Chief's Relax Time

Posted on Sun Jul 18th, 2010 @ 6:19am by Lieutenant Commander Leanne Bowen & Lieutenant Commander Karma Sinclair

1,754 words; about a 9 minute read

Mission: Peace, or Something Like It
Location: Starbase
Timeline: Current

[Starbase]

Leanne arrived in the transporter room of the Starbase and stepped off the pad. She only brought one bag if she happen to get something to bring back with her. She was glad that her medical report is done and was turned into the Captain.

She walked through the corridor, stopped a few times to look at the shops that were lined side by side, selling different items of needs. One shop carried antiques and another shop carried stuff that looked like junk or a man's junk is someone's treasure.

Leanne found a shop with some fabric and went into that place just to look around. Most of the material was made from different species. Beautiful colors attracted her eyes as she kept looking and exploring several fabrics. She can't imagine how many colors there were. She left the store without buying anything as she was anxious to see the next shop.

Just as she entered an unknown shop of many things, she accidentally bumped into someone and looked up to see a familiar face. "Karma..."

"Leanne," Karma replied, looking at the doctor. "We need to stop making a habit of running into each other," he said with a laugh.

She returned the laugh. "I didn't know you were going to be on this side of starbase. I finally had Doctor Hart take over sickbay so I can escape. I do apologize for my short behavior, as I was desperately trying to get the medical report in."

"No need to apologize," Karma said with a smile. "Are you enjoying your time off?"

"So far...yes. You?"

"I'm just wandering the base," he said to her. "I just wanted to get away from the ship for a while."

"Me too," she said as she glanced at some herbs that were displayed in one area. She walked over to it to inspect some of it. "Did you get the supplies that I needed?" Leanne looked up a little as he was eight inches taller than her.

"They should be in sickbay waiting for you," Karma said to her.

"I guess they were sent there while I was visiting the Captain. Thank you," she smiled at him and turned to look at more herbs. "So, what is your agenda here on the starbase?"

"I don't really have one," he said to her as he moved to look at the herbs as well. "I've just been wandering around."

Leanne picked up a small bottle that was labeled Cinnamon to inspect it closer, turning it around to see the back side of the bottle. "Wandering around to see what is over here, huh?" She placed the bottle back on the shelf and picked up another one. "Wouldn't you be interested in looking at the art shop over there? Isn't one of your hobbies...painting?" She looked at him while she held the Rosemary bottle.

"You actually remember that?" Karma asked, a little surprised. "I'm impressed. I was going to visit that shop later. I wanted to see what else was here first."

"I have good memory," she laughed softly. "So, what is your interest of this place? I'm only looking to see if there are some herbs to put with the list of medications...if they don't work out for patients. It would be nice to have a backup medication to help out." She picked up another bottle called, Sage, and glanced at the instructions while she wondered what he is thinking.

"I was looking for something to spice up my cooking," he said to her. "Now I think I need to go find someplace to get a drink and relax." He paused and looked at her. "Would you care to join me?"

"Sure...that's fine." Leanne walked over to the counter and set two bottle of herbs down. She smiled at the lady behind the counter while she placed her thumb on a special pad, giving her credit to pay for the herbs. Just a friendship get-together, she remind herself. She knew that Doctor Hart is waiting for an answer from her about a get-together, but she is not so sure yet.

"Ready?" Karma asked as she paid for the herbs. "I heard there's a nice Italian restaurant not far from here."

She thanked the lady as she picked up the bag with the herbs and walked next to Karma as they left the shop of herbs. "Sure...Italian sounds good. You lead and I'll follow."

"Had anymore unexpected encounters on the holodeck?" Karma asked as he led her through the crowds.

"Unexpected encounters? I don't think so...," Leanne said as she moved to the side to let some crewmembers go by. She couldn't believe how crowded it was getting. "At least they fixed the holo-hiccups as I was afraid to be treating more injuries from it. The last time I was on the holodeck was with Doctor Hart."

"I haven't met him yet," Karma replied as he stopped in front of the restaurant. "This is the place. Commander Adams mentioned it when I spoke to her. She came here with the commander of the air group. Ian something. She said the food was really good."

