USS Odin
Grecken's Quarters - Mrs. Shaun Grecken....Maybe?
It had been a month since April first felt like she had the flu however even the Levodian flu only ran a maximum of 29 hours and it had been almost two weeks. April was hesitant about seeing medical but if this was something viral she did not want to be patient zero on the Odin who caused an epidemic. She walked in and checked in with the nurse on call. After explaining her symptoms, the nurse showed April to a medical bed. Taking a seat, April sat on on the bed and waited for the doctor to arrive. She fidgeted some worried about the unspoken thought in her mind, however, the odds of her predicament being as bad as the thought gnawing at the back of her mind were low.
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: : : : : : : : : : : NE Ensign April Lee, science
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: : : : : : : : : : Shaun came in, seeing April he smiled softly. “Well hello Ensign, how are you today?” he said as he came up to her, pulling out his tricorder he had her sit up on a bio bed. “What can I do for you today?” he asked her as he wondered what she might need today.
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: : : : : : : : : : Grecken, Doctor
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: : : : : : : : : “I feel…off,” she said a bit nervously but hid some of the trepidation in her voice with a smile.
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: : : : : : : : “Off?” he asked as he looked at her with a discerning glance. “How so?” he asked as he began to scan her over.
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: : : : : : : : : “Oh you know some nausea and vomiting,” she glossed over that and rapidly went into more symptoms. “I swear I think I want something but then it seems to not sit right. I am tired and feel like I could sleep for a month after a shift. I thought it was the flu and wouldn’t have bothered you but when I mentioned it to a co-worker they painted a horrible picture of patient X infecting the ship,” she laughed nervously. “I just thought we could talk a bit and skip the tricorder maybe. I mean you do learn how to be a doctor without that thing right?”
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: : : : : : : : : NE Ensign April Lee, science
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: : : : : : : : Looking at her he smiled softly as he put away the tricorder. “You make a hard bargain, but I can indulge you hon. What did you eat last? Have you been feeling anxious or worried about something.” he asked as as he found a nearby chair and pulled up next to her. Shaun was always known for having an amazing beside manner, he was good at being a doctor but he was a much better people person in general.
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: : : : : : : : Grecken, Doctor
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: : : : : : : April smiled as Shaun pulled up a chair. While being a patient in this fashion was not exactly how she wanted to play doctor with Grecken, it was a way in. “I ate some crackers because that is the only thing that I have been able to keep down. As for anxious, heck yes. If this isn’t the flu I am in a world of hurt. And not really. We are running several key tests on some plants in the hydroponics module but,” April’s voice, which upon her arrival had a more strained quality, suddenly became more relaxed. “Do you think I picked up some bug or virus from the plants. Maybe an allergy,” her tone was full of hope. “You can have adverse reactions if you are allergic to a plant or its pollen correct?”
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: : : : : : : NE Ensign April Lee, science
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: : : Kate entered Sickbay and let her eyes scan the room. She was supposed to be on duty and she had not commed first but it was nice to just have the opportunity to drop by and find Shaun. The past year Kate had missed this luxury. Although their reconciliation was bumpy, part of her felt a comfort falling back into the same old routine with him. They were far past the rules of dating even if they were not officially engaged again. Seeing him across the room gave Kate a warm rush and a twinge of jealousy. That had always been the main problem in their relationship. Both she and Shaun were very outgoing in nature and easy on the eyes. More times than not they spent their time in groups and not alone except for one purpose. To them, this seemed natural coming from big families that enjoyed spending downtime together. Growing up she lived at Shaun’s house and he at hers surrounded by pesky siblings and loving adults. Still this ability to not cling to each other often resulted in Kate and Shaun appearing as if they were just close friends and not a couple to people that did not know them. Kate quietly took a seat and decided to watch Shaun until he was done. She loved the way he seemed to make every person feel at ease.
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: : Seeing Kate Shaun couldn’t help but give her a small wink, he would be able to see her once he figured April out but for now he had a task at hand. He knew she would always be there waiting for him.
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: : : : : : “I mean technically yes, symptoms can very but usually they are more itchy eyes runny nose. Hay fever is often what it is called, and while other symptoms can occur upset stomach and nausea doesn’t tend to be one of those. Are these symptoms sporadic? Can you recall how long you have been experiencing them hon?” he asked her as he crossed his legs looking up at her, smiling softly he could tell she was nervous about something. His analytical mind was whirling, he had to admit he kind of liked diagnosing the symptoms rather than just reading a tricorder.
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: : : : : : Grecken, Doctor
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: : : : : “Hon,” she grinned and looked down shyly with the flirtatious eye aversion all women learned at 13 and perfect by the time they were man hunting in their late teens. “Ever add the ‘ey’ to it,” she looked back at him. “And I should add confusion to the list of symptoms. You know when your mind seems to go blank when you are looking at something and you can’t focus on anything but what is in front of you.”
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: : : : : NE Ensign April Lee, science
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: : : : “You maybe a bonnie lass hon but I need you to focus here. My eyes are not the emerald isles and you came here for a serious reason. I don’t want you getting sick on me, we gotta work on this.” he said with a small wink as he shifted in his chair.
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: : : : “Now, if you want to keep talking we can but I am going to need you to think back for me, you can tell me I am handsome after we find out what is wrong with you.”
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: : : Whoa whoa whoa is she hitting on you. Shaun she is hitting on you, Kate shifted in her seat and crossed her arms and legs. Anyone that knew her would know this was an attempt to settle her body but as always her right foot began to wiggle. The slower the wiggle the less angry she was. Right now it was a steady pace but that could easily change.
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: : : : Grecken, Doctor
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: : : April let out a burst of laughter followed by a dazzling smile. “I never said you were handsome Dr. Grecken,” her words were soft and teasing. “I said you have a smile that can make a girl feel dizzy and maybe that is part of the reasons for my symptoms. May you are a cause of some of them,” she said sitting up and swinging her legs over the bed. In this position, they were far closer than in the chair and her on her back staring at the ceiling. “Now your eyes....well they could use further inspection but if I must concentrate then I shall endeavor to find something else to look at. I would like to keep talking though. It seems to settle me some. I have never been into coming to see doctors before you. What if we take turns answering questions?”
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: : “Oh I bet you say that to all the lads I am sure, butter them up for free prescriptions.” he said as he let his hand rest on her knee for a moment before shaking his head. “But, in order to get help, I need information. I can just start scanning away but if you want to keep taking my time up and enjoying this conversation I need to keep knowing more about you.” he said as he removed his hand but kept his gaze on her.
