[snip]

As Cross sat at her desk, the door chime sounded. Waiting at the other side was Lieutenant McDuff waiting to follow up about what he had mentioned on the space station.

‘’Enter’’ Cross said looking up to see the COS ‘’Lt Cameron what brings you to my humble office ,please take a seat ‘’ she gestured towards a vacant chair .The female doctor seemed to be in good spirits …at least for now.

Cameron was relieved Cross seemed to be in a good mood. He wasn’t overly fond of prolonged visits to see the Doctor so this would be made easier if the CMO was happy.
“Thank you” Cameron said as he sat down.
“I wanted to come and see you about what I mentioned on the Space Station. I haven’t been feeling quite myself just lately and not sure why.” He explained.

Cross nodded he had her full attentiveness and concentration ‘’ What symptoms are you having and when did your ailment start ?’’ the female doctor asked while also focusing on his outward appearance .

“Well…” He began slowly. “Just this last sort of month or so I’ve been feeling very…off.” He said, still trying to find the words that best fit his feelings. “I haven’t felt motivated in my work, I’m finding it very difficult to concentrate on anything for a long period of time, and I find myself feeling generally lethargic.”
He knew his description was vague at best, but it was the best way he could summarize it at this time.

‘’Before I do a quick scan I would need to know if you’re on any medication ,vitamins or any herbal remedies? ‘’ Cross asked ‘’I’ll also need to take some blood samples ‘’.
When she was done the female doctor turned to face Cameron ‘’What about alcohol consumption?’‘.

As the Doctor ran her scans and checks, she would find nothing major wrong. Just the symptoms of mild fatigue.

“Well…” he pondered. “Now that I think about. I have been drinking a lil’ more than normal. But not a great deal more, but then I have been feeling pretty stressed with work more lately. I haven’t really been sleeping that great either, honestly.”

Cross did not interrupt she simple listened ‘’First I want to say you have done the proper and sensible thing by coming to sickbay instead of ignoring your symptoms until they got worse ,you need to find the root of what is making you depressed .I shall give you medication that shall increase dopamine and serotonin ‘’ the female doctor stopped and smiled ‘’ We tend to call them the happy pills ‘’ then on a more serious note Cross wen on ‘’ It will take some time about two to three weeks before you’ll start to feel better .Try to stick to a routine before sleeping yoga and breathing exercise help and the last thing to do is stop drinking ,alcohol feels like giving you a boost for awhile but most cause depression…be careful cause without realizing it would became an addiction which in turn cause more problems not to mention what it does to the liver ‘’.

“Yes Ma’am” McDuff said plainly - the realization of how serious this seemed to be was only now just dawning on him.

A nurse came with the blood results and handed them to her ‘’ The alcohol level is a bit elevated ,so please Cameron do be careful ‘’ Cross stopped and looked at McDuff with some concern ‘’Lt,how came you’re feeling stressed with work ? We have just left the station and are on our way to another mission.It might be the depression that is causing you to feel stressed out’‘.

He reflected a moment “… I guess so”. Until this moment, he thought about it that much, he had just continued muddling on with his duties.

The CMO gave him the medication ‘’Two pills in the morning and another two before you go to sleep I’ll see you in five days from now and do talk with Joe, he is competent and skilled as a counselor which he gained through experience .I’m sure he’ll be more then willing to help .’‘

“Thank you. I haven’t met him yet, so I’ll be sure to call in.”

‘’Please do and remember no alcohol!’’ Cross wondered if seeing the ‘Counselor’ in a bar would be a good idea....she’ll have to wait and see the outcome both for Cameron and Joe.

Guy Fleegman had come into Sickbay and taken a seat; waiting to be seen by someone. He was now the next in line. “Borgovian Sand Worms!” he explained when asked.

Cross had just finished with Cameron when Fleegman approached her and blurted out ‘’Borgovian Sand Worms ‘’ the doctor’s failed to retain her composure as her jaw dropped open. After the initial shock she asked ‘’ And how the blinking heck did you consume a Sand worm …don’t tell me it was from the station !’’ .

This was sounding like a personal problem that Cameron ought not to be hearing about, so he made his way towards the Sickbay door, pills in hand, thanking the doctor as he went.

The CMO responded by waving before the Lt exiting sickbay.

“No, nothing like that,” Fleegman said. “I just have these bad dreams about them… from my earlier service… when I was aboard the USS Mary Celeste. The worms attack us and we try to shoot at their eyes, but then we realise… they have no eyes! No, I just need something to help me sleep, Doc! …on the other hand, you’ve just explained to me why I can’t drink Tequila!”

’’ I did ?’’ she asked perplexed ,when Cross realized what he was saying her demeanor changed ‘’ Oh I see … come ‘’ and she took him to a quiet spot in sickbay. ‘’I thought you had consumed a plate of sand worms that are used for fishing..silly me!’‘.

The doctor was more intrigued to know out of curiosity and fascination about Guys previous mission ‘’ Now calm down I learned about them while still at the academy ..em how come they did not devour you up? ‘’.

“Devour me up?” Guy asked, “Oh, no! I was never a member of that landing party. I try not to get deployed in case I don’t ever come back!”

• Guy, sec