Back in harness.

Posted on 18 Feb 2025 @ 8:10pm by Lieutenant JG Shoniara T’ghann Dex & 1st Lieutenant Gavin Ross Dr.

3,199 words; about a 16 minute read

Mission: S04 Episode 01 Captive State Part 2 (Incidentals)
Location: Sickbay
Timeline: Current

[ON]

Shon honestly felt she had forgotten where main sickbay was she had been so long on the teaching assignment for the Captain. She was glad to be getting back to real medicine. The doors slid open and she was ready for the fray but...."Hello?" she called. She almost thought that people would jump out on her for a surprise party to welcome her back. "Hello" she said again louder as she put her pack down and cradled her aching neck. she needed to find time to meditate as well she thought as she headed towards the office.

Gavin twisted his head away from the flood replicator. He turned to see DCMO, Lieutenant JG Shoniara T'ghann Dex. She had been doing a lot of work on away.

"Doctor Dex. Shoniara, welcome back to Sickbay." Ross had tucked his uniform as he greeted the returned medical doctor in the office corridor.

"I am sorry. I was working on some reports. I didn't see you come in until now." The chief was more than happy to receive some extra help, extra brain power, and capacity with yet another qualified individual being assigned to the Tomcat/Themistocles.

Extending his hand casually, Gavin smiled. "It is a pleasure to meet you; please come and sit down. We can talk?"

Gavin gestured to his open office, bright and airy.

"Please call me Shon, my mother called me Shoniara." Shon took his offered hand and shook it. The touch was firm which she liked. "Glad to be here." she sat down and crossed her legs.

"Ok, Shon." Ross addressed Dex on an equal collegial basis.

"First off, what can I get you? A tea, a coffee, anything strong, although I still think it is 11:42 AM." Ross relaxed back into his large office seat and focused on Dex.

She smiled, "nothing for me thank you Doctor Ross." Shon looked around. "It all seems so much smaller than when I was here last."

Ross nodded appreciatively, leaning forward slightly in his chair. "You know, Shon, it’s quite impressive to see how far you’ve come since your last stint here. Your extensive experience as a Sickbay Doctor has really shaped you into one of the best in the field. The way you’ve managed crises and dealt with complex cases speaks volumes about your capabilities."

He gestured around the office, a soft smile on his face. "And it’s a relief to have someone like you on board again. I believe you'll bring a fresh perspective that will greatly benefit the team. Of course, with me keeping watch, I trust that you’ll have the full reign to make the decisions you believe are necessary. This is your domain, after all, and I’m more than confident in your ability to navigate any challenges that arise."

"Thank you for the trust you have placed in me, of course I want to take some of the strain from you. As you know I have been away helping to deal with a plague on Valerian five which is now under control. I have an affinity for viruses and intend to set up my own lab here, with your permission of course, to explore and facilitate a new viral screening process which as you know has shifted from culture to molecular methods. This new plague was readily characterised by using sequenced microarrays decorated by oligoneucleotide and......" she realised she had been wittering on. "Sorry Doctor I was getting off topic."

“Yes. Valerian five has been reported about quite extensively in the Federation News Services.” Gavin solemnly clasped his fingers together, bridging them, as he closed his eyes, thinking of the plague, the countless sick victims of the scourge. How did you derive an antidote, Doctor?” A wry smile could not be helped. Shonarias extensive expertise and enthusiasm were clearly translated in her medical language. This was high language, even for Doctors, and Gavin could translate theory and terminology and exchange dialogue as easily.

Shon’s eyes lit up, there was nothing she enjoyed more than talking about theory and practice of viruses. “It was actually quite easy. My team and I took the base DNA from one patient who had full blown plague and one that had just been diagnosed. It is a retrovirus a DNA-RNA virus. The reverse transcriptase enzyme builds over the RNA genome of both victims and by splicing both and reversing the trans animate loading was able to rebuild the sequence.

