635: Straight On Till Morning


by TC Blane and February Grace
81101.22
Following Lights Out

-=Sickbay, USS Serendipity=-


TC had finally made his way back to the ship from the reception and went directly to Sickbay, not even taking the time to change out of his tux.

A little birdie had told him that Reece and Bru had been
beamed back to the ship for a medical emergency the report also said that she was fine and resting comfortably.

TC however had to see for himself. She was, after all, his adopted little sis.

The doors to Sickbay parted for him as he strolled past them. He eyes scanned to room for the LMH only to find another man in medical blue, who he did not recognize, standing in the middle of the room reading information on a pad.

TC would have chalked it up to a new nurse if it was not for the cluster of pips on his collar that indicated him to be a full blooded commander. A little young TC thought but they seemed to be making them that way now days.

"Can I help you Mr…" The man asked as he looked up from the PADD. "Bond, James Bond I presume?"

TC blinked not understanding the joke folded his arms across his chest. "Blane, Commander Blane, and you are?"

The man imitated TC, folding his arms across his chest. "Commander Hartcort. CMO USS Revolution."

TC frowned. "The Revolution? Why are you here?"

Lance smiled. "Well just hitching a ride was the plan but Starfleet figures you've been with out a real live CMO for bit so they asked me to check out your setup here." He tossed the PADD onto a table. "So here I am."

TC whose natural instinct was to be untrusting, frowned. "Where is the LMH?"

"Offline for a bit as his program restructures and updates. I ordered him to shut down before he crashed. Plus there are several upgrades and updates that were long overdue that I thought should be done while the ship was in orbit."

Lance could sense TC's distrust. "Everything is in order, Commander. I assure you."

TC nodded, knowing that Zander had been in charge and that no one would have gotten on the ship with out the proper orders.

"February Grace was beamed from the planet’s surface. How is she?" TC asked.

"She's going to be fine. She's resting comfortably but she'll have to stay off of her feet for a while so you'll be with out a helmsman for a bit." Lance led TC over to the curtained bed where Bru and Dabin were.

TC nodded. "How long?"

"For the rest of her pregnancy." Lance explained as they reached the curtain.

TC who had been reaching for the curtain stopped and turned back to Lance.

"Pardon?"

Suddenly, a conversation TC had shared via communicator with the Captain days ago but only half heard at the time made sense.

He'd been juggling ten things at once when the Captain had commented quickly in passing that the ‘Reece family would need more room...’ and something about how part of the surprise conversion she wanted made to her old quarters for them was for a 'nursery'...

Lance instantly realized that TC did not know, in fact he never considered the reality that Bru might not had told anyone about it yet. After all they did not even know the sex of their child until Lance said something.

It was one of the realities of filling in at a strange Sickbay. The reports can only tell you so much about those you are treating. So much of the real life knowledge is lost.

"Sorry, I did not realize that they had not told anyone yet." Lance replied sincerely. "You can visit for a bit but she really does need to rest." He added before turning and walking back to the CMO's office.

TC turned back a gently pulled the curtain back to reveal Dabin and Bru.

Bru seemed to be sleeping as Dabin sat faithfully at her side.

"How's she doing?" TC asked.

"Better," Dabin said softly, clearly concerned as he held her hand. "She's not going to like being off duty for the next couple months, but it is what it is. All that matters is that she's all right."

Dabin didn't care about anything else. If the very law of gravity needed to be put on hold so that February could get well, then the Universe would just have to find a way to get along without it.

February heard TC's voice and for an instant, and, not processing what he said, thought she was on the bridge. She tried to open her eyes. "Course and heading, Sir?" she asked groggily.

TC smiled at Dabin, understanding that she was not fully awake.

"Second star to the right, and straight on till morning."

"Course and speedlaidin, Commander Blane..." she continued, slurring the words together slightly as she finally looked up.

Then, Dabin heard her think three words very clearly as TC's words truly registered.

*Wait a minute.*

February bolted upright, looking around in near panic. "I'm in Sickbay!" She grasped Reece by the wrist. "Dabin, the baby,"

"Is fine, you're all fine. You, Grace, baby. But we have to keep you off your feet for the duration, doctor's orders."

February sighed. She wondered why nothing with her could ever be simple. Women worked throughout their pregnancies all the time, she never imagined that she wouldn't be able to perform her job just because she had a baby on board.

"I'm sorry, I hope that it won't be too much of an inconvenience for everyone," her chin quivered.

"Inconvenience?" Blane scoffed. "Don't you worry about that. The only thing that matters is your health, and that of my future..." He grinned.

"We'll get back to you on the gender, there, Chief." Dabin said, not wanting to tell anyone else before he told February herself.

The thought leapt into his head, though, and February's eyes instantly filled with tears as she heard it loud and clear.

"Your future niece." February blurted. "We're having a girl."

TC smiled. "So I guess I'll be seeing more pink in your future."

"You can count on it." Dabin sighed with relief, feeling much better now that February was again awake, and smiling up at him.

"TC, you've been amazing since you stepped into the role of brother to me," February said softly, reaching out now for Blane's hand and squeezing it tightly. "I just know you're going to be the coolest uncle ever."

TC grinned wide. "You know it." He then turned to Dabin and playfully punched him in the arm. "Congratulations, Pops."

Commander TC Blane
Second Officer and Chief of Operations
USS Serendipity NCC-2012

and

Lt. SG February Grace
Senior Flight Controller
USS Serendipity NCC-2012