<USS Avalon> "Touching Base"

Touching Base
by Lieutenants El-Kainah Ngaio and Sussanna Jameson

Leaning against the door to her office, Anna watched the comings and goings
in her Sick Bay. She was pulling a double shift so that she could work with
Ngaio. It was her intention over the next few weeks to work with each member
of her department, doing staff evaluations, just getting to know them.
Previously, Anna hadn't taken must interest in her colleagues, prefering to
work within Special Ops. But now she had to care about these people.

El had been among the last to find out that Doctor Jameson had been promoted
to Chief. It didn't bother him that he was, he was a junior member of the
department and it was fine with him that for the most part he had been left
alone to do his work. It left him more time for the things he liked to do
off duty.

As Dr Ngaio entered, Anna smiled. "Hey," she said as she approached him.
"We've not really had an opportunity to meet before." Holding out her hand,
she said, "I'm Lieutenant Sussanna Jameson, the new CMO."

"No not really," he agreed, holding his hand out to her. "Nice to meet you
Lieutenant. El-Kainah Ngaio," he said as he shook her hand.

Leading him into her office, she leaned against the desk and kept smiling.
"How long have you been on Avalon, doctor?"

"About six months or so, I think," he answered as he followed her into her
office. "I've been working a lot of Gamma shifts, I am not surprised we
haven't met before really. You were working with Commander Marksbury for a
while weren't you?" His tanned skin and dark hair shone in the lights and
his braids clinked off one another as he shifted.

"Yeah, Special Ops. I was trained as an operative but when Commander Skyler
offered me the promotion, I was asked to choose between the departments."
Shrugging, she folded her arms. "It's only fair, really." Anna held his eyes
very briefly. "You're a part of two departments too, right?"

"Yes, Sir," he answer. "Forensics, but I have been mostly working up here,"
he said. He kept her gaze as he spoke. "I like it that way really," he said.

"Why?" Anna watched his face, gauging his reactions. "Being a doctor isn't
always the most relaxing of occupations. Why did you choose it?"

"I wanted to help people," he answered. "It was Starfleet Doctors that
helped me," he went on. He was watching her too. It was clear to every one
that they were feeling each other out. It was a typical first meeting,
really.

"And do you find working on Avalon lets you help people as much as you
expected?"

"Well, I suppose I could help more people being stationed on a Starbase or
as a Medical Officer for some Federation installation somewhere, but I like
being in space." He had a small smile on his face as he spoke. "One never
knows what they will find out here, it makes life more intersting that way.
Besides, there aren't many starships that give people an opportunity to work
in both Medicine and Forensics."

"True. Usually forensics goes with science." Moving to sit behind her desk,
Anna pulled up his files. "Do you feel like you're being supported enough by
your colleagues?"

He did his best to hide his surprise at this latest question. "Sure," he
answered. "The medtechs are great here. The nurses are helpful and most of
them are as qualified to treat as any of the Doctors are," he concluded.

"And your superior officers?"

"I haven't had any problems with anyone to my knowledge, Sir," he answered.
"Working Gamma shift has left me alone most of the time. "

"Is that the way you like it?"

"Sure," he answered. "Its quiet for the most part. The odd fracture here or
there, a crewman that has suffered the ill effects of too much drink, that
sort of thing." The truth was really the opposite. While he didn't mind
working those overnight shifts, at the same time he wished for some more
involvement with the more day-to-day adventure that goes on aboard a
starship. He also hoped, secretly, that it would mean more time for him to
be able to spend with Miri. But it was inappropriate for him to make such a
personal request.

"I'm going to be jigging the timetables around, give people the opportunity
to work other shifts, that kind of thing. Would you like to maybe move onto
a more sociable shift? You can always go back if it doesn't suit you. Any
requests?"

He hadn't sensed any psychic abilities in her but he supposed it was
possible as his brow raised slightly. "Certainly, if there are other times
that you need me to work, I would be happy to comply," he answered. "But I
understand that as the junior Doctor that I am expected to take on most of
the less appealing duties," he concluded tactfully.

"Not anymore. Now duties will be spread out evenly between all doctors. I'll
put you on alpha shift as of next week and take on your Gamma position
myself. I've not done the graveyard, so it's about time I tried it."
Grinning, she said, "I don't want any of my doctors getting isolated. Is
there anything that you would like to ask me?"

He was in shock really as he listened to what she had to say. "I can't think
of anything right now, Sir," he answered after a few moments. "Thank you, "
he said after another long pause.

Offering her hand to him this time, she stood and said, "If there is
anything that you need, anything you want, please feel free to come to me
and ask. I want you to feel that you can talk to me about anything."

He found his voice again, finally, after being able to only stare at the
offered hand a few moments. "Thank you Sir," he said as he shook her hand
again. "If I find I need anything, I will let you know," he went on.

"Good. Now, Sick Bay is all yours." Stretching, she wandered into the main
room. "Have a good shift, Doctor. I'm off to bed, buzz me if you need me."
Waving over her shoulder, Anna left. Three steps out and she changed course,
heading to Engineering to say goodnight to Mac, a contented smile touching
her lips.

He followed her a moment out to the main Sickbay area and echoed her good
bye, "You have a good night too Doctor," he said. After she was gone, he
turned and surveyed the room much as she had been doing before. Watching and
learning. It was going to be interesting to see what would happen. He could
hardly wait to tell Miri and hoped that she would be as pleased as he was
about the impending changes.

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