Back to Normal

Posted on Sun Dec 29th, 2024 @ 7:25pm by Lieutenant JG T'lenn & Ensign Charlotte Dawes & Lieutenant JG Kasper Andersen M.D

1,373 words; about a 7 minute read

Mission: Gone, Without Ever Knowing the Way
Location: Surgical Suite, USS Astrea Medical Bay
Timeline: MD: 2 (After T'lenn's Return from Away Team)

"So, how was it being a Romulan?" Charlotte asked casually as she prepped the equipment that Dr. Andersen would need for the procedure. She didn't really expect much of a response from the Vulcan science officer, but figured filling the science with small talk was at least worth a shot.

T'lenn's eyes widened with curiosity as she thought about how to answer the nurse's question. "It was challenging at times. I attempted to alter my typical speech pattern and word choices as to not be suspicious. It was a mental exercise."

Charlotte turned to look at T'lenn, a smile on her face. "I bet," she responded with a nod. "I'm sure you're eager to be back to normal. Dr. Andersen should be in any second now."

Kasper walked into the surgical suite and saw Charlotte and T'Lenn. Things were still awkward between him and the former, but for the sake of actually working together, he was happy to put those differences aside. "Hello ladies, how are we all doing today?"

Charlotte looked down at the floor briefly, walking behind T'lenn toward the surgical table. "Everything is prepped and ready to go for you," she said managing her best smile.

"I am looking forward to having my usual appearance restored," T'lenn responded. "I believe that many of the crewmembers are distracted by the change in my appearance."

Kasper gave Charlotte a small smile, "Thank you, Charlotte." Then turning back towards T'lenn, "I can understand why people would be a little aprehensive about having a Romulan aboard, it's not often that you see them. But in saying that," he walked over to the surgical table and stood next to Charlotte, but not too close, "Whenever you're ready, we can get you back to your old self."

"I am prepared, Doctor," T'lenn replied simply. She turned on the biobed, lifting her feet up to the bed so that she was laying flat on her back. "I have no objections to any recommended anesthetics for the procedure. Whatever will be most efficient for you, Dr. Andersen."

Charlotte pressed her lips together suppressing a smile at the predictability of the Vulcan. She grabbed the appropriate hypospray before Kasper had an opportunity to request the anesthetic and held it up for him to take.

"It'll be a light anaesthetic, so you won't feel a thing. We'll see you on the other side," Kasper commented as he took the hypospray from Charlotte and let it do its work. After a few moments, they both watched T'lenn's ooeyes close and her breathing become steady, and Kasper began his work.

There were a number of little prosthetics underneath the skin on T'lenns face and he made a couple of incisions to make it easier. Without glancing up he said quietly to Charlotte, "How've you been anyway? I know it's been a while since we've actually spoken properly."

Charlotte worked seamlessly behind Kasper, disposing the prosthetics as they were removed, and trading out his laser scalpel for a dermal regenerator as needed.

"I've been good. Pretty uneventful. You?" Charlotte asked.

"Exceptionally uneventful," Kasper replied as he took back the dermal regenerator from her, "I tried my best to help Malcolm with ideas on what to get my sister for the holidays, but I'm pretty sure I failed at that because the role of the best gift giver in our family goes to my little brother." Looking up at her he added, "I was thinking that maybe at some stage, if you're up for it, we could maybe go and get a coffee? No alcohol involved, I promise."

Charlotte took a moment to try to process his offer. They were both wearing masks and focused on their work, she wouldn't want to fathom a guess as to his intentions. Though just about anything would be better than this awkward tension between them. Time had not made it better.

"Sure," she replied.

"Don't overthink it, please," He came back with as he put the dermal regenerator down and looked up, "It's as simple as a coffee. I'm not going to try and change your mind about me. It's just coffee."

"I understand, just coffee," Charlotte repeated somewhat disappointed as she cleaned T'lenn's face from the procedure.

"Looks great, Doctor. Good as new," she said as she handed him a hypospray with the counter-anesthetic. "I'll get this cleaned up," she said as she pushed the surgical cart away.

He fought hard to roll his eyes but instead remained professional as he used the counter-anesthetic. It took a few moments and T'lenn started waking up, her eyes fluttering open and closed a few times before Kasper would come into view, a soft smile on his face, "Welcome back, T'lenn. How are you feeling?"

"Mildly disoriented, but I am certain that will subside shortly. Did the procedure go according to plan?" She asked. Charlotte had taken off her mask and hair cap and walked back over to the biobed. She adjusted the bed just slightly so that T'lenn's upper body would be slightly elevated and pulled up a cart with crackers and juice.

"You should try to eat or drink something," Charlotte said softly. "It will help with the disorientation." She looked over to Kasper as it was his place to answer T'lenn's questions, and she found herself accidentally smiling at him before she caught herself and turned away.

Walking back over from discarding his own mask and hair cap, Kasper noticed Charlotte's smile before it disappeared and covvered up his own for her, giving it to T'lenn instead, "Everything went according to plan, all the dermals are out, ridges have been smoothed and you're back to your old self. As with any surgery, there is a bit of swelling that will go down over the next few hours and of course there will be some discomfort, so we are more than happy to prescribe some painkillers to help with that."

T'lenn had taken a sip of juice as recommended by Charlotte. After the doctor explained what to expect she put the cup down and lightly felt the parts of her face that had been altered. "I believe the analgesic used during the surgery may still be in effect doctor. I am not experiencing pain, though if I do notice discomfort later, I will return to Sickbay."

"That's all we ask," Kasper replied with a nod, "We're not going to make you leave straight away, so just rest up a few hours and we'll re-evaluate the situation then to see where you're at and if you can be discharged." He then turned to Charlotte, his grey eyes fixed on her brown ones and added, "I'll get the paperwork sorted out if you could please make sure T'lenn is settled in and as comfortable as possible, please?"

Charlotte nodded. "I'll stay close by."

"Thanks, Charlie," He responded with another nod and walked off to one of the offices to get the paperwork completed.

Charlotte let out a sigh as she watched Kasper walk away. She then turned back to T'lenn and gave her a weak smile. "Just hit the call button if you need anything, but I'll check on you every twenty minutes or so. You might actually feel ready to sooner than the doctor anticipated, but no one is rushing you."

"I understand Nurse Dawes. If you would not mind, could you retrieve my communicator for me? Lieutenant Williams asked that I let him know when he could stop by."

Charlotte had guessed that he was likely already in the waiting room by now, but she retrieved T'lenn's communicator from her personal belongings as requested and handed it her.

"I'll be back shortly," Charlotte promised as she walked out of the room, leaving T'lenn alone to make her call.

Charlotte busied herself with other tasks until it was time to discharge T'lenn. She didn't say anything to anyone about Kasper's suggestion that they get together for coffee. She was somewhat nervous about the idea and didn't want the noise of her friends interjecting their opinions. She just hoped it would come sooner rather than later so that she could stop thinking about it.

[OFF]


Ensign Charlotte Dawes
Nurse
USS Astrea

Lieutenant JG Kasper Andersen
Medical Officer
USS Astrea

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