Chapter 10 Christine's Revelations
Finals were finished and all Christine had to do was finish her hours at the hospital. She had already taken her R.N. Exam and had passed. She would also be graduating with a bachelor's in nursing. It would be her second bachelor's. She already had one in biology and she had a master's in biochemistry. Now that graduation exercisies were in only two weeks, activities at the Academy were winding down. The Chess Club had disbanded yesterday. It would resume once she was back aboard the Enterprise. Christine really did not have a date to spend her time with. Dr. McCoy did not ask her out to lunch or for a drink anymore. He was spending most of his time with Lieutenant Uhura. It was even clear that the two were falling in love.
She had gone to dinner last night with them but she felt like an intruder. It was plain to see that both were changing and were deeply involved with each other. Uhura felt comfortable around the doctor. He decided not to rush her. He already had one daughter so he was not in a hurry to have a family and he wanted to advance in Starfleet Medical. Uhura wanted her own ship. Both had urged her to go to Medical School or at least get a master's in Nursing. She was happy to see that her mentor had a new love. She was even beginning to be friends with Uhura. But she could not count on them to assauge her loneliness. It seemed like everyone had a someone. Uhura had the Doctor, Gaila had Captain Kirk, Chekhov had Sulu. She did visit Chekhov. He was progressing rapidly and was even friends with Spock. He had spoken of the many times Spock had come to visit him. She was sure that the Commander had aided in his recovery. She tried not to think about Spock. She would advance her career. She was taking an online Nursing Class to get her Master's in Nursing. It would keep her busy. She could even do it aboard ship. It would give her something to do during her lonely nights.
Christine had not seen the Vulcan Commander since her last Chess Club Meeting. She often wondered if he was lonely. She hated to admit it but she knew she was hopelessly in love with him. She did not care that he kept a mask over his emotions. She admired his stoicism. She loved his integrity and compassion. His intelligence awed her . Her love had grown since she had seen him help Chekhov. He was not as cold as everybody thought. The emotions were there if you knew where to look for them. And he was so indescribably handsome. Yet she was afraid to approach him. She felt he needed time to get over his breakup with Uhura. There was also the possibility that he might want to seek out a Vulcan wife. Now that he was the member of an endangered species he did have obligations to reproduce. She did not know how he felt about her anyway. She hoped she was at least a friend. But maybe she was not as close to him as Kirk or McCoy. Their friendship ran a little deeper. She also did not want to look foolish. McCoy constantly teased her about her attraction to the half-Vulcan. She did not want to be the butt of everyone's jokes on the ship. Well she would just have to wait until she was back on the Enterprise to see Spock. At least she could play chess with him.
Today she had to see another Vulcan. Dr. Franco wanted to give her a psychological evaluation to determine her fitness for duty aboard the Enterprise. Christine arrived at the psychologist's office.
After asking her routine questions, Dr. Franco decided to broach the subject of Christine's loneliness.
"Nurse, do you mind if I call you Christine?" T'Resa asked. "You can call me T'Resa."
"No, I do not, " Christine replied.
"Have you ever had any serious relationships? You get along with your colleagues but you do not seem to have a best friend or even a boyfriend." the doctor stated.
"I was involved with my biochemistry professor many year ago when I was working on my master's in biochemistry. I worked in his lab as his assistant. We had an affair.
I only saw him and I did not date anyone else. You might know of him. His name is Roger Korby." Christine paused.
"Please continue." the doctor prompted.
"We were going to get married after I graduated. But he stopped seeing me and started dating my best became engaged. He even had me transferred to work in another chemistry was two months before graduation. I also found out I was I told Dr. Korby, he was furious. He accused me of trying to ruin his life. He said he did not want a female to entrap him. We were walking downstairs from his offices when I told him. Anyway he shoved me down the stairs and I fell. I lost the baby. I did not charge him with anything. I graduated and left the university as soon as possible. I went to Europe then I joined Starfleet. "
"What made you join Starfleet and become a nurse?"
"What made you join Starfleet and become a nurse?"
"I got interested in medicine when I was in high school. I actually worked as a medical assistant then as a phlebomist. I took classes for both in high school. I put myself through college working both types of jobs. Both helped to pay for my biology bachelor's and my chemistry minor. My parents were both medical technicians so it runs in the family. My brother is a doctor. I joined Starfleet because I was interested in space medicine and in treating species from other planets."
"What about your family?"
"My parents are dead. They caught the Bolian flu during my last year of college and died. My brother is married and has a family and is too busy to see me. I have not had a serious relationship because it is difficult for me to trust anyone."
T'Resa almost shuddered but she held her Vulcan shields in place. No wonder this woman did not get involved with anyone.
"What about now?"
"I have made some friends. I like Gaila. I guess you can say she is a close friend. I eat lunch with two of the nurses on the Enterprise. I sometimes eat lunch with Doctor McCoy. He is sort of like an older brother. Chekhov is sort of like my younger brother. And I run the Chess Club with Commander Spock. I know him better than most but I do not know if I can call him a friend. I.. him a lot."
With this last statement Christine blushed. "I do try to keep busy, " she added. " I am taking an online class to get my Masters in Nursing. "
"You seem to be quite fond of Commander Spock. Have you told him?"
"No, I do not want him to feel uncomfortable. He had a difficult relationship with Uhura. He needs some time. I do not want him to give anything that he cannot give and I do not want to change him. He is great the way he is. I want him to trust me before I dare to approach him."
T'Resa was astonished at the depth of the nurse's feelings for her cousin. She sighed. Spock wanted to approach the nurse but his Vulcan logic and the disasterous relationship with Uhura were preventing him from initiating contact. She had to find a way to get them together. A scheme began to form in her mind.
"Do you have any plans for shore leave?" Dr. Franco asked.
"I plan to say here and take my online class then I will see my brother for three days. I was planning to go by myself to San Diego."
"Nurse, you need to have rest and relaxation. You do not seem to have a social life. You are shy and need to improve your social skills. You need to spend your leave time with friends."
"What do you suggest?"
"As you counselor, I need to help you in this endeavor. Why don't you come to Santa Barbara with my cousin and me? We have a vacation house on the out skirts of the city and it is quiet. You can go into town , do some shopping, and go to the beach. Not to mention there is a biochemistry conference about intergalactic species. My cousin could use an extra colleague to go. He has extra tickets."
"That sounds lovely but would your cousin mind?"
"My cousin would really enjoy having you, Christine. So are you willing to come?"
"Yes, I would be happy to come." Christine's tone sounded brighter.
"Good. I will be in touch with you then."
"You know Doctor, you are not like any Vulcan that I know."
"I am only half Vulcan and I was raised on Earth. I am as emotional as any human. I do not subscribe to their denial of emotion." They both laughed. Then they said their farewells and Christine left.
Well, Spock. T'Resa mused. You are going to have your woman whether you like it or not. I sure hope this works. I do not know if you two would have gotten together if I had not interfered. Well time will tell.