<div align="center"><strong>-=Dani, in the infirmary, trying to restore a sense of calm=-</strong></div><br/>Leaning against the cabinets in the infirmary, her forehead resting against the cool glass of one of the doors of the overhead cupboards, Dani concentrated on slowing her heart rate and getting her breathing under control.  The quick trip onto terra firma had shaken her more than she cared to think, although she had to admit to being just slightly pleased with herself for having managed to do it. She couldn't remember the last time she had willingly exited the ship, especially without someone by her side.<em>Baby steps</em>, she thought to herself as she fought to quell the panic that had started rising the minute she'd made the decision to go and talk to Mae.<br/><br/>Turning around, she leaned back against the cabinets, crossing her arms across her chest as if to still her heart, which was still beating a little faster than it should. At least her breathing was almost back to normal. She quietly surveyed her infirmary, a sense of pride warming her as she remembered what it had been like when she first came aboard The Gamble.  Griff hadn't seen the need for a medic previous to her arrival, and so hadn't bothered with any sort of infirmary.  Where she stood now had once been two separate double bed staterooms, although you wouldn't know it to look at it.  After the struggle that Dani had saving Sasha's life with no medical facilities, and nothing in the way of medical supplies save that which she brought with her, it wasn't hard for Griff to see the pro's of having a well equipped med bay on board, especially given that he now had a medic who needed somewhere to work. So, he set about removing one bulkhead wall, gutting the entire area and refitting it with the equipment that Dani asked for, converting the two cabins into what was now her infirmary.  She recalled fondly how the Captain had scrounged through junkyard after junkyard, scavenging as much of the equipment as he could. He'd done well finding decent second hand fittings, and there had been very little that he'd had to purchase. Dani was touched that he had worked so hard at getting her everything that she had asked for.  She almost gloated in the knowledge that The Gamble was likely the only Dragonfly class transport that sported medical facilities advanced enough to allow surgery, if necessary.<br/><br/>Dani took great, albeit quiet, pride in her position as Ship's Medic, and thinking about her duties always helped to calm her.  By the time the cacophony that accompanied the arrival of the cleaning crew reached her ears, she felt collected enough to head back to the cargo bay to see what the noise was. The view of Persephone from the cargo bay doors was almost completely obscured by an ugly yellow truck, although Dani was more comfortable with this vista that the previous one.  Leaning against the skiff, she watched as a very well built, half naked man, directed the reversing truck into place at the foot of the ramp. Dani smiled at the thought that Mae would be sorely disappointed at missing the opportunity to turn her charms towards the handsome dockworker.  Vincent, however, wouldn't be at all bothered at not having to watch that particular spectacle, she thought to herself.<br/><br/>The horrendous noise finally shut off as a small man jumped down from the cab of the truck and treated himself to a tour of The Gamble's cargo bay.  Dani observed with interest his overly dramatic reaction to the lingering smell of gos se, a smile tugging at the corners of her mouth. If this was the man that she was to keep an eye on, it looked like it could be a rather entertaining task.  The look on Sasha's face as she approached him made Dani smile a little more.  Sasha did not suffer fools lightly, or those who played the fool.  After a brief discussion, they turned and began in her direction.  Emboldened by her earlier, admittedly small, victory, Dani felt confident enough to meet them halfway across the cargo bay.<br/><br/><strong>“Dani, this is Mr. Chow; he’s going to finally rid our cargo bay of its...odor. Mr. Chow, this is Dani - she is in charge of making sure everything gets done to our satisfaction.” </strong><br/><br/>Dani offered Mr. Chow a nod of greeting, almost swelling with pride at Sasha's introduction of her. It meant a great deal to her that the older woman had faith in her, and she was determined not to let her down.<br/><br/><strong>“A closed mouth gathers no feet; yes, very nice to meet you Miss Dani.”</strong><br/><br/>Saying nothing, Dani answered his unusual greeting with a tight lipped smile. He seemed an odd man, but thankfully was not at all intimidating. Sasha's hand in hers, and the reassuring squeeze that accompanied it, was a welcome gesture, and Dani nodded to her that yes, everything was indeed good.  Feeling the coins being pressed into her palm, she assumed that Sasha wanted her to withhold the final payment until the job had been done to her exacting standards.  Slipping the platinum into her pocket and watching Mr. Chow dance his way back to his truck, Dani leaned closer to Sasha and whispered, "It's okay, Sasha...everything's shiny.  I'm sure Lex and I can handle Mr. Chow without too much trouble."  Flashing the First Office what she hoped was a confident smile, she bid her farewell as the older woman went about her business.<br/><br/>Having already decided that she would oversee the cleaning process from one of the cargo platforms, Dani began climbing the stairs, motioning to Lex that that's where she was heading.  "I'll be up here if you need me, Lex," she offered, not wanting to outright ask him to join her, but wanting him to know that his presence, should he choose to grace her with it, would be very welcome.<br/><br/><hr/><br/><em>gos se - dog crap</em>