<div dir="auto"><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt"><span style="font-size:11pt;font-family:arial;font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap">Mission: Murder on the Exeter Express</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt"><span style="font-size:11pt;font-family:arial;font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap">Day:03</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt"><span style="font-size:11pt;font-family:arial;font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap">Stardate: 2445:12:03</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt"><span style="font-size:11pt;font-family:arial;font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap"> </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;background-color:#ffffff;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt"><span style="font-size:10pt;font-family:arial;color:rgb(29,34,40);background-color:transparent;font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap">( USS Exeter - Sickbay - CSO Lt Jg Erin Cortez & CMO Lt Gabe Vespers - 1711 )</span></p><br><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt"><span style="font-size:11pt;font-family:arial;font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap">Whilst she understood that she needed sickbay, Erin had had enough of being there. Taking a breath and steadying herself, she walked the short distance, slowly to the CMO's office.</span></p><br><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt"><span style="font-size:11pt;font-family:arial;font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap">Knowing that she and the doctor had some history, it made her a little wary but she also knew that she needed out of the place. Pressing the panel to the side of the door, she waited to be allowed in.</span></p><br><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt"><span style="font-size:11pt;font-family:arial;font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap">Getting ready to wrap up for the evening then head into rounds Gabe was starting to struggle. He had sent Kruse to finalise the plan for Erin, the buzzer pulled his attention he looked up and saw Lt Cortez at his door ~that was quick~ he pressed the button to open the door </span></p><br><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt"><span style="font-size:11pt;font-family:arial;font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap">"Come in Ms Cortez, how can I help?" </span></p><br><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt"><span style="font-size:11pt;font-family:arial;font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap">Walking in, Erin stood for a moment, "I have a request to make."</span></p><br><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt"><span style="font-size:11pt;font-family:arial;font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap">"Please take a seat" Gabe was never sure how any meeting with Erin would go. </span></p><br><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt"><span style="font-size:11pt;font-family:arial;font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap">Sitting down opposite him, she took a breath and sighed, "I want to leave. Go back to my own quarters. Please."</span></p><br><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt"><span style="font-size:11pt;font-family:arial;font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap">Gabe looked at her for a moment "Erin, have you spoken to Dr Kruse today?" </span></p><br><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt"><span style="font-size:11pt;font-family:arial;font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap">"Yes. Why?"</span></p><br><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt"><span style="font-size:11pt;font-family:arial;font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap">"We were just discussing you as it happens and I feel you would actually be best served recovering from your quarters, in fact I was going to discuss that with you on rounds." Gabe said studying the woman's reaction.</span></p><br><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt"><span style="font-size:11pt;font-family:arial;font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap">Raising her eyebrows a little, Erin sat back in the chair. "Oh… I've been here enough for a lifetime. Physically, I feel fine." She replied.</span></p><br><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt"><span style="font-size:11pt;font-family:arial;font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap">Looking at the PADD Gabe took a moment to gather his thoughts </span></p><br><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt"><span style="font-size:11pt;font-family:arial;font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap">"You have been here a lot, admittedly it's not your fault, but these walls have a habit of creating a dependency on them; Im concerned that continued exposure beyond what is completely necessary may kick off some adverse effects neither of us would want to arise. Physically you're almost fine, but with rehabilitation and some time off duty you will recover." Gabe took a moment to form his thoughts</span></p><br><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt"><span style="font-size:11pt;font-family:arial;font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap">"I would feel that given what's happened you need to have time to heal mentally also, your discharge is conditioned to the need for bi weekly meetings with the counselor and I would like to see you monthly for a physical, just incase we've missed something." Gabe looked at Erin, unsure how she would react. </span></p><br><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt"><span style="font-size:11pt;font-family:arial;font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap">Erin nodded, then the words that he had spoken hit her. Looking at him, she leant forward, "Doctor, are you saying that you think I have a problem? Do you honestly think I want to be here?"