Do you really want to hurt me?

[Dr. Maxwell 0]

Here Joe sat, in his quarters. Admiral BluRox had just given him his news orders. He was simply shocked and amazed. A Chief Medical Officer on board a Starship, a Galaxy class one none the less too. This was what Joe had dreamed of, but it had caught him off guard.

 

He had only been out of the Academy for about a month now. The most he had done since he had left the academy was to help out during a famine that broke out on some of the farms on New Bajor. And then Blu came out of the...well out of the blue and assigned him aboard the Republic. Doctor Ian Kavork was not even phased by the fact one of his few assistants was re-assigned to a Starship, but he knew that his boss was probably elated for him.

 

Nurse Betty had been ringing to door chime multiple times for the last 5 mins, she was trying to get into Joe's quarters, but he wasn't really paying attention. It wasn't until she started shouting over the comm "JOE! Open the door! I know your in there!!" that he finally snapped out of his zoned state and said "Enter". Nurse Betty came barging into his quarters and started yelling.

 

"Are you trying to give me heart attack! I rang the door chime like twenty times!! What in the world is the matter with you!" she screamed.

 

"Betty, Betty, calm down. I'm sorry. I didn't mean to scare you like that. It's just I was a bit in shock." he replied.

 

"Is this because of your new posting??" she asked as she toned down a bit.

 

"It is actually. I was just caught off guard. I know you can't tell, but I'm ecstatic over it. This has been my dream, to be the Chief Medical Officer aboard an immense Starship" he said.

 

Nurse Betty smiled "I know! I'm excited too! Cause your taking me with you...right??" she said with a glare. "Ummm...about that. I don't know if you can come along. I don't want to leave Dr. Kavork without any staff. I think it would be best if you stayed here." he replied.

 

"But Joe. I want to go! I've been at this outpost since it was re-established. I wanna get off of this place and go out and explore the galaxy. Please take me with you." she said with the look of a sad Puppy.

 

"Betty...You shouldn't lie to me. You forget I'm half Betazoid which means I'm empathic. I know the reason you want to come is because you love me, and because of this it would interfere with out Doctor/Nurse relationship. That's why I can let you come." he said.

 

Betty stood there, with tears welling up in her eyes "Oh Joe....I'm sorry. I've wanted to tell you...but I couldn't..please Joe you have to take me with you." she replied.

 

Joe went over and held her by the hand "Betty, if you want to come you have to swear to me that you will not let your feelings interfere with your duties. The second you come aboard the Republic any hope of any relationship will be gone. Do you understand?" Joe said.

 

She nodded as the tears slipped from her eyes "Yes...I do..." she said.

 

"Alright. I'll talk with Doctor Kavork and set everything up." he replied. Nurse Betty nodded and then added before she left "We're having a going away party for you before you leave. Talk with Ian".

 

And with that she went running out his quarters weeping down the corridor. He knew she had her feelings hurt, but it was necessary. He knew that there relationship was going to have to be strictly professional.

 

Now it was time for the arduous task of packing, and then he would be heading out to his new home amongst the stars. The Republic....