[Artemis] Kids in 10-Forward
Melanie A. Howard
As she had promised she would, Zoe was waiting for Christy when her niece got out of school. She already had Aoife, but she was in a stroller instead of the wrap Samantha used; Zoe didn’t feel comfortable using it.
“Auntie Zoe!” Christy screamed, running and hugging the leg of her new aunt. “I’m hungry. Can we go sit in 10-Forward? I can’t go in there without an adult and Mommy is too busy now that Daddy is gone to take me. Pleeeease?”
Zoe had to stifle a laugh. She had had all kinds of patients, including children, and Christy reminded her of a few of them. “I suppose we can. Can you walk beside me and not run ahead?”
“Course I can.” Christy replied, and showed Zoe as much by walking with her until they got to 10-Forward. Once there, Christy got some cheese and crackers and apple juice for a snack, and Zoe got a cranberry juice. She settled Aoife on her lap, and the three of them sat, watching the stars streak past.
Kyr wandered into 10-Forward with the same idea, wanting to see the stars. When he spotted Zoe and the kids, he smiled and wandered over. “Hey Sam, how are you - oh, I’m sorry, you must be Zoe.”
She smiled at him. "Yes, that's right. Samantha's still working, and I told her I would pick up Christy from school. You are?" She asked.
“Yeah, that would be the polite thing - to introduce oneself,” Kyr said. He was eyeing Zoe with curiosity and a bit of trepidation. He knew she worked for the new Maquis government, and that was enough to make him suspicious, but he also knew that Zoe hadn’t been there “back in the day,” so there wasn’t any reason to hate her. “My name is Teros Kyr.”
“Pleased to meet you Mr. Teros.” Zoe said. “Would you like to join us?”
“Come sit with me Uncle Kyr.” Christy giggled.
Kyr wasn’t proof against Christy’s enthusiasm and sat down next to her. “Thank you very much,” he said. “I was about to have a lonely spaghetti, but this is much nicer.”
Zoe laughed. It sounded just like Samantha’s laugh. “Eating alone isn’t much fun, with the only possible exception being grabbing a quick something between seeing patients.” she said. “Although it’s been awhile since I had to do that. Spaghetti doesn’t sound like the kind of quick meal you’d grab before work, so I’m glad you found us.”
“I’m glad, too. Are you guys here to eat, too?” Kyr asked.
“Sort of. Christy wanted a snack, specifically here. I guess kids aren’t allowed with an adult?” Zoe asked.
“Well, it is an establishment where there’s drinking,” Kyr explained. “So I guess they just like to make sure everybody’s safe.”
“That makes sense.” Zoe nodded. “Anyway, I had a late dinner last night, and slept late, and had a late breakfast, and am really not hungry at this point. So I’m letting Christy have her snack,” she glanced over at the girl, who had her mouth full, “and enjoying watching the stars with a baby on my lap.” she glanced down at Aoife with a smile. “Do you have kids?”
“Two,” Kyr said. “Twin girls. They’re about one and a half. Right now they’re with their nanny so Harry and I can work.” He grinned at Christy’s enthusiasm for her snack.
“It must be nice that you know your girls are taken care of while you work.” Zoe commented. “I know they had a service at the hospital where I did my residency, but I’m not sure about other people - my experience is somewhat limited. I must admit it never crossed my mind.”
“Well, when you have kids of your own, it will cross your mind all the time,” Kyr laughed. “I promise you.”
“No doubt.” Zoe laughed. “Do you mind if I ask what you do aboard?”
“Not at all,” Kyr said. “I’m in Intel.”
“That must be interesting work.” Zoe said politely.
Kyr laughed again. “Given the choice, I think I’d rather be an engineer. But yes, the work is interesting. And you? Do you find your work for the new government interesting?”
“I haven’t started my work for the new government yet. I have been a doctor for a decade though, and I love it. Not that I’ve done any medical procedures lately. I’ve been helping organize trade between the Federation and clinics to bring in medical supplies.” Zoe explained.
“The Prophets’ work,” Kyr said with a nod. “That is very good of you. I’m sure there is great need.”
“There is great need, yes. I’m afraid the split between our people and the Federation has left trade out in the cold, and while food can be grown, many things are in short supply. I’m hoping to change that.”
“I’m one of those of the opinion that the split should never have happened,” Kyr said cautiously, “but now that it has, it is good to know there are people like you taking care of the people of the Badlands.”
She shrugged. “What is done is done, and there is no going back, although down the road, in a few generations, that may change. Who knows? In the meantime, we need to get things settled, and it’s going to take a lot of work. My, uh, ex-parents are dead, and I have no significant other. I can be of service, so I am. You take an oath as a doctor, and I see that oath stretching to help others in any way possible.”
“Yes, I can see that,” Kyr said. “You have a good heart. I’m sorry to hear about your ex-parents, but I do know that you and Samantha have a robust family back on Terra. I hope that gives you comfort.”
“It does, now that I know they exist. I still don’t remember anything of my life with them, but I guess Samantha has some ideas.” Zoe replied. “She wants to try something when she gets off work.”
“I wish you the best of luck,” Kyr said. “I’m sure it will be nice to have memories of your time with your family. Family is everything.”
“Yes. When I met with my actual parents and my brother and sisters, it was...wonderful. I haven’t met their other halves and children, in some cases, yet, but I look forward to it.” Zoe was smiling broadly. She looked down at Aoife and picked her up, putting her on her shoulder. “It sounds like you have a close family as well.”
“I do,” Kyr said. “We’re a bit scattered now, but we’re still very close. And I have Harry and the girls, and of course, their mother, but she’s with my brother and their daughter now on Betazed.” He rattled all this off as though it were completely normal.
Zoe blinked, then stared at him a second. “Oh, Betazed. Your twins’ mother is Betazoid?” she asked, as if she understood suddenly what he was talking about.
“Yes, she is,” Kyr said with a fond smile. “She’s very well-loved on this ship, but as things go, life changes and she was offered a better position on Terra. She stays with my brother at the mental facility and commutes.”
“Interesting. Mental facility?” Zoe asked.
“My family had a difficult childhood. Unfortunately, two of us were unable to fully recover. My brother was one of them,” Kyr said sadly. “But he’s doing well where he is and is quite happy. Especially now that Tamaris is there.”
“That’s good then.” she replied. “I’m sorry you had a difficult childhood.”
Kyr shrugged. “Sometimes bad things just happen, I guess you could say. But most of us are quite happy and settled now.”
“Yes, bad things do happen.” Zoe replied, thinking of her own past. “I guess, given time, most things sort themselves out.” she was going to say more, but was interrupted by Christy.
“Auntie Zoe, I’m done.” she stated matter-of-factly.
Zoe nodded to Kyr, then looked at Christy. “You shouldn’t interrupt dear, but it’s ok. Do we need to go home?” Christy nodded. “Very well. Can you excuse us, Kyr?” she asked, deciding she felt comfortable enough calling him by his first name.
“Kids,” Kyr said with a laugh. He ruffled Christy’s hair. “You all have a great day. It was nice to talk with you, Zoe, thank you.”
“Thank you. It was nice to meet you.” she stood. “Can you show me where to recycle these things?” she asked as she settled Aiofe in the stroller.
Kyr escorted them over to the replicator. “See? Now you know,” he grinned. “I hope we get to speak again before your time here is over.”
“I hope so too.” Zoe replied, recycling the dishes. “Thank you.”