Stirring up a Hornet's Nest

[Tess tLhoell]

Lt. Cmdr. Tess Moreno
[Katra Station - Deck Two - Rayek and Tess' quarters]

That evening Tess had been coming home quite frustrated. Over dinner Tess had told Rayek everything that had been going on with the insufferable Karinne and her much friendlier son Lared - the Romulan woman's disdain, insults and derision towards her and Rayek. She told him everything and even a few tears were falling as she lay in Rayek's arms later, being comforted by him, all of the frustration and anger and the need to pull herself together falling off of her.

After she had calmed down a bit she all too happily let Rayek distract her in an utmost physical way. Now, lying on the sofa kissing him and her hands busy to free her fiance from unnecessary pieces of clothing - which were every single one of it - her communicator chirped with an incoming message from Jayce.

Tess stilled as she listened, then her forehead dropped down on Rayek's chest with a soft unwilling groan. She stayed like this for a moment while she tried to wrap her mind around the fact that she had to leave the warmth of Rayek's embrace and instead go down to sickbay and have herself getting insulted again. But she was her patient and there was no way she would leave Karinne without the medication she needed. If not for the fact that she would get rid sooner of that woman the sooner she was well again.

Lifting her head up again she looked down at Rayek, her face showing regret. "I guess I'll have to get that", she said quietly. Reaching behind Rayek's head to the small table there, she tapped her communicator.  "I'll be with you in a moment. Tess out."

She sighed and snuggled up to Rayek for a moment longer, then she gave Rayek another kiss before she sat up and slid off of him and off the sofa. Straightening her clothes, smoothing down her hair, she put the comm badge on her chest. "Don't move. I'll be back in a minute." Giving him a smile, she turned around and left their quarters.

[Katra Station - Deck 22 - Sickbay]

Entering sickbay, Tess headed directly for the isolation room the Romulan woman was supposed to get well again. She greeted Jayce and let her update her on anything else she might need to know before she entered the room.

Bracing herself mentally for more mean things Karinne might say, Tess nodded to her. "Good evening, Ihhei." She approached the tray with the medication sitting ready to be used. Tess picked up the loaded hypospray. "My staff is just as qualified as I am to perform such a task", she said, looking briefly to her before lifting the hypospray to the woman's arm to administer it. "I want to ask of you to let them give you the medication next time."
Tess wasn't unfriendly, but tried to make her point clear.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Ihhei - Madam

[Rayek trLhoell]

Cmdr Rayek tr'Lhoell
[Katra Station - Deck Two - Rayek and Tess' quarters]

It only took a glance at Tess' frustrated expression upon his arrival back at their shared quarters' for Rayek to realize something was amiss.   He immediately wrapped her in an embrace and suggested she share her burden while he got dinner ready.   He settled her on the sofa with a tender kiss and ordered a glass of red wine for her, and a shot of Jamieson rye-whiskey for himself.   Together, they picked out a spicy Italian dish - spaghetti a la puttansesca.

Rayek ordered the meal from the replicator, thinking for the umpteenth time that he should just go ahead with this plans to have a small cooking area installed so that they could try cooking their meals together.   He would never admit it to Miss Judy, but he found the notion of her and her husband sharing such an activity together rather romantic.    He could picture himself and Tess feeding one another, taste testing the ingredients as they cooked, tasting one another afterwards...

His thoughts on such had to wait however, for now Tess needed his support as he gently inquired as to what had upset her as he set out their meal on the small dining table that had been added to the living area's space when Tess moved in.   Then it came out - during dinner - her tale of being insulted.   Rayek didn't care that the woman considered him a traitor.  By all accounts including his own, he was one.  What upset Rayek was that the woman dared insult Tess!  Called her a whore!  The Romulan wanted to take the elderly woman and break her!  But that wouldn't please Tess, so Rayek tamped down on his anger at the situation and focused on comforting his beloved.

"Don't pay her words any mind, Tess.  She's a bitter woman who's lost her home and has been forced to abandon the only community she's ever been taught to care about - the Empire.  It'll take time for her to adjust - years... maybe never.   But you shouldn't let her pain and bitterness, hurt you with words you and I both know are untrue."

