Warm Milk

Posted on Thu Oct 15th, 2026 @ 7:08pm by Lieutenant Commander K’Var & Lieutenant JG Jarin Alexander, MD

1,269 words; about a 6 minute read

Mission: Echoes in the Triangle
Location: Deck 7 - Gymnasium

It had been several weeks since Lieutenant K’Var had been injured while on an away mission. She had emergency surgery aboard the Starbase and had been released to the medical team aboard the Arcadia. She considered herself lucky that her friend Jarin was one of the doctors that had been responsible for her post operative care and physical therapy. The two of them often worked out together and since her surgery her doctor friend insisted on it.

Luckily for K’Var, her friend, Jarin was also a night owl and some of the only time he had to work out was after his family had gone to bed. When the Caitian entered the gymnasium she was glad to see the only person present was Jarin. “My friend” she greeted him with a toothy smile “everyone tucked in and fast asleep?”

“They are indeed” Jarin gave a nod and a smile. "How are you feeling K'Var?"

The two of them often started with some cardio or stretching and K'Var was feeling like she needed some stretching before starting the cardio, so she started toward an area that had bands and yoga equipment. "I'm not one hundred percent that is for sure" K'Var answered her friend who was wearing dual hats as physician at the moment.

"Well I wouldn't expect you be fully recovered" the doctor replied as the pair started their stretching, first a light stretch of the neck and back before moving on to other parts of the body. "Anyway I can quit hounding you about all that" Jarin figured K'Var was sick of hearing about it from everyone, as if it was the only thing she had to talk about.

K’Var glanced over from her work out machine “thank you!”

“Sure” he replied as he hopped on the machine next to hers and set his machine to a brisk walk, then a jog and then a slow run before a few minuet cool down and then weights or something. He noticed K’Var was keeping her settings at a slower jog. He shot her a smile trying to let her know everything was okay. Doctor Alexander wasn’t sure if she was nervous, hurting or something else.

“How are your family members” K’Var asked as she started to experience a little shortness of breath.

“Thankfully they are both fast asleep. Poor Lanna” Jarin shook his head and turned to face his friend. “She is experiencing severe morning sickness. She’s had a lot of trouble sleeping lately and almost refuses to come to sickbay” the Medical Officer all but rolled his eyes.

“Poor thing” K’Var replied with a touch of sympathy in her voice. “Why won’t she at least come see you and have you take care of her while you are on duty?” She tried to be slick about lowering the speed on the exercise machine.

Jarin saw his friend adjust the speed of the machine but chose to keep his mouth shut and kept right along with the exercise. Changing the subject and telling her about some of the funny thing his son had been doing.

The smile on the Caitians face was all Jarin needed to see to make him happy. His baby boy was pretty fond of K’Var and K’Var the young boy. “You should come for dinner some time. I know the family would love to see you.”

“Perhaps later in the week” came her reply.

After the pair felt they had warmed up they decided to move on to some free weights. The Federation issued work out equipment was all state of art. They had done some curls to start an arm work out and over the next little bit worked their triceps, biceps and just about everything you could on the upper body. Although they were doing the exact regimen and plan that Dr. Elkhorn had prescribed K’Var post emergency surgery, they were doing anything with the chest very slowly and with any pain moving on to something else if she could tolerate it.

About twenty minutes into their workout, K’Var started experiencing some shortness of breath. As she started toward a nearby bench there was a little pain in her chest and she winced and held her chest. Taking a seat she looked up at her approaching friend and tried to speak to him “I apolo” she had to stop and catch her breath. “I am… I’m sorry” she finally got out using the easiest apology she could.

“You have nothing to apologize for my friend” Jarin had taken a seat next to her. “May I take your pulse” he was holding his hand out and she gave him her arm. As the doctor counted the Caitians heart rate he noticed some labored breathing, like it was causing pain to breath. After sixty seconds he shrugged a little “eighty, which is just slightly fast for a Caitian.”

“I just need a moment” came her almost snippy reply.

By this time there were several medical questions going through Dr. Alexander’s head. “No sign of infection or anything concerning about your post operative site?”

“No” K’Var looked Jarin in the eyes “I just got a little tired. Of course we followed Doctor Elkhorns regimens and instruction.” She shrugged “I don’t understand but I guess that’s why” she placed her hand on his shoulder “I have a friend that is a fabulous physician.”

Jarin was blushing slightly “but in all seriousness if you have any concerns or need some help with sleep go to sickbay or go see Lanna” he smiled at her “I know, I know, no one wants to go to sickbay or visit the counselor.” Jarin raised his brows and his smile grew “she’s really good at what she does and easy to talk to.”

Of course K’Var had talk with the ships counselor on missions and social situations. However it was different when it was with the Lieutenant in her official capacity as ships counselor. She hadn’t mentioned to anyone that when she did sleep she was experiencing nightmares. K’Var also felt like she failed the Captain and crew, by getting injured. She wasn’t exactly sure she had to be off duty but she felt she needed to be on the bridge. Making sure the tactical station was manned and the ship had an experienced officer manning her defenses.

“I think we better call it a night and you see if you can get some sleep” Jarin said with a smile and got up offering a helping hand. A hand that was gladly accepted, with both parties having a smile on their face. “Just be patient my friend” he said walking beside K’Var to the exit “I know you are bored and wsnt to get back on active duty but it will be here before you know it.” The young doctor was trying to assure his friend, probably his best friend, other then his wife.

“Thank you” K’Var said with a smile as they walked onto the turbo lift and ordered the deck they wanted.

In what seemed like the snap of the fingers the two were stepping off the lift. As they came upon Jarin and Lana’s quarters Jarin stopped and smiled at K’Var and all he said was “warm milk.”

Looking at Jarin a little silly she repeated “warm milk” turning as Jarin entered the Alexander suite. K’Var was headed for a sonic shower, sleeping attire and figuring out warm milk.

 

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