Settling In (Part 2)

 

Month 16 Day 14

23:14 Hours

Smitty

Previously:  The 2 security guards looked at each other, swallowed, and then visibly prepared themselves for the chore ahead of them. “You heard the man, MacDowell. It’s time for you to leave.”

Smitty stared in horror as the guards approached his fiancée. “Not her!” he managed to declare. “The blond in my bedroom!” The 2 men stopped, looking confused. They finally turned to approach the bedroom. “I don’t care if she’s dressed or not!” Smitty added. “Get her out! I’ll press charges against her!”

Monroe appeared, haphazardly dressed, her shoes clutched to her chest. “You can’t treat me like this, Bartholomew Smythe! After the good times we’ve had, to toss me aside like yesterday's status report! I’ll file a complaint!”

Smitty glared at her. “Madam, we have never had any good times! I have tried to make it plain that I have no interest in you!”

“Come on, Monroe, let’s go,” said a guard.

“I want to file a complaint, I tell you!” She declared shrilly.

“You’ll have to do that with your supervisor or the captain,” the guard told her. “The best I can do is get you a copy of the form to fill out. For that, we need to go to the security office.”

Monroe threw her shoes down and jammed her feet into them. “I know how to pull up a form on the computer!” She declared and stomped out of the bedroom through the door to the hallway.

The 2 guards hesitated. “Mr Smythe?”

“She’s gone,” he answered, feeling far less angry than he had been. His exhaustion came rushing back through him. “From now on, I’ll keep my doors locked.”

“Very good, sir,” they told him, and glanced at the redhead questioningly before they left the officer’s quarters.

Smitty took a deep breath, shook off the remainder of his anger, and took a step forward. Now to deal with this, when all I want to do is sleep! “That wasn’t what it looked like, Colleen.”

She cocked her head to one side. “Just because we’re together, doesn’t mean you have to give up your other girl friends.”

“Despite her efforts, that woman is not a girl friend. And never has been.”

“Smit,” she spoke softly. “I know men have girl friends, even after they’re married.”

It took a moment for the import of that statement to sink in. “I’m sorry, I... Who told you that?”

She shrugged. “A man has needs. On Gaelunde, it’s common knowledge.”

He stared at her for a long moment. If that's what she expects from marriage... “Colleen.” He surged forward and took hold of her shoulders. “Darling, this isn't Gaelunde. Maybe that’s normal there, but it’s frowned on most everyplace else. It's horribly disrespectful to the wife. Besides, I don’t want any other women. I want you. For the rest of my life.”

Green eyes looked up at him, her confusion obvious. One tear rolled down her cheek.

Smitty wiped the tear away, and kissed her lightly. A tired sigh escaped his lips. “To think, the only thought I had when I came to my quarters was to climb into bed and get some sleep.”

Colleen nodded, sighed, and turned to leave. “You want to be alone.”

For a second, as she stepped away from him, he knew a moment of panicked shock. Am I throwing an opportunity away? “I didn’t say that!” He protested.

She faced him, perplexed. “Isn’t that why you had Monroe escorted out?”

He fumbled for the right words. “She wanted sex. I didn’t want anything to do with her. She isn’t you. You’re the only woman I want in my bed. Whether or not we have sex.” He stepped forward and reached for her, changed his reach to take her hands. “How is your back?”

She flushed, and her eyes lowered to his chest, but a smile played with her lips. “All restrictions have been removed from my activities, I am fully recovered.” She took a small step toward him and looked up to study his face. “But you look tired, and you have to report to duty in the morning.” Of a sudden, she added, “I should let you sleep.”

He could feel her prepare to turn away, and he slipped his arms around her. “I wish you could sleep here tonight,” he murmured as he held her close. “Tomorrow, I’ll put variable gravity on my bed, then you can sleep over any night you like.”

She returned his embrace. “You don’t have to. I could sleep here, as long as we sleep together.”

“How?” he asked. “You need the extra gravity to avoid nightmares.”

“I have a theory,” she offered hesitantly. “Before you… installed variable gravity on my bed, Bugalu found I could sleep pretty decently for nearly 8 hours, as long as I had a… kind of anchor to make me feel safe. Feel… grounded, I guess you could say.”

Despite his efforts, his muscles tensed with jealousy. “He slept with you,” he guessed, his voice high-strung.

