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Message #:2101
Time to look for the author...*** "Lunch With the Captain" |
On her personal PADD, a message from the captain popped up. As she accessed it, she read:
"Hello, Celeste. Would you caree to join me for lunch? If so it will be in the captain's mess, on Deck 2. Please let me know."
Celeste quickly checked to make sure that sickbay was covered and knew where she would be while she went to meet the CO. She sent a quick message back that she would be there in a few minutes, and headed to the Captain’s mess. She smiled to the few crew members she passed, and arrived a few minutes later.
Celeste walked into the room and looked around, having never been in the captains mess before. She smiled when she saw Rayne, and walked over to him. “Dr Ane reporting as requested, sir!” The twinkle in her eye very apparent. She was definitely excited to be under his Command. She had dreamed about this a time or two. Now it was reality.
Captain Rayne McCloud smiled at Celeste's appearance. He reached his arms out and gently took both of her hands into his. "Thank you for accepting my last minute invitation, Celeste." He leaned in and gave her cheek a quick kiss. Turning toward the table, where a steward was just completing setting down food, the captain indicated an empty chair with a plate already set for her. " Please, have a seat, let's talk."
Celeste squeezed his hands in return, accepted the peck gracefully and sat down where directed. She reached for the napkin and unfolded it in her lap. “I am so glad to see you Captain. I have been anxiously awaiting this assignment, well it seems forever. I’ve been reading some of the previous mission logs and reports. Doesn’t seem to be boring around here.”
"Boring? Here on the Eagle?" Rayne asked with a hint of amusement in his voice. "Not a chance. First off, how have you been, Celeste? You, Noble and the Fyrstk kids have all grown so much, since you first came aboard Pasteur."
She nodded. “That we have. We’ve been doing well. Noble decided he didn’t want to go into Fleet, so he’s at the Engineering Institute on Arveshit Prime. That is the premier place to be according to Noble. But apparently he loves it, and he’s not getting into as much trouble, so who am I to complain. He’s already got 2 advanced engineering degrees, and he’s on track for 2 more.
"Ronnie and Ro are both at the academy and Ronnie is still spicy as heck! Luna is a doctor as well, though she remained a civilian doctor. And jessica is still finishing up her schooling, but is becoming a beautiful young lady.
"As you can see, I followed in Mom’s footsteps. Finished school a little early and moved around Earth a little, as Starfleet let me do as much studying as I wanted. When a spot opened up here, I applied, never dreaming I would actually get it.
“I think Mom was relieved when she heard I was going to be under your Command. I know she worries about me not being around. I know she still feels guilty about Aunt April’s death.”
Rayne nodded at that. "She used to say that a lot to me, that she felt responsible, and I've asked her why, but she's never been clear. Has she ever confided in you why she feels that way?"
“No, but I know that Aunt April was very stubborn, and would only listen to about 1/2 of what Mom said to her. Unless Mom was a bully to her, and practically forced her into medical treatment, she would let things go. I think there was something underlying that Mom was worried about with her, but I don’t know what it was. And then she was gone, and Mom stopped talking about her, except with Uncle Lukas. She still misses her, but she’s been moving on.” Celeste took a sip of her water.
"Well your mother certainly could not have predicted the arrival of that Firegon agent, that shot April, and took Ronov," Rayn pointed out. He reached over and uncovered the large dish holding one of Celeste's favorites. "Here we go. I hope it is how you like it." He took her plate and placed some of the food on it, then put some on his own plate.
“Thank you. You know I love chicken parmigiana.” She took a bite and grinned when the taste exploded on her tongue. “Oh, yes, this is delicious.
“You know you can’t tell Mom much either. She’s a little bit more rational than Aunt April was. She did see a therapist, Uncle Lukas forced her to when he saw that it was still bugging her, but I’m not sure how much good it did her. I was still young at the time, and I guess she just pushed it to the side as we all grew up. I know Mom still takes her picture out occasionally and talks to her as if she were right there. As long as it doesn’t get too weird, it’s ok. I think it brings her comfort.
"And her and Uncle Lukas have done an amazing job raising us all.” She took another few bites. “How have you been lately?”She asked Rayne.
"Me?" the captain asked, taking a sip of his iced tea. "I've been good. I have a good ship and a good crew, and am doing the exploring I've so longed for. Me switching placed with Lukas worked out great for us both."
Celeste nodded in understanding. “I’m glad to hear that! No medical problems to worry about, Sir?” She pried gently, teasing him a little.
Rayne raised his brows and gave her a cautionary look, then smiled. "No medical problems, Doctor," he said. "Dr. Resork has been keeping us all in shape. Speaking of which, what do you think of our medical staff?"
