Katianna arrived in sickbay with some clothes in hand. Toren Len saw her and smiled. Today Kassia and Tara were not present, but were available at a moments notice if needed, she was told. However, she felt that things would be okay.
She walked directly to Alicia's room and bed. "Good morning," Katianna smiled. "I'm the bearer of gifts today." With that she handed Alicia the clothes. They were in Alicia's favorite color.
Alicia had been reading about the station on a borrowed PADD for short periods due to reoccurring headaches, but was excited but afraid at the same time...the counselor had said this wasn't too uncommon. Now Katianna was here to take her out into the new world.
Alicia emptied the bag out on the bed and saw a shirt of very soft brushed blue cotton with buttons, and a pair of khaki colored twill pants, a belt and some deck shoes.
"Thank you Kat." She said as she started pulling on the undergarments and the rest of the clothes.
"I thought you might like the style and color," she replied, her green eyes sparkling a bit.
"Anything is better then a hospital gown." Alicia said buckling the belt around her waist. "Ok, so I'm out of here I guess. Any place special you're suppose to take me?" she asked handing the borrowed PADD back to Kat.
"Yeah, as a matter of fact," she smiled. "You're quarters . . . But we can go anywhere you'd like. Do anything you'd like to do. Just name it. We probably have it on the station somewhere," she laughed softly.
Alicia nodded and followed Katianna through the door and out the main reception area to the turbolifts. "So what level are we housed on and is it barracks style or similar to what we had on the Eagle?" She asked her arms crossed and tucked in against her chest in a self hugging sort of way. Her blond hair tucked behind her ears.
As Katianna told her where the quarters were and began escorting her there, she began describing them. "They're next exactly like the Eagle's," she replied, "And they are definitely not like barracks . . ." She paused for a moment. "Imagine an apartment or house. That's probably the best way to describe it. They're really nice. I think you'll be pleasantly surprised."
"Kat, I haven't seen Keung since early this morning. Is he going to be in quarters or what?"
"I think he's still in a meeting with the Captain," she replied. "But I'm sure he'll be there soon. I promise I won't leave your side, if that helps any . . . I know this has got to be quite a shock to be here. But to be honest with you, I'm glad you're here and not dead."
As she let that thought settle over Alicia they reached the quarters. Katianna punched in the code and the door slid open. Katianna motioned for Alicia to go ahead and walk in first. Katianna followed quickly, calling for the lights. The main room was spacious with a couch, table chairs . . . There was a dinner table, a replicator, but there was the option to cook as well with a cooking area. There was even a porthole that looked out at space until New Canada came into view.
"Home sweet home . . . Over there is one bedroom and over there is the other and over here is the bathroom," she said as she pointed everything out.
Alicia just stood in the doorway and gapped. The door had been marked SF3-90 which she figured out was Starfleet 3rd level compartment 90. "Wow." She stepped further into the room and did a slow circle taking in everything. It was very basic and had that new smell that construction can have. She giggled and looked at Kat... "And Keung and I live here." she saw the other woman's nod and wink in response. "It's kinda bare isn't it?" Then she broke down into tears and Kat moved and pulled her into a hug and let the other woman cry silently on her shoulder.
"It's all right, Alicia . . ." Katianna soothed. "Everything takes time. Even something like this . . . Just remember, you're not alone. You have Lee and you have me too. I might be a little older," she smiled, "But I'm still the Kat you know and I will always be here for you . . ."
"Ohhh, I know. I just thought about Taos for a moment...that's all." she sniffed and sat down in one of the over stuffed chairs in the common room. She took a deep breath and looked around the living space and thought of a few things she needed to find to make this more home like, together they could shop for more personal items but there were a few things she could get... "I know I haven't been reactivated to duty, but do you think my records and credit has been cycled over yet?" She asked.
"You have funds. An account was already set up for you. It's almost standard procedure around here when this sort of thing happens," Katianna replied. "So if you'd like, we can go to the Promenade and do a little shopping," she smiled, wondering if Alicia had picked up on her last comment and almost wondering if she should have made it. But they weren't the first to time travel here.
"I'd like to take a few minutes and splash come cold water on my face..." Alicia remembered where the bathroom was and entered. She leaned against the wall for several long moments and then washed her face and looked into the mirror. Keung had some personal items on the counter already and that made her smile as she smelled the cologne he wore. She willed herself to be calm knowing that her friend could sense her emotions. "Okay, she said exiting the bathroom. You wouldn't know which room 'he's' stake out do you?"
