EXETERRPG: (3 - 1711) MS - CSO Lt Jg Erin Cortez & CMO Lt Gabe Vespers

[Jaclyn Smith]

Mission: Murder on the Exeter Express

Day:03

Stardate: 2445:12:03



( USS Exeter - Sickbay - CSO Lt Jg Erin Cortez & CMO Lt Gabe Vespers - 1711
)

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.

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.

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

"Come in Ms Cortez, how can I help?"

Walking in, Erin stood for a moment, "I have a request to make."

"Please take a seat" Gabe was never sure how any meeting with Erin would
go.

Sitting down opposite him, she took a breath and sighed, "I want to leave.
Go back to my own quarters. Please."

Gabe looked at her for a moment "Erin, have you spoken to Dr Kruse today?"

"Yes. Why?"

"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.

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.

Looking at the PADD Gabe took a moment to gather his thoughts

"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

"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.

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?"

"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."

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."

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?"

"Doctor,  may I speak freely?"

"Of course, in which case it's Gabe not Doctor."

"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. "

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."

Gabe looked at the woman he rose and walked to the door. "Follow me" he
lead her to the middle of the Sickbay.

Standing, she followed him, wondering where this was going.

"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

"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"

Gabe continued through to the morgue "and do you know the pain of doing an
autopsy on your friends?"

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.

"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."

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."

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.

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.

And, before you say it, I know pleasantries don't work In stressful
situations. I do."

"So you understand the shouting then at least." Gabe said sliding the body
back.

"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. "

"Look, I'm a very private person and I fail to see what this has to do with
your discharge"


"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.

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."

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.

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."

"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

"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."

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.

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."

"Erin, I have my people, but point taken."

"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.

Gabe allowed the moment to lay, he hadn't intended on having such an
in-depth conversation

"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."

"Understood and I'll be there." Erin turned to walk away and then glanced
back, "Thankyou Doctor."

(Reply none)

(Posted by Matt and Jackie)
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