Chapter 18 -
Star date 12402.28 – Sickbay- Starbase 71 – 15:18 hours
"Skyler!" Dr. Haas barked at Christine as she walked out of a patient's room.
Rolling her eyes, Christine handed her patient's chart over to a nurse and went to speak with Haas. "Yes, sir?"
"What the hell is this?" Haas shouted at her.
"I beg your pardon, sir?" Christine kept her tone calm and even.
Haas continued raising his voice, "You proscribed an experimental device for a nine-year-old. What were you thinking?"
"That patient has Omstead Syndrome. That device relieves the pressure in their feet so that the relentless nerve pain is lessened so the child can walk normally between treatment sessions."
"This child needs nerve blocks, not some experimental shite." Haas got in her face.
Christine didn't back down, "And overuse of nerve blocks on children causes muscle deterioration and permanent numbness. So it should only be used when the growths become so excessive that they must be removed surgically. Using this device will lower that surgical rate from every six weeks to every six MONTHS, if not longer."
"You can't use a child as a lab rat, Lieutenant," Haas growled.
"Better the parents give them a chance at a normal life, then spend the rest of their lives in a hover chair at the rate you were doing things." Christine's frustration peaked through her patience with the man.
"Why, you little b…."
"Lieutenant!" Another loud voice pierced the silence stopping Haas from finishing his statement.
Christine's head snapped to the sound of the voice. "Commander Seicad."
The head of SB 71's pediatric department walked up to both of them, pissed. "I could hear you down the hall. I want a report now."
"Lieutenant Junior Grade," Haas stressed the junior part, "Skyler is using one of her patients for an experimental procedure, and I am declining her recommendation."
"And what is this 'experimental' procedure?" Seicad asked.
Christine pressed a pad into the commander's hand, "I spoke with the parents regarding their child being a subject in the use of a new medical device that will allow their child to walk freely without pain and not require the child to have daily nerve blocks. The child is already showing signs of neuropathy due to the frequent use of the technique. Their parents and I hope this device will lessen the need for the blocks and prevent the child from requiring a hoverchair in the next two years."
Seicad reviewed the pad, "Interesting proposal. Has it been used before?"
"Yes, on adults with similar pain issues with great success. I only brought it to the parent's attention as their child faced no other option than the continued use of the nerve blocks in the foreseeable future. So, the child will be the first pediatric patient to use the device, but given the care available on the station, their case could be monitored closely."
"And where did the research for this device come from, Doctor Skyler?" Seicad smiled slightly at Christine, a bit impressed.
Christine looked Haas directly in the eye, "The USS Fleming's Medical research department, specifically bioengineering."
"Sir, please, she is just using this treatment for show. I will not have one of my patients used as a lab rat by some upstart doctor." Haas growled.
"Stand down, Lt," Seicad ordered firmly. He turned to Christine, "Doctor Skyler, this approach I feel would benefit the child greatly. And I saw that you requested to monitor the child's progress with another competent orthopedist as non-biased confirmation. Good recommendation."
"Thank you, sir." Christine smiled but kept it from becoming a smirk.
"I will recommend Doctor Pagnano contact you to set up a meeting so that you can review the case together before proceeding with treatment. Unfortunately, this research will take you away from your clinic time." Seicad turned to Haas, "As you are Chief Resident Moshe Haas, I think it would be best to pick up Doctor Skyler's last couple hours of clinic time so she can prepare for tomorrow's meeting."
"Aye, sir," Haas said through gritted teeth.
"Then it is settled them." Seicad said happily, "Doctor Skyler, please refresh yourself on the information so that your head is clear for tomorrow's meeting; you are dismissed."
"Thank you, sir," Christine nodded to her boss and quickly left.
With her leaving, the small crowd that gathered began to disperse.
"Haas, one moment." Seicad stepped up closely to Haas before he went too far. Seicad leaned down to whisper into Haas's ear. "Moshe, if you ever publically dress down a subordinate like that again, you will be written up. Are we understood?"
"Commander, she is nothing but an entitled brat," Haas said seething.
"No, she is a dam fine doctor who came up with an innovative idea to help a child. If you continue to antagonize her, there will be repercussions."
