Tea and Cookies
Posted on Sun Apr 24th, 2022 @ 12:28am by Lieutenant Commander Hermia O'Rourke & Lieutenant Junior Grade Zhara Rynn & Sophia
Edited on on Mon Apr 25th, 2022 @ 10:00pm
1,275 words; about a 6 minute read
Mission:
Episode 12 - Risin' To Risa
Location: Sickbay - Deck 5 - USS Pioneer
Timeline: M011 1600hrs
The doors to sickbay opened and a large black poodle walked in, carrying a white bag. She was followed by Lieutenant JG Zhara Rynn, one of the Pioneer's counselors, carrying two covered containers.
As she walked in, Sophia, the therapy dog, veered off to check the biobeds. "Not right now," Zhara called. "Find Doctor O'Rourke, first."
Hermia was in her office. With the amount of time she spent here, she was thinking of having a bunk installed.
She looked up from her work as the door opened.
Sophia walked in and set the bag on the desk beside the doctor.
Zhara stood in the doorway behind the dog, smiling. "Do you have a few minutes for tea?"
"Sure, things are quiet for the moment." Hermia said giving both Zhara and Sophia a smile. "Sophia is so good at her job, I'm planning on asking the Captain if I can give her a promotion."
The counselor walked in and set a cup in front of Hermia. "She does love her job."
Sophia thumped her tail on the deck, her mouth lolling open in a doggy grin.
"And she knows it." Zhara laughed. "Thank you for letting her come into sickbay every day. You've become part of her daily routine."
"I'm happy to have her here, I'm a big believer in the healing effects of animals like Sophia." Hermia said. "She and the patients both get something out of it."
"They do." Zhara scratched the dog behind her ears. "Animals have a special way of understanding people and giving unconditional love." The dog thumped her tail again. She opened the bag, revealing a dozen small cookies. "How are you doing? I noticed you didn't take much of a break."
"I'm okay, I just thought my people needed more of a break than me. Someone's got to hold the fort after all." Hermia said.
Zhara chuckled. "I understand. My shore leave consisted of several outing to the holodeck with Sophia. Sometimes the best break is staying behind and enjoying some peace." Like Hermia, she chose to stay behind to let the other counselors have a break. At the same time, she also enjoyed puttering around the ship and having plenty of holodeck time with her dog.
Hermia sipped at her tea. "I'm a workaholic, and there's always something to be done, maybe when I get that Assistant Chief, I've been promised, I can get them to take on some of the load."
"Have you heard if one would be coming before the ship leaves again?" Counseling only needed a small staff. Medical, on the other hand, was often kept busy. Zhara hoped that Hermia would get her assistant so she could have a few nights off for relaxation. "Maybe you should see if operations can put a hot tub in a back room for overworked staff?" She was only half joking.
"That's the promise, but I won't hold my breath." Hermia said taking a cookie. "Everyone is looking for good personnel."
"Now a hot tub does sound like a good idea, until you have to drag your personnel out of it, so they can do their jobs." She added.
"Only if they're allowed to use it while on shift. It could be used for hydrotherapy as well." The counselor shrugged, then laughed. "Then again, you'd have more of the crew with minor injuries needing such therapy." She paused to look at Hermia for a moment. "Have you been taking care of yourself? You tend to think of your staff, which is good, but you neglect your own needs."
"Well, you know the adage, 'doctors make the worst patients'. Hermia said. "Helena is always telling me to take a break."
"She's right. You need regular breaks, even if you work longer hours than the rest of your staff. You know as well as anyone how important breaks are." Zhara raised an eyebrow. "Are you taking your requisite days off?"
"I get the feeling I should, or I might get a visit from your boss." Hermia said. "Lunara is nice and all, but I'm sure she'd have me temporarily relieved of duty for the sake my mental health."
Zhara laughed. "She might. I'd order you to a few hours in a hot tub with a glass of wine and some classical music, but Lunara has a responsibility to make sure you're taking care of yourself."
"I do like wine." Hermia said with a smile.
"And hot tubs, I presume?" Zhara smiled. "I'm sure there's an open holodeck somewhere you can use if you need to. Take a friend, it's always better with company." She took two cookies and gave one to Sophia and ate one herself, then pushed the bag to Hermia. "That is a suggestion, not an order. This is a casual visit."
"I'll take that under advisement, but I think I'll find it more relaxing alone." Hermia said. "Not that I don't have friends, just none that I'd like to see me in a bathing suit." She added.
Zhara raised her glass to her. "I agree with you. I am generally more comfortable fully clothed." She took a sip of her tea. "You know, I may have to schedule the holodeck for a hot tub myself."
"You enjoy yourself." Hermia said with a smile.
"I will." She laughed. "And you should do something to enjoy yourself, whatever that may be. Then, if Lunara questions us, we can both tell her we've taken time to relax."
Sophia made a quiet yip of agreement.
"There. Even Sophia agrees. Now, what else has been going on in your life?" the counselor asked.
"I've been spending time with Edmund Merrick." Hermia said.
Zhara smiled. "I've yet to meet him, but he seems like a lovely man. I wish you both well."
"Thank you." Hermia said. "I do like him."
"Excellent. You deserve a good man." Zhara smiled. "I believe I've taken up enough of your time." She didn't want to overstay her welcome. The counselor glanced at Sophia. "I assume you want to do the rounds first?" The dog wagged her tail again. "I thought so."
She turned back to Hermia. "Is there anything Sophia or I can do to help you?"
"Sophia can perform her rounds." Hermia said. "And you can give me the recipe for those cookies, they're delicious." She added with a smile.
"I'll send it to you as soon as I get back to my office," Zhara said. "They are good, aren't they? I can't make them too often for that reason." She stood and smiled again. "Feel free to stop by if you ever need a break or somewhere to hide for an hour or two. My door is always open."
Sophia stood as well. She rubbed the side of her face against Hermia's arm before heading to the door, her tail wagging.
"Thanks again, it’s nice to just have a chat." Hermia said with a smile. "With you too Sophia."
The dog turned and let her jaw drop a little in a doggy smile before turning back to the door.
Zhara's smile broadened. "It does indeed. I'll stop by again...with more cookies. I love an excuse to bake." She waved and followed Sophia out.
"Now, back to work." Hermia said to herself.
A Post by
Lieutenant Junior Grade Zhara Rynn
Counselor, USS Pioneer
Sofia
Therapy Dog, USS Pioneer
Lieutenant Commander Hermia O'Rourke
Chief Medical Officer, USS Pioneer
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