A morning shift (JT/Open)

[Amanda Knight]

The hospital reception was for once not as full as it usually was. A few men were sitting on benches, awaiting a check up from the doctor but apart from that there was no commotion happening.

A slender, pretty-looking woman entered the reception, her heels clicking on the floor as she made her way towards the desk that was manned by another woman. Her blonde coloured hair was tied up in a bun at the back of her head like most women these days. Her clothing was the standard issued uniform for women of the 3ID medical board. Her eyes scanned the faces of the men as if looking for someone in particular but whoever she was looking for was not there.

”Hello Amanda.” the woman behind the desk interrupted her thoughts. Amanda looked up and saw Mary, one of the other receptionists who covered early mornings.

”Hello Mary, anything new?” Amanda asked as she came behind the desk, watching the other woman start to tidy up her things.

”Just those lot wanting to see a doctor, I said they’d have to wait for one to turn up.” she jabbed a finger at the line of three or four men sitting quietly.

”Oh.” Amanda glanced at the men, smiling softly at them, a beautiful smile. Mary had packed her things up and was now heading for the door, ”See you around Amanda.” she called; Amanda made no answer and sat down at the desk, staring at the papers and began to read them though.

This war was terrible, that was the only word to describe it. Men were loosing their lives for what? To over-turn this horrible man Hitler that everyone was on about being the first to kill? Amanda had lost her only love in this war, Ryan…and her brother was off fighting somewhere as well…she missed them both.

Filling through the papers for another few minutes, Amanda then began to type something up on the old type-writer that still was not as good as the ones in London, the keys jammed most of the time and this got on Amanda’s nerves…did the government of Britain or even the president of the US want the war to be lost because of these type-writers? She sighed, flicking a bit of hair out of her eyes and began to type.

[Cpl. Robert Anderson]

Robert had been feeling uncomfortable all morning and had been having sick flashbacks of what never happened. He figured he had to go see someone, so he did. He walked over to the Medical ward and waited for the two ladies to change shifts and was careful not to interrupt. He waited until one of them was out the door then he spoke. "Excuse me ma'am. How long's the wait?" Robert asked not really caring but, wanted to make conversation. The woman felt strangely familiar to him, like he had seen her before. Maybe he had seen her just around the base he didn't know. "Okay. Thank you ma'am." Robert said kindly to her reply.

Robert looked over his shoulder and saw a few guys. There were three one of them was an MP holding another man's arm and the other man just stared off into space while rocking back and forth. Poor fellas. Don't know when they're gonna go. Robert thought to himself. He kept the thought to himself and walked over to a chair and sat down. He pulled his knife out and started messing with it. The boredom was kicking in. He then looked at the receptionist again. This time a bit closer. He remembered her face now. He couldn't remember a name but, he knew her. Robert got out of his chair and walked up to the desk. "Excuse me ma'am but, are you from Atlanta by any chance?" He said not so sure of himself. What if she just looked alot like the girl he remembered. He couldn't take the question back now.

[MAJ Patterson]

Patterson was trying to think of a reason for making this trip, but nothing could come to mind, he just couldn't get the image out of his mind, it was rare to see a beautiful woman in this part of the world, much less one that was also beautiful in uniform. Amanda was all that and a bag of chips, even had a nice accent to go along with it. Patterson also would have to think of something to let Giles hear as to why he made the trip by himself, but he could work on that on his way back before lunch. Right now he just had to see her again, he had no clue as to what to say either, but he figured he'd start with 'hello' and hope something popped into his head by the time she replied.

He parked his old jeep in the parking area, was really just a small patch of dirt, the only paved area was around back where the ambulances pulled up with seriously wounded troops. He hoped out and with a confident stride made his way to the door and stepped in. Of course the waiting area was keeping some men company, all from the 3rd Infantry Division, his section of it to be precise. A slightly familiar face in the crowd, one of the newer additions to the unit, a Corporal that had the testicular fortitude to get the Captain riled up as a distraction for his surprise birthday party, couldn't remember his name though, he was steaming mad and then pleasantly surprised, hadn't seen the man before that moment either. Still he nodded toward the man and walked up to the desk.

"Amanda, isn't it?" he asked, trying to hold back a smile.

[Amanda Knight]

"Excuse me ma'am. How long's the wait?"

The man in front of the desk asked, Amanda glanced up at him and smiled softly, ”The wait? As long as it takes for a doctor to show up sir.” she wasn’t being mean, far from it, she was just not a miracle worker and couldn’t tell how long the wait was going to be for a doctor who hadn’t turned up yet and she couldn’t magic one out of thin air.

The man who had been speaking went to sit back down again and Amanda, flicking a loose strand of hair away from her face, began to type out on the type writer a “Captain Anderson’s Medical report” whoever he was

"Excuse me ma'am but, are you from Atlanta by any chance?"

