Change of Position

Posted on 09 Feb 2014 @ 11:49am by Commander Scarlet Blake & Commander Andreus Kohl

1,066 words; about a 5 minute read

Mission: Episode 05 - Solstice
Location: Starfleet Headquarters - Conference Room Delta-Nine
Timeline: MD 03 - 1115 hours

[ON]

Striding slowly and stiffly, Lieutenant Andreus Kohl only looked up from his PADD occasionally to gather his bearings. And even when he did, it only caused him more confusion. He studied the map on his PADD intently, but he had lost track of which icon identified himself and which icon identified his destination. It was only then that he looked up long enough to wander about until he tracked down the conference room that was being made available to the Galileo crew during shore leave.

As he approached the door, Kohl looked down to regard himself. He was still wearing his black and white dress uniform from the promotion ceremony, and the motor assist bands strapped to his lower extremities were still blinking perfunctorily. Kohl looked up, and stepped close enough to the door sensors to make them part ways for him.

Scarlet looked up from her PADD, sliding it away to one side as she smiled. "Look who it is," she got up and moved to him, pausing for a moment before hugging him, not giving him a choice. "You gave us a fright. You're looking well."

Kohl gladly gave into the hug, folding his arms around Scarlet's waist and leaning his full weight against her. "I'm on my feet. I'm out of the biobed," Kohl said with a kind of bittersweet pleasure. He gave Scarlet's back a light pat and then he stepped away. "I may not be in dancing condition, but I'm doing better than some of those who were assimilated by the Borg. I've been granted provisional fitness for duty; I just-- I can't practice medicine yet."

Scarlet nodded as he spoke, taking the chance to look over him and take him in. She motioned for him to take a seat before moving back to hers, watching him with a smile. "Well, we shall certainly be the ones who benefit for having you back on your feet," she assured. "Even in a different department."

"Ah," was all Kohl could say at first, and even that was tentative. His eyes had widened, and he was starting to talk with his hands, but he reigned himself in. His words were perhaps not quite so restrained. "Is that why Sickbay has a new Assistant Chief?"

Scarlet nodded, but with a weak smile, knowing it wouldn't necessarily be welcomed news. "You were seriously injured in the last mission. We think that Science is a less physically demanding department to allow your body the time it needs to...recuperate fully." She watched him for his reaction. She might be the First Officer in this moment, but she would always be concerned with how decisions affected people, especially those who had once been her patients.

"Deep down, I have preferred hiding out in the medical laboratories, supporting research, rather than doing my recuperating in Sickbay," Kohl said -- easily falling back into the role of counseling patient as well. "But I'm struggling to get past the blow to my ego, you know?"

"I know," she said quickly, shaking her head as she leant to him. "I know whatever I say, you'll still feel that way for a few days at least, but just know that no battering to your ego is intended. You're a valued member of this crew, and that's not just a trite soundbite to throw out there. I mean it. And we want you to get back to your physical best as soon as possible. So we're going to make sure you do. And part of that is not overloading you. It's not personal, we'd do the same with anyone else in your position. And we have. A lot of people have been moved around after the last mission."

"Evidently," Kohl said excitedly. With a beaming grin on his face, he gestured to Scarlet with a sweet of his hand. "Ohgod, I haven't congratulated you yet. I'm so sorry," he said, shaking his head in self-criticism. Then, he became still, and he smiled again. "Congratulations. I am thrilled to be working with you as my Executive Officer."

She laughed at the sudden congratulations, waving her hand dismissively at his apology. "Thank you. It was a big shock, I can tell you. I'm looking forward to getting the ship out of dock, I must admit. It will be strange being in management again rather than worrying just about the mental health of the crew. I doubt that will fade entirely."

"I think you'll do better, really," Kohl said, "If you keep the crew's mental health in mind at all times." He grinned, but then his expression slipped somewhat. His shoulders straightened. "I guess that means I won't be your patient anymore."

"I'll still be doing some counselling," Scarlet offered with a small smile. "Especially to keep up with old patients I've built up a good working relationship with," she tilted her head to him, a small smile playing on her lips. "But we have some good counselling staff on our crew," she said with a playful hint of temptation in her voice. "It's up to you. Either way, I'll always be around to offer an ear and a kick up the backside over a drink..."

"I do enjoy a good kicking," Kohl said blithely. "And drinking."

"Well what do you know, I like to give a good kicking, and knock back a good drink," she half teased with a small smile. It was good to see Kohl at least partly back to himself. She'd missed seeing him around. "Is there anything else you'd like to ask?"

Kohl shook his head slowly. "No," he said; "No, you've give me plenty to think about already. I'm not sure I can handle much more yet. Thank you, Scarlet."

Scarlet stood, offering her hand to him with a gentle smile. "It's good to see you, Andreus," she said softly, meaning every word. They'd gone through a lot together, one way or another. She'd worried about him. She should have known better.

Kohl took her hand between both of his own. He gave it a shake, and then he used her grip to pulled himself up into a standing position. He tilted his head to the left, and he said, "I always like looking at you too."



[OFF]

Lieutenant Andreus Kohl
Science Officer
USS Galileo

CMDR Scarlet Blake
First Officer
USS Galileo

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