“You have another review coming due.” Parker stood before her commanding officer’s desk, PADD in both hands.  Another morning had given way to an afternoon where everything moved on the schedule and was scrambling to find a place on the board.  The review of Lieutenant N’Vea had been shifted over several days.  Parker was losing patience moving it and had nearly put her foot down.  She also knew that doing that would have earned her a metaphorical trip out of an airlock, so instead, she had gently reminded Doctor Cassidy Montgomery about it, hoping the memory of the Deputy Director would make the connection.

Cassidy glanced up from her console and adjusted her readers, “I am aware of Lieutenant N’Vea’s overdue review.  She’s next on my list.”  A tap of her console and a message was sent requesting the physician report to the office of the Deputy Director.  “This job may feel like we’re herding malfunctioning shuttles, but there is a method to it.  Sort of.”  She admitted that the large amount of documentation they were fighting was testing both of them.  “We’ll get it handled.  That or I’m going to steal the Enterprise and run away.”  The ensign gave her an odd look.  Cass chuckled, “Spock stole it, Kirk stole it, and Picard stole it.  I’m just trying to add my name to history.  It’s an old joke, Parker.  Let me know when our Vulcan physician arrives.”  Parker smiled weakly and returned to her desk.  Her boss was downright weird sometimes.

Doctor N’Vea watched as the knee reset itself through the imagery of the medical tricorder. Putting it down, she felt it gingerly with her hands, careful not to press too hard on the human’s flesh for fear of undoing her work. Satisfied that everything was in position, both visually and physically, She stepped back from the medial table and then gathered a carbon fiber brace from the drawer and handed it to the nurse.

”The Ensign should wear this on this leg for the next week,“ she said, “I have a meeting to attend. Other than this he should be ready to return to light duty.”

The nurse nodded and returned to the patient as N’vea washed her hands and dried them before entering Doctor Montgomery’s office. Crossing her hands behind her back, she said, “You wished to see me, Doctor Montgomery.”

She knew that this was likely about the outstanding review. Unlike a starship, there was less time for non-medical duties and administrative bookkeeping a fact that had seemed to overwhelm the department. Given that the rest of the crew was not all Vulcans, they simply could not work eleven-hour days. Humans had invented, centuries ago, something called ‘work-life balance’ that they continued to insist on. As a medical professional, N’vea was bound to respect that and at least push for it for her human crew. Even if she did not believe in the need for herself. 

Still, one had to set an example. 

She was silent as she studied the woman. She had not yet formed an opinion either way on Doctor Montgomery as they had both been busy in her short time there. It seemed at least that the woman was competent, which in the Vulcan’s figuring was all that one could ask for from a superior officer. 

Cass glanced up and reminded herself she was dealing with a Vulcan.  Humans and Vulcans had enjoyed a fascinating history since the meeting in Montana.  As settled as it was, that relationship still managed to be unique in the modern age of 2401.  Humanity’s stubbornness and Vulcan’s, well, Vulcanness was something each had to work on when establishing a relationship.  The Deputy Director shifted her mindset slightly as she gestured to the chair, “Have a seat, Doctor.  I haven’t had a chance to meet you since I stepped aboard.  Anything to drink?”  She stood and refilled her coffee mug, appreciating the smell as it filled with steaming goodness.

Taking the offered seat, N’Vea nodded her head in the affirmative, “A water would be welcome. I have to ensure I am well hydrated during my shift.” Human reliance on caffeinated beverages was something she understood on a biological level but to a cultural one. While humans logically avoided most drugs, at least at work, they were quite happy to ingest caffeine. Even some Vulcans did, which N’Vea found fascinating. 

”You have requested to see me,” the Vulcan pointed out.

Montgomery handed over a PADD, “I did.  Your physician review is overdue.”  She tapped at her own PADD, “Your efficiency of care is in the top ten for the station – which is remarkable.  Your diagnosis rates are exceptional.”  She tapped at the PADD, “You can see the patient and doctor interactions is where there’s been…concerns.”  She held up her hand, “I’ve not been here to observe, so I’m just reporting on the data set we have.  I’m curious to hear your thoughts, Doctor.”

The Vulcan Doctor considered her words, wanting to be exact in her reply. Throughout her career, she had often run into the same complaint, though she knew that she was not as cold and distant as the average Vulcan. Though in comparison, she knew that she was not going to meet the standards of a human.

”On a station as large as this, with so many potential patients, I have not had the opportunity to get to know those in my charge over time. Most of the patients are walk-ins, and thus, unlike a starship or a doctor in a community setting planet side, most of my interactions on the starbase tend to be first and last interactions,” she explained, “Thus, few get to know me beyond my pragmatism, and do not bond with me. Other doctors can and likely do make a more positive initial reaction. Many people react as much to racial characteristics upon first meeting, and not venture beyond that until subsequent interactions.”

She meant that most saw the ears and figured she was going to be unpleasant, and so had an unpleasant time. Never bothering to go beyond their first visual impressions of N’Vea because there was too little time to make it worth their while. “I would expect that my scores improve upon subsequent meetings,” she said.

Cassidy chuckled as she tapped at her PADD, “I’ve known my share of Vulcan doctors in my time, Lieutenant.  Once or twice, they’ve seen something I haven’t…or connected with a patient in a way I never imagined.  Each time, I shouldn’t be surprised, but I am.  We often get so wrapped in ourselves and our practices that we forget the universe is full of species with the capacity for care and healing.”  She signed on the PADD, “Five of your cases were reviewed randomly for care, diagnosis, treatment, and follow-up.  All five met the expectations for the review.  This was the final step in the review, Doctor N’Vea.  I’ve signed off on your status, and we’ll do this again in a year.”

N’Vea was quiet, observing the woman. More accustomed to humans than many of her kind she had lived on Earth. First for medical school and then for Starlfeet Academy. Humans, and their at times illogical response to Vulcans was not unknown to her. They were allies and likely the two most closely aligned members of the Federation but they were also in many ways that mattered vastly different. 

Still it seemed that the medical chief was not going to hold N’Vea’s unique Vulcan characteristics against her for now. Instead she was simple providing a sort of warning about a potential weakness. 

“I will endeavor to keep that in mind,” she said bowing her head slightly in acknowledgement.

As the Vulcan woman neared the door, the Deputy Director spoke from her desk, “I’m glad you’re on our team, Doctor N’Vea.  The value you bring to this place is a worthy thing.”  She looked up and met the eyes of the lieutenant, “Welcome to my team.”

Seeing as the appointment seemed to be done she stood and straightened her medical coat which had crumpled in odd ways while seated. An annual review seemed insufficient but then this was a Starbase’s medical facility and not a much smaller starship’s. A quarterly review was likely impossible with so many doctors. Not that N’Vea particularly liked this, but she was just comparing situations between what she had established on her own commands to this one.

”Thank you Doctor Montgomery,” she said, “I appreciate the candor. There is no reason to beat around the bushes as the term goes.”

It was not quite how the term went.