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: Kate’s arms tightened some around her waist out of frustration and unease. Two years ago Kate would have leaned back in her seat with a smirk on her face and her foot wiggling happily. She always had found a small amount of fun watching women throw themselves at her handsome boyfriend. A year ago Kate would have laid her out feeling the stress of she and Shaun’s relationship faltering. Today Kate wasn’t sure how to react. Shaun had always been congenial but the hand on her knee, the use of endearing names…it all was showing Kate all too clearly how far she had fallen in Shaun’s life. There was such a thing as bedside manner but Shaun was taking it a bit far.
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: : :April let her gaze linger on him just long enough to indicate she was interested before moving on. “The symptoms are sporadic. When they come I feel like I am going to die. They tend to happen at night about 7 or so and last for a few hours. Maybe we could meet for dinner or I could come by later? You do do house calls right? Now for my question,” she smiled at him.
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: : Shaun found himself about to answer but before he could find a chance she already had begun asking one last thing.
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: : : “What made you want to become a doctor,” she asked.
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: : : NE Ensign April Lee, science
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“Now that’s just not fair sugar, you asked me three questions, you said this was tit for tat but so far all I am getting its tits.” Shaun said as he paused before lowering his head and shaking it slightly. “You know what I mean, you get to pick one question then we go back to solving you, so pick, which do you want me to answer,” he said as he looked back over at Kate giving her another wink. He knew April might be causing her to feel jealous but he needed her to know he hadn’t forgotten her at all.
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: : : : : : : : : : : Grecken, Doctor
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: : : : : : : : : : “Crúiscíní? Really,” Kate stood up. “How about I leave you with a question or maybe a statement. Bye Shaun. And maybe you were right. Maybe Lt. Grecken is what I should be using. It’s obvious you are now actively pursuing different avenues for your downtime. Have a great dinner. I know I will,” Kate snapped standing up and heading for the door furious. This was far from over and Shaun would know that. Kate did not give up nor take defeat lightly. Still, she was smart enough to fortify her defense before attacking.
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: : : : : : : : : : Lt. (j.g) Kate O’Neill COS
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: : : : : : : : : “What?” Shaun said as he stood up, he wasn’t sure where that came from. After their evening the other night he felt they were as strong as ever, now him being friendly was too much? Shaun knew she had seem him behave this way to people he liked, he had a habit of making everyone feel great but she was well aware it meant nothing. Least he thought she was, she was the only one he wanted yet she was running off like she just found him in bed with another woman.
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: : : : : : : : “You were telling me why you became a doctor,” April said reaching out and taking Shaun’s hand. It was a brash move on her part but she was not going to let the overwrought red-head interfer. Tough luck for her because now Shaun was fair game.
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: : : : : : : Shaun looked over at April, he didn’t seem upset but he didn’t have time to play the twenty questions she seemed to want to do. Looking back at Kate he felt torn.
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: : : : : : : : : “Katie bug wait!” he said as he stood up looking over at April, “One moment, I’m sorry I don’t know where that outburst came from” he told April, feeling she was in a better shape for him to try and pause and see what was going on with his girlfriend.
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: : : : : : : : : Grecken, Doctor
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: : : ***
: : : OUTSIDE SICK BAY
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: : : Kate made it halfway down the hall before she stopped abruptly. This was a second chance with Shaun. One she never thought she would have again. It was just so hard with him right now. Things were off balance. For the first time in her life, she had been without him over the past year. It was a time she did not want experience again. Kate needed Shaun like she needed her right hand. Still, the question was how to repair things. At one time she was able to tell him anything and not worry if she was saying the wrong thing or worry he would judge her. Now Kate over thought every word, every action. Putting her hands on her hips she paced the hall in a circle several times before leaning back on the wall. Kate needed to take a timeout and think.
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: : : Come on Kate don’t do this. Just go in and talk to him. You never really talked about why things fell apart. He would understand. He always did when he knew what he was up against. How many times did he tell you that his shoulders were broad and strong and could carry any weight you gave him, Kate’s inner voice reminded her. So what if you got jealous over April. You love him. It is natural. Just go back and talk to him. Really talk to him though about everything,* she told herself. Taking a deep, Kate pushed off the wall and headed back to Sick Bay. The spring in her step was gone which carried her there in the first place but the desire to spend even ten minutes with him still remained.
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: : : Lt. (j.g.) Kate O’Neill, CoS
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: : : ***
: : : INSIDE SICK BAY
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: : : : : : : : “Because she is a jealous little harpie,” April said low but audible. She needed something to focus Shaun’s attention back to her and off Kate. Ex’s were nothing but trouble. Correction they only ever wanted to cause trouble. If they had done what they were supposed to they would not be an Ex in the first place and from what she had heard Kate O’Neill ran out on him, broke off the engagement and hooked up with some pilot by the name of Jason Murray on the Viking. Murray was said to have been Scottish but the accents did sound rather the same. “and heartbroken,” April added in a softer kinder tone. “I heard from a friend in comms that her boyfriend broke up with her recently. Some guy named Jason Murphy or Murray. They were quite the item on the Viking. Maybe you should let her cool down.” While the information was not genuine there were enough details to make it plausible.
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: : : : : : : : Ensign April Lee, science
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: : : : : : : “Wait what?” Shaun said as he looked over at April. He hadn’t heard anything related to this, though it made sense with her departure to begin with. She had left him so suddenly, when all he had ever wanted was to be with her.
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: : : : : : : “Where did you hear that?” he asked, her. It wasn’t that he didn’t trust April, while he didn’t know her super well he had run into her enough to feel cordial, even friendly towards her. Still he didn’t know if he wanted to just take her word just like that.
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: : : : : : : Grecken, Doctor
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: : : : : : Part of April felt bad playing this card. She wanted to win Shaun fair and square. After Denny, she had no desire to be a rebound but sometimes things worked out for a reason. “I had a friend on the Viking. Lt. O’Neill was called Marilyn Munster there. Seems she didn’t fit in so well. I can see why with her short temper. Anyway apparently she hooked up with a guy named Murray for a while but why worry about things like that. Rumor on the ship is you are like best friends so I am not telling you something you don’t know,” April waved it off.
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: : : : : : Ensign April Lee, science
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: : : : : A small almost grunting sound came out of Shaun, he knew little about what happened on the Viking. His time away he had so many people want to start something but he couldn’t, they were not Kate. Now to hear this news, he wasn’t sure what to take. “Lets get you checked out hon.” he said as he looked back at April, a nearly defeated expression on his face.
