We Meet Again

Posted on Fri Oct 20th, 2023 @ 1:13am by Cadet Senior Grade Toareth Darqa & Cadet Senior Grade René Rouen

3,377 words; about a 17 minute read

Mission: 1 - Cruising through the galaxy
Location: Sickbay
Timeline: TBD

René entered the medical suite and checked in with the enlisted person at the reception desk. "Cadet Senior Grade Rouen. Came in to setup an appointment for my initial physical."

The man-child behind the desk looked up and a childish grin slowly spread about his face. He recognized the face. René recognized the face in turn. It was the half face he saw in the monitor that day before Toareth shoved him away.

"I can take care of that physical for you, sir. Petty Officer Bradford Keselowsky," said the man-child introducing himself as he stood. He leaned in toward René with, "Between the two of us, you can call me Kez."

"Uh." René glanced towards the CMO's office before looking back to Kez. "Thank you Corpsman, but I would feel more comfortable if the physical was done by a physician. Perhaps even Doctor Darqa herself. If she is available."

"She is," said Toareth emerging from her office; her face stuck on a PADD. Her right hand was massaging her forehead above her right eye; a waning migraine. "And everyone calls you Kez...Kez. Besides..."

"Oh, one time," said Kez in self-defense mode, "one time."

Toareth looked up from her PADD and saw René; her expression brightening. "Besides, the computer reported that one of our Vulcans was suffering cardiac arrest while Kez was performing a scan. Completely forgetting that he had the scanner set on Bolian."

Kez sank back into his seat. "One time," was all he said.

René caught Toareth's temple rub as she had stepped out of her office. He gave her a warm smile at seeing her. He thought she would not appreciate his bringing attention to her headaches. "I was wondering if you would have time to give me an in processing physical."

"A physical?" Toareth asked. "That is a little more in depth than a scan. Would also require a little more time, and the use of one of our exam rooms. If that is what you prefer."

"I would if you feel it is necessary. I always do my best to listen and comply with expert medical advice." He gestured for her to lead the way. "After you my d...octor." He had caught himself just before saying dear.

It was not necessary to be factual and Toareth did pick up on some of René's mannerisms from before that he was something of a romantic, if she understood the definition correctly. Perhaps he was trying to get her alone in a room with privacy protocol in place. But it had also been some time since she had performed a full workup on a human.

Toareth nodded and took a step back motioning for him to follow. She stopped herself as René stepped up. "Oh, Kez. Go into my office and make sure that centrifuge has powered down in 7 minutes. Those cultures cannot spin for more than 30 and I don't trust the computer to turn it off on time."

"Yes ma'am. You can count on me," he said.

Toareth continued toward the exam room with René in tow.

René stepped in to the exam room after her and looked about. "So...where would you like me and do you need me to remove anything?" He glanced at Toar with just the slightest bit of amusement at his statement as he wondered what she might say...if it were somewhere else besides Sickbay.

Toareth locked eyes with him and kept her eyes there; did not give him the satisfaction of a once over. "Clothes off. Place them over there. Sit up on this bed." She turned toward the equipment cabinet. "Oh," she quickly added without turning back to him, "keep underwear on. No need to be nude."

René moved to comply with Toar's instructions. He was actually a bit relieved to not be going nude for her, at least not yet. He stripped down to his undershirt and boxer briefs and took a seat on the exam bed. He glanced at the bio monitors in an effort to keep things professional. It was becoming more difficult to look at her and not start flirting.

She could see, as she looked to make sure the bio monitors were already taking in base scans, René's reflection. "Undershirt too. That comes off," and she went back to collecting what she needed.

René smirked. "Sure." He took the undershirt off and tossed it on the pile of clothes.

Toareth called to mind what she already knew about humans; not much different than El-Aurians on the surface. No hind lobe of the brain to account for El-Aurian empathy. Superior digestive system because humans eat about any and everything. He was not from Magna Roma so he would not have had the added density to his muscular and skeletal system. Rummaging through the equipment cabinet, Toareth grabbed at what she knew she was going to use; scanners for detailed and specific purposes for utmost accuracy.

René waited patiently for Toar to finish gathering her equipment. "So. Have you given any thought as to what you would like for a home cooked meal? I know you want some French onion soup, but what is your preference for a protein, side dish with the entre and would you like a dessert?"

Toareth was not sure if this was something of a flirtatious attempt or something to help keep his nerves calm while she performed the physical. With what she already knew about René, she deicded it was a flirtatious attempt.

"To be honest," she had all of her devices on a rolling cart and wheeled it around tot he side of the bed. "Remained seated. Do not lie back and keep facing that way." She stepped around behind him. "To be honest, I found I also liked that beef borg...borg-wee-non," she attempted to pronounce the dish while she rubbed something onto her hands. "I apologize. I am probably offending generations of Earthers."

René chuckled lightly. "Not to worry. I would gladly teach you some French phrases if you like. I think I may even have the perfect wine to compli...." he jumped slightly as Toar started applying the gel WHOA...that's cold" He craned his neck to look at her with a cocky expression. "I would almost believe you did that on purpose."

