(snip)

Karina blushed without realizing it and nodded. “I will be happy to show you around when you are ready.” She watched the scan out of the corner of her eye as she stocked the various nearby stations. But she wasn’t able to see the readouts, though there seemed to be a few more beeps than usual. She just figured S’Raal was being overly cautious and checking lots of variables for the physical.

Karina
Doctor

Julien beamed a smile at here that made a dimple appear in his left cheek. He bowed slightly and galantly before her and said “THank you, I will find you as soon as I’m done here.” he said.

S’Raal finished up and sent the results to an encrypted need to know file location that seemed to be becoming more and more populated with Athena denizens of late. He looked at Julien and smiled his usual half smile “Everything is within normal parameters” he said obviously finding subterfuge an uncomfortable game. “I’d like to run some further tests at a later time”. Julien would pick up between the lines that privacy would be needed for that to occur. S’Raal looked at Karina, “He’s cleared for duty so the two of you can take that tour if you wish” turning back to Julien he added “Unless you need anything else from me Doctor?”.

S’Raal Cran Moonshadow (Doctor)

“Ah, yes there are a few things in my medical file I’d like to discuss… in private.” he winked at Karina with a smile “I hope you understand, there are certain things we men are not as mature about as women.” he said.

• Julien Smith, doctor

Karina rolled her eyes before turning to nod. “Of course. I will see to the other med bays before I am done for the shift, Sir.” She nodded to S’Raal. Then she smiled once more at the newcomer. “I will be available at your convenience as well, Sir. Welcome aboard.” She turned to leave as her mind wondered why no one simply pulled rank and said, ‘Please leave us.’ It seemed so much easier than making excuses which men were lousy at doing. Something told her this new crewmember was anything but immature about anything.

Karina
Doctor

Some time later Julien found Karina again in sickbay and smiled at her, his oddly mismatched green eyes twinkling. He was quite old for a Lt. jg., in his fourties, his short black curls had a few streaks of white at the temples which formed quite a contrast to his tanned skin.

“Hello Dr Niles. I’m now an official member of the medical staff I’m happy to say and I would really appreciate if you could help me find my bearings … I’ve never been on a ship with /three/ sickbays.” he said in his deep rumbling baritone.

• Dr. Julien Smith