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: : : : “Hey,” April put a hand on Shaun’s arm. “I didn’t mean to start anything. You are a nice guy ya’ know. You deserve someone who makes you smile because you have a great smile.” April’s words were sincere. She did think Shaun was a great catch and if he was a free fish in the sea why couldn’t she cast her line and see what happened
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: : : : : Shaun normally didn’t give up, but for the moment he knew nothing he could do would settle his rage. Kate had destroyed him, unlike anyone ever and he didn’t feel the urge to go down that road again. Pulling out his tricorder he looked glanced at April.
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: : : : : “We really do need to make some scans, I want to be certain this is nothing major, just sit still doll.” he said as he took a stiff breath in, fighting all the urge to go out screaming. He had screamed at Kate for so long, while she was gone they had called each other and had pissing match for the first three months. He wasn’t even sure half the time what they were fighting over.
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: : : : : Over time they became cordial again but until he saw her on the Odin he hadn’t realized just how much he still missed her. He wasn’t about to let her hurt him again, he couldn’t keep falling down that rabbit hole.
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: : : : : Grecken, Doctor
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: : : : “You know I am feeling better,” April said sliding off the bed. She wasn’t any better than when she arrived but maybe today was not the day to solve a medical mystery. “And I am going to be late for my shift. Can I come back tomorrow maybe,” she said rubbing her neck anxiously.
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: : : : Ensign April Lee, science
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: : “You know that’s not how medical exams work April. I need to take some scans, we can go over them later but it’ll take me a whole two mins, so sit your butt down and lets see what’s going on.” he said as he flipped the scanner out and began to take some scans as he held the wand over her. He knew the faster he got this over the quicker he could find Kate and talk to her.
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: : What was all that about he thought to himself, processing everything. His mind was almost a whril. Normally Shaun had no issue helping people but Kate was all he could think of in this moment.
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: : Grecken, Doctor
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April fidgeted slightly on the table. “So my question,” she said smiling a bit tightly, “you became a doctor because why or what time should I expect you for dinner?” Yes, it was probably shameless to flirt with the man that was going to tell you that you were suffering from stress and needed to relax but he was so darn cute and a doctor to boot. Aside from being a pilot, a doctor was a pretty sexy profession.
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: : : : : : : : : : : Ensign April Lee, Science
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: : : : : : : : : : “April, really?” Shaun said as he looked at her. He was all for playful banter but after all that just happened in front of her she was still trying. “Now is not the time hon, lets just see…” he said as he paused. He looked at the results then his eyes narrowed.
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: : : : : : : : : : “You using those dinner lines often on people?” he asked her as he looked up, his eyebrow arched as he finally saw why she was feeling so bad.
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: : : : : : : : : : Grecken, Doctor
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: : : : : : : : : “Only people I would like to get to know better,” April said in a soft tone. “Can you blame me for wanting to get to know you better. Life in the stars is lonely. I wasn’t suggesting we get married during dessert. Coffee maybe but nothing else?” Looking at Shaun’s eyebrow arch, April fidgeted again on the table. “So it is terminal,” she asked with a bit of nervousness in her tone.
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: : : : : : : : : Ensign April Lee, Science
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: : : : : : : : “Only for 9 months, but then you have to live with the after effects for 18+ years.” Shaun said as he looked at April closely, breathing in he knew hat he had to do.
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: : : : : : : April’s face frozen and her eyes took on a confused expression. “No, I have the flu. I…I have not missed my contraceptive hypos. I mean I was just on shore leave. That is one thing you make sure you have updated. That is the one thing you don’t forget. Run the scan again,” April demanded. The nervous tone turning to one of rising panic.
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: : : : : Entering Sickbay kate immediately scanned the room and saw Shaun was still with April. She was not happy to see April still here but Shaun was a doctor and on duty. After her outburst, however, Kate was not going to just leave. Her behavior was less then officerly but she could apologize for that. Her temper had always gotten the better of her in a heated moment. She would give them some space but this time wait for him in his small office and not in the waiting room.
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: : : : : : : : “You’re pregnant hon, about six weeks along. But you knew that already didn’t you?” he asked her, he wondered from her behavior what she was hiding. He suspected she must have been worried this was the case.
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: : : : : : : : Grecken, Doctor
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: : : : : : : “You can’t be right. There has to be another reason, Shaun. Find another reason,” she said sitting back half in shock.
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: : : : : : : Ensign April Lee, Science
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: : : : : : Shaun took her hand, holding it for a moment as he looked into her eyes, “Hon I can run more scans… but it’s not going to change. Your symptoms you described where already leaning me this way. Let’s go over everything and let’s narrow this time. Sometimes contraceptive can fail…” he said softly as he looked softly at her.
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: : : : : : Grecken, Doctor
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: : : : : Kate jerked to a stop and felt the world spinning. She grabbed the door to help her balance. The air was sucked from her lungs and for the first time in pretty much her entire life she had no words. She didn’t need words, however. Kate heard enough and saw all she needed to know. She fought to speak but the lump in her throat seemed to block her words. Dear Lord, I come before you and ask for Your strength within me, she whispered to herself. Few people practiced, really practiced religion anymore but Kate and her family did. Every Sunday like clockwork they attended service and right now Kate needed her faith to get her through this moment.
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: : : : : “I um…,” Kate looked at Shaun holding April’s hand. “You’re pregnant hon, about six weeks along. But you knew that already didn’t you? his words echoed in her head. Shaking her head as if to clear it she licked her lips. “Did you,” she started to ask but felt her voice crack. Kate didn’t have the strength to do this. Not here not now.
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: : : : “Did I? Kate are you okay?” He said suddenly confused as to her response. He was reeling from everything and felt torn between his love and his duty.
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: : : : : “How can contraceptives fail? They are designed not to fail you,” April said feeling the tears starting to brim her eyes.
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: : : : “April you have to listen to me, sometimes you can try your best but then it all goes wrong. It’s not your fault. We can fix this, I can give you a plan and we can help you along with this process.” He said as he put his hand own her shoulder.
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: : : : : Kate opened her mouth but did not want to mess this situation up any more. Looking at Shaun she nodded and then turned to leave. If she stayed a minute longer there would be two women crying.
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: : : : : Lt. (j.g.) Kate O’Neill, medical
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: : : : “Katie bug don’t!” Shaun said as he looked at April. “Give me five minutes, just five and we can work a plan out for you. I just need to see what’s wrong with her.” He said as he began to move away and go over Kate.
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: : : : Grecken, Doctor
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: : : “Don’t what Shaun. Don’t be mad? Don’t be sad. Don’t be....sorry because I am sorry,” Kate’s voice broke as she talked over Shaun talking to April. She fluttered her eyes trying to keep her tears in place but the process completely blurred her vision. Maybe it was for the best. “I have been sorry every day for a year,” she stabbed at the ground angrily. “Not one day goes by but today....today I guess I finally realize how it felt.”
