Difficult Choices

Posted on Wed Jan 31st, 2024 @ 3:14am by Ensign Henry Ivo & Doctor Teagan Ceja
Edited on on Fri Feb 16th, 2024 @ 3:03am

917 words; about a 5 minute read

Mission: Joint Logs
Location: Ceja's Quarters
Timeline: Set approximately six days after the events of "Triage, or, What In The Stars Just Happened?"

Time: 2200 hours.


Ensign Henry Ivo paced in his quarters, agitatedly. He knew what he was considering was dangerous in the extreme, and that thought made his throat burn with terror. But he looked at Anya sleeping on the bed in the other room, at the two rapidly growing piles of fur that were the kittens, and he wondered if perhaps it might be worth the risk. Abruptly, he left the quarters he shared with Anya, marching purposefully towards Doctor Ceja’s quarters. He hesitated again before pressing the chime, but he did. Eventually.

Teagan Ceja was sitting, cross legged, on her bed. She had a PADD in her hand, and a bright smile on her face. Catkin was going to be able to visit the ship for a few days, and soon. She touched a new bead woven into her hair. The green and gold leaf chimed softly.

She frowned and looked towards the door that led to the rest of her quarters. It wasn’t the bead that was chiming. She stood up, and tucked the two plaits on either side of her face back behind her ears. The plaits swung easily with her waist length hair.

With a soft sigh, she headed to the living room. “Enter,” she called, after releasing the lock.

Henry entered. He looked agitated, but apologetic at the same time when he saw her. “I'm sorry to disturb you so late, doctor.” He told her.

Teagan gestured to one of the chairs in her living space, and sat down in one opposite. She crossed her legs and leaned her elbows on her knees. “If you are coming to my quarters, rather than my office, then it’s important. What’s up?” she asked.

“There’s something I need to tell you.” Henry began pacing rather than sitting down, full of nervous energy and unable to relax.

“Go on,” Teagan said.

Henry took a moment to marshall his thoughts. “Were you aware Starfleet wasn't my first choice as a career?” He asked, hesitantly.

“No, but you are by far not the only officer this is the case for. Is your previous career coming back to haunt you?” She wondered for a moment if this was something better suited to her office hours, then mentally shrugged. It didn’t really matter.

“I know, I'm not that special in that way,” Henry replied with a wry little smile, as if he was laughing internally at some secret joke. But his expression was serious again hardly a moment later. “...I know I'm not even that special for having been forced into it.” He added, painfully, not looking at her.

“Also true. You are dancing around the subject,” Teagan made the observation quietly. “You are here because you need my help in particular. So what’s up? Say what you need to say.” She smiled, “And stop pacing or we’ll move this to when I am free tomorrow, in my office.”

Henry shook his head, anxious. “It can't wait that long.” He told her, though he did make an effort to stop pacing. He finally sat down, on the edge of his seat. “I...” his voice squeaked, and he hoped she would think it due to nervousness rather than the terror that was making his chest hurt. “...I have a son.” He whispered, painfully, not looking at her.

Teagan’s eyes narrowed slightly. She tilted her head to one side and regarded him for a long silent moment.

“So,” she said,”Either this son is a major evil or you haven’t told Anya and it’s about to become a problem. If it’s the former, I should introduce you to my son when we run into him again. You seem very ill at ease with having a child and I do not know why you are.. Afraid.”

“It's not having a child that’s making...” Henry shook his head. “I love him. More than anything.” Henry swallowed, hard. “It's that I don't know where he is, and I'm not even supposed to be telling anyone he exists!” Henry abruptly stood up and began pacing again, partially to hide the tears on his cheeks, though he knew she could hardly have failed to see them.

Teagan relaxed slightly. “Whatever you tell me remains confidential unless it impacts the safety of this ship in any way at all. So..” She paused for a beat. “What do you need to find him and how can we help?”

Henry shook his head, not looking at her still. “...it's not that simple. Remember when I said I was forced to join Starfleet?” He didn't wait for a reply before he continued. “I wish it was only because my family wanted it, or it was the only option avail--!” He broke off as a scattering of silvery blue sparks began to surround him. “No! Not yet!” He yelled, but it was too late. He was gone, the familiar hissy swish sound of a transporter filling the room, followed abruptly by silence.

Ceja slapped her hand on her comm badge. “Transporters, track where the transport from my quarters went! And find out if Henry Ivo is still on the ship!” A pause, then she touched her Comm badge again, “Bridge! Henry Ivo was transported out of my quarters against his will. Alert the Captain and TJ. I’m on my way.”

She didn’t wait for a response, but ran for the door and headed for the bridge.

~End Log~

 

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