"She will call mommy and daddy on me?" Haas sneered.
"She won't have to because I will end your career myself, is that clear, Lieutenant?" Seicad said with no hint of threat.
"I still feel she only got this position because she is the daughter of Captain Lynn Skyler," Haas stated.
"She got the position because she was one of her best students and continues to show progress to outshine her teacher, something you are failing to do for me. Now, Leave. Her. Alone. " Seicad left Haas with a glare.
Christine's head was anything but straightforward. She had been able to keep her head cool when dealing with the jerk, but she admitted that her temper would not have improved if Dr. Seicad had not stepped in. Nurse Dorja had commented to Christine about how snappy she was getting with people lately. Dorja knew it wasn't on purpose, but Christine needed to watch out for it. Keeping up with the two kids, not getting much sleep when she was allowed to sleep, and having nightmares, when she did rest had chipped away at her tolerance for idiocy, especially Haas's.
Learning long ago that she couldn't concentrate on things when her head was spinning like it was, she made her way to the Holosuite level. Finding one available, Christine changed into horse riding gear and began her program, "Computer, run program Skyler's Dragon's Fire."
"Program complete. Enter when ready." The computer replied as the doors opened.
Christine found herself in the boarding area outside the Kentucky Horse Park ring. Christine had always wanted to compete at the location, but due to her Star Fleet studies, she never had the time to earn enough points to qualify for the competition. Directly in front of her in all of her glory, cleaned up, tacked, and ready for the show, was Dragon's Fire. Draggs whinnied and brushed her snout against Christine's hand as she approached.
"I wish this was the real you." Christine lovingly petted the horse's nose, "I could use one of your talks right now. I miss you so much." Christine sighed as she ran her hands down the mare's side until she reached the saddle. "Want to go for a ride, girl?" Draggs ears picked up and began to move a bit in preparation. With a smile, Christine swung herself into the saddle and trotted into the area. She saluted the judges' box and began a point-run hunter jumper course.
Christine focused on getting a feel for the jumps and their position in the ring on this first run. She faulted a couple of times, primarily due to not setting Drags up properly for the type of jump they were facing. However, for the moment, it was accuracy she needed to work on, not speed.
Calming herself, Christine reset the course and began again, this time only faulting once due to a clump of grass breaking free and causing Draggs to stumble slightly and brush a jump. It was minor, but it bothered Christine. She reset the course again and prepared to jump again. She admitted that the whole thing with Haas was inevitable; at least it didn't come to blows. Haas was already a pain in the ass before Admiral and Captain Skyler visited the station.
When Captain Lynn Rose-Skyler saw Sickbay, everything was handled professionally. The staff treated Lynn as the dignitary she was and Christine like an officer who happened to have the last name as Lynn. No special attention until her promotion. Everyone congratulated her on her promotion except for Haas. He continued to make snide comments that Seicad only promoted her because her "mommy" was there to watch. Most of Christine's colleagues thought he was just a sore loser. He had only been promoted to full Lieutenant because he had been made Chief Resident. He had earned the position, but many questioned if he had gained leadership. It also didn't help when he tried sucking up to Lynn that he got shot down quickly. As he couldn't take his frustration out on the captain herself, he took it out on the next best thing, the Lieutenant who shared her last name.
After completing three clean rounds in a row, Christine changed the course to a timed course and took her position at the starting position. At the tone, she and Draggs off at a calculated speed. If she rushed for time, she would fault and lose points; but if she didn't take some risks, her speed would be too slow to be in the running. It was a fine line that she and Draggs had to play.
Christine admitted that she had been on a fine line since Jacob left. The first few days had gone well. The three could pretend he was just working an odd shift, just as Christine had been, but that didn't last long. Haas continually switched her shift times. These switches made it difficult for her to remember the day, causing her to call in favors to ensure she was there for the kids. Thankfully most of her co-workers would help her as they could, but Haas made it difficult. After Haas tried to have her work a double trauma shift after only 4 hours of sleep, her fellow residents and nurses went to the shift manager and put a stop to Haas's antics. Unfortunately, it was retaliation for going to management to stop him that most likely caused Haas to humiliate her that day publicly.