She hesitated, plunged forward. “Bugs spent his days off in my quarters, but he wasn’t sleeping. He was reading, and when I started to get restless, he would take my hand. Just holding my hand provided me with a sense of safety. I was thankful to him for giving up his days off to let me rest. So I figure if holding his hand was enough to let me sleep without Gaelund gravity, then having your arm around me would let me sleep deeply. After all, your hugs make me feel surrounded by safety.”

“Do they?” He asked in some surprise. It was the first inkling he’d had that she felt that way. “Will you stay, then? Oh, but you’ve already slept.”

“I’m not adverse to sleeping more,” she told him. “Another 4 or 5 hours, I suppose. Our helping the St Elmo was exhausting.”

“For me also,” he admitted, and regretted that he would not get 8 hours of sleep tonight. He expected he would have sex with Colleen tonight, if she stayed, and he did not want to rush that this time. He would just have to get through the next day somehow.

As if she knew his thoughts, she gently pulled away. “Since we're both tired, we should go to bed. It won’t bother you if I get up later and go check on my projects? I haven’t even given them a cursory glance.”

“I'll miss you,” he stated. “But I will not begrudge you time with your projects.” My bed will feel cold and lonely without her. But she can’t get all her needed rest at one time. It simply doesn’t work that way. “And since we're both tired, we should forego sex tonight.”

“Oh.” She seemed surprised, perhaps disappointed. “If you think that’s best.”

“Then let’s just go to bed and fall asleep,” he summed up. “Like an old married couple.” He led her to the bedroom, turning out the lights as they went.

Settling In (Part 1)

 Month 16 Day 14

23:14 Hours

Smitty

Smitty stopped as the darkness of his living room surrounded him. "Lights." Once he could see again, he went straight to his liquor cabinet and poured himself 2 fingers of gin. Sitting down on his sofa, he shucked his boots and left them where they landed. It was hard to drink slow and savor it; he had a giant urge to crash into bed and sleep the next day away. Can't do that, I've already told all those who spent a week on the St Elmo to take 2 days off, so engineering will be short-handed.

He sighed and rubbed his forehead. Who knew I'd come back and still work 12 hours today—nearly 12—trying to sort out paperwork and seeing that those who are left can cover everything. I don't remember the last time I was this tired. I wish I could take a couple days off. Although I've never been a fan of days off aboard ship. Still, if I could take them, I think I'd sleep through them.

He frowned at his empty glass. Well, that didn't last long. I'd have another, but I don't want to sleep on my couch. Face it, Smitty, you'd better go to bed and get what sleep you can.

He forced himself up, placed his glass atop the cabinet and headed for his bedroom. "Bedroom lights, 20 per cent," he told the computer as he entered the other room. He pulled his uniform tunic over his head and tossed it in the general direction of the laundry chute, but didn't care when it landed on the floor. I'll deal with it in the morning. "Computer, turn off the living room lights."

He sat heavily on the edge of his bed and debated whether or not he had the energy to get any further undressed, or should he just sleep the way he was?

"You look mighty tired, lover."

Surprised by a woman's voice, he turned to see who was there. She was blond, and it took him time to realize she was the nurse who had tricked her way into his bed on Station B29. He didn't want her in his bed again, but he had the feeling she wasn't going to accept no. "I don't have the energy to deal with you tonight," he heard himself say.

"Don't be like that," she pouted. "You just lay down, and I'll chase your exhaustion away."

"No," he told her. "Get up, get out, and leave me alone."

"You're so tired and out of sorts," she purred as she leaned toward him, and raised a hand to stroke his face.

"Don't do that!" He forced himself to his feet, uncertain he would make it up that far. Now he could see that she was naked. He found the energy to find her clothes and toss them to her. "I don't want you here. I'm not interested. Now get up and go before I call security."

She rose up on her knees, her curvy body on full display. "Bart, you know you need rest and relaxation. Just let me take care of you."

I just want to sleep! Thoroughly pissed, he left his bedroom and made his way to his desk, where he toggled the intercom. "Security!"

He waited impatiently for a response. "Security here."

"This Lt Cmdr Smythe. I have an intruder in my quarters that I did not invite here! Please come escort her away!"

