Watchful eyes

Posted on Tue Aug 11th, 2026 @ 5:37pm by Centurion Nancy Gable & Gunnar Arnason & Nveid tr'Rehu

6,062 words; about a 30 minute read

Mission: Intermission: Safe Haven
Location: Medical center, Haven Colony

[I will join you.] NVeid signed. He did have an affinity with children when it came to medical matters, especially when it came to surgical procedures. [Isn't the best way to gain people's trust to show myself and allow them to get familiar with my presence?]

The Romulan hybrid had waved Savin off to go tend to his own things. He would stay here and help where help was needed or wanted, desperate to show that he was here to help and nothing else.

After a moment's thought, Gunnar nodded. "That's a good idea. I'll take you through admitting so people can see you, and I can introduce you to Emni. She's the sister of one of the Orainavassa crew; not a medic, but she runs intake and tracks patients and available resources. If you help with triage - and honestly, I'd like to have a doctor for a second opinion, as it were, on that - it'll put you on her good side."

[I can help with triage.] NVeid nodded in agreement as he signed and followed the other medic. [How many children are here now, in need of medical attention? I would be happy to provide a second opinion where desired, anything I can do to help.] He smiled pleasantly as he looked around. [The more people who know me, the better it is. The sooner the better, especially if we are to be here for a while.]

"This way then," Gunnar said, as he led him back toward the entrance. "I'm not sure how many children are here right now for medical attention. But Emni will know. Here she is," he indicated a slim Romulan woman in her mid-50s. "Emni, may I introduce a new addition to our staff, Dr. Nveid tr'Rehu. He can hear but has lost his voice, so I'll be interpreting sign for him. Doctor, this is Emni, who tells the rest of us who to see and where to be."

"Jolan'tru, Doctor," Emni responded with a respectful incline of her head. "Gunnar exaggerates my role here, but I do track incoming patients, priority, and availability of medics and space for treatment."

[Is it an exaggeration when it could well be the truth?] NVeid queried with a patient smile. [If sign is a difficulty or an obstruction I can also use my PADD which has a text to vocal application. It just takes a little longer to get something across.] Looking at Gunnar, he purposefully avoided the mention of telepathy. As the woman was Rihanna she might not appreciate the idea at all.

Picking up on NVeid's meaning, Gunnar gave a small nod in agreement that telepathy would not be welcome with her, as he verbally repeated what had been signed.

"Thank you." Emni smiled at the new doctor. "And sign is not a difficulty except in typing up Gunnar as a translator when he could be put to better use. I don't mind slightly slower process text-to-vocal. We often speak so quickly here, it would be refreshing change of pace."

Purposefully, NVeid pulled out his PADD, knowing that the vocal rendering was an approximate of his actual voice "I'm a little rusty," the device rendered his quick typing, "if people can be patient I'll use this or I'll resort to sign as needed or required. I can understand quick speech but response will be slower. Gunnar tells me you can use a hand in admitting and triage, if you will show me how."

"Certainly," Emni said, gratitude showing on her face. Indicating a terminal with a large display, she explained, "This is where we track everything. This side shows available beds, treatment rooms, and medics. The other has patient name, issue, and priority ranking. I can manage the first side easily. For the other Dr. Gable set up simple ranking categories so I could place admissions, but my medical training is only the first aid my parents taught me. I can page someone if there's a real question or an obvious emergency, but Elements know I'd be more comfortable having a real doctor do the assessment or at least check my work."

NVeid nodded in understanding. "I can help, and if you wish I can help you learn more. If permitted of course." It felt strange to use his PADD and hear the somewhat mechanical rendering of his own voice, but it was better than sign. "Thank you Gunnar for your assistance, I'm sure Emni can guide me from here." He didn't want to keep the man from his own duties, which were likely just as important.

"It is certainly permitted," Gunnar said. "Even encouraged. If you need anything, I won't be far. You can put me back in the rotation for Out Patient. After I reacquire my coffee," he added with a wink as he headed off.