Christine was grateful for Dr. Seicad giving her a couple of hours of break. She didn't think the loss of Jacob in her life would affect her so much. What kept her going every day was the kids. They needed her. She couldn't hide behind her work; she had to step up and care for those two. It wasn't easy. She is unsure how her mother managed to keep up with the three of them and still keeps up her research.
Focused, Christine cut Draggs a fraction tighter on the turn up to the last series of jumps, Stride, stride, jump, and clear. Slight pull up, jump, stride, stride, jump wide, and land. Set up the gradual turn so they were lined up for the last jump. They brushed the top of the tall jump, but it didn't go down. They landed clearly and galloped to the finish line.
Pulling up Draggs to a slow canter and finally trot, Christine's ears re-engaged, and she noticed the sounds of cheering and whistling. The arena had been created without an audience so that Christine could concentrate better, but somehow she now had an audience. Looking up into the side stands, Christine's smile widened as she saw Brielle and Josh cheering and whistling for her.
"I see I have an audience," Christine trotted over, so she was at eye level with them. "You two are supposed to be in classes."
"They were." Julie Tresken came down the steps toward the kids. "Their classes ended an hour ago."
"They what?" Christine looked down at the chronometer on her wrist. It read 18:30. "Oh, I'm so sorry, I…."
"It's ok, Christine. The kids loved watching you ride for the last couple of rounds." Julie walked up and ruffled the kid's hair. "I picked them up from class and brought them to have dinner here with you." Julie locked eyes with Christine, "As we planned."
Christine caught the message, "Just like we planned." Christine turned her attention to the kids, "Let me put Draggs up, and I will meet the three of you at our planned picnic spot."
"Don't forget the picnic basket. The kids can't wait to see the foals from east picnic grounds." Julie gently herded the kids back up the stairs.
"No sense keeping them waiting. I'll see you soon." Christine kissed the kids and turned Draggs back to the gate and stables.
Christine was met with squeals and hugs from Josh and Brielle as she came through the gate to the small picnic area.
"I want to do that too, Chrissy!" squealed Brielle. "That looks like so much fun, and you were so good and fast! I want to ride horses like that one day."
"Let me set down dinner, and we can talk about it." Christine smiled as she lifted the basket onto the table. Brielle squealed and clambered onto the picnic bench.
Julie and Christine began unpacking the basket. "You are still too young to take on a horse as big as Draggs, but we could see you showing a Cob pony." Brielle cheered, but it was brought up short at Christine's following statement, "Provided that Doctor Pagnano clears you for the additional training."
"Oh, fluffnughets," Brielle pouted, causing the adults to laugh.
"What do you think, Joshers? Would you like to ride too? You had fun with Melvin, and this is a class the two of you could do together."
"It looks fun." Josh shrugged and took his place next to Brielle.
Sharing a look with Julie, Christine asked, "What's bothering you, Josh?"
Josh kicked at the dirt under the bench, "I wish Dad were here with us."
Christine's heart sank.
Julie gave Christine a knowing look, "You're not the only one who misses Jacob."
Christine looked away from Julie, "I've got ham, roast beef and chicken salad sandwiches, potato chips, cut-up watermelon, and dark chocolate cupcakes for dessert."
"Ham for me!" Brielle's hand shot up.
"Roast beef sounds good," Josh said glumly.
"Dinner is a no grumpy zone." Brielle smiled at him as she took a bite of her sandwich. "Ouse Roos," Brielle said with her mouth full.
Josh shook his head at her antics and began to eat his sandwich.
With the kids occupied, Christine turned her attention to Julie. "I'm so sorry, Aunt Julie. I just came down here to blow off some steam and lost all track of time." Christine picked a chicken salad sandwich for herself and got a handful of chips. "How did you get involved anyway?"
"When you didn't show up to pick them up from after-school classes, Miss O'Connor's teacher called me as their next contact since Jacob is away on a mission. "I contacted the pediatric desk, and Dorja told me what happened." Christine blushed. Julie gave her a sympathetic smile, "After I confirmed you were here, I picked up the kids and told them we were meeting you here."
"Thank you for that," Christine said, grateful but miserable.
