Uptight

Month 8 Day 10

0435 Hours

Tall Bear

When Bear set his tray down on her table, Mac jerked to face him, both hands balled and half raised to defend herself. “You’re jumpy,” he observed, and delayed sitting down, to give her a chance to calm down. “Not that I blame you, after hearing what you put up with from E&A.”

Her hands shook as she pulled the corner table away from one wall, moved her chair into the space she’d created, then pulled the table against her ribs. She looked around the mess hall, as if formulating tactics, should the need arise.

“Have I done something to upset you?”

She gave him a fleeting glance, shook her head briefly. “I- It’s just... men.”

E&A ride her hard, a type of ‘courting’ I’ve never understood. But her reaction is worse than normal tonight. “All of us?” he asked softly.

She glanced around again, blushed and lowered her gaze to her meal. “I don’t know.”

She’s really rattled. Not just angry - not much angry, but something else. “May I join you? Or do you prefer I not?” I hope she doesn’t send me away. She needs someone to talk to.

She hesitated, gave a shaky point at the chair opposite her. He sat down slowly, aware she watched his every move. He took several bites, waited for her to continue her meal. I need to stay completely calm, yet let her know that she isn’t alone, that others - myself included, but not just me - will stand with her. “Is this a particularly bad shift on the bridge?”

“No.” She reached for her glass, but her hand shook so much, she changed her mind. “It’s just... It’s just... things.”

He took a bite of sweet potato as he thought about her mysterious ‘things’. “Something happened before your shift?”

“Yes.” She half lifted a bite of meatloaf, dropped it and used both hands to get her drink.

The way she’s acting, I’m surprised she could make the connection from the bridge to security. “Mac.” He touched the edge of her tray with a fingertip as she set the glass down, and her eyes immediately focused on him. “Do you need the rest of the shift off?”

She looked confused, then her eyes snapped indignantly and her back straightened. “No!”

Whatever has her upset hasn’t completely eroded her grit. That’s good. He nodded. “Okay. Just checking. Some women get... worn out after a while, when they’re faced with that kind of... oppression.”

“Worn out?” she repeated softly.

“Well, there’s all sorts of reactions. Ensign Xenokis - do you know her? I should introduce you. - She came to security to let me have lunch, and listened to just half a minute of what was happening on the bridge. She was ready to chew nails, wanted to bash them both in the head.”

He was gratified to see a wan smile. “I should meet her.”

“I think you 2 would hit it off. I’m late because I had to get her settled before I left. She’s good at her job, but still lets her temper take control, from time to time.”

“You guys heard?” She canted her head in confusion, but her hand didn’t shake nearly so much when she took a drink of tea.

“We did,” he answered. “Anything said within a certain radius of communications. Was surprised to hear it being piped to security, but we’re recording it. And listening. When the time comes, there’ll be plenty of proof about what you’ve put up with.”

“Clines,” she stated quietly.

“What about him?”

She ate a couple bites while she gathered her thoughts. “Clines… asked how bad it was. He… did something to the controls before I took over, told me not to change the settings. I was… in my own mind, mostly.” She frowned at her meal. “Barely functioning, really. I didn’t realize what he’d done, didn’t care. By the time I sat down, I’d forgotten he’d done anything.”

“So maybe not all men are monsters.”

A line appeared between her brows as she thought about that while she pushed food around on her plate with her fork. “Did I say they’re monsters?”

“No, but...” Let it go. Her mood is better. They ate in silence for a few moments. “Only half a shift left to get through,” he stated. “Are you going to be as... jumpy after that as you were when I got here?”

“I hope not. I didn’t sleep well, and not sleeping gets me into trouble.”

“I missed you for your workout yesterday.”

She lowered her gaze to her dessert. “I got... distracted by one of my projects during B shift and had to sleep. Try to sleep.”

“So Bugalu said. Just remember, Yellow Dog plans for the 3 of us to spend a day together on Ulsess. We’d better be ready for anything.”

