Final Words

 

Final Words             post on 10/19

Month 17 Day 30

1342 Hours

Captain Jane Burke

Jane entered the transpod room and glanced around. Smitty stood at the controls. Normally, he'd be overseeing the transfer of cargo; he must have Wilson doing that. Bugalu and MacGregor were standing nearby. No surprise there. Of course they'd want to say good-bye. 2 pods waited with their doors open… and there was no sign of the redhead. “I don’t think she gets to change her mind, at this point,” Jane stated. “She’s still pregnant, isn’t she?” She asked Drake.

“Yes, and don’t even joke about it being otherwise,” he responded.

He's right. It was a heartless thing to say. “No, that wouldn’t be a joking matter,” Jane agreed. But where is she? Is she having difficulty packing?

The door opened and MacDowell entered, her duffel bag slung over her shoulder. She looked different out of uniform, wearing low shoes, pants and a long-sleeved turtleneck. She looked young, small and vulnerable, despite the duffle bag she so easily carried. She seemed surprised to see her captain there. “Captain.” She actually saluted, despite not being in uniform.

“You seem to have forgotten something, lieutenant,” Jane told her with a gentle smile. “Which of these 3 men have you decided to marry? As soon as you name him, I’ll perform the ceremony, and the other 2 can act as witnesses.”

“She decided to marry me,” Smitty stated. “We’ve made plans.”

“I don’t remember receiving a transfer request for you, Smitty.” Actually, I haven’t gotten a request for any of them. Have her plans somehow hit a stumbling block? Why didn’t anybody tell me about it? “MacDowell?” She asked, and everybody turned to look at her.

The redhead developed red flags on her cheeks, and then her face went white as tears started down her face. “None of them,” she answered curtly, and moved forward, towards the transpods.

Smitty’s mouth dropped open in shock. “Colleen!”

MacDowell whirled to face him, pain obvious on her face, her tears flowing even faster. “I thought you understood! I have to go to Gaelund! When I join you in a year, then I’ll marry you. But I can’t do it before that. If my family discovers who got me pregnant, they’ll declare war! I don’t even plan to tell them I’m engaged, for the same reason. Which reminds me, don’t try to contact me, not any of you." She glanced at MacGregor and Bugalu to include them. "If they find I’m communicating with men—I don’t even want to think about it! I’ll send messages through Abdulla and Yellow Dog. Once I’ve determined it’s safe, then we can exchange occasional messages.”

Smitty was obviously in as much pain as she was. “Then, how do I tell you where to meet me? How do we discuss the possibilities I discover? How do we… keep our love alive?”

Her duffel bag hit the floor with a muffled thud, and she was in his embrace, kissing him. After a moment, she ended the kiss, but still clung to him. “Okay. We'll have to risk it. Tell your communications crew that I will send messages to you addressed to Joe George. I know there’s nobody aboard with that name. If there is, I've never met them, which would be highly unlikely. In that case, have Abdulla send me another name to use. When you get a message from me, and it sounds like garbage, put it through the Yukosk translator. Nobody on Gaelund will know a word of Yukosk, so that should be safe for me to use. Okay? And never forget that I love you.”

“And I love you,” he returned, his voice gravelly with emotion. “Forever and ever. But you have to marry me, now, before you go to Gaelund. That way, the Fleet will send half my paycheck to you, as my spouse who's living separately. I'm afraid your pension won't be nearly enough to support you.” 

She gave him a watery smile and caressed his cheek. "Oh, that's sweet." She sniffed and went on. "But I've got some vacation time and sick leave saved up. I'm sure all that will get me through."

She's wrong. It won't be enough, and soon there'll be 2 of them. I thought they were discussing all the possibilities? But they somehow didn't discuss the finances of living separately? With the financial demands of taking care of a baby as well? What have they been talking about?

"It's my responsibility to see that you and the child have everything you need," Smitty argued. "Just a 2-minute ceremony and it'll be done."

She reached up and placed a finger over his mouth. "I can't do that, and I told you why." She gave him another long kiss.

Eventually, a buzz sounded from the control board, and the couple broke their embrace. Looking bewildered, Smitty needed a moment to identify the source of the noise. He cleared his throat. “The station’s getting impatient for you to debark,” he told the redhead. Moisture gleamed in his eyes.

He reluctantly let her move away from him. Turning, she pulled a crumpled paper from her pocket and turned to Jane. “Captain, this is my letter of resignation.”

Jane was having her own emotional reaction, which she was trying hard to hide as she took the letter. “I wish we could have found a better solution for you than to send you back to Gaelund for a year.”

“I’ll make it work,” MacDowell stated huskily, and coughed. “I’m in a lot better position now than I was when I left at 17.” She turned and gave MacGregor a hug. “I’ll miss you, Uncle MacG. You’ve taught me so much.”