After dinner, he cleared away the dishes, poured Tess another glass of wine and sat down behind her so that he could offer her his comfort as she cried.  Damn that, hag, for hurting his Tess!.  He rubbed Tess' back.  Feeling the tightness there,  he pressed his thumbs slowly into the tight knot of muscles in Tess' shoulders - a definite sign that she was very stressed about the woman's hurtful words.   His impromptu massage, led to other tender expressions of his loving care.  A kiss on her neck, a nibble at her earlobe - he could appreciate the Ferengi fascination for such.  Tess' were irresistable.

Tess had turned around and had just begun working on freeing him of his uniform jacket when the call from Sickbay came in.  Tess, of course, was too good of a person to ignore the call.  She bade him not to move.  But that wasn't an option.  The moment she left his sight, Rayek was up and fixing his attire.   He picked up his PADD and called up all information on the Movel family and began reading as he discreetly followed after Tess, keeping out of her sight the entire way to Sickbay.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

NPC Karinne t'Movel       NPC Lared tr'Movel
[Katra Station - Deck 22 - Sickbay - Isolation room - later that night]

Karinne was waiting impatiently for the doctor to arrive.  "It's about time you showed up." The woman's words carried a tone of expectation.

When Tess remarked that her staff was just as qualified, Karinne gave a snort of derision.  Tess' request to allow other medical staff to give the medication was met with a look of scorn.  " Why should I allow this?  They have done nothing to earn that trust.  I tolerate you only because of my son has demanded it of me.  But that doesn't apply to all your staff."

The bedridden woman coughed after her words and looked to Tess haughtily. "You alone will tend to me.  I will accept no one else.  If not, send me back to my 'prison cell' to die - in disgrace among my enemies."

By this time, Rayek made his way into Sickbay shushing the few other staff working the Beta shift with a finger held up to his lips, before their greetings to him could alert Tess to his presence.   He quickly checked the room chart and noted that 'Movel, Karinne' was assigned an isolation room.  Rayek made his way to just outside the room's door and carefully listened in.

[Tess tLhoell]

Lt. Cmdr. Tess Moreno
[Katra Station - Deck 22 - Sickbay - Isolation room]

The tone and words the Romulan woman spoke made Tess think Karinne thought of her being her personal attentand. Tess glanced to her while she applied the first hypospray and thought that particular Romulan had a thing for drama.

"No one will let you die on this station", Tess replied as calm as she could. The notion was just ridiculous. "If it takes your son's word for you to accept my staff administering medicine to you, I will speak to him first thing tomorrow morning." She wasn't sure if it had been a good idea to tell her that, but Tess' patience with her was starting to thin.

Changing vials routinely Tess leaned over to administer the second of three medications. "How has your breathing been the past six hours?", she asked her, considering to decrease the tri-ox administration. With her free hand she called up the file on the screen beside the bed to check if there had been fever or anything else out of the ordinary since she had last checked on her.

[Rayek trLhoell]

NPC Karinne t'Movel       NPC Lared tr'Movel
[Katra Station - Deck 22 - Sickbay - Isolation room - later that night]

Karinne was a little surprised the doctor applied the first hypospray before even replying to her statement.  She supposed the doctor was none too happy at being called-in. Well good! She was none to happy about being told she had to remain here under treatment by Federation doctors - no worse... Starfleet doctors!  They could both suffer together!

She grimaced when the doctor calmly threatened that she was going to involve her son again.   The Romulan glared at the doctor while she prepared her next hypo. "No!" she snapped.  "There is no need to involve my son! Lared is too busy to need to bother with this." For a moment, she glanced towards the doorway, having spotted movement of shadows on the floor.  Her eyes narrowed momentarily.

Because the doctor seemed serious about her threat she tried another tactic.  "I do prefer it to be you, Doctor. You at least make an attempt to be respectful...  If you agree to being my sole medical care-taker then I will... curb my tongue and give you the respect due you as a physician."

Then as if to prove her point she answered the doctor's question without any sass whatsoever.  "It has improved.. unless I am yelling."  She'd discovered that when the androgynous looking medical personnel tried to give her the hypo shots.

