The Redheads of Mmm...Doctor!

So I didn't get much sleep last night, as might be expected. My brain was mulling over this whole transfer business all night long. Okay, honesty time, Janet. I've been mulling this over ever since I got off the phone with General Hammond yesterday. I could barely concentrate on my work. Thankfully there was a minor backlog of files to work on that didn't really require a hell of a lot of brainpower. They got me through a tortuously long afternoon before I could escape and head home.

I very nearly called Momma last night. But she's got enough on her plate with Daddy being the way he is. He's still not happy about me joining the Air Force. Even after all this time. And if I called asking for some support and suggestions, he'd pretty much just tell me to “Suck it up, girlie. Yer an officer in the US of AF now. You don't need to be crawling to Mommy and Daddy for help.” He doesn't act this way with Scott or Jeff. Just me. Because I was supposed to be Daddy's little darling, the twinkle of his eye. I took the ballet lessons, and the riding lessons, and the violin and piano lessons. And I tried that whole debutante thing, but it just wasn't me. For as long as I can remember, all I've wanted was to be a doctor, to help people. And those things just didn't work. Daddy wanted me to be his little princess and marry the prince of his choice. Yeah, I did that, Daddy. And what did it get me? Three of the most hellacious marriage I've ever heard of. Abusive, misogynistic bastard.

But that's neither here nor there now. The marriage was thankfully ended and he's left me alone since. And all I have to do now is endure Daddy's disparaging comments about my lack of substance because I'm married to my work. Sorry, Daddy, but I just can't be your little girl anymore, now can I?

But I digress…Back to the decision I was given today. Well, I guess it wasn't given to me per se. I mean, it was my decision in the end, wasn't it? So General Hammond really was insistent that I accept the transfer without any prior knowledge. It goes completely against my nature to do that, but at the same time I am so insanely curious…

Long story short, I decided to accept the transfer. I don't think I can adequately relate the relief I heard in the general's voice when I called him back today and gave him my answer. I mean, I understand my specialty is important, but come on, right? So he explained that I would have two weeks to get everything ready for the transfer. And, unlike the bulk of the non-medical or –scientific personnel I have had to deal with among the brass, he did make sure that this would be adequate time for me to hand off my projects to one of my colleagues. That brought my respect for this man up a few notches.

Then he asked me one of the strangest questions I've ever heard. He wanted to know if I believed in the Earth-centric line of thought or the vast-universes line of thought. I wasn't quite sure what he meant, and he was kind enough to explain his point. I told him that I hadn't honestly put serious thought to it, but that I did think it was rather egotistical of our planet's people to expect to be the only intelligent life in the entirety of the universe. And as I'd said it, I fervently hoped I wouldn't be labeled a “Mulder” by my new CO. But thankfully, he seemed happy with my answer. He then said that all he could tell me over the phone was that I would be working with some highly classified agents, in every sense of the phrase. Beyond that, we had to meet in person for me to get the rest of the briefing. I sincerely doubt I'll be very high in the command chain in the Infirmary, if only because I'm just a captain. But then again, I've honestly no idea what sort of need NORAD needs with an extensive medical staff. I mean, I'm still trying to figure out how a medical doctor specializing in virology can possibly be of use to stellar scientists. But I guess I'll have to wait and see, right?

So I'm flying to Colorado Springs the day after tomorrow. I've already cleared it with Colonel Danvers, so all that I have to do now is get as much done tomorrow as I can and pack before I fly out the following morning. I'm really very intrigued to find out what I'll be doing, as well as seeing the facility itself. And then I'll have to deal with the whole housing situation as well. Perhaps this assignment will be long enough for me to actually set down roots. I long for the day I can actually have a house to come home to, rather than a stuffy apartment. I want my gardens back again.

Is it time to leave yet? Of course not, Janet. Not yet.

There are times I truly hate being this impatient and curious.

Turn the page