“I insist you put me in contact with your obstetrician,” he answered. “So I can keep track of you and the baby.”

“I will,” she promised, and transferred her hug to Bugalu. “My best brother ever.”

“I expect to send you messages,” he told her. “What fake name do you want me to use?”

Initially startled, she answered, “Oh, Bugalu is fine. If anybody asks, I’ll just tell them you’re from Africa. They’ll never know Bugalu isn’t a woman’s name.”

“Good.” The buzzer sounded again, and he released her. “You’d better go.”

“Yes,” she acknowledged, her voice strained. She retrieved her duffel bag and placed it in one of the transpods, then stepped into the second and waved good-bye. "It's only a year, Smit. Not even a Gaelund year." Tears streamed down her face as she stared at Smitty while the pods sealed themselves and started on their journey to the station.

I’ll still be losing Smitty, but that’s put off for a year. I had my misgivings about that one when she arrived, but she settled in and became an excellent member of the crew. Takor is grateful for his yeoman, Yellow Dog, who has also fit into the crew. The only one that hasn’t is that nurse that arrived with them, and I don't understand why she's still with us. “Duck, with me,” she instructed, and glanced at the other 2 men. “You 2 take the rest of the day off.” She turned and left, trusting her Chief Medical Officer to follow.

The End

Still Not Good

Month 17 Day 24

11:22 Hours

Dr Drake MacGregor

Mac’s forehead puckered in confusion and disappointment as she sat facing Drake across his office desk. And her eyes are gleaming with unshed tears. No, she's not taking this well at all. “No improvement at all?” she asked.

“I didn’t say I see no improvement,” Drake corrected, wondering if she would start crying. Some days it doesn't take much to start the tears flowing. “I see a very slight improvement, but not as much as I had hoped to see by now. But there's still time. Have you made any progress with your boot gravity units?”

One tear started down her cheek, and she sniffed as she wiped it away. Drake handed her a paper towel. “I don't know. Well... I just started a new configuration yesterday,” Mac stated. Only one unit, on my left boot, with an enlarged area of engagement. My right foot doesn’t stay in Gaelund gravity all the time, but my body does, and I'm learning to compensate for what feels like being lop-sided. So between all these efforts, I am spending at least 90% of my time in Gaelund gravity. I had hoped that would be enough.”

“Possibly it is,” Drake drawled. “Or will be. You just started this latest batch of gravity enhancement. It's too early to tell how much it will help, but it will help, so don't get discouraged. What would be even better would be for you to be in Gaelund gravity all the time, but that’s not going to be possible on a ship.”

Her eyes grew round, and her face went pale. “The only way to be in Gaelund gravity all the time is to be on Gaelund.”

“Well, that would be one way,” Drake told her. “You and Smitty are both engineers, and there must be other possibilities. Here's an idea, and I'm not an engineer, but once you get settled into an apartment, you could install Gaelund gravity in that apartment.”

“And… what? I'd never leave the apartment?”

“No doubt you’d have to, from time to time. For medical appointments, if nothing else. But you already have portable units to take with you. So you could, conceivably, get your non-Gaelund-gravity time down to 1 or 2%. Which I'm sure would do the trick.”

She stared at the floor, thinking about what he had said. “What happens if my muscles don’t regain their strength? I never manage to give birth? My baby dies inside me because I can’t give birth?”

“Nothing so drastic,” he assured her. “They can always deliver by Cesarean. It’s just better for both mother and child if the childbirth can be done the normal way. That’s why I’m trying to get you ready for that.”

“I appreciate that,” she said slowly, her voice husky with emotion. “I just worry about my body being so stubborn about getting into shape. But I can’t subject Smit to constant Gaelund gravity in his own home. It wouldn’t be good for him. He’d die at a very early age.”

From what I've read of the early pioneers on heavy planets... “He probably would,” Drake agreed slowly. Married but living separately? Hardly ideal, but—

“I know he would,” she stated. “Gaelund textbooks explain it all to our school children. The original colonists, those who landed on Gaelund, all died within 20 years of landing. Even the first generation of those born on Gaelund all died before they reached 60. It wasn’t until the 2nd and 3rd generation of native-born Gaelunders that the life expectancy started to lengthen. So I can’t ask Smit to live in Gaelund gravity. I won't do it to him.”

“Life with him can still be done,” Drake offered. “Maybe it might take a larger apartment. Then you split the apartment in half, with Earth gravity in one half, for Smitty, and Gaelund gravity in the other half, for you and the baby.”

“So close, and yet so far away.” Her tears sounded very close to the surface just now. "It would be torture."

“Talk to Smitty about it,” he suggested. “I'm not an engineer. Maybe the 2 of you can think of something better. Unless you want to go home to Gaelund.” I can't imagine so, but she is the one who brought it up. Is she considering it?

