Artemis: The Curse
Dori
Samantha looked at Patricia over the mug of tea she was holding. “You know, I think you’ve put a curse on this ship.” she said, grinning.
Patricia raised an eyebrow over her cup of tea, blowing on it softly.
“Oh, how so?”
“Every time you leave, something bad happens.” Samantha said darkly. “Artemis can not function without you here.”
Patricia managed a tiny snort.
“Told Jon I was irreplaceable. So, besides recent events,” the pain of her loss flashed over her face for a moment and then her mask was back in place. “What else makes you say that?” Curiosity was abundant in her tone.
“Remember when you were on leave and Raefer and Tamaris got into it and Reyu complained and they ended up calling social services on us?” Samatha asked. “I had just found out I was pregnant with Aoife. That was a nightmare and a half and since Raefer was XO, it was down to Jon to deal with it all.”
Patricia winced.
“Oh yeah. I had forgotten about that. I came back to a shit show.” She looked at Sam, curiosity now reflecting on her face as well. “What else?”
“Hmm. What other times have you left the ship. Let me think.” Samantha sipped at her tea. “No, I was thinking of when we pulled you out of trouble - the Tolkien A. I guess that doesn’t fit in with my theory of a curse on the Artemis. Maybe it’s centered on you.” she teased.
Patricia raised an eyebrow and shook her head.
“There’s the time we hosted that diplomatic mission to New Romulus and I got accused of murder...hmm, again, that was me.” She frowned in thought. “The only other times I’ve been off on leave were just recently and we know how that went.” Patricia sighed and shook her head. “So I’m either cursed, or the ship can’t survive without me. Take your pick.”
“Let’s just go with both.” Samantha said. “I guess there was that time you went after that Chocolate Bean Tree, but that’s the only time I can remember you being gone that something didn’t happen.
Patricia groaned and buried her head in her hands.
“I’ve taken great pains to forget that whole bloody episode Sam...Oh my god, it is me. I am cursed.” A hint of woe was in her tone but when she looked up her eyes looked a little bit livelier, like she was trying not to laugh.
Samatha just burst out laughing. “Repressed memories, Trish? You?”
Patricia just poked her tongue out at her, reminiscent of a pair of girls playing over in the other room.
“Yes, me.”
“Well.” Samantha shook her head. “I doubt it’s you. It’s just life. Still...A lot of bad things kicked off this last time.”
“Just a few.” Patricia murmured as she sipped her tea. “Maybe I should get Kyr to do the Bajoran version of getting rid of a curse on me...”
“Is there a Bajoran version?” Samantha asked. “Maybe we can just burn some sage and be done with it.”
“Might have to try that. Or drape myself in it next time I leave the ship.” Patricia’s tone was wry as she finished her cup of tea.
“Course, the last time Jon left the ship, he didn’t end up in the best of shape either.” Samantha said, her tone wry. “Maybe we should just call it the Curse of the Flagship.”
“Yeah, the Command Officers attract bad luck like honey attracts bees...” Patricia gave her a tiny, barely there, quirk of the lips that may have been a tiny smile if you looked hard enough. But her tone was sort of resigned and pleasant.
“And that is why I’m happy where I am, and pray every night that Raefer will come back to me alife.” Samantha told her. “If they promote me any more, I’ll either have to send the girls back to Earth, or I’ll end up there myself, and I love it out here.”
“Nah, we need you too much. You’re the one keeping this ship together Sam. You keep me and Jon together, and we need you too much. You ain’t going anywhere.” Patricia’s tone was fond.
“That’s very kind of you.” Samantha said, startled. “I hardly feel indispensable.”
Patricia shook her head and reached out, putting her hand on Sam’s.
“Sam, these last few weeks, I’d have been lost without you and Emma to hold me together when I went back to duty. And I know Jon relies on you just as much.”
“I guess.” Samantha replied. “There are a lot of counselors who could do the same, though. You just don’t know them like you know me.”
“True, but they also haven’t been through everything with you either. And that means the world to me.” Patricia finally gave her a tiny, barely there smile. “Face it Sam, you’re stuck on this ship for as long as I am, and I ain’t going anywhere for years yet.”
“Well let’s hope Starfleet don’t decide to move me then.” Samantha replied brightly.
“I’ve got an in with several Admirals, you ain't’t moving.” Patricia’s tone was fond and she squeezed Sam’s hand again before letting it go. “Besides, you need to be around to make sure I’m really not cursed, or this ship.”
“So do I for that matter. I’ll have a little talk with Admiral Dr. Sarah and put a little worm in her ear.” Samantha smiled. “I’m not sure I qualify to tell whether either you or this ship is cursed, though. I’m not that good.”
Patricia snorted again and sipped her now cool tea.
“Well, maybe we need a séance or some such..”
“No. I’m not going there. You want a séance, you find someone else.” Samantha said firmly, putting her empty cup down for emphasis.
Patricia snorted, this time managed a tiny laugh with it.
“We’ll ask Kyr to do some sort of ritual or something to get rid of bad spirits then huh?”
“If he knows any.” Samantha agreed.
“True.” Patricia finished her tea and looked over Sam’s shoulder at the two girls playing. “As long as they don’t inherit their Mother’s penchant for trouble, I’ll be happy.”
“Me too.” Samantha agreed.
End