Back to life, back to reality

Posted on Tue Jun 19th, 2018 @ 9:01am by Commander Caressa Melanick

Mission: To Boldly Go
Location: Multiple
Timeline: same as mission

Shore leave was over and it was time to get back to reality. The kids were packed up and off with Uncle Mikos. There were tears shed, hugs exchanged. She thought heavily about bringing them on board, but the Merc always seemed to get into trouble. The last thing she wanted was the children used as pawns in a sadistic game by some alien race. They had a great time with their stepbrothers and sisters. Henry did a great job of including them in. He even gave each of them a pip to wear. Gavin had yet to take his off. Changing it onto the shirt, he was wearing every day. Instead of heading to Bajor, they were staying at the ranch house in Montana. The sun glinted off the shuttle craft as it took off. Taking in a deep breath, she let the tears flow for a bit. Going back into the guest house, she made sure it was tidied up and secured before leaving. Locking the front door and stepping into the expansive yard.

Hitting her comm badge. < Mercutio one to beam up>

A shimmer later and she found herself on the transporter pad. “Welcome back Doc” Carressa acknowledged the transporter ensign. He looked new. “Thanks it is good to be home.” She threw him a smile.

Her steps seemed lighter these days. She wanted to schedule time to sit and talk with Edra and Henry. Just to make sure that everything was as good as she thought they were. She never realized the stress that she put herself under. She had basically stopped living. Yes, she did her job but that was about it. Heading to sickbay was her first stop. She wanted to make sure that her office was still there.

The doors opened. “Please state the nature of your Emergency” the EMH program had been activated. “Computer, turn that damn program off” before the EMH had time to protest it vanished. She shook her head. She knew why Henry had decided to implement it on board, with Chance being on vacation. She hated that thing.

Sickbay was quiet. The staff did not report for several more hours. Entering her office. “Computer lights” The lighting turned up. Her office was quite stark. This just would not do anymore. She placed the case on her desk, opened it. Taking out framed pictures. She placed the pictures of the kids and Uncle Mikos on her desk. Placing several pictures of the bothers and sisters. Not just her own. She even had one of her, Henry and the kids. It may not have been your conventional family, but sometimes you cannot have the fairy tale. She replicated several plants, placing them in different locations in her office. It was warming up already. Looking around being very proud of herself, her work was done here. She picked up the case and headed to her quarters.
Walking down the hall, smiling and humming a tune. She smiled when crew members were turning around looking at her. She must have been a real piece of work lately. Shore leave had been a turnaround for her, enough of one that people were noticing. She entered her quarters. The furniture had been delivered and placed just as she asked. There was a large picture of the ranch hanging on the main wall. The furniture was a light beige color to brighten the place. Plants had been arranged, along with ranch decor. It was a little piece of home. Her family picture wall had grown. The only picture hanging was replaced with updated and current pictures of the children, Henry with the children, the step brothers and sisters. Standing with her arms folded surveying the work. She liked it.

Placing the case on top her desk, she went to the replicator. “Hot Chocolate with whipped cream” The steaming cup materialized. Picking it up and sitting down at her desk. She stared at the pile of padds. She opened the case and took out the last picture. Smiling she placed in in the top desk drawer. She took a sip of cocoa, picked up the first padd, and got to work. The medical staff schedules were first on the list, then inventories, instrument calibrations it was good to be back.

Lt. Commander Caressa Melanick
Chief Medical Officer
USS Mercutio