[Tess tLhoell]

Lt. Cmdr. Tess Moreno
[Katra Station - Deck 22 - Sickbay - Isolation room]

Administering the hypo, Tess faltered, her gaze shifting to look at Karinne when the Romulan woman snapped at her. Aha. So she didn't want her to involve her son. Should her 'threat' really have been effective?

Tess changed vials once more while Karinne explained why she wanted her to be her sole medical care-taker. Tess had doubts Jayce had been disrespectful to Karinne. Though it probably was something else what the Romulan viewed as being 'respectful' or 'disrespectful'. When Karinne then answered her question like a normal person, Tess struggled to hide how much that surprised her.

She didn't reply immediately, but moved on to administer the third hypo to the woman's arm. She was a doctor and as such she had learned to be thoughtful of her patient's wishes if possible. It probably would cause much less trouble and problems if Tess would just give in to her wishes and see to getting the woman healthy so she could discharge her.

After Tess had taken her time to administer the medicine and take a thorough look at her file, she finally turned to the Romulan woman to reply. "If it is the only way you find yourself being able to accept treatment, I will comply with your wish." She didn't like it. It wasn't that she wouldn't do anything for a patient who really needed her. Oh, she would. But this was just because of the sensitivies of a woman who didn't even want to try to behave like a civilized person. And that Tess had difficulties with. But she tried not to show it. There would be no point in arguing about that anyway.

Putting away the equipment she had used, Tess turned to walk to the door, eager to get back into Rayek's arms. It was late in the evening after all. "Is there anything else you need before I leave?" She wouldn't put it beyond that woman to call her down again once she was back at her quarters.

[Rayek trLhoell]

NPC Karinne t'Movel       NPC Lared tr'Movel
[Katra Station - Deck 22 - Sickbay - Isolation room - later that night]

Karinne kept glancing towards the door as the doctor worked around her.  It wasn't hard to guess who would be wanting to keep a watchful eye on the doctor and yet not be seen.

As yet the doctor hadn't answered back, and during that time Karinne worried that the doctor would follow through on her threat to involve Lared.  But her fears proved unfounded as the doctor reluctantly agreed to be her sole care-taker.  Karinne nodded, satisfied; eyes glancing towards the floor shadow outside her doorway.  It remained, unmoving.

It seemed somehow unbefitting to gloat at having 'won' that argument so Karinne said nothing as the doctor began putting things away.  She noticed the shadow receding as the doctor approached the door.  The doctor being all too eager to leave her Romulan patient to her isolation.

When asked if there was anything she needed, Karinne probably should have said no but because their 'listener' obviously didn't want to be found out, just gave Karinne all the more reason to point him out.

"Right now, no... but when you return next, leave the traitor behind or tell him to quit skulking at my doorway and actually face me."

[Tess tLhoell]

Lt. Cmdr. Tess Moreno
[Katra Station - Deck 22 - Sickbay - Isolation room]

Tess faltered and looked perplexed at the Romulan woman. It took a moment for her to realize what she meant. She turned her head to look at the door, which was closed.

She knew when Karinne spoke of a 'traitor' she meant Rayek, but Rayek was up in their quarters! ... Or wasn't he? Did he follow her?

Taking a step forward, Tess touched the small plate next to the door to open it - and looked outside to see if it made any sense what the Romulan woman just had said.

[Rayek trLhoell]

NPC Karinne t'Movel       NPC Lared tr'Movel
[Katra Station - Deck 22 - Sickbay - Isolation room - later that night]

Karinne watched as the doctor moved to the transparent 'glass' sliding door to check in the hall.  The elderly Romulan woman hated the isolation room with it's lack of privacy because of said transparent door.  But when she had complained to the staff earlier accusing them of spying on her, she'd been told that it's transparency was to allow medical staff to maintain a constant patient care with less disruption.  Karinne had grumbled but did find that the hospital staff bringing the meals had been courteous enough to check if she was awake first instead of just walking in.  She knew this because she feigned sleep initially to see what the medical staff might do while she slept.

Karinne found it amusing to watch the human doctor, peeking around the edge of the glass doorway.  Especially when it seemed that their eavesdropper was swift enough to avoid being spotted in the hall. Karinne smirked.

"He was there. You can be assured I am not going senile, nor lying.   I will see you in 6 hours, doctor."    Karinne gave the woman a slight mocking nod, before making a big show of settling to sleep.

