Disclaimer – See Chapter 1

Authors note – See Chapter 1

Breathing Underwater
By:
AngelBabs81 and potterfan2006

Chapter 10

On her way to dispose of her trash, Sammie walked by the table where Doctors Levin and Westphalen were eating with the captain. She sighed and kept walking.

As she passed the table Westphalen noticed Sammie's food tray was almost untouched and a worried frown came across her face.

"Maybe she's just homesick," Bridger murmured noticing Westphalen's concerned frown.

She nodded, "maybe." Westpaheln wasn't convinced.

As Sammie threw away her trash she heard some of the other scientists, who had come aboard with her, talking about her. Her frown deepened. What have I done now?

She looked over to see them staring at her. Catching her eye, they laughed and called out, "hey Klutzy Williams!" Sammie felt her face flush, and to her embarrassment her eyes started to water. Dropping her head, she realized the Captain was still in the room. Her embarrassment deepened.

Bridger and Westphalen glanced at each other, and then both stood up and looked at the other scientists. "Enough," they spoke in unison.

Sammie retreated hastily, hoping no one would see her tears.

Her hope was in vain as Levin had seen them. While the Captain and his CMO went to talk to the other scientists about respect and ethics, he deposited his tray and quickly followed Sammie.

"Dr Williams."

Sammie hastily wiped her face and put on a fake smile, she turned and spoke thickly. "Yes?" Though she had dried them, her eyes were still red-rimmed.

"Take a walk with me," Levin suggested.

She answered with an embarrassed "O...Ok."

"Don't let those scientists bother you. The Captain and Dr. Westphalen will have words with them. Our mission is to keep peace throughout the oceans, but at times keeping the peace inside is a challenge as well."

"I shouldn't have let it get to me...I just thought that after the Academy I wouldn't have to face them anymore. Now here they are. I should have been ready for that," Sammie babbled.

"Why, because you're 'clumsy' as they said?" he asked.

"It was a name they gave me at the Academy... I was not the most coordinated person and they fed on that weakness," she finished with a sigh

"They're jealous. You're the youngest here with the highest degrees."

"When I stumbled into you the day I arrived, closely followed by the decompression sickness, it just sort of reinforced that nickname in their eyes." Her own insecurities surfaced, and she confessed, "I shouldn't be here... I'm sure someone with more experience… oh maybe I should just go." She turned to walk away.

He gently put his hand on her shoulder before she could. "You're here because you're great at what you do, Sammie."

Sammie turned back to Dr. Levin, but before she could speak, she saw Captain Bridger and Dr. Westphalen approaching from down the corridor.

Dr. Levin, also hearing footsteps, turned to see them heading in their direction. He put his hand on Sammie's back lending her a bit of silent support because she looked ready to bolt.

The two officers looked from Levin to Sammie. "Is everything okay?" Bridger asked gently.

"Yes sir," Sammie replied.

"Listen, Dr. Williams, whatever happened in the mess will not be tolerated on my boat," Bridger spoke firmly.

"And it will not be tolerated in my science crew," Westphalen added.

"I have made that very clear to those involved, and will instruct my officers to keep an eye and an ear out for such unbecoming behavior." Bridger concluded.

"I understand," she acknowledged.

Looking at Westphalen, then back to Levin and Sammie, Nathan announced, "We'll let you finish whatever you were doing."

"See you for the morning briefing," Westphalen smiled at them.

After they walked off, Sammie's stomach chose that moment to protest about the skipped meal.

"You should grab something to eat before you turn in," Levin suggested, turning to escort her back to the mess hall.

Sammie didn't feel confident about returning after her hasty departure. "No, it's all right...I have a power bar in my quarters. I don't think I could face the mess again tonight."

"If you're sure, I'll see you tomorrow morning. Get a good night's sleep," Levin spoke kindly, and smiled.

"Thanks Dr Levin. Good night." Sammie turned and walked down the corridor to her quarters, where she fell onto her bunk exhausted.

Today has just been too strange.

She rolled over and set her alarm as she chewed through her power bar. Closing her eyes, she sighed and fell into a deep sleep.

TBC…