Smugglers Cove (Love2write and Silence)

Skeptically he looked over at her. Maybe she didn't think that she was so far removed but, there was a difference when you had someone. Some kids didn't have anyone growing up at least she did. With her description of how affection worked he couldn't help himself and started to laugh. "That's just weird. Cooking dinner." Huffing a little he met her gaze and one eyebrow raised. Looked like she was dead serious. "Well that parts not happening. One I hate to cook and two you don't want to eat what I cook. Nobody does. So that means I get to improvise and put something else in its place."

A mischievous grin came to his face. Star added the part that made him sound like a lousy bastard but, he didn't believe it. Killian knew he was better than that. "Huh, that's what you think. I've still got a few ideas for substituting the meal thing." It was fun to see her get that confused look on her face.

As they got closer to the ship he started to drift away from her. He knew the crew would be waiting. Still the further he drifted the closer she seemed to get. "Why are you doing that?" It was just habit for him and he hadn't really thought of the talk she just gave him. "Crap...Even at times like these. You know I'm not gonna live this down." Just as he was saying that he could hear the guys start to whistle and Mike's airy laugh starting up.
 
"Am I worth the hazing?" She asks with a light smile, meeting his eyes. They reach the ramp and Star makes a face at the boys waiting in the ship. "We explored the cove and had drinks, that's all." She says, updating the curious crew members.

"Excuse me!" A call from behind them caused Star and Killian to turn around.
A handsome man in his late 20's approaches them with a duffle bag over his shoulder. "Greetings. My name is Kato. I'm a class 3 doctor and have experience in almost every area of medical treatment. Are you per-chance in need of a medic among your crew?" Kato's voice and expression remained almost completely even with next to no inflections or emotional influence.
 
"Hmmm?" Killian pretended not to know what she was talking about. As he walked up the ramps he noticed that Mike had prematurely glanced behind them. It was about that time he heard the voice. Almost whipping around he bumped into Star. For the moment he was prepared to fight. Typically it wasn't good news when someone came up on you like that. "Why the hell are you looking for a job here?"

Resting a hand on a club he worked his way closer. He was far enough away that the other man couldn't quite reach him and close enough there wouldn't be time for him to draw either if he was a bounty hunter trying a new trick. "I don't like your kind lurking around like a rat."
 
"I did not lurk, Sir, and I announced myself as soon as I was within vocal distance." The self-proclaimed medic stops short of the ship, and holds up his clothing and turns to show that he was unarmed. "Most of the ships around these parts already have medic aboard their crews or don't trust someone as young as me to do a good job. If you give me a two week trial, I promise to prove myself an invaluable asset. You will not even need to pay me for the duration of that time, and I am willing to accept a smaller portion of payment for being an on board doctor rather than an in-the-field smuggler." Again his voice was completely even, almost monotone.

"We could use a ship doctor...one that really knows what he's doing." Star whispers to Killian. "Especially with Timo still recovering."
 
Killian opened his mouth to say something and then Star whispered in his ear. Nearly shuddering at the sensation that it made in his ear he turned toward her slightly but, still kept his gaze on the doctor. "I don't like you." It was normal that he didn't like new folks. Still the argument presented by Star was a compelling one. Even if she did pretty much say that he didn't know what he was doing. Killian had learned everything he knew about medicine the same way he learned about smuggling, stealing, and ships. Trial and error.

"You get approximately a week to impress me and then I'll blow your brains out if you don't make the cut. How's that?" He couldn't be having anyone know that he was working for the rebellion and that was the best offer he could think of for the moment.
 
"I accept the challenge." Kato nods and takes a step closer to the ship. "Again, my name is Kato Jones. Am I to assume you are the Captain of this vessel?"

Timo had heard the voices and joined Mike and Adam at the top of the ramp. "Whose that?" He asks, peering from behind Mike.
 
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Killian had half expected that the doctor would turn away. If nothing else he was pretty confident in whatever his work was if he was. The captain nodded. "Aye and you'll learn to mind me. I don't have time or room for your kind if you can't stay out of the way."

The engineer peered back at the boy. It was obvious that he still had some pain by the slouch that he walked in. "Looks like we may be getting a doctor on board." It was something that they'd needed for a long time, but Killian had an odd theory about his crew. They came to him and he usually groused and made a fit about it. However, he didn't go out looking and it seemed that the right folks were usually drawn to him by themselves. At least his theory had worked so far.
 
"I have no intention of making any problems. If anything, I wish to fix them." Kato nods and follows the crew up the ramp into the ship. He pauses as he passes by Timo who looks up at him with a curious look. He kneels infront of the boy, Star placing herself protectively at his side.
"Are you injured?" Kato asks, noting the way the boy stood and held his left side tenderly.
Timo glances up at Star who nods at him encouragingly. Timo pulls up his shirt, revealing the bloodied bandage around the wound. Star's eyebrows knit together. It was stitched, it shouldn't have been bleeding, at least not that much.