"You are welcome. I did it a few times for Lynn." Julie gave her a reassuring smile.
The two ate silently as they watched the children enjoy their dinner and be happy.
"You know I would jump before a phaser blast for those two kids, but I just needled…."
"A breath?" Julie supplied for her, " You needed a moment to breathe."
"I know I am not the only one missing him." Christine looked to Julie, "Between missing Jacob, what happened at work today, and now forgetting to pick them up…. I feel like I'm abandoning them too."
"You are not." Julie reassured her, "But…."
Christine glared at her aunt.
"…you could use a little help." Julie held her hand up.
"Jacob is gone, at least for the next week, if not more. And I can't exactly call Bea and Sam to come over and babysit while I'm on duty."
"Then it's a good thing that over 20 years ago, a forward-thinking person started laying the groundwork to put supports in place for these very situations." Julie gave her a telling look. Christine rolled her eyes. "Like it or not, you NEED the support and services offered. The fact that Dr. Lynn Rose-Skyler created those services should be a non-starter."
"I just feel like if I use them, I admit I can't do this." Christine played with her potato chips. "It will just be one more thing for Haas to rub in my face."
"Haas is an ass, and he will be proved right if you keep burning the candle at both ends."
"Mom had an excellent career and kept up with the 3 of us. But, unfortunately, I can't even keep things up for three weeks before I start falling apart."
"You compare yourself to her, but at least she knew when to ask for help and recognized the signs of burnout."
"How can I not, Julie? Mom is well…Mom, and I am weak."
"Your mom didn't do it alone. She had me. YOU have me." Julie nudged Christine's arm. "Your mom needed help; your dad needed a lot of help."
Christine chuckled.
"The point is that you will only be weak if you don't accept help when you need it." Julie laid her on Christine's arm. "From the moment you were born, you were anything but weak. Of course, you needed help, but you were not weak. On the contrary, you were a fighter and still are."
Christine blushed, "Then what should I do?"
"If a parent came to you with similar problems, what would you tell them?"
Christine turned and watched the two children laughing and playing 'duck lips' with their potato chips. "With both parents busy, having a nanny they can count on would be handy." Christine started. "On days that both parents are on duty and can't be there, having a consistent adult there for them to count on would ease the kids' minds and the parents too."
"Good start, but it is possible that the parents could leave the child-rearing to the nanny." Julie played devil's advocate.
"That would not be part of the family plan." Christine smiled as she thought about it. "They would need some way to connect daily, even if it is just a few minutes."
"In this case, what would be the best way to do that?"
"Their parents have a long-standing tradition of sharing at least one meal a day together." After that, Christine became more comfortable thinking this through. "Depending on the duty schedule, setting aside an hour for either breakfast or dinner so that the family could meet for a meal would work well."
"What if one of the parents couldn't make the meal?" Julie encouraged her.
Christine thought, "In the past, the children were brought to at least visit and share a snack with the on-duty parent. It would require cooperation from the officer's commander and co-workers."
"Do you feel the parent's supervisors would have an issue with that?"
"The mother's immediate supervisor would most likely take issue, but the program chief would be more likely to support the initiative given that it results in good mental health not just for the children, but the officer as well."
"And today proves that the chief will stand behind the officer," Julie smirked.
"This is true, " Christine looked at her sideways. "The question is, would it be feasible to find a suitable nanny for the family."
"My office lists qualified nannies who would love to help fellow star fleet families," Julie said in a mock professional tone.
"Think your office could get them a list of candidates?" Christine teased.
"I can see to it a list is sent tomorrow morning. In the meantime, the Great-Aunt will fill in as she can until a suitable candidate is selected."
"You would do that?" Christine asked, surprised.
"It's not like I haven't done it before." Julie shrugged, "Worst case, they hang out in the lab while I finish my paperwork. I'm sure it will be difficult for them to spend an extra few hours hanging out with other kids their age."
"Yeah, terrible hardship." Christine laughed.
Julie sighed, "Honestly, it isn't a problem to do that for you. Lynn set me on the path to my wonderful and long career. I am in your family's debt more than you know." Julie reached up and smoothed Christine's hair, "And it has been my great honor to serve."
