The Secret

Posted on 28 Jun 2017 @ 11:56am by Commander Allyndra illm Warraquim & Petty Officer 1st Class Eviess
Edited on on 28 Jun 2017 @ 1:28pm

3,372 words; about a 17 minute read

Mission: Episode 15 - Emanation
Location: Earth - San Francisco, Starfleet Medical
Timeline: MD 12, 0800

ON:

Eviess stood outside the office that Dr. Warraquim was using. She didn't know what to do, didn't know where to turn, she'd self-diagnosed but...well she needed to be sure. She squared her shoulders and rang the chime.

Now that they were back on Earth there was both a lot to do but nothing to do. The former was waiting for her debrief and making arrangements to go back home. The later was that she had no patients anymore. When the chime rang she just figured it was another aide bringing more messages.

"Enter," she said in a distracted voice.

Eviess took a big breath and entered the space Allyndra was occupying. She smiled at her. "Hello Doctor." They had worked together on surgeries and patient transfers. "How are you Doctor Warraquim?"

"Fine, and you?"

"I am well." She said somewhat mutedly.

"So what brings you finding this tiny place of an office for an out of work doctor?"

Eviess smiled. "Well I could use your help...I needed to talk through a medical problem with you."

"You know that I have no official capacity at the moment. There are plenty of medical personnel available. Still if you want an opinion, or something I could help."

"A doctor is a doctor even when a doctor is not a doctor." She chuckled at what she'd just said. "Sorry, I mean you are still a doctor bound by the same Oath and just because you have no official capacity does not mean you stop being a doctor." She smiled briefly. "May I run something by you?"

"Of course you can," Allyndra replied. "I understand that sometimes there are things that some individuals feel more comfortable talking to someone they know better than a stranger on medical or even psychological matters. Now then, what can I do?"

Eviess sighed. "Well let's use me as a case study. You know of my dual heritage. I'm Romulan and Klingon. Now my parents, like some inter species couples, have had trouble with fertility. In fact medical science helped bring both my brothers and myself into existence."

"Understood, a problem with chromosome matching."

"Right. Now for example there are some compatible species. Humans and Betazoids, Vulcans and Romulans, Klingons and El Aurians, Trills and Humans right?"

"And several more. Humans and others have managed to mate with other species for quite some time. Something to do with the ancient humanoids as part of their genetics was in several races." Allyndra had not thought about that part in a long time. Those classes were interesting.

"Here is the issue. What if you have a hybrid combination that requires assistance with conception like....Ferengi and Andorians. Or take me as an example again, Klingon and Romulan. I was told because of my genetic mix I might have issues conceiving myself." She hoped the doctor was with her so far.

"And so you are looking to get pregnant and might have issues with the father being another species all together or perhaps a combination of different ones?"

"Now what are the odds of two parents, being of both dual linage having both issues and none issues conceiving and carrying to term?"

"It depends. There are newer compounds and techniques that have come out that can help with that. A lot depends and of course there is a lot more checking to make sure fetal development is going well, immune response from the mother, basically can be done but requires a lot more diligence."

"Perhaps I should give a concrete example?"

"Go ahead," Allyndra said. She had nothing to do but this was coming around to a point about the speed of a glacier over rocks.

"Okay so let's use this example. Let's say you have species A, B, C, D. Subject one is half A and half C and subject two is half B and half D. Separately both subjects have issues conceiving but the C in subject one is compatible with the D in subject two. Then A in subject one is also compatible with the B in subject two. What are the rates that these two subjects can successfully conceive even though they may have trouble separately and what is the possibility that subject A would carry to term the pregnancy?" She focused on the doctor with all she could. The answer was vital. Many said that it couldn't be done but...she now had proof that it could.

Allyndra laughed lightly. "Well you are not a Pisum sativum, so Mendelian genetics would not imply. Genes in this case carry a combination. That some might have a few more genes of a background species maybe true but nothing quite like cell is A, or B, or C, or D." Allyndra shook her head letting the bright blue streaks flash. "Now if you are looking for certain primary characteristics one could look at doing something in vitro after isolating what gametes might have certain predominate genes. It still does not guarantee that there will not be problems. The usual problems arise from aneuploidy, which is not all species carry the same chromosome number. While we can get around that better these days, it does not mean that there cannot be problems with development. Thankfully most do not differ by more than one or two sets. For example, me I have fifty-two chromosomes, compared to human forty-six. A difference that is currently not surmountable. Now let me ask what is all this about?"

Eviess sighed heavily. She took a while debating if she should tell the doctor or not. She didn't have anyone to talk to about this. "Can I count on your full confidentiality?" she asked.

"I may not currently have a practice, just being on administrative duties but that does not mean that patient doctor confidentiality has been abandoned. What passes between us is in the strictest of confidence. Even the admirals could not order different."

"I'm pregnant..." She blurted out...."Since the Romulan ship if I interpreted the scans correctly and with twins...Medically it shouldn't have happened but there it is."

"Well first off congratulations? I presume if it is a surprise then it is a pleasant one?"

Eviess sighed, "I never thought it would happen but yes a pleasant one." She smiled as she placed her hand over tummy.