White-faced, she sat absolutely still for a long moment. “I never want to go back. I’ve gotten used to the idea that I would never go back to Gaelund. Especially not like this.”

“Then you’ll need to find a way to make the split apartment work. Or some other arrangement. On the plus side, once you get those muscles up to strength for this pregnancy, you could dip back into Earth normal gravity from time to time. As long as you spend, oh, I’d guess about 50 or 60% of your time in Gaelund gravity, there shouldn’t be any difficulties with any future pregnancies.”

She looked up in abject surprise. “Future pregnancies? You are getting too far ahead of me, MacG. I can only think about getting through this one.”

Just a bit of tunnel vision? I suppose that's understandable. “Of course,” he answered. “And you’re going to do fine. I’m just giving you all the possibilities so you can make educated decisions. Whatever you and Smitty decide to do, I know you’ll make the right decision and make it work.” He watched as she once again stared, frowning, at the floor. He leaned forward to make sure he had her attention. “You are making progress, Mac, and adding the walking and standing in Gaelund gravity will no doubt help propel you forward even faster. There’s nothing for you to worry about at this time.”

“Perhaps,” she said quietly, sighed and stood up, retrieved her under-chair grav unit. “If you're done with me, I'll return to work.”

“Talk to Smitty,” he suggested again. “If anyone can figure out split gravity on an apartment, it’s him.”

“Yes. You’re right,” she murmured, and turned to leave his office.

She still seems upset. Well, Smitty will think about it for a couple minutes, and then explain how simple it will be to have dual gravity in their apartment, wherever they wind up. I’m sure she’ll be back to her usual self by supper. 

A Moment of Concern

Month 17 Day 21

10:48 Hours

Drake MacGregor

Drake closed his medical scanner, which hadn't revealed anything about the redhead was amiss. “I don’t find anything wrong,” he stated quietly to the young woman who sat in a chair in front of the captain’s desk. “You say you got dizzy. What were you doing?”

“Talking to the captain,” Mac answered, and her face flushed a bit. “If this is a normal part of being pregnant, then I’m sorry to have caused such commotion.”

“It can be a normal occurrence during pregnancy,” he told her. “But I’m glad to check you out whenever it happens, just to be sure.”

The door to the hall opened and Smitty hurried in. “Captain! Colleen! What happened? All I was told was that they sent for MacGregor and I should get here right away!”

The redhead turned a delicate pink. “MacG just gave me a clean bill of health, Smit.”

“I wouldn’t say that,” Drake told her drily. “I’d still like some information on what you were doing just before you got dizzy.”

“I told you, I was talking to the captain.”

“We were talking,” Jane agreed. “I gave her a piece of news that got her excited, and she stood up quickly, talked eagerly, then suddenly stopped and turned absolutely white, looked ready to faint. I wonder if she got over-excited for her condition.”

Smitty squatted down to look beneath Mac’s chair, took one of her hands in his as he did so. “She got up quickly, did you say?”

“Yes,” Jane confirmed.

“Well, she’s got Gaelund gravity on her chair, so as she rose, she would have gone from Gaelund gravity to Earth gravity in short order. Would that have any bearing on it?”

“That definitely could have started the process, yes,” Drake stated. “And excitement could have complicated her reaction. Mac, you need to be a little more careful about going from one gravity level to another. I wouldn’t want you to fall because you lost your balance.”

“Is there some reason why it's necessary for her to install Gaelund gravity under every chair she sits in?” the captain asked.

“That's what I understand,” Smitty answered before Drake could. “She’s got to build up the strength in her internal muscles before the baby comes. She works out in Gaelund gravity, sleeps in Gaelund gravity, and now she sits in Gaelund gravity. We’ve been trying to work on gravity units to attach to her boots so that she can walk and stand in Gaelund gravity, but that hasn't been going so well.”

“What do you mean?” Jane asked. "What's the problem?"

Mac sighed, sat up straighter and answered. “If we put a small unit on each boot, I feel myself moving from Gaelund to Earth gravity every time I take a step. And if we enlarge the dimensions of the units’ area of effect, I move from Gaelund to higher-than-Gaelund gravity every time I take a step. Either way, it’s very disorientating.”

"That's not the effect I was hoping for," Drake stated. And I don't think either one is going to do her any good.

"I would find that terribly disorientating," Jane agreed. "Perhaps it would be better to reassign her to quarters where you could install Gaelund gravity in the whole thing."

Mac sighed. "There would still be all the time I'm not in my quarters. On duty or with my friends."

"So you've already considered that," Jane stated. "Of course you have."

“What was the news that got her so excited?” Smitty asked, his forehead wrinkled.

