Peace Offering

Posted on Mon May 25th, 2020 @ 1:44pm by Lieutenant Commander Carolyn Corrigan MD

463 words; about a 2 minute read

Mission: Episode 106 – Stalemate
Location: USS Mercy, Sickbay
Timeline: 0845 hours

"What's this?"

Setting down the report on his failed physiotherapy session with a certain marine, Lieutenant Kendall arched an eyebrow when a latte was set down on the edge of the table. He had been so focused on his work and the vague discomfort from his recently broken nose that he hadn't even heard anyone enter the room.

Reaching for it, he took a long drink before setting the cup back down. "Not bad. Definitely not replicated..."

Sliding into an adjacent seat, Doctor Corrigan nursed her own drink as she flashed him an apologetic smile. "A peace offering. From the barista on the station. Only the best for my favourite physiotherapist."

His eyes narrowed perceptibly. "Uh huh," he said as he returned to his reports. Clearly his mood had not thawed. Yet.

Stretching out a leg to tap her toe against his leg, she offered an apologetic smile, "how's the nose."

"Uncomfortable but healing well," he said stiffly.

"I'm sorry your appointment with Kaden ended like it did, and so painfully."

"Please!" he snorted. "I'm just infuriated it took him so long to find his line in the sand. Now I know."

Carolyn rolled her eyes, "you play a dangerous game, Kendall. One day, you will push someone too hard. And I wont just be resetting your nose."

"It worked for you, and countless others," he said smugly. "I don't ask for people to like me. I don't want them to. Physio should be something they hate. It is excellent motivation for them to get better."

"That's good, cos most of them don't," she muttered drily. "Are you sure you're not some sort of robot?"

"Only in that I'm normally very efficient," he quipped.

Carolyn rolled her eyes. She walked into that one. "Just, be careful with Kaden, he genuinely can hit a lot harder than I ever could," she pointed out. "You were fortunate it was just a broken nose. But either way, I should have been harder on him. Hitting staff is unacceptable, even if provoked."

"True," he conceded, "but I did ask for it. I have no intention of filing a complaint against him. Or you."

"Me?"

"You have hit me on several occasions. Although the first a breeze could have done more damage," he sighed, before smiling, "but by the second! It was quite the improvement!"

Carolyn rolled her eyes as she gently kicked him. "There is something really really wrong with you," she decided as she stood, being sure to take her hot chocolate with her. "I have work to do but I meant it, less pushing to extremes and once you've written up your notes, go home and rest."

As she left the doctor's lounge she heard a mere grunt of acknowledgement. It would do.

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