"May I?" Kato asks, looking up at the crew members for permission before peeling away the bandage. He looks it over, blinking many times while making a "hmm'ing" noise. "Bullet wound, explosive round by the looks of the internal injury. Whoever treated it did well in mending the clipped artery and interior damage. However, it looks like they missed a small piece of shrapnel, which would be why you are still experiencing pain despite your probable use of pain meds and blood loss despite the excellent stitching."

"How could you possibly know that by just looking at it?" Star asks suspiciously.
"Cybernetic implants." Kato taps his forehead. "Allows me to basically observe past the surface layer of objects, much like an x-ray, but much more effective. I can increase or decrease the depth at which I see objects through a series of eye movements." He stands and looks at Killian. "Its also how I know that you recently recovered from a bullet wound yourself, Sir. It looks to be mending quite nicely. You also have a knee injury from several years ago that has never fully healed. I could recommend several excellent braces to minimize limping and imbalance."

Kato looks over at Mike. "The cartilage in your spine is wearing down. You have likely begun experiencing constant lower back pain which makes it difficult to bend down or stand for extended periods of time. A series of Cartilage growth shots into your spine can keep it your condition from deteriorating and even possibly improve it."

"Wow..." Star blinks. "Well, I like him."
 
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Instinctively Killian tensed when the doctor kneeled next to the boy. He was already drawing a weapon to shoot the man if he made a wrong move. Gradually he put the weapon back in its place when the man started to tell them about the injury. There was no way he should know something like that. It was scaring the captain. He looked to Adam. They may find a way to kill the man now and dump his body somewhere on the trail. Maybe one of the doctors had leaked the information after all and the man was a bounty hunter pretending to be a doctor. Then there was the question of how he would know there was still shrapnel in the boy.

Finally the man turned to Killian and named some of his injuries. He'd always suspected that the injury to the knee was what caused most of the problems but, he also had some other issues with his leg. One of them being a break that had never really healed well either. That the doctor didn't mention because he didn't actually know or it was out of respect. Either way Killian felt uncomfortable.

He turned to Mike and again started to name problems. They all knew Mike's back was bad but, didn't know why. "The hell!" Killian stepped forward and almost picked the man off the ground. "We'll ask for your help when we need it." It took a small throat clearing in the background to get his attention. Taking a step back he made some distance between himself and the doctor. "I'll give you a tour of the ship."
 
Star clears her throat as Killian went all paranoid on the doctor. She'd begun to learn that this was just part of his process when working through a new crew member.

Kato nods his head at the Captain respectively. "Very well. I will refrain from offering any medical advice unless specifically asked. Lead the way." He follows Killian as he begins the tour of the ship.

Star puts a hand on Timo's shoulder. "We'll meet you in the medbay when you're finished." She calls to both of them. Timo was trembling slightly and Star looks down him worriedly. "Whats wrong kid?"
"I don't want to have to go through that again."
"That? Oh...you mean him removing the shrapnel and sowing you back up. "
Timo nods, and Star pats his shoulder sympathetically. I'll make sure he uses plenty of pain killers." She guides him to the medbay and helps him onto the table where they wait patiently for the doctor's tour to end.
 
Mike closed the docking ramp and waited patiently in his spot while the captain gave the tour. He was curious about the shots. It was true that his back had begun to hurt almost every day and something to either halt the degrading of his spine or at least make it better sounded good. If it was up to him he would have happily welcomed the doctor. There were reasons for the captain's odd behavior. The man was prone to outbursts when he felt vulnerable.

Glancing down at the boy the older man smiled. "Oh I've got some news for you." Pulling his own shirt up he showed off a scar on his chest. "I had a surgery once. Had to mend a hole in my heart. You know its a little scary sometimes. Good thing is that I'll bet we got some hot chocolate for you." He knew for a fact that the woman had bought some and he had snuck one to his room a while back and still had it. "We'll just have to wait for the doctor to finish patching you up. Then remember to knock on the captains door if you need anything. Especially at night." Mike knew that as grouchy as the captain was he would take care of the boy now that he was considered part of the crew. Wouldn't matter what time of night or day it was.

Finally Killian finished the tour and pointed down one of the corridors. "Medical bay is down there. I'm sitting in to make sure you don't do anything crazy to the kid."
 
"Certainly. I welcome your observation of my skills." Kato replies seriously and makes his way to the medbay. Timo had worked himself into a near panic, worried about the pain of the procedure. He shook like a leaf despite Star's best efforts to comfort the lad. Kato took a quick look around the lab, observing what they had available in terms of medical equipment. He slipped off his duffel bag, setting it into the corner. "You are welcome to search my belongings if it will make you feel more comfortable." He says casually, walking past Killian in his exploration of the medbay.

Kato pulls a canister of Nitrous oxide from beneath the cabinet and attaches a gas mask to the tube. He sets it on the table next to a canister of oxygen and attaches that tube as well. He talks as he works. "This is Nitrous oxide. Its going to help you relax. I'll be done before you know it." With reluctant permission from Killian he lays the boy down and places the mask on his face. He gets to work applying anesthesia to area around the wound and opening the stitches.