“Hold that thought a moment,” Jane told him, and moved to the door to the bridge. “Lt Bugalu, would you step in my office for a moment?” She moved back to her desk and waited for the helmsman to join them. He gave a quick glance around the office that was the only indication he was surprised by the occupants, and then stood slightly behind MacDowell. “Alright, now that you all are here. I pulled some strings at headquarters, with good results. All 3 of you have been approved to marry Lt MacDowell. Without her having to leave the Fleet. Obviously, you can’t all marry her, but I stand ready to perform the ceremony, once she decides who she wants. Now, Dr MacGregor, since she nearly fainted when I told her that news, what are your instructions for her at this time?”

Looking as surprised as the other men, Drake quickly pulled his thoughts together. “I’d like for her to go to her quarters and lay down for an hour,” he answered. “Then, so long as she feels okay, she can return to her usual schedule. If she doesn’t feel okay, I want her to summon me again.”

“Good. That should allow her to have lunch with Mr Smythe, or whoever. Whoever she picks, they have things to discuss, and time to do it is limited. How does that sound to you, Lt MacDowell?”

“I don’t feel like I need to lay down for an hour, but I will follow the doctor’s suggestion. And I appreciate having lunch with Smit. We do need to talk.”

“I’ll walk you back to your quarters on my way to engineering,” Smitty volunteered, and took hold of her arm to help her stand up. Bugalu bent over to grab the gravity unit and handed it to her as she turned toward the door.

After the couple left, Jane turned to face the remaining 2 men. “She seems to have made her choice.”

“Probably,” Drake agreed. "It may depend now on the possibility of finding a place that needs a pair of engineers, but can wait a year for the 2nd one.”

“And how does that make you 2 feel?”

“Whatever makes her happy,” Bugalu stated at once.

“And you, Duck?” The captain asked.

“Oh, I agree with Bugalu,” he said. “But if they can’t find appropriate positions, then maybe physician and engineer positions will be easier to find.”

“Well, yeah, with that caveat,” Bugalu added. "Helmsman and engineer."

The captain didn’t frown, but Drake had the feeling she wasn’t exactly happy with their answers. “Very well. We’ll see how things play out from here. Dismissed.”

Gentle Warning

Month 17 Day 6

12:27 Hours

Drake MacGregor

Drake and Jane disposed of their lunch trays and headed for the mess hall’s exit when Drake noticed Smitty and Mac sitting down at a corner table, ready to start their lunch. “Excuse me, Jane, I’ve got to explain something to MacDowell.”

“Remind Smitty that the girl has friends who will miss her once she’s gone, so he might not monopolize her for every meal.” There was a hint of disapproval in the captain’s voice. “He hasn’t even left yet, and I already miss him at our meals.”

“I’ll try to get that inserted at some point,” Drake promised, and walked over to the couple at the corner table. “Having lunch a little late?” He asked as he approached them.

“We prefer to eat alone, Drake,” Smitty stated flatly.

“I’m not staying,” Drake stated, but pulled a chair from another table to sit down. “Captain says you both have friends who will miss you when you’re gone. And you’ve got your entire rest of your lives to be together, so could you please consider spending some time with those other friends?”

Mac’s face went pink, while Smitty frowned at his lunch tray. He sighed and looked up at his fiancée. “Yes, alright, we’ll make time for them. There’s just so much to do, to… get ready to go.”

“Good. Now for the reason I’m here.”

“You mean, that wasn’t it?” Mac asked in surprised.

“I was feeling rather forgotten,” Drake admitted, “but I probably wouldn’t have said anything if Jane hadn’t instructed me to.”

“Then why are you here, Drake?” Smitty sounded genuinely interested.

“I have some instructions for Mac, concerning her pregnancy.” Mac looked up from her salad, looking almost alarmed. “Nothing too awful, but I haven’t seen you in the gym recently.” Not since before the St Elmo, in fact.

“It’s hard to fit in everything, Mac stated. “Just the paperwork to get all my projects submitted…”

“We can work on that during my days off,” Smitty promised her, and turned his attention to the doctor. “So what are your instructions, Drake? Surely you aren’t telling her to work out with Tall Bear and Ferguson again.”

“Actually, I am,” Drake stated. “And to spend time on treadmill C as well. They don’t have to be hard workouts, just enough to keep your Gaelund muscles toned. If you don’t keep your muscles toned to Gaelund gravity, childbirth could be much more difficult. It’s probably a good idea that you’ve got Gaelund gravity installed on your bed.”

“Oh,” Mac said flatly, and her face went pink again. “I haven’t been sleeping in my bed. Much.”

“As I suggested, I can install variable gravity in my bed,” Smitty said softly.

So my suspicions are confirmed. Drake accepted the import of that simple statement, and then he thought about what that suggestion would mean to Smitty’s body. But I can't let him do that. “Smitty, I can’t recommend that. Tall Bear and Ferguson spend a few minutes every 2nd day in Gaelund gravity in order to spot for Mac’s weight-lifting. They’re younger than you, and they’re weight lifters, so they can handle it. If you tried to sleep under Gaelund gravity, your system would be working harder while you were sleeping than during the day under regular gravity. That wouldn't be good for you.”

