Fleet Captain Addison MacKenzie - Childbirth is a Funny Thing

[Addison MacKenzie]

((Taste of the Quadrants – Deck 229, Deep Space 224))

 

MacKenzie was grateful at the holographic waiter’s timing when he arrived with her Irish Coffee, hoping to never again get roped into conversation about one of her officer’s… casual displays in their quarters.  She took the mug and held it underneath her nostrils, taking the opportunity to savor the aroma before taking a sip. After a moment, she nodded satisfactorily.

 

MacKenzie: We can always find you a new bunkmate if it proves to be… problematic. ::shifting her gaze to Sam:: How are the babies doing?

 

Richards: Well, according to the last check-up they are healthy and growing. ::Rubbing her bump:: Though, I’m not sure how much more they or I can grow. I think I’m reaching ‘smuggling a giant watermelon’ territory now. 

 

MacKenzie nodded and smiled to herself. She always appreciated the miracle of childbirth.

 

 

[Begin Flashback]

 

((Cargo Bay 1, USS Diligent, SD 239612.02))

 

Ukinix: Am I glad to see you. Doctor, the patient is somewhere between the ::looking at information on PADD:: Cookie and Bagel stages.

MacKenzie: ::jokingly:: Commander, was it your idea that we deliver a baby on a ship with inadequate medical facilities?

Teller: ::smiling:: Certainly not XO, but it seems like the wee baby doesn't respect the chain of command.  ::He offered the woman a handshake:: Welcome back, Lieutenant, and well done on your mission. 

MacKenzie: ::leaning down to pet Baxter, smiling:: Who’s a good boy???

Baxter: I am. I have been told I am by multiple people.

MacKenzie: Lieutenant, mighty fine work back there. You really kept it together well!

Vanlith: ::Slowly and confused:: Thank you but urm I think there are some slightly more important matters than that here.

Priscilla: AahhhhhhoooowwwwwooooowwwaaAAAAAAAHHHHHHH!!!!

Wil, with an incredulous look on his face, gestured towards Priscilla when Addison looked at him.  Upon seeing the confident smile on her face, he could not understand how she could be so relaxed and casual.  Baxter moved to sit by Addison’s side.

MacKenzie: I’m Doctor MacKenzie, it’s nice to meet you –

Priscilla: ::in between howls:: Priscilla.

MacKenzie: ::smiling and nodding:: Priscilla. You’re in good hands – we’re going to take good care of you.

MacKenzie got her knees at the end of the bed with Wil, and met his gaze.

MacKenzie: Okay, what’ve we got, Doctor?

Ukinix: ::Chuckle:: “Doctor”.  Nice one, *Doctor*. ::Wink:: Anyway, uh… well ::looking at PADD:: I didn’t get a good look, because, you know, reasons, but Priscilla – I mean, the patient’s cervix is dilated somewhere between about 7 and 9 centimetres.  The baby’s not engaged just yet.  I don’t think.

MacKenzie: That’s great, we’re exactly where we’re supposed to be. So, what’s next?

Ukinix: Uhhh – you deliver ::blinking, looking at Addison:: … the baby, don’t you?

MacKenzie: Lieutenant, do I recall seeing somewhere that you took the field medic course at the Academy?

Wil placed his hand on his forehead.

Ukinix: No, don’t do this.

MacKenzie: May I assume that Professor Hansen still shows the standard childbirth demo video?

Ukinix: ::To Addison, quietly:: No don’t.  Please, don’t…

He opened his eyes when Addison stood up and addressed his two engineering friends.

MacKenzie: ::to Teller and Vanlith:: We have a great opportunity here. Please find a PADD and take notes – you never know when you will find yourself in this situation, and I’m only going to do this once…

Vanlith: I urm. What?

Wil looked at Teller, then opened his palms, in a “are you really going to let this happen?” kind of way.

Teller:  Sorry Wi....uh, Doctor Ukinix.  As Doctor MacKenzie is the XO and our Chief Medical Officer, she has full authority over all medical issues aboard.  Aren't you glad you beamed over? 

 

MacKenzie: ::confidently:: Lieutenant Ukinix is going to deliver this baby!

 

Ukinix: I'm never going to be able to eat a bagel ever again.

 

MacKenzie: See one, do one, teach one. You’ve seen one, now it’s time to do one. ::turning back to look at Vanlith and Teller:: This will be your “see one.” Next time either of you are in this situation, we’ll make sure you’re where Wil is now, so take good notes. ::back to Wil:: Not to worry, I’ll be here the whole time.

 

Teller saluted. 

 

Teller: Aye Aye, Ma'am.  Should I go open an airlock to make sure the stork can get in here?  

 

Vanlith: ::chuckling:: Stork? I’m not sure any of us are that delusional anymore. 

 

MacKenzie: Alright, Doctor. What’s next?

