(one more minute)
"...as you can see it is this complex," she stretched a long hand out cross the view screen, "that is believed to attach the tropomyosin to the actin." She moved her hand along the picture to the clumped dots along the twisted strands, "The strong affinity of the troponin for calcium ions is believed to initiate the contraction process we discussed earlier. And...that's it."
She sighed softly, her dark green eyes studying the eager young faces in front of her, "Any questions?"
Only the shuffling of paper and the tapping of a few laptops as last minute notes were scribbled broke the ensuing silence. She had purposely gone through the end of the lecture quickly in order to end early and stave off any lengthy questions or explanations. It had been a long semester, and this day was its last. The students gazed at her, coiled, ready to spring from their seats if only she would say the word.
"Very well, the final is in one week, please call my secretary if you need an appointment. Do not wait until the last minute if you have a question. Being prepared includes realizing what you DON'T know, as much as what you do." She paused a moment letting it sink in, letting her eyes flick casually over the stranger that had occupied a seat at the back of her class over ten minutes ago.
"It has been a pleasure teaching you. I wish you all the best in future endeavors," she paused again noting how each student almost held their breath at this moment...waiting...on her...
"Be safe," she said turning on her heels to return to the lecture table in front of the room. The noise practically exploded with chatter and laptops slamming, and the tall, leggy blonde, grinned despite herself.
"Doc Callaghan?" a young woman's voice vied for her attention.
"Yes, Marcy," the older woman replied beginning to shut down her own laptop.
"I'm not sure I understand how the actin filament and the tropo...tropo..." she stuttered, flipping her notebook open.
"Tropomyosin," the woman corrected her.
Marcy looked embarrassed but was not allowed to continue.
"I would love to entertain your questions Marcy, but it has been a long day and I've given you a lot of information. Why don't you take some time to read through the material and your notes, and then make an appointment," she offered smiling lightly.
Marcy contemplated it awhile before nodding her head, "You're right doc. As always. I'll come see you if I have any problems."
"Very good, love. Have a good weekend."
"You, too, doc," the young girl exited the room quickly.
The Doctor watched her go with a sigh. It was always like this the last day of class, had she taught them enough? Had she inspired them? Instilled in them a sense of knowledge...had she failed them? The stranger had been making his way down the lecture hall stairs, treading through the sea of students, as she unhooked the various wires needed for her presentation and stuffed the laptop into her leather bag.
"Lieutenant Callaghan," it was more than a statement than a question.
Her eyes fixed on his, she was a bit startled perhaps, as most in the academy referred to her as 'Doctor', her lieutenant ranking being reserved for her...well...less scholarly pursuits in life. The man before her stood in casual clothes, his bright blue eyes sparkled with curiosity, and the lines on his face depicted the pleasantness of his attitude. He seemed almost amused with her, if she didn't know any better.Her hands still strayed over the bag lightly as she almost smiled in response to him, "Usually on weekends," she replied evenly.
He cocked his head a little, unsure it would seem, if she were joking or not. He then decided she was and grinned at her. "Most people like to have fun on the weekends," he quipped back.
She smiled broadly nodding her head a bit as she returned her attention to the stack of notes and began arranging them.
"I enjoyed your lecture?" he ventured, regaining her attention.
"Ah, but did you understand it?" she countered, stacking the papers on the table.
He shrugged, making a strange face, "I only caught a little...um, was never that good at chemistry," he said looking to her.
He looked vaguely familiar to her but she could not place him at the moment, "it was a lecture on muscle contraction," she said softly.
"Ah, of course, muscle contraction..." he nodded.
She smiled and packed the rest of her things, she caught her watch, she could still beat rush hour traffic home if she hurried, "What can I do for you, mister..."
"Archer. Captain Archer," he replied extending his hand.
Well, if he had wanted her full attention he certainly got it now. Her mind was flooded with the images she had been seeing over the past few months of the Enterprise crew and their tasks. More importantly, of Captain Archer, who now, it seemed, stood right in front of her. She took his hand slowly, regaining her composure, "Of the Enterprise?" She supposed she had to make sure.