She hoped her prodding would cause trouble for the couple.

[Tess tLhoell]

Lt. Cmdr. Tess Moreno
[Katra Station - Deck 22 - Sickbay - Isolation room]

Tess frowned slightly when she glanced down the corridor but didn't see anyone. Hearing Karinne speak Tess turned back to the Romulan woman who told her again that Rayek had been there. Before Tess was able to reply anything to that her patient made it clear that the conversation was over for her.

She stood and watched for a moment, feeling the desire to remark something back to the Romulan who once more behaved as if Tess was her servant. But she really was not in the mood for Karinne's attitude so Tess decided to leave it at that.

Without replying anything back, Tess left.

She took a few steps away from the isolation room before she faltered, pondering.

"Computer. Locate Commander Rayek tr'Lhoell."

[Rayek trLhoell]

Cmdr. Rayek tr'Lhoell
[Katra Station - Deck 22 - Sickbay]

NPC Karinne t'Movel       NPC Lared tr'Movel
[Katra Station - Deck 22 - Sickbay - Isolation room - later that night]

Tess' computer query was replied to automatically..

Commander Rayek tr'Lhoell is in Sickbay, the calm female voice announced.

As Rayek bid goodnight to the Nurse on duty in the waiting area,  the Romulan debated whether he should attempt to return to their quarters ahead of her or perhaps make use of this interruption of their usual nightly routine to treat Tess to something special - to make up for having to deal with the unpleasant woman repeatedly.

Perhaps a early evening walk in the Arboretum?  He nodded to himself.  Yes, he thought Tess would enjoy that.  Decision made, Rayek paused at the doorway to Sickbay to wait for Tess.

As he waited, the doors to Sickbay opened and in walked another Romulan.  Rayek recognized the face of Lared tr'Movel, Tess' patient's son and civilian salvage operator.   Rayek offered the man a slight nod.  "Jolan tru, Mr. tr'Movel.  Here to check in on your mother?" he politely inquired.  "She's quite the handful, I hear."

Lared, who was arriving with some of his wife's cooking for his mother to complain about, looked surprised to be greeted at the door to the hospital by the Romulan First Officer of the station.  That the man knew him by sight was rather daunting and worrisome.

Lared froze for a moment before quickly bowing.  "Yes." he answered - though he realized it might be difficult to know whether he was answering the first question or agreeing with Commander's observation.

He cleared his throat and offered a proper greeting.  "Jolan tru, Commander.  Yes, she is... particular.  I'm bringing her dinner.  She refuses to eat anything from the replicators."  Lared explained.  He didn't add that his mother thought such Federation foods were poisoned.  It was rather embarrassing.

[Tess tLhoell]

Lt. Cmdr. Tess Moreno
[Katra Station - Deck 22 - Sickbay - Outside isolation room >>> Waiting area]

Commander Rayek tr'Lhoell is in Sickbay,

Tess froze. So, Rayek was here? Karinne had been right with her observation? Why did he just stay here, lingering at the door and not coming in to stand by her while she tried to deal with that awful woman? Why did he move away when she neared the door? Was everyone playing games with her now?!
The fact that her level of frustration had already been high that day made every tiny bit coming on top of that, even if it had done nothing on normal days, being too much.

She moved down the corridors until she reached the waiting area - only to see Rayek chatting pleasantly with Lared tr'Movel. It must have shown clearly on her face that she was not amused. Approaching the two men, Tess stopped with a curt greeting nod to Lared and then glared at Rayek.

[Rayek trLhoell]

Cmdr. Rayek tr'Lhoell
[Katra Station - Deck 22 - Sickbay - Waiting Room]

NPC Karinne t'Movel       NPC Lared tr'Movel
[Katra Station - Deck 22 - Sickbay - Isolation room - later that night]

Seeing movement approaching Rayek turned to offer a smile to Tess but she was clearly still upset.  She offered a curt greeting to tr'Movel, which was really unlike her to be so abrupt.  But even more worrisome was the glare she leveled on him!

Clearly they needed to talk but not in so public a place.  Rayek was not happy.  Obviously the elder t'Movel said something to Tess to bring about this abrupt change.  Did the woman know of his past?  Had she outed him on some horrific detail of his past that he'd neglected to share with Tess?

