Posted by Lieutenant Junior Grade Adebowale Mbala (Dentist) in The Fantail Dragon
[snip]

Joe having already greeted the dentist just minutes before waved to Kate as she entered. “Good evening to you all! Joe spoke asked Kate . “And what will it be for you Kate? Lemon Juice? Something to make life better? A bit of a fish dinner perhaps?”

‘’Yes please a cold glass of lemon juice ‘’ she twitched her nose at the sight of the fish and shook her head’‘No thanks Joe ,I could never bring myself to eat fish, I’m a vegan..em but I won’t say no to some chips ‘’ Kate smiled while at the same wondered if she could bring up the subject about Cross .

‘’I don’t mean to pry Joe but don’t you find Cross’ s company a bit particularly hard to handle …with all intents and purposes ?’‘.

Joe was in the middle of delivering Kate’s chips to her when he heard the end of the question about Cross. He laughed loudly and almost dropped the chips. He handed Kate her chips and said, “To answer you ma’am she fits me. You see I’m not a proper man and I need to be roughly handled at times.” Joe thought it over and chuckled. “If you’ve ever heard the story of the wild American mustangs and how they evolved from all the fancy European horses into the short sturdy and and mostly cantankerous and evil horses that they became then you’d understand why I sometimes need a spur or a harsh word.”

Kate took the chips and started munching while attentively listening to Joe .She had no idea about the mustang and even less so the word cantankerous
‘’I understand Cross is a nice person to have around most of the time but..but ‘’ the nursing officer wracked her brains for the right words ‘’ Can you handle her when she gets out of control and you’ll get more then a harsh word from her ‘’.

She knew Cross all too well ‘’ A few weeks ago I made the mistake of asking if Hunter was alright among the inhabitants and for some reason she flipped,guess it was the wrong time to ask, since she had just found out you were leaving but how was I supposed to know!’’ she exclaimed raising both hands in the air.

Joe looked at Ade and smiled. “It’s times like that you simply have to nod your head and smile at Cross. Then of course give her room to breathe. As in enough room that if she decides to throw something you’re out of range. “

‘’Really?’’ Cross asked, no one had see her entering the bar ,as usual the doctor could some how walk without making any noise and it had nothing to do with the gene.Her demeanor was inexpressible while waiting for Joe to come back ,meanwhile she turned to the dentist ‘’And how come you’re always grumbling that your profession is a thing of the past ......maybe its time to acquire a new skill, go for a new career , any talent? capabilities ?’‘.

Ade turned at her voice, and raised his glass to Cross at that comment, “Maybe, because I enjoy grumbling? …and because I have no other talents?”

Joe then went over for a moment to get a drink quickly for another crewman before returning to Ade. “The thing about Cross,” Joe began is that she’s like a lot of storm clouds on the horizon. She might turn into a much-needed summer shower or a hurricane there’s no telling!”

“Well, I like her straight-talking,” Ade replied. “She says things the way they are, without sugar-coating them, and you do know that dentists have a problem with sugar coating don’t you!”

‘’You got some nerve Milligan talking about me while in my presence !’’ she got closer to the bar ‘’ A double shot of vodka, I am on my break besides there isn’t much going in sickbay.....say does your nemesis Hunter know you’re here ? .

Joe went to get Cross’s drink and came back with it promptly. “There you go doctor hopefully the medicine you need. And then smiling just a bit he said ,”And you should know I’ve never taken Hunter too seriously. He takes himself serious enough for three people.

Kate did her best to hide her anxiety knowing that the male doctor had no idea of what awaited him during his free time ‘’I..I best be going goodbye ‘’ and with that she disappeared .

‘’Say Joe, Kate could do with some counseling she has this obsession and is passionate about Hunter who in turn has no idea of how much the N.O gets excited when ever he as much look her way ‘’ Cross picked up her shot and drowned it ‘’ I use to think he was not attracted to women or maybe he has some physical problem but seeing him gong with that dark skinned bombshell I realized I was dead wrong .....fill my glass counselor ‘’ .

It seemed Cross was on the edge of the Hurricane ,she had already disrespected Ade ,Kate and Joe.... she had been idle for quite sometime.

Joe shrugged and said, “And maybe the things he was doing on the station was just a show. Maybe he needs to convince others and himself on occasion. I mean Kate is a fine young girl. For companionship and friendship if nothing else. “

‘’Joe , Kate is in her late 40’s and though she is emphatic compassionate, kind-hearted and caring, she’s not the kind of women Hunter will go for ‘’ Cross wondered if she should tell them and why not .After all It was not some thing that confidential and they all had came to the wrong conclusion with their assumption and wrong judgement.

‘’Guys , Hunter had told me he flirts with female crew while at the bar simple to amuse them.He does not want a relationship and the drama that comes with it ‘’ at this point she stopped and gave a quick glance at Joe ‘’He picked that women cause she was not a crew member from our ship ,just a one night stand if the female agree .If you ask him about Sara he most probably has already forgotten about her ‘’.

“I always thought Hunter was in love with himself,” Ade advanced. “If he felt anything for Kate, he’d be cheating on himself!”

Cross burst out laughing ‘’I’ll give a toast to that!’’ she took another drink after which the female doctor excused herself ‘’ I’m heading to the bridge and check where we are ,from the sound of the engines the ship seem to have stopped or moving at a slow warp and while I’m there I’ll Irk Glen …em I mean the Captain’‘

“Why do you want to annoy the Captain?” Ade asked. “I honestly don’t know why he puts up with it. I’m not the only one who’s said that either.”

Cross shrugged her shoulders ‘’ Guess he’s so cute when he’s annoyed ‘’ she was about to exit the Dragon Bar but stopped and turned round ‘’And who else , may I ask say that ?’’ the doctor asked Ade.

“Confidentiality!” Ade said, touching his nose with his right forefinger, and laughing. “No, I don’t think she’d mind as she said it out loud, but the Captain’s Yeoman… what’s her name, Faith… she said the Captain ties himself up in knots sometimes at the things you say to him. Personally speaking, I think someone needs to keep him on his toes, and you’re doing a great job at it!”

• Ade, dentist

Cross seemed to accept what the dentist had just told her.
Not so far away someone was whistling and with each step it was getting nearer. Cross’s eyes were wide open ‘’Oh dear me ‘’ was all she could say and at that moment doctor Hunter entered the bar .

He gave the CMO a cold stare ‘’ So how many shots eh?’’ Hunter did not wait for a response he knew Cross all too well ‘’Ah Ade how are you ?’’ he asked in a jolly manner then turned to face the barman .He stared at Joe for a good five minutes giving him a steady intent look ‘’Someone tell me I’m hallucinating ‘’ he managed to whisper.

Hunter Dr.