"Dr. Tordai, I Presume"

[Lexia 0]

Colonel Harper and Dr. Tordai

 

The turbolift came to a halt as it reached the bridge. As the door swished open she strode out and across the command center of the ship, her eyes falling to various members of the still unfamiliar crew as she walked towards the ready room. As she stood outside, she chimed the door.

 

"Come," said Harper, swiveling away from the viewport where the docked Beta and Gamma sections loomed ever-closer.

 

She entered and stepped up to the desk. "Colonel Harper?" Her tone was formal, but not harsh. Harper straightened a bit. "Ah, Dr. Tordai?" It was only half a question; they had not met since the Gideon's demise, but Harper had been working to learn the names and faces of their adopted crew. "I'm glad you came; I've been meaning to talk to you. Please, have a seat."

 

Lexia glanced to the seat almost voicing that she preferred to stand, but thought better and simply took the seat. She knew that the Colonel was not a woman to question. "It has been some time." A small, puzzled frown crossed the colonel's face. "I'm sorry, have we met?"

 

"Yes, a while back. I believe you were still a Lieutenant," Lexia looked backed to Harper from the viewport to her left. "I would not expect you to remember, I bore a quite different appearance then."

 

"Wait..." Harper said, blinking. "Your last host...?"

 

Lexia nodded. "We were on leave at the same time, Starbase 23 if I recall." She shifted in the seat slightly, "But that is not why I came Ch-" a slight smirk. "Colonel."

 

"I should hope not," she said wryly. "Is this about Kroells?"

 

"Yes, he wishes to go back on duty," she reached over the deck and handed Harper a PADD. "He claims that you gave clearance for that, but I have received no such clearance." She paused for a moment, moving a piece of hair behind her right ear. "Frankly I do not like the idea." Harper glanced down at the PADD. "I told him I would speak to you about it. He has not previously taken well to enforced inactivity; I thought some light duties - emphasis on 'light' - might help him."

 

Lexia coughed ever so slightly, "I am not entirely sure that Lieutenant Kroells knows the meaning of 'light'."

 

"I doubt he does," she said dryly. "But that's where you come in."

 

A slight arch in her left eye brow, her hand moving to face with her chin resting on it. "I am to ensure he learns the meaning?"

 

"You can define the term."

 

"So I am to release him back to light duty then?"

 

Harper set the PADD down and steepled her fingers before her. "Do you feel it's medically inadvisable for reasons other than his inability to practice restraint?"

 

"Honestly Colonel, we do not even fully understand what has happened to Mr. Kroells. I simply feel it a risk to allow him to return to duty. I cannot predict the results," Lexia crossed her legs, placing her left arm across her lap, her chin still resting in her right.

 

"It was my understanding he retained his professional memories and skills."

 

Lexia closed her eyes and then reopened them. "Yes that is true, but for all I know Mr. Kroells could lose that and his sanity at any moment. And that is one of the nicer scenarios; he could possibly have an aneurysm or any other number of complications. The human brain is still a profound medical mystery; I cannot make any guarantees."

 

"Is there a compromise we might consider?" Harper asked. "Frankly, doctor, I'm concerned for your sanity as well; I've had occasion to witness the lieutenant in some of his stir-crazy moments. You don't want him in your sickbay like that, trust me."

 

Lexia allowed a slight smile to cross her light red lips. "Very well, a compromise.” She considered for a moment, her eyes staring unfocusedly at Harper's desk. She sighed, "Mr. Kroells may return to duty, given that it remains a light load. I reserve the right to pull him back into sickbay at any time; and my objections are noted on the record."

 

"Done and done," the colonel replied, smiling. "Shall you tell him or shall I?"

 

Lexia stood, "I will do the honors. I am sure he will be quite pleased." She clasped her hands behind her back. "If that is all?”

 

"Indeed, Doctor." Harper stood as well, extending her hand across the desk. "And though I wish the circumstances could have been better, welcome aboard." Lexia returned the gesture. "Thank you ma'am."

 

Drawing back, Harper nodded a dismissal and began to sit, but was arrested mid-motion by the abrupt dimming of the lights. Yellow strobes lit up around the ceiling of the room. "Colonel to the bridge," a voice crackled over the comm. "Subspace distortion on sensors..."

 

"It would appear duty calls," Lexia said, turning as Harper started towards the bridge. "Oh, and Colonel.”

 

Pausing in the doorway, Harper looked a question at Tordai. Another slight smile crossed the Trill's lips, but only for a fleeting moment "It really was good to see you again, Charlotte."

 

Harper flashed a quick grin at the doctor, followed it with a wink, and hurried out onto the bridge.

Edited December 21, 2006 by Lexia