The PBCV-1 ORFs are tightly packed on both DNA strands and the coding regions of some of the genes overlap. The largest distance between PBCV-1 ORFs is a 1788-nucleotide stretch in the middle of the genome. This sequence has a polycistronic gene containing 11 tRNAs. By partially irradiating each strand the oligonucleotide sequence produced the derivative solution quite easily.

“oligonucleotide and verteron chemical hyperlexia 7 thyrse derivative solution was created. In your lab? Remarkable.” Ross smiled and narrowed his eyes in a tingling sensation that made his brain finally light like it did back In med school. Shon was going to be very interesting.

She noted he was smiling and smiled back. It seemed he knew what she was talking about. “I hope we are able to talk again, it is good to find someone who understands Sir.”

“Why don’t we go for a coffee or a welcome aboard drink, refreshment?” Gavin asked. He hoped the Doctor would have time to socialize, and Gavin wanted to know about Shoniara.

“We just met. I want to continue learning about you, your work…” Ross presented a thoughtful look and then smiled.

"No need for the Sir. We are all on the level of Doctors; we are true equals, Dr. T'ghann Dex."

Shon grinned, something that, as half Vulcan she did not often do. “I can see you understand what I am talking about by the gleam in your eye Doctor. You had better be careful or I will be asking you to partake in my new project. I would love a coffee if you have time. I do not have any friends on board so, to have someone would be most acceptable.

= Ships Observation Lounge =

Now that it was past 1500 hours in the afternoon, the Themistocles Observation Lounge was becoming populated. A very open and relaxing set of sofa-type chairs surrounded by a panoramic window of the universe was chosen, with a drink table in the middle.

Please, Ross waited for Dex to have a seat, and then he sat. He was a very gentlemanly man. For Ross, manners were genuinely second nature. His family considered family politics in the federation to be passive in public.

Seated and relaxed, Gavin turned his attention to Dex. “Doctor, how would you indulge me in a glass of wine or something you prefer? I am sure it is past 4 PM. For professional vanity, Gavin winked.

“Secondly. You have to tell me about this project of yours. I am ALL ears.” He quipped with interest and excitement in Ross’s eyes, fixated on Dex.

"I would prefer Vulcan green leaf tea with some pistachio ice cream please." Whilst he busied himself with her order Shon looked around noting a couple more Vulcans sitting talking. Truth be told she had been lonely for what seemed to her an age. For a moment she imagined Mark and Shasta sitting with her laughing. She cursed at herself for being only half Vulcan as she felt a solitary tear brush her cheek.

Gavin was surprised. He didn’t expect to see the half-Vulcan show emotion, especially a tear. This was a surprise, to state the least.

He paused and cocked his head. Gavin raised a brow, gathering existential cues and determining before he vocalized a response. “Dex. A… Are you ok?” Gavin narrowed his eyes slowly, empathetically, non-judgmentally. Soft and concerned.

They both didn’t realize it when they spoke; the waiter had come back with Dex’s and Gavin's orders.

Shon took her tea and sipped the hot bitter liquid. “I am sorry, I have learned to control my emotions over the years especially since my family were murdered but sometimes, oh I do not know.” She smiled in a rather forced way. “That is why I throw myself into work and, as a recovering addict I have to be careful.” Shon realized that she had probably said too much but his manner and demeanor appeared to encourage sharing.

“Shon,” Gavin stated. “What you are feeling. I can't imagine having that happen. Your parents were killed. What a horrible, heinous act.” Ross had psychological PTSD training and comprehensive medical and psychiatric courses, human and races of the Federation relationships with mental health, and things like trauma and the physical manifestation of coping.

“Shonaria.” Ross was careful. He had just met his colleague and didn’t know anything about her past, but it had been troubling to her in many aspects enough to be addicted at one point. It was still widespread in the medical world, even in the federation.