"Now, that's uncalled for!" the nurse stated, appearing naked in the doorway between the 2 rooms.

"It's exactly what's called for!" he shouted back "I've asked you to leave, and you won't, so now I'll let security handle it!"

"Smit?" He wasn't sure he'd heard a trembling voice, it had been so soft in the darkness. And the nurse was loudly insisting that she was there to take care of him, like a good girl friend would...

"Lights, one quarter," he requested, and caught his breath when the dim light revealed Colleen sitting on his sofa. "Colleen!"

The nurse stopped talking suddenly, and chortled. "Hello, Mac."

The redhead frowned at the floor and softly stated, "That's Lt MacDowell to you."

"You're too late," the nurse stated, and seemed to pose in her nakedness. "Smythe's already busy."

"I can see that," Colleen stated, and stood up.

Smitty pushed the nurse back into the bedroom. "You can get dressed now and leave, before security arrives."

“Darling,” Smitty greeted the redhead. The last thing he’d expected was to see her tonight. “I thought you were resting.”

“I have rested, mostly,” Colleen answered. “And I’ve eaten, too. I thought—"

Monroe emerged from the bedroom, still naked. “So this is why you want me to leave? Because you were already expecting her?" She made a face, then suggested, "Well, we can try a threesome. I guess.” She didn’t sound enthusiastic, despite having made the offer.

Turning, Smitty barked, “No! No threesome! I don’t want you! I've never wanted you. I strongly suggest you get dressed before security arrives, because I won’t stop them from dragging you out naked!”

“You don’t—“ Colleen started when the living room door opened and 2 security guards walked in, one of them Ingersol.

The other guard's head swiveled, from Colleen to Smitty and back again. “Mr Smythe, you wanted an intruder removed from your quarters?” asked Ingersol, who barely took his eyes off Mac to look at the chief engineer.

“Yes!” Smitty stated enthusiastically. “The sooner the better!”

The 2 security guards looked at each other, swallowed, and then visibly prepared themselves for the chore ahead of them. “You heard the man, MacDowell. It’s time for you to leave.”

Entanglement 1

Month 10 Day 31

2248 Hours

Smythe

Smitty heard a woman giggle as he approached a corner, and a man murmured a soft response. Lovers. He shivered at the thought. I don’t want to see anyone right now. A quick look around revealed he was next to the observatory deck. That will do. A few minutes in the clarity of a star field might just clear my mind.

He stepped into the room and let the door close behind him. The room was dark, and he left it that way, to increase the sense of being out among the stars seen through the floor-to-ceiling windows. They aren’t really windows. They’re screens. In hyper-space, like we are now, all a window would show us would be a mesmerizing swirl of odd colors. But we still need a chance to fight the occasional bout of claustrophobia. So we use screens to show a star field. Never mind that it isn’t real, it works.

He stepped close to the screen, the better to ignore the chairs lined against the wall. The utter blackness, punctuated by vivid pinpricks of light, seemed to envelop him and soothed sorely jangled nerves. He didn’t know how long he was there; it didn’t matter. Eventually, feeling refreshed, he thought about leaving, and turned for the door.

Oh. I’m not alone. Has she been there all along? I didn’t hear anyone come in. In my state, would I have heard someone come in? “Sorry, I... didn’t mean to intrude,” he offered softly.

She didn’t answer, just lifted one shoulder in a half shrug and raised a bottle to her mouth. The smell of whiskey was unmistakable. I need a drink.

As if she could hear his thoughts, she offered him the bottle. He stepped closer to take it, finished what little there was, and considered her in silence. It was so dark, there really wasn’t anything he could see, he was left with impressions only.

The 1st impression was of a fantastic female body. Not as good as hers, but there are a couple others aboard with figures nearly as good.

The 2nd impression was of paleness as a stray bit of light from the screens bounced off her head. Must be blond. That means it’s probably what’s-her-name, the nurse who talked her way into my hotel room during that 3-day shore leave. I need a woman. I really need a woman, and nurses are outside my chain of command, so as long as she’s willing...

His 3rd impression was that she was willing. Careful. It’s so dark in here, you can’t be sure what you see, so don’t go jumping on her eagerly, just to have her scream ‘rape’.

He placed the bottle in a chair next to the woman, who was leaning against an ornamental pillar. As he straightened up, he took a half step closer. “I could use some... company tonight,” he said softly. She turned her head to him, and opened her mouth in invitation.

