Joint Duty Log | Capt Ivanova, Lt Rotek - "Calling Doctor Feelgood"

Posted on Sun Aug 24th, 2014 @ 5:10am by Admiral Rochelle Ivanova & Lieutenant Commander Rotek

1,101 words; about a 6 minute read

Mission: In the Dark

Always hesitant, Rochelle made her way from the lift and through the main doors of the sickbay. It was her least favorite place on any ship and the Vindicator's was now hollowed ground as far as she was concerned. The back room of ICU was the last place she'd seen Landon Neyes, warm, sleeping, peaceful as the Commission worked to steal him from her forever. She'd known then that it was a permanent goodbye, that he'd never return to her -- and yet he had... Landon may have died, but Neyes had come home much to her chagrin. The forbidden fruit. Unfair.

She'd survived when she was meant to be dead, only one had paid the piper and the other had risen to the rank of Captain. That Captain now stood waiting to be acknowledged in hopes of getting her physical over with; the final piece of the puzzle to the Vindicator leaving port once again.

Rotek had been a bit busy double-checking that all the biobeds were fully stocked and was shocked when he heard the doors open. Turning, he saw someone he recognized from the awards ceremony, standing by the doors. Walking over to her he said "Hello, its Captain Ivanova isn't it? How can I help you ma'am?" They hadn't been formally introduced, which he was slightly embarrassed to have forgotten to do.

"It is." The petite woman replied quietly, "I need a quick once over and your signature saying I'm fit for full duty." There was no sense in beating around the bush, no sense in prolonging the anxiety being in that place brought her. Rotek, however, was a new face and new faces always brought about a sense of curiosity -- especially where the ship was concerned. "I'm sorry, I don't believe I caught your name." Rochelle slipped from her shell long enough to be polite.

Nodding, and gesturing her to follow him to a biobed, he replied "I'm Lieutenant Rotek, the new Chief Medical Officer ma'am. Please take a seat and I'll begin your checkup." As she sat, he grabbed a nearby tricorder and began booting it up.

Dutifully, Rochelle did as he asked, tearing her eyes away from that fated back room as she followed and hopped up on the biobed. "Pleasure to meet you." She replied, not willing to pass judgment simply because he was a doctor. So many chose to avoid them like the plague, not even willing to forge friendships. In the past, that had been her exact feelings, an complete unwillingness to submit to their clinical eye.

"Thank you ma'am." he replied and then added "While I'm performing my examination, is there anything else I should know about that may not be in your medical records? I admit I haven't had a lot of time to review everyone's files in detail."

A wry smile crossed her pretty features and her head shook slightly, "A few weeks ago I was dead." She shrugged ever so slightly, her shoulders rising and falling along with a sigh that parted her lips. "I'm sorry, you don't deserve that." Her tongue worried her lower lip as she looked at him apologetically. "Blood loss, hypothermia... I was resuscitated and have been on the road to repair ever since. Good as new."

Grabbing a nearby padd he entered the information she'd provided, and fought to keep his tone calm. Taking a deep breath he said "Well that is certainly not in your record ma'am. I'll be sure to update that." Pausing, he said "So far my readings are showing you are, as you say, recuperating. I am concerned by some readings that you are dealing with slight exhaustion. When is the last time you had a full good night's sleep ma'am?"

Sleep. It had been the night of the ball, the last that she'd slept soundly. The warmth of Almar's arms had provided the safe harbor that she'd needed in order to chase the nightmares away and allow her weary brow to rest. "A fair bit ago." She nodded as she spoke, "I've been busy with the ship's repairs and welcoming new crew." Each word set about in a confident string of truths that dare not glance, nor graze, at the other truths. In her heart she knew she was suffering from PTSD, that the nightmares were a direct result of that disorder brought about at first by the terror attack on the Whydah and culminating with the death of Captain Neyes. "I'll make a point out of sleeping better."

Nodding, he replied "That's good to hear ma'am. Beyond that you seem to be healthy for someone who has experienced what you have. Please let me know if you need anything. My door is always open." Turning away to upload his readings to her file, he stifled a sigh he hoped she wouldn't hear.

Her head tilted slightly as she began to work towards hopping off the bed. "Is there something wrong, Doctor?" She asked, allowing her legs to dangle a few moments longer.

Frowning at his weakness, he replied calmly "No ma'am. Everything is ok. I'm just ... tired I guess. You now how it is, new ship, trying to get your proverbial feet under you. Forgive me if I bothered you."

"I know the drill, but sometimes you need to let your hair down and just let things flow." The Captain found herself once more in the seat of giving advice, the second time that day. She was growing up, evolving into the woman Andrea had always prayed she'd become. "The new lounge may be just such a place to do so."

Nodding, he turned and said "I'll take your suggestion under advisement ma'am. Was there anything else you wanted to go over before I get back to work? I believe I need to update myself on the ... activities of this crew so I'm prepared for any surprises during upcoming physicals."

"Not that I can think of, Doctor, no." She shook her head, finally dropping from the bed to the deck and tugging on her uniform to straighten everything out.

Smiling very slightly, he replied "Then you are free to go Captain. It was a pleasure meeting you. I look forward to serving with you ma'am."

Rochelle offered him a smile of her own and a nod. "Thank you, Doctor. Welcome aboard."

After she left, he dropped his shoulders and shook his head, thankful he was able to remain professional. Walking into his office, he began updating her medical file.

=/\=End Log=/\=

Captain Rochelle Ivanova
Commanding Officer
USS VINDICATOR

Lieutenant Rotek
Chief Medical Officer
USS Vindicator

 

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