A Decaffeinated Coffee Break

Posted on Sun Mar 21st, 2010 @ 7:07pm by Lieutenant JG Hannah Andeti & Commander Michael Evans M.D.

Mission: Episode 1.2 - "A House Divided"
Location: Second XO's Office
Timeline: MD03 1230

The counselor rang the chime of Evans' office, a bit surprised by his change of office and she grinned in at him as the doors opened under his command. The usual tray of coffee hot and ready for him. She slid the tray onto the table and dropped herself into the seat, smile still in place.

"Afternoon," she offered and reached for the coffee pot.

"Afternoon," Michael chuckled, but made a restraining gesture towards the proffered coffee; though he inhaled wistfully.

Hannah looked surprised but almost at once slipped into a playfully suspicious once over. "Who are you and what have you done with Dr. Evans?"

Michael grinned, knowing exactly what she was getting at... he never turned down a cup of coffee. It was his biggest vice (though one he enjoyed). "No coffee for me, for a while at least... or any caffeine for that matter. Trying to 'break the addiction' as it were." He grimaced a little, but seemed resigned.

"Oh." Hannah glanced down at the pot and then back up at the doctor. "So I guess this would be an unwanted temptation then?" She smiled.

"It doesn't help that it smells so wonderful," he said as an oblique affirmative with an apologetic look in his eyes.

She picked up the tray and carried it over to the replicator. Pressing several buttons the carafe vanished. "While I'm over here, would you like anything?"

"How about a mint tea," he said. "That's what I've been filling in the gaps with, though it's not the same." He grimaced again.

Hannah ordered two teas and carried them over. "So why the sudden desire to cut down on the caffeine addiction?"

Michael half-shrugged. "Two reasons I guess. First is for the sake of my religion. In my faith it is traditional to perform a ritual fast for a period of time, sort of a testing or personal sacrifice, in preparation for one of our holy days. We're supposed to abstain from those things in our lives on which we depend the most from an emotional/spiritual standpoint; those things which distract us from or even take the place of our god, who is supposed to remain the primary focus and source in our lives. Among other things, it helps us remember that our god is the one who provides the things which we enjoy." He gave another shrug. "Besides, I just can't stand the idea of actually being addicted to anything. Even if I enjoy the thing." He sipped the hot tea, its pungent steam making his eyes water slightly.

"I didn't realise you were religious, Michael." The counselor nodded, taking a deep sip of her own tea. "So how long do you have to stay on the coffee wagon?"

"I don't really like to flaunt my religion. Feels pretentious to do so," he said. "Traditionally the ritual fast works out to about six weeks. I've decided to go through for the long haul," Michael said, sipping his tea again. "I'm still dragging a little from the physical withdrawals, but I'm on the upswing. The hard part is this ruddy mental haze. I feel like a pillow has been crammed between my ears. But that should pass, too."

"I should hope so." Hannah laughed and shook her head. "So that would make me the last standing caffeine addict on board." She grinned.

"At least until I'm done with this fast. Then I'm right back there with you," he grinned mischievously, not making it quite clear if he was serious or not.

"I should hope so." She shook her head. "I mean I don't know how much of *this*." She glanced down into her mug. "I can take." She grinned.

"Believe me, it's just a stop-gap measure," Michael retorted with a roll of the eyes.

"So, Andeti," Michael said, changing the subject. "I had a really good time in the lounge the other night. Do you think we could coax Moretti out again after what happened? I'd hate to see her driven to hide in her quarters until the next starbase."

"I certainly hope so. I don't think I've been quite that drunk in a while." She laughed. "I'm glad Velia didn't put you off," she said more seriously. "I get the impression that most people don't know exactly what to make of her."

"She's..." Michael thought hard, trying to articulate. "I don't know. I get a sense that there's a lot more to her than she allows people to see, or wants them to see for whatever reason." He looked at Andeti for confirmation of his speculation.

Hannah nodded. "And I get the impression that she wants someone to cut through that barrier, or she probably would have killed Myrin by now." She laughed and when the Doctor didn't immediately join her asked "Have you met Mr Nezar?"

Michael shook his head. "I think I recall seeing his name on a roster a time or two, but aside from that..."

"He's a good man but he . . . revels in needling people," she explained. "And happens to be friends with stone-cold Velia." She sipped her tea.

Michael gave a funny sort of giggle. "Maybe I should meet this fellow," he said. "What department is he in?"

"Counseling. He's my assistant actually." She laughed. "Just to keep life more interesting."

Michael's eyes widened as he chortled into his tea, then choked a little.

"So how have the dreams been treating you?" She asked, hoping it was okay for her to be raising the subject outside the counseling suite.

"Those horrible ones have finally gone," Michael said with a slightly relieved look on his face. "I'm back to the usual craziness... sickbays with more rooms than they should have, running about ship in naught but my skin, swimming in pools with fantastically contorted water slides... just another night of the typical adventures." He smiled and sipped his tea.

Hannah laughed and finished her cup of tea, the peppermint flavour hung on her tongue like an afterthought. "So nothing unusual then." She grinned and glanced into her cup.

Michael grinned. "Right." Suddenly, his computer warned him of an incoming message.

"I guess this is my cue to leave," she said with a smile, rising to her feet.

"Thanks for coming by, Hannah," Michael said as he turned to his monitor. "I always enjoy our impromptu chats." With a final wave as she left, he directed his attention back to ship's business.

OFF

by

Lieutenant Commander Michael Evans
Chief Medical Officer
USS Pandora

and

Lieutenant JG Hannah Andeti
Chief Counselor
USS Pandora