Nervous Nurse - Part II

Posted on Fri Sep 19th, 2025 @ 1:06pm by Lieutenant Endymion Tox & Lieutenant Amanda Rose

1,610 words; about a 8 minute read

Mission: Preservation Instinct
Location: Counseling Office
Timeline: Post Away Team Mission

Previously on Nervous Nurse...


Well, this certainly was the most interesting information she had ever acquired about Xavier. Amanda had observed his obvious Goth attire, but he was likely the most un-Vulcan, Vulcan ever. Fascinated, Amanda encouraged Tox, who she knew would never quiet himself, "Go on. The inside...."

He gave a little moan. "That was vampire HQ. He had this black skull table base with a glass top and it was set with like these huge black plates with smaller white places with a spider web design and the glasses...like these wine goblets but very chalice looking! Like something Dracula would have at his picnic!" He sighed. "The man has ravens!" A shiver ran up Tox's spine. "Thank that universe they weren't there. I have a tiny fear of birds but then there was a sofa. It was carved with swirls and dark flowers with a skull in the middle of the design with a Raven of wood perched on each side. The leather was buttery soft and black as night with sliver studs on the backrest. He had a spider coffee table base with a glass top and Oh MY GODS OF STARFLEET! He had a book, Dracula. He says he has fifteen copies: all special editions! I mean come on!"

He paused a moment. "I even got a sneak peak at the bathroom...." He turned his eyes up to the counselor. "DO YOU KNOW WHAT WAS IN THERE?"


Now, the conclusion...




Amanda knew about the ravens and tried hard not to snicker at Tox's enthusiasm. However, Xavier's interest in Dracula and the special editions were quite interesting. Why would he collect those? Something for another day and time to dive into. "What was in the bathroom?"

He sighed. "An Obsidian colored tub with gold claw feet, a black toilet and sink. Black tile with gold marbling...it was a quick glance but OH GODS OF STARFLEET." He shook his head. "He even offered me some Vulcan Red Tea that had white smoke coming out of it and I swear I ran 'cause I wanted him to bite me!"

"Would that have been so horrible?" Amanda asked with a small grin.

Tox snorted. "It might have been yummy but I thought about PLUTO." He was quiet. "What if this is transference. He's not PLUTO but damned if his voice doesn't have that yummy rumble like PLUTOs and maybe I'm thinking that I like him cause PLUTO is not here." He sighed. "Am I making any sense?"

"You've heard PLUTO's voice, no? Did you save it?" Amanda asked, knowing exactly who Pluto was.

"I've listened to it a thousand times. I do have his message. I have one of him singing too. He sent me a song he was working on...oh Gods what a voice." He sighed. "Maybe my attraction to Vuncula is transference cause they do kind of sound similar. What do you think? Projecting? Am I totally insane?"

"Long shot, but maybe you could go to the computer and ask it to run a voice analysis. That could solve all of your quandaries."

He snorted. "LOL I'm not delusional I know Flyboy is not my PLUTO but like I said. I think it's transference." He sighed. Tox studied the counselor. "I'm sorry, I'm whining aren't I?"

"Maybe you're delusional in thinking that he is NOT your Pluto. Why not confirm or deny it? Then you know and you don't have to worry about what's real and what's not. Working with facts.... Oh, God! I sound like a Vulcan.... But seriously, when in doubt, sort it out."

"Ah but I'm not in doubt." He laughed. "Honestly counselor. It's not even remotely possible." He sighed. "But PLUTO...well there have been developments there too."

Not remotely possible? Really? You're so deep in that river in Egypt that I have no idea what to do with you! "Go on...." Amanda replied neutrally.

He sighed. "Things were really going well. We agreed to get to know one another eventually do a video call but....PLUTO hasn't answered my last message. The one I sent before the away team. Should I be worried?"

Well, when the video call occurs won't both of these naive folks be surprised? "It took 15 years for you to get to the point where you heard each other's voices. Perhaps Pluto is nervous or perhaps Pluto is on a mission. Give Pluto a chance. There is no need to rush."