Smitty stopped chewing his food for a moment, then finished chewing and swallowed. “Are you telling me we can’t sleep together? Ever?”

“No,” Drake answered. “I assume you’ve figured out that Mac can sleep fairly well under Earth gravity as long as she’s got an ‘anchor’ of some sort, and I also assume you work as that anchor. I’m not trying to put a damper on your love life, but I think she should be spending the vast majority of her sleep time in her own bed, under Gaelund gravity. And any other spare moments she can find during her time remaining aboard. The closer she gets to full term, the more time she should spend under Gaelund gravity. That will get in the way of you 2 being together eventually, but not now. Adjust your time together, save sleeping together to once a week.”

“That’s hardly ever!” Mac exclaimed in protest.

Smitty frowned at the cup of coffee he had raised, and put it back on his tray. “This is to help her have an uncomplicated delivery?”

“To help her have a healthy baby as well,” Drake stated. “Delivery is a complicated process, and certain muscles will have atrophied in the years since she was last home for any length of time. She can exercise all she wants, but it’s unlikely she’d actually work the internal muscles that are used during childbirth. Actually being under Gaelund gravity more and more as she progresses through this pregnancy is the only way I can see to get those internal muscles ready to do an effective job during childbirth.”

“That’s not fair,” Mac murmured, her meal forgotten.

“No, life isn’t fair,” Smitty whispered and sighed. “Alright, Drake, we’ll see how much time we can get her under Gaelund gravity.” He patted Mac’s hand and suggested, “Perhaps we can install variable gravity on your desk chair, for when you work on your projects.”

“Where do I find time for those?”

“We’ll ask for help,” Smitty told her. “Abdulla could help with your Yukosk dictionary, and submitting it. Wilson could help prepare the paperwork for the Yukosk transportation beam, both to announce our findings so far, and to submit for a patent.”

“Oh! I never thought of a patent! It was all of us together that built the thing, with some input by Takor, and based on a technual from the Yukosk people!”

“Which makes it complicated, but not impossible,” Smitty told her. “I’ll work with Wilson on that.” He glanced at the clock on the wall. “Was that all, Drake?”

“The only other thing is I want to see Mac in sick bay, to make sure everything is progressing normally.”

“Already?” Mac asked, and paused before nodding. “When?”

“As soon as possible,” he answered. “Now, if you can manage it.”

“Yes,” Smitty answered before Mac could respond. When Mac gave him a questioning look, he told her, “It’s for the baby. And you. Run along with MacGregor, and I’ll see you in engineering when you’re done.”

Mac sighed, tossed her napkin atop her tray and stood up. “You might as well head for sick bay, MacG. I’ll take a couple Jeffries tubes and probably beat you there.” She turned and headed for the disposal area.

Drake started to stand, but Smitty grabbed his hand so he couldn’t move off. “If you’re trying to drive us apart, Drake, it won’t work. Whatever I have to do to make this work, I’ll do it.”

“Well, that’s good to hear. But given your track record so far, I can’t help wondering how you’re going to feel next week. Or the week after that.” He pulled his hand free.

“The same as I feel now.”

“I sincerely hope so,” Drake told him, and moved off.

On The Way Home

Month 16 Day 14

13:44 Hours

Capt Jane Burke

After a pleasant visit with Capt Valentine on the St Elmo, the emergency was declared over, and the 2 captains continued their conversation on the way to the shuttle bay. As they walked past med bay, they were joined by Drs MacGregor, Davis and Fong, and the Fireball nurses who had been helping. Further along, a lift door opened, and the Fireball's engineering team joined the back of the group. Smitty worked his way through the group to join Drake just behind the captains.

The Fireball personnel had been thanked by the departments they had assisted, and expected nothing further but a quiet shuttle ride home and a return to their regular duties. They were surprised when they entered the shuttle bay and found 3 shuttles waiting, while one section of the bay had been set up for a party, complete with cake and punch.

Jane turned to her host. "This wasn't necessary."

"A verbal thank you alone seemed insufficient," Capt Valentine returned. "My department heads would never have forgiven me. I realize we took you away from your regular assignment for over a week, so even this seems inadequate."

"It would be bad manners to leave in a hurry when you've gone to so much trouble." Jane turned to her 2 lieutenant commanders. "Mr Smythe, Dr MacGregor, would you be so kind as to cut and serve the cake and punch?"

Looking startled, they moved toward the table. "I'll serve the punch," Smitty decided.

"What makes you think I can cut cake?" Drake asked him.

"You know how to use a scalpel," Smitty pointed out.

"I've never used one on a cake," the doctor returned. But before long, cake and punch were being served.

