[O]Well, if there is anyone who can figure out the transition, it’l be you. Healer heal thyself and all that.[o]

Leah chuckled, gazing at her friend. Aneka had basically adopted Leah the moment she set foot in Starfleet Medical for her post-bootcamp training. “I’m trying. It’s a bit different considering I can’t just poke my head into someone’s office on the Psyc floors and ask for the help. I can get help, but it’s different out here.”

Aneka nodded. [o]I know. Well, I don’t know, but I can understand the struggle.[o] Her light expression shifted, falling.

Leah tilted her friend, squinting a tiny bit at her friend. “What’s up? And don’t you dare try to tell me it’s nothing. I know you and I know better.” Moments of silence passed between them. “Aneka… what’s wrong?”she asked, feeling her concern deepen.

The other woman took a steadying breath and nodded. [o]Okay, so… something happened and I’m hoping I handled it right, and even if I didn’t I think you need to know.[o] Leah nodded slowly and gestured for her to continue. [o]So, Daro showed up the other day.[o[

Leah blinked. “He did. Why?” But she knew all too well why her ex might show up at the hospital.

[o]Looking for you. Said he wanted to talk to you. I told him you weren’t available, and even if you were, you had made it clear that you had no interest in being with him and that he was not welcome at your workplace. He, of course, pointed out that it was partly his workplace too, but I didn’t see the point in arguing with him about that.[o] Leah nodded and steadied her breathing as Aneka continued. [He wanted to see you and eventually I just told him you were no longer working here. Transferred, Starfleet’s like that, etc.[o]

She couldn’t have hid her alarm if she tried in this moment. “You didn’t tell him where I was, did you?”

Aneka looked at her askance. [o]Seriously? Who do you think I am? No, I promise you I told him nothing and you made it very clear to security last time that you didn’t want him having access to information about you. They respect that and so did everyone else. But like I said, I felt this was something you should know about.[o]

Leah nodded slowly, digesting this turn of events. It was hard to wrap her mind around the fact that Daro was suddenly interested in her again. But she also knew things that the others did not. Nor did they need to at this point. As far as she was concerned, Daro was out of her life and that is how it would stay. But whether she should take action since he broke the conditions was another matter altogether. But he had no idea where she was and honestly she felt safer out here roaming the galaxy than she did on Earth in San Francisco. “I’m glad you told me. It’s definitely strange but I can see him trying to reconcile even though I made it clear we would not.”

[o]What exactly did happen between you two, anyway? It seemed like more than just a bad breakup,[o] Aneka said.

She sighed. “He just… there were red flags in his behaviour and I ended it before we went any further. Sometimes being in psychiatry is annoying. You see things more clearly and I just wasn’t interested in seeing if he’d change some of his behaviours. I knew his type and him showing up unannounced when he’s not allowed just proves my point.” Leah exhaled abruptly. “Thank you for letting me know, Neeks. You’re a good friend. And I’m sorry he harassed you. Next time, feel free to call Security if he’s not there bringing in patients,” she said with a gleam in her eyes.

Aneka smirked. [o]I’ll try to remember that. Anyway, I have a shift soon and wanted to catch you if I could You have a great day and we’ll talk again soon, okay? I’m here for you Leah, always.[o]

Her smile was wide and genuine, and her body felt flooded with warmth and affection for this lovely person she called her friend. “Ditto, Neeks. Talk to you later.”

[o]Bye.[C]

The screen went blank and Leah sat back in the chair and sighed. Damn him! But it was okay. She had things in place to make certain of it too, but now she was irked. Good thing the galaxy was a big place.

~Leah Hart, NP