Hard Headed

Posted on 08 Apr 2024 @ 11:06am by Lieutenant Commander Aiden MacMahon & Lieutenant Tavana of the House of Torath & Lieutenant Jason Rhineholt M.D.

1,556 words; about a 8 minute read

Mission: M-18 The Past is Future
Location: Primary Sick Bay
Timeline: Current

Doctor Rhineholt was just finishing up with another patient from the Granger incident when one of the nurses approached him "Excuse me Doctor, there's a Klingon women that came over from the Granger and she has a pretty severe concussion. Could you take a look at her please; she's in bed three" the nurse stated.

"Of course, I'd be glad to" Jason replied with a smile. Making his way over to his patient he checked her medical file then walked to the side of the bed "Hello Lieutenant Tavana of the House of Torath" he greeted using her name and lineage knowing how touchy some Klingons were about showing proper respect "I'm Doctor Rhineholt; so how are you feeling?"

Tavana had been semi-awake, but the lights seemed very bright, so she kept her eyes closed. But when she sensed the doctor appraching her, she opened them slowly and tried to push herself up, but gave up very quickly. "My head feels like a ton of rocks, but other than that, I am okay," she said with more effort than she had expected. "What happened? Where am I?" she asked.

"Well the where you are is the easy answer; your in the sick bay aboard the Phoenix since the Granger is sorely lacking in that area at the moment" Jason replied with a smile "But I was hoping you could tell me what happened while you were aboard."

Tavana shifted her position again and slowly and stubbotnly managed to get her upper body higher on the bed. ""I can't remember much. I was standing and the next moment I heard an loud noise and fell, I think against a table.." she said, her fingers gingerly probing the wound. "The crew are they okay? And the ship? " she asked concerned looking around sickbay. She sensed some others in sickbay, but the concussion was not helping her.

Jason thought for a moment not wanting to tell her about the Captain, at least until she was feeling better, so he answered "The crew are fine, for the most part, and the ship is being repaired was we speak. My main concern right now is your healing and well being" he replied with compassion in his voice then continued "From all the reports I've read it seems the Granger slammed into an anomaly....a filament if you will...causing a sudden stop....and trust me I was aboard at the time and it wasn't pretty."

"For the most part? So everyone is not okay?" Tavana asked with a worried look on her face. She paused for a moment then looked up at him, her face fallen. "What is it about the Captain Doctor?" Usually when Tavana picked up on someone's thoughts she pushed it into the 'white noise' in her mind, but this was too near to her to ignore.

Knowing he couldn't hedge the news any longer, Jason pulled up a stool and sat next to her bed wanting to be at eye level with his patient "Please understand my primary focus is on your healing and well being" then he paused looking for the right words "I was going to wait to break the news to you concerning your captain when you were feeling better, but since you asked I won't lie to you Lieutenant. Captain Leon suffered massive physical trauma as did his symbiont from the tactical station aboard the Granger. By the time we were able to stabilize him enough for transport....I'm afraid it was too late. However we were able to transplant the symbiont into our Trill CSO and both are doing very well; at least one life was saved along with his memories" Jason explained hoping she could cope with the news.

Tavana paled visibly at the confirmation she dreaded. "Haruk is dead?' she asked skakily. He's a very good friend," she said as tears rolled down her cheeks, the downside of being half Betazoid. "Was... " she said quitely. The fact that Leon survived was some comfort. But without Haruk it would be really hard for her. She tried to remember the other Trill's name but concussion dulled her memory. " I can't remember the CSO's name..." she said.

Even though he didn't really know his patient very well personally, seeing her reaction made him take pause; this was the part of his job he hated the most. Using the most compassionate tone he could muster while looking her in the eyes "I am so very sorry for the loss of your friend......her name is Lieutenant Urushi Yaotome....if it's any comfort she was very committed to the joining between herself and Leon" Jason explained "If you would like some time alone I can come back later to exam you" wanting to make sure she was progressing in a positive way.

Tavana didn't know what she wanted right now. She nearly lost her aunt at the attack of DS5, lost her father and crew to the Delta Quadrant and now this. "Complete your examination, please. I don't want to stay in sickbay any longer than I have to.. I want to go back to my ship..." she said, tears welling up in her eyes again. "I can help..."

Seeing her tear up again Jason only wished he could somehow ease her pain. Taking the scanner from his pocket he proceeded to scan her head area thoroughly watching the monitor at the head of the bed the entire time. Once finished he sat back down the the stool next to her bed as a smile came across his face "The good news is I don't see any damage to your skull or any swelling around your brain; your head should start feeling better in a couple of days" he explained then continued "The fact that you're half Klingon probably saved your life or at the very least prevented any real head trauma. If I were to release you, you have to promise me you'll take it easy for at least the next twenty four hours. I also recommend you speak to your ship's Counselor at least for one meeting."

"Thank you Doctor," Tavana said. "Sometimes being hard-headed helps," she said with a brave smile. "I promise I will take it easy, I don't think I can do much else," she said quietly. "Do you know if I can go back to my room on the Granger?"

Rhineholt was pleased to see a smile on Tavana's face "Let me go my office and I'll check for you" he replied with a smile as he turned and left.

After about twenty minutes Jason returned to his patient "My apologies for taking so long. I contacted the Granger and unfortunately that area of the Granger, along with many others, has taken severe damage and is uninhabitable. The XO suggests you stay aboard the Phoenix, at least for the time being. They're going to gather as many of your personal belongings as possible and beam them over. I took the liberty of speaking to our ship's Yeomen and she has arranged VIP quarters for you on deck three. Since your new aboard I'll have one of my nurses escort you to your quarters where a padd will be waiting for you with all the pertinent information you'll be needing while your here with us" Jason explained.

"Thank you Doctor," Tavana said. His kindness and concern really meant a lot to her right now. "I actually slept a bit, so the wait did me good. Wait, you were the CMO we transported here to bring to the Phoenix. They will be blessed with you as a doctor..." She interrupted herself to try to turn her head. She sensed the familiar presence before she heard him.

"Doctor, no need to bother the nurse, I will escort this one to the VIP quaters," Aiden said with a broad smile as walked the last few steps towards them. "I have seen you look better, Kelan," he said as he bent over to kiss her on her forehead. "Sorry Doc, I am Aiden MacMahon, XO of this boat, welcome aboard," Aiden said extending his hand to greet the CMO.

Accepting the handshake from the XO "Thank you Sir, glad to be here" Jason stated then turned to Tavana "Make sure you get some rest and if at anytime you feel off don't hesitate to come back" looking back towards the XO "Please make sure she follows doctors orders" as he grinned.

"I will check in with you a bit later, Doctor," Aiden said to the CMO as he supported Tavana gettting up. "I believe you are very busy," he said. He held his arm so Tavana could hold on to it. "And I will make sure she rests," Aiden added, "even if I have to lock her up," he grinned at the doctor and then at the Tavana.

"Sounds good Commander, I want to make sure the Lieutenant is still doing well. As far as locking her up, whatever works" Jason replied with a light chuckle knowing that probably wouldn't be needed.

"We have a lot to talk about," Aiden said as they exited sickbay and started to make their way to her temporary quarters.


_________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Lt. Comdr. Aiden MacMahon
XO


Lt. Tavana Kelan, Daughter of Kretorg
SCOO

Lieutenant Jason Rhineholt, M.D.
CMO

 

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