Emni chuckled, shaking her head. "You must be special for him to have put that coffee mug down to assist," she joked to NVeid.

This time, the hybrid found a sudden interest in the floor. "I am no-one special," he typed, finding it unfortunate that the rendering did nothing for how he felt. "I just want to help where I can, and pass on what I know to those that want to learn. Show me, which patients do you wish for me to review? As I am a new face, you may wish to do the introduction." While the PADD did nothing, his expression showed volumes. Hope flared in the outcast's eyes as he looked at the young woman, waiting expectantly for her to lead.

She wasn't sure what to make of that, but the Vulcan looking robes suggested that he was an outsider. Though with the emotion on his face, certainly not one who'd adopted other Vulcan ways - thank the Elements. Maybe he was one of the Reunificationists who'd gotten out when the RSE was expelling them and now felt remorse over leaving family behind. "It was a joke. Gunnar knows our ways well enough that he could pass if in disguise, but normally he's... I think the human saying is 'would give you the shirt off his back'." A half turn of lips and twitch of eyebrows showed how weird that seemed, even if they were all grateful for it. "Anyway, at the moment things have settled down a bit. But I have two cases I'm not sure about, both abdominal pain complaints. One took a blow, but a scan shows no internal bleeding, so not an emergency, but higher on the list. The other doesn't have any obvious cause, which I think is concerning, but he isn't in as much pain."

NVeid nodded as he typed quickly while they walked. "I don't need a disguise, and I don't want to hide. I'm Rihanssu, born and raised though I'm a hybrid. I didn't know until I was an adult though." He shrugged it off as they approached the first patient and he allowed Emni to introduce him while he leaned in.

Emni was beginning to wonder if there were communication issues beyond his voice. Though if he was a hybrid that might explain a lot. "No, I was referring to Gunnar wearing a disguise. He used to do that to blend in to smuggle people out of the RSE," she explained as they entered the waiting room. "Here is the first patient, Taev, and his mother, Ael. Taev, this is Dr. NVeid. He's going to examine you."

He set the PADD within reach so he could type. As he reached out, he seemed to steel himself against something, while smiling encouragingly at the child. "I'm going to touch you and I need you to tell me when it hurts and if so, how much. Can you do that?"

The boy glanced at his mother, then nodded, albeit hesitantly.

Gently, using both hands, he probed the child's lower abdomen, using an old fashioned way of palpation to determine a probable cause. He watched the child's face closely for any sign of discomfort, his dark eyes never wavering their gaze. It was almost as if he was trying to see through him.

Taev was trying to be strong, as his father said a Romulan should be, but when the doctor's fingers hit one spot he sucked breath at the pain.

NVeid continue to smile in encouragement, using one hand to continue to gently probe around the tender area while he typed quickly using the other hand. "You're very brave Taev, but to hide an injury is not a sign of strength. Especially an invisible injury which could be very serious. The brave thing to do, and to ensure survival is to get treated." He emphasised the boy's bravery, knowing that the child probably thought sucking it up was the way to go. "You won't be needing surgery if you take a few days rest and Miss Emni will arrange something for the pain for you."

The boy inclined his head in respectful acknowledgement.

"We'll have a packet for you at the dispensary," Emni told the mother.

The hybrid patted the boy's shoulder in approval, then looked up at his mother. "The area of tenderness suggests a bruised spleen since scans are indicative of no internal bleeding. He'll be fine with a few days of bed rest and meditation. Should the pain get instantly worse, call for me immediately because then he will need surgery."

"Ie, thank you, doctor. I will see that he rests." Meditation was not a Romulan way for healing, but the doctor in the Vulcan robes couldn't be expected to know that and it seemed rude to correct him. "Come, Taev. There are lessons you can work on in bed."

Emni made a note on her padd, entering the doctor's order for analgesic as the two left. "Thank you. I feel much better knowing that was seen to. The other child is over here." She lead him a short distance to a father sitting with a young boy hunched over in a chair. "S'Tan, this is Dr. NVeid. He'll take a look at Firh."

