Post 332: Not the Man She Used to Be

Stardate: 70729.2300
Title: Not the Man She Used to Be
Authors: February Grace and Dabin Reece
Scene: Runabout Hiawatha en route to Trill
Time: Following With Further Ado
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A note for the sake of all of our new folks: February Grace, Dabin Reece, and Ashlyn Trind are all joined Trills. ~FG
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"This can not be happening to me," February repeated again. Now she knew that this truly was Hell.

All thought of her previous discomfort at the prospect of making small talk with Captain Gilmore now forgotten, she found herself dealing with a far more perplexing interpersonal situation.

For his part, Commander Reece was seeing red as his symbiont overwhelmed him with the strength of the pain and anger coursing through it. As a result, Dabin began to give voice to its hateful ramblings.

"You slimy, low down, backstabbing, two-timing,"

"Now see here!" R.J. Gilmore interjected, holding his hand up between Reece and Grace to put distance between the man and the young woman. "What is the meaning of this?"

"Don't be fooled! That thing is a wolf in Trill's clothing!"

February couldn't see Gilmore's arm and bumped into it as she tried to take a step forward toward Reece. "The meaning, Captain, is that Reece and Grace. . .have met previously. When they were joined to other hosts."

"That's the understatement of the millennium!" Reece lamented.

"In any event we cannot delay our trip any longer, February for the sake of your health. So let's all board the runabout and we can discuss this rationally." Gilmore insisted, "Let's go."

Reece stormed up the gangway, muttering to himself. Gilmore and Grace followed, and R.J. led her toward the back of the ship where Dr. Trind was waiting, wanting to monitor her condition.

Reece went straight to the replicator. He ordered a glass of ice cold water, then tossed it into his face, trying to regain his composure. He shook his head and slicked his hair back out of his face. The water splattered over his shoulders and sprayed droplets on to Lily and Simon in their seats.

"Hey, do you mind?" Lily frowned, brushing water off her shoulders.

Dabin ignored her and headed toward the back of the runabout, looking for February. His symbiont had been waiting a long time for this opportunity, it wasn't going to let the host waste it.

"I thought he was going to pilot." TC Blane raised an eyebrow, glancing backward from his seat in the front.

[[Apparently he's got other things on his mind. He doesn't look like he's in any condition for it at the moment.]] Jariel signed, and Simon translated for him.

"Got that right, Vedek." Simon added. "Well, shall I then?" he volunteered.

"I don't see why not. Take us out, Ensign." Blane authorized, and Simon moved into the pilot's chair.

"Independence this is runabout Hiawatha, requesting permission to disembark."

[Permission granted.] Windsor replied from the bridge. [Safe journey.]

Simon eased the thrusters to life, and the runabout began moving forward. After a few moments, the ship was gliding gently through space toward the surface of Trill.

In sleeping quarters at the back of the runabout, Dr. Trind was very concerned about the change in February's demeanor, and her heart rate. "Your pulse is up to 134 beats per minute and you're shaking like a leaf! What's the matter?"

February sat still and silent on the bunk.

"I believe the conversation she just had with Commander Reece has distressed her," Captain Gilmore replied, sitting down in a chair in the cramped quarters.

"A conversation that's just gettin' started!" Reece declared, marching into the room and poking February on the shoulder. "You could at least look at me when I'm talkin' to you, Grace! Or aren't you man enough to look me in the eye?"

"Man enough?" Ashlyn chimed in. "Maybe you're the one who needs to get their eyes checked, Reece. In case you haven't noticed, Grace is female now!"

"And she's blind. She can't see anything, you egotistical twit." Gilmore snapped, "That's the reason she has to go to Trill, remember?"

"I forgot! Excuse me, King Triton. This really isn't any of your business."

"Like hell it's not. I'm a Captain, you're a Commander and she's a member of my crew. It would serve you well if you remembered that fact before you open your mouth again." Gilmore warned.

*A member of his crew.* February felt a wave of heartache all over again, hearing Gilmore's words. *That's all I am, all I'll ever be to him.*

"Captain, I thank you for your concern," She spoke aloud again at last, trying to get the words out past the lump in her throat. "But I believe that I might deserve this."

"How could you possibly deserve to be treated like this?" Gilmore was astonished.

"Oh, not me per se, but the me I used to be." February replied.

Ashlyn's face showed the glimmer of understanding that only another joined Trill could have in such a situation.

"If we could have a moment alone please?" February asked.

"Well the Captain may step out, but I'm not leaving." Ashlyn informed her. Gilmore nodded.

"I'll be just outside, mind that." He glared at Reece for a long moment before finally moving back into the runabout's main cabin.

Lt. February Grace
Helm/Flight Controller
USS Independence NCC-90791


and

Commander Dabin Reece
Science Officer/Guest Trill
Starfleet

NRPG: This is where it really gets good. ~FG