Getting Aquainted

Posted on Wed Dec 31st, 2014 @ 3:12am by Ensign Valentine Allemand & Lieutenant Jensen Foster & Lieutenant JG Heather Quinn

1,869 words; about a 9 minute read

Mission: What Dreams May Come
Location: Sickbay
Timeline: After Port of Call

ON:

Jensen Foster sat at his desk in the office, going over the medical files of each crew member, making note of certain aspects of pertinence to each individual, while working simultaneously on a duty shift roster for the medical staff. His new colleague, Dr. Quinn, was in the adjacent lab, working on some results from new crew member physicals with both nurses, Sito and Edwards, while other members of the medical staff were milling about the main area, checking over equipment and making sure they were stocked up on necessary antibiotics and treatments.

He'd met the rest of the medical team down in the mess hall earlier, when he and Dr. Quinn had went to get a bite to eat before the start of the shift. She'd felt rather embarrassed to have forgotten to mention the rest of them, but Jensen had assured it was fine and that it was understandable that she'd forgotten given that she wasn't used to being the position of the main medical practitioner aboard a vessel. He'd been more than pleased to meet the rest of the staff and was rather impressed with how many were stationed on the Ranger, it was nice to see that Starfleet didn't skimp on their medical staff, even for such a small vessel.

He was just finishing up with his last medical file review when he sensed a newcomer to sickbay. He watched the individual for a moment before walking out and saying, "I'm Dr. Foster, the Chief Medical Officer aboard the Ranger. I'm assuming you're Ensign Allemand, our newest member?" Jensen smiled and offered his hand for a quick shake.

Turning towards the man with a smile, Valentine shook the man's hand and said, "Yes, Sir. I have to say, it's a pleasure to be here." And while Valentine wasn't one to gauge an individual by their looks, he couldn't help but appreciate just how handsome a man the CMO was, and found himself feeling just a touch attracted to his new superior. He had a soft spot for men with dark eyes and he found his pulse began to race and his face flush with a blush.

While he wasn't a telepath, Jensen's empathic ability did clue him in on how the ensign was feeling and he felt his pulse quicken in response to the blush that was evident on the other man's face. Clearing his throat, he let go of Allemand's hand and walked to his office. "Follow me, Ensign." After he sat down, Jensen motioned for the man to take one of the visitor seats on the other side of the desk. Smiling, he relaxed, clasping his hands in front of himself. "Tell me, Ensign, how was your previous posting?"

"Well, my last posting was on a Galaxy-class vessel, the USS Geneva, but that was a few years ago..." Valentine trailed off, his mind reflecting inward to what had brought an abrupt stand-still to his career. The carefree and relaxed look on his face turned into a sobering look and he looked back at Lt. Foster, unsure of what to say.

Feeling Allemand roll through a kaleidoscope of emotions, Jensen gently said, "You can tell me anything, Ensign. It shall be kept confidential between us."

Tugging on his gloves, Valentine looked into the dark depths of the other man's eyes and said, "My career came to a stand-still shortly after my posting on the Geneva. A personal matter that I wasn't prepared for came up and I had to take an extended leave of absence. When it was all said and done, and I resumed my duties, I was given the option of either being stationed to a starbase or with a vessel that required more medical staff. I chose to join the Ranger."

"Well," Jensen said, taking in all the man had spoken of, "I'm glad to have you aboard." He smiled before continuing. "I'm still working out the shift rotation here in Sickbay, but you shall be scheduled when needed. Not saying it'll be an easy job, Ensign, but I'm hoping we can make the best out of it."

Quinn had just finished updating the medical files with her latest round of crew physicals and headed back into the office to talk to Jensen. But before she opened her mouth and spoke, she took in the man sitting in one of the visitors chairs. One thing she took note of immediately were the color of his eyes. One was a bright, pale blue and other was a mixture of the blue with darker, almost golden, brown color. It wasn't something she came across regularly. She flicked a quick glance to Jensen before say, "Excuse me, Sir. But I've just finished with the latest updates, is there anything else you want me to start on?"

Glancing up at his colleague, Jensen smiled and said, "Not at the moment, thank you." He motioned toward Ensign Allemand and said, "This is our new ensign, Heather. Meet Valentine Allemand."

Smiling warmly at the man, Quinn said, "A pleasure to meet you Ensign, I'm Dr. Quinn. I hope you're going to enjoy your stay with us here on Ranger."

"Likewise, ma'am." Valentine responded, whilst tugging slight on his gloves. He realized he was doing it, again. He quickly stopped, smiled, and said, "I'm really looking forward to my time here on the Ranger."