“Very true,” she agreed, and finished her tea. “This was a nice break from... Thank you, Tall.”

“Any time, Shorty,” he returned, stacking items onto his tray. “Just surprised you didn’t think of recording the bridge yourself.”

Her eyes widened. “Me? It wouldn’t have mattered on the tugs, and I got used to just... putting up with it.”

“No one should put up with that stuff.” He wanted to pat her hand in reassurance, but knew that Mac would jerk hers away, and he didn’t want to send her back to work with her nerves again on edge. “See ya.”

“Bear.” It wasn’t what she usually called him, so he paused in getting up. “You’re a good friend. Thank you.”

Not what I was hoping for. Does the good friend ever get the girl? Face it, it’s the best I can do, with this woman. “Whatever you need, Mac.” She finally gave him a real smile. Returning her grin, he got up and left. At least she’s back to normal.

Conundrum & Eye Opening

Conundrum

Month 8 Day 9

1628 Hours

Lt Della Harris

  

Della had just finished buttoning her blouse when she walked out of her quarters and bumped right into someone. He grabbed her arms as they bounced apart, which helped her stay on her feet.

“Sorry, Della,” Bugalu said as he released her. “Have you seen Mac?”

“She’s in bed,” Della answered, and refused to wince at the memory of the redhead’s shockingly white face, the glistening tears caught in red eyelashes that occasionally fell onto the pillow the girl hugged.

“Still?” Bugalu asked.

“I don’t think she’s available this evening,” Della blurted out. “She got carried away with a project today, and didn’t get to bed on time, so she has to sleep now.”

“Oh.” Bugalu gave the door a sloppy smile. “I’m surprised it took her this long to slip up. It’s never been this easy to keep her from a project before. Not sure why it is this time.”

“Maybe she’s following orders,” Della suggested.

“What orders?”

Didn’t mean to say that. Wanted to get away before he showed up, let the locked door give him the message. “I don’t know. She didn’t say much, just pieces and bits that didn’t make a lot of sense. Something about if she didn’t get enough sleep, didn’t devote time to her friends, she wouldn’t be allowed to work on her projects. Or maybe something else. I could be completely wrong.”

“So, she’s breaking all her plans for tonight?”

“She’s in bed, and has her alarm set for 2300.” I don’t know if her alarm is set or not. Don’t know if she’s gotten any sleep. Maybe I’d better come home by 2300 and make sure she’s okay. Or earlier. Definitely earlier. LaPour’s starting to get on my nerves. “I need to get going. See ya.”

“Thanks, Della. I won’t wake her.”

“Good idea.” Della walked away. If I were a good roommate, I probably would have told him the truth; that’s she crying and practically catatonic. But then he’d insist on finding out what’s wrong. Or I would have tried to find out what’s wrong. Or could have figured it out by knowing her better. If I were a good roommate.

Eye Opening

Month 8 Day 9

2348 Hours

Lt James Clines

Jim sneezed as a bit of red approached his station from the lift. He glanced at the chronometer and then at the uniform, knowing who was coming, but surprised none-the-less. I’d swear I’m allergic to her perfume, but I only ever sneeze once. Strange, her uniform is immaculate, but her face is blotchy, like she’s been crying. And not a hint of a smile tonight. “You’re earlier than usual.”

“Didn’t dare be late,” she stated quietly, and reached to start her beginning-of-shift check.

Jim placed his hand over those controls, and her hand jumped back before she touched him. She’s jumpy, too. “I heard what Evans did to you last week. He’s an idiot, to report you for being late by 9 minutes, and it your first time. Don’t feel like you have to make it up to me by coming this early.”

She leaned against the equipment. “It’s not that early. He is an idiot, but not because of that.” She frowned at the floor. “Not just because of that.” She sighed and Jim hardly heard her add, “But he is my supervisor.”