"Christine, we are done. Can we go play?" Brielle asked with a hopeful Josh peaking over her shoulder.
"Sandwich eaten, not on the ground?"
"Yes, ma'am."
"Veggies eaten, not picked out?" Christine gave them a playful glare.
"Chrissy!" Brielle huffed.
"Yeah, you can go play. Stay in sight and out of the pens. No shenanigans; there are force fields to keep you from entering, but getting tossed back by them still leaves a mark."
"We will!" Both children clamored off the bench and made a beeline to the fence to watch the foals and their mother's on the other side.
"Now, if I can get my coworkers to take me as seriously as those two do." Christine sighed and looked for something to drink in the basket.
"You are on your way there already." Julie accepted one of the chilled soda bottles from Christine as she sat back down.
"Doesn't feel like it sometimes." Christine topped the top off and took a swig. "Like it or not, I'm still under the shadow of my mum."
"No, you are under the shadow of your mentor, Dr. Lynn Rose-Skyler. But, there is a difference Lieutenant Holtz. I have to say you are quickly leaving that shadow behind."
Christine gave Julie an 'I'll believe it when I see it' look.
"You keep complaining that you're not living up to your mother's reputation; your mother didn't go out and earn herself a lifesaving medal six months out of the academy." Julie poked Christine in the chest. "Lieutenant Janice Christine Skyler did that on her own."
Christine blushed profoundly and did not meet her aunt's eyes.
"Now, your father would be both dumb AND brave enough to do what you did, but he wouldn't have been able to save that precious soul as you did," Julie said pointedly.
Christine smirked, "Given dad's proclivity for saving people, yes, he would have done it." Christine took another soda swig and watched the kids pet and play tag with the foals on the other side of the fence.
"How are you holding up, Christine, honestly?" Julie asked seriously.
"Honestly?" Christine sighed, "I'm cracking." She took another swig, "I need help, but I don't know what I need. Brielle asks me every night when Jacob will be home, and poor Josh is crying at night, wondering if his dad abandoned him like his mother Julie always claimed. And I either cry to sleep or have terrible nightmares."
"It's hard." Julie squeezed her shoulder, "But at any time, if you need someone to talk to, there are people there for you."
"I'll look into it." Christine sighed, earning a glare from Julie, "I'm serious. I want to get those two some help, and then I can start help for me."
"If you don't take care of yourself, you can't take care of them." Julie reminded her.
"I know… I know…"
They watched the child play in silence.
"How can I miss him this bad? We have only been together for a couple of months. I feel foolish missing him so bad."
"Nothing foolish about it." Julie smiled, "He is a part of your life now, a big part. With him gone, that part is missing."
"I wish he hadn't.." Christine faded off.
"Hadn't what?" Julie's voice took a slight edge.
Christine didn't look at her, "He called a red robin on me."
"Pardon?" Julie looked at her, confused.
"I tried to get him to tell me what was going on, and he said," Christine sighed and took another swig, "Red Robin."
"He pulled rank on you?"
"Yep…"
"That…" mid thought Christine went, "Huh?"
"Huh? What?" Christine put her drink down and looked at Julie.
"How did Jacob know the Skyler code?"
"Ok, now you have lost me." Christine turned to face Julie.
"Correct me if I'm wrong, but no one outside the immediate Skyler family knows the family codes."
"That is the point. The only one I told Jacob was white rabbit. Suppose he heard that from any family, he was to drop everything and help. And vice versa, if he or I ever needed help, the only thing he had to say was 'white rabbit,' and the whole clan would come running."
"Then how did he know Red Robin?" Julie asked.
"He…" Christine tried to think. She had never told him, and none of the family would say to that code. Using the phrase red robin was the ultimate move. To play that card, you asked your family to follow your orders as Star Fleet officers, not as a family. "How did he know?"
"Now, that is a good question. Why would the man you love use an obscure code that would shut you down, even in honey badger mode, and make you listen to him?"
"Because he needed me to listen as an officer and not as his girlfriend." Christine tried to process the questions, "And Jacob would NOT use that power unless it were critical."
"Which brings us back to the original question, who told him the code?" Julie gave her a pointed look.
"Good question."