NVeid crouched before the boy to be at eye level with him and showed his PADD before typing quickly. "Can you tell me where you hurt?" As the words sounded from the device, NVeid gestured at the boy. "Are you able to sit up straight without pain?"

"Here." His hand clasped his lower abdomen. "It hurts anyway," the boy straightened, jaw clenching, "just a little more sitting straight."

NVeid nodded, reaching out carefully with one hand as the other worked the PADD. "I'm going to touch you, but I'll be careful and I need you to tell me when it hurts, can you do that?"

The boy nodded silently.

Gently, the surgeon probed the lower area, most notably the right side. "You are very brave," he praised as he worked. Though he had preferred the child to be on a bed, clearly he couldn't even sit up straight and he didn't want to cause more discomfort than necessary.

Firh didn't feel brave. He felt nauseous and the pain was making it hard not disgrace himself with a cry. Why was this doctor prodding him instead of using a scanner? It almost felt like a test, like something his uncle would have done to 'prepare in case the Tal'Shiar ever question you'.

When fingers pressed one spot, he failed the test, gasping with the pain. "There. That hurts more."

NVeid looked up at Emni, expression one of concern. "I need a surgical suite prepped immediately," he typed before looking back at father and child. "I suspect appendicitis, and it needs to be removed before there are worse complications. It is a simple procedure and he will be fine afterwards. He'll require a few days of rest and antibiotics after surgery, but he'll make a full recovery."

Emni expelled a relieved breath - thank the Elements a doctor had shown up help today! She checked her padd and then tapped her comm as it seemed obvious to her that a doctor who needed one hand free wouldn't be performing surgery. "Dr. Kaol, report to surgery 1. Patient arriving for appendectomy." With that she signaled an orderly to bring a gurney for the boy.

"Thank you," she said to Nveid. "We're fortunate you were here."

He gave the boy a reassuring pat on his shoulder before he was whisked away, then smiled at Emni. "No need to thank me, I am grateful to be able to help." Understanding that in current circumstance doing the surgery himself wasn't an option, regrettable as he found it, he continued to smile. "I will check on him after surgery."

Emni made a note for Nveid to be alerted as she turned to the father. "You may wait here if you wish, or I can send a message once Firh is in recovery."

"Khnai'ra," S'Tan replied with a grateful incline of head. "I will wait."

"Very well." With a gesture to Nveid they continued into the waiting area. "Most here are limbs injuries, as might be expected with active youth. But your eye for anything worse than it appears is better than mine." She sighed softly. "Gunnar said he could show me how to read basics from a scanner to improve triage, but there never seems to be time."

Nodding politely towards the waiting father, NVeid then gently touched the woman's sleeve and gestured for her to follow. "I can show you," he offered, "we can compare scanner with tricorder as I will need to use those too. My tricorder does not have unlimited power unless it can be charged here."

"Yes, thank you," she said, following gladly. "And we can charge it here, i'm sure. This center was built from parts of the James Bedford, a Starfleet hospital ship that we recovered to use as a transport."

NVeid nodded in understanding. "We shall still use both," he recommended, "show me the first patient and if the attending parent or guardian approves, we will work together to better triage these children."

After a brief check on her padd, Emni headed for a girl cradling her wrist. "This is Mijne. Her grandmother, Odirne, brought her in with an injured wrist. She can flex her fingers, but not fully."

NVeid smiled at the girl and the woman in greeting and flipped open his tricorder, gesturing for Emni to start her scanner. "I am instructing her in the use of her scanner to better effect triage," he entered on his PADD, "with your permission we will take a few thorough scans. Mijne, if you would please try to make a fist as best as you can, and then stretch your fingers?"

"Daie," The grandmother replied, nodding respectfully.

Mijne gingerly lowered her arm and tried to squeeze a fist. It hurt, and she couldn't close firmly enough to form one solid enough for a strike, but her fingers curled closed in the semblance of a fist. Then, breathing through the pain, she slowly straightened them.