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: : “Realized what love?” He said, clearly he felt their signals had been mixed. He wasn’t quite sure why she was even reacting this way. He was just doing his job. He was happy and existed to see her than this, this blew up all around him.
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: : : “What is wrong with her,” April blurted out. “My life has changed forever and you want to work out a plan? For me or for her?” April crossed her arms over her stomach tightly looking away. “Tell me is this what I should expect every time I come to see you? Isn’t there something called doctor-patient confidentiality?”
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: : “Yes you have that right, but you getting frantic doesn’t help right now.. Right now I need you calm to down. We can settle this and help you but right now I need the fires to simmer down. “
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: : : Realizing that she was impacting the only thing Shaun ever loved as much as her Kate wiped her eyes. “She’s right. Finish up. I will be in your quarters,” Kate said. Right now she didn’t care if April threw a fit. Kate would wait for Shaun and pray he came to her.
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: : : Lt. (j.g.) Kate O’Neill, medical
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: : “Shut up both of you!” He said as he flashed angrily at them both. “This is my sickbay, and I am not going to allow the two of you to act this way.” he said as he looked at April.
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: Kate had never in her life been scared of Shaun but she also knew when to not cross him. He laid down the law so rarely but when he did you followed it to the letter. Kate swallowed hard and gave him a simple nod.
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: “What did you say to me,” April shot back.
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: Oh oh oh don’t go there, Kate silently willed April to shut up.
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: “I did nothing wrong but come in here for treatment and then your crazy Ex went off like a crazy bomb,” April stated firmly.
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: : “You come in here hitting on me in front of my girlfriend, telling me about her last fling when she hasn’t even had a chance to tell me herself is not going to be tolerated. You want my help I will do everything in my power but you will not get in my life with her.” He said his green eyes sharp and piercing.
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: Kate couldn’t help but smile a little. No matter how convoluted this situation was Shaun was still calling her his. That meant she and they still had a chance.
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: : Turning to Kate the look didn’t dissipate. “And you, coming in here acting like this is some god damn soap like you used to watch when we were younger. This isn’t Jane the Virgin, I can’t have you getting paranoid over every little thing you hear and see. People need me and I have to help them. If you feel hurt by our past then we can work on that in private too. This isn’t the time to place to dig up old graves” he spat out at her, his Irish temper clearly flaring st the two of them.
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: “Paranoid,” Kate said and then stopped talking and crossed her arms over her chest. She had a lot to say but as Shaun stated this was not the time or the place.
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: : “Now I want you to wait in my office Ms Lee and I will go over what needs to be done in just a moment. As for you Kate wait in the waiting room and I can get you once we have finished this, so I make myself clear?”
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: : Grecken, Doctor
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: “Of course,” April gave Kate a look of disdain before getting up and heading towards his office.
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Once she was out of earshot, Kate walked up to Shaun and took his arm. “Shaun I would rather wait for you in your quarters,” she asked in a low tone.
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: : : : : : : : : Lt. (j.g.) Kate Oneill, COS
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: : : : : : : : Shaun felt himself calming down as she took his arm, feeling a smile curl up on his face he pulled her close. This broke all protocols, but he wasn’t going to let her forget just how much she meant to him. As he stood there for what felt an eternity he looked deep in her eyes before she would feel the soft kiss on her forehead. He wasn’t going to break every protocol, but he wasn’t going to make her forget how loved she was.
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: : : : : : : Kate closed her eyes and lived in the moment. Of all the ways he could kiss her, this was her favorite. Well her public favorite kiss. He had been doing this for so long it felt like they were standing in the past and not a precarious future.
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: : : : : : : : “I will see you there shortly puppy, don’t get into more trouble. If you find Commander Jenkins or Counselor Montgomery I am just their practitioner,” he said with a smirk but he let her go from the embrace. “
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: : : : : : : “Really Shaun, really. You just had to go there,” she let out a short breathy laugh and wiped her eyes using his large frame to shield her movements as best she could. “You have always been charming and flirty but back then you were mine and I always knew you were coming home to me without a doubt. I know you say we are fine but…but there are times I dont seem to believe it fully. I’ll see you in your quarters when you get off duty,” Kate replied in a low whisper. Looking at him for a brief moment, Kate smiled and turned to leave.
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: : : : : : : : As he watched her begin to leave he stopped her for one more moment, “Hey, I love you.” he said to her in the softest of tone as he watched her leave.
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: : : : : : : : Grecken, Doctor
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: : : : : : : “I know. What’s not to love in this big ol’ ball of crazy,” Kate said adding hand gestures where she circled her body emphasizing her point and rising on her toes to appear taller.
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: : : : : : : ******
: : : : : : : Grecken’s Quarters
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: : : : : : : Kate stepped out of the shower and dressed like she was home on shore leave. Well maybe not home. Her family loved Shaun and knew the couple did more than roast smores over an open fire in the fields but manners dictated a certain level of decorum. Here on the Odin though Kate could be more open. After her shower, Kate had gone through Shaun’s clothes and found an old t-shirt. It was huge on her but covered enough if what mattered. Curling up on his bed, Kate looked at the picture of them next to his bed. She had the same image next to hers. Closing her eyes she remembered that day in the fields where they baled the hay for the season. It was a great memory that turned into a dream as she drifted off to sleep.
: : : : : : :
: : : : : : : Lt. (j.g.) Kate O’Neill
: : : : : :
: : : : : : A few hours passed and Shaun found himself coming home, knowing Kate would be waiting. He couldn’t lie, he was looking forward to entering his room and finding her waiting for him. It had been a very very long year and he couldn’t wait to feel a bit more like normal.
: : : : : :
: : : : : : “Puppy?” he shouted softly into the room as he looked around to see where she might be.
: : : : : :
: : : : : : Grecken, Doctor
: : : : :
: : : : : “I got Dr. Pepper,” Kate said sitting bolt upright in the bed. Her hair fell in a mass of loose curls over part of her face. Here eyes held a glazed look to them as if she was looking through the person that just walked into the room. Slowly her eyes began to flutter as if she was fighting to stay awake. She wobbled some as she sat up in Shaun’s bed no longer talking.
: : : : :
: : : : : Lt. (j.g.) Kate O’Neill
: : : :
: : : : “So… I’m Doctor Pepper now? I’ve been called worse things.” he said as he sat on the bed leaning in giving her cheek a kiss. He could tell she was spent, finding it enduring that she waited so long for him. “You could have gotten ready for bed my love.” he said softly as he laid down pulling her down with him, as he let her head rest on his chest.
