ten_fwd | (no subject)

Elizabeth didn't like bars. She didn't drink and she didn't approve of others drinking. It was a vile, dangerous habit that led to nothing but heartache. She especially didn't like taking Anne into a bar, even one as clean and well lit as Ten Forward. The baby was too young to internalize bad examples, but Elizabeth worried nonetheless. Her experiences had her convinced that all men had a secret monster inside their heart that only needed an excuse to come out. It was certainly true for her.

Whether she liked the idea of spending time a bar or not, her other options for gathering information and socializing were limited. There would apparently be some kind of medical examination in the future, but she wasn't ready for all that yet. The choice between a cold examination room and a room full of people was a hard one for her, but in the end she decided she was better able to relax around people.

The baby fussed in her sling while Elizabeth contemplated the replicator. She hummed softly to Anne, her left arm wrapped protectively around the baby's head and body. The noise was probably distressing her, along with the lack of motion. The ship had creaked and groaned, swaying with the waves. The Enterprise was too still and the hallways were so quiet.

When she finally decided to ask for eggs and pancakes she was astonished at how quickly her request was granted. The food smelled okay and didn't seem to be fake, but it had appeared very quickly. She paused a moment to examine it further, curious about how the machine worked. With a baby in one arm and a plate in her other hand there wasn't much she could do other than move her head around to try to look at every angle of the machine. Elizabeth never worried about looking like a fool, and she wasn't going to start worrying about appearances just because she was in a new place.

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

Elizabeth smiled. "Thank you. Have you been here for a while, or are you relatively new? We just arrived a week ago."

"A couple of weeks, now. Long enough to learn a little bit, little enough time to know what I need." He smiled lopsidedly, tentatively.

"How're you enjoying your vacation?"

Elizabeth sighed. "It would be easier if "I had someone to help with the baby. Eating in my room is fine because it's safer to put her n the floor. I don't want her laying around in a high traffic area." So her choices were food or conversation. It was a difficult choice to make.

"Maybe you could see if there is a daycare, here? I thought I saw a kid or two come through Ten Forward yesterday, which means families, which implies other babies and some structure in place to help take care of them." Bruce nodded.

"Perhaps a trip to Sickbay could elicit the answers you need?"

Elizabeth made a small face and tightened her grip on Anne just a little. "I'm not quite ready to put her in daycare yet. I will take her to the sickbay. . . eventually. I'm a little wary of this Federation."

Bruce nodded. "Being wary is wise. It seems quiet and less than harmful so far. But being wary is always wise." Bruce didn't trust nay government, anytime.

Elizabeth nodded and made a face. "I'm not eager to be used or harmed again. I hope they're not going to hurt us."

It was a real and deep worry of hers.

"I don't think they are. This government seems more benevolent than most, and this Captain more dedicated to liberty than many." Bruce nodded. He had been doing research and asking questions.

Elizabeth made a small face. "I've seen the results of when a leader values freedom too much as well. I'm going to be cautious regardless. It seems safest."

Bruce chuckled, then. "Being cautious is good. Just, ah, try not to cautious yourself out of life... ma'am." He gave her a smile and a warm nod.

Elizabeth sighed. "Finding a balance is hard. I feel like I'm always one extreme or the other." Which was, she supposed, just part of life.

"Balance is always hard. But it is worth doing." Bruce smiled gently at her. Balance was very hard for him. He had been working on it for years.

"I'm sure you will find your path."

"I hope so." Elizabeth said with a smile. "Thank you for the vote of confidence. Would you come with me to the medical lab? I'd feel better with a familiar face, even if it is only an acquaintance."

"Of course. I'd be glad to. I have to get my check up while I'm there, myself." He flashed her a shy grin as he collected his stuff into a bag.

"Shall we?"

Elizabeth nodded and gently tucked Anne back into her sling. "Yes. Let's go see what they have to say."

Bruce rose. This was going to be interesting.

Fin