He smiled dropping his eyes (and modest), "I suppose I'm a little popular."
"You're certainly not unpopular," she replied (especially in the coffee room between 3 and 4 period).
"So, what can I do for you Captain Archer?" she asked, her own curiosity getting the best of her, for what would the Captain of the Enterprise want with her?
"You can start by saying, 'yes'," he smiled.
She tilted her head at him, "Yes, to what?"
"Coming on board the Enterprise," he said.
She almost laughed in his face but caught herself in time, realizing he was serious. She redirected her thoughts, "and to what purpose would that serve? You already have a medical staff."
"That's true, but your expertise in anatomy and physiology would be invaluable out there. We've seen things we can't explain, 'beings' with collapsible bones and lungs with five lobes..."
"Five lobes?" she blurted out, immediately regretting it. She could almost hear him say 'gotcha'.
"Five lobes," he nodded, "Our medical staff is very capable but we could use someone with your background. Not to mention you're a lieutenant, and we've recently staffed some rookies, you could be a good leadership figure...mentor..." his voice trailed off as she studied him.
He knew exactly what he was doing, banking on her professional and personal curiosity of the unknown to draw her in. And space? Going out there among the stars? It just didn't get any better than that! What she could find out there, what creatures, what answers to man's own upbringings, shortcomings, and mortality? The possibilities were endless if capable of being bounded at all. "I think I should need some time to consider your proposal," she stated very professionally, suddenly very eager to be out of his company lest he lure her in some more.
"But you'll say yes?" he asked.
"I'll only say...I'll think about it," she repeated herself.
"Lieutenant," his voice changed slightly, "we leave in less than three days."
Her mouth opened though she said nothing right away. "I have finals," was all she could manage.
He grinned. He knew he had her, "We'll get someone to proctor the finals for you."
"Oh," she said softly.
"Then you'll come?"
She stared at him for a moment trying to weight the pros and the cons in her head in seconds.
"It's amazing...what's out there," he said softly, "I promise you."
And she believed him. She didn't know why...she just did.
She nodded her head slightly and he smiled at her, "We'll send a transport. See you in three days," he turned to go. He had only taken a step when he stopped and turned around, "almost forgot," he said handing her an envelope.
"And these would be?" she asked taking it from him.
"Orders," he said simply.
"Orders," she mimicked him softly and opened the envelope. She skimmed through the material as he watched her reactions carefully. She took a small breath, "I don't understand..."
"I handpick my staff. I like to get a feel for those I don't know, like yourself..."
"Get my true reaction as opposed to the Starfleet 'I'm just following orders' one?" she challenged.
"Yeah," he grinned, "something like that."
She arched an eyebrow at him, "Would you have given me the orders had I said no?"
His eyes twinkled with mischief, "I'll see you in three days," he leaned towards her slightly and lowered his voice, "doc."
She grinned despite herself knowing it would be impossible to remain angry with this man for any amount of time. He turned and left her lecture hall flipping a hand up lazily before the door shut as she stared after him.
"Wake up, Gracie," she whispered, pinching her arm. Hm, she felt it. That must have been real. A huge smile spread across her face and it took all her control not to go dancing up and down the aisles, "Gracie Callaghan – you're going to space!" she giggled loudly. She grabbed her things dropped them off in her office and rushed to her campus house. It was small but comfortable. She called her best friend, Lisa, also an instructor at the academy, who came right over with two bottles of wine and a container of cigars. Needless to say, before the night was out, both Grace and Lisa had a hell of a tie on. The next day Grace spent packing and getting her things in order. Luckily, most of her belongings were still at home...well, her parent's house. She had only a couple bags, one filled with uniforms and one with non uniform clothing and a couple books. Old fashioned yes, but she loved the feel of the paper between her fingers instead of scrolling across a keyboard. The next day she waited impatiently for the Starfleet transport to show up pacing a hole in the floor and double-checking that all her belongings were packed with her.
It had finally arrived and she was finally on her way. To the docking bays and then off into space. It had been almost an entire year since she had been in out there, in the cold, blackness. It had only been a short lecture trip to one of the colonies, but it had been wonderful. And now, she would be going further into space than any human had. The thought got her heart pumping as they neared the huge ship.
