*** Sickbay * USS Chimera *** "...... and that's causing a compression..." Scott clenched his fist to stress his word "...and compromising the nerve fibres and vascular supply." he lowered his hand." That's what led to the haemorrage." PO John Murray swallowed hard. "And the vision?" he asked. "You mean it'll come back?....like it was before?" Scott and Rangi exchanged glances. "I think there's every chance it will." Scott answered levelly. "We'll run a full neurologic evaluation and I'm betting on a good prognosis" "But this eyes looks that way and this eye doesnt" Murray said, indicating each direction with a bandaged hand and sounding unconvinced. Scott looked at Rangi as she spoke quietly. "Try to think of it this way.." she said, moving forward slightly. "To produce synchronous eye movements, the nerves 'communicate' along a neural pathway.The injury..in the explosion..has disrupted that pathway..its preventing communication between the nerves. We can do alot to put that right.I'm confident that your sight will be fine...really." Murray released a long breath and after a second or so, raised his hand to touch the covered eye that had recently caused a minor panic. Rangi folded her hand over his and with gentle pressure lowered it back to rest across his chest. "Mr Murray...please try not to worry. I know that's easier said than done...but I really am confident..ok?" He turned his head and the one open eye looked at her. "Thankyou commander." Rangi gave him a small smile and standing up striaght said " I'll be back in a while. " Scott caught her expression and silently let her know he understood it. He turned back to the engineer as Rangi walked away. "She doesnt say anything she doesnt mean." Scott said."If there was a problem, she'd tell you...not string you along on a false hope." Murray gave a slight nod. "Thanks Doc." he said solemly. Scott tapped information onto the med padd. That done and satisfied that Murray was resting as ordered, he made his way to the CMOs office. Rangi was facing the door, leaning on the edge of the desk. "We'll use the ocular ultrasonograph " she said as the AMO walked in. Scott nodded agreement. "Think there'll be scarring?" he asked. Rangi shrugged."I dont know." she said thoughtfully and pushing herself off the desk, walked round it to her chair. "I'll fit the equipment then." Scott said turning towards the door. "Scott?" Rangis quiet voice stopped him and he turned back with an enquiring expression on his face. "What's wrong?" she asked. "Wrong?" he echoed sounding surprised. "Yes..wrong....with you.....Are you feeling unwell?" she asked. He waited a second before replying. "I'm fine." he said, widening the smile he forced. "Why do you ask?" She looked up at him. "Because you're not your usual self." she replied kindly and added "Sit down please." He sighed and did as she asked, pulling a chair forward, angling it to face her and sitting down much as a condemned man might. "Personal question.." she said " Does this concern Mercedes?" Scott couldnt hide his surprise, so his expression told her clearly that she had guessed correctly. "I have no complaint." she told him, raising her hand to stop any words."..your work is all I expect from you." Her fingers folded into her palm and she dropped her hand back to the desk. "If you need any time off..." The sentence remained incomplete. Scott flashed the typical smile that didnt quite reach his eyes. "No..its fine." he said. "But thanks anyway." Rangi, knowing that everything wasnt 'fine' inclined her head. "Ok." she said and Scott stood up, eager to be gone. "I'll..er...fix the..." he pointed to the door and freedom. "Thankyou." she said and watched him hurry out. Scott sighed as he strode across sickbay. {I knew it was a mistake to get involved with someone I work with} he told himself {I knew it from the srart.} *** End Log *** LtCmdr Rangi Summers CMO/2XO USS Chimera & Ltjg Scott Fisher AMO & PO3 John Murray (NPCs) Rangi