"May I inquire as to the father?"

Now how would she answer that one? "It was a one night stand on the Romulan ship."

"I see, with a Romulan?" Allyndra asked. "I need a bit more information." She figured she best explain. "While scans can indicate fetal development and probable combination, knowing certain characteristics makes it easier to look for potential problems before development has gotten too far along. Once past certain stages problems can cause either spontaneous abortion or result in a permanent teratological problem."

Eviess looked uncomfortable, "It was...I mean neither he nor I planned to be together we were both sad and tired and scared...it was with a Galielo crew member...He doesn't know nor will he know about the pregnancy."

"You are not giving me much to go on,” Allyndra said and her tone got a lot more serious. "While knowing exactly so I can do genetic markup, I am only guessing. We will have to arrange for some scans and getting some genetic markers anyway. Personally I could care less with whom you had relationships and it would not be my place to say anything but medically if you wish this outcome to be good I need to know as much as possible including picking up medical record of the father."

Eviess sighed. Eviess knew that she was right, this was high risk with her being half Klingon and half Romulan but the father's genetics were important to. "The father is half El Aurian and half Vulcan."

Allyndra tapped her fingers on the desk, "Fine, that is the subspecies but what might be carried in the exact genetics is not helping. I need a name to look up medical records." She was a bit exasperated at the dancing around. She was correct in that she could care less why or what circumstance, this was just need to know information so that the best medical course could be set.

Eviess sighed, "Varro, Soral Varro."

"Thank you,” Allyndra made a mental note. "Alright the next thing I need to get is some medical scans and make some determinations of where we are at and get some cellular samples as well. Hopefully I will be allowed to do that. Technically I am not supposed to be practicing at the moment or have much interaction if any with the surviving crew."

Eviess smiled, "You are allowed, I told the Admiral that's been doing my debriefs and he allowed it. As long as we don't talk about other stuff, I mean other then health."

Allyndra wondered how that came about. She had not even been able to contact home yet and there was little there that was related even remotely to what had happened. "Very well, then let's get those scans and a sample and I will take a look at V... the father's medical record to see if there is anything we need to be on the watch for. If you have the time we can do it now. I really have nothing else to do but mark time currently."

Eviess gave a nod. She looked at Allyndra, "I know I'm asking a lot but I don't want him to know about them." She laid her hand on her stomach.

"Unless we discover that there is something wrong that cannot be corrected then you will have your anonymity. Now you said them? Have you had a scan already?"

She shook her head. "Nothing official. I just did a scan on myself..."

"And?" Allyndra asked. She schooled herself to patience as though dealing with a house child that had done something wrong and was loath to admit or talk about it. "What findings did you determine?"

"Twins. I didn't do any genetic scanning." She said. "I do know that this is rare. I was told that getting pregnant would not be possible without medical intervention...I'm still trying to figure out how this happened."

"Even in this day and age, there are always medical surprises. All right my friend, let's slip down to the medical facility and get a deeper peek shall we? I think it appears that you have an upset stomach." Allyndra would give that as an excuse to keep any other eyes and ears from prying too close. "Had gastrointestinal problems for long?"

Eviess smiled, "Since the Romulan ship." She sighed, "To be honest I haven't been able to keep anything down and I've been so tired."

Allyndra nodded and lead the way. She was glad that all one had to do on her world was fly to the shallow spots of the ocean and lay eggs. This whole placental thing seemed to be quite a nasty process.

When they arrived Allyndra showed her credentials and surprisingly the permission from the admiral was there as well. She selected a biobed in the far corner but still dropped the privacy curtain in place. "Alright let's get some better idea of what is going on with these two."

Eviess smiled. She gingerly sat on the biobed and waited. As excited as she was she was also fearful. As a doctor she knew what the good and the bad and the ugly could be. She let out a breath she hadn't realized she'd been holding.

"First let's get a deep scan, lay back please." Allyndra became professional in her manner. "Then we will get some genetic testing done."

She waited until Eviess got settled and then started the scan. As Eviess had indicated she was indeed pregnant and with twin embryos developing. At this stage it was too early to tell what all the background would be but so far nothing appeared to be grossly amiss.

"So far, no gross teratological indications that is the good news at this point."

Eviess let out the breath she'd been holding. "Okay, that's good." She smiled. This was really happening. She was going to have a baby, two babies! Her excitement was growing. "Two perfect babies."

"Right now. That is the good news ready for the bad?" Allyndra did not wait for a response. "It appears that you babies are diaminotic and monochorionic, we are going to have to keep a very careful watch on that as development continues. Also.....your blood sugar is creeping upwards, we need to keep an eye on that."

Eviess gasped. She knew this meant rest and a diet. "That would explain the dizziness and tiredness. My eyesight has also been a bit off."

"We will keep track of that as well. Now then let's take a peak at the genetics." Allyndra adjusted the scan so that it could read parts of the amniotic fluid and some of the cellular structure there. "Well for all the other, it seems that most of the combined characteristics seem to pretty compatible with each other. So far no genetic mismatch though I am going to recommend that we utilize betalizne to help stabilize the genetics."