He sighed. "You're right. I'm just being dramatic which is nothing like me."

"Nothing like you?" Amanda asked. "Please tell me that I missed some sarcasm there."

Tox snorted. "You know too much my friend." Grinning he sat back. "Okay perhaps I can be a tiny bit dramatic."

"Your gift for understatement is truly astounding."

Tox threw his head back and laughed. "Counselor you are a gem! Never change. Deal?"

"The only thing certain in life is change, Tox. That said, I appreciate the sentiment and I hope that I'm never a disappointment to you."

He smiled. "I doubt you could be. Honestly, you're the first counselor I spoke with that I shared so much of myself. You feel like a safe place."

"I would hope that I am for everyone," Amanda replied practically blushing and turning her head slightly to the side.

Tox smiled. "Counselor let me open up a can of truth for you. You are a safe space, even to those who don't appreciate it. It's not because they don't realize it. It's because they are refusing to see the truth. Don't make anyone doubt you. Okay?" Tox reached out and took her hand.

"I have enough doubts for myself, Tox, but I appreciate your sentiment."

He studied her. "Why? Why doubts?"

"Do you know what it is like always to be left out or second best, Tox? That's been my lot in life. I always desire more but it never really comes, and so I content myself with helping others. I can live vicariously through them now."

Tox sighed. "Okay. I have something to say. Come here and sit beside me on the sofa."

Amanda did not know why she did so, but she did so.

Tox smiled. He laced his fingers through hers and then leaned his head on her shoulder. "Now then. I do know what it's like to be left out and second best. Living vicariously through others is never the answer. To get more you must do more than just desire things to come. Can I share my advice with you?"

Amanda chuckled nervously. "Sure. Why not?"

"Endymion Gallian was always second best.... or rather 9th best in my house. I did a lot of living vicariously through people. I listened to their adventures, lived in their memories and experiences but you know what I discovered? Those were their special times, not mine. When left in the end I was always the supporting person in my own life and no matter how many wonderous things I learned or heard about in the end they were not my experiences. My dear Amanda Rose, you need to be the main character in your own life and experience things, live, use others experiences to note their mistakes, their wins, and build your own. Learn the lessons from their pains so you don't have to live your own but make your own experiences and you can only do that one way. Learn to love yourself and trust yourself in every possible way. I only learned that when I was forced to deal with the Tox parasite but I did learn it and It took a long time for Endymion to love himself for who he is not what he thought others wanted him to be. That said I want to help you on your journey if you will let me."

Amanda gave the Trill a warm smile. The advice was not unlike that she might offer someone else; however, there had been too many wounds without any healing of significance. "I appreciate the offer, Tox. However, I have been the main character for a great deal of time and without any success. It is time for me to take a back seat and figure out my own issues. Once I do that, then I can move forward again."

"Lucky for you I'm going to help. You're right. You have to figure things out and I think you need a rebranding. Time to hop into the butterfly thingy and then pop out a new butterfly...." He waved his hand. "You know what I mean. Anyway, I'm going to help you!"

"Cocoon," Amanda replied with a disbelieving laugh. "Again, Tox, I appreciate your offer, but I'm going to decline right now."

"The ship Vampire reminded me recently when that we...are not an island. We all require assistance sometimes. I hope that you will let me help you at some point."

"It sounds like your Vampire had a very good counselor," Amanda replied knowingly. "If and when the time comes, I will let you know. For now, let's just try friendship. OK?"

He grinned. "Sure." Tox stood. "Well I should go. I'm working on a surprise for the XO to cheer him up."

"Dare I ask?"

He gave a wink. "Something to lessen his separation pain from his one true love! Top Secret!" He waved. "See you later Counselor! Thanks for the ear."

Amanda whispered, "Oh, God...." She then called after Tox, "Don't do anything I wouldn't do!"

OFF:

Lieutenant Amanda Rose
Chief Counselor
USS Ontario

&

Lieutenant Endymion Tox (NPC)
Head Nurse
USS Ontario

 

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