Celeste had just taken a bite of her chicken and chewed it slowly for a moment thinking how she wanted to phrase her answer. After swallowing, she said, “I’m a little concerned sir.”
Again, the captain's brows came up. "Oh? About what?"
“About your new Chief.” She confessed. “Whose insane idea was that?!?” she blurted out!
"You mean the EMH?" Rayn asked, his tone all business now.
“No,” she replied, shaking her head. “You mean you don’t know? How? You’re the Captain!”
"Well," McCloud said thoughtfully. "I have several chiefs, on this ship. I have a chief engineer, a chief science officer, a chief medical officer, chief security officer, and so on. You are going to have to be more specific."
“According to Commander Dutcher, I am the CMO! I don’t have enough experience! I thought I was gonna be the AMO and learn from a Chief. The XO said that since I was the highest ranking, ‘live being’, that I am in charge,” she explained, exasperated.
"Ah, I see," McCloud said, after another bite of his food. "Commander Dutcher was correct, because that is the way Starfleet wants it. If whomever, at Starfleet Medical, didn't feel you could handle the job, they certainly would not have added your name to the list of available candidates.
"Being chief doesn't necessarily mean you have to know all the answers, just how to find them. If you have a particular medical issue, you do not readily know how to solve, what would be your next step?"
She took another sip of her water, “I have no problem seeking help from any other of the medical staff, and I’ve even let the EMH know I was going to rely on him, but this scares me to death!” She replied truthfully.
"Why?" McCloud asked her. "Do you have doubts in your medical abilities?"
She sat up straight as if at attention, “no sir! It’s the experience I’m lacking. I don’t want to be a liability to this ship, its crew, or You! I couldnt face it if I did something to harm someone, from inexperience”
"The inexperience in what, Celeste," the captain further pressed. "During your internship, sure ly you had to work in an emergency room situation, right?"
“Sir, I am board certified in Trauma, neurosurgery, orthopedics and infectious disease. But that is all beside the point,” she replied, still uneasy with the situation, but knowing that nothing was going to change it.
Rayne nodded. "Would it surprise you if I told you I was scared out of my wits when Captain Scott asked me to be his Xo on Pasteur? Or, how much intrepidation I felt when I took command of the Eagle? Especially witha crew whom had all served under Lukas."
“ Really? I can’t picture that. You’ve always seemed so sure of everything. I’ve never seen you scared” Celeste said, amazed at his confession.
"In all honesty, Celeste, only a fool steps into a job where you can have almost two hundred lives, or more on a larger ship, whose very existence depends on decisions they make, and not have some intrepidation," McCloud told her.
“So it’s ok to be scared? As long as I don’t let it force me into inactivity?” She asked.
"Yes," McCloud said. "It is only natural. And in tough situations, go with your instincts. You may make some mistakes, you may not. It is all a part of the job. But, if you do make mistakes, make sure you learn from them.
"Another good quality, in a leader, is to listen to those whom you would lead. If they have a good answer to a problem, they will only respect you more, if you show them the respect, and listen to their ideas."
“I understand that! Mom always said listen to the nurses, they are a lot smarter than you are right now! And from what I have been reading, Dr Resork is very impressed with Ms Moore. I think we can all learn from each other. I will never turn down education in any form,” Celeste agreed. She speared a couple of green beans and chewed them thoughtfully.
“Are you ok with me being here? Being part of your staff?” Celeste asked him. “Truthfully.”
"Yes," McCloud answered without hesitation. "I am thrilled that you will be a part of our... family."
“Good, because I don’t plan on going anywhere any time soon.” She smiled her biggest smile at him, being the brat she’s always been! After several moments she went back to eating her delicious meal, her smile not having faded yet.
The two enjoyed the rest of their lunch with some idle chit-chat. Rayne filled her in on the latest happenings with Armand, whom had returned to his homeworld, and was now actually, working with his uncle in the rule of their planet.
"Alright, Doctor," McCloud said, placing his napkin on the table. "I suppose it is time we get back to work, but we will have to do this again soon."
“Absolutely! May I propose once a month, as a sort of informal ‘meeting of the minds’ just to check in on the workings of the crew?” Celeste offered.
Rayne chuckled. "Are you looking to replace our XO and ship's counselor?"
“No sir, but since I am now in charge of the health of the crew, including you, sir, this would be a good unofficial way to make sure everything is tip top shape.”
"I see," the captain acknowledged, a twinkle in his eyes. "I'd much rather we did this once a week, just to keep better in touch with one another's feelings... to keep us in tip-top shape."
“Well, if you insist! Who am I to argue with the captain, outside of medical matters that is!” The smile reached her eyes once again.
"Exactly," McCloud replied. He held a parent's pride in his eyes
###
&celeste&