I think it’s an invitation. Wish she’d say yes or no. Take it slow, Smitty. Give her every chance to stop you, if she doesn’t want to... do anything. Feeling like a teenager who doesn’t know if the girl likes him, he leaned forward slowly, until his lips touched hers. He heard a sharp intake of breath. Blast! I did misread signals in the dark. He started to pull away, but she surged forward enough to make it a real kiss. Yes. I thought I was wrong, but I was mistaken. I taste whiskey. Of course, we’ve both been drinking.

He gently pushed her against the pillar and put his hands on her waist. This kiss is more intoxicating than whiskey. Go slow. She’s got needs, too, and women like making out as much or more than sex. Her hand was like a feather on his shoulder. His hand slid to her back as he tentatively tasted her lips with his tongue.

With a deep sigh, she pushed herself against him, and her arms flowed around his neck. No mistaking that, is there? He pulled her even closer, sliding his hand down to her rear. Slow down, Smitty. This is going too fast.

But she wasn’t inclined to cool off. When he broke the kiss to suggest they go to his room, she feverishly recaptured his mouth with hers and threw her leg around his. Space, she’s eager. Was on that shore leave, too. I like making out, but I’m going to need sex before much longer, and how can we do that if we don’t go to my room? Sex on the floor of the darkened observatory, almost as if they were out among the stars. That’s tempting. But not a good--

Blinding light. He instinctively closed his eyes from the glare, and froze, realizing they’d been caught. Captain’s going to kill me.

“Oh. Sorry.” He heard the door closing.

He opened his eyes when the light went off, and caught a glimpse of bright red at eye level as the door was closing. Red? I thought she was that blond nurse. If it’s not the blond, then it must be-- Oh no!

He ended the kiss deliberately, all the while battling his desire to continue. Once his mouth was free, he drug a deep breath into his lungs, smelling not just whiskey but musky lilacs as well. I know the answer to this question. I thought I knew before, so I’d better be sure. “Colleen?” he asked softly.

“Yes?” she answered breathlessly, and moved her mouth closer to his.

Oh, Black Space. Now comes the hard part. Using every bit of will power he possessed, he tore himself away from her, unwrapped her from around him. “Sorry,” he told her as he tried to shrug his uniform into place. “I... thought you were someone else.” He turned and made his way out. That’s the second time tonight I’ve let go and walked away from her. It’s torture. I can’t keep doing it. Obviously I can’t resist her forever. Another 6 months and I’ll go crazy. I have to avoid her. Captain won’t like that. But it’s either that or break a dozen regulations. And I still need--

Christmas Day

Month 10 Day 25

1705 Hours

MacGregor

It had become traditional, on the day designated as ‘Christmas’ on the Fireball, for Captain Burke and her few selected friends to gather in the gaily decorated messhall at 1715 Hours, to exchange token gifts before they filled plates from the wonderful buffet laid out across the entire side of the room and shared the bottle of wine that Smitty inevitably gave Jane on this occasion.

Over the years, Drake had come to the conclusion that they arrived late for this meal because Jane used that last-minute hour to finally wrap their presents, but of course, he couldn’t prove that. And he inevitably arrived a little early, usually because he was hungry. But this time, he had an extra gift to give, and he had hoped he could hand it off without anybody making too big a deal out of it.

When he arrived, he had found Bugalu and his friends sitting at 2 tables pushed together, unopened gifts gathered in the middle as they joked and laughed over their meals. He had thought it would be simple enough for him to reach out and drop a small package in among the rest of them on his way to the table set aside for the captain, but before he could do that, Mac had greeted him very enthusiastically, leaving the others to also notice and greet him. Even Beth had wished him a rather chilly ‘Merry Christmas’. So with all this attention on him, he had decided to find Mac later and give her the present. Best not to set any tongues wagging.

Now Drake sat as his stomach began to growl, impatiently drumming his fingertips on the table as he waited for the others to finally arrive. Well, here we go again. Another bottle of scotch from Smitty. Unimaginative, but at least it’s something I like. He grinned at the gaily wrapped present on the table in front of him that bore Smitty’s name. It looks very similar to the one I wrapped for Mac. Wouldn’t it be a shame if I’d wrapped them and then accidentally got the wrong names on these particular two gifts? I’ll have to be suitably chagrined when he opens it. Wish I could suggest he make the exchange himself.