"There she is," the pilot said softly, "the Enterprise."
Gracie watched the shape loom closer as they neared the docking bay. Her heart that had just been pounding almost came to a stop as the size of the craft stole her breath away. As the small transport ship docked, Gracie readied her things. She was greeted immediately by a tall slender girl. "May I take your bags, Lieutenant?"
"Yes, thank you," Grace said straining her neck to cover as much of the interior of the docking bay as she could, ignoring for the moment, the young ensign, her former student waiting for her. Grace turned to the woman, "You are enrolled in my phys class, are you not?" Grace questioned her.
"Ensign, Solomon sir," she said quietly grabbing for the bags.
"Well, Ensign, how do you propose taking my final if you are on this ship?" Grace asked.
"Arrangements have been made to finish my schoolwork," Solomon answered dutifully.
"Fourth year, correct?" Grace questioned spying the long corridor behind the girl.
"Yes, sir," agreed the Ensign. "Your berth is this way," she said gesturing towards the long hallway Grace had seen moments before. Grace picked up the remaining bag and followed Ensign Solomon. The hallways twisted a bit towards the center of the ship, Grace could only assume. Before taking an elevator up one floor. The Medical section was not far from the bay as that would be the port of entry of most wounded, and she found after she had gained her bearings that her room was very close to medical, in fact, almost directly above it on the third level.
Grace stepped in eyeing the small but comfortable space that was to be her quarters. "Doesn't leave much room for a party, does it?" she asked Solomon. And as she hadn't expected an answer from the girl she gave no thought in pressing the matter. A shrill whistle announced itself as Grace made her way over to the desk and the communications system. She touched a button, "Yes?"
"Lieutenant Callaghan?" the soft female voice asked.
"Yes," she repeated.
"Is Ensign Solomon with you?" the voice asked.
"Yes," she repeated, again.
"Ensign Solomon?" the voice asked a bit louder.
The Ensign came closer to the desk, "Yes, sir?" she answered.
Gracie had to stifle a giggle at the seemingly endless amount of absurdity one could find in the day to day operations of Starfleet.
"Please bring the Lieutenant to the bridge."
"Yes sir," Solomon answered as the communication cut out.
"Well," Gracie smiled, "hopefully you won't have to lead me around by the hand for too much longer."
"Yes, sir," the Ensign answered flatly. Once again Gracie followed Solomon (what was her first name anyway?)
to the bridge.
Her eyes immediately filled with the openness of it. Captain Archer stood off to the side near another woman, a small petite, Vulcan. Once he acknowledged her presence Gracie took in the view from the vidscreens. Even though it faced earth currently, it was beautiful. One of the most beautiful things she had ever seen. He had said it would be amazing, he had promised…and she was beginning to believe he was right. He was standing near her now, flanked by the Vulcan, waiting for her to take in the view.
"Beautiful sight, isn't it?" he said, though his eyes never left her.
"Yes, I do not believe one could become used to such things," she said turning towards him.
"Sub Commander T'Pol, this is Lieutenant, Dr. Grace Callaghan," Archer said turning towards T'Pol, "Lieutenant...Sub Commander T'Pol, Chief Science Officer."
Grace saluted, "It will be a pleasure working with you," she smiled.
The Vulcan officer nodded her head in the appropriate response, "As well as mine, tell me lieutenant, what is your specialty?"
"Anatomy and physiology," she answered.
The Vulcan nodded with a small smile on her face.
"The lieutenant is the leading expert in her field, recently publishing a study correlating similarities between various species such as," the captain paused for a moment clearly amused in telling T'Pol this bit of information, "humans and Vulcans."
Gracie smiled, "You've done your homework," she said casually.
"I would like to read this study," T'Pol suggested.
"Absolutely, I would love your input," she grinned back.
The Captain was obviously pleased that his two chief science officers were getting along well, especially considering one was a Vulcan.Gracie was introduced to the rest of the crew on the bridge and finally brought to Medical where she was left in the good hands of Dr. Phlox, an interesting creature in and of himself.
