New Endeavours

Posted on 30 Jul 2014 @ 3:43pm by Lieutenant Tuula Voutilainen M.D.
Edited on on 30 Jul 2014 @ 8:04pm

1,180 words; about a 6 minute read

Mission: Episode 06 - Legend of Souls
Location: USS Galileo - Deck 7, Arboretum
Timeline: MD8, 1600 hours

[ON]

Just as soon as she was able, T'Vanna got out of her uniform and changed into something a little more comfortable, given her physical situation. Wearing a short skirt, loose T-shirt and comfortable slippers, she made her way to the ship's arboretum, having the computer lead the way to it since this ship was new to her.

Her blue eyes sparkled brightly as she looked around the ship's local greenhouse and she clapped her hands in delight upon the sight of the wide variety of flowers, the green field and even a couple of trees. "Oh I'm going to have a ball here," she exclaimed happily, approaching a blooming rosebush, and getting on her knees to free it of some of the weeds that were growing around it.

As she made her way up the path, Tuula took in the sights around her and breathed in the fresh air. The artificial sun beat down on her. It was the closest thing the ship had to natural light, and Tuula had earlier stopped simply to bask in it. She was still exploring the ship, and when Rixxa mentioned that they had an arboretum, she had to check it out for herself. Soon, however, she came upon a kneeling woman, her feet blocking her path. "Excuse me," she said in a quiet voice, not wanting to inconvenience the woman too much.

Hearing the meek voice, T'Vanna turned her head and sat up a little, brushing her wayward hair out of her face. "Oh, hello," she greeted, her eyes immediately going to the wheelchair. "Ah...I'm blocking your way, I'm sorry. I just saw these weeds and I had to remove them. Can't have such a beautiful rose wither away in favour of weeds now can I?"

"Of course not," replied Tuula. Her outfit was fairly conservative by her standards -- a short sleeved black blouse, unbuttoned enough to let some sun in. And some black fingerless gloves to accessorize. It wasn't too revealing, but her tattoos were plainly visible on her arms and chest.

The first thing she noticed about the other woman was her pointed ears. Vulcan, she thought immediately, though the personality didn't match. The next thing she noticed was her belly; the woman looked ready to give birth at any moment. "When are you due?" she asked, her curiousity getting the better of her.

"About a week or so," the Vulcan woman replied as she got back to her feet and dusted herself off. "Wow, you have some amazing artwork there," she then exclaimed, as her eyes traveled over the seated woman. "You do realise, that this artificial sun does nothing to get you any kind of tan right?" she suggested, nodding towards the woman's exposed cleavage. "For that you'd probably need specially designed holodecks rather than this light here." She extended a somewhat dirty right hand to her. "T'Vanna Murray, assistant intelligence chief."

"Dr. Tuula Voutilainen," replied Tuula, shaking T'Vanna's hand. "Thank you," she added, glancing down at her chest and arms. "I've been 'collecting' for about five years now." She pointed to her left forearm. "This one is brand new, only a week old." As she looked up, Tuula could see T'Vanna place her hand on her belly.

"How have you been holding up?" she asked, offering T'Vanna an awkward smile. Though she had delivered babies and dealt with pregnant patients in the past, she didn't have any firsthand experience -- or at least, not any firsthand experience with being this pregnant. "Everything going well so far?"

Grimacing as the child decided to kick her good then and there, T'Vanna forced a smile onto her face. "Just peachy ma'am," she said, "just that no longer in any shape to make any long hauls. I can't even swim a full lane in the pool anymore. I can still walk a decent distance but well...I'm out of breath in the end. Why?"

"Oh just..." Tuula could feel her awkward attempts at small talk floundering. "Erm, trying to make conversation. Sorry, it's a doctor thing, we're used to asking people about their medical conditions when we first meet them. Trust me, I get it all the time." It was one of the reasons why Tuula hated going to medical conferences.

"A doctor thing.." T'Vanna grinned. "Well I have yet to see the CMO, so why not hm? Nothing wrong with being observant," she added diplomatically. "Do you come here often, in the arboretum I mean."

"I just came aboard the other day, so this is my first time," replied Tuula, breathing a small sigh of relief that the small talk was getting back on track. "How long have you been aboard?"

"Since yesterday afternoon, "so I still have plenty people to see before I'm even cleared for duty. Met with the XO yesterday though and plan to see the counselor and CMO today."

"Well, I'll be in sickbay in a couple hours," replied Tuula, her gaze wandering to T'Vanna's belly. "In case you want a familiar face around for your physical."

"That'd be appreciated. So what brought you here to the arboretum? Me, I was cleaning out some weeds..."

Tuula took a moment to respond. She was so enthralled by the woman's belly and the possibility that she might end up delivering a baby in her first week on the job that she didn't even realize that T'Vanna had stopped talking. "Oh! Sorry, I was just killing some time before my holodeck session," she replied, a little embarrassed.

"Ahhh..that's always something to look forward to," T'Vanna replied, though she had caught the stare. "It's okay to touch," she invited, "so long as you don't touch any bare skin...touch telepath and all." her smile widened. "So...what's your favourite program?"

"I have a special one that helps me relax and reminds me of home." Tuula moved in closer and gently placed her gloved hand on the woman's belly. She closed her eyes for a moment, feeling the baby's movements in the womb. After only a few seconds, she felt a kick and took it as her cue to remove her hand. She smiled up at T'Vanna. "He - or she - is very active. That's good, it's a sign of a healthy baby." Suddenly, she had an idea. "You know, this program is very relaxing. It can really help with sore muscles, and aches and pains. You're welcome to join me if you want; I'm sure it would be good for you."

"Really? It won't impose on your private time?" her smile brightened. "I could do with some relaxation...I stay on my feet for way too long while I really should be sitting down. My poor back is killing me."

"No, I could use the company," replied Tuula, "and you look like you need this more than I do. Meet me in Holodeck Two in a half hour. And bring a bathrobe. Doctor's orders."

[OFF]

Ensign T'Vanna Murray
Asst Chief Intelligence Officer
USS Galileo

&

Lieutenant JG Tuula Voutilainen, M.D.
Medical Officer
USS Galileo

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