A supervisor who takes his job way too seriously. Not like- “I have a friend who works midnights in engineering.”

She looked at him in confusion, then one corner of her mouth bent up. “Congratulations?”

Jim blushed. “My friend says that his supervisor spends far less time in engineering than he spends out of it.”

“Sounds about right.”

Right? Sounds blasted derelict to me. Never thought she’d have that kind of opinion of the privileges of rank. “Does Evans pick on you? As the newest?”

She gave him a brief glance. “As a woman. The only woman on the bridge on his shift.”

Rumors often have a kernel of truth to them. “You should report him.”

She gave a slight shake of her head. “My word against his. And there’s 2 of him.”

“Surely some of your co-workers would stand by you,” he whispered. Wait. Two? Jim glanced around the bridge, mentally picturing the midnight crew at their various stations. “Who joins him?”

“Good to see you’re not late, MacDowell,” Evans greeted as he moved from the lift to the helm. “That is, if you stop talking long enough to get checked in.”

Mac stood up straight and reached to start her pre-shift checks. This time, Jim didn’t stop her. “Adams,” she muttered without taking her eyes off her chore. “More often than not.”

That’s what she meant about Adams being away from engineering so much! Jim manipulated some of the controls and set a timer. She gave him a questioning look. “Don’t change that until you start your days off,” he instructed, and lowered his voice even more. “This will give you more witnesses of what goes on.”

She lifted one shoulder in a slight shrug, but didn’t make any move toward the controls he had just set. “You are relieved, Lt Clines.”

“Thank you, Lt MacDowell. Hope you have a... pleasant shift.”

Another Dream / Study Partner / Sleeping Beauty

Another Dream

Month 3, Day 16

Smythe

2358 Hours

As Abdulla relieved the redhead, Smitty heard Colleen exclaim, “I wish we were married!”

Bugalu stepped forward. “Mac?”

She turned to face him. “I never meant for this to happen.”

Despite being on the bridge, the helmsman slipped his arms around her. “We’ll figure something out. Right now, I need to make a proper apology.”

“Yes, let’s do that,” Colleen agreed, and the pair left.

His room was dark when Smitty opened his eyes. Is that really the way it went? I turned my back, tried not to listen, but surely they weren’t that...

How circumspect could I be, if I were the one trying to make up with her? Not that I have anything to apologize for, despite what Abdulla thinks.

I’m doing my best to treat her the same as anyone else. He sighed, rolled over, punched his pillow into a different shape, and closed his eyes again.

Study Partner

Month 3, Day 20

Smythe

1455 Hours

Smitty ducked into the deck 7 recroom and breathed a sigh of relief. If I have to play one more game of table tennis with MacGreg, I’ll go spacey. Anna and I played it all the time, back before Michael, so I could probably beat the pants off him, but where’s the fun in that? He’d just want a rematch.

He went to the dispenser for a cup of coffee. It’s always so noisy here. I should have gone to deck 11. Well, never mind, I didn’t. Somebody’s bound to be playing Atakke; I can watch that for a while. Coffee in hand, he started across the room.

“Cut it out, Clines.”

Smitty dropped his cup as the voice cut through his senses. Turning, he saw her at a corner table with Clines, the evening communications officer. She took the man’s hand off her knee and put it back on the table. “Keep your mind on the subject.”

“You can’t possibly understand how hard that is,” Clines told  her. “If you’d just-“

“No,” she told him shortly. “I didn’t understand your explanation of the Kodalis receiver. Please go through it again.”

“No, don’t,” interrupted another voice, and Lt Harris got up from a nearby table. “Clines, I thought you knew your stuff, but you just scrambled the Kodalis receiver with 3 other types of equipment. With you as a study partner, she’ll never pass probation. Go on, it’s time for you to get ready for duty anyway. I’ll take over for now, and I’ll have Abdulla get Chun to help her study.”

“Chun?” Colleen repeated. “Well, that’s one way for me to get some sleep.”