</span></p><br><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt"><span style="font-size:11pt;font-family:arial;font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap">"Erin, I think you need to hear what I actually said. Continued exposure to Sickbay can create a dependency to it, I'm not saying you are dependent on being here. I'm saying, as a Doctor, I am concerned for anyone that spends a lot of time here; involuntary or otherwise. You and I both agree your treatment would be best suited at home." </span></p><br><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt"><span style="font-size:11pt;font-family:arial;font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap">Folding her arms across her chest, Erin regarded him for a moment, "i' not disputing that. I just … I don't wanted to be here. Not again. This was as far from voluntary as it could have been. Was it my choice to get kidnapped and electrocuted? Heck no."</span></p><br><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt"><span style="font-size:11pt;font-family:arial;font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap">Matching the woman's tone Gabe readjusted his stance. "Lt Cortez, I suggest you stop there. I am looking out for both your mental and physical well-being. Part of medicine is prevention, which is what is happening here. You are free to go, however, I am ordering you to undergo bi weekly meetings with the counselor, based on the fact that you have been through so much. If you wish to stay here then so be it, but you would be reinforcing this conversation wouldn't you?"</span></p><br><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt"><span style="font-size:11pt;font-family:arial;font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap">"Doctor,  may I speak freely?"</span></p><br><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt"><span style="font-size:11pt;font-family:arial;font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap">"Of course, in which case it's Gabe not Doctor." </span></p><br><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt"><span style="font-size:11pt;font-family:arial;font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap">"Gabe, I have been through a lot. Made some bad choices. But part of me feels that you have made some assumptions about me. Particularly because of what happened on the last mission. " </span></p><br><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt"><span style="font-size:11pt;font-family:arial;font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap">Erin paused for a moment and continued,  "What I did, I did out of concern. You were emotionally compromised and I was concerned that would impact the treatment you gave. You reacted. Shouted and, damn it, you embarrassed us both."</span></p><br><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt"><span style="font-size:11pt;font-family:arial;font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap">Gabe looked at the woman he rose and walked to the door. "Follow me" he lead her to the middle of the Sickbay. </span></p><br><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt"><span style="font-size:11pt;font-family:arial;font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap">Standing, she followed him, wondering where this was going. </span></p><br><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt"><span style="font-size:11pt;font-family:arial;font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap">"Erin, do you know how stressful it is to be one of two people responsible for the physical and mental health of an entire crew?" He looked around and lead her again to the the small recovery ward off the main Sickbay</span></p><br><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt"><span style="font-size:11pt;font-family:arial;font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap">"Do you know how stressful it is to have to know every one of these people, what is wrong with them, how to treat them, what's happening with their treatment that's a lot of pressure" </span></p><br><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt"><span style="font-size:11pt;font-family:arial;font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap">Gabe continued through to the morgue "and do you know the pain of doing an autopsy on your friends?" </span></p><br><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt"><span style="font-size:11pt;font-family:arial;font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap">Erin could see that he needed to say here things. Needed to say these things to her so she kept quiet. Followed him and listened. </span></p><br><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt"><span style="font-size:11pt;font-family:arial;font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap">"Now imagine that's your sister, that she is being treated by someone who doesn't have the same medical knowledge as you? Knowing that you can save her. I may have shouted but it was for the right reasons. I know the crew feel I'm harsh, short but it's because things need to be right."  </span></p><br><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt"><span style="font-size:11pt;font-family:arial;font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap">Taking a breath, Erin looked at him, "I agree that things have to be right. I know what you said to me was right and I understand that."</span></p><br><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt"><span style="font-size:11pt;font-family:arial;font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap">Erin paused, choosing her next words carefully, "However, surely you must understand that, whilst I am not disputing what you said was right… what I am disputing is the delivery. I know I go head first into situations without thought sometimes. I know I need to consider things more. </span></p><br><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt"><span style="font-size:11pt;font-family:arial;font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap">I accept I have flaws and I am working on them. However, the way you speak to people could be better. Ailynn’s situation aside, can you honestly say that you have said things to members of the crew that could have been said differently? Instead of, for example, do this for this patient, please do this.</span></p><br><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt"><span style="font-size:11pt;font-family:arial;font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap">And, before you say it, I know pleasantries don't work In stressful situations. I do."