SD:961004.21 JL "Shacking up part 2" Lt. Cmdr. Cho'Lu Sec. & Lt. Cmdr. Wilkinson M.O.

[Cheryl Etchison]

[Federation Compound, BOQ]

 

Kat tilted her head to one side smirking lightly. "yeah maybe you're right." she said regarding the message she received about the place. She smiled lightly giving a slight nod as she set the leather bound book down on the cart with the rest of her things and then looked around as Yim'Bar showed her around. "I've heard that Starfleet hasn't exactly been welcomed with open arms." she stated from what she had been told and had observed first hand in treating the injured. "this place isn't half bad...compared to the temporary quarters." Kat walked around for a bit peeking into each of the empty rooms then decided to take the one on the right. "I guess we'll need to come up with a schedule for showers and meals?" she asked curiously. "If it helps any, I'm a pretty good cook." she stated. If he were to ever question it he could always ask his colleague and very good and mutual friend lieutenant Reed.

"Sounds to me like you are on Kitchen patrol, I will keep the bathroom clean in trade, if it will help."  Yim'Bar said.  He looked down at her things, "Is this all your stuff, i can move it into the room for you if you like.  It will give me a chance to stretch my muscles, we have been working hard training on Alpha Team over at the shack, real hard."  Kat could see his fatigued muscles and lack of proper nourishment, any physician's assistant could spot his weakened state from five meters out.  "The security here is stressed.  In Fact I will be meeting later today with the Colony Superintendent about that very thing.  Been thinking about dressing real nice for the event, you think wearing my dress uniform would be too much?"

Kat smiled and nodded. "I can't always guarantee the quality of the meals I can at least try to have decent meals prepared around my schedule at the hospital." she said softly. "Yes...that's all of it." she said regarding the cart that was stacked with five containers and her two swords laying on top one of which was given to her by her late husband and the other was from Nick. "For being a woman I travel light." she mused with a slight smirk.  Kat gave the blue guy an appraising look as she noticed something wasn't quite right about him. It had been quite some time since she'd seen him. She tilted her head in thought for a moment about his question. "I think it might be a bit much, given that we're not exactly a welcomed presence." she stated. "But the decision is up to you." she added.

"My mother always said put your best foot forward on first impressions, Captain Dharmajiva has issued me orders to work with the colony's Marshall Service, I am meeting with the colony Superintendent, i think i will dress like this is important.  I think it is vital for the very reasons you are mentioning.  Besides, this white looks so good with my studly blueness."  Yim'Bar said smiling broad.

"Well then....mother knows best?" she mused while starting to put her things away, taking special care when it came to placing the leather bound book and her swords. She giggled lightly at his remark about how he'd look in the white uniform.

"Kat what have you been up to?" he said handing her a few of her personal affects as she placed them about her room.  He did not spend too much time looking at anything, he did not want her to feel like he was checking her out.  He wanted her to feel as safe as she could around him.

"Been busy ever since I got here, first handling the earthquake victims in the medical center." she said as she adjusted one of the swords on the wall. "I even got to experience tremors first hand." she explained while moving about her new room.  "Been meaning to catch up with a friend of ours, but I guess he's been just as busy." she said speaking fondly of Reed having not seen him sine he'd come to help with the cave in.

 

Yim'Bar was more curious about Katerina's time after he left he Ridge, so he asked, "In the days and weeks after i left the Ridge, how did that time go for you guys?"  He had heard stories but they were merely that, tales of what might be, this was first hand intel that would mean something.  "How did you guys hold up after I was sent out?"

"Oh I thought you meant here..........We held up okay I guess.....Nick was given security chief" she told him.  "Needless to say we both became quite busy with our duties." Kat looked at Yim'Bar again studying him for a moment. "So what had you been up to after you left the ridge?" she asked hoping that his response would have some positive news regarding Ivri as the pair had become rather close around the time both the blue guy and herself were attacked by Cugino.

 

"I saw Nick the other day he and i assisted with medical evacs during the earth quake.  I have not seen him since, I hope he is okay."  Yim'Bar said making a note to himself to check on him.  "After Cugino I was reassigned to the armpit of the Federation.  A little unknown starbase penal detention center.  I was assigned as an executive officer there, but we only had a five man team.  It was an automated facility.  The dregs of society were there." Yim'Bar recalled the violence, the stench, the brutality of the human psyche unleashed and unreserved.  "I am thankful to be here, and yet I have seen some things here that are reminiscent of that hell.  I almost got booted out of the Fleet Kat." he was ashamed to say it but she had to know.


Kat smiled. "I'm sure he's okay, he's just really busy I guess." she stated. Kat felt a chill run down her spine at the mention of Cugino's name, and regardless of how much time had passed she'd never forget the events of that day. "I hope the bastard rots." she muttered softly while listening. "Almost?...over what?" she asked quite puzzled.  "So..You've met with Captain Dharmajiva.." she stated. "My late husband and I served under him aboard the Scylax.....needless to say I was pleased to learn that he was in command here." Kat said fondly of the man.

 

"My confidence was shot when I left the Ridge.  Loss seemed to be the only word that came out of anyone's mouth for months afterwards.  Then my assignment was such a let down, compared to how we had done on the Ridge.  Some things you never recover from I guess.  Anyway, the captain has asked me to represent the Federation to the security forces, to liaise with them on enforcement protocols and try to bring some order.  My last commanding officer said I was getting one more chance, I guess this is it. "  Yim'Bar paused for a moment and straightened his tunic, "That is why I have chosen this outfit, if I can make this work maybe I can make my career come back together, otherwise, well there is always the private sector."  He was obviously not the same Andorian he once was, he had 'shrunk' in more ways than one.

