[Sickbay]: Round One scans and vaccines

[ten_fwd_npcs]

[ Captain's Log: a Meeting with the Senior Staff. Wherein Picard discusses what to do with their new, er. "Guests." ]







As you enter sickbay tonight, escorted there by Lieutenant Worf and his security detail, you may notice it isn't all that unusual. There are no terrifying devices or humming machines you could see in a sci-fi thriller. The biobeds along the walls are equipped with biofunction monitors, but look fairly standard. Instead of silver trays filled with metal tools and sawblades, there are an array of small devices that look as harmless as cell phones. As for Chief Medical Officer Crusher herself, she's well-groomed and kindly, wearing her teal uniform and a blue coat. No masks, no rubber gloves. The most dangerous thing about her is that maternal look in her eyes; the one that scolds you for not doing your homework, or leaving your dirty dishes in your room.

The crew makes no promises for Dr. McCoy, on the other hand. He isn't one of ours. You should probably watch your neck.

"All right, don't be shy," Dr. Crusher calls out as you enter. "Come in and sit down. It's just a scan and maybe a hypospray, nothing to worry about."

Probably.


[ooc: This is an open log for everybody. Tagging isn't mandatory, but going to sickbay is. So if you'd prefer to skip threading with one of our doctors, you can handwave that your character got a clean bill of health and a shot and were sent on their merry way. For those who are tagging, we have Bones McCoy and Beverly Crusher (NPC) on deck, so if you'd prefer one over the other just specify it in your tag. If you would like more details about sickbay, here's the wiki page. If you haven't made your OP yet, you can assume the doctors will want to see your character shortly after they arrive.]

Comments

[shut_up_dammit]

Crap. Now Leonard felt bad. He sighed and looked away.

"You're not. Trust me, I'd much rather deal with you than half the damn people that walked through the door." He paused. "I didn't mean to take it out on you, kid. I'm not the best at handling all this crap."

[stark_spangled]

Kid. Now there's something new, no grandpa jokes from the peanut gallery.

"You're a doctor not a therapist, I get it," he says. He still sounds curt, but he straightens his shoulders and looks at McCoy respectfully. "Look, I'm -- I'm new to all this 'alternate version' stuff. My partner told me there was a Steph Rogers here. I haven't seen her, because frankly I'm not sure what to say to her. But if having me around makes life difficult, then I'll keep my distance."

He moves his fingers against the biobed, like he's longing for a pencil or a piece of charcoal. It's a nervous tic, one he probably won't grow out of. "Thanks for the warning."

[shut_up_dammit]

Leonard sighed.

"Yeah, well, I'm not saying I'm going to be a huge help in the understanding alternate universe crap, but don't let my damn problems get in your way of asking if you ever need to. I won't be a well of information but I might be able to help." He paused, looking away from Steve. "You don't need to keep your distance from me. I'll deal with it. Hell, if things turn out, I might be running into an alternate version of me before too damn long."

He looked back at Steve. Clearly the man was uncomfortable. Hell, so was he. But there was still no reason for Leonard to lash out like he did. "I'm sorry. I was too rash before."

[stark_spangled]

He meets the doctor's gaze levelly whenever McCoy is looking at him. He can tell the man is putting forth effort in a situation that doesn't make him feel at ease, and Steve respects that. He hadn't considered other alternates showing up here, but why not? If a female doc appeared, their roles could be reversed.

"No, it's fine," he says, shaking his head. "I'd rather know now so I don't look like an ass later. You're, um. You were looking out for her. I respect that."

He nods almost imperceptibly. It's ... good. Steve rubs his face, and holds out his hand as a sign of respect. "I won't turn down any help if you can give it, doc. I'm a little out of my element here."

[shut_up_dammit]

And that was that. Well, for the most part. At least they were being cordial on some level. Leonard wasn't a fan of starting relationships on a bad foot, but at least they'd made up already. That was something. Fastest turn around ever.

At the outstretched hand, Leonard took it and shook.

"Yeah, well, next time I'll try and protect her against things that are actually harmful." Hopefully. "I think we're all a little out of our element, but I'll see what I can do to help you out."

[stark_spangled]

Steve prefers not to make enemies where he can help it. Nat would beg to differ, but she's better at the smiling and subterfuge than he is. He tends to come in like a bulldozer.

"You may not have to," he says, mouth quirked. "If she really is like me, she can probably take care of herself. I bounce back pretty quickly. Rapid healing and living through the Great Depression will have that effect."

He moves to stand up and stops himself, glancing at all the rest of the equipment. "Are we done? Do I need a sucker or something?"

[shut_up_dammit]

"She seemed tough, but you never know out here. It doesn't hurt to be careful. Though I get the feeling I don't have to tell you that." Super soldier. Odds were he saw his fair share of combat and no telling what else. And the Great Depression? Honestly, he didn't expect that, but hell, time travel.

Leonard gave a small smile. "We're done. I'm afraid we're not giving out suckers today. If there's a next time for you, I might have one."

[stark_spangled]

The look in Steve's eyes may be the only confirmation the doctor needs. Beyond the razor-sharp focus and careful concentration, his eyes always look a little haunted. He shoulders a pretty heavy burden, like a living, breathing Wall of Remembrance for every soldier and friend he saw die. He remembers all of their names as if they were carved into his back.

"Grape," is all he says, straightening up. He may tower over Leonard, but he's got a friendly face (when he isn't frowning). "Cherry reminds me too much of bad medicine."

He supposes that wasn't so bad. No blood samples, no endurance machines, no endless questioning. It does make him wonder if Steph was put through worse, though.

[shut_up_dammit]

Leonard gives him a smile. "I'll see what I can manage. But you get out of here before someone decides that this first round wasn't enough."

That wouldn't be him. Honestly, it would probably be Beverly. He really didn't know how thorough she was with Steph and maybe she wanted to poke her nose into Steve as well. Really, they were so much alike genetically that it didn't matter. He was sure it'd all come back the same.

[stark_spangled]

He feels compelled to snap a salute, but it isn't as clean as it would be with a commanding officer. There's some looseness to it, a little friendly sarcasm dusting the underlying respect.

"Thanks, doc," he says, turning neatly on his heel and heading for the sickbay entrance. McCoy doesn't need to tell him twice to get out of here. He'll be relieved to be back in quarantine after this, just so he has some space to think.