driftfleet | (no subject)

Entry tags:

(no subject)

Who: Beverly Crusher
Broadcast: Fleetwide Video
Action: Blue Fish
When: Right After the Attack

[Beverly is onscreen, the Blue Fish's med bay, still intact, behind her. Her jaw is set with determination as she talks.]

Attention, Drift Fleet. This is Dr. Beverly Crusher of the USS... of the SS Blue Fish. I know some of you have taken significant damage to your ships, possibly to your sickbays, and that others do not have a medic on board. Fortunately, our sickbay survived the attack, so I am offering it as a central location to help the wounded while repairs are being made elsewhere. We have a small supply of blood on hand as well, should anyone need it. If any member of your crew is too severely injured to be moved, please let me know, and I will come to you. No payments will be necessary for any treatment.

Thank you for your time.

[She signs off with a grim smile.]

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

[She nods.] Just within the past few hours.

Maybe a little...

Does that count, if it's just a little?

[Her tone is firm, but not judgmental.]

I'm afraid it does. You have a minor concussion and alcohol will only make things worse.

[She prepares an ice pack and rests it gently against his temple.]

Can you hold that there for me? Don't apply too much pressure.

Oh...

[and he obeys, holding the pack against his head while he thinks. and hesitates. and maybe frets a little.]

Is that bad? ...Like, with the alcohol added in too?

It will make it more difficult to recover and sometimes the presence of alcohol will mask a more serious brain injury. I don't want you drinking any more alcohol until we're sure you've recovered fully.

[She opens a nearby cabinet and takes down a bottle of acetaminophen, frustrated that she has to resort to something so inefficient, by her standards. If they were on the Enterprise, she could get Nel back into perfect shape in minutes but as it is, his recovery will take a few days. She hands him a pill to take.]

This will help with the pain. Ino should have some of these on your ship, but if she doesn't, let me know. Take one pill every four to six hours and reapply ice to your head every couple of hours. I'll let Ino know what I told you and she can help keep an eye on you. Someone needs to be with you for the next couple days in case your symptoms get worse. And they'll need to wake you every couple of hours while you're sleeping to check on you. If you're not feeling better in the next day or two, contact me immediately.

[he takes the pill, he nods along, but how much he's actually absorbing is kind of questionable. ...his mind is busy chewing over a different thought.

so, after she delivers all of that helpful information, mostly in one ear and out the other--]

...What about other stuff? Like... is there other stuff I shouldn't have?

[That will raise some alarms. She keeps her face neutral, however.]

Why? Are you taking any drugs, either for medical reasons or for recreation?

[and this is why talking to doctors makes him nervous. ...hilariously enough, however, it's her supposedly sordid past that encourages him to go out on a limb and answer at all.]

...Some, to help me sleep.

I see. And that's all, just some sleeping aids?

...Is that bad?

[Oh dear. She needs to tread carefully here.]

Sleeping pills aren't bad in themselves, no. In this case, though, it might cause you further injury. Besides, you don't want to be asleep for more than a few hours at a time while you have a concussion. Do you think you can stay off the pills for two days?

[he has to actually think about it. glancing away, he gnaws on his lip ring a little.]

Yeah...

[She rests a comforting hand on Nel's shoulder.]

I know it's hard, but it's really important that you do this. If you want, I can come over to your ship while you're recuperating sometimes to keep you company.

[he's full of anxiety--going from fidgeting with his piercing to biting one of his nails--but her seeming to get what his problem is without him needing to actually say it out loud helps immensely. because, whenever it comes down to him needing to talk about it, he just doubles back, denies, and flees.

so, instead... he looks at her for a minute, fills in a few more assumed details of her backstory, and shrugs a little.]

You don't have to do that.

[This is heartbreaking to see... If they were on the Enterprise, there is so much more she could do for him. Still, she is determined to help in any way she can. She meets his gaze steadily.]

If you are worried that it will be a burden to me, don't. I'm here to help. However, I understand if you don't want me there, especially since we just met. I just want to know someone will be with you.

[especially with that direct eye-contact aimed in his direction, he casually looks away.]

I've got some crewmates.

[--not that he ever tells them anything, but the fact remains.]

[She frowns slightly. If she didn't already know Ino is the one who sent him here, she would be less inclined to let this go. As it is, she's still worried.]

That's good. I still want to check in on you, so if I call you, will you answer, and just let me know you're alright?

[he looks back at her and nods easily. that much, he can do for sure.]

Yeah, I can do that.

Good.

[She pauses and considers him for a moment.]

Would it be easier for you if I were to type up everything you need to remember and send it to your communicator?

--Yes.

[he doesn't mean to sound so emphatic about it, but... it's his only hope and he knows it.]

[She nods once, just as emphatically.]

I'll get right on it, as soon as we're done here. How do you feel now? Do you want to go back to your ship? Or do you want to stay here for a little bit?

I'm fine. Good.

[and he looks like he's ready to head out the moment she gives the okay. even this little bit of scrutiny has got him feeling jittery.]

I can go back.

Alright. [She smiles.] Please, don't hesitate to call me if you need anything.

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only