Various members of the St Elmo's crew entered, to speak with the departing Fireball crew and enjoy the refreshments. But the St Elmo crew had their own duties to get to, so they didn't stay long.

Eventually, those coming to say good-bye slowed to a trickle. Most of the Fireball personnel had already opted to take one of the St Elmo shuttles home. Those were now jockeying into their parking spots. Most of the cake and all of the punch had been served. Jane decided it was enough, and said her final good-bye to Capt Valentine, then followed the few remaining of her personnel into the Fireball shuttle.

She found Smitty and MacDowell sitting together in the back of the shuttle, holding hands. Each sat up straight in their seat, but their eyes were closed. MacDowell had dark circles under her eyes and looked exhausted. Smitty looked tired, but not as bad.

Jane moved forward and sought out Drake, pulled him into another corner so the two of them could talk. "How's MacDowell?" she whispered.

Drake hesitated before answering. "She's at her rope's end," he admitted. "Between 12-hour days, recuperating, and starting a new life—in more ways than one."

"What do you mean, more ways than one?"

"She's been looking for a new job for when she has to leave the Fireball."

"I applaud her forethought, but where did she find the time?"

"During her meal breaks. She's been eating her meals in the St Elmo's library, using the computer. She's pretty worried about it."

"She has a right to be worried. Does she need some time off from her duties in engineering?"

"Yes."

"How long?"

"Two days, at least. Being able to sleep in her own bed should help. She is getting some help, looking for a new job, so that should give her time to catch up on her emails about that, too."

"Who's helping her?"

"Smitty. Bugalu. Myself. And Mr Facchini."

"The St Elmo chief engineer?"

"After her injury, they shared the St Elmo Intensive Care Unit. She seemed to impress him."

"Really? I understood his protégé was in the brig, because of her."

Drake sighed. "That's a story. Which you probably ought to get straight from Smitty. He's the one who sent him to the brig."

"Okay. You're sure 2 days will be enough?"

"No, but I don't feel like having a fight with her until I have to. I'll keep an eye on her during those 2 days, and then I'll re-evaluate."

"Sounds good." She let him return to his seat and made her way to the back, turned a seat around to face Smitty. Neither of them moved, but the girl's head was drooping now. Jane touched Smitty's knee and whispered, "Is she asleep?"

"Yes," he answered softly.

"No," MacDowell refuted, and took a deep breath before her eyes managed to open. "What can I do for you, captain?"

"You look exhausted," Jane told her. "It's to be expected; you've got a lot going on in your life, and a week of 12-hour days is grueling. I want you to take the next 2 days off."

"Okay," she agreed readily, a tiny smirk on her face.

Jane studied her suspiciously. "MacGregor didn't think you'd agree so easily."

"The next 2 days are my regular days off," MacDowell revealed. "I just need to get through until 1600 hrs to get to them."

"No, you don't," Smitty broke in. "You've already worked 12 hours today. You're off duty." She opened her mouth to say something, and he ended with, "No arguing."

She closed her eyes and stifled a yawn, or tried to. "Thank you, Smit."

"Does that suit you, captain?" he asked.

"Actually, no," she decided. "Since the next 2 days are your regular days off, I want you to take the next 2 days after that off, also. As sick days. Check in with Dr MacGregor on those days, so he can see how well you're recuperating."

"But—"

"I'll see that she does, captain," Smitty stated.

MacDowell sighed. "Looks like I have to."

"Good. Now, try to rest for the remainder of the trip." Jane got up and moved forward again to find a seat that would afford the lovebirds a tiny bit of privacy. When she glanced back, MacDowell's head was on Smitty's shoulder and her eyes were closed. She looked relaxed.

The Answer

Month 16 Day 12

11:57 Hours

Drake MacGregor

Drake hurried into engineering, and saw several officers leave the office, including Smitty's counterpart, Facchini. He barely reached them before they disbursed. "Where's Smitty and Mac?" he asked.

"In the office," Facchini answered. "But they want to be alone."

"They'll want to hear this," he responded, and opened the door. He caught the couple in mid-hug, and they instantly sprang apart. "I've got the answer!" he announced.

Smitty frowned at the interruption. "Can't this wait, Drake?"

"This is the answer you 2 have been pestering me about for a week."

"What answer?" Mac asked.

"The answer to—" It dawned on him that this was medical information, so he stepped inside and closed the door. "How you became pregnant."

"You know why our shots failed?" Smitty asked, turning to face him. His hand sought out Mac's.

"I had to go back to the original raw data, where people reported their side effects. It was hiding among headaches, chills and other such—"

"Spit it out, Drake!" Smitty snapped.

"Alcohol poisoning!"

The pair stared at him for half a beat, then Mac shook her head. "I've never had that."

