Little Miss Imperfect (Backpost)

Posted on Sun Dec 21st, 2025 @ 5:14am by Lieutenant JG Kally Kellerman & Tessa di'Orion
Edited on on Sun Dec 21st, 2025 @ 5:15am

Mission: Lower Decks
Location: CMO's Office
Timeline: Right after "Finding the Doc"

Tessa patted Henry one more time on the shoulder before she slipped past him and back into Kally's office and rolled her eyes as the door slid shut behind her once more and she waved once with the PADD she still held, "I swear, Kally, if the Cass had still been here, that guy would have been gesturing with stumps for hands. He couldn't have waited a few more minutes?" The young woman returned to the chair that had apparently been co-opted by the guy that had been in here before.

Kally sighed and gave half a shrug. "He felt it was medically urgent," she said, diplomatically. "I'll address it later. Meanwhile, back to us." She picked up the padd she'd been looking at previously. "So, you got your first seventy-percent on an exam. That's not the end of the world, Tessa."

The face of the young woman fell once more, looking back to the spot on the floor she’d been inspecting previously, “But that’s just the thing, I’d been studying this for hours the day before. And if this had been on a test for actually whether I become a doctor or not, I’d have been failed on it. I expect more than this from myself, I have to do better, it’s not an option.”

"Tessa," Kally said, sympathetically, "the only ones who ace Andorian Angiology on their first try are Andorians, and even then it's iffy. An 'average' in one area is not a reason to flog yourself. There are hundreds of species in this galaxy. You cannot memorize them all. Granted Andorians are more prevalent, but that is still not a reason to chastise yourself too harshly. Study, try again by all means, but every doctor has to acknowledge at some point they are going to have weaknesses. That's why we don't work alone. There are things I'm weak on that Doctor F'Arra is strong on, and vice versa. You'll find your strengths and specialties and you need to be happy in those."

"But I want to know it all!" Tessa said in a whiny voice, realizing it and hating that it sounded that way, "I've always been perfect in the past, at least on Tial. And no, it wasn't favoritism, the Council of Urd is very stringent and I did study. I want to continue on that path."

Kally smiled and stood up, coming around her desk and leaning on the edge, shifting their discussion to a more casual mode. "News flash: you aren't perfect. Doctors aren't gods, and the ones who think they are tend to be the worst doctors. Can I tell you a secret?"

Tessa nodded somberly, "I always love secrets."

"The first time I failed a test in medical school, I cried for hours. I literally went on a date and cried all through dinner. It was so awkward. He had no idea what was wrong until I unloaded on him about how much I hated the exam and how embarrassing it was. He pointed out to me that I failed a test, not a class, not all of medicine, and that I have the rest of my life to learn that one topic. I realized he was right, and the date got better after that." She smiled at the memory. "And boy did I reward his wisdom," she sighed. She pulled herself back to the present and looked at Tessa again. "If you want a retake, I'll authorize it, but do not get hyper-focused to the exclusion of all else. Do not let this one imperfection define you, because it doesn't.

"I do want to retake it." Tessa said by rote. It was a given, it was who she was and she did want to be a doctor above all else, with perhaps an exception or two that were going to be coming in the future. "What are you and Doctor F'Arra specialized in?" she asked her mentor. "I mean, you say that you two complement each other, so if I'm going to be of best use, perhaps I should focus on something that both of you aren't as good with?"

"Doctor F'arra is a fantastic GP," Kally said. "She cuts through routine exam work like a hot knife through butter. I'm best with muscles and ligaments. Sprains, twists, pulls, etc. We're both fine surgeons, but I know she doesn't prefer it. I think you will be exceptional in that arena. She has no desire to lead a team, I rather enjoy it. And then there's Doctor Kilgallen. A great surgeon and very good with neurological issues." She gave Tessa a wink. "And then there's our Henry. A good diagnostician, and a procedure stickler. And, thanks you to, a much more fun person to be around." She made a teasing face and giggled.

Tessa blushed a light red as the reasons for Henry's 'change of personality' came to light. "He's a very good diagnostician, excellent at solving complex problems." She smiled fondly, "And I've found that I'm pretty good at solving problems that arise abruptly." She stopped, her eyes open as she realized how that could be interpreted and went even more red, "I mean, I think I'm good at adapting to hard situations. I MEAN to difficult situations!"

Kally snickered. "I'm pretty much an expert," she said, giggling. "And I know what you meant, don't worry." She cleared her throat. "I will caution you one thing," Kally said, getting more serious for a moment. "Do not choose a path based on me, or this crew, or even Henry. You follow your passions and your interests. We're just fine with two people having the same strengths or weaknesses. Not to mention, you don't know where you'll be in a few years. You and Henry could be on a different ship, or even planetside and dealing with a completely different group of people." She gave a sad smile. "I love this ship, and I never want to leave, but Starfleet sometimes forces us to scatter. You, being a civilian, will be able to go where Henry goes, for the most part, but no matter where you go, you'll be useful so long as you're being you."

"I don't want to leave this ship, though, but of course I'll go with Henry. But what if..." Tessa looked up at Kally, "What if I joined Starfleet? Would they possibly separate me and Henry, or would we be able to go together?" There was some alarm in her voice at the question, because that was one thing she wouldn't allow to have happen. Couldn't even fathom the idea anymore.

"It's possible," Kally said. "We're sent where we're sent. I'm lucky to have Katie here, but we could be ordered elsewhere. It can happen."

Thoughts warred between Tessa's emotions. Part of her desperately wanted to join Starfleet, now that she was effectively cut off from her own world, but the possibility of being separated from Henry by duty was even more horrifying. "Then I suppose I'll have to remain a civilian. Would most ships allow a civilian doctor to assist in their medical bay? I can always find some other way to contribute if not, but..." She shook her head, "And most priests of Urd don't specialize at all, aside from everyone having expertise in surgery, for obvious reasons."

"Well, right now I think most ships would be happy to have another doctor, even a civilian. Or a starbase especially would be open to that. And Henry can always resign from his commission and go into the private sector with you. Maybe you two decide you want to settle down on some colony world and open a clinic? Or he goes back to Tial with you someday. There are infinite possibilities out there."

"It sounds like it." Tessa's mind reeled with all of the options, "But I don't think I'd want to be 'private sector', whatever that is. Going back to Tial would be okay, if I could guarantee Henry's safety, and Thryn forbid our children being dark-haired... That could be it's own nightmare situation. But a colony world? That could be interesting, especially if it's newly colonized. I don't mind a bit of danger, obviously."

"Obviously," Kally said. "Well, the private sector just means you'd work for a community rather than a crew. Either way, there are ways to stay together, don't worry. In a galaxy of infinite possibilities, I know there are ones where you two will always be together." She smiled at her and patted her shoulder. "Now, time to get back to work, hm?"

Tessa gave her a bright smile, though something about it did look weary, but she could get some more sleep, that was all it was. "Absolutely!" She said with as much energy as she could, "And I promise, I'll do better next time."