"She in?" Dr. Drew Davies questioned Ensign Zo as he came into the waiting area in front of Captain Andrea Thoreau's Ready Room.

"Yes, Doctor. Go ahead." Zo replied.

Andy looked up from her desk as Drew walked into her private office area.

"What, you don't knock?" Andy asked, her tone full of sarcasm.

Drew ignored her tone and dropped into one of the overstuffed wing chairs in front of her desk, "What, you don't sleep?" was his practiced reply.

"You want something?" Andy chose to ignore the doctor's observation.

"Yeah, an answer to the question. When's the last time you slept?"

"How long have you been here, a week?"

Drew sat up in his chair, "Are you telling me the truth?" his tone belied his serious concern.

Andy sat back in her chair and shrugged, "I've slept off and on. A full eight hours, in one night, not for awhile."

"That's unacceptable and you know it. Get some rest or I'll shoot you full of tranquilizers." Andy started to interrupt but Drew stopped her, "And don't think I won't."

"Yes, doctor." Andy acquiesced. "Now, is there a real reason you're here?"

Drew handed her the PADD, "Yeah, I've done something controversial."

Andy looked at Drew and then down at the small device. Her eyes widened in surprise. "You're kidding, right?" she responded, looking back to Drew.

"Nope. That's who I want for the Chief Medical Officer and head of the infirmary; hospital, whatever we're going to call it."

Andy looked back down at the PADD and read more, "You're kidding, right?"

"He's extremely well qualified. Was tops in his class at medical school."

"He's Ferengi, Drew."

"Yeah. See, he won't do his job for profit. That philosophy got him exiled from Ferenginar."

"You are kidding, right?"

Drew leaned in to Andy's desk, "He's the best man for the job, Captain."

Andy smiled, "Why are you asking me? I thought our agreement called for you to have full control over your appointments."

"It does but, out of respect for your position, I believe you ought to at least get a chance to express your concerns. You're the one who'll have to answer for it, after all."

Andy nodded, "If he's the best man, get him here. If this station is going to be open to all species then our leadership should reflect that diversity. I'm all for it, Drew."

Drew was pleased with Andy's support of the choice. Now, he hoped she would agree to his next condition. "One more thing about our new Chief Medical Officer, Doctor Lor. I'd like for him to have the final say if one of us is medically unfit for service. I think it would appear politically motivated if I declared you incapable of performing your job."

Andy smiled, nodding her agreement, "I appreciate that. I agree. He has nothing to gain; wouldn't be in the chain of command."

Drew hesitated, "If we do that, Andy, he's going to need access to your medical records."

"True. That's fine, Drew. If he's going to have access, he might as well serve as my personal physician, too."

Drew nodded. He knew, because of some of the things in Andy's past, that she preferred not to talk about, she suffered from some unique health complications. The claustrophobia and insomnia were just two of her maladies. As a rule, she kept them under control, but when things got really busy, she could slip. That's where a personal physician would step in with assistance.

"I'll make sure he's briefed" Drew started to leave but Andy stopped him.

"Since you're here, let's talk about the new Security Chief. I know, per our agreement, this falls under my purview to select. However, since this position is third in line for command, it effectively becomes your First Officer. I'm willing to permit you approval."

"Really?" Drew responded, surprised, "Thank you. So whom are you considering?"

Andy handed the first data pad to Andrew. As he read, he made comments, "Romulan…You sure about that?"

It was Andrea's turn to smile, "Yeah. She's well trained so the security part's not an issue. It's the diplomatic arena that worries me."

Drew nodded agreement, "Yeah, I'd think tact wouldn't be her strong suit. But, she looks good." And he handed her back the PADD. "Whom else are you considering?"

Andy handed the second PADD to Drew and waited for the inevitable explosion. She didn't have to wait long.

"Bloody hell, Andrea. I've should have known you'd do something like this." He stood from the chair and paced animatedly in front Andy's desk. "I'm here less than a week and you're already trying to run me off? For Pete's sake, this is not the Academy and we're not 21 anymore!"

Andy continued to let Drew rant. Finally, he threw the PADD back at her and replied, simply, "No way in hell, Captain, would I ever consider Jake Long."

"May I remind you, Commander," Andy stressed the word, "that whether you like it or not, you are addressing a superior officer."

Drew dropped back in the chair, looking slightly abashed at the put down.

"Now, I could simply make the appointment without your input but I won't."

Drew tried to interrupt, but Captain Thoreau wouldn't allow it. "I could also make this an order but I won't do that either."

"Very well, Captain. What do want from me?" Drew asked formally.

"I want you to meet with Jake. Give him from the time the transport arrives until the time it departs tomorrow. Talk with him candidly and with an open mind. Like it or not, Jake Long is qualified for this position, but if he can't convince you, I'll appoint Lt. Commander Tal – the Romulan – no questions asked. I don't have to do this, Commander, but I will."

Andy stood, bringing the meeting to a close.

"With all due respect, Captain, when's he due?" Drew asked, rising with Andrea.

"In 30 minutes at Docking Bay 7. That's all Commander."

"Shall I salute, too?"

"Do you feel the need, Commander? And remember, as a Starfleet officer, I can have you court martialed. You might keep that in mind?"

Drew nodded, knowing he'd been put in his place, and left to meet his nemesis, an old Academy acquaintance, Jake Long.