Post 251: R&R

Stardate:70625.1845
Title: R&R
Author:RJ Gilmore
Scene: Various
Time: Following As Blue/Part Three
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As soon as the medal ceremony ended Captain Gilmore slipped away from the crowd and back into the service hallway. He hated to admit it but the doctor had been right. He could not have walked all the way down from Sickbay without getting winded.

His body was still adjusting to the new ticker and he was going to have to give it a little time to catch up. He sat back down in the wheelchair and hooked the handle of his cane over the arm rest. He looked around for the CMO. Where did she get to? He wanted to get out of here before anyone saw that he still had a ways to go in his recovery.

He didn't realize he was being followed until he heard a female voice. "Can I give you a lift, Captain?"

He looked up. Zanh Liis towered over him. Without waiting for him to answer she disengaged the brakes and started pushing his chair forward.

"Where to, Sickbay or quarters?" she asked.

"Quarters. McBrayne warned me that she has a nurse waiting. To ensure I showed up as soon as I was done here. She was planning to take me back herself to be certain."

"She was on her way. I asked her if I could accompany you instead. So we could chat." Zanh she pushed the chair into the turbolift. "It meant a lot to the crew, Sir. Having you there today."

"Glad I could be there."

"Me too." Zanh shook her head and leaned down to whisper to him. "You know Captain, you scared the living hell out of me."

Gilmore ignored her comment and went on to another subject. "I spoke to Admiral Kelly this morning."

"I'm ready to relinquish command as soon as you give the word."

"In such a hurry to ditch the responsibility?" He grumbled.

"Not at all, but I'm not getting too comfortable in your chair, either. This is your ship after all."

"Indeed."

Zanh made short work of the trip back to deck eight and soon pushed him through the doors to his quarters. His nurse was waiting for him there as expected.

"Mr. Logan." Gilmore nodded to the man.

"Good afternoon, Captain. Let's get you settled in." Logan moved toward him and offered a hand up. Gilmore reluctantly accepted it, as well as one from Zanh on the other side to help him out of the chair. They turned him toward the bedroom but he pointed to the living room.

"Couch. I have reports to read."

"They can wait. You've had a busy morning." Logan cautioned.

"Couch!" Gilmore insisted and finally Logan gave in. He followed a step behind the Captain as he made his way over and sat down.

"At least put your feet up." Logan said with a shake of his head. "I'll be right back with a pillow." He disappeared into the captain's bedroom.

Zanh went to the computer at the desk and switched the screen on. Gilmore held up a hand to halt her.

"What are you doing?"

"Bringing up command transfer protocols."

"As you were, Zanh."

"Sir?"

"Starfleet and their doctors," he growled. "They are telling me to be patient. They want me to be closer to full strength before I take command back from you. Stresses of the job they say. Rubbish. But for the time being, your orders are to remain as you were."

"Understood." She walked to the door. "Rest well, Captain. I'll send the daily reports to you starting tomorrow morning."

"Very good. Dismissed. No, wait a second."

"Yes?"

"The crew members who worked overtime during the Bajoran crisis. Rotate duty shifts any way you have to, but give them seventy-two hours of R&R. Keep them on the ship, though. You never know when our orders to move will come. I imagine soon."

"Thank you, Sir." She stepped forward and the doors opened. "They've earned it."

"Zanh Liis,"

She turned back and waited for him to finish his sentence.

"Your discretion after the ceremony. It was. . .appreciated."

Liis saluted him and smiled. "It's good to see you up and around, Captain Gilmore. If there is anything I can do for you, just holler."

"Believe me." Gilmore said, rolling his eyes as his nurse came back in and covered him with a blanket. "If there is, I will holler. Loudly."

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RJ Gilmore
Commanding Officer
USS Independence