It was an unfortunate set of events, but these things happened as sad as they were all that was left to do was try.

"You've been helpful, I appreciate your time," Amélie said with a smile. "I'm sure you have more than enough to keep you on the go right now so I really do appreciate your helping me. But I do recommend you get some sleep at some point, you look exhausted."

"Probably, but sleep is always rough in a new setting and a ship this size with a crew this many, would give any Doctor a difficult time." Xavier joked, though deep down, he knew he was right. "If possible, I will try and contact Starfleet Medical. It might, be able to set up a visual feed to her room for him to watch or....and this is a stretch. We might be able to set up a holographic program." Xavier knew it would not be real, nothing could ever replace being there for the birth of a child in person but if it came to it, at least he Leeson wouldn't miss it.

"That would be amazing, thank you, I'm sure the anything is better than the nothing." Amélie's smile faltered slightly as she cast a concerned glance at him. "I think a ship this size is daunting for anyone, but if you ever want a friendly chat, or even just some place quiet to hide and drink a cup of coffee, my door is always open Commander," she said gently.

"Thanks, though I should warn you with my profession it's me that more often than not sends you patients." Xavier chuckled, with any physical injury came a mental one, he could only treat one half, the next always came after.

"Well, I guess it's a good thing then that my schedule is incredibly empty, so I look forward to seeing that change,' the counselor replied brightly. "And when it does, my door will still always be open if you decide you want that cup of coffee after all." Amélie stood up, smoothing the front of her uniform and holding the PaDD he had handed across to her. "I'm sure I've taken up more than enough of your time, but thank you Commander, I appreciate everything you've done."

"You know where to find me if you need anything." Xavier spoke, pleased at least to see someone was still keen and eager, reminded him of himself many years ago, how everything just got better over time.

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