"I believe he has . . . that one," she said pointing to the one closest to the door.
"Ok," she said as she walked to the other room and the door opened and she saw the bed, the built in bookcase, and the built in table on either side of the bed and the light above. It was the size of her whole room back on the Eagle...not overly large...she noticed that there was a built in computer and desk in the left hand corner compact but efficient looking. There were the basic linens on the bed, she saw the closet on the left and noted there was another change of clothing. "Kat, do I have you to thank for the clothing in here too?"
"Let's go shopping she said turning to join Kat in the main room"
Katianna smiled as Alicia met her. "I have a few special places I really like on the Promenade. I'll take you to those places. One of which is Lt. Kassia's shop. You might find something special to put around the quarters or in your room or something," she smiled, "And if you're hungry there's all kinds of places to eat. I like this one place called Harry's. They serve mostly Earth food, but you can get almost anything in there. It's modled after a 1950s diner, I think," she said. "So what do you want to start with?"
"I would like to find some plants, books, candle, and vids/music. Food...now there's a thought. Lets save the diner for sometime when Keung's with us...unless you have already taken him there." She said resting her hands on her hips. "Oh and a tea pot...china if we can find one."
"I think we can find everything on your list," she said leading Alicia out the door. "Our first stop will be Kassia's shop. She has more candles than you can possibly imagine. And if she's there, you can bet she'll tell you what else you might need!" Katianna laughed at that and lead the way to the Promenade.
In Kassia's Cave of Curiosities she wandered around and found one music disc, some scented oil, and a whole host of candles and a tea pot. There was a tabletop waterfall--that made a nice soothing noise, but would be more of a living room item so she mentally marked it as something to show Keung. Kassia greeted them and arranged to have the items directly transported to her quarters for a minimal fee of joining her for lunch... All agreed and off they went.
Kassia had also made a note of the tabletop waterfall that Alicia had looked at, but had not gotten and made her own note to Danni before they had walked off.
"I'm so glad to see the both of you!" Kassia smiled, her green eyes shining. "It's good to see you out of bed and without headaches," she said to Alicia.
"Yeah, and it's nice to be wearing clothes again." Thank you for all of your help. The three women walked into the diner where a sign said 'seat yourselves.' Katianna led the way to a booth in the back and slid in. Kassia slid in beside Katianna, and left Alicia to one side without feeling trapped between them. A waitress arrived and handed out menus. They ordered and while waiting for the food, Alicia asked, "So, Kassia, tell me more about what it is you do in Starfleet...we didn't have that classification on the Eagle..."
"Well, I'm essentially a psychologist," Kassia smiled. "But it almost means I'm a mediator, a friend . . . and a calming force on the station. At least I try to be. I'm probably one of the few officers in Starfleet that didn't actually go to the Academy," she said, with a smile on her face and a sparkle in her green eyes.
"Oh." Was the only thing Alicia could come up with. "Well, thank you--for being there when the impact of what had happened hit me." She smiled as their orders arrived. She took a bite of her pasta and sighed in contentment..."yumm." Katianna laughed and shook her head-- "I know they fed you in sickbay...when you weren't so nauseated from the concussion or the headaches."
Alicia shrugged, then announced, "it didn't taste anything like this..." she took another bite and let the other two women eat
Before she launched into her next topic. After several minutes she asked, "I know none of my certifications are current in this time period...but I really think I should start working as soon as possible. Any ideas?"
"Well, you're a quick study, Alicia," Kat replied with confidence. "There isn't anything you can't accomplish. In fact, you could even handle Tactical with some training. That requires a little of everything, including handling communications on the command deck," she replied. "Would you be interested?"
"I don't know...doesn't that also include weapon systems and off ship missions as tactical officer if need be?" She said setting her fork down. She saw her friend nod. "I could probably learn any job...I just don't know. Maybe tomorrow or the next day we can take a tour of the various positions I should consider." She reached over and picked up the drink--a vanilla milkshake and sipped.
"Well, there's no rush on anything," Katianna replied, making sure that Alicia knew she could move at her own pace. "You just let me know when."