Quinn took in the man's glove tugging and couldn't help the question that came out. "I don't mean to sound rude, Ensign, but why do you wear the gloves?" She glanced at Jensen and could tell he was intrigued as well, but knowing what kind of man he was, he wouldn't ask questions. Quinn on the other hand could be a little too curious for her own good. But most of the time it paid off well.

Jensen had been curious, himself, sensing his colleague's curiosity the moment it spiked in her being. This was the second time Valentine had done it and Jensen sensed something behind it, not empathically, but just in the way the man carried himself. "You don't have to be shy, Ensign. If it makes you feel any less put on the spot, I'm half-Betazoid and have a rather strong empathic gift. Dr. Quinn here has a tendency to speak before thinking sometimes." Jensen winked at the woman while waiting for the ensign to reply. Jensen hoped that by telling Valentine these things about each of them it would encourage him to open up and be honest. Jensen held to the fact that honesty was always the best option in any given circumstance.

Glancing from one doctor to the other, Valentine finally rested is gaze upon the man seated before him. He's part Betazoid? So that explains the eyes... Smiling, he gaze back at the woman who'd posed the question. "I don't mind at all, ma'am. I wear the gloves a precaution. I am half-Deltan. My mother was full Deltan and my father human. While I look more human than Deltan, I was born with a minor form of the Deltan empathic ability. It only activates with skin to skin contact. During my first year at Starfleet Medical while helping a few patients did I come into my ability. I was basically a late bloomer. It was during this time, helping the patients, that I was able to ease their pain and suffering empathically while coming into contact with them. And while that wasn't a bad thing, it did begin to take its toll on me. My teachers at the Academy suggested I wear gloves to help and only to ever initiate skin to skin contact with a patient under special circumstances. Ever since, I've worn the gloves."

Both doctors shared a glance before Quinn answered, "Well, that explains it then. My curiosity is sated." She laughed a little at the end and offered up a smile to the ensign.

Jensen felt a sense of relief flood the man seated before him and he smiled warmly. "Well, Heather, if you don't mind taking a seat next to Ensign Allemand, I do believe we should all have a quick talk." He motioned for her to take the other seat before continuing. As he waited, he pulled up the ensign's personnel file and scanned it briefly; noting the seven year gap in his record. Once finished he spoke, "I know we talked a bit ago about your past history in Starfleet and I've pulled up your file. I see that you have a seven year gap in your record. Now," he said glancing from his assistant to the ensign, "I'm not going to press for more than what you've already told me. You can explain that after you've gotten more comfortable here on the Ranger and have gotten used to working the shifts. As far as your training goes, I'm going to suggest that you work with both myself and Dr. Quinn before we turn over any duty shifts to you. How does that sound to each of you?"

Quinn said, "I've already had a hand in training Ensigns Rehema and Zorja. I don't mind splitting training between us. The more Ensign Allemand learns, the better for his future in Starfleet." She turned her gaze from Foster to Allemand and smiled warmly at the ensign. "If you're comfortable with Lieutenant Foster's decision that is?"

Valentine thought it over quickly. And while he wanted to hesitate on agreeing to work with the Chief Medical Officer due to his slight attraction, he remembered that he'd taken the Oath and wouldn't act upon it, unless the other agreed. And anyways, he knew he could learn things from both Lieutenants, things he'd need if he were to ever become CMO in the future. Smiling he answered, "The agreement here, shall be unanimous. I look forward to working with both of you." And even as his gazed swept over both of them, he did note that he let his gaze linger just a touch longer on the half-Betazoid. "If it doesn't sound too eager, when do I start?"

Jensen didn't let on that he'd caught the ensign's lingering gaze, but one look at Quinn's face said she'd caught it and would become a topic of conversation for later. Smiling Jensen stood up, followed by other of his officers, and said, "How about now? Since the entire medical team is here, why don't Dr. Quinn and I introduce you to the others?" He motioned for them to exit before him. Once they were situated in the main area of Sickbay, Jensen called for everyone's attention. Soon, introductions were going around and the atmosphere lightened just a bit as polite conversation drifted around. Before too long Jensen and Quinn had to break it up and put everyone back to work. Jensen decided the best place for the ensign to start would be in the laboratory, helping Quinn catalog the rest of the crew's physicals.

OFF:


Lieutenant Jensen Foster
Chief Medical Officer
USS Ranger

Lieutenant JG Heather Quinn
Assistant Chief Medical Officer
USS Ranger

Ensign Valentine Allemand
Medical Officer
USS Ranger

 

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