Posted by Lieutenant Junior Grade Jessica Lemann (Doctor) in Medical eval - Va’rek

Posted by Lieutenant Junior Grade Va’rek (Engineer) in Medical eval - Va’rek

Posted by Lieutenant Junior Grade Jessica Lemann (Doctor) in Medical eval - Va’rek
Posted by… suppressed (11) by the Post Ghost! 👻
While he knew the way and did not get lost, Va’rek kept a slower pace as he made his way to Sickbay. Medical evaluation was a standard part of joining a new crew, but it meant interacting with others.. He was not thrilled with the idea of interacting. However, being unable to work until he was cleared for duty, the slender Vulcan had decided to get it out of the way.

In a few minutes, he found himself at the door to Sickbay, and inhaling deeply, he prepared himself and stepped inside.

Once inside, he stood by and awaited acknowledgement.

-Lt J. G. Va’rek

The slight woosh of the doors to Sickbay grabbed Jessica’s attention as she finished with a patient who was sleeping off the after effects of a particularly nasty bought of influenza. Her head snapped around fast enough to leave her loose blonde hair swaying slightly as she visually scanned the Vulcan who had appeared in the doorway. Her initial impression was that he seemed rather gaunt for his height, although a Starfleet uniform could hide quite a bit.

A final check of her patient complete, she made her way to Va’rek with a slight bounce to her step. Offering him a winning smile that made her green eyes sparkle, she asked, “hi there! I’m Dr. Lemann, how can I help you?” Her right hand reached up distractedly to tuck her hair behind her ear before returning to her lab coat pocket.

Dr. Lemann

Whether it was the general Vulcan disposition of impassivity, or he was genuinely displeased by her bubbly greeting… It was hard to say. Va’rek studied her for a long moment before he answered. His reply was rather dour.

“Greetings, Doctor. I wish to be cleared for duty.” He said softly, straightening his uniform tunic. The nod of acknowledgment he gave her was fairly curt, but not totally unfriendly. Someone knowledgeable about Vulcan body language would recognize he was merely uncomfortable and not outright irritated. He was clean and tidy, but none the less had a not quite glowing appearance.

-Lt. J.G. Va’rek

Whether impassivity or displeasure, it didn’t much matter to the vivacious human, although Jessica’s otherwise pale complexion flushed a slight light pink as Va’rek studied her. “Well, you’ve come to the right place,” she commented, her enthusiasm and friendly smile still forefront. Having noticed the straighten of his tunic, she resisted her impulse to guide him with a hand on his shoulder and instead merely gestured to the nearest biobed, covering the distance to it in fairly few strides given her much shorter stride. “You know the drill, I’m sure. Lie down here and we’ll get started. Is there anything I should be aware of in your medical records or since your last visit with a doctor?” While her speech pattern was still full of energy and upbeat, her tone had grown slightly more serious as she focused on her patient.

Dr. Lemann

Va’rek nodded and moved to the Biobed Dr. Lemann had indicated. Lowering himself onto it, he looked up as she inquired after his latest medical data. “My latest medical evaluation was a few months ago. I was given a clean bill of health and cleared for duty. I do not believe there is any physical ailment of which I am currently aware, other than I have had trouble sleeping lately.” He said, realizing it was the most words he’d strung together in several weeks.

-Lt. J.G. Va’rek

Unbidden, unannounced, and frequently unwanted a dark voice spoke from a point three inches behind Dr Lemann’s shoulders. “Trouble sleeping… hmmm for a Vulcan that’s pretty serious wouldn’t you say, doctor?”

Stark stepped around Jessica and eyed the Vulcan with mock severity his black eyes unreadable.

Stark Nightstalker CIO

Jessica’s mouth had opened slightly as she began to respond to Va’rek, but the interruption of the familiar voice of the CIO resulted in a rather predominant eye roll instead. As he made to move around her, she quickly shifted to the side, placing herself between the two. Holding up one finger to Va’rek in the human gesture of “just one moment,” she whirled around to face Nightstalker, her loose hair narrowly missing her patient as she twirled.

“New onset insomnia would be a concern in any patient,” came her measured but firm response, emphasized by her hands moving to brace themselves on her hips. “How can I help you, Commander?” Her tone was pleasant enough, having enjoyed her previous interactions with Nightstalker, but there were flashes of fire in her jade eyes belying her slight annoyance at the interruption.

Dr. Lemann

Stark cocked an eyebrow and smiled broadly. “Your instincts do you credit doctor,” he said his eyes dancing in the overhead lighting, “I’m not normally in the habit of explaining myself but you’ve impressed me and so I shall. At one point in my past, I was XO on this ship and made it my practice to greet all newcomers personally. Now as Intelligence officer I continue the practice logically because if medical and psych get to ascertain someone is fit for duty how much more does the Intelligence Officer need a read on new crew”.

He continued with a nod to the two of them, “Arriving quietly often elicits reactions within people that show their truer self under a little bit of pressure and surprise. I’d appreciate it if both of you wouldn’t blow that for me for future arrivals by making it the subject of ship scuttlebutt”.