He smiled encouragingly at the girl and he laid the open tricorder on he bed for all to see, and his PADD beside it. "Can you turn your hand over?"

She inclined her head and carefully rotated her hand until it was facing upward, bracing herself for whatever prodding would come next.

"Bend your hand at the wrist?" The hybrid glanced at his tricorder to confirm what he suspected while gently taking the affected limb between his hands, mentally steeling himself in the process. "Tell me if this hurts," he instructed

Clenching her jaw, Mijne tried to bend the wrist. "Ie! ...I mean, daie, doctor," she responded, quickly correcting to the formal-to-superior affirmative.

He smiled encouragingly at her, no sign of insult in his bearing or expression. "Don't worry about proper form of address dear," came from the PADD as he typed. He carefully probed the injured limb, already assaulted by the girl's reigned in pain. "It is broken," he told her. "Are you okay with me showing Emni how to apply a cast?"

A slanted eyebrow angled upward. Emni knew how to use an emergency temporary cast - her father had drilled emergency first aid into all of them as part of his weapons training - but she couldn't fathom why it would be needed here in Admitting. "Why would I..."

"You wouldn't," Gunnar put in, having come out to check on things and overhearing the last of the conversation. "At least not here. Forgive me," he said to all of them. "I hadn't realized that the doctor hadn't had a proper tour of the facilities to know our capabilities. There are colonies where the only osteoregen is for large critical breaks like femurs, so a minor break in the ulna - you can see it indicated there, Emni," he pointed to her scanner readout and the more detailed reading on NVeid's medical tricorder, "would be treated with a cast. Here, however, we do have handheld osteoregens," he pulled one from his own medkit, one that he'd put together for missions with Tango but now happily used for the colony, "that can do small bones. I can take her to a treatment room and handle it."

Hatham arrived at the moment, ready to plead a sore shoulder to get his sister to send him back to talk with Gable, but stopped in his tracks at spotting a new doctor - almost certainly the 'former' Tal'Shiar - right next to his younger sister. Gah! The reaction was contained to an eye twitch, as he advanced toward the group.

Spotting him, Emni's brows drew down in concern. "Hatham, don't tell me you thought you could lift something just because you can press the weight again," she said with a sigh, then smiled at Nveid. "Doctor, this is my brother, Hatham. This is Dr. Nveid - he's just arrived and he's being so much help for me out here."

"Has he?" Hatham replied with a tight smile and a sharp glance at Gunnar. While he was glad to see the man supervising, he was not at all happy about his sister unwittingly being exposed to whatever game this doctor might be playing.

"He has," Gunnar replied as matter-of-factly as possible. He could easily read Hatham's reaction and understood - it took nothing to imagine the sequence of Gable to Kaiae to Hatham on flow of information - but knew they absolutely could not go into it out here. It did however need to be addressed, and the sooner the better. "You look ...stiff. Emni, you can send this young lady back to Nurse Ussi. She can mend the bone. Dr. Nveid, could you come with me to examine Hatham. It's in everyone's interest to make sure he's okay."

NVeid nodded. "Thank you Mijne, you've been very brave." He turned to Emni, giving her a smile. "We'll compare the readings when we're done and work on interpretation," he promised, snapping his tricorder shut before following Gunnar out. He could sense something was going on, and now that he looked closer he could see the resemblance between Hatham and the little girl.

As they moved to a different room, NVeid circled around Hatham so they were facing each other. Again, he laid the tricorder open in scanning mode and placed his PADD beside it. [Tell me about the ailments you are experiencing.] Signing in his view conveyed more emotional and he knew Gunnar would interpret if Hatham couldn't understand it.

"I'm not experiencing ailments," the huge Romulan stated evenly. "I came to examine what's going on here." His eyes shifted to Gunnar as he spoke. "You know."

It was not a question, but a statement of fact tinged with more than little accusation. Which was about what Gunnar had expected. It occurred to him as he considered his reply that if Hatham decided to punch him, it was a good thing this conversation was happening in the medical center. He and the massive security guard had worked together for months on the rescue mission, so there was a groundwork of trust that should make that unlikely. Except that Emni was his sister and you could never confidently factor in protectiveness toward family. "I know who he was, and if you're here using a pretense, you know that I was ordered not to say anything to anyone else. I assume Kaiae decided you should also be an exception to that."

