[snip]

Joe had not necessarily been too enthused about the last assignment the Merri had had. He hadn’t cared for the people for one thing. Who shot kids off into space blindly? But then he had had to be nice to them. Diplomacy bah! It had never been Joe’s strongpoint. But now they had an honest to goodness mission. They were out to help some people. And of course, there might be some danger involved. Which explained the fact that Joe was now busy trying to beat the lining off of a punching bag which he would follow with a two-mile run.

As Joe finally got around to running, he thought through the meeting. He was happy with his team He was pretty sure they would do well. Of course, he knew that he had made Doctor Cross angry but that had been a tactical decision on his part. He was overall happy with the way things were going.

Cross entered the gym ‘’Ah there you are ‘’ now walking over to Joe ‘’I don’t understand what’s going on, I asked the Captain if he would give me permission to speak to you in private. He not only ignored my request but then you came here to the gym of all places !’‘.

The doctor went on ‘’Cmdr its important to know that the Capt is suffering from severe headache and nightmares from PSTD, so do question his judgement when down on the planet, that is the reason for my concern, take with you medication for the pain if he happens to get another attack’‘.

She put up a finger closed to Joe’s nose ‘’And never call me Miriam when others are around, there is enough gossip and conversation involving rumours or hearsay about the affairs of others ‘’,

Cross turned around about to leave ‘’I’m going back to sickbay, its a relief for me not going down on that planet. Something tells me I would probably end up as a slave....stay safe Cmdr’‘.

Joe was sweating profusely by the time Cross entered the gym. He stopped upon seeing her enter, grabbed a towel and wiped off his forehead. He couldn’t help but to smile seeing the way she was walking with that look that was intended to scare people on her face. He simply frowned as if in deep thought as she started to speak. As if he were very concerned.

Then as she was finished and about to leave, he stepped off the machine and stepped after her saying. “Hey Miri !” As she turned toward him not seeing how close he was he leaned in and kissed her quickly. He then of course held his hand up palm first should she decide to take a swipe at him. “Sorry about the Miri thing in the meeting.” he said. “It just sort of slipped out I wasn’t thinking. You’re right.”

She did not back away, then took a look around her and seeing the gym was empty got even more closer.

He then kissed her once again as he said, “Also the Captain isn’t going down to the planet on the first away team mission, so he’ll be all yours still. Does that nut Wong know about that or are you treating him alone?”

After the second kiss Cross replied ‘’Thank goodness he is staying behind for now, I’ll keep an eye on him’‘.

‘’Does that nut Wong know about that or are you treating him alone?”

With her eyes opened wide the doctor shook her head vigorously ‘’No way will I let that psychiatrist near the Captain,he does more harm then good!’’ .

Before she exited the gym Cross took one last look at the Cmdr What would I do if he doesn’t come back the female doctor thought.

Cross returned to Sickbay where she had another altercation with Dr. Wong, and she called the Captain in a distressed state. The Captain needed to speak urgently with Joe about the accusations Cross had made to him, and the Ship’s Computer told him that Joe could be found in the Gym.

So, about ten minutes after Cross had left, Captain Glen appeared at the Gym looking for Joe.

“Hello,” Glen called out. “Anyone seen the Commander here?”

-Glen, CO