<USS Avalon> "Closer Connections."

"Closer Connections."
By: Ensigns Georgia Lewis and Melanie Redgrave

Georgia was in Sickbay trying to avoid Dr. Cazook and her bizarre way of 
doing things. They would soon be doing something in one of the special rooms 
which 
didn't involve her, so she was just cleaning things up. Basically doing busy 
work and wondering what dat girl Skyler was up to now. She would be the death 
of her yet. Even so, she still loved her, though you couldn't tell it from the 
way she acted at times. 

But that was just Georgia.

Why did it seem like turbo lifts always moved faster when you didn't want to 
get someplace? That was the thought running though Melanie's mind as she made 
her way towards sick bay. She hated having physicals because she was just so 
uncomfortable around doctors. She'd never been comfortable around them, she 
wasn't sure why, they just made her uneasy. Melanie took a deep breath as she 
approached the doors of sick bay and held it as she walked in. She stood there 
for a few moments having planned on staying long enough to say she was there 
then leave saying no one was there to see her. She let go of the breath she 
held 
and turned to leave with a smile on her face after barely a minute. 

Having finished her busy work Georgia made her way toward the office and out 
of the corner of her eye she saw a young woman getting ready to leave. 
Normally Georgia would let her leave, but since she was bored she decided to 
stop 
this one and see what was going on. "Excuse me, is there something I can help 
you 
with?"

Melanie flinched at the sound of the voice which she was sure was addressing 
her since she was the only one there. She took another breath and turned on 
her heel. "My name is Melanie Redgrave I'm supposed to have my physical." 
Melanie cringed as she said the last word and hoped that the woman hadn't seen 
it. 

"Well, don't be shy. Come on in and we can take care of that. My name is 
Ensign Lewis, but everyone calls me Georgia. The Docs are all busy but I would 
be 
happy to do your physical for you. That is if you don't mind?" Georgia looked 
at this woman and there was something about her that was familiar but she 
couldn't place her finger on it. Georgia wasn't going to let this one go that's 
for sure. Her curiosity was going to get the best of her but she would get to 
the bottom of whatever was bugging her.

"Your not a doctor?" Melanie asked as she moved further into the room. She 
sighed in relief and visibly relaxed when Georgia nodded. "I don't mind at all 
Ms. Georgia Ma'am. To be honesty with you I don't fancy doctors much." Melanie 
followed Georgia to a bio bed and hopped up on to it quickly. She nearly 
laughed to herself when she thought about what she must have looked like. Her 
mother would never believe her, not after spending eighteen years forcing her 
into 
doctors offices. 

"My, I have never seen anyone so anxious to get their physical. I must say 
you do have a strange way of speakin. What language is that if'n you don't mind 
me askin'?" Georgia proceeded to gather up her instruments while talking to 
Melanie. "Oh did you bring your medical profile with you, so that we can keep 
it 
on file?"

Melanie reached into the small inside pocket of her uniform jacket and pulled 
out a data chip that she handed over to Georgia. "Oh you mean my accent?" 
Melanie asked with a bit of a chuckle. "It's English. I was raised in London. 
What of yours Ms. Georgia? If I'm not mistaken it's North American southern, 
correct? Atlanta," Melanie paused, her jade green eyes narrowing, "No, 
Mississippi." 

Georgia looked at her for a moment. "Why yes Mississippi is correct. How did 
you know?" Georgia took the data chip and inserted it into the computer and 
copied it into a file specially for Melanie. She picked up a tricorder and 
began 
to run it over her patient carefully, reading the information that it was 
picking up, and then downloading it into the computer placing it in Melanie's 
file. "Well so far everything looks pretty good. Now all I have to do is draw 
some blood to keep on file in case of transfusion or some other reason. Hope 
that 
doesn't bother you?"

Melanie liked needles about as much as doctors. "I'm in forensics, being able 
to pick up on small details is my job." Melanie offered Georgia a warm smile. 
She then turned her head to the side so she wouldn't be able to watch what 
Georgia was doing but as she clinched her eyes closed she asked, "Do you keep 
blood samples of all the crew on hand?" 

Georgia had picked up a specially devised hypo that would allow blood to be 
drawn without the use of a needle, so she didn't know why her patient wasn't 
watching, but that wasn't any of  her business. "Well, that is a strange 
question to ask. Do you mind if I ask why you are interested in knowing?"

Melanie had to think quickly. Being able to access a blood sample to finalize 
what her research had told her was necessary, but having her reasons out in 
the open wasn’t. "Knowing about blood samples would make any identification 
work we might have come up a lot easier." Melanie gave Georgia what she hoped 
was 
a defusing and disarming smile. "I just like to be well informed is all. Not 
to mention I’m to curious for my own good at times. "

"I can relate to that. The XO on this ship is a good friend of mine and her 
curiosity is going to be the death of me yet. Dat girl can get in  more trouble 
then anyone I know. It's like it comes looking for her or somethin. As to  
your question I reckon I can answer it without breakin too many rules. Yes, we 
keep samples of all the crew on file. Ya never know when we might need 'em and 
it's best we have 'em on hand." Georgia had filled up two tubes of Melanie's 
blood and ran them through the computer and let it separate into it's separate 
components. Once that was done, she put the tubes in the cryo unit to keep it 
safe. Turning back, she looked at Melanie, "I think that just about covers it, 
unless you have any questions?"

Melanie couldn't help herself, there was something trusting about this woman, 
and before she knew what she was asking the words were out of her mouth. "You 
know the XO personally? What's she like?"

"Who Commander Skyler? Oh yes, I have know Skyler for years. She is like a 
daughter to me, but don't tell her I said that. It will go straight to her 
head. 
I have to keep her in line and that ain't easy as it is. She has a mind of 
her own and is very independent and strong willed. She gets an idea in her head 
and she won't let it go until she gets to the bottom of things. But she is 
also very loyal to her friends and family. For that I am very Thankful. She is 
like family to me. Wherever she goes I go. It's been that way for as long as I 
can remember. Why do you ask?"

So many questions were forming in Melanie's mind, but she knew asking them 
would only tip her hand. Melanie laughed in hopes of covering up the sudden 
rush 
she felt. "Guess me mum was right, I'm just to damn noisy." 

"That's alright. It always helps to know about the officers under whom you 
are going to serve. She is fair and honest, and if you are honest with  her she 
will be the same with you. I think you can go now if  you wish ensign. 
Everything looks fine on your physical. If you have any problems feel free to 
stop by 
anytime."

Melanie hopped down from the bio bed with a smile. "Well, that wasn't so bad. 
Thank you very much Ms. Georgia for being so kind to a silly little bird like 
me." 

Georgia smiled and replied, "You are most welcome. It was a pleasure talking 
with you. Have a good day now ya here?"

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