Unspoken Words

Posted on Sun Feb 14th, 2021 @ 1:10pm by Captain Abigail Laurens & Lieutenant Commander Calvin Morgan

Sickbay was much larger than any that Abigail had ever seen, at least outside of land based facilities. Pausing inside the door, Abigail glanced around uncertainly, not sure which way she was supposed to go next.

Finally, taking a breath, she approached the nearest figure in uniform, asking for the location of Commander Morgan.

Directions given, she walked slowly along the corridor inside sickbay, passed the exam and procedure rooms, then turned right, finding herself standing at a door helpfully marked as "Chief Medical Officer."

With a sigh of relief, she reached out, knocking against the obfuscated glass and stepping back, clasping her hands behind her back as she waited for a response.

Calvin stirred, opening his eyes. His head was on the desk. He sifted through the PaDDs after rubbing his eyes, trying to reorient himself. Briefly patting his hair down, sitting up straight, and straightening his blue turtleneck uniform shirt. "Enter," He called out.

Walking into the office, Abigail glanced at the scattering of PaDD's across the desk and laughed softly. "Well, it's nice to know I'm not the only one drowning in data devices," she said as she approached the desk and took the seat across from him. "How are you settling in?" she asked, her voice full of concern as she watched him carefully.

Calvin stood in respect to the rank. "Captain," He replied, offering her a chair across the desk and sitting after her. "Yes, drowning in data is definitely one way to say it." He chuckled, looking at his own mess as well. "Alright. Restocking a vessel after a mission is one thing, getting a full stock onboard and organized is another. I believe Medical is still on track for departure. There has been some hang up with a couple shipments and some staff, but I've got feelers out with a few friends on base to fix it."

"If you need help, let me know. I've raised my voice at more than one Admiral in the last twenty four hours, I'm happy to do so again." She continued watching him. "What about you?" she asked pointedly. "Do you need anything?"

“Thank you, but I’ve learned bypassing Admirals makes for smoother fixes most of the time,” He said. “A bottle of alcohol is worth a half dozen Admirals,” He said with a wink. “Unless you need to blow steam at some Admirals. I can give you a list, probably some you haven’t yelled at yet.” He shrugged, leaning back in his chair. “I’m alright. This place isn’t home yet, and half of sickbay is like a 5 year old with ADHD designed and started building it. Just working through the bugs. I’m lucky to have a few staff with engineering experience. Trying not to burden their workload. I saw their punch list,” Calvin shook his head. “I’m happy I’m not them.”

"I think that's a sentiment that is being echoed across the ship," Abigail said softly. "I'm glad it's not me." She offered a small smile. "The crew may take time to adjust to the new ship, I suspect you could be quite busy in the next while. Both yourself and Lieutenant Styvek." She paused, still watching him. "I know you have a tendency to get lost in your work, but if it becomes too much I need to know that you're going to tell me," she said quietly.

"We've definitely seen a steady rise in bumps and bruises. However nothing Sickbay cannot handle," Calvin said with a smile, genuine or not unable to tell. He leaned forward. "I'm good though Captain. I still have the majority of my old department. They are good enough to keep an eye on me."

"I'll hold you to that," Abigail said quietly, still not entirely sure if she should believe his words or not. "I won't take up much more of your time, if you're good, and there's nothing else you need..." her voice trailed off as she continued to watch him.

"You know you're never taking up my time Captain. More importantly, how are you doing? Besides avoiding every Medical request from Starfleet Medical, San Francisco, and the Starbase?" Calvin said with a wink. "I won't tell your Doctor though."

"I have a feeling my Doctor is equally irresponsible and quite well adept at shirking unwanted medical attention himself," Abigail smirked. "So I imagine we're both as healthy as each other."

“Starfleet Medical still hasn’t caught up that I sign my own physicals yet,” Calvin chuckled. “Seriously though,” Calvin said, leaning forward. “I’ve been watching the amount of supplies and work everywhere, and I’m sure all of that comes across your desk. You getting any breathers?”

Abigail laughed in an attempt to be nonchalant. "That'll come on our way to Pathstone. It'll take us a few days to get there, and all the pre-launch stuff will be over and done with by then so hopefully I'll actually get to finish a chai while it's still hot."

"Don't make me write a prescription of a few hours of R&R," Calvin replied. "Hopefully the crew will have some down time. I have a very long list of physicals that need to be done. They are filtering through, but with the original crew not all getting physicals at the station and the transfers." Calvin leaned back in his chair. "It is nice to see the majority of the old crew are with us."

"We got lucky with the crew. There were a number that were slated to be reassigned. Words were had. Oh! I don't know if you've seen updated manifests, but we have Lieutenant Matashi back!" Abigail smiled. "It's reassuring, seeing everyone staying together. Gives me hope."

“An old but good name. I will have to do that physical personally,” Calvin replied with a smile. “We’ll make this ship an Astraea eventually,” he said encouragingly.

"According to the name plaque on the bridge, she already is," Abigail smirked. "But hopefully we can make it home." she glanced away quickly, shaking her head slightly before standing up. "Thank you, for indulging me taking up your time Commander, but I'm sure you have plenty to do without me prattling on" she said softly.

Calvin brushed off the comment. “I’m sure we both do, but it’s good to get out of one’s head and work sometimes, wouldn’t you say?” Calvin stood up in deference after the Captain did. “Let me know if you need anything. Always here for you Captain.”

"And my door is always open for you as well," Abigail replied quietly before turning on her heel and walking out of the office, waiting until she was well clear before releasing the breath she wasn't even aware she had been holding.

Calvin leaned back in his chair, watching the door close behind her. He sighed softly, drumming his fingers on the desk a few times. He looked around, his mind obviously debating before opening the bottom drawer of his desk. Pulling out a mostly empty bottle, he finished the amber colored liquid, closed his eyes, and leaned back in his chair.