Happy Reunion

Posted on Thu May 19th, 2022 @ 6:03pm by Lieutenant Anna S. Thesia M.D. & Lieutenant Jessica Holland

Mission: *CD*
Location: Deep Space Nine promenade

The meeting Anna had been looking forward to the most was with Jessica. She had not told Jessica about her return ahead of time, as she wanted to surprise her. And now that the computer had told her where she was, she could stalk her, wait for her opportunity.

She set her toy duck down on the floor. It looked like a mallard, including feathers in all the right places, and could mechanically move like a duck, even quack like one. For all intents and purposes, it looked like a duck, talked like a duck and was most definitely not a duck. But that was beside the point. Anna controlled it from her PADD, and had it waddle up to where Jessica was at the replimat. It started quacking in the typical way that mallards did when looking for food and communicating with other birds nearby. And it came up right to Jessica, as though demanding a share of whatever she was eating.

Anna, for now, remained hidden behind a pillar, keeping Jessica between herself and the duck.

Jessica was in a funk. She missed Anna and their time together. So she had settled into a full routine. She got up, reported for her shift, did her job and returned to her quarters. Now, here she was at the replimat, trying to decide on something to eat when a duck, no, she looked down, a mallard waddled up to her and began quacking. her heart skipped a beat as she instantly looked around but saw no one so her attention returned to the mallard. "Okay my duck friend, where did you come from?" Hoping to see Anna but no.

The duck started picking at some crumbs that other replimat users had left lying around. It was designed for emulating natural behaviour. It could even swim, if there was a body of water around. Anna had got the idea from a field biologist, who used machines like these to do close observations of wildlife without disturbing their natural behaviour.

Anna, meanwhile, sneaked up on Jessica from behind, waiting to speak until she was right there, almost touching. In the sternest, most authoritarian voice she could muster, she said. "Pets are not allowed on the promenade. You must immediately pay the fine of one big hug."

Jessica had bent down for a closer look at the duck when she froze at the voice. Slowly straightening up, she turned around, her eyes going as big as saucers at seeing Anna. She let out an ear splitting squeal of happiness as she threw her arms around Anna, hugging her tightly as tears streamed down her face.

Hugging her back, Anna said softly, "It's good to see you. I hope you don't mind me inviting myself to join you for lunch?" She held on to Jessica for a bit, didn't care about the weird stares they were getting. Probably because her toy duck was still idly picking at crumbs, and at least half the people around had no idea what a duck was to begin with.

"Mind? Heavens no!" Jessica exclaimed through tears, her hand slipping to Anna's and holding it gently. With her other hand she wiped away her tears. "I should have known you were around when I saw the duck. But it just took me by surprise." Jessica stopped and looked at Anna and then gave her a quick kiss. "I've waited a long time to do that." She said as they moved to a table. "You're having dinner with me, No ifs ands or buts."

"I suppose I should have called ahead, let you know I was coming back", Anna said. "But I didn't want to ruin the surprise." She put her arm around Jessica as they faced the replicator. "What shall we have? Anything but Cardassian food, please." She'd had more than enough of that recently. Not that it was bad, but variety was nice. "I hope we'll have a bit of time before we have to head out into our next adventure."

"I've missed you so much!" Jessica gushed. "And yes, you should have but this was a great surprise so you're forgiven." She finished with a smile. "No, no Cardassian food. How about a salad or do you want something more substantial? Like meat?" We'll have plenty of time as the Sunfire is undergoing major repairs. Which gives us time together."

"You mean, we could even go on a trip to Bajor?" Anna wondered. That was a wonderful thought. Though major repairs could also mean major casualties, she thought. "How bad was it, what happened?" She pressed the 'surprise me' button on the replicator, as she wasn't in the mood to make a food decision right then and there. And of course it came up with a popular Bajoran dish, diced fentoba root with ventara greens and grated cheese sprinkled on top.

We sure could. Just the two of us. Make up for lost time." Jessica agreed eagerly. "How bad? Structurally had a nacelle ripped off and extensive damage to several major systems. As far as casualties. None at all. The former CMO was stabbed but she recovered and transferred to the Polaris." She finished as she made her selection and was rewarded with a big, greasy cheeseburger, complete with pickle and chips.

"I hope whoever likes to stab doctors is no longer around?" Anna asked. "I hate getting stabbed. It's such a... I don't know, depending on where I guess. Mostly, just sickening." She indicated the side of her abdomen. "Wasn't fun."