The man who had just spoken had come back, Amanda sighed and looked up at him, raising an eyebrow. ”Yeah.” she nodded, smiling softly as her frown faded, ”Why do you ask?”

Next minute, the door swung open, expecting a doctor Amanda looked that way instead it was that man…Patterson who had been having a check-up that time she had been working near the doctor’s offices, and then at the riding arena…what did he want this time?

"Amanda, isn't it?" he asked as he strode up to the desk, not concealing a smile anymore. ”Yes, it is.” she said, glancing at him, smiling softly like she had done with the pervious man then went back to flicking through some papers on her desk, ”This man here was just speaking to me sir, so if you would kindly wait in line I’ll see to ya in a minute.” she said, her voice now business like.

[Cpl. Robert Anderson]

Robert saw the Captain step through the door. He immediately stiffened up a bit and stood at attention. He threw up a quick salute and said loudly, "Officer. Ten-hut!" He knew this Captain personally and didn't really feel like getting yelled at today. So he stopped himself from talking as soon as he asked the question. Patterson spoke with a little bit of joy in his tone. Robert didn't like it. It sounded a bit...wierd to his ears. Normally when the Captain was saying anything he was screaming it.

Robert heard what the receptionist said to Patterson. He felt like cracking a smile but, didn't. He kept very solemn and didn't move his face at all. He listened to the Captain's reply and kept talking. "Amanda? Amanda Knight? I used to cause trouble with your brother. Jackson, right? We was good friends 'till ya'll moved into that fancy school." Robert didn't realize but, his accent became more and more heavy as he talked. He could recall a few moments when Jackson and himself got into alot of trouble. Then he asked a question. [/b]"So how is that ol' brute. Still causin' trouble I hope?"[/b]

[MAJ Patterson]

OOC: My bad Anderson, forgot you were still at the desk oh and Kitty it's your turn in "Riding Lessons"

IC: Patterson's smile rapidly faded as he realized he was indeed intruded, call it tunnel vision or him just not noticing anything else but her in the room, but he had butted in rudely and felt a bit like a brute for doing so. He pinched his lips and nodded once quickly as he backed away from the desk and slowly walked over to the waiting area, he noticed a few smiles about the awkward entrance from the other men sitting down, but he neither addressed them nor made it noticeable that he messed up. He picked up a brochure and took a seat on the far side of the area by a window and opened it up.

The clouds had blocked out the sun for the moment so it was a bit difficult for him to focus on the small pages, not to mention the lamp on the end table had a blown light bulb. None the less he tried to seem interested in all the medical jargon strewn across the pages with diagrams and what seemed to be a pie chart depicting heart problems related with combat fatigue. Something that wouldn't hurt him to brush up on, but he couldn't really concentrate. He gazed outside, there were a few vehicles littering the roads and a few more soldiers utilizing them for a nice run, he started wondering why he hadn't just gone for a run instead of showing up and making a slight fool of himself. Hind sight was twenty twenty, no use in contemplating the idea now

[Amanda Knight]

"Amanda? Amanda Knight? I used to cause trouble with your brother. Jackson, right? We was good friends 'till ya'll moved into that fancy school."

”Oh god! I know you now!” a smile spread across the girl’s face as she recognised Robert Anderson, a childhood friend of her brother. They had indeed caused trouble the pair of them, having the headmaster ringing on the Knight’s front door had got her father angry and he had beaten his son for “wasting a good education” but Jackson was clever and had got away with a good grade.

"So how is that ol' brute. Still causin' trouble I hope?"

”He joined up, around the same time as you I suspect.” she muttered, her voice now heavy with sorrow, ”Look Robert, maybe we should meet up sometime? Not here, I’m a bit busy but if you want we can go into town and catch up on all those years that we have missed, well…you were more friends with Jackson but still…” she trailed off, glancing over and saw the retreating back of the Captain who was now sitting down on a chair.

”Captain Patterson sir.” she called, she glanced at Robert, ”I must talk to this man now Robert, but after I have done that, we can organise something, alright?” she asked.

[Cpl. Robert Anderson]

Robert was smiling broadly. He couldn't remember the last time he had seen a face from back home. The closest person from home was from Arkansas and he wasn't really the kind of person Robert wanted to hang out with. After he had asked his question about Jackson he realized that something was wrong by the look Amanda gave him. He stopped smiling and got serious as well.