: : : :
: : : : Grecken, Doctor
: : :
: : : “Ummm yeeesss,” Kate replied weakly in a confused tone. She hated when she woke up talking in her sleep. It usually only happened when she was exhausted or overwhelmed. The confrontation in sickbay could count as both. Laying down on his chest Kate started to laugh. By now Shaun was used to it but she still felt silly when she did it. The worst was the time she rolled over, fisted his shirt and informed him to stay away from the jello boxes. The sentence did not make any more sense than the dream she was having at the time but did allow for a lot of laughter after.
: : :
: : : “Dr. Grecken is blaisse,” she said snuggling tighter against him. “You need something more fun like Dr. Pepper. They even have a ready-made song for you. You know ‘I’m a Pepper. He’s a Pepper. She’s a Pepper,” Kate started the jingle but let it trail off. She had no desire to know if April was his pepper or not. Kate didn’t want to talk about earlier at all so she began the classic female game of confuse and distract.
: : :
: : : “Or you could be Dr. Bruce Banner. You have the green eyes but I am not sure he has the best bedside manner,” Kate traced the lettering on his t-shirt.
: : :
: : : “Dr. Doom,” she offered, “except I am not sure you want to come to someone with a medical condition and use the word doom. You might frighten the kiddos but malingerer’s would give you a clear berth. Let’s keep it on the maybe list,” she rambled on letting out a small
: : :
: : : “Or Dr. Who but then it could turn into a Whose on first comedy schtick at times. Still being Dr. Who would give you the amazing life you dreamt of since the day I met you,” Kate said. “I think you should be Dr. Who,” she turned her face to look up at him. “You deserve a great life and a Tardis. I mean who wouldn’t be all over the guy with the Tardis.” Kate snuggled deeper enjoying the feeling of just being in his arms. She had almost lost that right due to a case of guilt and cold feet a year ago. She would not take it for granted again that someone like April could replace her. Kate would try harder in any chance she got, to make it up to him for panicking even if it took her entire life.
: : :
: : : Lt. (j.g.) Kate O’Neill CoS
: :
: : BUMP
:
: “Now there is an idea, what regeneration is the Doctor on like 113th?” Shaun as he pulled her in so tight. She may have her guilt but he had regrets too. He could have fought harder and he failed her back then. She deserved a man who could say no to her when he felt she was making a mistake. He couldn’t at the time, it hurt too much but now he wasn’t going to be afraid to help her when she needed him the most.
:
: Grecken, Doctor
“Now that’s just not fair sugar, you asked me three questions, you said this was tit for tat but so far all I am getting its tits.” Shaun said as he paused before lowering his head and shaking it slightly. “You know what I mean, you get to pick one question then we go back to solving you, so pick, which do you want me to answer,” he said as he looked back over at Kate giving her another wink. He knew April might be causing her to feel jealous but he needed her to know he hadn’t forgotten her at all.
: : : : : : : : : : :
: : : : : : : : : : : Grecken, Doctor
: : : : : : : : : :
: : : : : : : : : : “Crúiscíní? Really,” Kate stood up. “How about I leave you with a question or maybe a statement. Bye Shaun. And maybe you were right. Maybe Lt. Grecken is what I should be using. It’s obvious you are now actively pursuing different avenues for your downtime. Have a great dinner. I know I will,” Kate snapped standing up and heading for the door furious. This was far from over and Shaun would know that. Kate did not give up nor take defeat lightly. Still, she was smart enough to fortify her defense before attacking.
: : : : : : : : : :
: : : : : : : : : : Lt. (j.g) Kate O’Neill COS
: : : : : : : : :
: : : : : : : : : “What?” Shaun said as he stood up, he wasn’t sure where that came from. After their evening the other night he felt they were as strong as ever, now him being friendly was too much? Shaun knew she had seem him behave this way to people he liked, he had a habit of making everyone feel great but she was well aware it meant nothing. Least he thought she was, she was the only one he wanted yet she was running off like she just found him in bed with another woman.
: : : : : : : :
: : : : : : : : “You were telling me why you became a doctor,” April said reaching out and taking Shaun’s hand. It was a brash move on her part but she was not going to let the overwrought red-head interfer. Tough luck for her because now Shaun was fair game.
: : : : : : :
: : : : : : : Shaun looked over at April, he didn’t seem upset but he didn’t have time to play the twenty questions she seemed to want to do. Looking back at Kate he felt torn.
: : : : : : :
: : : : : : : : :
: : : : : : : : : “Katie bug wait!” he said as he stood up looking over at April, “One moment, I’m sorry I don’t know where that outburst came from” he told April, feeling she was in a better shape for him to try and pause and see what was going on with his girlfriend.
: : : : : : : : :
: : : : : : : : : Grecken, Doctor
: : : : : : : :
: : : ***
: : : OUTSIDE SICK BAY
: : :
: : : Kate made it halfway down the hall before she stopped abruptly. This was a second chance with Shaun. One she never thought she would have again. It was just so hard with him right now. Things were off balance. For the first time in her life, she had been without him over the past year. It was a time she did not want experience again. Kate needed Shaun like she needed her right hand. Still, the question was how to repair things. At one time she was able to tell him anything and not worry if she was saying the wrong thing or worry he would judge her. Now Kate over thought every word, every action. Putting her hands on her hips she paced the hall in a circle several times before leaning back on the wall. Kate needed to take a timeout and think.
: : :
: : : Come on Kate don’t do this. Just go in and talk to him. You never really talked about why things fell apart. He would understand. He always did when he knew what he was up against. How many times did he tell you that his shoulders were broad and strong and could carry any weight you gave him, Kate’s inner voice reminded her. So what if you got jealous over April. You love him. It is natural. Just go back and talk to him. Really talk to him though about everything,* she told herself. Taking a deep, Kate pushed off the wall and headed back to Sick Bay. The spring in her step was gone which carried her there in the first place but the desire to spend even ten minutes with him still remained.
: : :
: : : Lt. (j.g.) Kate O’Neill, CoS
: : :
: : : ***
: : : INSIDE SICK BAY
: : :
: : : : : : : : “Because she is a jealous little harpie,” April said low but audible. She needed something to focus Shaun’s attention back to her and off Kate. Ex’s were nothing but trouble. Correction they only ever wanted to cause trouble. If they had done what they were supposed to they would not be an Ex in the first place and from what she had heard Kate O’Neill ran out on him, broke off the engagement and hooked up with some pilot by the name of Jason Murray on the Viking. Murray was said to have been Scottish but the accents did sound rather the same. “and heartbroken,” April added in a softer kinder tone. “I heard from a friend in comms that her boyfriend broke up with her recently. Some guy named Jason Murphy or Murray. They were quite the item on the Viking. Maybe you should let her cool down.” While the information was not genuine there were enough details to make it plausible.