"Yes, I don't think it would be a good idea to push yourself too hard too fast," Kassia added. "Just do whatever is comfortable for you." She took a sip of her iced herbal tea then took a bit of her onion rings.
"I don't want to sit in quarters and dwell on what has been, that's all." She looked at both women, shrugged and then asked, "Ok, that can wait but I need to go find some personal items and a few more items for quarters. So where is a good place to get plants?" She took another bite of her pasta.
"There's a shop a few doors down from here," Kassia replied. "I can guide you there after we eat, if you'd like."
"And if you want a distraction, I can take you to Holo Pursuits," Katianna added. "Now there's a place that will distract you!"
"And that's coming straight from the one person who would know," Kassia replied, meeting Katianna's glance with a smile.
Katianna laughed. "Yeah, well . . . There's no other place like it, is there, Kassia?"
She shook her head. "None at all," Kassia agree.
"I read about that place on your ..'PADD' before we left sickbay this morning, Katianna. I think after we shop a little longer I'll be ready to just sit in quarters...a place that's quiet and not filled with so many people." She said pushing her finished meal away. She saw the look of concern pass across both faces simultaneously...
"Don't give me that look. I'm fine and I'll let you know when I'm truly overwhelmed or getting a headache. But for now lets get to some serious shopping."
"All right," Kassia replied first as the other women finished eating. "Follow me. I'll take you to the plant shop first. You'll be surprised how many different species you can find."
Kassia paid for lunch and wouldn't accept no for an answer and then lead them to the shop. It was like walking into a greenhouse.
Alicia smiled and walked around and though the foliage. She spotted several plants right away...plants that she and Keung both had had in their own quarters and she marked the names on a PADD the shop keeper had handed her. "Alicia, come see this tree."
Alicia walked over and found a 1.2 meter tall tree that was and evergreen --Norfolk Pine was what the tag said. She noted the special lighting and pot it needed and said, "I think this would be perfect between the two bedrooms, Kat. What do you think?
"I think it would be beautiful there," Katianna smiled.
"This would be good for you to have in your personal space," Kassia replied, bringing Alicia a plant with small spiralling baby blue flowers. "This is the Kallinian Horn. It's reported to bring peace to its owner," she said.
"What did I tell you," Katianna smiled with assurance in Kassia's abilities. "She has a way of knowing things." At that she winked at Kassia.
"Cool." She marked it on the list and then found two orchids one yellow and another one in a pale blue with pots &lights, and for Lee's room she found a small bonsai tree like the one he'd had on the Eagle. "Ok, we have ten plants and accessories to cart to quarters."
"Oh," Kassia said and then remembered that Jayme had had them transported... "when a friend of mine shopped here they site transported them."
Alicia checked out and was shocked but signed the bill. And Kassia was right they did the transporter transfer.
Katianna linked arms with her and they headed out and into a boutique that carried all kinds of clothing for men and women. There all three women shopped and ended up with bundles. One bundle was tagged and Alicia wrote on it: "To Lt. Lee with love, Ali."
The belongings disappeared and practically landed on Keung who'd just arrived in quarters to find several boxes with candles and such, and he looked around at the plants and then this newest of deliveries..."What the hell?" he picked up the one with is name and saw the tag, smiled, and knew immediately what was going on. He took a seat to wait...
Kassia finally bid them farewell and returned to her shop. Katianna showed Alicia and few more places on the Promenade before escorting her back to her quarters.
"Well, I hope you had a good day, if nothing else," Kat smiled.
Inside quarters they found Lee in the kitchen area cooking. Alicia smiled and looked at Katainna, "can you stay for dinner?"
"No." I really need to go see my children. "One of these nights when things aren't so unsettled, you guys are invited for dinner at my place. Katianna had looked at the time and knew she needed to be home for dinner and bath time and then head to Holo Pursuits. "Have a good time unpacking and I can't wait to see this place in a day or two. Good night."
Alicia turned and walked over to Keung and gave him a hug and returned his kiss when he leaned in and kissed her, and then said, "you've been busy."
"Yeah, probably too busy. I'm getting a headache, and we never made it to the dispensory to pick up the meds they order for me..."
Suddenly, there was the trickling of a water fountain sitting on a table. A look of surprise went into her eyes. As she went to it, there was a note.
"Happy House warming! Enjoy! Kassia."