The Other Torres | A Star Trek Fanfiction *Book 1*

Life Signs-Chapter 79

[Sandrine's]

"Doc. What brings you here? Is somebody sick?" Tom asked.

"Actually, Mister Paris, I was looking for you." said the Doctor.

He nods hello to Amanda.

"Oh. Well, pull up a chair." said Tom.

"Mister Paris, I assume you've had a great deal of experience being rejected by women." said the Doctor.

Amanda tries not to laugh.

"Oh, thanks a lot, Doc." Tom comments sarcastically.

Amanda laughed.

"What I'd like to know is, what does one do to recover from the unpleasant symptoms of romantic rejection?" the Doctor asked.

"Why the sudden interest in romance?" Tom asked.

"I can't tell you. It's a matter of doctor-patient confidentiality." the Doctor said.

Amanda frowned not quite believing him.

"Ah. All right. Well, let's see. Sometimes there's not a lot you can do to get over a woman you really care about. I remember when Susie Crabtree dumped me back in my first year at the Academy. I broke out in hives. Couldn't get out of bed for a week. I almost failed Stellar Cartography. I walked around in a daze for the rest of that year. Of course, the first one is always the hardest to get over." Tom said.

"Susie Crabtree? How do I not know about her?" Amanda asked.

"She was over ten years ago, more like eleven years." Tom said to Amanda.

"I see." said the Doctor.

"But, eventually, you start thinking about her less and less. Until finally, without realising it, she's not on your mind anymore." Tom said.

"So, the symptoms do subside over time?" the Doctor asked.

"For the most part. But every now and then, even years later, something reminds you of her. A certain smell, a few notes of a song, and suddenly you feel just as bad as the day she told you she never wanted to see you again. If you want to know the honest truth, Doc, you never completely get over a woman you really cared about." said Tom.

"Wait a minute, Doc. We're not talking about you, are we?" Amanda asked, she shared a look with Tom.

EMH: I told you, it was confidential.

"Oh. Boy, you've got it bad. Look, Doc, I don't mean to intrude, but if you tell me what's going on, maybe I can help." said Tom.

[Sickbay]

Denara is sitting on a bed when Kes enters.

"Hello, Kes." said Denara.

"Are you feeling all right?" Kes asked.

"I'm fine. I'm just waiting for the Doctor." Denara said.

"Oh." Kes said.

"He's been gone a long time." Denara comments.

"You really like him, don't you? Then why didn't you tell him that you felt the same way when he told you that he was attracted to you?" Kes asked.

"I don't know. It all happened so fast. He just blurted it out." said Denara.

"He's very blunt. You shouldn't take it personally." Kes said.

"How could he possibly have those kinds of feelings about me?" Denara asked.

"Maybe because you're compassionate person, a brilliant doctor, you appreciate his humour. Should I go on?" Kes asked.

"Please don't." Denara said.