Concerned but not willing to involve strangers into their private discussion, Rayek forced himself turn back to Lared. "It's good speaking with you Mr. tr'Movel.  We will leave you to your visit.  Jolan'tru"

Lared seeing the obvious anger in the look the doctor gave the Commander, didn't wish to be witness to the upcoming discussion and so quickly agreed.  "Jolan'tru Commander and to you as well Doctor"

Rayek silently watched the man head down the hall to the isolation room.  Rayek then turned to Tess.  They were still in the medical bay waiting room.  No doubt any discussion here would be gossiped about.  Given her glare he had his doubts if she would come with him willingly.  So he didn't give her the option. "It seems we need to talk. Privately.  Walk with me, Commander." he stated before turning on heel and leading the way to out of Sickbay.

Since he wasn't positive that she would follow, Rayek made sure that she did come along.

[Tess tLhoell]

Lt. Cmdr. Tess Moreno
[Katra Station - Deck 22 - Sickbay Waiting Area >>> Corridor]

Unfortunately for Rayek right now there were many things that were wrong to say, and only very few that were right to say.

He did pick the wrong thing to say.

Tess' face darkened at the commanding tone. She did follow him into the corridor, but she didn't wait until they had returned to their quarters. She needed to get some of the steam out right now, and did it - admittedly - not in the most of objective ways.

"You want me to walk with you? Is it not my turn to seek you now? Or did I get it wrong that we were playing hide and seek here?"

If there was one thing she had learnd growing up in Italy, then it was how to decently quarrel with someone.

"Why did you sneak after me in the first place?", she demanded to know.

[Rayek trLhoell]

Cmdr. Rayek tr'Lhoell
[Katra Station - Deck 22 - Corridor outside Sickbay]

Despite the seemingly innocent questioning about playing hide and seek, her tone was very much angry and sarcastic.  He paused in his step to look back at her, confused, not understanding her hide and seek reference and wondering what it had to do with why she was angry at him, until she questioned 'why did he sneak after her'.   Rayek's gaze which had been trying to meet hers perplexed, suddenly slid away in embarrassment.

So she had noticed. 'Or the patient had and ratted him out to Tess', he thought sourly.
Rayek glanced along the hallway hoping that their conversation wouldn't draw attention.

"I followed you because I was worried about you, Tess."  That answer shouldn't be surprising. "But felt you wouldn't appreciate my overt concern, so I tried to not be noticed. I apologize, but merely speaking about the woman brought you to tears in our quarters.  I wasn't going to stay back in our quarters and allow her to do that again. If the woman had dared speak one word of ill to you, I was going to swoop in and... " rescue was probably not the word to use..  "support you and.. maybe apply a bit of Romulan intimidation on the woman.  But you seemed to have managed her well.  I would even dare say you have earned a bit of her respect."

He took a step back towards her reaching for her hand, his face apologetic.  "I'm sorry if I was being over-protective once more."

[Tess tLhoell]

Lt. Cmdr. Tess Moreno
[Katra Station - Deck 22 - Corridor]

The frustration Tess felt made her actually ball her hands into fists, her whole body tensing up. Without the insufferable Romulan woman calling her in again she might have used that energy for something more fun. But no - now she was fighting with Rayek.

At his apologetic explanation Tess let out an angry breath. She kind of understood what he meant but it didn't help her right now.

Lifting her head again she made sure her eyes met his. "If she had dared to speak one word of ill to me? Well, she had! Not this time so much but I have spent my work day with being called a -..." Her own loud voice made her falter. She glanced about just in time to see a young crewman who looked shocked as he turned on his heel and seemingly decided it was better to use another corridor.

Taking a deep breath Tess started anew, this time adjusting the volume of her voice to the situation. "She might not have offended me that bluntly as before but would you have been there, with me ... you would have seen the way she looked at me. The way she spoke to me. I might have handled her well as you say but you didn't see that I struggled to manage it well. I really would have appreciated some actual support in there with her." She sniffed, still caught up in all those emotions that tried to pull her back down.

She now took hold of his offered hand as if it was an attempt to fight that. "I do appreciate your concern. Of course I do. Don't think I don't need you. I do. A lot." Her voice was small now.