Kat thought for a moment on how she'd struggled after what had happened with Cugino and then Nick pushing her away while he dealt with the events in his own way even after he'd been mad at her for trying to help him. "Its understandable that you'd have issues with confidence I did too despite Nick's help." she explained. "The say time heals all wounds maybe you just need more time?" she asked. "but you had someone you cared for who could have helped you, what about her?" she asked. "I'm sorry you had to go through that, I don't think its a question of if this will work." she said giving the big blue guy a smile thinking this arrangement with housing could benefit him in helping build his confidence again. Kat finished putting her things away any fine tuning she'd do later.  "If it means anything, I have confidence in you as an officer and a gentleman." she stated tilting her head slightly, her green eyes sparkling with a hint of mischief.

 

There was a sensation on Andor called 'The Pierce' it was a wind with speed no less than 200kph.  It always came out of the arctic regions generally down a mountain face.  When encountered, regardless of protection anyone experiencing it would feel it.  Some said it even penetrated EV Suits , that was unproven.  The results were the same for all, a deep chilling of the inner body temperature that iced the extremities causing almost instant frostbite and hypothermia.  For anyone who had ever served in the Andorian Civil Defense, which as all good Andorians should, Yim'Bar had completed his stint as well and experienced the pierce first hand.  Most Andorians never experienced that sensation again in their lives.  As Kat mentioned Ivri, Yim'Bar experienced the sensation for the second time in his life. 

 

He froze in thought and his body instantly chilled.  Ivri had been for him the warm sun, the dawn of a new day, his hope and shield, his all in all and she was gone from him, far.  Yim'Bar had spent months recovering from the day the two had been forced by assignment to go in opposite directions.  In the early days denial, followed by blame directed towards the Federation had filled his every waking hour.   The ghost lurking in the wilderness of his heart constantly restraining everything he attempted.  Ivri was a constant in his mind, like the background of a painting always there but now, after so long, rarely focused upon.  Yim'Bar staggered and landed on the lounger in the room.  "Katerina..." he wanted to say so much but simply could not.  He wanted to tell her how bad he missed her, how his heart saw her everywhere, all the time, instead he simply said, "She was reassigned to the opposite side of the Federation.  As far from me as the Federation could send her I think."  His head slipped into his hands his elbows balancing the sheer weight of his upper torso on his knees, the gigantic larger than life Andorian, the studly blue man, able to leap tall building in a single bound (figuratively) slumped as far as a man could toward the floor.  Had he been on his home world he would  have felt 'The Pierce' all of the physiological sensations were present but physically he was fine, a psychokinesis of sorts which mimicked the sensation he most closely associated with death.

Kat frowned as he explained what had become of Ivri. She watched with concern as he staggered into the next room, landing on the lounger. She ran to his side when he said her name. "I'm sorry..." she said knowing all to well what it was like to be separated from the one person that makes you feel whole. Thomas was gone and Nick was just a close friend whom she'd come to care a lot  about despite the things he'd told her. She knew deep in her heart that she meant something to him as much as he did to her but she'd never push that. Kat rested a hand on Yim'Bar's shoulder she wanted to do what she could to comfort him. "What can I do for you Yim'Bar?" she asked wondering if she'd need to grab her med kit. For the moment she'd simply monitor and assess his condition. "When was your last physical?" she asked being ever so much the doctor.

Yim'Bar heard Katerina's voice, a mumbling cacophony which for a few moments was incomprehensible, then he heard her actual words and forced a smile, "I have not had a physical in some time Doc, in fact it has been a couple months.  I am okay though."  Yim'Bar was physically as well as he could be having spent the last several weeks in a reduced nourishment condition followed by extreme physical fitness since the formation of Alpha Team.  "I have an appointment with the colony superintendent, can you allow me to make that meeting and then worry about my health?  You know the job comes first and time is critical, i just haven't thought of Ivri much lately, you pierced me."

Kat chewed on her lower lip as she watched the big blue guy slowly come back cognitively. He didn't seem as okay as he tried to imply but who was she to argue. "Okay......... I know how duty comes first and all but......lucky for you this doc makes house calls." she said with a smirk. "How about you pencil in an appointment with me after your important meeting?" she asked. "I'm really sorry about the counselor....maybe one day your paths will cross again." she said trying to sound more optimistic. She gave his shoulder a gentle squeeze before she pulled her hand away.

"Thanks Kat,.." he said and continued to think and ponder, thankful Kat was not grounding him, "for everything, i am glad you are here as my new roommate.  I am going to be late, so let me take off."  Yim'Bar said headed for the door, "See you later, maybe dinner or something."  he said.

Kat smiled and gave a nod, watching as the big blue guy made his exit. "We'll see depending on how things are running at the hospital." she said before she turned to head to her room to work on settling in.

<fin>

-------Respectfully Submitted---------


Lt. Cmdr. Katerina Wilkinson

Starfleet Medical Officer

Paradise IV

&

Lt. Cmdr. Yim'Bar Cho'Lu

Alpha Team Leader

Starfleet Security