Certainly the Most Memorable Check-in - Part 1

Posted on Fri Oct 24th, 2025 @ 5:01pm by Lieutenant Commander Rafael Montoya & Lieutenant Tahlira Serin

1,685 words; about a 8 minute read

Mission: A Day In The Life
Location: USS Ocrist & Earth

The turbolift came to a halt on deck four. Tahlira stepped out into the corridor and headed toward sickbay. It's location was easy enough to find. She stopped in front of the door marked with the familiar Starfleet medical insignia. Out of habit, she pulled the straps of her pack as the doors parted open with the familiar hiss. Crossing the threshold, Tahlira let her eyes sweep across sickbay, taking in the space. She moved further inside, searching for the ship's Chief Medical Officer.

Raf was sitting at his desk as he wrapped things up for the day. He had already changed over to linen shirt with denim riding pants and black boots. Hearing the door he rose to see who was there and if there was a problem. "Hello Lieutenant, what can I do for you?"

Tahlira turned toward the voice and saw a man rising from behind the desk. His casual attire wasn't what she expected in sickbay, so she made no assumptions about his role, though she wondered if he might be the Chief Medical Officer.

“Hello.” She said. “I’m Lieutenant Tahlira Serin, newly assigned Chief Diplomatic Officer. I’ve just arrived aboard and need to complete my check-in.”

Motioning her into his office, "No problem at, come in have a seat, and let's see what we are looking at." Before even reactivating his terminal he looked at her with his usual carefree expression. "I assume you records have been transferred?"

Tahlira stepped into the office and settled into a chair. For a moment she observed him, noting the relaxed ease in his posture. “Yes, my records should have been transferred ahead of me." She answered.

She tilted her head. “You haven’t introduced yourself yet. May I ask who I have the pleasure of speaking with?”

His arms spread slightly has he looked down at himself, "AH... My apologies. Being out of uniform must have had you wondering who you were dealing with. Lieutenant Commander Montoya, but feel free to call me Raf. I was heading down to the surface, once we depart there's no telling when I'll be able to get to ride so I'm taking every chance I get." Activating the console he glanced at the new files to be reviewed.

Tahlira smiled. Her assumption had been correct. This was the Chief Medical Officer.

“It’s a pleasure to meet you, s...” She caught herself. “Raf.”

She sat quietly as he reviewed the files. Her medical record was largely unremarkable, noted only for a slight tendency toward iron deficiency and the occasional remark about vitamin D levels. Beyond that, she had always been considered in excellent health.

Looking over her record was easy enough. "Bajoran-Betazoid hybrid, no major injuries, hmmm...a few deficiencies I see but nothing a change in diet or a supplement won't take care of. Though I'm sure you've heard that all before. Your physical is still fairly current but hopefully I won't have to drag you in here in a few months."

Grabbing a scanner he passed it over her and compared the results with the records. "Still coming up deficient... Are you currently taking any supplements?

Tahlira watched the scanner pass over her, the soft hum a familiar sound. At his question, she shook her head.

“No, I’m not taking any supplements at the moment.” She admitted. “It hasn’t ever seemed pressing enough to make a habit of it. Though, if you recommend it, I’ll defer to your judgment.”

"Well even intermittent issues over the long term can lead to issues in the future. A long term vitamin d deficiency can lead to increase risk of fracture, muscle weakness, etc., where as a long term iron deficiency your looking a fatigue, weakness, and dizziness, shortness of breath among other issues."

He sat back. "I wonder...Before we try a supplement I want to try prescribing something else. Sort of an experiment."

Tahlira listened as he listed the possible long term effects. It was nothing she hadn't heard before from her father, a physician himself. She was on the verge of conceding to supplements when he mentioned an experiment. Her brows lifted slightly. “An experiment, you say? What did you have in mind?”

He got up. "Some real sunshine. Ever ridden a horse?"

Tahlira couldn’t help but laugh at his suggestion. Not in offense, but in genuine surprise. She looked at him with amusement. “I have, once or twice.” She admitted.

"Good. Do you wanna go as is or do you wanna change?"

Tahlira hesitated for a moment, weighing the unexpected turn this check in had taken. Still, they were doctor’s orders, of a sort. It seemed best to go along. “I'd like to change.” She answered.

Clapping his hands together "No problem. Say....fifteen minutes in transporter room two?