There she goes, insinuating she can’t sleep, again. Come to think of it, why isn’t she in bed? And Harris? Not sure I’d pick her as a communications study partner.

“Della, it’s not my fault! I can’t think around her! She sets my blood on fire, and all I can think of is-“

“Not my problem,” Harris told him coldly. “Tell it to Abdulla. Go away.”

“There you are.” Smitty turned, found MacGreg at his side, looking at the floor. “Somebody spilled their coffee here. And didn’t clean it up.”

“Let’s play table tennis,” Smitty suggested, pushing the other man towards the door, and picked a face he recognized at a table they passed. “Ivanokov, do me a favor and clean up that spilled coffee, will you? Before someone slips on it?”

The technician looked surprised that Smitty knew his name. “Yes, Mr Smythe. Be glad to.”

“Thank you,” he tossed over his shoulder, and then they were in the corridor, headed for the lift.

“I’m a little surprised,” MacGregor admitted. “I had the feeling you were tired of table tennis. But if we’re going to play, don’t take it easy on me. I’m not as bad as you think I am.”

“Good. Glad to hear it.” Now I’ve done it! Yet another game of table tennis! Well, anything to get out of there. Clines is right. Just seeing her sets my blood on fire, even though I know she’s not for me. I’ve got to find a way to get over her.

Sleeping Beauty

Month 3, Day 30

Smythe

1157 Hrs

Smitty saw her at her usual corner table as soon as he walked into the deck 7 recroom. Knew she’d be here. Always seems to be here. When does she sleep?

Who’s helping her today? Abdulla’s working. Clines is off, but I saw how well that went last week. Ivy’s off tonight, but she’s probably asleep right now. He took a deep, shuddering breath. Well, I could at least see what she’s studying today. Give her a kind word on her progress. If I can think of one. If I can think.

He glanced at the clock. So late! I’d better politely suggest she get some sleep. It’s test night. He started forward, aware of a myriad of eyes turning toward him. It took every ounce of his self-control not to glance around. Hope that blond doesn’t stop me again. Or try to stop me. I’m not interested, and she’s just going to have to learn that.

He forced himself to smile as he approached Colleen’s position. She sat facing the wall, which seemed strange, if she was worried about Winthrop. Maybe she trusts these other people to have her back, but facing the wall makes it easier to ignore the distractions.

He stopped behind her and a step to one side to look at the display screen over her shoulder and head. Kodalis receiver. Isn’t that what Clines mis-explained last week? He cleared his throat. “Would you like me to go over that with you?” He waited, but she didn’t respond. “Would only take a minute,” he went on. Still no response. She’s ignoring me? That’s no way to treat a superior.

Smitty stepped to the side of her table, determined to get her attention. “Lieutenant, do you-” He stopped in surprise. Colleen had an elbow on the tabletop, and that hand cupped her chin, but all the muscles in her face were soft and relaxed, her eyes closed. She’s asleep! Knew she had to sometime, but why here? Why pretend to be studying? A week ago, she was definitely awake at this time, when Clines was here. She’s so beautiful, sleeping. I could stand to wake up to that in the mornings. Space, I can’t be thinking like that!

Smitty reached out and gently shook her shoulder. “Colleen.” He shook her again, slightly harder.

“I’m busy,” she said softly, her eyes still shut. “Go away.” She raised her other arm to join the first, tipped her head so that this hand supported her cheek.

She’ll never get any decent sleep like that. What she will get is a crick in her neck. She needs to sleep in her own bed, or she hasn’t got a chance with tonight’s test. Shaking his head, he turned off the reader and then tried again to wake her. This attempt disrupted her balance, and she slowly leaned to one side until her shoulder bumped into his thigh.

He knew a moment of panic, wondering what everybody else would be thinking. This must look extremely personal, if they don’t realize she’s asleep! But her body kept moving, headed for the floor, and he instinctively wrapped his arms around her to prevent it.

