by Vol Tryst and Dabin Reece
100714.2000
After Dreams of Our Children
-=The Smithsonian Air and Space Museum: Earth=-
100714.2000
After Dreams of Our Children
-=The Smithsonian Air and Space Museum: Earth=-
Dabin looked over his shoulder, to see where February had gone. He caught site of her just as she was approaching the Doctor, and knew exactly what she was up to. Hartcort was clearly disappointed in the way things had turned out with Tress, in the same sense that a star is clearly hot.
He was young, so young, Dabin thought. This was not going to be the last time Hartcort ran into a patient or set of parents that were going to test his patience. Not the last time every bone in his body would be screaming at him to do what he thought was best, only to be rebuffed by whomever he was attempting to help. If the lifetime of Rilan Reece had taught Dabin anything, it was that effective medicine had so little to do with blood, bones and nerves, and everything to do with the person you were treating. Lance had done the best he could for his patients, and someday he would understand that.
“Vol,” Dabin began as he turned his attention back to those around him. One Big Sky was about to begin, and while the company was superb, the accompaniment was sorely lacking. “Do you mind? The replicator is over there.”
“What? Are you thirsty?” Vol asked.
“Of course I am! And so are the kids! So, do you mind?”
“Well, what do you want? Water? Tea!”
Dabin’s jaw fell open and he stopped in his tracks. “Aren’t you half human?” He asked, incredulous. “Popcorn man! Popcorn! Buttered ten times over! I want to be able to lubricate a warp core with my bare hands when I’m done eating it. And candy! Lots of it. This is a movie. It is our moral responsibility to corrupt our sound bodies and those of the children as well. As for drinks, anything in slush form is acceptable. Preferably with lots of caffeine.”
Vol snickered. “I do like Snickers. But--I don't know. Do you---"
“Hesitation is irrelevant! Moral responsibility! Replicator! Go!” Dabin implored.
Vol perked up like someone had kicked him in the rear and immediately headed towards the replicator to make the order dictated to him. He couldn't help but smile, Dabin really did keep things interesting around here.
The counselor returned balancing four bags of popcorn, two sodas all while a snickers bar was being held between his teeth. He walked to Dabin and stood in front of him before the Trill finally noticed him.
Dabin looked at the food, then up at Vol's face.
"You are so hot right now."
Vol rolled his eyes.
"I gogna tump dis on yor faith."
Dabin, fluent in thing-in-mouth-speak, immediately started relieving Vol of his load.
"You forgot to get drinks for the kids." Dabin observed.
"I didn't forget. My hands were full." Vol said, after finally removing a now partially melted snickers from his mouth. Dabin cradled the popcorn under one arm and withdrew a small device from a packet with the other. He waved it frantically over the hands of both Tress and Sophie as they clamored for a bite of popcorn.
"Ah! Sanitizer first!" He implored as he twisted at the waist to spin the popcorn away from them. He then picked a kernel from both bags and inspected the tiny piece. "Choke proof popcorn. What a time we live in Vol."
The Betazoid just shook his head with a grin as he walked back out to the replicator. Dabin finally handed over the popcorn, then took a sip of his own drink. "Oh, cherry cola. Vol, you read my mind."
*Duh!* Vol's voice appeared in Dabin's head. The Betazoid returned and took a seat down the aisle from Dabin, with the two children in between. As the movie began and the lights dimmed, Vol could tell that the children were fully engrossed. He leaned back in his seat.
"Dabin," he shout-whispered.
"Shh! Stop shouting. Big Bird is talking."
*Dabin!* Vol was too happy to comply.
"What?" Dabin answered, without taking his eyes of the screen.
"Is it fun? Having a child?" Vol asked.
"I'm watching Big Bird, aren't I? Of course it is."
Vol popped up out of his seat and slid down the aisle to sit next to Dabin.
"I somehow doubt that you needed children to excuse yourself from watching..." Vol gestured to the film. "...this."
"I suppose you're right." Dabin muffled through a mouthful of popcorn. In between licking his fingers of the butter, he stared at the hybrid-betazoid.
"Why do you ask?"
"Ah yes, you're not privy to my thoughts as I am to yours." Vol observed.
"Some might say."
Vol looked to Dabin and was half-surprised that Dabin was looking right back at him with a witty grin on his butter covered lips. Finally Vol spoke again.
"I've led a bachelor's life for a long time now. I take my pleasures where they can be found, enjoy them while they last and expect little more. Truth be told, I've enjoyed it very much. Having many lovers at any one time with no commitments to any allows me to further enjoy my work, my friends," At this time Vol patted and rubbed Dabin's knee very briefly. It was an unconscious sign of affection, meant to indicate that Dabin was one such friend. "And other things in life which I enjoy immensely."
"But..." Dabin began Vol's second portion of his speech for him, being the nice gentleman that he was. After all, Vol did bring him his popcorn & other refreshments.
Vol sighed.
"My mother calls it the nurturing trait present in most if not all Betazoid men. Gender roles being what they are back on Betazed, my mother claims that she's seen men suddenly develop a desire for a family much like she's seen in human female on Earth."
Vol paused, looked to Dabin who was still staring at him. Vol cleared his throat finally unwrapped his Snicker's bar.
"Anyway, it's just something I've been pondering."
"Pondering like, actually beginning to experience these feelings, or pondering like your scared out of your skin that you will experience these feelings?" Dabin asked.
"I'm not planning on dropping everything and seeking out a family life, but I've spent so much time here recently surrounded by parents and children, you can't help but wonder if you are missing out."
"You are." Dabin said before turning away and popping a piece of popcorn in his mouth. Vol creased his brow in confusion.
"I beg your pardon?"
"What? You wanted to know if you were missing out, and I told you. Sorry I can't provide you with anymore in depth than that but Big Bird makes me brutally honest. Someday Vol. Someday, you are going to need to have a child, because you don't want to go through your life never having done this. I've done it several times and it never gets old. Ok, being in labor gets old, but you don't need to worry about that."
"But, don't you..."
"Shh! No more questions! If you want to know anything more about being a dad, go sit next to the kids. They are the experts in being kids."
Dabin shooed Vol away with a buttery hand, which Vol instinctively retracted away from before the fingers could stain his uniform. As soon as he escaped from the Trill's reach, another much cuter little butter hand belonging to a young crinkle nosed cutie grabbed his wrist. Tress was grunting and tugging, wanting Vol to return to his seat beside her.
"Ok little one, me and you. I'm coming."
**************************************
Lieutenant Vol Tryst
Counselor
USS Serendipity NCC-2012
and
Dabin Reece
Chief Science Officer
USS Serendipity NCC-2012
Lieutenant Vol Tryst
Counselor
USS Serendipity NCC-2012
and
Dabin Reece
Chief Science Officer
USS Serendipity NCC-2012