"Ie." Hatham clenched his jaw a moment, fighting his temper. He reminded himself firmly that the man he was speaking to knew the danger of the Tal'Shiar all too well. Still, the next words were practically bitten out. "And still you chose to let him work with my sister when she could not be warned."

Yes, he felt that as the blow it was meant to be. But Gunnar had learned calm from an early age; in some ways Hatham was no different from a large wounded animal. "It was the place where he could help most with the least worry of impact. And as she told you, he did help. There is a child in surgery now who might have become an emergency if not his work in triage. " He held up a hand. "I understand your concerns. You know that I do. But I believe that he did leave them. I saw in his medical records the proof of how close he came to death for that decision."

"I see." Hatham's hard gaze turned toward NVeid. He had a level of trust in Gunnar, but it only went so far; humans tended to be optimists. "I will hear for myself and judge for myself."

NVeid nodded solemnly, having watched the exchange in patient quietness. His dark eyes betrayed exactly how he felt however, but he was determined to get these people to trust him. His gaze turned towards Gunnar. [You may show him if required.] he permitted, albeit with a pained expression. Now he turned back to Hatham. [You say you wish to hear and judge for yourself, then why not ask me instead? I am here, and I'm not going anywhere. I'm a doctor, and all I want was for a patient to heal.]

Not going anywhere struck Hatham as a proposition as yet to be determined. "So you say. But I served in the Galae. I've heard more than enough Tal'Shiar say all they want is to guard the Empire, to keep us safe." The last words were delivered with all the bitterness of one who'd watched Tal'Shiar ships fire on people trying to flee for their lives.

NVeid sighed soundlessly as he listened, sensing the bitterness without effort. [My first concern is to my patient.] He was starting to feel a little irritated but he was still composed as he watched the big man. [It always will be, regardless of who the patient is. And that includes you...] He paused his signing, gritting his teeth as his dark eyes sparkles. [So... unless you do have an ailment you'd like to look at, I should return to helping Emni.]

"No. You will not." Two meters of solidly muscled irate Romulan immediately blocked his path. The 'doctor' had hit his last nerve in sounding as arrogant and dismissive as any Tal'Shiar he'd ever had the displeasure of serving with on a warbird. "You will stay far away from my sister until such time as she can know exactly who she is dealing with." He cast a glare at Gunnar. "You will make sure he does. I have counted you a friend, but don't rely on that if you allow him near her again."

So much for a constructive discussion... Gunnar blew out a frustrated breath but inclined his head in acquiescence. "As you wish." But as he raised his head, he met Hatham's eyes with stubborn refusal to allow simple physical intimidation to determine his actions. "But you know full well that I would give my life to prevent any danger to her, or any on this colony."

[As will I] the vow was firm, his expression one of defiance as he stood up to the tall Romulan. [This is my home now, I will defend it and the inhabitants as fiercely as any of you would. You can watch me all you like, distrust me all you like but it won't change what I stand for and what I believe in. I'm a doctor, and I will always put another's needs before my own.] His signing was animated now, a man passionate to defend his own honour and prove he was who he said he was. [And I promised your sister I would teach her how to read a scanner and a tricorder. And I have a young boy to look in to after he comes out of surgery, which is what a doctor does. You're welcome to come with me if you like.]

He looked towards Gunnar, visibly appreciative of the support the man has given him so far. [I stand by what I said, I will defend those that need it. As fiercely as any of you would. Or die trying.]

Hatham turned on him with a near growl. " 'I will always put another's needs before my own,' " he echoed back with bitter mockery. "Oh, really? Is that what you did when the Tal'Shiar brought you someone to break? Or maybe you just used whatever abilities a Betazoid half gave you and imagined that didn't count as violating them?" Yes, the last had been harsh, and aimed at least partly at Gunnar, but at the moment Hatham was beyond caring.