Involuntarily, Va’rek jerked his head slightly to one side, half raising an arm to ward off the Almost-hitting-him-mid-swirl loose hair. Either this motion would cover up the fact that he’d startled fairly violently at Nightstalker’s sudden From-Nowhere appearance or vice versa. Either way, Va’rek frowned as only a grumpy and slightly surprised Vulcan can… His hazel eyes studied the oddly scarred Caitian for a moment as Dr. Lemann spoke to him. Just as Lemann requested as to whether she might help Nightstalker, Va’rek asked. “Are you an expert on Vulcan physiology, Sir?” in a tone that made one wonder if sarcasm was logical enough for Vulcan usage. As he spoke, one eyebrow quirked just slightly.

-Lt J.G. Va’rek

“I’m an expert in Vulcan anatomy…” Stark said neutrally studiously avoiding showing his teeth and claws “But I do know a fair bit about physiology as well. My mentor was Vulcan, his daughter is married to my nephew”.

Stark Nightstalker

Va’rek raised both eyebrows in surprise at Stark’s words about Vulcan anatomy and having Vulcan family ties. Perhaps this was someone he could speak with… But his insecurity overcame this thought and he merely nodded and then looked down.

Amusement darted over Jessica’s face as she shook her head from side to side. “I’ll make you a deal, Commander,” she commented, turning the focus of her deep green eyes onto him. “You can surprise meet and greet all of the new crew you want as long as you don’t do it during a confidential medical evaluation.” With a clear expectation that they would now be left alone, she turned back to her patient, slightly less flippantly this time, although she still managed to fit in a dismissive toss of her blonde hair. She reached for a medical tricorder and popped the probe out of it in a fluid motion, beginning her scans before commenting further on the insomnia the officer had shared with her.

Dr. Lemann

The Vulcan remained silent as Jessica began to scan him, quickly lost in some thought process and seeming far away. He seemed to no longer notice her or Nightstalker, or anything else for that matter. Physically there was nothing wrong. Nothing caused by infection, or physical trauma anyhow… her scan would indicate that his pituitary/adrenal index was quite skewed, however. His brain chemistry showed all the classic signs of stress and emotional trauma, including a huge drop in serotonin and an overactive pituitary system. Quite literally, he was (chemically speaking) a walking panic attack. Heart rate was steady but higher than it should’ve been, his cellular regeneration looked as if he weren’t sleeping at all, and his digestive system showed signs of undernourishment.

-Lt. J.G. Va’rek

Jessica’s brows furrowed as she studied the results of the scans on her tricorder. Involuntarily, she felt herself pull it closer to her body, shielding the contents from anyone nearby. Several surprisingly solemn moments of contemplation later, her gaze returned to the form of the Vulcan lying on the biobed in front of her. With the support of the knowledge she’d gleaned from her scans, some of the troubling signs she had glanced over as they first met now made more sense and she felt herself catching her lower lip between her teeth and gnawing thoughtfully. Finally, she carefully cleared the tricorder’s display and set it beside her, but instead of returning that hand to her side, she pressed it on the slender shoulder of Va’rek. Squeezing slightly, she finally spoke in a gentle, but firm tone. “What are you thinking about?”

Dr. Lemann

Her touch made him jump in surprise, elevating his heart rate momentarily and spiking his blood pressure, which made the Biobed beep a time or two in a warning tone. His hazel eyes turned back to her, wide but only slightly glassy. “I am..” Va’rek began slowly, haltingly. “Er… Forgive me, Doctor. I mean no offense, but I would rather not discuss it at present.” He looked at her, and having to deal with something outside his own head, seemed to function better.

-Lt. J.G. Va’rek

An amused giggle almost slipped from Jessica’s mouth as she observed the biobed’s dissatisfaction with what the physical contact had done to Va’rek’s vital signs. She offered a final squeeze of his shoulder before moving her hand, wrapping her arm across the front of her slender form. Her demeanor quickly grew serious again, however, as she held the eye contact for a few moments, evaluating her next steps. It seemed like the man was in acceptable health other than the effects of whatever was going on and mental health was not particularly her wheelhouse… the Athena had a well-staffed counseling office. Her thoughts wandered more until she suddenly shook her head decisively and extended her hand to offer her help to assist him to a seated position. “What’s your plan for your next meal?”

Dr. Lemann

Normally, he did not like being touched… So he was surprised when the comforting feeling he’d felt with her hand on his shoulder disappeared when she let go. The prolonged eye contact, likewise, was surprisingly not off-putting though he showed no outward signs of this thought.

He took her hand, and sat up with her assistance, and then stood up slowly, and found a third surprise as the pang of odd emotion shot through him as he let her hand go.

“I have not given thought to eating, as I am not currently hungry.” Va’rek replied, his brow furrowing as an audible grumble issued from his stomach. At this, his eyebrows rose and he amended… “Perhaps I should… Give the matter some attention.”

His expression was perhaps very subtly embarrassed as he maintained the eye contact.

-Lt. J.G. Va’rek