That made sense to her. "Sometimes it's a lot harder being a patient when you are a doctor." She smiled, "Doctor Warraquim I really appreciate this."

"Yes but it is a lot harder for a doctor to just say something and get away without question. Well let us get you set up for a glucose tolerance test." Allyndra patted Eviess. "Tell you what, I will do it with you so it appears we are just indulging. You know I love sugary drinks. That way we can keep things a bit more under wraps."

She smiled. She was truly grateful to Doolittle for allowing her to go to Allyndra. "Oh... I just remembered. I have a trip to Vulcan scheduled after the debriefs. I should cancel that."

Allyndra thought a moment. "Perhaps, perhaps you should consider making it brief. So far so good, but if you do go ask someone you trust to monitor you there. I myself as soon as I am released must head off to home." She furrowed her brow for a moment. "I am hoping to take Varro with me as there is a sort of diplomatic matter to handle."

She smiled, "I think he'd like that. He needs to feel useful again. I'm sure he'd jump at the chance." She thought a moment, "Please don't misunderstand. I care for Varro a lot, I think that we love one another but...it's a soul love, not a physical love. What happened between us was a one night thing and a mistake is some ways but...well he's always said that he never wanted kids. I don't want to cause more havoc in his life then he's had. That is the only reason I don't tell him. I don't want to bind him by force and he is a man of honour above all. You can trust Varro."

"Understood, but you might be surprised that sometimes some say we do not want children suddenly when they do realize that it makes a part of them. I will leave it to you to find the path forward either yeah or nay. However, I suspect that Varro is intelligent enough that when you show more he will begin to add days and times together." Allyndra found a spot in a room that was private enough and went to fetch a couple of bottles of glucose. Orange usually had the least crappy taste for most and that is what she fetched. She returned and handed one to Eviess. "Alright my dear, ten minutes to finish the bottle. Consider it a drinking contest." Allyndra was pretty sure she was going to win this one hands down. "Ready?"

Eviess smiled. She toasted Allyndra and they were off. The drink, although it was orange, tasted nothing like orange. It had that just shined shoe shine liquid taste. Minutes dragged on. Allyndra finished hers Eviess was almost done. "With all our technology we couldn't come up with a better taste.

"You would think but then again, I suppose if it works then do not fix it." She finished off her bottle and enjoyed the rush of the sugar coursing through.

She shivered as she polished off the rest of the drink.

"Very good, now we wait an hour. While we do, and we have the privacy, what are the plans from here going forward? Sooner or later it will become more and more obvious that you are carrying? As I mentioned Varro is not stupid, he could calculate as well as any other. Perhaps that trip home might not be so bad. One could always claim that things happened there."

She gave a nod. "That's true." She sighed, "I guess I haven't really made a plan. Only you know so far. I haven't thought that far ahead." She closed her eyes briefly. "Do you have children?"

Allyndra sighed. "I have made two matron flights, none returned from the kolah ahai, the sea time for the first and the year is not over with yet for the second. I am not sure if I could face another disappointment."

Eviess placed her hand gently on Allyndra's. "It will be different this time. You have to have hope."

"Kolah ha'wai, kolah lawaie, the sea gives, the sea takes. It is the natural order of things. At one time we interfered with that natural order to our detriment. It might be more harsh but it makes children all that more precious."

Evie gave a nod. She placed her hands on her belly. She thought back to her childhood and hoped that she could be a better parent. "I hope they will be okay."

"We will do what we can,” Allyndra said and then asked, "However, going forward it will be difficult to be a single parent of twins and continue in a career. On Akkadia, the House basically fosters all children. I note that does not seem to be the case amoung other humanoids I have encountered."

She sighed, "Well my side career and my clinic are a source of income so I could hire a nanny to help." She said, thinking out loud. "But it will be difficult, yes." She had to think things through.

Allyndra nodded. "As I said, there are many things to figure out before..." she nodded her chin toward Eviess' tummy. "Things are past the point that we can cover them up. Alight then let us take a look at how you are processing that drink shall we?" She got up and got a scanner to monitor the glucose level and then nodded. "A little high but not to the range that will require anything. Something to keep track of." She made a frown. "While I do not like telling doctors to doctor themselves, considering that right now the circumstances that will have to be the case. I will try to keep up as best as possible but once all the inquiries are done and the board meets to hand down decisions one does not know where one will be and in either case I must return for a bit to Akkadia."

Eviess gave a nod, "Any and all help are appreciated." She smiled. "Thank you."

"Your are welcome. I will try to keep up via link. Also I am going to go ahead a prescribe a course of betalizine. You know yourself when and how to take that. Still I am going to urge that you be careful with both travel and how you feel. Anything and I mean anything feels the least bit off you get yourself checked into a clinic."

Eviess gave a nod. "I will, I promise."

Allyndra stood and patted Eviess on the shoulder. "May breezes blow gently, may fair winds guide you, may the gods protect you and guide you and may we meet again."

[OFF]

--

Cmdr Allyndra illm Warraquim
Second and Chief Medical Officer
of the former USS Galileo

&

PO1 Eviess
Medical Officer
[PNPC VARRO]

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