Warm lips pressed the corner of his mouth. “Merry Christmas, doctor.”

“What?” He turned to see a familiar blond bending over him. “Monroe, I don’t-“

“You’re under the mistletoe, doctor,” the woman explained, and moved off.

Mistletoe over the captain’s table? That’s got to be a mix-up. He glanced up. I’ve been sitting here for 5 minutes or more. You’d think someone - else - would have- His eyes grew large as he saw the sprig of greenery attached to an antigravity unit, wandering around the room at just below ceiling level. Well, what do you know? Now, who could have dreamed up... Mac! Who else? Just one more example of that infamous imagination of hers. The same brain that Smitty thinks doesn’t know a thing.

“Here already, Duck?” Jane asked, sliding into one of the empty chairs. “Was that a nurse kissing you?”

“The mistletoe was over me,” he explained.

Trying not to frown, she glanced overhead. “I don’t see any mistletoe.”

“It moves around,” he explained, searching the upper reaches of the messhall. “There it is, wandering towards the kitchen.”

Jane glanced in that direction. “How does it move around like that?”

“I’m not an engineer,” Drake returned. “Ask Smitty. Or better yet, Mac. I suspect she’s the one who came up with them.”

Takor appeared at the side of the table, its arms full of several items wrapped in colorful paper and bows. “Please assist. I fear I may drop some of them.” Jane and Drake carefully helped it deposit the gifts onto the table with the others and it sat down in relief. “I hope I have chosen appropriate gifts. I did have assistance from my yeoman. She was particularly helpful in the wrapping stage.”

“I’m sure whatever you give us will be fine,” Jane told him. “Now, as soon as Smitty gets here, we can get this thing started. I’m especially hungry tonight, and can’t wait to get started on that turkey.”

“Sorry I’m late,” Smitty stated as he slid into the remaining empty seat. He started to hand Jane a package, looked at it closely, and gave it to Drake instead, then gave the other similar-sized package to Jane. The final package was flat and a bit floppy as he handed it to Takor. “I hope you all like them.”

“I’m sure we will,” Burke stated. “And I guess that means we’re starting, so first, let’s sort out which presents belong to whom.”

While they were doing that, someone started placing small plates of various appetizers on their table, and Drake looked up. “Yellow Dog! What’s this?”

She smiled, said, “Noel,” and placed a bottle of eggnog on the table.

“Thank you,” Smitty told her with a grin as he munched a celery stick and reached for the eggnog. “But you needn’t have.”

“You aren’t a servant,” Jane pointed out.

“Yes,” she agreed, and accepted a small package from Takor.

“Wait.” Takor picked up another package and held it out to her. “For Mac.”

The NAmerInd conversationally repeated, “Mac,” and half-way across the room, the redhead looked up. After a quick search through the packages on their double table, Mac trotted over and presented one to the Sciss.

“I’m so happy you decided to give me a gift, Takor. I know I’ll like it. I tried my best to create a family spiral for you that you could put on your wall. For decoration. But 3-d items work best in... well, in 3-d. I hope you like it anyway. Good night, sirs, and... Merry Christmas.” She took the gift Takor offered her and the 2 ladies went back to rejoin their friends.

“A family spiral?” Jane asked her science officer.

“I believe a human would call it a family tree.”

“This is nice,” Smitty stated. “Very tasty.” A smudge of white on his upper lip showed that he had taken a healthy swig of eggnog from the glassful that he had poured himself.

“We’d better get these presents opened,” Drake suggested. “So Smitty can get some food in his stomach along with that eggnog.”

Mistakes Were Made

Month 7 Day 16

1535 Hours

Beth Temple

 The words caught Beth’s attention, even through the closed door. “I didn’t realize nurses have an office.” Beth checked the time. Early for Dr Davis.

“Nurses share this station,” Karu explained. “The Head Nurse has an office.”

A 3 foot by 3 foot ‘office’. More like a closet, but it’s mine. Beth opened the door. “Are you looking for me, Dr Davis?”

“Yes,” the physician confirmed and strode forward, stopped as she realized the dimensions of Beth’s ‘office’.

