Lost in 'SPACE' [starring Doctor Smith]

[Doug Ramsey]

Douglas Ramsey strode down the pristine hallways of SPACE, the SHIELD Personnel Advanced Care Enclave, looking for the office of one Doctor Tabitha Smith. Regulations required a routine physical exam yearly, and as much as Douglas disliked them, one had to lead by example and abide by the same rules one enforced.

He stopped by a directory, and looked at the listings.

Oncology... that way, 1 level up. Neurology... this way, 2 levels down. ICU... 2 levels up... Physical Therapy... 1 level down... Triage... follow the red line... Cardiology... follow the blue... *sigh*

Why was it that every medical facility ever designed was based on the infamous Minoan Labyrinth?

[meltdown]

Doctor Tabitha Smith was having a hectic day. She had made her rounds and drilled the interns. She tried to make sure that each of her patients had the same amount of her quality care and time as the one previous. Being a good doctor meant you had to make your patients feel better physically and emotionally.

One soldier had come in for a re-examination of an staph on his stomach from a shrapnel wound. Dr. Smith ordered for a lancet of his infection and prescribed him with a stronger antibiotic. One thing that she prided herself on was that mutant healers had the power to treat people. She and her fellow staff had the skill and prowess to treat people.

As usual, the nurses were gossiping at their station. Today wasn't a horribly busy day for them so they could afford to sit around and gab. Tabitha stopped by the station for a cup of coffee. "Gena? I ordered a lancet of Private Hensley's infections. Make sure it's done please," she said quickly.

Coffee in one hand she scooped up her next patient file in the agenda. The name at the top read Ramsey, Douglas A. He was going to be in one of the screenign rooms at the end of the hall. It was simply his yearly physical. I bet no one else can say they gave a hernia exam to a flying monkey, she thought and grinned slightly.

Down the hall, she spotted the King's Intelligence Coordinator. So much power rested upon his young shoulders. He took pride in what he did. He was the golden child. He was certainly not one to trifle with. "Douglas Ramsey? Don't worry about going to my office. Care to follow me to the examination room?"

[Doug Ramsey]

It was a very odd transition, Doug mused, from evening gown to hospital scrubs. Yet, that is what his mind had to do, since his first encounter with the outspoken [not his personal assessment, but that of her SHIELD personnel file] pacifistic doctor at the Royal Ball. Either way, it was a given, she wore both items well. If she wasn't such a prime candidate for recruitment by the Friends of Humanity, she'd be a pleasantly fascinating and straightforward person to get to know better.

"Is this part of the examination, Doctor?" Doug smiled, walking over to her, "...to see how long it takes the rats to run the maze? I swear, if the architects of the Ivory Tower took a page from the SPACE designers, I could effectively cut my security details in half."

[meltdown]

"Is this part of the examination, Doctor?" Doug smiled, walking over to her, "...to see how long it takes the rats to run the maze? I swear, if the architects of the Ivory Tower took a page from the SPACE designers, I could effectively cut my security details in half."

Tabitha chuckled. "It does take some time to get used to the layout. I've gotten turned around myself a time or two," she explained.

Doug definately had a way with people. He could be genial and and set people at ease. That's what made him so dangerous. When people got comfortable, their real personalities came forth.

Tabitha led him to the examination room. She allowed him to step inside first and pulled the door closed behind her to help ensure doctor/patient privilege.

"I'll start with the basic questions. Do you drink, smoke, take illegal drugs, partake in unprotected sex and exercise regularly?" she asked. She knew the answer to several of them simply by his reputation and position but these were questions had to be asked.

[Doug Ramsey]

"Wow." Doug laughed. "You don't fool around. I haven't even taken my jacket off or had a seat yet," he said as he slipped the jacket off his shoulders and hung it on the standard issue coat rack by the corner. "If I didn't know any better, Doctor, I would think you were trying to get rid of me as quickly as possible," he said slyly, looking over his shoulder, the hint of a smile at the corner of his mouth.

"In answer to your question," he hopped up on the thin white paper pulled over the examination table with crinkle and a sigh, "No to all of the above, with the exceptions of an occasional glass of wine when the meal simply demands it, and my treadmill needing a 50,000 mile overhaul sometime next month."

[meltdown]

"Despite the facility's labyrinthine design, we run with the utmost efficiency without compromising the care of our patients," Tabitha replied with a self-satisfied grin and cock of her chin.

Our hospital runs just as well if not better than your intelligence headquarters.

"As for getting rid of you? You are a busy man. I'm sure you have better things to do than this."

Tabitha paused for a moment to make not of his responces to her questions.

Excercises regularly, she wrote. She stole a peek quickly at him. Now that he had removed his jacket she could see that he did indeed work out. She hadn't thought of it before. Just because he was Intelligence didn't mean he was a thin-as-a-rail dweeb.

