LtCmdr. Talos Dakora - In The Know
Travis
((Sickbay, Deck 7, USS Artemis))
Talos had been pulled away from a routine inspection in the shuttle bay by a call from Sickbay letting him know Samantha, had requested him. He’d wasted no time getting to sickbay, imagining all kinds of nightmare scenarios, only to find that it was a routine issue.
It was strange, Talos thought, having spent all of his life only having to worry about himself and his crew. Now, suddenly and unexpectedly, he found himself with a lot to worry about. It was sort of terrible and wonderful at the same time. Definitely something he’d have to get used to.
He turned to the ever-nervous Mizarian Doctor, trying not to feel the waves of discomfort emanating from her as obviously as the breath of someone who ate a garlic bread sandwich with extra garlic for lunch.
Dakora: Thank you, Doctor. And I’m sorry for any…uh… the surprise of this… situation.
Sadar: Oh, uh, n-no, th-there’s no reason to be sorry, Commander! I-I realize this is, uhh, a very private matter, and we’re definitely not at an intimacy level where this kind of information is expected to be shared, and- ::clams up:: I’m fine.
It wasn’t that he didn’t trust the Doctor– She’d patched him up more than once– but he just wasn’t sure how or what to tell his friends and crewmates. These kinds of things rarely just happened anymore.
Dakora: It’s not exactly public information yet. It’s a sort of unexpected recent development. I would appreciate your discretion until I figure out just how I'm going to tell the Captain about this…
Sadar: ::clears throat:: W-Well, regardless of your request, Doctor Richards is a civilian, Sir, s-so her patient confidentiality is considered unbreakable providing it doesn’t endanger the Federation. ::looks to the display:: A-And, all things considered, these two look fairly harmless.
The statement initially made Talos smile, but after a moment it faded. He imagined his own penchant for recklessness and chaos, combined with what he knew of both of the Richards siblings. He wasn’t quite sure harmless was the right word for this particular combination of genetics.
S. Richards: Uh, Doctor Sadar? You know I’m not a doctor right? Just a scientist. ::giving a half smile:: Please, you can call me Sam.
Talos felt his face redden, just a little. Though they had made as much headway as possible in terms of “getting to know each other” now that they were set to be involved– in one way or another– for life, Talos himself hadn’t been sure if the title Gila had given Sam was correct, until now.
Dakora: Right. ::He nodded.:: Of course. I knew that.
His words fell short of convincing.
Sadar: I know? ::blinks in confusion:: W-Wait, ah I see. Uhh… ‘Scientist’ Richards, then. Understood.
Talos was fairly certain that the semantics surrounding Samantha’s title was the least of the Doctor’s concerns at the moment.
S. Richards: ::Shrugging and letting out a small laugh:: That works too. Thank you.
Sensing the awkwardness reaching critical mass, he tried to direct the conversation back to Gila’s comfort zone.
Dakora: So, anyway. You were saying she’s– ::He caught himself.:: They are fine, then?
He wasn’t sure if his attempt had worked, but she did seem to shift back to Doctor Mode.
Sadar: S-Since you mentioned that you may be closer to 11 weeks pregnant, I should warn you, Scientist Richards: you may experience a pain similar to, uhhh… ‘Period pains’? It’s your womb expanding and thus applying extra pressure to your ligaments and muscles. If this occurs, it’s perfectly normal, but if you experience any bleeding or excessive pain, please come to Sickbay as soon as possible. Understood?
Talos nodded along, despite only having a tentative understanding at best. He wondered when, if ever, he’d stop feeling like he had no idea what he was doing with this stuff.
S. Richards: Understood. ::squeezing Talos’ hand looking up at him:: Thank you for being here. I’m just glad they are okay.
He gave Samantha a reassuring hand squeeze in return and offered her a warm smile. Talos too felt relieved that everything seemed to be fine.
Dakora: Me too. ::His smile grew.:: It’s you and me against the universe now, Sammy.
It was a little dramatic, but he hoped she could appreciate the sentiment. He’d last heard the phrase used by his mother to him and his brother Hanek after his father had left. While they still had a long way to go when it came to figuring out all the next steps, their time together this shore leave had done a lot to convince him that maybe, just maybe, this whole thing would turn out alright.
Sadar: Response
S. Richards: ::Looking towards Gila:: Can we, maybe, see them again? ::shifting her gaze away:: If it’s not too much trouble…
Talos shot the already uncomfortable Doc an apologetic look, but he too found himself wanting to see the little squiggles that would change both of their lives so drastically in the coming months.
He echoed Samantha.
Dakora: Yeah, if it’s not too much trouble…
Sadar: Response
Still holding Sam’s hand, he watched as the image appeared on the screen. Even with the benefit of a few days to process everything, Talos still felt the strangest mixture of wonder, excitement, and the urge to empty the contents of his stomach into the nearest receptacle from nerves alone.
S. Richards: It still doesn’t quite feel real does it Talos? ::squeezing his hand:: We’re going to be parents.
Talos nodded. He stared at the little shapes on the screen, then down to his hand clasped around Sam’s. The words came out of his mouth before he had time to think about it.
Dakora: We are. I just hope I can figure out how to be a good one…
Sadar: Response
S.Richards: Response
With one final look at the screen, he patted Sam on the shoulder with his other hand.
Dakora: We probably shouldn’t take up too much more of Doctor Sadar’s time. Genkos runs a tight sickbay. ::He flashed Gila a wry grin.:: Was there anything else, Doctor?
Sadar: Response
LtCmdr. Talos Dakora
First Officer
USS Artemis-A
O238811CD0