Hunter made his way to the ‘Dragon bar ’ since he was off duty and won’t start his shift until morning. The doctor leaned next to the bar ‘’Good evening Joe ,the usual please ‘’ he was cordial, whatever their differences and the way they thought ..was in the past .Though they’ll never be close friends there was one thing they had in common …Cross’s well being.

Joe had no idea what Hunter was talking about. He didn’t know that Hunter had a usual and if he did he certainly didn’t know what it was. It was then he got the brilliant idea. ” D’Nesh!” he called out. ” Could you take care of the good doctor for me please?”.

Not one to forgive and forget Hunter thought and the way D’Nesh was looking at him its seemed she hated his guts ‘’Just a shot of whisky straight kiddo ‘’ Hunter was done being nice ,at least she was wearing a decent dress thanks to him but most of the good things he did , as usual went unnoticed .

McDuff walked up to the bar, smiled politely at the Doctor and the Bar tender, but said nothing. He silently lifted himself on to a stool at the bar and rested his elbows. McDuff was as always looking smart and well turned out, be he looked tired, as if he’d been busy all day.

Joe had left for a moment leaving D’Nesh to take care of Hunter. Now he had come back and upon seeing McDuff he asked him ” What will it be Lieutenant? Looks like you’ve had a rough day.”

“Thanks, Joe. I’ll have a Whisk…” McDuff stopped. The CMO’s stern warning about drinking a few months ago still rang fresh in his ears. “Erm… It’d better be a Decaf Coffee, please.” He said against he better judgment, he could’ve used something a little stronger.

It did not escape Hunter that the COS looked tired ‘’ Say Lt are feeling a bit under the weather ?’’ the doctor asked out of concern.

“I’m fine thanks, Doc. Just feelin’ a little beat, that’s all.” He smiled. “How’re you both doing?” He asked the Doctor and the Bar Keep.

’’ We’re doing fine are we not Joe ? ‘’ he replied with a hint of sarcasm in his tone ,as he drowned the shot of whiskey ,then raised the empty glass for D’Nesh to fill it up.

Joe simply nodded to Hunter and smiled broadly at Hunter. ” Everyone’s doing fine as far as I’m away of.” Joe said to Hunter. He then placed a steaming cup of coffee in front of McDuff. Smiling and placing a forefinger across his lips Joe said. A wee little house special. Irish coffee.” Joe laughed reached out and patted McDuff on the arm and said, “Just out secret Lieutenant?”

Max walked into the Dragon bar after his shift ended. He had not been in here before and because of the time, he assumed it was going to be pretty late. He looked at the time and it showed to be 2200 hours. He knew he couldn’t stay long but needed to just relax a few minutes. He found an empty table and took a seat. He did not want anything, but just needed to relax a little.

D’Nesh spotting Cameron walked over to him with her eyes twinkling. ” Sir she asked Cameron. ” How may I be of service?”

After watching the bar for a few minutes and sitting and relaxing a little, he decided it was time to go to his quarters and get some sleep before his shift tomorrow. He got up and walked out of the Dragon Bar.

Hunter watched him stand and leave the bar, he either had not heard the doctor offering him a drink or was too tired to care.

Marshall Ryder, the ensign, took a moment to pause in the doorway, trying to scope out a spot to sit, or even stand it didn’t matter to him. The bar was crowded as normal but that didn’t stop him from finding a corner and ordering a drink.

Nothing fancy just a simple mixed cocktail, he didn’t really register what exactly was in it but it tasted good and that’s what mattered. He had only been there about a day/ two days? The last few days of checking in, getting settled all blended together for Marshall.

The male doctor followed the ensign with his eyes and when he had ordered his drink Hunter picked up his whiskey and walked over to him ‘’Hi I’m doctor Hunter I assume you must be the latest recruit to join the ship ‘’ as he spoke the doctor extended his hand ‘’Welcome on board , so have you had time to settle in?’‘.

Layanna entered the bar, and looked around for a quiet place to sit. Her long red hair hung over her shoulders, and made her green eyes almost glow under the lights.

Even while talking with the new Ensign , Hunter saw Layanna coming in .Their eyes met and he gave her a curt nod , his attention going back to the science officer but there was a feeling inside of him that he could not quite explain …she had developed into a beautiful woman and not quite his little sister anymore .

She sat with her back to the wall so that she had a clear view of the bar. She watched Hunter as he mingled with the other crew. She was glad to have her back in her life, but there was still something missing.

D’Nesh made her way to the Cmdr ,for the ex slave Orion young woman it did not matter what rank the crew was , truth be told she did not understand.

’’ Hi what can I get you?’’ she asked smiling at Layanna whom she saw for the first time.

“Hi Doctor, yes I am.” Marshall shook his hand, settling in his chair. “How are you doing? Bar seems to be pretty busy,” Marshall made small talk, trying to ease into a nice discussion with the other, though he didn’t miss the tension between him and the other ensign who came in behind him.

“She a friend?” asked Ens Ryder, Science Officer.

Joe happened to look up at about the time that the new first officer walked into the bar. He blinked his eyes, shook his head and muttered to himself. ” By all the saints it’s a red demon! ” He laughed then amazed at the uncanny likeness of the new first officer had to his older sister Erin who used to beat him about the head and shoulders just to stay in practice when they were young.

Ade, the Ship’s Dentist entered the bar, just a little after Layanna. He had just lost a pile of credits on a spread bet and wasn’t in the best of moods. He did a quick scan to see if Doctor Cross was around. She wasn’t, so he continued on in. He wasn’t in the mood for her arguments, moralising and her mind games today. Doctor Hunter was there, surrounded by some women as usual. he attracted them like flies! He came here to get away from Sickbay, and he saw enough of them during the day to not to spend his leisure time with the same medical staff too. There was a new intake of crew here that Ade had never seen before. He’d not even seen their teeth yet. The lounge was busy, so he just stood at the bar. Joe seemed able to cope with the extra business, so Ade didn’t mind waiting a little to be served. When Joe eventually had time to get to him, he simply said, “the usual please!”

• Ade, Ship’s Dentist