From: Ranjani & Kim (kimtoussaint_at_yahoo.com)
Date: Fri Apr 25 2008 - 00:47:03 PDT
"Kate vs. Grace"
(contd from ‘Ran's & my "Annoying, Cantankerous...." ’)
_________________________________________
Location: GS-2
SD: 2.80425.0037
Scene: Sickbay
__________________________________________
Internally, Klingon anatomy is markedly different from that of Humans.
There are a great deal more multiple redundancies in their organs, a principle
they call brak'lul. This allows Klingons to survive severe injuries in battle.
They have twenty three ribs, two livers, an eight chambered heart, three lungs,
and even redundant neural function and multiple stomachs.
Looking weary, Dr. Grace Poe had just completed a gastrointestinal procedure
surgery on a Klingon. Tiny bits and pieces of Targ bone had to be extracted from
multiple stomachs and what seemed like endless feet of intestine because
he'd rushed through his Targ ribs in a sloppy, drunken frenzy.
She was exhausted, when entering her office. Gastrointestinal difficulties
among the Klingon population were her least favorite area of medicine. Most
digestive analgesic medications tended to make them gassy and tested the
sickbay’s environmental systems to their limit.
As acting CMO, the Orion woman had tons of reports waiting to be completed.
Usually most officers would have groaned at the sight of PADDs strewn across
the table but Grace didn’t mind. Outside of work, she had no social life. Her
only hobby was reading. In fact Poe spent part of her off-duty hours,
completing reports.
Grace would rather be back in Starfleet Medical doing research and not have
much contact with other people on a daily basis. But with the advent of
the Dominion war, the need for well-qualified physicians was high at the
frontlines and thus she ended up at the station working long hours with
many people and religiously needing large doses of her pheromone
inhibitor to keep from affecting them.
Long periods using her inhibitor strained her thyroid and pituitary glands,
giving her headaches, muscle ache, drying out her skin, hair and fingernails,
making her nauseaus. It could be infuriating to make herself so uncomfortable
and still have to endure being blindsided by looks and remarks that
came from the occasional idiot who still fantasized about having Orion
women for "Playthings”.
Once the war was over, she could go back to her secluded life in Starfleet
Medical. That was all Grace expected from her life - a satisfying medical
research job and blissful solitude.
A door chime was heard. Grace sighed out of frustration, hoping the
visitor would go away and leave her in peace. But the doctor reluctantly
gave out the commands that led to the door opening. She glanced behind
to watch Kate MacNeil enter the room. The Orion questioned politely.
“Can I help you, Commander MacNeil?”
Kate brought up, her voice filled with concern. “Dr. Poe, are you alright?”
“Yes I am,” the aCMO replied, feeling confused. “Why? What is going on?”
The Scot gulped before explaining. “I ran into Dr. Cade Foster in the
promenade and found out he caused a lot of trouble for you.” The auburn
haired woman was very nervous and still angry over Cade’s terrible remarks
towards Grace. She was worried over how the Orion woman was doing
after the latter’s encounter with Foster.
Grace let out a groan and rolled her eyes before stating in a flat tone.
“Yes. Dr. Foster visited me earlier in the day demanding to see
Commander Davidson’s medical records.”
Heaving out a heavy sigh, Kate said softly as if to comfort the other
woman. “I’m sorry to hear he made life difficult for you with his
disparaging comments regarding your heritage.”
Grace rubbed the back of her neck and looked a little pale. She
managed a weak, polite smile.
"Do not concern yourself, Commander. I assure you I've dealt
with far worse than Dr. Foster in my day."
Kate blinked, suddenly worried she might have offended her.
"Well, I'm sure you have I just ...ahem..."
Politely, Grace asked, “Was there anything else you needed,
Commander MacNeil?"
Kate blushed slightly and gave an awkward little smile. "I do
see that you're busy. I didn't mean to bother you. I ahem....I
know I'm not allowed to start seeing patients yet....but if you'd
like some help with the sickbay paperwork."
Grace's features lit up with understanding and she smiled.
"Right, you're nostalgic for some time in sickbay. Of course."
Kate frowned. "Well, no...I really did come to see you
because I was concerned about you..."
The Orion woman smiled politely, obviously doubting that
anyone would really care if she was having a bad day or not.
Then, she replied. "It's alright, Commander. I can imagine
your suspension has been difficult for you and if you'd like to
assist with the weekly inventory and reports...I don't object."
Both frustrated and intrigued, Kate gently moved forward
as Grace motioned for her to enter the CMO's office. Again,
Grace rubbed the back of her neck and then she sat down
rather stiffly.
"Are you sure you're alright, Dr. Poe?"
“I’m fine, Commander.” Grace mustered a weak smile, suddenly
feeling her stomach churn. Stomach upset were one of the side
effects of taking a high dose of the pheremone inhibitor. “Please
take a seat,” the aCMO offered, indicating the visitor’s chair.
Kate sat down as Poe nudged a stack of PADDs towards her.
Still a doctor inspite of her suspension, Kate stole little glances
at Grace and began noticing the things Cade had mentioned.
It was tremendously annoying for Kate to have to realize that
Grace had been working in sickbay with this condition and
no one had noticed - and Cade had spotted it quickly. No
doubt he would gloat endlessly, she sighed. Then, she did her
best to push thoughts of Foster away and focus on Grace.
"You're looking a little pale." Kate mentioned gently. "You
should get out of sickbay more often - I'd be happy to show
you some nature programs for the holodeck...."
"We really must get these reports done." Grace interrupted
her flatly. "And I'm sure my complexion is fine."
With a knowing little smile, Kate replied, "Sorry. Let me
just replicate myself a drink."
Grace waved her hand, "Fine. Help yourself."
Cleverly, Kate wore an innocent smile while replicating
herself a cup of very strong Nausican Tea. Grace twitched
her nose a couple of times - trying to ignore the smell. Just
as she'd finally gotten the foul smell of Klingon "fumes" out
of sickbay, Kate replicated the most disgusting smelling
Nausican beverage imaginable.
At that point, it became a test of wills. Kate forced herself
to take tiny sips of tea and pretend she liked it while waiting
to see how long it would take Grace to admit being unable
to stand the smell and that she wasn't feeling well.
Finally, Grace muttered, "Excuse me" and bolted to the back
of the office to the bathroom.
With a satisfied little smirk, Kate was glad to put dispose
of the Nausican tea and stand outside the bathroom. There
was a hint of gloating and "cheek" in her voice as she asked
loudly through the door,
"You still going to tell me that you're fine?"
_______________________________________________
NRPG:
Ran - I had a great time working with you on these two JP's :) I'm already looking forward to our next one!
I'd hoped to get something written for Cade and Daisy tonight but it's already a quarter till 1am and I have the plumber coming back tomorrow. Once again, our shower clogged and
this time they are going to be replacing entire sections of piping between our two bathrooms. Will be a long, noisy and messy day.
Anyway - Taylor - I'd love to reunite Daisy with her kids and with Cade this weekend if all goes well. You up for something this weekend?
Vinnie's birthday is monday!! My boy will be 17 years old.
Tag - everyone!
Especially LEIGH!! Where's Cochrane? He needs to get on board and report to acting Captain Anaqueen Spankryz already. Or, the XO, Eishnala sh'Kor if we can get some help from Katrina?
Katrina - TAG! :) Thanks!
Kim Toussaint AKA Commander Daisy Byrne Davidson, M.D.
Commanding officer of GATEWAY STATION
---------------------------------
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