Jessica grimaced, "I'm sure it wasn't, love, and it is sickening. Mars the skin as well. As for the person stabbing doctors not sure. I'm sure they're not." She replied as she picked up her burger. "So, when do you want to head to Bajor?"

"I need to take a look at sickbay and see if I need to order anything that's not there, but should be", Anna mused, picking out a table as she spoke. "I'm thinking, tomorrow? I know a few great places on Bajor, I've worked there before the war."

"Tomorrow would be fantastic!" Jessica agreed. "I'll get the supplies, like a tent and sleeping bags, that's if you want sleeping bags. Along with food. I'm sure you'll bring your first aid kit. I'll also pick up some fun items for us."

"Something to keep warm at night, please", Anna said, enjoying her food and the thought of spending some time in nature with Jessica. "I do not like freezing. Want me to pick a spot, with nice warm nights?"

"Right. Something to keep warm. For the record, I too do not like freezing." Jessica answered, her mind going over what she needed to get for them. Turning her attention back to Anna she nodded, "Nah, I'll find us a nice warm spot, don't you worry."

"A place to swim would be nice", Anna added. "The waters on Cardassia Prime are so dirty, I didn't want to go in them for fear of never being able to wash the muck off again."

"A warm place to sleep and place to swim. Anything else?" Jessica asked with a smile. She made a face when Anna mentioned the waters of Cardassia Prime. "I think the whole planet is dirty."

"No, that'll be all", Anna grinned. "I don't need much else to be happy. I'm not taking the duck, though. I need it for another prank later on."

Jessica nodded, a happy grin on her face. "This is going to be soooooo much fun! Going to bring the minimum amount of clothing as well?" She asked a mischievous grin on her face. She looked at the duck, "You're right, don't bring the duck."

"Clothes? You'll have to tell me where you want to go first, so I'll know what to take", Anna smirked. "Those choices have to be carefully considered. Unless we can borrow a shuttle with a replicator, then we'll get what we need and won't have to bother worrying about those mundane affairs. Luxury, right? Glamping instead of camping."

"I can get us a shuttle if that's what you want, to take us to the spot we pick out and come back in a few days. That won't be a problem." Jessica assured Anna. As for what I want. I want to spend time with you, to swim or go hiking and just enjoy nature."

Anna smiled, placing her hand on Jessica's. "That part will not be a problem." She was happy with how meeting Jessica had worked out. Part of her had been worried she'd receive a somewhat less than warm welcome, but those concerns were dispelled now. "But now tell me, what else did I miss?"

"Welllllll, Captain Kaylen was off the ship for a good while and Commander Savar was the acting captain. We had our chief strategic ops officer transfer off. You missed a nebula that ate ships and their crews." Jessica replied.

"Oh, so this is why you downgraded from a Sovereign class to an Akira?" Anna wondered. "The Liberty got eaten?"

"No." Jessica shook her head. "There was a complete crew swap of ships. We came here and the former Sunfire crew went to the Liberty. From what I understand, the Sunfire used to be Captain Kaylen's previous command."

"I guess I'll just have to make do with a less fancy sickbay then", Anna said, resigning herself to that terrible fate.

"Are you kidding? You'll have one of the most advanced" Jessica countered.

"On a ship designed decades before the last one?" Anna objected. "I doubt it. But it's okay. I've worked in field hospitals. I can manage."

"Oh Anna!" Jessica exclaimed. "It isn't that bad and you know it."

Anna laughed. "You should have seen what we had to work with on the Pierce, during the war. I'm sure the Sunfire will be luxurious by comparison."

Jeesica smiled, "I know it will, Anna.' She said as she finished her cheeseburger. "I am really looking forward to this." She told Anna, a happy look on her face.

"You are?" Anna asked. "That's good. I need a volunteer to demonstrate to the crew that routine physicals are eminently survivable, and that there's no need to avoid them."

"After our trip Anna." Jessica countered, "Then I'll be your volunteer."

"That's a deal." She wasn't finished with her food yet, as she tended to eat rather slowly, unless recovering from something. "I'll even be gentle."

"You are so good to me." Jessica bantered with Anna. As she sipped her drink.

"Wouldn't do for a demonstration otherwise", Anna shrugged. "I've got to think of my end goal here." Anna stood and put the plate back into the replicator. "I'll go check in with the skipper now, and ask her for the leave. Then a quick look at my sickbay and I'll be ready to go."

Jessica nodded, "Okay you do that. I have a couple of things to pack and take care of and then we can get out of here."

Anna kissed Jessica. "I won't be long", she said happily.