[I didn't know of my Betazoid genetics until examined by a Starfleet doctor...] The signs were less animated now, the doctor's expression sad. [But yes, I have used it, and I know it does.] There was no point in trying to defend it, he wouldn't believe it anyway.

"So, you lied about always putting others before yourself." Hatham stated plainly. Gunnar might not speak of it (in that respect he sometimes seemed nearly Romulan) but T'Ango considered what had been done to him to be a form of rape, and Hatham agreed completely. If he sensed a touch of contrition from Nveid in his admission, it felt off - not true regret but admission made for circumstance. Which is what he expected of Tal'Shiar. "Don't expect me to believe any other high sounding claims from you."

He looked over at Gunnar, but the rebuke he'd planned died on his lips. The man was pale, pinching the bridge of nose, eyes closed, engaged in the intentional breathing he'd rarely witnessed but knew was a form of centering. The human may have misjudged with the doctor, but even if it had opened his eyes, Hatham hadn't wanted to inflict that sort of pain on someone he still owed much. But they would settle that later, whether it took drinks or curses or blows (though knowing Gunnar's unwillingness to do harm, those would most likely come from T'Ango). There was only one thing he could give now. "I will accompany and watch you," he told Nveid.

At first Gunnar had simply found himself in the midst of sort of heated conflict that he'd come to accept as part of living among Romulans, though he knew the moment NVeid had gone too far in echoing his own stance and braced for the fallout. What he hadn't been prepared for was the specific accusation that on some level he had known would be the case, but that he'd thus far pushed out of conscious consideration. At least until it had essentially punched him in the gut, triggering a flood of unwanted memory, once spoken and answered.

PTSD was extremely inconvenient he reflected wryly as he finally gathered himself enough to comprehend what Hatham had just said. He understood it was meant as partial olive branch, but everything else about the Romulan's stance and tone said it was one he couldn't accept. Especially if NVeid was going to insist on staying asserting his place as a doctor. "I wish I could trust both of you enough to go help Emni myself," he said tightly. "But for the sake of peace in this facility, I think I am stuck as chaperone."

NVeid almost reeled as emotions strongly but briefly washed over him and he closed his eyes in an attempt to shake them off. He lifted his hand to offer support to Gunnar, then reconsidered. [We will go help Emni.] He insisted, gesturing between himself and Hatham. [Then he can see for himself what I do and what I teach.] He paused, looking directly at Gunnar. [I understand how you feel, probably better than anyone here and I regret you had to relive the memory when you saw my medical file. I regret you had to be reminded now.] He bowed his head, expression stricken as he signed slowly. [There will be no fighting.]

If anything, though NVeid knew how to defend himself, he has turned into a pacifist. He would use only his Honour Blade, and only to defend. He had not ever used any other kind of weapon, unless it was a last resort and he was desperate to keep it that way.

Gunnar's lips curled in, noting the way Hatham's eyes narrowed at the renewed insistence on returning to his sister - could Nveid not take an extremely blunt hint? "I think it would be best to postpone further work with Emni until everything can be out in the open. I'll send her a message saying that we decided it made more sense to familiarize you with the facility and its treatment options before sending you back out. Which," he fixed each of them with a look that said not only would he brook no argument, he was about a millimeter away from sedating both of them if there any objections, "is what we will do until the end of the shift. At which point we will all leave and go home." And I will have a very stiff drink.

He had not the slightest telepathic ability, but Hatham could clearly read that last thought in other man's face. And he could hardly blame him - from the sound of it, this wasn't the first time Nveid had triggered him. Nor would he deny him the respite since he had stepped up to quash exposing Emni any further until she knew the truth. "Agreed. But if he tries to return to hospital before tomorrow, I reserve the right to physically eject him."

NVeid did have the telepathic ability but he was making a very conscious effort not to read people, despite clearly failing where strong emotions were concerned as he felt a little unsteady on his feet. As such he didn't catch the thought. "I work here," he answered, his composure relaying the emotion his typed out words couldn't, though he nodded towards Gunnar to lead the way.