Her lips whispered, “Safe,” and tension left her body as she retreated even further into sleep.

Smitty’s back complained, unaccustomed to holding this much weight in such an awkward, forward-bent position. She’s heavier than she looks. Or I haven’t been working out enough. It won’t be easy to get her to her room. What am I thinking? Me take her to her room and put her to bed? As if I could trust myself!

A quick glance around revealed the entire room was watching. One set of dark eyes stood out from the rest. “Tall Bear, come here,” he instructed, and then concentrated on changing his grip from the awkward position of catching her to a more traditional position for carrying. His back still complained, but he ignored it.

She feels so good. Better than I remember. I’m an idiot, turning this over to someone else. If I didn’t... climb in with her, if I could keep from doing that... I could still hold her until I got her there.

“Yes, Mr Smythe?” Tall Bear had approached silently.

Smitty turned to face him. “She’s fallen asleep,” he explained.

The AmerInd’s gaze wandered to the woman’s head where it snuggled against the officer’s shoulder. “Yeah, she’s been doing that lately,” he stated.

“She’s got a test tonight. I want her rested for it. Put her to bed.”

Tall Bear took a half-step back, although his expression never changed. “What?”

“Come on, she’s heavy,” Smitty muttered, and resolved to make time for the gym from now on. I can’t really blame him for hesitating, since I don’t trust myself to do what I’m asking him to do. “Keep in mind that I won’t be amused if you... try anything.”

“You’re not the only one,” the big man stated, then shrugged and took her.

I suppose he means Bugalu. Smitty turned to gather her study guides together.

“Hands off!” he heard, followed by a thud, and then a thump.

Whirling, Smitty found Tall Bear standing stiffly, a cut on his cheek starting to bleed, while the delectable redhead sat at his feet, wincing as she rubbed her rear. “What are you doing?” he demanded.

“Sir, I was attempting to follow your order and put her to bed.” Tall Bear lowered his head to tell her, “Alone and unmolested.”

“What?” she asked softly, sounding dazed.

All that work to keep her from landing on the floor, and he just drops her? “Then why in space did you-“

“My fault, sir,” she broke in, having apparently assessed the situation. “I... I mistook his intentions, I guess.” Still frustrated, Smitty offered a hand to help her up, which she stared at for a moment before letting him help her to feet.

“You always expect the worst of a man,” Tall Bear muttered.

“That’s what I was taught,” she returned just as softly. “And most men have proven it true.” Bear sighed, and the redhead turned to the higher officer. “Sir, I was... resting my eyes for a moment, but I’m ready to resume my studies.” She reached for the computer files.

He quickly put them behind him, out of her reach. “You were asleep. I know the difference.”

She swallowed, suddenly nervous. “It won’t happen again.”

“No, it won’t,” he agreed. Blast, that sounds like I expect her to study day and night, without any sleep at all! “You have a test tonight,” he reminded her, keeping his voice calm. “Go get some real sleep.”

Colleen blinked. “I beg your pardon?”

“I said, go get some sleep. You can have your study aids back after tonight’s test. If you still need them. Understood?”

“Yes, sir,” she answered meekly. “I’ll try.” She turned, paused to look up at the weight lifter. “Sorry about your eye, Tall.”

He shrugged. “I’ve had worse. Sorry about your... fall.”

Her hand lightly stroked one taut cheek, which Smitty tried not to watch. “Yeah, it will give me something to think about on duty tonight.”

“Me, too.”

She giggled. “But you don’t sit on your eye!”

Tall Bear glanced briefly at the officer behind her. “You’d better get going.”

She sighed. “I hope I dream about Kodalis Receivers. I won’t, of course, but I can hope.” Both men - probably the entire room - watched her leave.

“Just as well,” Tall Bear muttered.

“What?” Smitty asked.