Toar found the situation a bit amusing and smiled at him with a shrug of her brow. "If 'on purpose' means to apply this electrofluid gel to amplify nerve response readings then...yes...I did that on purpose. Don't worry," she placed a device against his back, "the electrofluid gel will not shock you. It only amplifies the readings." Toareth pulled out the 'wings' of said device with one she pressed, and it adhere to his skin, directly over his C7, another further down his spine right over his coccyx, and two wrapping halfway around his torso. "This will return to me all the details of your breathing, spinal and ribcage movements." She held the device in place with one hand and tapped a few buttons with her free hand. Then, with her free hand, she almost embraced him with a hand under his arm, moving to his chest and holding a remote sensor pressed against his sternum.

René could feel his heart starting to beat faster. He couldn't help but feel slightly aroused by the situation. It was through force of will that he didn't exhibit any other signs. He did wonder if her empathic abilities were picking up on his emotional state.

"Now," she directed, "three deep breaths, inhale/exhale, then, on the fourth, hold for as long as you can."

René closed his eyes and did as Toar instructed. The deep breaths helped in restoring his heartbeat to almost normal. He held his breath on the fourth intake and cleared his mind. The calming technique allowed him to hold his breath for almost three and a half minutes before exhaling and taking in another breath. He looked over his shoulder again with a slight smile. "Been a while since a beautiful woman took my breath away."

It actually had not been a long time since she had heard that one. As she reclaimed her hand holding the sensor, Toar likewise removed the device from his back; each of the wings detached from his skin and retracted. Toar shook her head behind his field of view but smiled all the same. She could, in fact, feel his desires through empathy.

"Taking your breath away was certainly not one of the things I was scanning for." She placed the device to the side. "That was to test your breathing, lung functionality and volume, movement of your spine and ribs. Everything is normal. The breathing had a two-fold purpose; hearing your lungs and to bring that heartrate down. Are you really that excitable?"

René gave Toar a cocky grin as he remembered something he told her before. "It could be that or...it could be the fact it is Tuesday. We could discuss that tonight if you'd like to have dinner."

"I know you said otherwise," Toareth started as she ventured back around the bed to face him, "but recall I still owe you a rain check to that cadet nightclub." She was holding what appeared, to René, to be a pair of some kind of high tech brassards with gloves attached. "Put these on. They will feel tight around the forearms and finger movement will be laborsome. That is their purpose. Let me know when they feel snug."

René gave the pair of devices a curious look, but he put them on without question. He looked at Toar. "Well, we should eat a good meal before going dancing. We might need the calories. Nutrition is extremely important if one is going to be active."

"Now hold your arms out like this," she held her arms straight out before her, "and slowly ball your hands into fists. Again, there will be resistance. This is to test grip strength, muscle movement, joint mobility and blood flow. Do that four times." And, as he was doing as she had ordered, "Just what kind of dancing did you have in mind," she asked, wondering about his nutrition statement. "I may be passable at slow and whatnot, but you make it sound like there is going to be a breakdancing contest of sorts."

"Not to worry." René gave Toar a warm smile. "Nothing too elaborate. Just move to the music instinctively. Although, if you would like to hear me play. I could bring my guitar with me. I am pretty good at many different musical styles. Up to you."

"Bring it," she said immediately. "The best entertainment is we ourselves make." Toareth did actually want to hear him play. She watched him as he finished the exercise. "You can take those off now," and she went to retrieve the next device.

René took off the brassards and handed them over to Toar. He still couldn't quite figure this enigmatic woman out. "Very well. It would be my privilege to play."

After retrieving the brassards from him and placed them to the side, Toareth held a pair of knee braces and sat upon a stool in front of René strapping the first one on his left knee. The whole thing stretched up his leg about six inches and likewise down his leg the same distance. She strapped the right one on as well. Similar to the brassards, the knees braces fit pretty snug.

"These will give me a detailed view of reflexes and mobility. Now, you are going to feel a sudden pressure on the Patellar tendon when I activate. I will activate only one of these at a time. The result should be you kicking into the air." She stood from the stool and moved it out of the way to make sure René did not kick any objects. "What kind of music do you generally play?" she asked.

"I have a diverse range of musical tastes. Mostly Earth music that has been popular throughout the last millennium. Do you have a favorite style of music? Perhaps I could play something special for...." René gave a powerful knee jerk as Toar activated the device on his right leg. "Well that was...." His other leg gave a powerful kick as well. He gazed into her eyes. "I am getting the feeling you are enjoying surprising me like this."

