Star Struck

   There was a hesitation before Aella stepped forward, holding out a PADD to the doctor. There, in the glowing blue light, were pictures – pictures of many small stones, square in shape, with symbols carved on their topmost surface. “While exploring Milin VII,” she began, “I found these. I took interest in the symbols, believing it to be some sort of language, but I cannot be sure without locating more characters. I did not move them from the planet, in fear of damaging them, and have already asked and been granted permission to beam down again to study them and some remains of some sort of building an ensign found. I thought they would be of interest to you.” A pause, before she added, somewhat awkwardly, “They were quite… warm.”

    Ordinarily, he does not bother medical officers, regardless of which faction they belong to. However, the woman has stumbled across some very delicate operations; he can’t simply allow her to keep wandering freely around. No matter that it may be a waste of time, he must detain her. Thus why, despite already being briefed, he presses on with the questioning.

    “Your story. From the beginning.”

      “Thought growing up meant you had to go and kill the child inside.”           ( @stxrloved | starter call )

Leonard stayed quiet for a long moment, there was a part of him that knew she had a point. However the very idea of possibly taking a risk with love again was enough to make him sick to his stomach. He raised an eyebrow when she tried to ask for a name. “You honestly think I would give ya that kind of ammo against me?”

    “As if I have any need of such. No – that is a warning. I will not ask again; what is your business in this area?”

   Lieutenant Aella Moore walked slowly into the room, hoping not to interrupt Doctor Bryanna Shepherd in whatever research she is currently conducting. She is relatively surprised when the doctor speaks to her – she had not even taken her eyes off of the artifact in her hands. Aella feels herself somewhat bristle at the words the other speaks, but merely nods gently, stepping forward, clutching her PADD in more certainty.

   “I know my way to the medbay, doctor. I was hoping to ask for your assistance in some analysis.”

Leonard’s grimace almost physically pains him, and he’s shaking his head in disgust before she can even get the words out. “That mighta been the single most offensive thing I’ve ever heard in my damn life,” he grouses, “You’re goin’ the right way ‘bout gettin’ yourself a lifetime ban from this medbay.” His irritation, as half-hearted as it is, doesn’t last, and he rolls his eyes. Reaching out, he gives Bryanna’s shoulder a squeeze, unable to repress his smile. “Think I’d much prefer it if our interactions took place outside’a my place of work, doctor. One’a the rec rooms seems better suited.” 

“You’re the CMO and somehow that’s the most offensive thing you’ve heard?” Bryanna asks incredulously, raising an eyebrow. Her lips pull into a cheeky grin at his threat, “Oh you’d never do that. I think you’d worry about me too much, we both know how accident prone I am.” She isn’t quite expecting him to reach out and squeeze her shoulder, but she doesn’t complain, instead she gives him a surprisingly soft, fond smile. Even so, she can’t help but tease, even if part of her means it, “Why Leonard, is this you trying to ask me on a date. ‘Cause you’re doing a spiffing job.”

   “What I adore is not havin’ to treat every little bump and bruise you end up in here with,” Leonard grumbles, but his lips twitch upwards into a smile, betraying his amusement. “I don’t even know how you manage it, but it seems like you got somethin’ that ‘needs’ my attention every day.” He folds his arms, leans back against her recently-vacated bed, peers down at her. His lips curl into a smirk, and he tilts his head to the side. “Why, doctor, if I didn’t know any better, I’d swear you’re doin’ it on purporse.”

She pouts rather dramatically, “Well how else am I suppose to see you?” The woman teases, “I do so enjoy our daily encounters.” Propping a hand on her hip she laughs lightly, her other hand going to her chest as if she was an offended old lady, and in the very best Southern accent she can achieve, “why Doctor McCoy, ah’m quite sure I have no idea watchu mean.” A lie, of course, but Bryanna will never own up to it, instead just winking at him knowingly.

BONES, OF COURSE, let out a series of curses at jim’s state. he rounded on the woman, grilling her with questions. “how did this happen? who did this? did you see what happened? how much was injected into his system.” they were rapid fire and bones continued to scan and bark order to his nurses as he waited for his questions to be answered by bryanna. all the while, jim twitched and shifted on the wheeled stretcher before he was hooked up to tubes and wires. hopefully he’d just have to wait for the drug to leave his system.

Her eyebrows are pinched together in concentration as she works, one hand turning the artifact over and over as she examines it, the other typing information into her PADD. She notices the other woman approach out of the corner of her eye, but doesn’t move her gaze away from what is in front of her, too focused on her work for the moment. “If you’re looking for a medical doctor I’m afraid you’re in the wrong place.” Bryanna says, it’s usually how it is when people wander in here, “As I have said many times before; I’m a doctor but not that kind of doctor.”

“Well when you get to my age and have been through a nasty  break up or two.. you learn real quick that pining is a lot less painful.” he sighed taking another long sip, deciding not to  argue that almost everyone was a damn kid to him. 

“Just ‘cause it’s tiny doesn’t mean it can’t hurt!” She protests in response, propping her cheek up on her hand and pursing her lips as she watches him. Honestly it didn’t hurt that bad, but she could never pass up the opportunity to come and annoy the other (attractive) doctor. Bryanna blinks slightly in surprise at the hypospray, but it passes quickly, instead being replaced by a grin as she pushes herself off the bed, “Oh don’t lie to yourself doc, we both know you just adore my company.”