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She faced him squarely. “I asked you, my husband, to inform me of the logic underlying your decision. I have not heard logic. I have heard fear. Refusal to undertake a task because of speculation about possible negative results is not logical. Not unless the probability of such negative outcomes can be demonstrated to be unacceptably high. I am not as trained in risk assessment as you; can you demonstrate this to be the case?”
Tuvok’s lips narrowed. “No. I ca
“In which case, you would no doubt benefit from further counseling by Commander Troi. She has been of considerable assistance in helping you to adjust this past year.” And in helping me adjust, T’Pel added to herself. Though she was completely committed to her husband, his increased emotionalism did sometimes prove…difficult to live with. Difficult to respect. Counselor Troi was the only person T’Pel had been able to admit this to. “And since Commander Troi will be remaining aboard Titan, it follows that it would be in your best interest to remain aboard as well.”
Frayed discipline or not, Tuvok still retained the ability to make quick decisions when needed. After a few more moments’ thought, he nodded. “Very well. We shall report aboard Titanby stardate 58250.”
“We have until 58260,” she reminded him.
“Indeed. But as second officer, I have an example to set.”
Her fingers brushed his once more in approval. He was starting to sound like his old self again.
U.S.S. TITAN, STARDATE 58327.6
“I can assure you, Counselor Troi, that there is no need to worry.”
Somehow the reassurance was less convincing coming from the knife-toothed mouth of a predatory sauroid. Dea
“That is a bit of an overstatement. ‘Swooned’ would be more accurate. Your electrolytes are simply low.”
“And you’re sure it’s nothing wrong with the baby? This pregnancy feels…different somehow.”
“At the risk of sounding insensitive, considering how your last pregnancy went, I would consider that a good sign.” Dea
“In fact,” Ree went on, “your daughter is developing relatively more rapidly than usual. At this rate, I would estimate she will come to term in no more than three months.” Dea
“Why didn’t you mention this before?” she asked with a trace of heat. “Could it be a sign of some problem? An aftereffect of the Caeliar treatment, maybe?”
“I was not yet sure. The gestation rates of humanoid hybrids are often unpredictable, especially in cases where genetic therapy is performed to enable the hybridization. It is possible that the Caeliar treatment had some effect, but it could simply be the vagaries of a mixed human-Betazoid biology.” He laid a scaly hand on her shoulder. “Rest assured, there is no risk to you or the baby. Indeed, the Caeliar restored you to the peak health of a woman two-thirds your age. You should be able to handle an accelerated pregnancy with relative ease—with the proper diet and hydration,” he stressed.
Once she left sickbay, now fortified with a sports beverage and a vitamin shot and carrying a padd containing the doctor’s new dietary recommendations, Dea
In truth, she understood, the anxiety she felt was not entirely hers. Just before the briefing, she had been counseling Tuvok. His profound sense of loss resonated strongly with Dea
Sometimes she wondered if she should ask Haaj or Huilan to take over Tuvok’s counseling; perhaps she was too close to the matter to be objective. But as an empath, she couldn’t accept that being able to identify with a patient’s traumas was intrinsically a bad thing. As long as she kept a check on her own judgment and continued to receive regular counseling from Haaj, she believed she could manage. And ultimately it was Tuvok’s choice. She had raised the matter with him before, and he had insisted on keeping her as his therapist. The two of them had a good, established rapport, a bond forged during their encounter with the Pa’haquel last year, and it would be difficult for him to open up to another counselor.
Lost in thought, Dea
“It’s all right,” she said automatically. It was one of the new enlisted security guards, Ellec Krotine—a lean Boslic with bright cherry-red hair. Dea
“I guess I’m distracted by where we’regoing,” Krotine added. “Just another two days, and we’re into the unknown. I can’t wait.” The golden-ski