It All Takes Time [Backpost]

Posted on Thu Apr 4th, 2024 @ 5:52am by Lieutenant Commander Callie Raven-Grayson & Lieutenant Commander Shoniara T’ghann-Travis Dr

Mission: Man & Machine
Location: Chief Counsellors Office. U.S.S Washington.
Timeline: Prior to away team departure.

Shon stood outside Callie's office for quite a while. Every time someone walked passed she walked away down the corridor in an effort to look busy. She had already studied the carpet until she could see ever detail of the colour patters even though it was a solid colour. Then she studied the computer on the wall tracing its path as it led the length of the corridor. She checked her medical tricorder which she was going to use as a pretence to see Callie although all she really wanted, needed to talk about was the loss of her son and the Hereshi incident. Shrugging she decided to return to sickbay and turned away from Callie's door.

“Shon?” Callie smiled as she stood shoe less in the now open doorway of her office. “Sorry I didn’t realise you were waiting, come on in and make yourself at home. Please excuse the lack of shoes, I find it more comfortable putting my feet up these days.”

Shon gave up the thought of flight, turned and entered her friends office. "I wanted to check you out, make sure everything is progressing as it should be."

Callie waited for the door to close before looking at Shon. “Is that all, or is there more to it than that?” She smiled warmly.

She smiled at her friend, “always the perceptive one, yes there is much more to my visit than that. I have thought long and hard and tried to work through it myself the Vulcan way but I have such rage and I can no longer contain it. Callie I need your help?”

Callie smiled and nodded as she sat down in her comfortable chair, motioning Shon to sit down as well. “Please make yourself comfortable Shon, my door is always open you know that.”

Shon smiled and sat down opposite Callie. "How are you Callie?" she asked.

“Apart from feeling like a baby space whale you mean?” Callie grinned as she rested her hand on her fair sized stomach. “These two jostle for space so often that I feel like I’m being torn apart from the inside out!” She shrugged her shoulders.

Shon nodded and stood, "I'm sorry Callie I cannot do this." she made to go.

Callie cursed herself for being so insensitive. “Shon...come back! Please..” she gave her friend an apologetic gaze. “I’m sorry I didn’t think..”

Shon turned back and hugged her friend. "No it's me who should be sorry." she sat back down. "I am so happy for you, I know you and Jon have wanted this for such a long time." she sighed. "I know it's early days but I do not seem to have gotten my head around what happened with Hela. I know I should be overjoyed to have Sage, Shasta and Seth who is incredibly supportive but all I can think about is Andrew, where is he, what is happening to him and how we can get him back."

Callie nodded. “I can understand how you feel Shon, I’d be devastated if anything happened to my babies or Harry! At least you know Andrew is alive out there somewhere, maybe he’ll find you in the future.”

“I think that too, that one day he may seek us out but he doesn’t even know that I am his mother. I have been meditating more and that has helped a little plus Grace takes up a lot of my time, and of course there is work and Shasta is growing a little too fast. She wants to date now. Then there was my last mission the Hereshi. I messed that one up attempting to let them know what it was like to be human, almost caused a war.” She carried on breathlessly. “Then there is Seth. He is so good, so understanding of everything I do, everything that has happened and he is so calm, almost Vulcan in his ways…” she laughed a short little laugh. “I’m sorry Callie, for running on like that. I…I just want normality back.

Callie nodded. “Slow down Shon, you have a wonderful family and they need you as much as you need them. Right now what you need is some time off, go to the holodeck enjoy some family time.” She smiled warmly. “As for Andrew if he is what was claimed he’ll know exactly who you are.”

Shon smiled warmly. "I understand everything you are saying Callie, however I have been in touch with my brother T'Ghrek on Vulcan. He can arrange a visit with one of the priests of the House to conduct an 'Unbonding' ritual. It helps to sever the ties that bind a mother to her child. It normally happens when a child dies but I cannot keep on having these feelings of loss. Also Andrew is his Nephew and of course he never saw him."