Beth gave her a wry smile. “Most people pull a chair to the doorway.”

“I was hoping to have a private word with you.”

“Karu, go check Monroe’s work,” Beth instructed.

“She was C shift yesterday; what was she doing?” Karu asked.

“I don’t know. I didn’t get Oleander’s report.”

“What if I can’t figure out what Monroe was doing?”

“Then you probably aren’t looking.” Karu grimaced, closed her computer file and headed for sick bay’s interior. Beth gave the physician another smile. “Pull up a chair. Want some coffee?”

Davis pulled over the closest chair. “No, I only drink that on duty.” She sat down and glanced around, as if to make sure they were alone.

“Is this about Mac?” Beth asked.

Davis looked startled. “Why ask about Mac?”

“I heard her call you ‘Mags’ last week. She shortens your name if she likes you, and the stranger she can make that nickname, the happier she is. You’re probably stuck with it. Even Bugsy - Bugalu - can’t stop her. Also, she was here this morning. On your orders, I understand.”

“In a way, she’s involved, but I’m here about a nurse.”

Beth canted her head. Has she sat on a complaint for days? “Doctor, you weren’t on duty last night.”

“No, I was on the planet when Mac passed out from severe hypoglycemia. Yukoskians don’t use sugar for fuel, and the cooks didn’t realize we do. The only things Mac ingested were agents the Yukosk use to remove sugar from their system. I called for glucose, and whoever answered - when she finally did - said she couldn’t help because she couldn’t leave sick bay unattended.”

Beth felt her face go white. “Mac could have died.”

“Yes. Luckily, Oleander overheard my call and took over. She even sent extra, which was good, because I was into the 3rd supply jacket before Mac could be sent up.”

Beth’s mind fumed, though she kept a calm appearance. “Thank you for bringing this to my attention, Dr Davis.”

“Nurse Oleander forgot to send you a shift report?”

“I’m not sure.” She used her computer to send an inquiring signal to the bridge and inserted her earpiece.

“Bridge. Abdulla.”

“Temple. Nurse Oleander, C shift, always sends me a report, but I didn’t get one today. Before I assume negligence, is there any chance it’s lost?” Beth often felt ignorant on things outside her field. Abdulla knew computers; they were an intimate part of communications.

“Hmm... You’re right. That isn’t like her. Give me a couple minutes.”

“Thank you,” was all Beth got out before the connection was broken. She turned to Dr Davis. “Would you mind making that a written complaint? Or report, whichever you think fits.”

Davis gave one quick nod. “I can. I’m not sure a foolish comment is enough to fail probation, but it needs to be addressed.”

Beth felt her face stiffen, made herself relax. That’s why I get this glorious office, so I can clean up the messes the doctors leave. How could Drake forget that Mac and Monroe arrived at the same time? “That nurse passed probation.” By default! “I’ll talk with her, try to straighten her out.” Not likely to help! “Ultimately, this information will land in a file.”

Davis leaned forward, her voice lowered. “If you can’t shape her up, you need enough proof to get rid of her?”

“Something like that,” Beth returned, trying to keep her face non-committal.

The physician stood and returned the chair to its original spot. “You’ll have my memo in the morning. I want to get it composed while the details are fresh. Have a good evening, Nurse Temple.”

Drake emerged from his office. “Davis, you aren’t scheduled to work tonight.”

“No, I had a chat with Beth,” the C shift physician said and kept walking.

Drake looked uncertainly at Beth. If he thinks avoiding me for 2 weeks is going to soften my mood, he’d better think again. She closed her office door and pushed her simmering anger deep inside. Her computer beeped. “Sick bay. Temple.”

“That report wasn’t lost. I found it in your trash bin.”

“I never even saw it.”

“No. At 4 minutes past midnight, somebody deleted that message, then deleted it again. They either forgot or don’t know about the trash bin.”

“Who was it?”

“Unknown. They used your office computer, which doesn’t need a sign-in.”

Blast! “Can you give my computer a sign-in?”

“Easily. But we do maintenance during an off shift, so we don’t interrupt your work.”

“Ask Mac,” Temple decided. “How do I avoid any more ‘accidental’ deletions before that’s done?”

