A new member for the crew chapter (5)
"Here, have a seat. Want some coffee?" Dr. Early asked.
"Yes please," Layla answered, taking a seat at the table.
Dr. Early poured two cups of coffee,. He turned towards the table and handed a cup to Layla. Seeing a pained look on her face he asked, "Is there anything you want to talk about?"
"I was stupid," Layla answered. "Because of it, someone I love. Someone who put everything to a halt for me will pay the price."
"You're talking about the fire department, aren't you?" Dr. Early asked.
Layla continued to sit, staring at her still completely filled glass.
"Look," Dr. Early continued. "He probably had his reasons for saying what he did."
"Look!" Layla explained. "He said what he said because I begged. He tried to refuse, but I would not listen. I continued to beg until he finally said yes. Before he had time to think about what he said, the alarm sounded. He had no choice, but to let me ride."
"Maybe it won't turn out to be so bad," Dr Early stated, trying to cheer up the 17-year-old girl sitting across from him. "Besides, if something happens to go wrong. I'm pretty sure Dr. Brackett wouldn't mind an extra hand around here."
"Thanks doc," Layla replied, getting up from the table.
"Does anyone think the captains acting weird?" Chet Kelly asked, walking in to the lounge from the bay.
"What would make you ask that?" Marco asked from where he was making his famous Chili.
"Cap's been in his office since rescue left," Chet answered, "And that was hours ago."
"Maybe he's caught up with paperwork," Mike replied, lounging on the couch.
"Tell cap that lunch will be up in 5 minutes," Marco ordered.
"Do you want me to talk to him," Mike asked.
"If you will, I'll be happy," Chet answered.
"Okay I will," Mike replied. Then turning to Marco he stated," I will also talk to him about lunch."
He stood up from the table, and walked to the office. He knocked on the door and waited for an answer.
'Enter," Captain Stanley ordered in a depressed tone of voice.
"Cap, Marco says that lunch will be ready in a few minutes," Mike stated.
"Thank you Mike. I will be out shortly," Hank answered, signaling the end of the conversation.
Instead of exiting the room, the dark haired engineer continued to stand at the door.
The captain noticed the door never closed. He turned around and looked Mike in the eyes.
"Is there anything else you wanted to talk about?" he asked.
"Yes cap, there is," Mike stated. "We noticed that you been locking yourself in the office. I was wondering if there was anything bothering you."
"Did you ever think that I was busy with paperwork?" Hank asked. "We captains do get stacked with paperwork."
"Yes, I noticed," Mike answered. "Usually, even with lots of paperwork. You do spend time with the crew."
The captain looked down at his hands and sighed.
"Cap?" mike asked. "Is there anything you're not telling me?"
"Come in, and close the door," Hank ordered.
Mike walked into the room and closed the door.
"What is this all about?" Mike asked.
"I am in so much trouble," hank answered.
"What are you talking about?" Mike asked.
"Well, Layla is illegally conducting rescue runs."
"What do you mean?" Mike asked.
"I gave her permission to ride the squad. Headquarters has no idea." Hank replied.
"You did what?" Mike asked, not believing what he is hearing.
"I gave my niece unapproved permission to ride the squad," Hank replied.
"What was going through your mind, cap?"
"I don't know." Hank replied. "I guess I hate hearing her beg. Before I could take back what I said, the alarms went off."
"All I can say is, let's eat lunch. After lunch you can call headquarters and explain the situation." Mike stated.
"Sounds good to me." The captain replied. "Oh Mike. What we talked about stays between us."
"Right cap," Mike replied as they walked to the day room.
Roy stood at the nurses' station waiting for his two-crew members to show up. He poured himself a cup of coffee, and played back the morning in his mind. As he was thinking, Dixie showed up at the desk.
"Is everything alright?" Dixie asked.
"I hope so," Roy answered.
"I'm available if you want to talk," she stated.
"Well, I'm worried about the captain, and the crew." Roy stated.
"What making you so worried?" Dixie asked.
"I have a feeling that Layla shouldn't be riding with us," Roy stated.
"What makes you think she's not allowed?"Dixie asked.
"When she stepped into the station, she requested to speak to the captain," Roy stated. "While they were talking, the station alarm sounded. After cap set us en route, he turned to hand me the address. He told Johnny to let her ride with us. I noticed that he was upset by the choice of letting her ride."
"What do you think is making him upset?" Dixie asked.
"I don't think that Captain Stanley got the Headquarters permission to let her ride." Roy answered.
"Who do you think didn't get permission to ride?" Johnny asked walking up to the counter.
"No one Johnny," Roy answered trying to avoid the conversation. "How are you doing?"
"Good," Johnny answered. "Doc cleared me of all injury. He said I was lucky that Layla was there."
"Speaking of Layla," Roy stated as Layla walked up. "Glad you showed up. I was starting to think Dr. Early kidnapped you."
"Very funny you guys," Layla replied. "Thanks for the talk doc. Let's hope all will work out."
"I hope so too," Joe replied.
"Let's head back to the station," Roy stated. "I hear Marco has lunch duty today."
"Good I'm starving," Johnny replied.
"Squad 51 available," Johnny stated into the radio.
"Squad 51," Dispatch replied. "Stand-by for response.
"Well, we better get going. See you guys later." Roy stated as a long alarm went off.
"See you later," both Dixie and Dr. Early replied.
"Well here we go," Layla stated.