"Oh, really?" She decided to not say much about her co-worker and decided to stick with a conversation about the starbase. She followed him into the restaurant and they waited to be seated. "Now, my stomach is screaming for food," she chuckled as she can't wait to eat.

Karma chuckled and smiled at her as they were led to a table. He waited for her to sit down then sat across from her. He picked up the menu and began to scan through it. "What are you in the mood for?" he asked her.

"Well," Leanne said as she glanced at the menu. "I think Fettuccine Alfredo with grilled chicken sounds good."

"Yes it does," Karma said with a smile. He looked around for the waiter and stopped as he noticed a couple at a nearby table. "There's that Ian guy I mentioned," he said to Leanne. "But that's not Commander Adams."

She looked in the direction that he was looking. "Who is he? I don't think I know him..."

"He's the commander of the air group on the base," Karma replied. "Commander Ian Casey, that's what his name is. I'm not sure who the woman is, although she looks familiar."

"Oh...", she said as stopped looking and glanced at Karma instead. She placed the neat looking napkin across her lap. "I don't know anybody from this place." Leanne looked up when the waiter showed up at their table. "I'm going to have the Fettuccine Alfredo with grilled chicken...for a drink, I'd like some Chianti wine."

"Make that two," Karma said with a nod at the waiter. When he moved away to place the order, Karma looked at Leanne and said, "The Chief of Fleet Intelligence is here on the base, so I've been here a few times."

"I see. I guess a lot of our crews have come over here for a vacation or get something they need...like I need a few things for sickbay." She hoped that Dr. Hart is taking care of sickbay while she is away. Leanne doesn't like to leave sickbay in the care of a new doctor, but somebody has to do it.

Karma sat back to allow the waiter to set their food on the table. "So what do you think of the food?" he asked after they'd taken a couple bites.

"Delicious," she said as she continued to put the flat noodles into her mouth and the already cut chicken. Leanne enjoyed savoring the taste. "Almost like how the Italians make it. What about yours?" She looked at his plate.

Karma nodded as he took another bite. "It's better than anything the replicator can produce."

She put more food into her mouth. "I agree." After she emptied her plate, she moved it to the side so that the waiter can pick it up. Then, she picked up her glass of wine and took a few sips. The doctor only drank wine on certain occasion, nothing else. "So, you picked up some herbs for your cooking?"

"If you can call it that," Karma replied. "I've never been a very good cook."

She took another sip, "I'm an okay at cooking, but never an expert. So, have you used the holodeck program lately...the cabin at the foot of the hills?"

"Actually, no," Karma replied. "I haven't had much personal time lately. You know, with the promotion and all. I've been busy getting my new office set up and meeting the department heads."

"Oh, I see. What a job that must be..." She folded her arms and laid it on the table.

"It's not that bad," he said to her. "I've actually enjoyed getting to know everyone better." He paused and looked around, noticing that the other tables were starting to fill up. "Are you ready to go?" he asked her.

"Sure...where to?" Leanne said as she removed herself from the chair, pushing it under the table.

"I'm honestly not sure," he said as he moved to the exit. "I'm open to suggestions, unless of course, you have something you'd rather do than hang out with the XO."

She stopped outside the restaurant to think. "Well, it is getting kinda late for me, but I was thinking of visiting one more place that has ice cream. I have a shift to work tomorrow."

"Would you like some company?" Karma asked her. He paused and looked at her for a moment. "It's okay to say no. I don't want you to feel you have to spend time with me just because I'm your XO."

Leanne wasn't sure if he was being funny or serious. "Maybe another time?"

"Of course," Karma said with a nod. "Enjoy the rest of your time on the base," he said. "Thank you for lunch," he added as he turned and walked away.

"And thank you for your company...enjoy yours, Commander." She watched him leave and she turned to walk into the ice cream shop to get her a small chocolate desert. She wasn't planning to stay on the starbase, so she took the ice cream with her to the transporter to get back to the ship.

:OFF:

Lieutenant Leanne Bowen, M.D.
Chief Medical Officer
USS Calypso

Lieutenant Commander Karma Sinclair
Executive Officer
USS Calypso

 

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