"Yes, you have," Drake told her. "At least once since you came aboard the Fireball. You both have. I mean, since Mac came aboard."

"I think I would know," she protested.

"You felt extremely drunk," he told her. "And I de-toxed you before it became a problem. Again, both of you. But for a brief moment before the detox started to work, I considered slapping you into sick bay. Luckily, I gave you enough detox to avoid sick bay. But you drink so much, I'm surprised you haven't wound up in somebody's sick bay with alcohol poisoning."

Again, Mac shook her head. "I don't drink that much."

Smitty had been studying the floor thoughtfully. "Shore leave." He glanced at her. "Specifically, on Ulsess, where you suddenly decided to have a drinking contest."

No, that's not when—

She stiffened. "Men wanted to buy me a drink."

"Tell them no," he offered. "I've told you that.

She sighed. "It doesn't stop them. And I know why they offer, but I can out-drink them, so I do. It seems more civilized than beating them up, but sometimes I resort to that. Not in a long time, though."

"How can you possibly know you can out-drink them?" Smitty sounded miffed. "A lot of those who accepted your challenge were heavy drinkers. It's entirely possible one or more of them could have out-drunk you!"

Mac dismissed the idea. "Not likely. I've been drinking whiskey since I was 5. By the time I left Gaelund, I was as good at holding whiskey as my brothers. And they were known for it."

"That was Gaelund," Smitty answered, still irritable. "Out in the whole wide universe, there's no telling who might be able to hold their liquor better than you can!"

Mac got very still for a moment, and her hand removed itself from his grasp. "You think I'm lying?"

"No, I never said—"

"I out-drank all the men who agreed to that drinking contest! Every one of them!"

"Except me!" Smitty shot back.

Mac's face turned red. "It was a draw! So even you couldn't collect your 'winnings' when it was over!"

Wait a minute, haven't they figured out that—

"I might have, if you hadn't ducked out with Bugalu for a cuddle on the street corner!"

Her hands clenched, Mac retorted, "What you thought was a 'cuddle' was a crying jag, because... because..."

"Because you couldn't face that you might have been out-drunk?" Smitty demanded.

"No, because you didn't want me enough to manage to out-drink me!" she shot back.

After a moment of sudden silence, Smitty managed to ask, "What?"

Time to break in. Drake stepped forward. "Neither one of you were near alcohol poisoning when you... dropped out of the competition."

They turned to look at him, their anger turning to confusion. "What?" they both asked, more or less at the same time.

"To be honest, neither one of you actually passed out during that competition, either," Drake answered.

Smitty turned to her. "You faked passing out?"

"Well, I had to. Everybody else had lost. You were the only one left. I didn't know how much more you could handle, and—" Her face went pink and her voice lowered as the stronger emotions left her. "I wanted you to win. Though I'd never figured out how the winner is supposed to 'claim his prize'."

"You're right, I was the only one left who could win," Smitty agreed. "And then you passed out, or seemed to. And in that moment, I knew I didn't want to 'claim' you as a prize! I wanted you to be with me willingly. That was the way I wanted it, so I... I faked passing out, too. So I couldn't claim you; it was a draw."

Mac's hand claimed Smitty's again, and she stared at him with big green eyes. "You wanted me?"

"More than I've ever wanted anything," he stated softly. They moved closer, about to kiss, but Smitty suddenly took a step back and turned to Drake. "Wait a minute. If not during that contest, then when?"

"Oh, after Mac's first week, when you 2 returned to the Fireball after a short shore leave on Station B29. You 2 both arrived barely upright; you probably had more alcohol in your system than blood. I had a difficult time getting you detoxed enough to be fairly functional. Especially you, Smitty, since you were reporting straight to duty."

Mac's face drained of color. "As far back as that?"

"I don't even remember getting back to the Fireball," Smitty muttered. "I remember drinking heavily, and then you were giving me multiple shots and sending me off for duty."

The doorbell rang, and they all glanced at the clock on the wall. Mac muttered several words and turned to Smitty sadly. "Our time is up. Again."

"You'd better go," the engineer said and gave her a peck on the forehead.

She turned for the door. "Thank you, MacG, for letting us know." She opened the door and stepped outside.

Drake turned to leave, but Smitty stopped him with a hand on his arm, his face as white as Mac's had been. "Thanks, Drake," he whispered. "It's a good thing we're the only people whose shots failed. "

That we know of, Drake thought, then followed Mac out of the office.

"What were you lovebirds fighting about?" Facchini asked Mac.

"Oh, just about a stupid drinking game on our last shore leave," she answered. "Are you headed for lunch, Ben?"

"No, I want to talk to Smitty. It's about time to wrap up this rescue and send you guys back to the Fireball. Although I'll be sad to see you go."