Callie nodded giving Shon a concerned look. “Are you sure you really want to do that Shon? To give up that bond with Andrew? Once it’s done it’s not like you can get it back.”

“I just want to get rid of all this pain, to think I only have one child and to get back to work. Sam is having to do everything on her own but, I just cannot get everything out of my head. I would rather die than carry on like this.”

Callie nodded. “It’s not something I’d usually agree to Shon, pain is a normal part of the grieving process believe me I know how it feels.” She paused. “I was pregnant once before but it ended in disaster when I had a miscarriage, it ripped Jon & I apart, hence why this pregnancy is so special to us.” She smiled.

“I know how special this time is for you Callie, and I am so pleased for both of you .” Shon relaxed a little and sat back. “There is another scenario, Seth and I would like to go to Earth for a few weeks, take Shasta and Sage to see his parents. They are lovely people and their home is so quiet and welcoming. I think we need to get away. Would you recommend it to the Captain for us?”

“Of course I will Shon!” Callie smiled warmly. “I’ll make a special point of mentioning it in my next report, and talk to him as well if there’s any problems. I think the break would do all of you some good.”

Shon smiled, “That comforts me Callie. Now, I did actually come to give you a quick scan. Apart from the kicking and screaming how are you really feeling, any sickness, swollen ankles, trouble sleeping?”

"How am I feeling? lets see trouble sleeping? on and off, but that's normal for me anyway. No sickness, swollen ankles most definitely." Callie smiled. "Hence why I rest with my feet up most of the time. Carrying all this weight doesn't help."

Shon took out her medical tricorder. “Well now I’m here I’d like to take a look at you, if you don’t mind?”

Callie nodded. “Go right ahead Shon, I like to know that the twins are doing alright.”

“Okay, just sit still Callie” Shon asked. She began to scan her friend’s abdomen. “You’re right they are active in there,” she said. For a moment a shadow crossed Shon’s face and she scanned again. Then she moved on. “Your calcium is a little low Callie. It might have a bearing on the twins activity. What sorts of things are you eating and drinking?”

Callie gave Shon a worried look. "Just what I was told, though I have been eating more of late because I've been feeling more hungry."

Shon smiled, "well that's not a problem, eating that is. You need to keep up your nutrition. I would however like you to take a calcium supplement. Do you drink milk?"

Callie nodded. “Yes, I do. My diet is generally pretty good so I’m not sure what it is I’m doing wrong. I’ll take the supplement though if that’s what’s best.”

Come in to sickbay tomorrow and I will do a more detailed scan and some more blood tests. Hopefully Sam will okay our leave and if the Captain agrees I hope to be away in a couple of days but I will definitely be back for the birth. Do you have any questions?”

Callie shook her head. “None at all, I’ll make the recommendation to the Captain for you when I write my log, that way it’s official.” She smiled warmly.

Shon returned the smile, “Thank you Callie, it will be like leaving home but at least we will be returning. Unless I get a better offer, maybe settle down to be a plain old country doctor in some small town by a lake. Get a ranch with horses.” She laughed, “yes something like that. Where Sage and Shasta can have a normal life, although I am sure Shasta would not want to leave her boyfriend!”

“Boyfriend?” Callie grinned. “Young love huh, I swear children grow up too fast! As for you, I’d miss you if you left, but as long as you were happy that would be all that mattered.”

“Well I am sure we will not be leaving yet, it was only a dream, I love it on the Washington too much. Oh and Seth and I wondered if you and John would like to be Godparents to Sage?” Shon stood, “well I won’t keep you Callie, remember to keep those legs elevated and don’t forget to mention me to the Captain.”

Callie gave Shon a surprised look. “Godparents? We’d love to!” She gave Shon a brief hug. “I’ll recommend your break away in my report I promise!” She smiled warmly as she watched Shon go before the doors slid shut after her.