A "Personal" Approach (part I)

Posted on Sun Feb 7th, 2021 @ 7:59am by Lieutenant JG Ronen Kym & Lieutenant Remy Boudreau

1,152 words; about a 6 minute read

ON

Kym set the computer to play Mozart, Rednaz, and Plinkart while she looked over Boudreau's answers. She deliberately kept a mental distance so she could analyze the test objectively. She already had the computer's analysis, but she always like to look over the tests herself to see if she agreed with the computer after her initial conversation. She had no doubt Remy would pass, but she had to go through the steps and file the report.

She carefully wrote up her analysis, glancing back to the test and her notes from time to time.

She went over her notes and Remy's answers one last time, then adhered her thumbprint to the report and filed it along with her notes.

Kym took a bit longer to check her messages, then she sent Remy a brief message. "Report filed. I'm pleased to report that you are in fine mental health and hereby free to carry out your duties." She signed it Doctor Ronen Kym and sent it off. That was it. She was now officially done.

Boudreau's terminal pinged, and he looked up from the report he was writing. He smiled to himself as he saw it's contents, but forced himself to sit tight for a few minutes as he finished writing up an incident report for the Away Mission.

He tapped his commbadge, 'Doctor Ronen, sorry to interrupt, but do you think that you could help me with a small issue I'm having?'

She knew her afternoon was free, but she checked out of habit. "Of course." She couldn't help smiling. "Your office?"

'If that works for you - want another tea while you're over here?' Boudreau was realising quite quickly that he knew very little about his colleague beyond that she was alluring. He'd have to correct that, quickly.

"Sure. I'll be right there. Ronen out." She was surprised to find that she felt nervous. Kym paused a moment to take a few deep breaths, then headed down to science.

She paused again outside his office door, then rang the chime.

Placing the replicated teas down on his table- he wouldn't drink more coffee today - Boudreau raised his head and called out 'enter,' as the chime went. Smoothing down his uniform he smiled as Ronen entered.

'Hey there - take a seat?' He motioned to the small sofa set against the bulkhead wall in the office.

"Hi." She smiled as she went over to the sofa and sat down. "Nice office," she said, looking around.

'It feels bigger than the last one,' replied Boudreau as he sat in a comfy seat next to the sofa and small table where he had set the teas. 'Haven't had a chance to do much to the place though, not enough Louisiana in here.' He nudged the tray in her direction, 'help yourself.'

"Thanks," she said, reaching for a cup. "Where was your last office?"

He hesitated a moment. 'The Baghdad,' Boudreau said eventually, 'but for most of last year it was my parent's basement back home,' he managed with a smile. He reached for his own cup and took a sip. Eager to change the subject he asked, 'How about you, how often do you get home?'

She would have to ask him about the Baghdad at some point, but not today. "No. I haven't been back since I left Bajor." She reached up and touched her ear where her earring used to be.

Boudreau winced a little, he hadn't noticed the lack of earring. He knew they were important to the Bajorans in some way. 'Uh ... well,' he lamely replied, 'looks like we've both stumbled on to sore subjects.'

"It's okay," she assured him. "I've come to terms with my decisions. I plan to go back one day, but I don't think I could live there again."

He gave a crooked smile, 'you see yourself wandering the stars for the foreseeable future then?'

Did she? "Probably." She smiled impishly. "Especially if I meet charming science officers."

'Well, you let me know if you run into anyone of the sort,' Boudreau laughed again, catching her eye. He swirled the tea around in the mug for a moment. 'So that issue I called you down to deal with?' he asked with mock seriousness, 'I was wondering if you could solve it for me?'

Kym set her mug down and gave him her full attention. "If I can." She, too, looked serious, but there was a spark of anticipation in her eyes.

'I was quite unceremoniously shot down by a certain Counsellor earlier on this week, and I was wondering if they had changed their mind,' he flashed her a smile, 'I'm sure her dance card is full, by now, but I wondered if you knew if she'd be free. For a date?'

Boudreau didn't particularly like how hopeful he sounded towards the end, but never mind.

"I can assure you her dance card is quite empty, and she would love to go on a date with you," Kym replied, her heart loud in her ears. "In fact, I believe she is free this evening."

He kept swirling the tea around in his mug. A nervous movement. 'Well ... that works out great,' Boudreau looked at her and smiled warmly, 'given I'm also free. But what do you do on the Aurora when you want to go on a date?'

"Well...That depends on your interests. I don't have a lot of first-hand experience, but some use the holodeck, some have a quiet dinner." She looked at Remy for a moment. "What do you want to do?"

'In an ideal world, if we weren't aboard ship, I'd take you for a walk - nothing too strenuous, but a nice one - and maybe some ice cream at the end? We could do it on the holodeck, if you're interested?'

That sounded wonderful. Kym smiled. "I'd like that very much." She couldn't remember when she'd last done something like that, either. It would be very nice, as would the company.

Feeling slightly giddy, Boudreau nodded his head and replied quietly, 'that's great - a stroll and an ice cream.' He smiled broadly, 'what time are you free?'

"Would it be very forward of me to say now?" she asked.

'No. not at all,' answered Boudreau, giddiness intensifying. 'It just puts pressure on me to pick a good walk in the next couple of minutes,' he laughed. He set his tea down, and stood up, extending a hand to Kym, 'if you'd care to join me then?'

She put her hand in his. "It would be my pleasure."

(To be continued...)

Lieutenant JG Ronen Kym
Counselor
USS Aurora

Lieutenant Remy Boudreau
Chief Science Officer
USS Aurora

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