Diplomatic Relations

Posted on Tue Jan 21st, 2025 @ 10:22pm by Lieutenant JG Kally Kellerman & Ensign Jeff Elazar

Mission: Doing What We Do Best
Location: Sickbay

Kally was whistling to herself, going through a stack of tricorders that were waiting to be calibrated. The other doctor on duty was on lunch, and the nurses had been given assignments, so she could enjoy the peace and quiet. She heard the doors to Sickbay open and looked over, spotting the newcomer. "C'mon in," she said, raising her voice. "What can we help you with? And by we I mean me, and by help I mean...help." She shrugged and grabbed one of the tricorders, tossing it up and catching it as she walked over towards the newcomer, giving him a smile.

The mandatory physical examination, mostly dreaded across all Starfleet personnel as being a waste of time, a possible harbinger of the worst news possible, was merely a formality to Jeff. He knew it was unavoidable, and rather than wasting his thoughts about how awful it was going to be or how uncomfortable it was going to make him feel, he figured he was better off treating it like a talk at a conference that was simply going to be boring. He was certainly going to be mistaken as soon as he had walked through the doors and saw a medical officer perform a tricorder trick - something clearly practiced and perfected. "Good day to you. I'm here for my physical if that's okay...Doctor?" quizzed the Ensign.

Kally looked the newcomer over and grinned. "More than okay. Have a hop up on the bed." She patted the biobed and stepped aside to let him on.

Jeff carefully walked through Sickbay and approached the designated biobed. It was clear as day to him already that he was dealing with a medical officer who was kind of quirky in her own right as well as being somewhat over eager. Such enthusiasm wasn't about to go without notice. As instructed, Jeff hopped up onto the biobed and waited.

"So, introduction time," Kally said. "Doctor Kally Kellerman, Chief Medical Officer. And you are?" She flipped open her tricorder and looked at him.

The discovery of dealing with the ship's head physician gave some measure of comfort to the young man. "I'm Ensign Jeff Elazar, this vessel's new Chief Diplomatic Officer. Surely the colour of my tunic made you curious, eh?" questioned Jeff.

Kally looked up at his tunic. "Oh yeah." She gave a coy grin. "Hadn't noticed; wasn't the part of your uniform I was looking at." She scanned him slowly. "Well, welcome aboard. I'm a recent transfer myself." She adjusted a setting and started again. "So...diplomatic officer, eh? I haven't met many, at least not from the Federation." She gave a small smile at the thought, then returned her attention to him. "So tell me about you."

A sly and almost mischievous look quickly appeared across Jeff's face. It was nice to meet someone who was curious about him rather than just performing duties. "Ah, what's to tell really? I spent way too long on Earth focusing on my education, research, and teaching rather than being out here amongst the real stars. Now I'm finally here and hope to help make a difference, but in my own way I suppose. We're both doctors of different sorts, eh? How about yourself? How has life been treating you?"

"It's thrown me a few surprises," Kally said. "But I can't complain too much. I've had a setback or two, but I've ended up here, and so far, I love it here."

Jeff shuffled on the biobed, getting even more comfortable and settling in. "You love it here do you? I guess that's as good as any sign that my time here will be good as well. So tell me, what makes you love this place so much?"

"We've got a great Captain, I've got a good staff, there are cute, equipped Junior officers. What's not to love?" she gave him a wink.

A brief blush braised Jeff's face for a few moments before he was able to compose himself once more. "If that's the kind of thing that interests you the most, that's up to you. I would've hoped that service to Starfleet and the Federation would be your highest priority, but going after the perks of the job first is also perfectly valid, eh? I figure I'll ask here, am I equipped enough for a junior officer to work here?"

Kally smirked and looked him in the eyes. "I am committed to Starfleet, and I love my job. I just happen to love the perks of being here as well." She leaned in close to his ear, blowing in it gently. "And if you'd like a career consult, we'll have to discuss that in my office."

She closed her tricorder and set it down on the counter, letting its data sync with the medical computer. She turned and walked back towards her office, giving him a bit of a show as she stopped in the doorway, hitting a control and completely opaquing the windows. She looked at him and gave him an inviting smile.

Jeff hopped off from the biobed and went to the entryway of the Doctor's office. He wasn't sure what to expect, but nonetheless he stood there for a second or two before addressing a potentially problematic proposition. "Now now, we've only just met and...if this is going where I think it's going, we definitely should get to know each other better before taking that kind of step, wouldn't you agree, Doctor?" Jeff mildly regretted the leading he'd done just prior, but he wasn't about to allow a diplomatic disaster occur on his first day aboard ship.

"Not at all," she said, matter-of-factly. "But if that's what you'd prefer, I won't force you to compromise your principles." She shrugged her shoulders. "So, my quarters, 1900 hours, dinner, drinks and conversation. And when we're done..." she stood on tiptoe and leaned towards his ear, whispering softly.

She stepped back and grinned at the look on his face and the blush in his cheeks. *Damn, he's cute,* she thought. "Looking forward to getting to know you better, Jeff," she said, rising up again and kissing his cheek. "See you at 1900." She walked past him and into her office, shutting the door behind her.