And there it was: his last nerve. What had happened to the NVeid he had met at first - a man remorseful about his past and eager to show he had changed - and why that man had been replaced by one determined to poke this particular bear? Was the first NVeid, as he was sure Hatham would insist, a show to gain his support? Or was that who he was only with Savin present? Either way, he was doing himself no favors in alienating Hatham, who was liked and respected here, so his opinion would carry weight. For matter, he was beginning to make Gunnar question his willingness to advocate for him.

...Or perhaps it was just that his view was being colored by the headache currently growing behind his eyes. He reminded himself that judgment was affected by stress, acute or long-term, and he'd been subjected to both today. As had both of the others. His approach to questioning NVeid had not been at all constructive, but knowing Hatham as he did, from a bond formed over months of working together under near constant threat, Gunnar understood that he'd been restrained in light of a perceived threat to one of the surviving members of his family. But if he was honest with himself, and Gunnar tried to be, he recognized that some of his annoyance with NVied came from sympathy toward Hatham, born of their shared bond. (Xenophile he might be, but he was as prone as the next human to the instinct to back a member of his own 'tribe' over an outsider). He also understood the desire to work, to focus outside oneself; his work had been a lifeline when he'd been trying to return to who he was after his recovery. And he knew he'd driven Nancy to distraction more than once by insisting on working all hours.

The difference was that Nancy had never had any compunction about slapping him upside the head and telling him to stand down *or else*. For better or for worse, that was not his style. "Doctor, when this shift is over your work here will be done for the day," he stated evenly, retrieving a hypo and loading it. "I have asked that you not return until your next work shift tomorrow. Now, I realize I'm an NP and have no authority over a doctor, but if you will not honor that request out respect for me," he lifted the hypo, and then pressed it to his own shoulder to relieve the pounding in his temples, "then we can take the matter to Dr. Gable who does have full authority to say who works here, and when."

Turning a weary and exasperated face to Hatham, he added, "And you will have no need of throwing anyone out. If it comes to that, I assure you, Nancy is more than capable of doing that on her own."

[Of course.] The answer was short but clear. He hadn't claimed otherwise had he? He hadn't stated he would be here beyond a shift, not unless there was an emergency anyway because there was no way he could ignore responding to one. [Your status as NP is relevant to me, you know this place and I respect your opinion. You should not however, self medicate..] he held out his hand towards the hypospray, wanting to see what the man had injected himself with. [Another nurse should oversee that, or a doctor.]

"Appreciated," Gunnar replied simply, the word covering both the agreement to follow his advice and the concern. He had after all been in Medical long enough to be familiar with the problem of medics self-medicating. However, he'd also been resident medic on a ship with T'Ango for over a year, so he was used to managing his own care and fairly confident in his own aversion to addiction (to anything but coffee, at least). "It's only analgesic for a headache," he explained, showing the ampule to confirm it was little more than standard over the counter formulated to be faster acting. "I understand the issue. I've even been part of interventions, so thank you for your concern. However, if you and Hatham ever get past posturing at each other, he can tell you how unlikely I am to ever become addicted to pain-killers."

Inspecting the ampule and the dosage, NVeid nodded in approval. [As have I, and I would like to hear that story some time.] He offered the smallest of smiles. [Shall we continue with the tour of the medical facility so I will not unnecessarily resort to archaic Human methods again?]

Hatham snorted a laugh - there'd been times he'd thought Gunnar was trying to prove his tolerance for pain was equal to any Romulans. "That much is true. That black sludge you drink, on the other hand..."

Gunnar shrugged. "Part of my culture."

[So it is.] NVeid agreed with a this time genuine smile. [Shall we?] He gestured ahead towards the rest of the medical facility.

"Lead on," Hatham said to Gunnar. "I may indulge in your sludge if we stop at a coffee station."

Gunnar nodded. A nice comforting mug of coffee sounded like just the thing to get him through the next couple hours.

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