"I'll go to the messhall with you, Mac," Drake volunteered, stepping up beside her as she walked for the exit. As they left engineering, Smitty's last comment to him made sense; Smitty may have been yearning for Mac, but he's had sex with others.

Making Progress

Month 16 Day 10

23:57 Hours

Smitty

 Smitty glanced at the clock of the engineering office and finally brought the briefing to a close. "Thank you all for your hard work these last few days. It's a relief to see Lt Cmdr Facchini has recovered enough that the doctors are allowing him to attend our briefings at least once a day. I hope he isn't too disappointed in the progress we've made since our arrival."

"Not at all," Stinky stated. "I'm a little amazed at how much you've gotten done."

"Well, good. Happy to hear it. Now, Lt Jamison, if you will relieve Lt Vojeck, and Wilson, please relieve me." Once that formality was done, he went on to suggest, "Lt Jamison, would you please take Mr Facchini to the warp power alcove and let him examine the crystals we've installed? I think that will help set his mind at ease, and in a couple minutes, I'll walk him back to med bay." Once everybody else had left the office, he closed the door and turned to Colleen. "I didn't realize just how difficult a time you had at the Academy. Now I understand why you only gave that idea a ranking of 3."

Green eyes looked up in surprise. "Who have you been talking to? About the Academy?"

"Bugalu," he admitted. "He explained a lot about your background there." He cleared his throat. "And I also explained to MacGregor why sanitation engineer is not a good position for you."

"You've been busy. Wish I had that kind of time to go through all the different jobs you 3 have been sending me."

"I hope you look through mine first."

She hesitated briefly before admitting, "Now that you're emailing them to me, I do." She licked her lips and added, "I haven't seen any mention of the ship-yard station that you once thought highly of."

"I... thought you had rejected that one."

"I was angry at the time, but we could toss it into the pot and see where it lands," she countered.

He smiled and took hold of her hands to pull her forward for a brief kiss. "I wish I could give you a proper embrace."

"It's probably a good thing you can't, else we'd most likely go way beyond the 2 minutes we're allowing ourselves."

"I also wish you'd move in with me."

She canted her head to the side mischievously. "How would that work with our quarters being barracks? And us working opposing shifts?"

"Don't tease me. I meant, once we get back to the Fireball. But I've already ruined you in the eyes of your family, by getting you pregnant before we got married."

Her gaze turned serious, almost morose. She softly stated, "There's an old saying, something about in for a penny, in for a pound."

His heart skipped a beat, and he reflexively squeezed her hands. "Does that mean you will? Move in with me?"

"If all goes well between now and... then." She swallowed, and he was afraid she was already feeling misgivings about the idea.

"Then I'll be on my very best behavior."

"No, don't," she said quickly, and licked her lips. "I want to know the real you, not some made up version of you."

His mouth dry, he offered, "Soon as we get married, there'll be nothing to stop us from living together."

She smiled again, though not as fully as before. "Thank you. For understanding."

He wanted to surge forward, but instead, he shuffled his feet back half an inch. "I'd better go, before I forget where we are."

"Yes, I'm not sure you remembered to lock the door this time."

"No, I'm pretty sure I didn't." I was so eager to turn my attention to her, I'm surprised I remembered to close the door. He gave her another kiss, this one just a brief peck, because he didn't trust himself to stay any longer. "I have to go." And yet, he continued to stand there, her hands in his, as his eyes studied her face intently.

Eventually, she glanced at the clock, cleared her throat, and whispered, "You are relieved, Mr Smythe."

"I hope you have a productive shift, Colleen," he responded just as softly. "Good night, my love."

Her eyes widened, as if he'd just said something she thought she would never hear him say. "Love?"

The doorbell rang.

Startled, Smitty let go of her and turned to open the door, found Stinky standing outside. "Did I give you two enough time?"

Smitty glanced at the clock and winced, started for the exit with his friend. "More than we usually get." He stepped outside, forced himself not to look back.

"I hear Red and Wilson did the work in the warp alcove."

"That's right. Including the choice and examination of the crystals. But not the welding. I did that with the help of one of your ensigns."

"You all did wonderful work. Tell the girls—I mean, tell the lieutenants—that they did great work, especially with the crystals. They look perfect."

"I will," he promised, and they stopped to wait for the lift. Of course the crystals are perfect. They have to be perfect, or they don't get sent out as inventory. But Stinky always was paranoid about the crystals. After this, I'm surprised he isn't finding fault even with crystals that are perfect. "It was good to be able to include you in the briefing tonight."

"I thought maybe we could go to the mess hall and eat together before I return to the med bay."

Smitty hesitated. "I was going to take my supper to the library and look for positions for Colleen and me."

"Good. Let's do that. We can both look. I still have the contact information for some of the Academy professors we had. Most of them knew people both inside and outside the Fleet."

If any of them are still alive. Have to admit, I never thought of asking any of them in looking for job openings.