Tahlira rose from her seat. "Fifteen minutes in transporter room two." She confirmed. "I'll be there."

"Excellent. While you do that I will make a quick call."

Tahlira nodded, and left to change.


[Transporter Room 2]

Raf leaned against the wall in the transporter room as he waited. Look over to the operator he raised his eyebrows questioningly.

The Chief grinned, "Sorry Commander it's been 17 minutes."

Raf came off the wall and before he could replied the door opened. "There she is."

Tahlira stepped into the transporter room. She wore a pair of well fitted denim pants tucked neatly into black boots that rose to mid-calf. A lightweight gray jacket lay over her tunic. Her hair was pulled back into a neat ponytail, keeping it clear of her face. "I'm here.' She said.

Stepping up onto the platform, grinning as the got set to transport. "You won't need the jacket, it's around 35°C at the ranch." Slipping on a pair of sunglasses.

Tahlira stepped up onto the transporter pad beside him. Doubt crossing her mind. She wondered what exactly she had gotten herself into. Perhaps she should have politely declined and used the time to settle into her quarters instead but it was too late now.

They materialized between the house and the stable. As soon as the cycle was complete he heard a shout from the house. "RAFIE!

Turning both his grandmother and mother stepped down from the patio. "Hola Abuela." (Hello Grandma)

Turning back to his 'patient' he grimaced sheepishly as he mouthed 'sorry'. Stepping back he gestured to to the two woman swooping in on them. "Lieutenant Serin, my mother Liana and my grandmother Angelina Montoya. Mama, Nana, Lieutenant Tahlira Serin. ...my patient."

His attempt to head them them off was ignored and batted aside by his grandmother. "Hello Dear, it is so nice to meet you." Reaching up she took Tahlira's face in here hands. "Too much time in those starships...you need some fresh air and real food."

His mother taking him by the arm, whispered to him. "She's very pretty..."

"Mama...she is really a patient."

Tahlira blinked at the sudden whirlwind of introductions. There was much to be surprised by in the moment, but she drew on her training, putting her best diplomatic face forward as she smiled. She nodded to his mother before meeting his grandmother’s eyes as the older woman cupped her face.

“It’s a pleasure to meet you both.” She said. “You’re not wrong, too much time aboard ship does make one forget the value of fresh air.”

She cast Raf a pointed look, filing away a mental note to one day discuss with him the merits of bringing a girl home to meet his mother and grandmother within the first twenty minutes of knowing her.

Stopping as his grandmother continued with Tahlira and unwrapped his mother's arm from his. "Mother please...take Nana back in the house. I brought a patient here to join me for a ride. What did Marcelo tell you?"

"Just that he had to saddle a second horse for your ride and that you need a ladies saddle." Putting a hand on his cheek, "Don't be upset, we just got excited. I'm sorry we just assumed..."

"I'm not upset with either of you. Marcelo better hide though... Besides, I will tell you if I'm bring someone special home."

"Point taken. Now let's go rescue your patient."

[Meanwhile]

Raf's grandmother had walked Tahlira passed the stable and was talking up a storm. "...the Hacienda has been in our family for over 450 years..."

Raf and his mother came up, walking the horses with them, and she came to Tahlira's rescue. "Mama, Raf and the Lieutenant need to get to their ride before they have to return to their ship. Lieutenant Serin, you are certainly welcome to join us for dinner. It's the least we could do for making assumptions."

Angelina looked from Liana to the woman she had been prattling on with and then to her Raffie. His shrug, and the way Liana had address the young lady told her that she had completely made a fool of herself. "I am so sorry my dear."

Tahlira smiled, shaking her head “There’s no need to apologize." She said. “It’s been a pleasure to hear about your family’s home, not many can say their history stretches back so far. That’s something to be proud of.”

Tahlira looked toward Liana. “That’s very kind of you, Mrs. Montoya. I truly appreciate the invitation, though I may have to take a rain check this time, it means a great deal.”

Liana looked from her then to her son and back. "Well it's an open invitation. In fact we'd be honored to host your Captain and the senior officers for a home cooked meal before you depart."

Handing a set of reins to Tahlira, "We will let the Captain know...", climb up into the saddle. "...but know promises."

His grandmother waved him off again as she turned away towards Liana and the house. "It's settled. Now where is Marcelo....when I get my hands on him he will think he was 12 again!"

From his horse Raf hung his head shaking it.


TBC...

 

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