Gavin leaned in, oblivious now to the drink before him. The table was centered low so they could speak privately. “Telling me this. You are courageous in doing so. I can't imagine. I am honored you felt you could open to me this way.” Ross looked at Shon’s eyes unwaveringly.

“You're on the Tomcat now. You are in a safe space.” Gavin felt his heart heavy with sadness for her. It was not pity but opening up to a colleague and showing trust and respect. He felt relieved she did. There was no way to hold this in if they were to have a trusting work relationship.

She smiled, “thank you for that. It was my husband and daughter who were murdered by the Klingons. My daughter was only 7 years old and I saw them burned to death in front of my eyes, screaming for me to help them. I blamed myself for a long time and became addicted to the Klingon drug J’heek. I was not working as a physician then using my piloting skills to work on a mining consortium asteroid. One day I met a Vulcan who became my friend, helped me get free of the drug and he became my Bond Brother hence the name T’ghann. I’m sorry, I wanted to tell you if we are to have a good working relationship.”

Gavin was at a loss for words for the moment. Hearing the traumatic story and releasing Shonaria's terrible early life was enough for Gavin to listen to the emotional trauma that Shon experienced in her childhood and early adulthood. It sounded like a nightmare. As a Doctor, Ross immediately wanted to soothe and ensure Shon that she was now in safety. Quickly enough to support, care for, and recognize the trauma that Shonaria experienced in her life, Ross was overly sympathetic to her horrible past, which was nothing of Shon’s own doing but a victim of terror.

“Shon,” Gavin stated, but a stalwart of support was included. “I will ensure that you are afforded the greatest opportunities to shine. What you endured…” He shook his head in disgust. “You will be afforded every license to succeed and become a force for change. You were wronged. I will never forget that history for you, Shon.” He reached forward to hold her hand in his, showing his commitment.

She smiled and laughed embarrassed by her tears. "This, from a half Vulcan" she attempted to quip. she reached out to hold his hand. It was warm and solid showing her his promise of support. "I can assure you my medical expertise will be used to the full now I am back on the ship. I intend to continue working in the lab my sight set on Bandi syndrome. I have been making some headway with an obscure protein XD1c that is prevalent in someone of Romulan origin....and..... I am rambling again." She finished her tea placing her cup down slowly. "Thank you for your understanding Gavin...if i can call you that?"

Gavin smiled gently, his expressive brow lifting slightly as he warmly regarded Doctor Shonaria. “Of course, you can call me Gavin. Please know that taking care of yourself during this transition is important. Remember, healing is a journey, and I’m here to support you every step—whether sharing ideas in the lab or simply listening when you need to talk. We’re in this together, and you have my full commitment to help you navigate through this.”

Gavin’s heart skipped a beat. He felt a moment in time, just paused thinking of Dex. He caught himself and looked around. “shall we have a glass of Vulcan tea?” Gavin raised his glass. The server had brought over a drink that Ross thought was more appropriate for the moment.

Shon was quiet as she observed him and her tears dried, there was something about him that pulled at her heart. Although she knew he was romantically involved with someone she could not help but feel an attachment to him, she wanted more.

"Gavin...no never mind." she could not say anything, there was nothing to say anyway. "I desperately want you to be happy and fulfilled and if there is anything I can do to make that happen then I am here."

"Shon," Gavin said softly, taking a step closer, his gaze earnest and unwavering. "Hearing you say that means more to me than you could ever know. I want you to know that my happiness is intertwined with yours. You bring a light into my life that I've never known before. I promise to support you, to stand by you, and to make my happiness align with yours. Whatever it takes, I’m here for you, now and always."

Ross had smiled gently, the warmth in his eyes reflecting the depth of his feelings. "Let’s take this journey together. It just felt right to Gavin, as the first moment, first second, he met Shonaria.