She placed the notes down and began to take his temperature, blood pressure and pulse. "I assume the royal ball was a good opportunity for you to unwind. I believe I saw you with several attractive young women there," she said amicably. "I expect that wasn't purely business."

[Doug Ramsey]

If Tabitha wanted to check Doug's blush pressure, she surely picked the right thing to say, as the young Director of the Secret Service got a schoolboyish grin on his face to compliment the now crimson cheeks.

"Well, Doctor, since we have that lovely patient-doctor confidentiality thing happening," Doug rolled his eyes in a sidelong glance, as he scratched the back of his neck, "I will admit that everything about that night was strictly business... with an exception."

He leaned forward, resting on one elbow, his chin cupped in his hand, and raised a lone eyebrow. Piercing crystal blue eyes bore down upon Doctor Tabitha Smith with both alarming intensity, and disarming charm.

"I could say the same about you and your companions for that evening. Can you make the same claim as I, Doctor...? That it was all strictly business?"

[meltdown]

"I could say the same about you and your companions for that evening. Can you make the same claim as I, Doctor...? That it was all strictly business?"

Tabitha sniffed slightly. She should have known this question would have come up. "Of course. I can say that I made a new...acquaintance that night, however. I believe you met him as well. Or at least a different version of him," she replied.

She breathed on the diaphragm of her stethescope to warm it so it wouldn't be cold against his skin. She put the ear-pieces in her ears. She slid it under Doug's shirt and listened to his lungs. "Breathe deep please," she instructed.

[Doug Ramsey]

Douglas took in the deep breath, exhaling completely. He allowed her to place the cool stethyscope in several locations about his chest, each accented with a deep breath.

"Yes. An intriguing power, that one." Doug mused, "Redefines the term 'multiple personality disorder', now doesn't it?"

Doug leaned towards Tabitha with a matter-of-fact look on his face.

"I get this distinct feeling that you don't care for me at all, Doctor, which I find interesting, since we've never even met before." Doug shrugged. "It would be a shame if others' opinions of me were to give you some erroneous preconceptions. In fact, Tabitha, I think you and I have far more in common than you'd care to admit or even consider."

[meltdown]

"I get this distinct feeling that you don't care for me at all, Doctor, which I find interesting, since we've never even met before." Doug shrugged. "It would be a shame if others' opinions of me were to give you some erroneous preconceptions. In fact, Tabitha, I think you and I have far more in common than you'd care to admit or even consider."

Doug's remark caused Tabitha to pause momentarily. She quickly resumed making her notes. She didn't want to act as if his words had shaken her. She decided that trying to hide that fact from someone that could read her like a book would be worse than facing it head on.

Dr. Smith sighed. "I'll admit that your reputation has preceded you. My beliefs don't exactly mesh with the policies your administration has implemented. Outside of your work? I'm sure you're a positively lovely person." Okay, that last part was a bit unnecessary and entirely unprofessional. "And besides that we are both successful young professionals who take great pride in our skills and work, I fail to see what we have in common."

At that point, Tabitha wasn't so sure if not hiding her discomfort was the best plan of action. She didn't like how he had raised her ire.

[Doug Ramsey]

Exactly the response I was looking for, my dear. Thank you.

"Well," Douglas steepled his fingers thoughtfully for a second, tapping the two pointer fingers together a few times. "Let's see. I was conscripted into SHIELD during the New Mutant Initiative about 8 years ago, when they were trying to pump up the ranks with new, innovative powers. Commander Guthrie was also recruited at the same time. You were conscripted to serve in SHIELD as a result of the X-Force Act, only a couple of years ago. Same purpose, only more militarily oriented. I had nothing to do with that, Doctor."

Douglas leaned forward, lowering his voice down low.

"You were initially assigned to be in Demolitions, but I took care of that." Doug revealed. "Don't look so surprised, Doctor. Your mutant power was naturally inclinated for such an occupation, even if your attitude isn't. Fact is, when your personnel file came across my desk, as all outspoken Agents eventually cross my desk, my dear, I had pushed for you to be where you are now. Why?"

Douglas leaned in even closer, speaking even softer now.

"Mutant healers are rare, but not entirely unheard of. They're fantastic. But a classically trained physician who can defend the lives of her helpless patients from any enemy with devastating force? That is a valuable commodity, beyond compare." Douglas nearly hissed.

[meltdown]

Tabitha was beyond surprised. She was shocked.

The winged monkey is actually the man behind the curtain.

It was no surprise to her that he knew all the information about her and her background. What was the shock, however, was that he had pushed for her to get her position.

Doug's entire demeanor had changed. He was no longer amiable, he was bordering threatening.

Yes, with her beliefs and background, Tabitha was grateful that she was allowed to continue her practice of medicine. Was Ramsey implying that she owed him in some way?

"What is it that you want from me?" Tabitha asked.

She was trying her best to steel her courage but this young man, this boy, was beginning to frighten her.

