"Friendly meeting" by Rangi and Mumacik ===== Main Bridge, USS Chimera ===== With the Captain beeing still on the base, Shane decided to send the report via mail to the CO and was now leaving the bridge. Upon entering the lift he noded to Storok to tell her that the bridge is again her. "Deck 5, Main Sickbay" he said. He was still very glad that the lifts were on-line again and he dont need to climb down the jeffries tube. Exiting on the desired deck, Shane started to walk towards SickBay to meet the CMO ... his beloved. Steve switched the tricorder on...and off...and on...as he waited for his first 'patient'. {{The XO}} he thought bitterly{{HIM..the XO...why him? and what luck has brought me here to find Rangi and him too.!}} He looked around. {{He's late!}} he thought with a certain amount of satisfaction.{{Perhaps i wont have to see him today after all.}} One of the advantages of beeing the XO was that noone got angry with you for beeing late. SHane knew that he should be a shining example for the crew ... ::shrugs:: {Maybe in 5 years} he thought abd grinned. Noding to several crewman on the corridor, Shane entered the SickBay. Hlaf expecting to see Rangi somewhere nearby, Shane stopped and looked around himslef. Seeing 2 nurses he noded to them. FInally spotting a doctor in a teal uniform turned with his back to him, Shane asked in his direction: "Where could i please find Dr. Summers?" Steve took a deep breath before turning around."She is busy." he said levelly but seeing the surprise the XO could not hide."I will be carrying out the medical check today. Please..." he indicated the biobed "..sit there." Shane stared at Steve like he saw a ghost. After a moment he asked like he could not belive it: "DeSoto? Steve DeSoto? What are YOU doing here?" "I am working here ofcourse." Steve answered taking grim pleasure in the fact that Shane was so shocked.{{He is worried already}} he thought taking up the padd that held Shanes medical history."Is there any problem i should know about?" he asked in the usual way of every dr. beginning a checkup. Shane was recalling their last meeting back on Aurora ... like Steve told him that Rangi was happy with him on Drakanus and that he does not deserve her ... and that he virtually kicked Steve out the Ops. He felt anger growing inside his heart ... but tried to calm down. {I am the XO the hell!} he thought. {I cant allow my personal feelings to influence my judgement about the crew ...} Shivering he asked ignoring Steve's question: "I havent seen you on the roster, does Rangi knows that you are here?" "Ofcourse." Steve replied laying the padd aside and giving Shane a look that said 'thats a stupid question' "She asked me to see you today." he picked up the tricorder."To be honest with you.." he said concentrating on the scanner in his hand " I dont relish seeing you either!" he looked the XO in the eye." Sit down." he ordered "...so i can begin this." Shane remained standing and thought: {The same arrogant fool as before}. He smiled wide with a cold smile: "I have a good advice for you 'ensign'" Shane said and stressed the ensign," we are here not at Aurora, I am the XO on this ship and maybe you should show me more respect then you do now" Shane pointed to Steve: "You might be in Rangi's staff and i wont interfere with the way she leads her department ... but if you will continue with this rate ... you will find yourself beeing a cadet again, faster then you will say 'geeeeez'" "Sir" Steve stressed the word in the same way Shane had a moment before. "I asked you to sit so that I may carry out my orders and conduct a medical check on you." he pointed to the bio bed. "I am a dr here and now you are in 'my' department. I have work to do and your check is part of that." he stated. Shane grinned at Steve in the same cold way: "Hmm ... maybe was your graduation from the academy to hastily. As you should know, only the acting CMO in case of medical emergency can override CO's or XO's order and this is NOT your department Ensign. Maybe you should become a check up by yourself ... I overrank you greatly by rank and position. Is that clear?" Steve stiffened and pulled himself up to his full height."I am waiting to give you your check up....Sir..." he looked not at Shane directly but just past him.When nothing happened he altered his look to meet Shanes. "Whenever you are ready." he said coolly "Sir!" Shane noded. "I am ready Ensign." he said and sat hiself on the Bio bed. After a moment of silence what was interruped only by the faint beeping of the tricoder Shane said: "Look, we have our differencies and i dont think that we can be friends soon, but i see no reason we could not cooperate while ON duty. WHat do you think?" Shane asked and looked into Steve's face. Steve did not answer at once but continued with his scanning as though thoroughly absorbed in the job.Eventually he said."Ofcourse we can 'co-operate' what do you think i would do?...jeopardise someones life or safety to satisfy my dislike of you?" Shane shaked his head: "I hope not Ensign. I trust that you know your responsibilies beeing a medical officer on a SSF ship. There will be sure often injuries among the crew and the ODA. This ship needs a doctor capable to fullfil his duties regardless of personal feeling towards the wounded. As i said, Medical is Rangi's department and its up to her to keep in running". Shane remainded quiet for an another minute. Thoughts passed through his head like a storm ... he wanted to tell something to Steve, here ... right now, but when he spoke it was only: "What are the results on my check, ensign?" "You are perfectly fit for duty." Steve answered entering the results onto the padd.He looked at his patient sideways on and turned to face him."I would like to say something to you 'off record'" he said quietly. Shane considered his last request and then noded. He stood from the Biobed and faced him. "You are allowed to speak freely ensign" he stated. "Then i tell you this.." Steve said standing closer than Shane liked "This is a small department and I will see rangi every day...talk to her...spend time with her...and i say this...Guzman....If i see she is upset or unhappy in ANY way and i learn YOU are the cause of it...then i will make my move." He looked at shane with contempt."You crushed her once before...you dont deserve her...she should have better than YOU...remeber it 'SIR' I will know how she is." Shane noded without expressing any anger or annoyance. "Agreed DeSoto, but till that happens ... you will keep your sight out of her. She is still with me now. Lets call it a deal?" Shane flashed a glance at Steve. "I will not make deals about her." he said turning away."She has told me what she feels for you..." he looked back at Shane with utter dislike.."...and I have seen her in tears because of you.I intend to keep out of your way and ask you do me the same favour." Shane frowned at Steve and crossed his hands across his chest but replied: "Untill it wont effect your duty, you are free to do what you please. But dont forget that I am a medic as well and the CMO is my girlfriend, so i will spend some time in sickbay as well. I wont tolerate any disobedience of my orders here or anywhere on this ship. You can think what you wish about me, but you will obey my orders. Understood?" "Absolutely....Sir" Steve answered with such a degree of politeness it was chilling. Shane's look was far from a friendly one as he looked the last time in Steve's face. POinting to the PADD Steve was carrying he said: "If the check up is complete, i need to go" Shane throw a 'water freezing' look at Steve and waited for a reply. "It is complete." came the short answer."Your next revue will be due in six months." The fact that Steve wished not to see him before then was plain."Is there anything more you wish to ask?" he added. Shane shook his head. {Another familiar face from Aurora ... and just one of the i hoped never to see again} he thought but said: "No ensign ... just one last think ... wellcome aboard" WIth that Shane turned and walked out the sickbay. Steve watched the XO walk away.{{I will watch you Guzman}} he promised himself {{You might be the XO here...but that doesnt make you make you the better man.}} ====== End of log ====== LT. Shane Guzman XO USS Chimera & Ens. Steve DeSoto (NPC played by Rangi) AMO USS Chimera