 

Ukinix: ::Nervously:: I look at this PADD, and read the instructions.

 

Addison ran her tricorder over the woman’s abdomen while Wil remained focus on the goal. Next to Priscilla, several of the other on-lookers offered support as Priscilla death-gripped the side rails. Teller disappeared behind the curtain to have a private, yet very audible conversation. MacKenzie heard her name mentioned once or twice, but failed to pay attention.

 

As Priscilla wailed, Teller and the other man returned.

 

MacKenzie: You’re nearly there, Doctor. Are you ready?

 

Ukinix: ::Exhaling through lips:: As I’ll ever be.  Do I need catching gloves or something?

 

MacKenzie: ::to Charlena:: Lieutenant, are you getting all this?

 

Vanlith:  Yes Ma’am I’ve got that down. 

 

Teller:  Going to have to copy off your notes, Lt. Vanlith.  Had to give up my padd.  

 

MacKenzie: ::to Charlena:: He will wish he’d paid closer attention to this exercise in the future, I’m sure. ::to Wil:: She’s just about there, Wil. Time to catch the football.

 

With a slightly quizzical expression, Wil put his hands out in front of his face and extended his thumbs out, before he turned his head to look at the PADD next to him on the floor.

 

Ukinix: ::Looking at PADD:: Wait, the baby’s not going to *actually* come out like that, is it?

 

Vanlith:  Aren’t you lucky I always take detailed notes then SIr. 

 

MacKenzie smiled as Priscilla let out the final howl and relaxed into the back of the cot, exhausted.  Working quickly with Wil, Addison severed the umbilical cord and tapped the baby gently on the back. The tension in the room was thick – only one thing in the universe could break it…  

 

The first cry of a newborn.  

 

As the cry grew stronger, the other members in the room began to cheer, Starfleet officers included. Addison passed the baby to Wil. 

 

MacKenzie: Congratulations, Doctor – it’s a boy! You do the honors and pass him off to his mother.

 

[End Flashback]

 

Cole: ::to mackenzie:: I don’t think that will be necessary Cap … ::beat:: Dr. Mackenzie. I had considered stunning him and dragging him to the brig, but then I’d have to report myself, and that’s a mountain of reports. So I appealed to reason, and reminded him that such displays are culturally different.

MacKenzie nodded.

MacKenzie: What about you, Sam? Anything fun this shore leave? I hear Lieutenant Bergmen has something up his sleeve, but probably more suited for Ensign Cole…

 

Richards: ::Holding her hands up in surrender:: I am not getting wrapped up in some crazy drill ::glancing at Nat:: But that does sure sound right up your alley. ::Shaking her head and sipping her water:: I am spending this leave getting everything we can ready for the kiddos to make their appearance. It’s uh… Coming a lot quicker than I anticipated.

Cole: Sounds like a stressful time, when my sibling was born, my parents fortunately had various things from when I was born.

  

MacKenzie: Enjoy it. Kids rarely stay that little for very long. Are you feeling ready?

Richards: I actually have some more shopping to do for them while we are here. Word on the block is 224 has some awesome places to get baby things. ::shrugging and laughing:: They can’t just wear Hawaiian shirts and onesies with funny sayings on them. ::glancing between the two women:: If either of you are interested in joining me, I’d love some shopping buddies.

Cole: ::stifling a giggle:: Hawaiian shirts, that’s a style choice I loved as a kid. I’d be up for a shopping trip. I promised Juno some souvenirs, sounds fun.

 

MacKenzie shook her head, aware of the stylistic choices preferred by her former first officer during his recreational time.

 

MacKenzie: Sounds just like Talos…

 

MacKenzie’s attention was drawn to the holographic waiter again as he appeared with their food. The smell of their food prompted a low rumble from Addison’s stomach – she wasn’t aware of just how hungry she’d become since sitting here. 

Richards: Let’s hope this place lives up to expectations. I’m starving.

Cole: It all smells really good, not sure which to dig into.

 

MacKenzie: That makes one of us. I haven’t had good hasparat since we had shore leave on Bajor.

 

Addison picked up part of the hasparat and took a sniff. She smiled and nodded, anticipating that the spice level of the dish would meet her approval.

 

Richards: Response

 

Cole: I was sorry to hear about General Kexxin, he was a good man who wanted peace. ::moment of silence:: I wonder if he thought all human women are redheads.

 

MacKenzie: He was ahead of his time. That planet has a lot to work through. It won’t be easy, but I’m confident they’ll achieve a lasting peace.

 

Richards/Cole: Response

 

Addison pointed to the other food on the table.

 

MacKenzie: How is it?

 

Richards/Cole: Response

 

 

 

Tag, and TBC!

 

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Fleet Captain Addison MacKenzie, M.D., Ph.D., FASFS
Commanding Officer
USS Artemis-A

Captains Council Member at Large

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