Updated – December 5, 1998
BEHIND LINES
Chapter 1 - Part G
The Captain surveyed the room and looked at his staff. They had finished discussing Devaney’s eminent arrival and the temporary crewmembers. Now the meeting was breaking up and the staff was beginning to head off. Doctor Stewart and Lt. Commander T’rana were still sitting down the table from him to the left. When he had walked in he was surprised to see that the two were actually sitting together, instead of across from each other. While their sparring had died down a great deal of late, it surprised him to see the two actually conversing amiably.
Just to his right Commander Dunnedy and Lt. Commander Takamira sat, conspiring as always. Sometimes he regretted starting up that friendship. He knew it was the first time Megan Takamira had been stationed away from her husband since their marriage and as close as they were, he couldn’t be their for her as much as he would have liked. Still, it was his first command and he wanted a little support and things had worked out. Dunnedy and Takamira finished their conversation and turned to him.
Takamira moved up closer and began, “So, Kara says you’re having a private dinner tonight, with Katherine Moore.” She was a little louder then he would have liked and by the time she had finished the sentence he had brought his left hand up to the side of his face to cover it.
Whispering, he said, "Meg."
She placed her elbows on the table and leaned closer and quieted down. “What’s up, hmm?”
Samarra looked to Dunnedy, “I thought you agreed to not tell her about it.”
She seemingly innocently said, “I thought you meant about her being right.”
Samarra looked up and sighed.
Takamira lifted her head. “Oh. You thought I was right for once as well?”
Samarra sighed, “I guess I’ll never hear the end of this." Trying to move past it, he continued, "Listen, let’s get Kara something to eat and you can gloat and pry at me for all the details you want.”
The two nodded in agreement and Takamira spoke, “Sounds good. I’m a bit hungry to. Plus, you’ve got two hours.”
She gave him a smile and he lowered his head. Takamira put a hand on his back. “Come on, John don’t be so stodgy. We aren’t here to mock you.”
She looked up and over to Dunnedy, who shrugged and shook her head, saying, "I've already put it in my resume."
Giving Dunnedy a mischievous look, Takamira continued, “Well, not always. You need to lighten up about your love life. I know you want it to be kept constrained and quiet, but nobody’s critiquing you. It isn't horrible to be openly enjoy what you have or for your friends to be happy for you in return. Just enjoy it, Johnny.”
Grimacing a little at the nickname, Samarra still looked up at her and smiled. “That’s what Katherine said. Well actually it was about my life in general.”
Takamira smiled. “I like her more and more all the time. Come on, you and I can brag about the people in our lives and hold it over Kara’s head.”
Dunnedy said, “I don’t know if I care for that.”
Samarra nodded then said, “You have an odd idea of fun Meg, but sure.”
Simultaneously, they stood and Samarra was distracted as Stewart got his attention. T’rana stood now and left. Samarra asked Dunnedy and Takamira to meet him in Mess Hall One.
Alone now, Stewart walked around the table to the Captain. “Don’t worry sir. I won’t press you about…dinner.” He leaned in closer, smirking. “I’ll check tomorrow morning. I’m sure their will be plenty of interesting details then.”
Samarra looked up and rolled his eyes. “I’ll ignore that comment Doc.”
Going into a professional mode Stewart continued, “Okay. Have you had any more headaches?”
“No. Not for a few days now.”
Smiling for a second, Stewart jokingly commented, "Well, their goes that explanation for your mood."
Samarra just sat back, and kept his response to himself.
Stewart drew a medical scanner from the pocket of his gray medical frock and began a quick scan of the captain.
Stewart stood there for a moment, analyzing his readings. “Obviously your somewhat stressed by current events.”
“Thanks for the news flash.”
Ignoring the remark, Stewart went on, “That makes it somewhat difficult to determine whether or not your condition is getting worse.” Samarra stood silently and Stewart continued, “You really ought to let me check on you more often. It’s the only way we’re going to get a clear bead on this.”
“So you’re still not sure what’s wrong.”
“I’ve been studying Starfleet Medical’s records quietly, like you asked. All I still can tell is it deals with telepathy, but you’ve never exhibited any form of it, right?”
“No. I’m not reading minds or levitating things, so you’ll have to pick up your own women.”
Stewart chuckled at that and put his scanner away. “So let me check you in a few days. Tomorrow, I’ll just want details on tonight.”
Samarra walked towards the door and waved the doctor off saying, “Good night doctor.”
*****
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