Toareth had her PADD in hand and was looking over the readings. Looking up to René, "doctor's prerogative," she shrugged with something of a fiendish smile. She tapped again on the PADD thus resulting in another kick from his right leg. "If you are familiar with the style of classic bands like Clan of Xymox, Bauhaus, Siouxsie and the Banshees, all from Earth in the latter part of the 20th century, then you will hear what has spoken to me the most." She sent a signal to the device on his left knee. Then one more to each in turn. As the readings came in and the computer did its part, Toareth returned the stool before René, sat upon it and started working at the devices to remove them. "I was part of a circle, you might say, during my time on Earth. Many circles over the years that is." She removed the first device from his left knee and sat back a brief second. "I found that I never truly belonged in either of them." She returned her attention to her work; the device on his right knee. "They did introduce me to that style of music though. Of that I am thankful. Again, it really speaks to me. My favorite song is one called Loneliness and I am afraid to ask the computer how many times I have listened to it."

René quirked an eyebrow. "Putri Ariana? I know that song. It has been a while since I have played it though."

Toareth did not know the name. She assumed it was the name of a musical artist. "No. Loneliness by Clan of Xymox, if I am pronouncing the name right."

He studied Toar's face and gave a wistful sigh. "I couldn't imagine how a woman of such amazing beauty like yourself ever being lonely though." He realized what he had just said and that he may have just crossed a line.

Toareth worked the final knee brace away and sat still for a short span of eternity.

René's expression transformed to one of apologetic self consciousness. "I apologize for being so...forward. Especially considering we are both technically on duty. It was inappropriate and inexcusable. It's just that...." He realized he was about to say something similar again. "Perhaps it is best for me to be quiet...for now."

"No apologies needed," She said as she stood. She started putting the devices away back into the cabinet. "Do not assume my being lonely is anything but completely voluntary." As she was replacing the devices back into their assigned locations, a proverbial floodgate opened. "I am over 160 years old as the Earth revolves, but appear as though," and she looked herself over with a small hint of disgust. Toar did not finished that thought. Instead she went straight into the next. "I have daily inexplicable migraines like clockwork. I...uh..." and she stopped herself before bringing up her past; what got her in trouble with the law. "Consider this," she said as she returned to him; two small devices in her hands, one in each. "In 40 years time, you will be of retiring age. I will appear to have aged no more than 6. 40 more years and you will be gone and I will be alone." Rhetorically speaking of course, but she did not think to vocalize that point. "And all of the El-Aurians I travelled with all agreed we needed to stick together a build a colony. But once we got to Earth..." and she let that thought trail off, knowing that René could deduce the rest. "Everyone leaves, even if it is through no fault of their own, but a fact of their mortality. For the past 80 of your Earth years, loneliness has been my closest companion. Loneliness, even in a crowd. So," and she thought back a moment, "if you were about to say what I think you were about to say, a moment ago, then...then it is I who should apologize, in advance, to you. I..." and she looked at the devices in her hands. It had been a long time since she felt naked, open and vulnerable.

René listened to Toar in silence. He looked at her intently as she spoke to him. Her expression spoke volumes, even more so than her words. He couldn't imagine the depth of the loveliness she must feel as she stared at the testing device in her hands. He slowly slid off the exam bed and started to put his clothes back on. "You are right. I don't have your life expectancy. El Aurians can live...for centuries. Humans, if we are lucky, possibly a century and a half." He pulled his pants on and paused to look at her. "You say I have nothing to apologize for. That you are the one who owes me an apology. That is where you are wrong." He pulled on his socks and boots. "I won't lie. I am attracted to you. I have been since first seeing you at the Academy infirmary." He donned his vest and jacket and stood there looking at her staring at the test devices in her hand. He took a deep breath and reached out, his index finger lifting her chin so he could look into her eyes. "Tell me, honestly, that you feel nothing for me and I will leave you be. Tell me that you just want a friend, then a friend I will be. I won't press for more."

She looked at him with redden eyes, more red than her usual. There was also, almost the amount of a watery buildup to flow away in the form of a tear. Toareth was emoting on two fronts. She did feel something but was afraid to act on it. Secondly, and it had been a long time but, she let her guard down. And she was nearly hating herself for allowing that to happen. "Truthfully," she began, "I am afr..." and her words were cut short.

René’s finger moved from Toar's chin to her lips. "Don't answer now. Tonight, after a good meal and some fun at Club Whisper. I only want...to be for you what you want me to be and...for you to not feel lonely anymore. Just...think about what I have said."

Toareth nodded and René allowed her use of her lips once again. "I will...and..." she looked at the devices in her hands and quickly palmed them into one and placed them to the side. "I don't need these anymore. I've enough for a workup." She returned her attention to René. "Until tonight then?"

René simply nodded and turned to the door. Despite his own growing feelings for Toareth, he was going to let her set the boundaries they would stay within. He was going to respect whatever decision she would make for both of them. He would not pressure her for anything more than what she wanted. He exited the exam room, making a slight adjustment to his uniform as he passed the orderly at the desk.

Kez looked back as the exam room door opened. Only René stepped out. The doctor remained behind, perhaps reeling from the 'physical exam'. The door closed behind René and Kez saw him give a quick but minute adjustment to his uniform. Kez did not say anything, but, to hide the massive smile spread across his face, he returned to the computer monitor before him and rested his face in the palm of his hand, covering his mouth hoping to hide his expression. He only looked up with his eyes as René passed by.

 

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