Post 237: Heaven or Hell?

Stardate:70620:2200
Title: Heaven Or Hell?
Author: Cliona McBrayne
Time: Before Smile, Though Your Heart is Breaking by Lt. Grace
Scene: Sickbay

Gilmore's surgery had gone well. The operation that once had been archaic in it's use of steel blades had been refined with the use of lasers and microscopic probes that could make inroads into the body that man's hands could not detail.

To an outsider, Gilmore's scar might seem large but it was minimal considering that once entire chest cavities had to be opened.

There were times when Cliona pondered what it must have been like, all those centuries ago, when medical technology began to evolve from knives to lasers.

From huge blood flows to managed and minimal loss. It must have been an exciting time to practice. But sanity and comfort returned and she then realized how fortunate she was that others before her had done the experimenting and paved the way for lives to be saved with their current technology.

Gilmore moaned slightly and one eye cracked open. He fixed that one eye on Cliona and it frowned with all the force of a Klingon with gout. His tongue slipped through to wet his lips as if they wouldn't work until they had made contact with moisture.

"If I'm dead, this must be hell."

Cliona's lips twisted into a smirk. Yes, he was doing fine as evident by his falling back on the barbed quips that often peppered his conversations with her. She had originally been intimidated by them but the longer she worked with Gilmore the more she saw the man behind the mask. She suspected he actually appreciated her although she knew it would take a team of wild Sehlats to pull it out of him.

"And why do you think its hell?" She willingly played straight man for his pun.

"You're here...eternal torment."

"And you're such a piece of heaven yourself." Cliona's eyes focused on the tricorder in her palm as it updated Gilmore's condition. Her face an expressionless mask, she turned the instrument off and placed it in the pocket of the lab coat she wore while on duty.

"And?"

"And. . .what?"

Gilmore's other eye popped open and he waved his hand towards her. "You have to be the most obstinate ..."

Her lips curved into a smile. "I learned from the best." She tucked the sheet that covered him in securely. "You're doing amazingly well, Captain. Already there's noticeable healing. Your new heart is pumping strong. You should be on your feet in a few days. You will remain off duty for several weeks until your body has acclimated but I will approve you for light work, such as your XO bringing reports TO you instead of you going to the bridge. "

She emphasized the word will to make certain he understood her comments were not being offered as a suggestion.

RJ Gilmore looked as if he wanted to argue but knew Cliona did have the power to keep him off duty and would use it if he bucked her.

"And yes...I am enjoying this." She grinned widely. "Get some rest. You're going to need it."

Dr. Cliona McBrayne
Chief Medical Officer
USS Independence NCC-90791