Work Out

[Isabeau Delevan 0]

The Mercury's gym was well equipped but Isabeau missed running on a track. The treadmills got the job done but she preferred the scenery to change a bit. The holodecks were currently in use and she needed to get some exercise. Medical was sure not being over worked these days and she had to get rid of some excess energy or she’d never get any sleep tonight. She left the locker room, wearing a tank top and shorts, carrying a towel over her arm and a water bottle in her hand. The gym wasn't too crowded and she picked a machine in the middle, not even bothering to stretch before stepping on and activating it, choosing a strenuous program that should leave her nice and tired and wanting nothing so much as a hot bath and bed. The gym locker rooms had real water whereas her quarters only had the sonic shower.

 

After his shift had ended, Porter had taken half an hour to relax some and then started to get ready for the gym. For some reason he felt restless and needed to work out. He guessed it was because he had hardly gotten a chance to go to the gym lately, because he had been way too busy. As always he had changed and stretched in his quarters and jogged to the gym. He would have preferred to do his running in the corridors, but the Mercury was fully staffed and full to the brim with stuff from Aegis, so the corridors were usually too crowded. The run to the gym had been short and he hadn't even started sweating when the doors of the gym opened in front of him. He quickly located the treadmills and walked over to them without really paying attention to who else was around. With his towel draped around his shoulder he programmed the treadmill and started to run.

 

The machine next to her started up and Isabeau glanced over, recognizing Damian Porter. Somehow, he'd managed to tear himself away from Ops. "Mr. Porter, glad to see that ankle's not giving you any more trouble." She wondered if he'd remember her name and figured the odds at 60/40 against.

 

Frowning he looked over to the machine next to him. "Why should," he broke off as comprehension dawned on him, " oh right, the sprain, I had already forgotten. Yes, Doc, you did a good job on that." He smiled at her. Again he frowned, as he didn't remember the last time he had smiled at someone. Looks like it improved his mood not to have to work constantly and not having weapons aimed at them anymore.

 

The smile was a surprise and she smiled back, noting he still hadn't proved he knew her name so her private bet with herself remained open. In fact, she rather thought the odds were now 70/30—that he didn’t remember. "Well, it wasn't much of a challenge, Mr. Porter. Next time go for a compound fracture and make me sweat a little."

 

"I'd rather not, I like my body to be in full working order, and so should you, by the way." If only he could remember her name. He knew it was something starting with D... Devin or something like that, oh well, it was easy in Starfleet, either use their rank, or call em doc. "So, how's Medical dealing with everything? The move, the new system? I tell ya, it looks cool out there. Have you already been briefed about any of the new developments?" Porter was getting more and more surprised at himself, but also pleased; he had been afraid his social skills had disappeared somehow as soon as he'd set foot on Aegis.

 

The grade shifted under her feet and she leaned into it as the program now had her jogging uphill. She glanced at Porter for a second before looking back to the holodisplay on the walls before them. Someone had set all the screens so it was just one big picture of an anonymous beach on a sunny day. The water and sky were contrasting shades of blue and she found herself wishing the Mercury had a pool. “Medical is finding that the time drags a bit and no, we haven't been briefed on any new developments." She quickly turned her head back to meet his glance, feeling her pony tail bounce as she did so. "What are the new developments?"

 

The first drop of perspiration ran down Porter's temple as he continued with long strides at an even pace. He kept looking at the computer display in front of him, as always he liked to be in control and know exactly about his speed, pulse and what the computer simulated. "It looks like we might have found a new home for ourselves. Of course, we're still scanning the place and Science is going over the data. Maybe Commander Brown will send an Away Team out some time. He hasn't said anything about that, yet, but I imagine it to be a possibility and give Medical a chance to stretch your legs a bit, too. We found a moon with an atmosphere which looks suitable for Aegis to go in orbit around." He wondered if the doc would think this to be good or bad news. He certainly liked knowing where they were going to settle, and that there actually was a suitable place.

 

She kept pace with the program without thinking about it, her respiration increasing but not enough to preclude a little conversation. "A moon with an atmosphere? Is there anyone already living on it or hasn't there been time to find out?" Porter was talking about an Away Team--if that was the case maybe the Prime Directive wasn't a factor.

 

He shook his head. "No, the moon's uninhabited, but we found a class M planet on the other side of the system with a pre-warp society. Naturally, the Commander decided to be careful, but I think he wants to find out whether the Breen made contact. I'm not 100% sure about what's going on with that, though. But things should get a bit clearer in the next few days."

 

"Pre-warp but post-industrial, I take it?" If the Breen had already made contact then maybe they would be able to do so, also. If the Breen had treated the denizens of the planet the way they treated those stowaways...they might have real need of their help.

 

Porter shrugged. "I dunno, an ion cloud's made scans somewhat difficult. But I'm sure we'll find out soon." He wondered what awaited them in this system. Not much seemed to be happening here at first glance, but they were close to Breen territory. With the Breen gone he was sure they'd all get their fair share of 'action and adventure'. It was not going to be a quiet job that much he was sure of.

 

"I hope we do get to go take a look see before too much time goes by. I appreciate you telling me, Mr. Porter." Isabeau smiled as she spoke and her imagination took off. She loved the idea of being the first Federation ship to visit the area.

 

He looked up from the computer display and over to the doc. "It's just Porter, by the way. Everybody calls me that."

 

She was starting to really feel the workout in her legs and she nodded a little breathlessly. "Ok, Porter it is and I'm Isabeau, Beau for short." She slanted him a grin, adding, "That's pretty easy to remember." She was damn sure he could not remember her last name.

 

He grinned back. "Beau as in beautiful, easy to remember indeed."

 

She took a swallow from her water bottle and raised an eyebrow, catching herself as she almost tripped over her own feet. "Careful there, Porter--your charm is showing."

 

Porter just laughed as he stepped up the pace a little to get a bit more serious about his workout.

 

She set the bottle back in its holder and settled in for the most grueling part of the run. Conversation wasn't easy but she was curious and when she was curious...very little precluded her quest for more information, even respiratory failure. "You said there's an ion cloud? Is it stationary--a normal part of the scenery or is it on its way to dissipating, left over from a previous event?"

 

The sweating was now getting worse, but Porter enjoyed every second of his run, he would just have to make time for this more frequently. "I have no idea, as I said, Science is still working on the sensor logs trying to find out. There's a lot of data to go over. It's nothing threatening, just messes with the sensors if they don't have enough power. Nothing a good Operations Officer," he winked, " couldn't handle."

 

"Piece of cake, eh?" Smiling, Isabeau shook her head at the wink and felt the treadmill shift into cool down mode. "Porter, I think this is where I get off." She slapped the stop button, hopping off so she wouldn't get tossed. "Thanks for the update-I appreciate hearing what's going on." She grabbed the water bottle and towel, wiping down her face and arms.

 

"Anytime Beau, I'll see you around, just hopefully not in that sickbay of yours again." With that his gaze returned to the computer display.

 

"Well, like I said, Porter," she threw over her shoulder teasingly, starting for the locker room, "if you do come to Medical--make it worth some time and effort."

Edited January 18, 2009 by Isabeau Delevan