“I can shut down your console when I leave. You’d have to call when you want it turned on in the morning.“

“Sounds good.” Beth told her computer to close all files and sleep. “So, how do I get to my trash bin?”

“I returned that report to your message box.”

“Thanks. Let’s hope it stays there. Okay, you can turn off my computer any time.” Beth’s impression of the computer console quickly went from a sleeping intelligence to a mass of dead metal, plastic and wires. Creepy. What else can I do? She opened the door, walked to the intercom, and punched another connection as Nurse Karu returned. “Did you find anything?”

“I cleaned it up.”

“Send me a report. She needs to do her job.”

Karu sat down at a console. “On its way.”

Beth checked the time. “Make it fast or do it tomorrow. And don’t say anything to anyone. She’s sneaky.”

“Engineering. Smythe.”

“Temple. How do I get a lock on my office door?”

She could almost feel his shock through the open line. “It doesn’t have one?”

“Never has.”

“Idiot designers. We’re at shift change. I’ll pass your request to Wilson, and she’ll send somebody. I’ll program it in the morning.”

“Oh.” Blast. Not what I had in mind. Now what do I do?.

“Or... If you want it tonight, I can send someone right away. But you’d have to stay until it’s programmed.”

Beth smiled. “Thank you! I’ll wait.” She sat down at the spare nurse’s console and signed on, opened the latest medical journal.

“Your office doesn’t lock?”

Temple glanced at Karu. “Do you see a lock?”

Karu gave a hard look at the door. “No. Guess I assumed-“

“I suppose no one thought a head nurse needed a lock. How is your report coming?”

“It’s not a clean copy, but-“ Karu punched a button. “It’s sent.”

Nurse Oleander walked in with greetings, and signed onto the unused console. Karu signed off to walk quickly through the ward rooms, looking for anything out of place. When she returned, she stood at the reception counter uncertainly. Beth glanced at the chronometer; it was past 1600. “Nurse Oleander, who’s scheduled tonight?”

“Monroe. She and Dr Ellis are on the same rotational shift.”

Is Monroe tardy regularly? “Good night, Karu. I’ll see you tomorrow.”

“Thank you, Nurse Temple.”

Beth closed the journal and opened a travel magazine from the library. She didn’t turn when she heard Drake ask, “Has Dr Ellis arrived?”

“He’s in the staff office, sir,” Oleander answered.

“Good. Have a quiet shift, Oleander.” Drake left. Beth compared shore and mountain activities.

“Sorry to keep you waiting, Temple.” Smythe walked in briskly.

Beth turned with a smile. “I appreciate your speed, Mr Smythe.”

“Can’t believe no lock was installed.” He put down his tool box and popped off a panel next to her office door. “To tell you the truth, I felt the need to do something with my hands. I’ve been reading all day - trying to - and my brain feels like mush.”

Still no sign of Monroe. “I thought you liked reading technical manuals.”

He worked silently for a moment. “I’ve just spent, what, 6 weeks? comparing technologies with S’thyme. Reading is different.”

“Reading or conversing, I’m sure the subject isn’t boring. To you.”

“I was told, ‘If you work at what you love, you won’t be working’.”

Beth smiled. “I’m familiar with the sentiment, if not those exact words.”

“You don’t need to get up, Oleander. I can take care of whatever Mr Smythe needs.”

Temple looked around in time to see Monroe recognize her. “Nice of you to come to work, Monroe.”

 The blonde’s jaw worked for a moment. “I am at work. I mean, I’ve been at work. I didn’t finish one of my chores last night, so I started there, to finish up.”

Someplace outside sick bay? Tell me another. “I see. Log in, then go count how many bandages we have.”

Irritation moved across Monroe’s face as she slowly walked forward. “What kind?”

“All kinds,” Temple responded. “I want 2 lists. Ready to use and Storage.” She closed the magazine, signed off the computer, then headed for Drake’s office.

“I’m almost done,” Smythe said.

Already? Beth nodded and left the door open as she glanced at the sleeping console, straighten the desk and started the cleaning bot. She could hear Monroe talking, her voice low and sultry. And Smythe’s response. “Lieutenant, look elsewhere for nightcaps and... entertainment.” Beth stepped out and locked Drake’s door. Smythe tried to work, but Monroe clung to his shoulder.