[Doug Ramsey]

Douglas leaned back, his intensity draining, a direct response to her building fear.

"I want what you want, Tabitha." Douglas said gently. "This war to end. For peace and prosperity to benefit all. For the dying to stop." He paused a moment to let the words sink in.

"I do not desire the continuance of the last half century of war." Doug said flatly. "There are those, like Commander Guthrie, who thrive on the violence and the bloodshed. That is not the way of the future, Doctor, and we both know it. Eugenics, ethnic cleansing... its so... twentieth century. You mistake my position for setting policies, especially those of SHIELD. I oversee SHIELD, Tabitha, not run it. Commander Guthrie is ultimately responsible for the actions of SHIELD. My job is to keep an eye on him, and anyone else who poses a threat to King Magnus, and to the Empire itself, domestic or foreign."

Douglas leaned back relaxed. "I know what you are thinking. Samuel is doggedly loyal to King Magnus. He desires to please his King no matter what it takes. He is no danger to the Empire." Douglas leaned forward again, his voice again dropping low. "The fact is, however, it is the Commander's zealousness that is the problem. He will not be pleased until the last human has uttered its deathrattle with his fists wrapped around its throat."

Doug pointed at Tabitha, cocking an eyebrow. "This is where you have a power you haven't even considered. As the Chief Medical Officer of SPACE, you are Guthrie's personal physician. You hold a power that only a few can exercise. You can declare Guthrie unfit for duty, at any time, if you feel he is... unreasonable."

Doug paused a moment to let that implication sink in, his finger held up to keep her from saying anything for the moment.

"Before you respond, may I remind you, Doctor, that our King has been fighting this war for the last fifty years. He is no young man anymore." Doug said plainly. "What would happen if one of Nick Fury's terrorist attacks managed to actually kill him? Who would step up to fill the vacuum of power, Tabitha? Do you really want it to be someone like Samuel Guthrie or Fabian Cortez, two high powered men who have strong influence and support, and are known for their capacity for brutality and cruelty? I know you surely cannot be counting on the Princesses to lead the Kingdom... none of them have the charisma or the power to hold the center against any who would challenge them."

Douglas Aaron Ramsey stood, taking the completely ignored chart from Doctor Tabitha Smith's hands and placed it on the table beside the bed.

"I cannot do anything to keep these potential usurpers in check without help. Help from people who understand just what is at stake, if we ignore a very strong possibility. People who are willing to stand and do what it takes to keep the Empire at peace, and stable. People like you, Doctor, who are unafraid to think outside the box, and know that there is a different way, a better way, to handle the affairs of the world. One that will not lead to so much blood. So much blood..."

[meltdown]

So much blood...

Those words came ringing back to Tabitha. She imagined her hands covered with blood. She thought she had become better at keeping that mental image at bay. It hadn't crept up on her in quite some time.

Doug's words had dazed her. Tabitha rounded and steadied herself against the table. She knew she was standing still but the room seemed to be whirling around her. It was true. They did want the same thing. Peace. According to Doug, she was the linchpin to his plan. There would be no blood on her hands. She preached that words were the answer to the war, not violence. All Tabitha had to do was give her word and Guthrie would be sacked. It would be so easy. That's what she wanted anyway.

That thought snapped her back to her senses. "I can't do that. It is completely and utterly unethical. Out of the question. I have an oath to uphold," she countered. "Besides, who would you set up in the King's throne, yourself?"

It was true. She feared what would happen if either the cruel Guthrie or Cortez or one of the good intentioned yet weak Princesses came to power. For all her talk of a better way, a peaceful way, Tabitha found herself in doubt. She could be the one to change things.

[Doug Ramsey]

Douglas held his hands up, defensively, and chuckled in mock horror.

"Whoa," he finally said. "I didn't tell you to break your oath, Doctor, nor did I suggest that you do anything unethical. All I was merely doing is reminding you that part of your duty is declaring Guthrie fit or unfit for the position."

Douglas sat back on the table, propping a knee up and grasping it with his hands, as he sat on the cool white paper of the examination table.

"Perhaps you should take a seat, Tabitha. You look... unsteady." the Director suggested, nodding to the stool. "When I said I needed your help, my dear, I did not mean for you to simply unseat Guthrie or Cortez by medical reasons. In fact, to be able to second any recommendation that you would make, I would need proof of the findings. TO do that, I need you to get close to Guthrie, Tabitha. Keep a close eye on him. Keep me informed, so that I can help you if and when you feel he's going too far, and should be stopped. Nothing too drastic. Just... get involved."

Douglas leaned forward again, a sly smile played across his face. "As far as the Throne goes...? I don't want it. Unlike the Princesses, I don't have the popularity with the powers. I scare them too much, seeing truths where even telepaths cannot. People don't like truths, Tabitha. It messes with their preconcieved notions that they build their entire world around. My duty is to no single person, for I serve the Empire. "