: : : : : : : :
: : : : : : : : Ensign April Lee, science
: : : : : : :
: : : : : : : “Wait what?” Shaun said as he looked over at April. He hadn’t heard anything related to this, though it made sense with her departure to begin with. She had left him so suddenly, when all he had ever wanted was to be with her.
: : : : : :
: : : : : : : “Where did you hear that?” he asked, her. It wasn’t that he didn’t trust April, while he didn’t know her super well he had run into her enough to feel cordial, even friendly towards her. Still he didn’t know if he wanted to just take her word just like that.
: : : : : : :
: : : : : : : Grecken, Doctor
: : : : : :
: : : : : : Part of April felt bad playing this card. She wanted to win Shaun fair and square. After Denny, she had no desire to be a rebound but sometimes things worked out for a reason. “I had a friend on the Viking. Lt. O’Neill was called Marilyn Munster there. Seems she didn’t fit in so well. I can see why with her short temper. Anyway apparently she hooked up with a guy named Murray for a while but why worry about things like that. Rumor on the ship is you are like best friends so I am not telling you something you don’t know,” April waved it off.
: : : : : :
: : : : : : Ensign April Lee, science
: : : : :
: : : : : A small almost grunting sound came out of Shaun, he knew little about what happened on the Viking. His time away he had so many people want to start something but he couldn’t, they were not Kate. Now to hear this news, he wasn’t sure what to take. “Lets get you checked out hon.” he said as he looked back at April, a nearly defeated expression on his face.
: : : :
: : : : “Hey,” April put a hand on Shaun’s arm. “I didn’t mean to start anything. You are a nice guy ya’ know. You deserve someone who makes you smile because you have a great smile.” April’s words were sincere. She did think Shaun was a great catch and if he was a free fish in the sea why couldn’t she cast her line and see what happened
: : : : :
: : : : : Shaun normally didn’t give up, but for the moment he knew nothing he could do would settle his rage. Kate had destroyed him, unlike anyone ever and he didn’t feel the urge to go down that road again. Pulling out his tricorder he looked glanced at April.
: : : : :
: : : : : “We really do need to make some scans, I want to be certain this is nothing major, just sit still doll.” he said as he took a stiff breath in, fighting all the urge to go out screaming. He had screamed at Kate for so long, while she was gone they had called each other and had pissing match for the first three months. He wasn’t even sure half the time what they were fighting over.
: : : : :
: : : : : Over time they became cordial again but until he saw her on the Odin he hadn’t realized just how much he still missed her. He wasn’t about to let her hurt him again, he couldn’t keep falling down that rabbit hole.
: : : : :
: : : : : Grecken, Doctor
: : : :
: : : : “You know I am feeling better,” April said sliding off the bed. She wasn’t any better than when she arrived but maybe today was not the day to solve a medical mystery. “And I am going to be late for my shift. Can I come back tomorrow maybe,” she said rubbing her neck anxiously.
: : : :
: : : : Ensign April Lee, science
: :
: : “You know that’s not how medical exams work April. I need to take some scans, we can go over them later but it’ll take me a whole two mins, so sit your butt down and lets see what’s going on.” he said as he flipped the scanner out and began to take some scans as he held the wand over her. He knew the faster he got this over the quicker he could find Kate and talk to her.
: :
: : What was all that about he thought to himself, processing everything. His mind was almost a whril. Normally Shaun had no issue helping people but Kate was all he could think of in this moment.
: :
: : Grecken, Doctor
:
April fidgeted slightly on the table. “So my question,” she said smiling a bit tightly, “you became a doctor because why or what time should I expect you for dinner?” Yes, it was probably shameless to flirt with the man that was going to tell you that you were suffering from stress and needed to relax but he was so darn cute and a doctor to boot. Aside from being a pilot, a doctor was a pretty sexy profession.
: : : : : : : : : : :
: : : : : : : : : : : Ensign April Lee, Science
: : : : : : : : : :
: : : : : : : : : : “April, really?” Shaun said as he looked at her. He was all for playful banter but after all that just happened in front of her she was still trying. “Now is not the time hon, lets just see…” he said as he paused. He looked at the results then his eyes narrowed.
: : : : : : : : : :
: : : : : : : : : : “You using those dinner lines often on people?” he asked her as he looked up, his eyebrow arched as he finally saw why she was feeling so bad.
: : : : : : : : : :
: : : : : : : : : : Grecken, Doctor
: : : : : : : : :
: : : : : : : : : “Only people I would like to get to know better,” April said in a soft tone. “Can you blame me for wanting to get to know you better. Life in the stars is lonely. I wasn’t suggesting we get married during dessert. Coffee maybe but nothing else?” Looking at Shaun’s eyebrow arch, April fidgeted again on the table. “So it is terminal,” she asked with a bit of nervousness in her tone.
: : : : : : : : :
: : : : : : : : : Ensign April Lee, Science
: : : : : : : :
: : : : : : : : “Only for 9 months, but then you have to live with the after effects for 18+ years.” Shaun said as he looked at April closely, breathing in he knew hat he had to do.
: : : : : : : :
: : : : : : : April’s face frozen and her eyes took on a confused expression. “No, I have the flu. I…I have not missed my contraceptive hypos. I mean I was just on shore leave. That is one thing you make sure you have updated. That is the one thing you don’t forget. Run the scan again,” April demanded. The nervous tone turning to one of rising panic.
: : : : : : :
: : : : : Entering Sickbay kate immediately scanned the room and saw Shaun was still with April. She was not happy to see April still here but Shaun was a doctor and on duty. After her outburst, however, Kate was not going to just leave. Her behavior was less then officerly but she could apologize for that. Her temper had always gotten the better of her in a heated moment. She would give them some space but this time wait for him in his small office and not in the waiting room.
: : : : :
: : : : : : : : “You’re pregnant hon, about six weeks along. But you knew that already didn’t you?” he asked her, he wondered from her behavior what she was hiding. He suspected she must have been worried this was the case.
: : : : : : : :
: : : : : : : : Grecken, Doctor
: : : : : : :
: : : : : : : “You can’t be right. There has to be another reason, Shaun. Find another reason,” she said sitting back half in shock.
: : : : : : :
: : : : : : : Ensign April Lee, Science
: : : : : :
: : : : : : Shaun took her hand, holding it for a moment as he looked into her eyes, “Hon I can run more scans… but it’s not going to change. Your symptoms you described where already leaning me this way. Let’s go over everything and let’s narrow this time. Sometimes contraceptive can fail…” he said softly as he looked softly at her.
