** Infirmary * SB Unity ***
Doctors. Nurses. Cortez grumbled to himself as he got himself
dressed. According to them he had high blood pressure. Whatever. His
health had never really been a huge concern for him since most of his
adult life he'd spent shooting a weapon and getting shot at. Living
past 25 had never even really occurred to him. Of course now that he
was nearly 30 years old, his body wasn't exactly the same as it used
to be. He couldn't drink like he used to for one. And he certainly
couldn't run as fast and for as long as he did when he was 19. Maybe
that's why they sent him on what he was sure was going to be his
cushiest job since joining the forces all those years ago. Maybe he
really was too old to be an operator now.
Well at the least the nurse who attended to him was cute, though had
somewhat of an annoying voice.
Strapping his last boot on and tucking in his shirt he stepped out of
the room and began to head down the hall. He had just about escaped
when the nurse who had given him his physical shouted his name and
began trotting towards him. "Major, you forgot to sign out". She
stated handing him a PADD.
"Must have slipped my mind", Cortez responded and signed.
Rangi was in a hurry. She hadn't intended to be in the infirmary at
all but a message from Doctor Hastings had initiated the visit and
then one thing had led to another until now she was a little late. She
was on her way out when her attention was caught by a voice. She
glanced in its direction and slowed her hurried steps. The figure had
his back to her but there something about it that seemed familiar,
that and the voice. He was signing a padd and eyeing the nurse as he
did so. Rangi frowned and began to walk on towards the exit.
As Cortez turned from the nurse towards the exit he was surprised to
see Rangi. He chuckled to himself as he recognized her face, but
mostly because it looked as if she was purposely ignoring him and
trying to run away.
"Still scared of me I see", Cortez smiled as he spoke rather loudly to
get her attention.
She froze for a split second turning to face him a moment later. "
Major Cortez." she said though it was difficult to say whether she was
pleased to see him or not. " What a...surprise. What brings you here?"
She stood still as he approached her and gave him a small polite smile
as he drew near.
"Your telling me", the Major replied. "I was transferred back to the
Chimera", he added. "I'm surprised your still hanging around this
place, I would of thought you and Guzman would be living on some farm
somewhere with a white picket fence and a dozen kids running around by
now." He returned her smile.
" A farm?" she asked, genuinely amused. " No, no farm...and yes we're
'hanging around' We're in the Commodores quarters now." She looked at
him steadily with her clear blue/grey eyes watching his face.
Cortez cocked his head catching her hint but ignoring the warning. "I
guess they got tired of Guzman crashing all their ships huh?", he
joked. "So what about you, are you the commodores arm candy for all
those high society party's you must attend?"
She gave him a considered look, thinking of the recent events of which
he knew nothing. " Sadly lacking in parties lately." she replied "
Now, if you'll excuse me I have to be somewhere and dont want to be
late. It's been.....a pleasure to see you again." She turned and
walked away.
Richard smiled and shook his head. She was still as easy to ruffle as
ever. "Where you goin", he blurted out as he started walking with
her.
She looked over her shoulder but he had already caught up with her as
she turned out of the main entrance and seemed.
" Deck 24...section 18....outer ring." she said shortly.
"What a coincidence, so am I"
"Really!" she said, not believing him for a moment. They arrived at
the turbo lift and as she reached to press the button, he did too.
"Excuse me my regal-ness", he said with a bow letting her push the
correct floor button.
She ignored him totally but pressed the button perhaps slightly more
firmly than she need.
"So why don't you let me buy you a drink, I've heard the pubs here are
just fantastic", Cortez broke the silence.
This time she glanced at him. " I have to meet Mar..." she stopped and
looked back at the door but the thought had almost formed completely
in her mind by then. Cortez had always had the capacity to irritate
her so she thought she might wind him up a little...{ and why not?}
she asked herself, decision made.
"I have to meet someone." she stated , the door swished open and she
stepped inside and he, like a fish rising to the bait, stepped swiftly
in too.
Cortez made puppy dog eyes, "Someone prettier than me", he mocked.
"Yes" she replied then, looking at him with what she hoped was
defiance added: " Martin Guzman.....and before you - Show quoted text
- ask.." she added seeing a twinkle in his eye "..most people around
here know about it. It's not a secret."
She looked away, her fingers drumming on the strap of her shoulderbag
impatiently, as though eager to be at the rendezvous.
{Martin?} Cortez wondered. { Wasn't that Shanes brother?
Interesting.} "Does the Commodore know about your affair?", Cortez
continued to prod Rangi.
"Of course Shane knows about it." she replied with a touch of
amusement added into her tone for good measure. " Do you think we
could hide something like that?" The pitying smile she gave him
indicated that she thought him obtuse to a fault. The turbo lift
slowed.
The door slid open and Cortez motioned with his hand, "Well please
your highness, don't let me keep you from your afternoon delight". He
cocked his head and remained where he was.
" Thank you." she said, her eyes full of amusement but couldn't resist
adding.." I thought you were going to this deck too."
The doors, now fully open, revealed three figures waiting outside. One
entered the lift but the others remained where they were. Rangi seemed
surprised yet pleased to see them and stepped out straight away.
"We came to meet you." the little boy said. " So I see. " Rangi
replied and bent to kiss the face that he held up to her. " Laura."
she said acknowledging the woman who stood by then she turned to
Cortez.
"Major Cortez....meet my son....Martin Guzman."
Richard laughed at himself. "Well hello their little guy. When you're
older I'll tell you about the time I saved your mothers life from
pirates", he looked up at Rangi and smiled.
"Pirates?" Martin asked eagerly looking from Cortez to Rangi and back again.
" Yes." Rangi replied but looked at Cortez as she spoke an smiled too.
"Come on little scamp." she said dropping her gaze to her son. " We
have things to do." She turned away holding Martins hand but he looked
back over his shoulder. " Is that your friend?" he asked.
Cortez sighed as the door closed, "back to work", he said to himself.
*** End Log ***
Commander Rangi Summers
Med.Adv. 1st Task Force
CMO SB Unity
&
Major Cortez
CSEC
USS Chimera