She smiled thinking to herself she could easily fall in love with this man. She attempted to put the thought from her and put their relationship on a more professional basis. “ Doctor I can only promise to be a consummate professional and dedicate myself to you and the crew. I will continue to explore and make discoveries that we can use and disseminate throughout the Federation.

Ross slowly smiled at Shonaria. She was so exotic but so human to Gavin, so far as he could tell since they had become professionals together… Yet, the doctor shook the thought away. Shonaria was strictly into her medicine, patients, and science profession, as far as he could tell. No. He wouldn’t let himself think of her like that; it was wrong.

“I would only expect the highest levels of professionalism, as to which I am certain you will succeed. To discoveries!” Ross smiled at Shon as he brought up his glass of Vulcan tea to cheer with hers.

Shon raised her tea and gently clinked his. "To discoveries." she echoed leaned over and gently kissed his cheek

Ross closed his eyes from the sensation as he was shocked. He thought he would be professional, it was hard. Yet, he decided. 'Damn it' He reached forward placing his surgical hand, performing an operation to plant a kiss as he leaned this time, placing a kiss to Shonaria's lips.

Shon gasped as she felt his lips on hers as she felt herself responding. "We must not, what if someone came in?" but all she wanted to do was be alone with this man. "what is happening here Gavin?" she asked in a whisper.

Gavin gasped, clutching the tea cup and shaking it in his hand his nerves catching what he had just done.

“My lord!” The Docs face showed true shock. He was an alternate Gavin Ross to his real DNA brother Gavin the Ist. Gavin the IInd. In front of Shonaria had just kissed back the seasoned professional. “Shon!” Ross’s forehead brows creased, he ran his hand through his hair, his eyes looking either side scanning the room. “I am SO sorry! That was incredibly unprofessional of me. I don’t know what had come over me.”

He spoke back to Shon in her similar tone cool, collected and yet embarrassed, guilt. “I should have known better.”

“No, it is me that should apologize, I kissed you first, but I thought you were already involved with someone?”

Ross. Then slowly nodded. He understood Dex’s confusion. It happened often since his first few months of being onboard the same ship as your dopple ganger. His actual DNA ‘brother’ is his identical self.

“I was born from an accidental transporter incident.” Gavin the IInd shook his head. He now felt this anxiousness on the inside. He felt like he was himself, yet here he was, having to explain that he was a copy of what he already knew to be true to himself.

“Yet I am a clone, Dex.” He looked at her beautiful face, gazing.

“Gavin Ross, the Doctor. And then…” He slowly explained gesturing hands at himself. “Gavin the IInd, but I have at least my rank and Doctorate status as my DNA brother. I fought for that, to fight for what you already achieved. Well, at least I am told I am not the true… me.” He shook his head. “Dex, I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have spilled him out. “You understand that I was never trying to be someone I wasn’t. I am Gavin. The second I have to say legally is because of a transporter accident.

Shon laughed and then put her hand to her mouth. "I am sorry i am not laughing at you...I have so many questions Gavin, How long ago did this happen? why are you here on this ship?." she smiled and took his hand. "I need to know....." she hesitated. "I need to know everything. " She moved closer to him. "you are NOT Gavin the second to me. the first time I saw you, the first time I spoke to you I knew we were going to have something special...that is if you want to?" she asked questioningly.

Gavin breathed easier. He relaxed as his eyes relaxed, easily taking in Shon. She was so empathetic yet so accepting. Ross had sensed this of her since his first meeting with the Doctor.

Ross listened carefully to Shon explain her feelings on the matter. He held her hand in return, it was so tender, small in his larger surgical hands.

"I.." He smiled. "I would like that a lot." They were colleagues. He did not have direct control over her; he only had departmental control.

"We will have to be quiet until we figure something out..." He hated being sneaky; it wasn't in his character, and he didn't like it.

"The last thing I want to do is be sneaky Gavin, I do not
have that character trait. I can be professional, if it is in your mind to wait I can agree to that?" she asked.

 

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