SIM:Cmdr Riley & Lt Satscher (JP): Crime and Punishment...

((DS17 - Riley’s Ready Room))

::Commander Sidney Riley stared at the replicator, which Lieutenant Atimen had just fixed, lest it start its replication of soup. She turned back to her desk and lifted up the PADD accessing the information she needed. Vojana squeezed Teddy Bear on her chest, as it was the last thread connecting her with life.::

::Looking up Sidney let her gaze fall over the woman who sat in the seat across from her. She looked down at the PADD and then back up at the good Doctor who was still clutching the teddy bear. She shook her head almost imperceptibly but said nothing.::

::Vojana was watching her Captain attentively. Silence was heavy but she was not ready to ask, to find out. Sidney was tensed, unhappy but not really nervous.::

Satscher: oONot biting her nails.Oo  :: A somewhat happy thought hit Vojana.::

::The women sat in silence for about five minutes before Sidney spoke.::

Riley: Doctor Vojana Satscher, why are we here?

Satscher: I choose to protect what I considered sacred, but did it ... wrong way.

::Sidney listened to the woman she considered a friend. Her stomach clenched and she sat up straighter in the chair.::

Riley: And your defense?

::Sidney leaned forward in anticipation and then leaned back and crossed her arms.::

Satscher: It is said that if you move a single pebble on the beach, you set up a different pattern, and everything in the world is changed. It can also be said that love can change the future, if it is deep enough, true enough, and selfless enough. It can prevent a war, prohibit a plague, keep the whole world...::heartbeat, or two::... whole. Defense? No defense... I...::Vojana took a breath as would continue, but just exhaled heavy, shaking her head...::

::Sidney's frown deepened. When you were a Starfleet Officer, love often came second or third on the priority list. It may be the things the Doctor had stated, but Duty and Honor came before in the Starfleet World. It was a choice they all made when they signed on.::

Riley: You do realize the seriousness of your offense... your status in the fleet as well as your medical license?

Satscher: No...::For the first time Vojana realized that she can be “free” but at the same time end much, and much worse than if loose a freedom. Her eyes filled with tears.::

Riley: I must say Starfleet Medical is not happy... ::Sidney let her voice trail off, emphasizing the word *not*::

Satscher: oOIf that’s what I'm to lose than I've got nothing to live for. If I'm not doctor I'm nothing. NOTHING.Oo ::Vojana closed her eyes...:: Say it!! ::Almost yelled.::

::Sidney hit her fist onto the desk and the picture frames rattled; the one of Sidney's father came to rest on its side. Sidney frowned as her green eyes noticed her Beta Fish, named Stravinsky after the twentieth century composer on Earth, had hurried to hide behind the plant in his vase from the offending vibrations.::

::Despite honestly surprised by her Captain’s reaction Vojana couldn't but to get somewhat entertained by the fish’s reaction.:: oO Obviously not something he/she is used to! Oo

Riley: Darn it Doctor, why are you so ready to go to the guillotine?

Satscher: I maybe had good reasons, but I committed a crime, and my parents always taught me that confession is good for soul.

Riley: Go on...  ::Sidney uncrossed her arms and leaned forward.::

Satscher: I questioned myself last few days in many different ways. And ... the only wrong, but really WRONG thing I found I did is not trusting you enough to tell you what I found, rather than hiding it. But if you expect me to say I'm sorry or that would never do it again... I cannot do that. As I would do that for any member of my biological Family, same would do for any shipmate, they are my family as much. And family is sacred.

Riley: I don't expect an I'm sorry Doctor. This isn't about being sorry. What you did wrong was deleting official medical records. What I need from you is the assurance that you will not do it again, that you will respect my command.

Satscher: Let’s just hope I'll never be forced to make that decision ever again.

::Sidney sat back in the chair and crossed her arms. She frowned heavily and regarded the Doctor for a moment.::

Riley: I'm not so sure I can take that as a response Doctor...are you okay?

::Sidney's bright green eyes focused on the woman who just told her she didn't respect her command and may or may not follow orders in the future. This was not the woman she knew, had grown to know over the years.::

Satscher: No... I’m not okay! All my believes are on test, can... I... ::Vojana was struggling to find words to explain opposed emotions fighting in her.:: cannot understand why have a need to protect, to defend convictions which can cost me life. And if you ask am I afraid, no I'm not afraid... ::For the first time since the day she confessed Vojana looked in to her Captain’s eyes.:: I'm frightened! ::Vojana swallowed hard.:: Am I that wrong?

::The Terran/Deltan Commanding Officer, steeled herself keeping her emotions even. She pondered for a moment that maybe she should have had Counselor Salen stay. The Doctor didn't seem stable to her. Before Sidney could respond the woman continued.::

Satscher: Since I know you're incapable of cruelty I'm ready to accept whatever you have for me.

Riley: That is nice to know Doctor considering your earlier statement...  ::Sidney uncrossed her arms, leaned forward and picked up the PADD.::

Satscher: If you refrain from any piece of regulated retribution you'll have first problem with both Starfleet and Medical, and later with a crew. Everyone will expect you to go easy on them, too.

::Sidney nearly dropped the PADD. The Good Doctor *expected* her to go easy on her? Even after she had just told her she would disobey command again on a whim? Sidney's green eyes widened with surprise as they focused on the Doctor's face.::

Riley: I don't think easy is going to be the appropriate word to describe what is going to happen Doctor.

Satscher: I can live with it, I know I'll have to produce miracles to ever get promoted beyond the rank of commander, but I'm a doctor and that’s all I want. I'm not good leader and never will be...

::Sidney, who had looked down at the PADD, looked up at the Doctor with a grave expression.::

Riley: It's worse than that Doctor...

Satscher: I'm ready....

Riley: I hope so Doctor...  ::Sidney took one last look at the PADD. Vojana shuddered… :: Starfleet Medical wants to pull your medical license. They are adamant about it, I've had to pull many strings just so you can practice medicine. ::Sidney's green eyes flashed at the woman.:: An official note will be attached to your medical license about your behavior, a sort of addendum to the paperwork. It will haunt you for the rest of your career. On top of that you are to have an impartial observer who will inspect all of your work and records. While you will still retain the position of CMO on my vessel you will submit all reports, documentation, labs and official business to said impartial observer for a period of time to be determined by myself. You are never to attend a patient alone and I will be assigning a nurse to shadow you at all times and document any discrepancies in procedure. He or she will report to your impartial observer. I am assigning Counselor Salen to be your impartial observer and Ensign Wittburn to be your shadow.

Satscher: Thank you!

::Sidney leaned forward.::

Riley: That's not all Doctor...

Satscher: I know…

Riley: You will be reduced in rank from Lieutenant to Lieutenant JG according to protocol until such time as we determine you can be trusted and this incident goes in your official record.

::Sidney held out her hand for the Doctor's pip.::

Satscher: ::Vojana just looked other side, she was expecting it, actually was expecting much worse, but it was still hard to lose it.::

Riley: There is something I need to know before you go Doctor.

Satscher: Sir?

Riley: Can I trust you?

Satscher: I... have... never, ::beat:: and... never... will... lie... to you. And if you think I deserve jail, than send me. Don’t expect me to beg... THAT I... will... NOT! But I’m aware you saved not just my career, but also my life. And if you consider heartless more trustworthy, all you have to do is order me. I’ll do whatever you ask…

::Vojana crouched her head, turned on her heels and went to briefing…::

Commander Sidney Riley Commanding Officer USS Tiger

and

Lieutenant J.G. Vojana Minerva Satscher Chief Medical Officer USS Tiger