Checking In

Posted on Sun Mar 29th, 2020 @ 11:11am by Brigadier General Kaden Ross & Lieutenant Commander Carolyn Corrigan MD

1,795 words; about a 9 minute read

Mission: Episode 106 – Stalemate
Location: Mercy Sickbay
Timeline: MD2 0900

Kaden hobbled into sickbay with his cane Dr. Corrigan provided him and approached the good doctor. "Hey, Carolyn, reporting in for my follow up." He said saluting her.

Getting up from behind her desk, Dr Corrigan smiled as she ushered him towards one of the nearby treatment rooms. “No need for salutes in here,” she reminded him gently. “Though you do get bonus points for being on time... and for not murdering Lieutenant Kendall by now.”

Throughout the past four weeks she had kept a distant but watchful eye as her colleague put Kaden through the intense physical therapy he needed if his return to duty was to stand a chance. She knew first hand that line Kendall walked was a thin one and he was the type of person to push and push. Yet he was very good and the results were impressive. It was the sole reason she had requested his temporary assignment here.

“I’m going to give you some privacy and I need you to strip down to the waist, then lie on your front so I can run some scans on your back.” With that said she left him alone, allowing him a few minutes to get organised.

Kaden deep down hated anyone seeing his bodybuilder physique biting down on his lip he nervously took off his shirt and laid down as instructed to. While he rested his chin on his arms scanning the room around him his body trembling a little.

"It's just me," Carolyn assured him as she returned, touching a control so the retractable arms on the either side slid up into place. "I need to run a deep tissue scan to check how the injury is healing so just hold as still as you can for me. You may feel a tingling sensation but that is perfectly natural."

Initiating the sequence she sat down on a stool so she could watch as each layer of the image took form on the workstation beside her. "How has the pain been?" she asked him as she studied the screen. "Lieutenant Kendall gave you a glowing report card but I know the aftermath of his sessions can be pretty brutal, even for a marine."

Kaden took a deep sigh laying nervously on the bed trying to be still as possible. "I am not going to lie I get a bit nervous when people see me shirtless at times. I can't help it just...happens uncontrollably my counselor says it is probably just a natural reaction to some the trauma I went thru as a kid." He confessed.

"I'll be as quick as I can and all going well, this will be the last scan like this you will need," she assured him before repeating her question, "how has the pain been?"

"Like I been flattened by a horde of Deltan wilderbeasts." Kaden replied.

“I’m guessing that’s a bad thing...” she mused, before adding, “we can increase the pain relief if you need it. As your muscles strengthen again the pain will ease, I promise. In the meantime there is no reason to suffer.”

Kaden grunted shaking his head. "Trust me, I am well versed in the world of suffering..." He couldn't help but think of the horrors he gone thru as a child being ridiculed and treated Like a freak. Nearly dying at a very young age when he was pushed off from a high spot on playground. Kaden blinked a few times trying to focus off his terrible memories. "Carolyn, you consider me a friend don't you?"

“What’s on your mind?” She asked, curious to know where he was heading with his question as she made slight adjustments to the scan. It was unprofessional to say she had very few friends, and right now had even less than she even thought she had a few weeks ago. “Hold that thought -“

She was gone in a heartbeat as a wave of nausea hit hard, with a few minutes passing before she returned. “Sorry,” she apologised, retaking her seat. “Scan is almost done. So, what’s on your mind?”

"The last time I was here to see you I noticed you been acting strange. You and Dr. Hades have been avoiding each other not to to mention your sudden need to step away just like you did now every time I am around you recently." Kaden turned his head to face Corrigan. "Is there something going on between you both? Have I done something to cause you to detest me?"

“You haven’t done anything,” she assured him as the scan concluded. Touching a button the retractable arms began sliding back into the frame of the bed. “And it isn’t because of you. The situation with Dr Hades is ... as he is fond of saying, complicated and private. Okay... the scan is finished so I’ll let you dress in private and we can go over the results, okay?”