He listened and heard what she said. He understood. "Sure thing. Good luck with the Captain" Robert said with a wink after his last words. He turned on his heels and there almost directly in his face was Patterson. Robert stood up straight and threw up a salute."Sir." He said in a monotone voice. He walked past the Captain and took a seat in the lobby. There on the table he found a book. It was entitled "History of Medicine". It was about as thick as his hand was. He picked it up and started reading it. He stopped after about three words then started thinking. Why wasn't Amanda happy to talk about Jack? Oh gee. I hope nothing bad happened to him. He sat there for a while longer thinking with troubled thoughts about Jackson. He tried to remember Jack's face but couldn't. He tried even harder but still couldn't. The only thing he could remember was the time when he and Jack had been caught by their Schoolmaster for dunking the younger girls' braids into their ink. He smiled at the fond memory.

[MAJ Patterson]

Patterson flipped through a couple of pages, reading nothing and glancing at a few of the pictures. Then he heard her voice again, listening closely, he no longer looked forward to embarrassing himself, he turned as it seemed he now had a chance to speak with her, but her smile was gone, faded away for some unknown reason. The Captain slowly closed the book and stood once more, walking over toward the desk, replying to the Corporal in just about the same tone. "Corporal." and moving passed him, not really noticing him much...but he did sound eerily familiar to Henry. He pushed the thought aside for the moment.

He pulled his uniform tight and placed a hand onto the desk, his uniform jacket draped over it, cap in hand. "Hello, my apologies for just a moment ago...uh...seems I'm a bit under the weather, has me with a bit of tunnel vision you might say." Lies. All of it, well he was sorry for the intrusion, so that part he meant. "Wondering what the chances were that..." he paused and thought of what he wanted to say. ...that you would honor me with diner some night? but he just didn't have it in him after his childish display when he came in. "...that I would be able to see Coleman sometime within the next three days before whatever this is gets to the point that I can't function too well anymore?" Sounded legitimate enough, hopefully she bought it...all he could think about was her smile.

[Amanda Knight]

She gave a soft laugh as Robert said “good luck with the Captain” and watched softly as he walked away, saluting the Captain quickly, his voice becoming a monotone. Poor boys, having to salute other men like…like…it made no sense…this war, the whole army…ah well…and there was the Captain, standing in front of the desk, pulling his uniform so it was tight on his body.

What the hell? He looked uptight as it was…

He had placed a hand on the desk and Amanda quickly moved the papers that he would knock off with his cap if he wasn’t careful, brushing her hand by mistake against his. Her face was expressionless as she set the papers a little further along the desk and listened to what the man had to say.

"Hello, my apologies for just a moment ago...uh...seems I'm a bit under the weather, has me with a bit of tunnel vision you might say."

”Right.” the woman said, glancing at him under her long eyelashes and sat back down on to the chair as she had stood up to move the papers from the top of the desk.

"...that I would be able to see Coleman sometime within the next three days before whatever this is gets to the point that I can't function too well anymore?"

”Alright sir, I shall just check his appointments for the next three days or so, don’t want a Captain like you getting poorly at all now do we?” she smiled slightly as she flicked through the pages of “Doctor Coleman’s” appointment book.
”He is free this afternoon sir, around three o’clock if you would want to see him then…” she paused, glancing up at the Captain with a slight frown and then looked back at the book, ”And he is also free tomorrow morning, apart from that he is booked up with other patients sir and he only takes ones “on the door” so to speak if they are dying...” she cast her eyes up and down the body of the Captain, he was extremely muscular…

She smiled again, pen in hand, awaiting the man to speak.

[Cpl. Robert Anderson]

OOC: Skip me. I'm in no position to actually do anything at the moment.

[MAJ Patterson]

OOC: Kitty, you are an awesome RPer, I actually felt a bit panicy just reading your post, I suck at talking to women, oh and What the hell? He looked uptight as it was… LMAO!!!

IC: Patterson's breathing fluttered for a moment, from just the graze of her hand, but what could one expect, beautiful women were rarer than diamonds the size of your fist in this part of the world, and it had been a good long while since any of the men had layed there eyes upon one, much less spoken to them. The Captain glanced at her lovely blue eyes for a moment but couldn't hold eye contact with her; he thought it best he didn't start grinning like an idiot in front of her, or the rest of the men in the lobby area. He smiled slightly at her comment about him becoming ill, but did his best to make sure it didn't last.

Two options, this afternoon or tomorrow morning. A bit of gears turning in Henry's head landed him at the conclusion that tomorrow morning would be his best bet, this was only the second time he had seen Amanda while she was on duty, but both of those instances were in the morning hours. Hopefully she would be there tomorrow morning as well. Now he had twenty four hours to come up with some symptoms so it actually didn't get him in the hot seat for taking up the Doctor's time. "I think tomorrow morning would be the best bet, seems I'll be stuck at head quarters most of this afternoon with engagements I can't pull away from." which was partially true, but he even convinced himself after hearing it. He gave himself a small nod for his trivial accomplishment. Great...lie to her, great way to get her to think you might be worth her time. his eyes shifted about side to side with the thought, he'd have to be more forward in the future to avoid any problems that may arise from such actions. He'd also probably need to refrain from coming in with horrible excuses just to see her; he needed to find out what she liked to do while she wasn't sitting at that desk.