: : : : : :
: : : : : : Grecken, Doctor
: : : : :
: : : : : Kate jerked to a stop and felt the world spinning. She grabbed the door to help her balance. The air was sucked from her lungs and for the first time in pretty much her entire life she had no words. She didn’t need words, however. Kate heard enough and saw all she needed to know. She fought to speak but the lump in her throat seemed to block her words. Dear Lord, I come before you and ask for Your strength within me, she whispered to herself. Few people practiced, really practiced religion anymore but Kate and her family did. Every Sunday like clockwork they attended service and right now Kate needed her faith to get her through this moment.
: : : : :
: : : : : “I um…,” Kate looked at Shaun holding April’s hand. “You’re pregnant hon, about six weeks along. But you knew that already didn’t you? his words echoed in her head. Shaking her head as if to clear it she licked her lips. “Did you,” she started to ask but felt her voice crack. Kate didn’t have the strength to do this. Not here not now.
: : : : :
: : : :
: : : : “Did I? Kate are you okay?” He said suddenly confused as to her response. He was reeling from everything and felt torn between his love and his duty.
: : : :
: : : : : “How can contraceptives fail? They are designed not to fail you,” April said feeling the tears starting to brim her eyes.
: : : : :
: : : :
: : : : “April you have to listen to me, sometimes you can try your best but then it all goes wrong. It’s not your fault. We can fix this, I can give you a plan and we can help you along with this process.” He said as he put his hand own her shoulder.
: : : :
: : : : : Kate opened her mouth but did not want to mess this situation up any more. Looking at Shaun she nodded and then turned to leave. If she stayed a minute longer there would be two women crying.
: : : : :
: : : : : Lt. (j.g.) Kate O’Neill, medical
: : : :
: : : : “Katie bug don’t!” Shaun said as he looked at April. “Give me five minutes, just five and we can work a plan out for you. I just need to see what’s wrong with her.” He said as he began to move away and go over Kate.
: : : :
: : : : Grecken, Doctor
: : :
: : : “Don’t what Shaun. Don’t be mad? Don’t be sad. Don’t be....sorry because I am sorry,” Kate’s voice broke as she talked over Shaun talking to April. She fluttered her eyes trying to keep her tears in place but the process completely blurred her vision. Maybe it was for the best. “I have been sorry every day for a year,” she stabbed at the ground angrily. “Not one day goes by but today....today I guess I finally realize how it felt.”
: : :
: :
: : “Realized what love?” He said, clearly he felt their signals had been mixed. He wasn’t quite sure why she was even reacting this way. He was just doing his job. He was happy and existed to see her than this, this blew up all around him.
: :
: : : “What is wrong with her,” April blurted out. “My life has changed forever and you want to work out a plan? For me or for her?” April crossed her arms over her stomach tightly looking away. “Tell me is this what I should expect every time I come to see you? Isn’t there something called doctor-patient confidentiality?”
: : :
: :
: : “Yes you have that right, but you getting frantic doesn’t help right now.. Right now I need you calm to down. We can settle this and help you but right now I need the fires to simmer down. “
: :
: : : Realizing that she was impacting the only thing Shaun ever loved as much as her Kate wiped her eyes. “She’s right. Finish up. I will be in your quarters,” Kate said. Right now she didn’t care if April threw a fit. Kate would wait for Shaun and pray he came to her.
: : :
: : : Lt. (j.g.) Kate O’Neill, medical
: :
: : “Shut up both of you!” He said as he flashed angrily at them both. “This is my sickbay, and I am not going to allow the two of you to act this way.” he said as he looked at April.
:
: Kate had never in her life been scared of Shaun but she also knew when to not cross him. He laid down the law so rarely but when he did you followed it to the letter. Kate swallowed hard and gave him a simple nod.
:
: “What did you say to me,” April shot back.
:
: Oh oh oh don’t go there, Kate silently willed April to shut up.
:
: “I did nothing wrong but come in here for treatment and then your crazy Ex went off like a crazy bomb,” April stated firmly.
:
: : “You come in here hitting on me in front of my girlfriend, telling me about her last fling when she hasn’t even had a chance to tell me herself is not going to be tolerated. You want my help I will do everything in my power but you will not get in my life with her.” He said his green eyes sharp and piercing.
:
: Kate couldn’t help but smile a little. No matter how convoluted this situation was Shaun was still calling her his. That meant she and they still had a chance.
: :
: : Turning to Kate the look didn’t dissipate. “And you, coming in here acting like this is some god damn soap like you used to watch when we were younger. This isn’t Jane the Virgin, I can’t have you getting paranoid over every little thing you hear and see. People need me and I have to help them. If you feel hurt by our past then we can work on that in private too. This isn’t the time to place to dig up old graves” he spat out at her, his Irish temper clearly flaring st the two of them.
:
: “Paranoid,” Kate said and then stopped talking and crossed her arms over her chest. She had a lot to say but as Shaun stated this was not the time or the place.
: :
: : “Now I want you to wait in my office Ms Lee and I will go over what needs to be done in just a moment. As for you Kate wait in the waiting room and I can get you once we have finished this, so I make myself clear?”
: :
: : Grecken, Doctor
:
: “Of course,” April gave Kate a look of disdain before getting up and heading towards his office.
:
Once she was out of earshot, Kate walked up to Shaun and took his arm. “Shaun I would rather wait for you in your quarters,” she asked in a low tone.
: : : : : : : : :
: : : : : : : : : Lt. (j.g.) Kate Oneill, COS
: : : : : : : :
: : : : : : : : Shaun felt himself calming down as she took his arm, feeling a smile curl up on his face he pulled her close. This broke all protocols, but he wasn’t going to let her forget just how much she meant to him. As he stood there for what felt an eternity he looked deep in her eyes before she would feel the soft kiss on her forehead. He wasn’t going to break every protocol, but he wasn’t going to make her forget how loved she was.
: : : : : : :
: : : : : : : Kate closed her eyes and lived in the moment. Of all the ways he could kiss her, this was her favorite. Well her public favorite kiss. He had been doing this for so long it felt like they were standing in the past and not a precarious future.
: : : : : : :
: : : : : : : : “I will see you there shortly puppy, don’t get into more trouble. If you find Commander Jenkins or Counselor Montgomery I am just their practitioner,” he said with a smirk but he let her go from the embrace. “
: : : : : : :
: : : : : : : “Really Shaun, really. You just had to go there,” she let out a short breathy laugh and wiped her eyes using his large frame to shield her movements as best she could. “You have always been charming and flirty but back then you were mine and I always knew you were coming home to me without a doubt. I know you say we are fine but…but there are times I dont seem to believe it fully. I’ll see you in your quarters when you get off duty,” Kate replied in a low whisper. Looking at him for a brief moment, Kate smiled and turned to leave.