Kaden gently grabbed her arm clearly both concerned and not caring he was still shirtless at the moment. He couldn't help but worry about Carolyn it may seem he was being a bit nosey in her personal affairs. But was part of the reason he was still alive is cause she had a hand in it. "Wait, Carolyn, I know it am being a bit...prude in getting involved in personal matters and I am sorry. But one thing about me is I care if something is going on you can trust me I just want to help if I can. I owe you that much for saving my life after all." He told her.

“You don’t owe me anything, Kaden,” she pointed out. She offered him a reassuring smile, “and thank you. But I’ll be okay. They make us Irish girls tough. Now, get changed and I’ll be back in a minute or two, okay?”

With that she left him, sighing when she saw Dr Kelley hovering. “It’s fine Helena -“ the rest of her sentence was cut off as the door closed, leaving Kaden alone.

Kaden frowned despite he was hoping to offer her help Carolyn didn't seem interested. It hurt a little but if there one thing he learned from Freya it was best to leave things as is and the girl sort things out on her own. He took his shirt and put it back on over his muscled frame to cover it up. Before waiting for Corrigan to return to go over the scans.

“Okay,” Carolyn began as she entered the room, sitting down at the side of the bed, turning the screen so he could see the scan images, “so the wound is healing perfectly. The surgery was perfect, if I do say so myself. So, good news is that if Kendall signs off you can resume administrative duties from next week, and we will build up from there. I think it’s time we let the marines have their leader back, don’t you?”

Kaden looked at his cane then back at Corrigan. "No, I don't I am not going to be hobble about with this cane still." He was too proud to let any of the Marines see him move around like a wounded animal. Call it paranoia but he felt limping about made him look weak and he wanted to be proper example to the troops.

Carolyn frowned. “Kaden, I am going to be honest with you. I understand why you feel that way, you are a leader, right? But you cannot make a leap from here to full on active duty. Phased return is standard practice. We don’t need to start now. I don’t need to see you again, as Lieutenant Kendall will be continuing your physio and can refer you back if there are any concerns. I don’t see any reports from counselling? Have you been talking to them about what happened to you on the Saratoga?”

Kaden rolled his eyes. "Don't get me thinking about Kendall right right now, Doc. Trust me he has NO idea how much I want to see if it's physically possible to shove my cane up his ass." He rubbed his forehead in agony just thinking about him already. "I have not yet spoken to anyone about the Saratoga call what you will but I am particular about who I speak to about things like this."

“I’m recommending it be Lieutenant Rol,” she told him. She paused, “a couple of years ago I was in almost the same position you are. As infuriating as he is, Kendall got me back walking when everyone else said it was impossible. I brought him in because he is the best at what he does.

As far as counselling goes, I never really gave it a chance. And it made everything so much worse because the people who were closest to me just wanted to make it easier on me. Told me what they thought I wanted to hear and do what they thought was best. And that actually made it worse. While I don’t think Counsellor Monroe would ever go easy on anyone, you have history. And Lieutenant Rol can be ... persistent. Although on the flip side, he gets you ice cream if he thinks it will make you talk.”

"I won't see Rol." Kaden said sternly not that he didn't like the guy he just didn't know him again he was steadfast on who he spoke to about his problems. "Monroe, is the only person I trust despite our history she don't let things like us being lovers interfere with her work."

She arched her eyebrow at his tone. If she had the energy she’d have made more of it but he was the first patient to be so stubborn. “Alright. Just speak to someone as I will not approve you going back to full duty with sign off from them and Kendall,” she told him as she stood. “Continue with pain relief as required, if it is not managing the pain, come by and see us. Keep up your physio and I’ll speak to Ariana so your counselling starts as soon as possible.”

Grabbing his cane Kaden nodded. "I will and don't worry about speaking to, Counselor Monroe, I already took the liberty of making a appointment to see her." He told her while he quickly smoothed out his shirt.

“In that case, you are all done,” Carolyn smiled as she walked him out. “Just, don’t be too hard on Kendall. He means well. Just don’t tell him I said that.”

"That before or after I throttle him?" Kaden asked as he headed out to go home.

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