Disclaimer – See Chapter 1

Authors note – See Chapter 1

Breathing Underwater
By:
AngelBabs81 and potterfan2006

Chapter 9

It had been a week since Sammie had the decompression sickness and she was finally free of the wheelchair. For the most part she was able to do her job, but she had to sit often as she was still in a little pain. She tried her best to hide it, but she could sense Dr. Levin looking at her from time to time. Sammie knew he was worried about her, but she hated being the center of attention, so she spent most of her day hiding her face and trying to do her work while avoiding her supervisor's concerned gaze.

At the end of their shift, Levin released Sammie and Annie. Watching them leave, he noticed the Captain and Dr. Westphalen walking towards him.

"Captain, Doctor, how are you two this evening?"

"We're very well," Westphalen responded, and Nathan nodded.

"We're off to get something to eat from the mess. Would you care to join us?" Nathan offered with a smile.

"Sure...and then maybe I can give you a briefing on what we might expect from the new scientists."

"Sounds like a plan," Nathan agreed, and the three a private table in the messhall to discuss the newcomers.

Dr. Levin looked down at his food with distaste, "Burgers again... The cook really needs to add a little variety to the menu sometimes."

"I agree." Nathan nodded, "So, what can you tell me about the new group?"

"They all seem willing to do the work, and are eager to please," Dr. Levin responded.

"Eagar to please," Westphalen shook her head. "They don't need to please me, they just need to do the assigned work."

"I know...however I do worry about Doctors Williams and Anderson," Levin got to the crux of the matter.

Westphalen looked worried. "What's your concern? Do we need to request replacements?"

Levin hesitated. "I don't think so...I just think they need time to adjust...I mean Dr. Anderson seems a little shy and Dr. Williams is hard on herself. I don't really know if it's nerves, or something else. But, I do worry that they may not fit in," he paused for a moment to take another bite of food. "According to their records they are the best in their field," Dr. Levin finished after he swallowed.

"They're your responsibility, Dr. Levin." Nathan replied.

"If you have problems with them, let me know," Westphalen told Levin understandingly.

"Okay, I will. Thanks."

Sammie walked into the mess hall, grabbed a tray of food and headed to an empty table. She knew she needed to eat but she wasn't really hungry, she had plenty on her mind. She was on the SeaQuest, a dream come true, and she was here to stay. It was finally her chance to make something out of her life and she was afraid that she had already messed it up. Why do I always have to be so bothersome? I mean I bumped into Dr Levin, and then I got decompression sickness, and he had to stay with me to make sure that I was okay. He saw my weakness and now I have to work with him everyday… Could it get any worse? Sammie bowed her head in shame, unaware of the blue eyes watching her.

Dr. Levin caught himself looking at Dr. Williams. What could be on her mind to make her look so unhappy? he wondered.

Wanting to draw the other's attention to the unhappy Dr. Williams, he caught their eyes and cocked his head in Sammie's direction. "Do you see what I mean? That's Dr. Williams over there."

Nathan and Westphalen looked in her direction.

"She's new and she's had a rough first week. Once she makes some friends, she should be fine," Nathan concluded.

TBC…