: : : : : : : :
: : : : : : : : As he watched her begin to leave he stopped her for one more moment, “Hey, I love you.” he said to her in the softest of tone as he watched her leave.
: : : : : : : :
: : : : : : : : Grecken, Doctor
: : : : : : :
: : : : : : : “I know. What’s not to love in this big ol’ ball of crazy,” Kate said adding hand gestures where she circled her body emphasizing her point and rising on her toes to appear taller.
: : : : : : :
: : : : : : : ******
: : : : : : : Grecken’s Quarters
: : : : : : :
: : : : : : : Kate stepped out of the shower and dressed like she was home on shore leave. Well maybe not home. Her family loved Shaun and knew the couple did more than roast smores over an open fire in the fields but manners dictated a certain level of decorum. Here on the Odin though Kate could be more open. After her shower, Kate had gone through Shaun’s clothes and found an old t-shirt. It was huge on her but covered enough if what mattered. Curling up on his bed, Kate looked at the picture of them next to his bed. She had the same image next to hers. Closing her eyes she remembered that day in the fields where they baled the hay for the season. It was a great memory that turned into a dream as she drifted off to sleep.
: : : : : : :
: : : : : : : Lt. (j.g.) Kate O’Neill
: : : : : :
: : : : : : A few hours passed and Shaun found himself coming home, knowing Kate would be waiting. He couldn’t lie, he was looking forward to entering his room and finding her waiting for him. It had been a very very long year and he couldn’t wait to feel a bit more like normal.
: : : : : :
: : : : : : “Puppy?” he shouted softly into the room as he looked around to see where she might be.
: : : : : :
: : : : : : Grecken, Doctor
: : : : :
: : : : : “I got Dr. Pepper,” Kate said sitting bolt upright in the bed. Her hair fell in a mass of loose curls over part of her face. Here eyes held a glazed look to them as if she was looking through the person that just walked into the room. Slowly her eyes began to flutter as if she was fighting to stay awake. She wobbled some as she sat up in Shaun’s bed no longer talking.
: : : : :
: : : : : Lt. (j.g.) Kate O’Neill
: : : :
: : : : “So… I’m Doctor Pepper now? I’ve been called worse things.” he said as he sat on the bed leaning in giving her cheek a kiss. He could tell she was spent, finding it enduring that she waited so long for him. “You could have gotten ready for bed my love.” he said softly as he laid down pulling her down with him, as he let her head rest on his chest.
: : : :
: : : : Grecken, Doctor
: : :
: : : “Ummm yeeesss,” Kate replied weakly in a confused tone. She hated when she woke up talking in her sleep. It usually only happened when she was exhausted or overwhelmed. The confrontation in sickbay could count as both. Laying down on his chest Kate started to laugh. By now Shaun was used to it but she still felt silly when she did it. The worst was the time she rolled over, fisted his shirt and informed him to stay away from the jello boxes. The sentence did not make any more sense than the dream she was having at the time but did allow for a lot of laughter after.
: : :
: : : “Dr. Grecken is blaisse,” she said snuggling tighter against him. “You need something more fun like Dr. Pepper. They even have a ready-made song for you. You know ‘I’m a Pepper. He’s a Pepper. She’s a Pepper,” Kate started the jingle but let it trail off. She had no desire to know if April was his pepper or not. Kate didn’t want to talk about earlier at all so she began the classic female game of confuse and distract.
: : :
: : : “Or you could be Dr. Bruce Banner. You have the green eyes but I am not sure he has the best bedside manner,” Kate traced the lettering on his t-shirt.
: : :
: : : “Dr. Doom,” she offered, “except I am not sure you want to come to someone with a medical condition and use the word doom. You might frighten the kiddos but malingerer’s would give you a clear berth. Let’s keep it on the maybe list,” she rambled on letting out a small
: : :
: : : “Or Dr. Who but then it could turn into a Whose on first comedy schtick at times. Still being Dr. Who would give you the amazing life you dreamt of since the day I met you,” Kate said. “I think you should be Dr. Who,” she turned her face to look up at him. “You deserve a great life and a Tardis. I mean who wouldn’t be all over the guy with the Tardis.” Kate snuggled deeper enjoying the feeling of just being in his arms. She had almost lost that right due to a case of guilt and cold feet a year ago. She would not take it for granted again that someone like April could replace her. Kate would try harder in any chance she got, to make it up to him for panicking even if it took her entire life.
: : :
: : : Lt. (j.g.) Kate O’Neill CoS
: :
: : BUMP
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: “Now there is an idea, what regeneration is the Doctor on like 113th?” Shaun as he pulled her in so tight. She may have her guilt but he had regrets too. He could have fought harder and he failed her back then. She deserved a man who could say no to her when he felt she was making a mistake. He couldn’t at the time, it hurt too much but now he wasn’t going to be afraid to help her when she needed him the most.
:
: Grecken, Doctor
Glancing at the clock Kate’s eyes got wide. There was no way she could be late to this. “Shoot. Shoot, shoot, shoot, shoot,” she mumbled rolling out of Shaun’s arms before he could grab her. Snagging her pants that were piled on the floor, Kate pulled them on quickly jumping to pull them up.
“You and I are going on a date. Get dressed,” Kate said throwing a shirt at his face. Her aim was great and his t-shirt from sometime over the last two days landed squarely over his eyes. Kate had no reason to think Shaun would refuse to come with her babysitting but sometimes it was just fun to pretend to convince him to do something. Tonight was that kind of night.
Kate crawled across the bed and straddled Shaun sitting on his hips. “Come on Hero,” Kate said taking his wrists in her hands and raising them above his head. Leaning her face down close to his she whispered, “I will make it worth your while. We can play house. I will make fish sticks and mac n cheese for dinner. You can play with the kiddos before dinner.” Eskimo kissing him with the tip of her nose, Kate shook her hair enough that long strands fell around his face tickling his cheeks.
“You know…pretend we are Mr. and Mrs. Grecken with two kids…like I always wanted.” Pausing for a second she looked deep in his eyes. Because I have never stopped wanting that. “So,” Kate sat up, “put that shirt on,” she leaned over and zerberted his tummy, “and let’s go babysit the Captian’s kids,” she finally told Shaun of their destination.
Lt. (j.g.) Kate O’Neill, CoS