Did...did she just...check me out?! he had to keep an excited look from shining from his face. "Um, forgive me if this is a bit out of context, but in the near future there will be a new transfer to the unit to assist me with the day to day operations and it seems I will have a bit of free time on my hands. Do you know of anything enjoyable to relieve a bit of stress from a long day with on base? I know that will sound odd, but I really just haven't had the time to get out much." he frowned for a second or two after asking, this was indeed very true, he rarely had time for anything. Even though it was true, it wasn't exactly the reason he was asking her such a thing.

[Amanda Knight]

OOC – Aww, thank you JT!

IC – Amanda waited, watching him, his gestures, the light behind his eyes….she could see his mind working…she sighed and started to scribble Captain Patterson on a piece of paper, awaiting a reply so that she could send a note off to the doctor and be able to write when the Captain would be coming…

"I think tomorrow morning would be the best bet, seems I'll be stuck at head quarters most of this afternoon with engagements I can't pull away from." he finally answered. Amanda nodded silently, writing down his name in neat, curly hand writing – it was obvious she had gone to a good school just by the neatness of her hand writing.

She looked up at him just as an excited look entered his eyes and she frowned, but he spoke before she could – "Um, forgive me if this is a bit out of context, but in the near future there will be a new transfer to the unit to assist me with the day to day operations and it seems I will have a bit of free time on my hands. Do you know of anything enjoyable to relieve a bit of stress from a long day with on base? I know that will sound odd, but I really just haven't had the time to get out much."

It indeed was an odd question and completely out of context, as far out of context as you could get…

”Oh.” she began to say…”Places…well, I’m not too sure…enjoyable…” she frowned, leaning slightly on the desk, ”Surely a man like you would find the company of a woman an enjoyable pass time…?” her eyes flickered to him and settled on him, ”Why ask me such an odd question? Why not ask one of your fellow soldiers…but never mind…if I were you, a company of a woman would be most enjoyable…” she shrugged, laughing slightly and began to scribble the note that she would send to the doctor to tell him about Captain Patterson’s…illness…

[MAJ Patterson]

Well if he hadn't been sweating before, now he was. The Captain's pulse rose quickly and he took a deep breath or two. "Hehe.." he let out quietly as he smiled. "Yes, I believe it would, but we don't exactly just have women lined up to keep guys like us company now do we?" it was rhetorical and he slightly laughed, but it didn't last long as he thought his response over and realized that that could be taken completely off color. Before any thoughts could form he figured he best continue on. "Well the thing about asking the men is they would tell me what they like to do which would land me in a tough spot. The Army isn't keen on Officer's mingling with enlisted men. They think a friendship would form out of such things causing the Leader to lose a bit of respect, that and whoever it is that becomes a friend of his commanding officer could in turn expect favors and what not. They have a good system about such things I guess, seems to work anyway." he cleared his throat and looked about. Seemed there were a couple of soldiers just walking in the door, even though the doctor wasn't in yet, he best step aside and allow them the use of her services.

"It was good to see you again Amanda, I best be going now." he said with a smile, grabbing his cap from atop the desk and stepping backward to allow the men behind him to go about their business. He waved as he side stepped toward the door and stepped out once more into the parking lot, it was beginning to become a familiar site to him.

[Cpl. Robert Anderson]

OOC: Sorry for the wait. It's been kind of hecktick around here.

IC: Robert had been sitting in his chair for maybe ten minutes. He had stopped thinking about Jackson so he wouldn't get too worried about it. He then heard a familiar voice. One he never really had enjoyed hearing. It was Captain Patterson. Robert stood up as casually as he could and moved to the seat that was one away from the closest one to the front desk. He hadn't really planned to listen too deeply into the conversation but, couldn't help himself when he heard Patterson get a little 'flustered.' He kept listening to the conversation. That's when his ears pricked up to hear what Patterson asked next. Robert heard the question very clearly. He thought to himself Shoot. Does the Captain wanna marry her? Robert was obviously making a joke to himself.

Robert kept listening as he heard the conversation get more, and more awkward. He was somewhat amazed at the Captain. He thought that he would just walk right in there, ask her on a date, then go. That wasn't the case, he could tell for himself. He listened to the last few words then quickly picked up a news paper and started reading it so he wouldn't look like he was eavesdropping. He looked over and saw Patterson exit. That's when Robert stood and went to the desk. "So, how'd it go?" He said with a wide grin.