Punchbag 1 Aiden 0

Posted on 16 Jun 2024 @ 12:19pm by Lieutenant Commander Aiden MacMahon & Lieutenant Jason Rhineholt M.D.

1,134 words; about a 6 minute read

Mission: M-18 The Past is Future
Location: Sickbay

ON

After the Rico left his quarters, Aiden was in two minds about going to sickbay straight away. But the pain that now made itself known in full force, swayed him towards better judgement. He poured himself a whiskey, downed it and made his way to sickbay, still dressed in his exercise clothes, which consisted of a black tank top and black pants.

Doctor Rhineholt was exiting his office when he noticed the XO walking into sick bay favoring his one hand more than the other. Walking over to him "Commander what in the world did you do to your hands" Jason inquired with some concern seeing some nasty looking knuckles on both his hands.

Aiden was relieved that there was someone in sickbay at this late hour and grimaced as he looked at the CMO. "Let's say, the punchbag was really mean," he said to make light of it.

"Well I certainly hope the punching bag looks as bad as your hands do" Rhineholt commented with a grin knowing that probably wasn't the case "Have a seat on this bio-bed and let me have a closer look at those hands of yours."

Aiden got onto the biobed holding his hands out. "My hands certainly got bigger and more colourful," he joked at the swelling and bruising.

The Doctor just gave his patient a look understanding his need to make light of the situation but not condoning it. Pulling the scanning device from his coat pocket "OK, let's have a look at those mitts of yours" which was an ample description due to all the swelling. Going over both hands, while looking at the monitor at the head of the bed, Jason soon realized the extent of the damage.

Looking at the XO "Aiden you have done a bang up job of either cracking and or fracturing several bones on both hands. Before I can even start to repair the damage, I'm going to have to get that swelling down somewhat" Jason explained then continued "You're going to be here for a couple of hours so you may as well lie back and relax. I'm going to mix up a bath
of CPK enzymatic therapy to soak your hands in for about an hour; that should reduce the swelling and any pain dramatically then I can repair the damage to your hands."

"A couple of hours? Shit," Aiden said, as he lifted his feet up and laid back on the biobed. "I am sorry Doc, I didn't think it will take up so much of your time. You were on your way out. While my hands soak, you can leave me, I will probably fall asleep..."

"Not to worry Aiden, being a Doctor I'm used to working long hours" Jason replied "Although I may just go grab dinner while you're soaking. There is another Doctor and a couple of Nurses on duty if you should need anything."

== Hour later ==

Doctor Rhineholt walked back into sick bay noticing the XO was fast asleep as he went up to him and gently spoke
"Aiden....Aiden let's see how your hands look" noticing the XO was stirring on the bio-bed.

Aiden started breathing faster, still caught in the vivid nightmare. A little girl was being dragged by a large predator and they more he tried to get to the girl the further she got away from him. "NO... No... no... Let her go!" he screamed in his dream in his futile attemt to save her. "Aiden.... Aiden...." he heard her voice as she disappeared into a black hole. He woke up with a start breathing hard and confused.

Between hearing the XO talking in his sleep and the state he woke up in was quite disconcerting to Jason "Aiden, bad dream" he inquired; which obviously he was "Have those often do you."

"Haven't for a while, but yes, I do..." Aiden responded, still trying to regain his composure.

Noticing the XO's hands "Well looks like the swelling in your hands has pretty much gone down so lets get them out of that solution and dry them off" Rhineholt commented as Aiden did as instructed. Tapping some buttons on the side of the bed initiated the operating tunnel which came out from both sides and attached in the middle. Turning on the sterilization field the Doctor was set to begin "I'm going to use a sonic skeletal repair beam to fix those injured bones in your hand. It'll be quite painless but you might feel a buzzing sensation; don't worry that's quite normal" Rhineholt explained "Any questions before I begin."

"No, Doctor, thank you for asking," Aiden said. This man's bedside manner was distinctly better than he had experienced before. "I have had bones repaired," he said with a wry grin. "Is this a fancy version of the osteogenic stimulator?" he asked. "Seems I did have a question."

Rhineholt grinned as he was working "You seem to know your way around medical equipment, impressive. To answer your question it's not what I would call fancier, just better, it uses pin point accuracy without any skin irritation or tearing" came the explanation. About twenty minutes later "There that one is all fixed and your other one shouldn't take any time at all to repair. So how does that feel; much better I hope."

Aiden tested his hand closing and opening his fist. Pulling the corners of his lips down he nodded his head. "Impressive Doc," he said. "It is only slightly stiff," he said. Aiden was very aware that he abused his hands and that they deserved no such treatment. "I will wear gloves next time," he added with a wry grin.

"That probably wouldn't be a bad idea" Jason replied with a slight chuckle as he proceeded to fix the damage to the other hand. A few minutes later "Ok Commander, looks like you're all set. I would strongly suggest you give your hands a couple of weeks before engaging in that type of activity and yes you should wear the appropriate gloves next time. By the way how's Lieutenant Tavana......I need to get her back here for a checkup; hopefully if everything's good the I can clear her for active duty" Rhineholt commented then paused "Also it looks like you're free to go."

"She is recovering well, it seems, but I will send her over for a check up," Aiden answered. He remained a bit worried about her mental health, but active duty would probably help her recovery. He knew her well enough to know she hated sitting still. "I think the sooner she can get working the better," he added. "Thank you again, Doctor," he said as he made his way out of sickbay.


________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________


Lieutenant Jason Rhineholt, M.D.
CMO

Lt Cmdr Aiden MacMahon
XO

 

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