The AmerInd turned to face him, his arms crossed, but kept his voice low. “I’m not sure I could have followed those orders, sir. So I’m glad I wasn’t actually put to the test.”

She has that kind of effect on men. That blond tries hard for it, but Colleen actually has it. I don’t know if that makes me feel better or worse. He looked up at the taller man, wondering what to say, and his attention was caught by the blood-seeping cut on Tall Bear’s cheek. The surrounding area already looked puffy and swelling. “Go to Sick Bay and get that eye tended.”

The AmerInd reached for the wound but didn’t touch it. “That I can do,” he said, and turned away. “Space, she packs a wallop!”

Double Duty

Double Duty

Month 1, Day 9

Smythe

2354 Hours

     Smitty stifled a yawn as he stepped off the lift onto the bridge. I'm usually asleep by now. I like a solid 8 hours. But somebody's got to make introductions.

     He glanced around. Nearly half the midnight crew had arrived to relieve their evening shift counterparts. Evans isn't here yet. Cutting it close, I would think, but he's not my subordinate. And she isn't here yet, either. Hope she's not-

     A man slipped around him from the turbo-lift, headed for the helm. "You're relieved, Qaboos," he told the helmsman.

     "Here already, Evans?" Qaboos asked, standing up. "What's the occa-" He broke off as he turned and saw the senior officer. "Good evening, Mr Smythe."

     Evans whirled, a greasy smile on his lips. The midnight helmsman abandoned the helm to approach the senior officer. "Good evening, Mr Smythe. How can I help you?"

     Smitty refrained from grunting. "You're getting a new communications officer."

     "I assumed Lt Chun would be assigned to midnights. It is good of you to personally see that the transition goes smoothly."

     Smitty folded his arms. "It's not Chun. It's-" The turbo lift opened behind him, and the smell of lilacs drove all other thoughts from his mind. But he didn't need the perfume to tell him who had arrived, because every set of eyes on the bridge was staring at the newcomer. Most seemed unable to tear their gaze away.

     A vision of red loveliness passed in his peripheral view, skipped lightly over to the helm and saluted Qaboos, who was still waiting to be relieved. "Lt Colleen MacDowell reporting for duty," she told him as he automatically returned her salute. "I've been assigned to midnight communications."

     Qaboos' gaze started to wander down her form, then quickly pulled back up, his face red. "I'm not midnights, I'm evening. You need to report to Lt Evans."

     "My apologies. Where might I find Lt Evans?"

     "He's over there," he stated, pointing toward the lift. "With Mr Smythe. But you-"

     She whirled, and her emerald eyes ignored Evans, found him right away. She threw another salute. "Sir! Lt MacDowell reporting for duty!"

     Smitty's focus landed on the green bandage on the saluting hand. "Now what have you done to your hand?" he demanded, stepping around Evans to approach her.

     Her eyes flicked to the bandage, although they were the only part of her that moved. "Umm... it's the same bruise, sir."

     Realizing she was still saluting, he gave a quick salute, mumbled, "At ease," then caught hold of her hand as she lowered it. "That's not a thermal bandage," he stated.

     "No, sir, I appear to be past that stage. This is more of a... an immobilizing bandage," she admitted.

     He raised his head to stare at her angrily, his mind working on how to rearrange schedules to cover for her. "You told me it would not interfere with your work!"

     "Yes, sir. I didn't think it would," she returned, her eyes on his chest instead of his face. "I still don't. The bandage won't keep me from using the hand. It just-" She paused and looked around him to the communications console. "Look, I'm late. Can I at least relieve Lt... uh... whatever-his-name-is?"

     "You're not relieving anybody until I know you're capable of doing the job!"

     She looked stunned, her face white. "I thought I had 6 months to prove that," she whispered.

     Oh, no. They only ask when they need all 6 months. And sometimes, that's not enough. What did I expect, coming from a tug? "I meant because of your hand. I need to know that - despite your injury - you can still function."