</span></p><br><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt"><span style="font-size:11pt;font-family:arial;font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap">"So you understand the shouting then at least." Gabe said sliding the body back. </span></p><br><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt"><span style="font-size:11pt;font-family:arial;font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap">"We got off on the wrong footing. Neither of us know much about the other. You know my medical history but don't know about my family, my past and what it did to me. Me, I know next to nothing about you. Except maybe that you can be a teeny bit grumpy. "</span></p><br><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt"><span style="font-size:11pt;font-family:arial;font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap">"Look, I'm a very private person and I fail to see what this has to do with your discharge"</span></p><br><br><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt"><span style="font-size:11pt;font-family:arial;font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap">"I'm not trying to pry. Just trying to offer another perspective." Erin sighed, "what I am trying to say I that I apologise for what I did. I did so because I felt that it was the right thing to do. </span></p><br><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt"><span style="font-size:11pt;font-family:arial;font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap">If it were me, and I was in that position… would I want to save my sister? Heck yes. But, would I recognise that I am too close to be objective? Yes."</span></p><br><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt"><span style="font-size:11pt;font-family:arial;font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap">Taking a step back from Gabe, she regarded him for a moment, "We see things differently,  you and I. When I look at you I see an extremely clever and talented doctor. A good man." She sighed heavily,  "I'm honestly not trying to pry into your personal life. That's a private thing. Just as mine is to me. I just don't want you to have the wrong opinion of me.</span></p><br><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt"><span style="font-size:11pt;font-family:arial;font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap">So, I think what I am trying to say is I'm sorry if I irked you or upset you but I meant well. I hope that we can move on from this."</span></p><br><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt"><span style="font-size:11pt;font-family:arial;font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap">"Firstly, you don't need to apologise for doing what you did, any officer in any situation would have done the same, if I over stepped the mark I would normally mutter some form of apology but" Gabe sighed and leant against a space</span></p><br><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt"><span style="font-size:11pt;font-family:arial;font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap">"I've only just found my extended family, I was brought up being an only child within a few months of being assigned to Mars I found I had a sister and a dad one of which was dead and I'm damned if I'm going to let the other one die. So yes, I'm attached to her but frankly I'm attached to every member of this crew, over the coming years I will birth them, help them, recover them and most importantly and sacred I will hold them as they die so forgive me if I fight back I have no choice but to protect myself." </span></p><br><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt"><span style="font-size:11pt;font-family:arial;font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap">Erin smiled gently. "See, now I get that. I was out of line and, for that, I apologise. I'm like that in a way. I am open about things, about my past but I protect myself by pushing people away. They're not with me so they can't hurt me. I'm learning that I can’t do that. That I need to let people in. So, maybe, there's something in that.</span></p><br><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt"><span style="font-size:11pt;font-family:arial;font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap">By all means protect your own and yourself but let people in. Let them see the real Gabe rather than  the personna. Be tough but done afraid to let someone in."</span></p><br><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt"><span style="font-size:11pt;font-family:arial;font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap">"Erin, I have my people, but point taken." </span></p><br><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt"><span style="font-size:11pt;font-family:arial;font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap">"And I think I've bored you enough. If it’s okay with you, I'd like to go back to my quarters now and, I promise, that I have no intention on being back here for a very long time." She replied with a soft smile.</span></p><br><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt"><span style="font-size:11pt;font-family:arial;font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap">Gabe allowed the moment to lay, he hadn't intended on having such an in-depth conversation</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt"><span style="font-size:11pt;font-family:arial;font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap">"Oh, before you go, report to Dr Kruse for your discharge check over, I expect to read that you've made your appointment with the Counsellor and in a week meet me in Nine and Dine, don't expect much more than an icy reception but we can have dinner."</span></p><br><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt"><span style="font-size:11pt;font-family:arial;font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap">"Understood and I'll be there." Erin turned to walk away and then glanced back, "Thankyou Doctor."</span></p><br><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt"><span style="font-size:11pt;font-family:arial;font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap">(Reply none)</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt"><span style="font-size:11pt;font-family:arial;font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap">(Posted by Matt and Jackie)</span></p><br></div>