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Curious, and a Bit Scared...

Posted on Wed Jan 21st, 2015 @ 4:08pm by Ensign Nhallia Newmark & Lieutenant Roberta Andrews

1,391 words; about a 7 minute read

Mission: Deadly Diplomacy
Location: The Newmark Quarters
Timeline: Current



ON


Lieutenant Roberta Andrews paused outside the shared Newmark quarters. She was a bit hesitant to continue, but Andrews realized if *anyone* on board the Calypso could sympathize with her, it would be Ensign Newmark. She smiled a bit and patted her stomach.


Andrews sucked in a breath, and then pushed the buzzer.


Nhallia groaned. She'd just sat down... "Just a second," she called and hoisted herself off the couch reluctantly. She had barely gotten her shoes off after work today to change into off duty clothes. Spartacus had made up a baby-doll style shirt and loose slacks, but Nhallia was not forcing her swollen feet into shoes again. She wasn't even putting on slippers right now.

She wiped the annoyed look off her face deliberately and took a calming breath before she answered the door and looked UP at the woman standing there. "Yes, can I help you, Sir?" she asked, a little confused.

Andrews looked over here shoulder for a second, before realizing that the Ensign was adressign her. "Um,, when we're on deck, you can call me 'Ma'am.' Last time I was called 'Sir' was when.." Andrews looked down at her chest.."Well, was called a 'tomboy' once, but never 'Sir.' She smiled. "Actually, I came here to ask you for some advice, and maybe help later on. Korok and I are 'expecting,' and I'm... umm, a little 'new' at this..and a bit 'scared?' even though I know I shouldn't. I mean...I've read some books, but I was wondering...you're going through this as well...and a bit umm. 'further along' than I..." Andrews straightened her 6'2" frame... " I just would like to know what to 'expect.' Would you help with advice?" She asked those last words with a sound of pleading in her voice.

Nhallia blinked. "You don't want advice from me," she said after a moment, her voice low and level. Her stomach rolled a bit, not only from the continued morning sickness this time. "I-I am not having the easiest time?"

Andrews looked at her. "I can understand you being hesitant, but I *really* could use some words about what's 'going on' inside of me at this time. I'm not one to talk much about myself, but I *am* nervous and a bit...scared. Please, can we talk?"

Nhallia sighed and did her best to keep the pained look off her face. She stepped away a little from the door and waved the other woman, who she didn't even know, into the room. "Look, I really don't know what you want me to be able to tell you, but I'm not exactly an expert. I don't even have a handle on me right now... Excuse me-" she stopped suddenly and turned to run as fast as she could to restroom and fell to her knees to throw up.

Andrews' eyes went wide and she watched Nhallia run into her bathroom, and she felt suddenly queezy herself.."I..wish...she hadn't done that.." She yelled as she raced into the bathroom.

Nhallia was to the point of dry heaves; she hardly ever had anything in her stomach to throw up any more. The door opening had her flinching away from the sound and she turned just her head to see that the Andrews woman had followed her. "You too, I see," she said and was only able to move to sit on the other side of the room to clear the way. Nhallia was pale and weak and shaky and would take several minutes to recover, as she always did. It was yet another thing that set her apart from other women. Other women didn't seem to have this much trouble.


Andrews felt like she had been bent overfor an eternity. Finally she stopped and sat back and looked atNhallia. "I love my guy, but I sure wish he had to go through this as well." The she started laughing and the clutching her hurting stomach. "Nice to see we have 'something' in common." She said to Nhallia.



Nhallia frowned. "I have been doing this for almost six months," she said a little testily as she climbed awkwardly to her feet. "It's supposed to be over at three or so. Hopefully you'll have that luck."



Roberta had a look of shock on her face. "SIX MONTHS!?! She shouted., then quited down. "I'm sorry for shouting. I hope you're right. " Roberta looked Nhallia over. "I'm afraid to ask this, but what else may I expect?"




Nhallia sighed and headed back towards the main room, waving for the other woman to follow her. "Dizziness, possible fainting spells, back aches, heartburn, fatigue, insomnia, muscle cramps," she listed. "Bloating, gas, trouble balancing, hot flashes, headaches..."




Roberta tried to laugh. "And that's in just the first month or two? Have you been using a replicator for you maternity outfits?"




"No, you get to gradually add each of those to the list of things wrong with you." Nhallia practically fell back onto the couch. Her aching back and sore, swollen feet didn't make it pleasant to stand for any amount of time. "You're early still, you don't need to be messing with maternity clothes for another couple months," she predicted. Most women started wearing maternity clothes around the 4th month or so, some didn't need them until almost the 5th. Nhallia had waited longer than she should have until she was close to 6, but that was for personal reasons and she didn't want to go into that.






Roberta sighed and looked Nhallia over then looked at herself in the mirror, trying to picture herself looking as 'far along ' as Nhallia. She turned back to Nhallia. "Well, I'd really appreciate it if you'd be able to give me advice as how to handle this as time goes on, and I'd do my best to help you with your situation. By the way, how's your husband handling this?"



"He's been outstanding," Nhallia said without hesitation. "I never, EVER, could have done this without him. I never WOULD have done this without him," she elaborated firmly.


Roberta looked at Nhallia and smiled. "He sounds like a great catch." She said with a wink. "I know that Korok will be there for me and us; after all he did 'contribute' to the 'situation.' " Roberta said while laughing.

Nhallia bit her tongue to stop herself from pointing out that historically it's not like contributing had ever stopped some men from running out on the same situation. "The counseling and medical departments will probably give you better advice than I can. I'd suggest going to them."

Roberta sighed. " I plan to speak with them of course; I was looking for help in a more personal way. I know we don't know each other that well, but I was hoping that you'd be willing to impart some wisdom and ideas to me, as this is all *new* to me. By the way, did you have any strange eating habits?"


"If you're looking for wisdom, you've come to the wrong place," Nhallia said with a shake of her head. "I'm barely getting through this myself; I certainly can't give you advice," she continued darkly, her voice doing little to hide the frustration, depression, and some anger she was constantly feeling lately.


Roberta sighed. "I'm sorry if I bothered or offended you, I was just hoping.." Roberta got up from her seat and headed towards the door, and turned back to Nhallia. "My door is open to you if *you'd* ever like to talk. Perhaps that way we can help each other."

"Stick to sickbay," Nhallia barely kept herself from snapping. "Doctor Newmark is an expert, and I assure you he can handle your needs better than I can." She smoothed her expression into a neutral, 'official' one as she stood. "I wouldn't burden you with my issues, Lieutenant," she said almost formally. Nhallia didn't like airing her issues with a complete stranger and a superior officer besides. Her difficulties, her feelings about what was going on in her body, and her secret doubts were NONE of Lieutenant Roberta Andrews's business.

Roberta smiled at Nhallia and replied. "Ok, thank you for listening to me." Roberta then left the Ensigns' quarters.


OFF


Ensign Nhallia Newmark
Tactical Officer

Lieutenant Roberta Andrews
CSCIO, USS Calypso

 

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