     Her eyebrows pulled together, and she licked her lips. "How would you like for me to prove to you that I can handle it?"

     By dexterously and cunningly using it to handle me- Stop it, Smitty! "I want you to manipulate the controls. I'll watch while you go through the shift-change checks."

     She looked at him thoughtfully - like she's considering some hidden meaning in my words - and then headed for communications. "You're the boss."

     Does she have to constantly remind me what she expects from a boss? He followed her to the communications console.

     "Excuse me, lieutenant, I'm being given a pop quiz," she said quietly to Chun, who obligingly vacated his seat. Smitty was pleased she did not sit, since she was not officially relieving him. Nor did she don the earpiece/mike combo. Instead, she turned on the external speaker. She glanced at Smitty, paled, took a deep breath and then went through the sequence, pausing after each switch or knob to hear the 'okay' tone from the internal diagnostics. She wasn't fast, her hand roamed aimlessly above the controls as she frequently paused to think about what came next, but she did - eventually - finish. She turned off the speaker and faced him.

     She took her sweet time, but she got it done. And never used her injured hand. Was I mistaken? I thought- She bent down to retrieve her dropped spanner, and he got a very good view of a rounded rear tightly encased in red uniform shorts- Not that I paid much attention to which hand she used. "Are you left-handed, then?" he asked testily. "You might have just said so."

     She seemed genuinely surprised, looked down at her hands and blushed. "No, I'm not." She gave a deep sigh. It was all he could do to keep his eyes on her face. "It's just that... this isn't the first time I've... had a bruised hand."

     He grunted. "You think you could use it, if you had to."

     She didn't answer verbally right away, just held the bandaged hand up and slowly balled it into a fist. Her face went white, but there was no other sign of discomfit. "Yes," she stated, and straightened it out again.

     "But you were told not to use it, if you could avoid it," he guessed.

     She hesitated. "Not those exact words, but that's the impression I got."

     "I'll check with MacGregor in the morning, so if you're spinning a tale-"

     "Oh, not him!" she exclaimed at once.

     Thought so. "I assume you don't want me to check with him because you have been spinning a tale?"

     "Check if you want, I assume it'll wind up in my medical file, but I haven't seen him since-" She stopped, confused, muttered, "When did he-?" She shrugged the question away. "This bandage is from Doc Davis, who saw me about an hour ago."

     When did MacGreg do what? None of my business, as long as she's capable of working. How long have I been here, making a big deal of a bruise? It's up to the doctors to decide if she's not medically capable of doing her job. All I've done is make a scene. Made a fool of myself. "Alright, you're approved for duty," he told her gruffly. He turned to the man who had made room for her. "You're relieved, Chun."

     "But... I just relieved Clines!" Next to Chun stood the evening communications officer, Clines. Oh, blast, this is a day off for midnight communications! How could I have forgotten? And I never told Colleen, either! I'm an idiot! "Evans!"

     "Yes, sir."

     Why in space is he standing at my elbow? He should be at his post- He hasn't relieved Qaboos! Why are all these extra people still here? Watching me make a fool of myself. That'll be all over the ship by morning. "Lt Evans, you're late reporting for duty."

     "You're right, Mr Smythe. I didn't know introductions would take so long, or I would have relieved Qaboos before we got... distracted."

     Distracted. Watching a fool engineer interacting with a subordinate like a... like an infatuated school boy! "This is Lt MacDowell, your new communications officer. MacDowell, this normally would be a day off for you, but you just had 3 days off, so you're working tonight, under the tutelage of Lt Chun."

     "Me?" the man blurted.

     Smitty gave him a sharp look, then turned for the lift. "Get to work," he told the bridge crew in general. I can't let her get to me. It's good she's assigned to midnights so I'll hardly see her. Especially considering how poorly I control myself when she's around. Right now, I'd better get to bed; it's going to be a short night.

     Assuming I can get any sleep, after this.