Posted by Lieutenant Junior Grade Leah Hart (Nurse Practitioner/Counseling) in Galley/Lounge- Holding Boundaries

Posted by Lieutenant Junior Grade Rand Farquharson (Yeoman First Class) in Galley/Lounge- Holding Boundaries

Posted by Lieutenant Junior Grade Leah Hart (Nurse Practitioner/Counseling) in Galley/Lounge- Holding Boundaries
Posted by… suppressed (8) by the Post Ghost! 👻

(snip)

Leah pushed the now empty bottle aside with a nod. “It’s a cliché story, but my father was in Starfleet. He had a doctorate in Engineering and not only had taught at the Academy, he helped design and test starships. I grew up listening to his stories and I always wanted to join too, but my mother dissuaded me.” She twirled the fork in her fingers. “After he died, so much changed. I changed.” She looked up at Rand and smirked. “I finally got tired of trying to live up to expectations that I would never meet. I had been considering a change in my career anyway, and wanted to study mental health more deeply, so I did both: I went back to school and I did so after I was accepted into Starfleet Medical. And here we are. Best decision I ever made though, hands down.”

~Leah Hart, NP

Rand thought it was curious. How many people joined Star Fleet despite the family being against it. Or joining because it was family legacy. Did anyone join, the first in their family, and people were happy for them? “Star Fleet is amazing. There are benefits you can’t put on paper, but make the sacrifices worth it.”

Yeoman Rand

A soft smile touched her lips. “Agreed. Doesn’t make the challenges less challenging. And I guess it’s good for me to be out here and experience what others are experiencing. Because it is different to serve actually out on space.” And she was going through it all first hand right now.

“What about you? Why Starfleet?”

~Leah Hart, NP

Rand didn’t like being asked personal questions. She didn’t like sharing about herself. This is why she liked keeping all her interactions professional. Except she’d opened this can of worms. “It seemed as good a place as any. I wanted to do something useful with my life, but I’m not really good at much. Star Fleet had a place for me though, in the yeoman corp, and it’s fits me perfectly.” A lot of people went into the yeoman corp hoping to move up, train, have extra time to study and learn what they wanted to do. No one really wanted to stay a yeoman, but Rand did.

Yeoman Rand

“It’s very important work,” Leah said. “People underestimate how much administration is actually required to run not just a starship or base, but the organization as a whole. Without people like yourself, nothing would get done, so know that at least form me, your work is greatly appreciated.” The tequila was making her feel warm and she could feel herself relax a bit.

“I enjoy my work. I miss working with other yeoman, but Captain Asam is wonderful. I enjoy working for her, and the crew here is wonderful.” It hadn’t always been, and there were always people that though Yeoman were harems. That had stopped after one of their captains had left. Then there had been the one who had thought she was useless for anything other than being a maid. But that hadn’t lasted either.

“It bothers me when people crap on other people’s chosen work,” she said, her grip tightening on her fork. “And not just because my mom criticized my choices at every turn, but it’s like how does my work choices make anyone else worse off, you know?”

~Leah Hart, NP

“Well, I would say your work choices affect your patients and the other medical staff. If you weren’t doing the job you do, with your unique approach, how many people wouldn’t be helped? Think about the positive, not the other stuff.”

Yeoman Rand

She grinned. “Oh, I’m about my choices. I’m okay with not getting my medical degree. I love whatI do, and here I get to do a bit of psychiatry as well as emergency nursing and it’s a nice balance.” Leah slumped back in her chair a bit. “I wouldn’t go back and change anything, but there are those that see my work as lesser than, because I’m just”-she did air quotes-“a nurse. Kreed though, has helped counter that, even back then when we first met. I didn’t need him to do that for me, but it’s nice to know someone has your back.”

~Leah Hart, NP

“Nurses do more than doctors do,” Rand blurted out. She had seen Randy go through the same thing. “They do all the day to day things, they do all the little stuff that makes sure treatments and surgery are successful. My nurses know more about me than my doctors do.”

Yeoman Rand

“Yup!” Leah said. “And I like getting to know my patients that well. I like knowing what foods will cheer them up and which family member makes them laugh the most. That’s not to say that there aren’t doctors who take a deeper interest in their patients, but most of the time it’s the nurses who hold their hands when they are struggling and scared.” For a moment, Leah’s gaze seemed to drift elsewhere, then she blinked and cut into the diminishing slice of cake. She sighed. “I know things will get better here, it’s just…” She shook her head and popped the cake into her mouth, wishing there was more tequila. Not that she hadn’t already had enough.

~Leah Hart, NP

“New places take time. I’m sure it will be better soon.” Hart was social and liked people. It would be easier for her than it was for Rand.

Yeoman Rand

“I hope you’re right,” she said as she pierced the final bite of cake and slipped it into her mouth. She savoured the tender crumb and fluffy frosting, closing her eyes a brief moment. There was something special about the comfort of cake, even tipsy as she was.

An empty plate before her and an empty bottle beside her, Leah blew out a breath. “Well, I should probably clean up and head back to my quarters. Thanks for keeping me company. I appreciate it.”

~Leah Hart, NP

“You’re welcome.” Rand took the plate, glass, and bottle, “I’ll do it,” and returned them to the kitchen. She came back and looked at the other woman. “Would you like me to walk with you?”

Yeoman Rand

Leah gave a half shrug as she rose gracefully to her feet. “I can manage on my own up one deck, but I don’t mind if you’re concerned and want to make sure I get there,” she said with a small smirk.

~Leah Hart, NP

Rand had thought Hart hadn’t wanted to be alone. She was trying to be friendly. She’d misinterpreted. Again. She smiled and shook her head. “No, Lt. I’m sure you can make it. Good night, Lt.” Rand gathered up her things and left heading towards the science labs.

Yeoman Rand