The young nurse pouted. “Shore leave is coming, and I’m -”

“Monroe!” Beth snapped. “Why are you still here? If you’ve signed in, start counting in storage. I want it finished tonight!”

“Yes, ma’am,” Monroe groused, and headed for the depths of the sick bay complex.

“It’s been years since I’ve seen anybody be that... brazen!” Temple stated as she walked to the nurse’s station. “And on duty!” Oleander made a face and hunched one shoulder. Something else for me to look into. Should I apologize to Smythe?

“Do me a favor, Temple,” Smythe whispered. “Don’t leave me alone with that woman again.”

Surprised, Beth said, “Oleander was here.”

“My rank isn’t sufficient to dampen Monroe’s, uh... behavior,” the nurse stated.

Smythe grunted. “Nor mine.”

Not good. “Then why would my presence make a difference?”

“I have to hope somebody’s would,” Dr Ellis stated from the staff office doorway. “And you’re her supervisor, with input into whether she passes or fails probation.”

Smitty turned his head toward the doctor. “Probation?”

Even Smitty realizes Mac’s and Monroe’s probations ended at the same time. “Her probation is over,” Temple stated.

Ellis’ face fell. “And she’s still here.” He turned for the office.

“She’s still here because - although I had misgivings about her suitability - I didn’t have enough information from her co-workers!” I would have tried, if I had gotten Drake’s ear before time was up. “Her supervisor? I’m a lieutenant, just like she is, just like you are. But in medicine, a doctor out-ranks a nurse. If you see a nurse being sloppy, lazy, unskilled or unprofessional, let me know! Complaint, report, comment; I don’t care what you call it, as long as I get it! Because once they are off probation, it becomes a lot harder to convince headquarters they aren’t wanted.” The young doctor stared at her as she took a deep breath.

“That’s the way, Temple,” Smythe muttered.

“Oleander, I’ll need the same kind of observances from the nurses,” Beth added.

“One person’s lack of standards means more work for the rest of us.”

“Exactly,” Beth agreed. Ellis returned to the office looking thoughtful.

“How’s this, Beth?” Smythe asked.

She looked at the panel where he’d been working. The area had been unremarkable, and except for the addition, the wall seemed the same; no melting, charring, dips or bubbles. “Wonderful! And under half an hour! How does this one work?”

“Still have to program your thumbprint.” He squatted to put tools away and got out a small box. “We could use your left, if you prefer.” He stood up and held the box next to the thumbpad. “Go ahead.” Temple stepped closer, placed her right index finger on the blank pad. “Um, that’s - “

“Just as good as my right thumb,” she stated flatly.

“As you wish.” He punched a few keys on the box, which glowed a dull orange, and the pad under her finger started flashing green. “There.” She pulled her hand away; the pad went dark. “All done,” he summed up, picked up the tool box and placed the small box in it. “It’s just like any other thumb-locked door.”

“Thank you, Mr Smythe. I feel relieved.”

“Happy to help,” he returned with a smile.

“Oleander, I’m gone,” Temple stated. “Let me know how long Monroe spends on inventory, and if she gets done.”

“I will, Head Nurse.”

Temple walked out, was surprised when Smythe joined her in the corridor. “That’s the first time you’ve asked for something without making it complicated, Head Nurse.”

“Is it?” Beth curled a corner of her mouth. “I’m usually worried about stepping on toes.”

“Then maybe I’m insulted.” He stopped her with a light touch on her arm. “I thought we were friends, Beth. Friends don’t mind an occasional sore toe.”

Beth considered the furrows in his brow, the uncertain pain in his eyes. “I’m sorry, Smy- Smitty. I’m not from a military family. Not even a medical family. We were dirt-poor, and to this day, I have trouble seeing the lines that one must not step over.”

He winced. “That can be hard. I’ve been in the Fleet longer than you, and there’s some lines I still stumble over. Would you like to share supper? I’ve claimed friendship, but I’m ashamed to admit I hardly know anything about you.”

Now? “You usually eat with... I’m not speaking to Drake. Not off-duty, anyway.”

“I’m sure he deserves it. The captain won’t expect me by now. But if you have plans...”

“Not really. Do you need to take your tools back to engineering?”

He shrugged one shoulder as they started walking again. “The box is my personal property. When I retire, I’ll have the finest set of tools in the city.”

What city? Something to talk about.