Samantha Richards - I am the Fool and this is my Companion
Samantha Richards
((Interim Chief Medical Officer’s Office, Deck 7- USS Artemis))
Sam was about to reassure Jaran that if anyone was going down for the rocks… It would be her and her alone, but as soon as she went to speak, the door behind them opened.
Sam’s eyes grew wide and she put on her best, “I'm not here for nefarious reasons” smile.
Richards: Captain! ::Gesturing towards the door:: Look Doctor, it’s our fearless leader! Back from… Wherever she went.
Jaran snapped to attention while Sam stared.
Jaran: Sir!
MacKenzie: Fearless. Leader. ::wagging her finger:: You’re a little far from the lab, aren’t you Ms. Richards? What brings you to the Chief Medical Officer’s office? With no Chief Medical Officer to be found?
Sam had to think quickly.
Richards: Uh huh. That is a great question. We…I… Uhm.. We needed a private place to discuss something. This was the closest room. ::nodding as if to convince herself:: Very private… Personal matters.
The Bajoran nodded, unconvincingly, but nodded as the Captain's tone turned a bit more serious.
MacKenzie: ::nodding in agreement:: Personal matters. Everything okay? Do you need a doctor? You know I was a doctor before I was a commanding officer…
Finally, she managed to blink a few times. Of course she knew the captain had previously been a doctor. It had to be some kind of ploy. Was she actually playing along? Or was it some twisted sense of command humor.
Richards: Well… Uhm… Personal matters that include me and uhm Talos. Things I’m sure you’d rather not hear about. oO I can’t believe I just said that.Oo But we are done with that discussion now. ::Beat:: Did anyone hear that?
Sickbay was, at that very moment, was more quiet than she’d ever heard in her life. But, desperate for any exit from this particular line of discourse, she could always hope that either MacKenzie or Jaran were prone to spontaneous auditory hallucinations.
MacKenzie: Hmm. No, I’m afraid I don’t… Maybe we should conduct a hearing exam? Make sure you’re not suffering from tinnitus?
Sam and Jaran began to ramble at the same time. Trying to dissuade the captain.
Jaran: Oh, I’m sure –
Richards: That’s definitely not necessary–
MacKenzie held up her hands and shook her head.
MacKenzie: No, no, I insist.
Sam sighed and gave an apologetic smile towards Doctor Jaran.
oOWe’re in this deep now Ridges…Oo Was that an uncool nickname to give a Bojoran? Sam wasn’t sure and she knew that moment was not the right time to ask. Possibly never depending on how the situation continued to shake out.
They were led into the main sickbay towards a boibed that Sam reluctantly sat down on.
MacKenzie: You’re here, we might as well check your hearing. ::gesturing to Jaran:: and I’m sure this is just the right person to conduct the exam. ::to Sam:: Would you mind introducing me to our newest member of the medical staff?
Jaran: Sir, I am –
Sam quickly cut her off.
Richards: Right! This is Ensign-Doctor Jaran. ::smiling:: Very good Ensign Doctor. Wonderful even. ::glancing at Jaran:: Someone we are so lucky to have on our crew.
The Bajoran doctor had already begun to get tools and prepare space for the exam.
That’s when the tables turned.
Jaran: Sir, I can’t keep up this farce. If we go any further, the deception will just be… too much. The truth is ::looking down, then at Richards:: The truth is that we were discussing the surprise Miss Richards has been planning for your return.
Her jaw fell, her eyes almost popped out of her head.
oO Well played you little–Oo
Richards: ::Staring at Jaran:: Thanks for ruining the surprise. ::Holding her hands out to her sides and turning to MacKenzie:: I guess the secret is out… No point in it now.
MacKenzie: Response
Jaran: Yes, sir. I didn’t realize that she was such a talented songsmith myself, until she showed me what she had written. And to think she intends to perform it herself.
The look on Sam’s face was somewhere between horrified and impressed. Was she willing to make a fool out of herself? Absolutely. Was she willing to take the Ensign down with her? Also absolutely.
Richards: Well, I was lucky enough to have your musical expertise to help me Doctor! Your contributions to the lyrics were nothing short of magical.
MacKenzie: Response
They were in too deep. There was no way the two were getting out of there unscathed and unembarrassed. The Captain would make damn sure of that.
Jaran: Don’t be modest, Miss Richards. You said you wanted to welcome the Captain back in style when she returned, and you knew I had some small ability with the belaklavion to accompany you. I’m of course happy to help. If you’d like, I could even go retrieve an instrument right now.
Sam had a small sense they were bluffing, and she had no other choice but to call them out on that bluff.
Richards: Yes! ::jumping off the biobed:: Go and grab your instrument. It looks like we are putting on a show.
MacKenzie/Jaran: Response
If looking like a fool was a profession, Sam would be the CEO. Thanks to Jaran, they were now her employee of foolery.
Richards: ::Gesturing to Jaran:: Be quick, I’m going to smooth out my lyrics while you get your instrument.
By smooth out, she meant create.
MacKenzie/Jaran: Response
Richards: Don’t worry Captain, this won’t take long. ::with a hopeful smile:: Unless… You have somewhere else to be? We can pick this up some other time. Or forget about it all together…
MacKenzie/Jaran: Response
TAG/TBC!
Samantha Richards