It was close to 6pm when Andy had dismissed Drew from her Ready Room. They had been together for four hours discussing his role on Jarvik Station and in her command. He continued to walk the geosphere, going from level to level, looking around at the facility and thinking. Before he realized it, it was 2 in the morning. He made his way back to his assigned guest quarters and lay down for a couple of hours sleep. Right or wrong, he had reached a decision.
Zo had secured a small bed and had it brought into Andy's Ready Room as soon as the meeting with Dr. Davies ended. She had wanted to ask the Captain how everything had gone but she could sense that it was not the proper time. She silently thanked her Betazoid mother for that gift. She left the Captain alone to her thoughts, knowing that, as Andy had promised, she would explain when the time was right.
Andy paced her room like a caged cat. There had been so many things she wanted to say to Drew. She had known she shouldn't have tricked him like that but she also knew it was the only way to get him on Jarvik Station. Once here, she had hoped he would stay.
Drew wasn't married. The only girl he thought he loved was so jealous of his and Andy's relationship that she couldn't get past it. Andy had tried, honestly, to explain that they were nothing more than close friends, nothing had ever happened between them romantically. The girlfriend had then gone to Drew and blown the whole thing out of proportion. It was a huge mess. Finally, the girl admitted she had lied and Drew broke off their engagement. But it was too far gone by then and Drew never spoke to Andy again. Until today.
Surprisingly, Andy found that, for the first time since she reached Jarvik, she had actually slept. In addition to her sometime claustrophobic episodes, she also, occasionally suffered from insomnia. Stress related, the more intense the situation, the less she slept. A habit (or problem) developed from her Academy days. It was 6am when she awoke. Andy dressed in her more casual clothes, dispensing with the uniform. There were no requirements here, at this time, which said she had to be dressed out every waking hour and she needed the release of being in something comfortable and familiar. She wore the denim jeans she had custom made from old Levi's patterns she had found at a swap meet. Her t-shirt was from an antique clothes store that she frequented on Saturn. She'd had the boots made to look like a pair of Doc Marten's from around the late 20th, early 21st century. Most people couldn't understand why she liked the clothes, thinking they were restrictive. Andy knew otherwise.
It was 7:30 when she made it out of her Ready Room. Andy knew Dr. Handraddy was already on the Transport. Yeoman Capri had reported into Zo with the update. However, Drew was still unaccounted for. Deep down, Andy was sure, that if he hadn't shown up by now, he wasn't going to. She waved at Zo, indicating her unwillingness to talk at this time and made her way to the Observation Ring on Level 2. She arrived just in time to see the Transport Ship leave Jarvik Station.
Dr. Andrew Davies showed up at Andy's Ready Room at 8:15am. He knew he probably shouldn't have made her wait like this, but he was still angry with her for the earlier deception. Letting her stew for awhile, he thought, wouldn't hurt her. The Ensign assigned to Andy looked surprised to see him but quickly smiled her greeting, "Good morning, Dr. Davies."
"Is she in?" he smiled back.
"No. You can find her on Observation 2." The doctor turned to leave but Zo stopped him, "May I give you a piece of advice?"
Drew turned back, still smiling at the young ensign, and nodded.
"I remember an old Earth saying that you might find useful – you might want to throw your hat in first before you see her?"
Drew laughed, understanding the warning he was being given. His new commanding officer was not happy. Good. "Thank you, Zo, but I've seen her angry before. Trust me, I know how to handle her."
The Ensign nodded as Drew left to find Andy.
He could see her pacing, totally emerged in her own thoughts. He waited until Andy's back was to him again before he spoke, "You look like a character from a holodeck program."
Andy stopped in mid-stride as the arrogant Brit's comments reached her. She turned slowly to face her new First Officer. "What made you stay?" she asked simply.
Drew was leaning on the railing, overlooking the promenade below. He sighed heavily, before replying, "Hell, Andy. I don't know for sure. Guess it was knowing you truly were sincere. To compare me to Riker, knowing how much he means to you, well, it spoke volumes."
Andy nodded and sat down on one of the small benches that had been added to the Observation Ring. Drew joined her, continuing his comments, "However, do not expect me to be agreeable and compliant."
"Don't think those two terms have ever been used to describe you, Drew."
"And, I get complete control over whom I appoint for the medical positions." Ignoring Andy's response.
"I already agreed to that."
"And, when it's all said and done, it should be quite the adventure, Captain."
"Thank you, Doctor, I think so too."