Star held Timo's hand, smiling as the boy's muscles noticeably relaxed and he closed his eyes. The occasional tensing of his hand let her know he was still well awake and feeling the pressure from the doctor's probing. A few minutes later Kato withdrew the long tweezers and held up the small piece of jagged shrapnel. He drops it and the tweezers in a nearby metal bowl and proceeds to restitch the wound.

"Now it should heal properly." He says, reapplying a fresh bandage. He removes the mask from Timo's face and turns the gas off.
"Awwww..." Timo pouts slightly. "I was just about to fall asleep."
"A common side-effect of the gas." Kato states factually.
 
Killian took a deep breath as the boy was laid on the bed in the medical bay. He glowered at the doctor and took the permission to search the bag. There wasn't anything inside of it of interest. Interest in the way of danger. Carefully putting it all back the captain looked to the boy. "Its safe." Sometimes he doubted that the boy found any comfort in the way that he did things. Still it was the best that he could do for now.

Soon as the doctor finished Killian walked over to the edge of the bed to inspect the injury. Looking it over he growled a little. "Looks fine." As much as he hated to, the entire crew probably needed a physical and while they had the doctor they may as well get patched up. Next job held plenty of risk in it. "Be ready for a busy day." Carefully lifting the boy he started back toward Timo's room. Thankfully the boy was far more stable since they had left the hospital and the stitches would only require a few more days of rest and he should be back to better than he was before. Once he had the boy laid down in his bed Killian winked. "Now, you just rest here for a while. Rest of the crew needs to see the doctor too."

Wandering down to where Mike was at Killian nodded to him. "You're up. Go see the doctor."

Mike almost fell over when he received an order to go see the new doctor. "I'm busy!"

"No your not." Killian pushed him out of the engine room. "I'm taking over for right now."

The older man shook his head and started down the corridor. They had been a ragtag group with the captain operating as the doctor for long enough that he was a bit nervous himself. Stepping into the room he swallowed. "I'm here. Captain ordered me to get checked." Glancing at the medical bed he frowned. "You want me to lay on that or can I stand?"
 
"However you are most comfortable." Kato replies, changing his gloves. "Will I be doing a full exam today? Or just discussing the possibilities of cartilage growth shots. If you do wish to begin treatment I will need to return to the Cove to purchase some particular medical supplies before we take off. In the meantime, I can treat the pain...if you are experiencing any...that is." Kato had picked up on the pride of the ship members, especially the Captain. As such he was careful to word his speech as not to bring any unneeded offense.
 
Mike almost fell over at the offer from the doctor to do a full exam. It had been a very long time since he'd even seen a physician. Frowning he shook his head. "Orders to get checked. Can't you just..." On second thought he didn't want to encourage the x-ray vision for something like that. "Let's just try the treatments for the back. Uh...I'll let the captain know that we all need a full exam for you to know what we'll be needing aboard the ship." The crew member knew better than to pretend that he shouldn't have a full exam. "We're needing to be in full health before the next run. I guess you'd better give me a full exam then."

When he was finished he found that Adam was already waiting in line. None of the men spoke as they exited. Mike stood outside the door though. He had half a feeling that the captain would be furious if he knew what a full exam entailed. In fact the man had never seen a doctor in all his life. Before Killian stepped in Mike patted him on the shoulder. "Just remember the doctor is going to do what all doctors do for an exam. It only needs to happen once every couple of years."

The captain frowned a little at the man. What Mike told him about them all needing a full physical to know what the doctor needed before they left port was a good idea. This last bit of advice was disconcerting. Stepping into the room he sat on the edge of the bed. "Nothing to do. Not like I'm sick or anything." Seemed that the doctor had noticed the bruises with his x-ray vision. "There you happy? I got bruises." Seemed it wasn't quite enough for the physical and he frowned. "Hell no. I'm not losing my pants! What sick kind of bastard are you?"

Already Mike knew it was time to say something. "I've been to a doctor and they all do it. You need to be checked captain." Yelling from outside the door he then started walking away. He met Star on his way back to his room and shrugged. "I think you're after the captain. He's not too happy about it." Adding a last part in a whisper he let her in on the secret of why. "Captain has never seen a doctor in his life."
 
Star covered her mouth at Mike's statement. Even out here they could still hear the Captain's very loud arguing with their new doctor who's voice never changed pitch or rhythm. "Oh gosh...so he has no idea that..." Another very loud protestation from Killian beyond the door answered her questioned. She can't help but laugh. "Poor guy. You think Kato is safe in there?"

Killian's exam took twice the time with Kato being impossibly patient and unmoving. He continued to repeat, "I've been ordered by the Captain to do a full examination on everyone, that includes you," throughout the entire process. Star passed by him on her way to the med bay. She holds in her amused laughter. "You going to be ok? You didn't kill him already, did you?"
 
Mike shook his head. "No he's never..." That was probably the best way to put it. All the yelling from the room could still be heard half way across the ship. Meeting the woman's gaze he shrugged. "Who knows. I imagine it might take a while to convince him to do it otherwise if we hear a gunshot we know it didn't go well." While Killian was a bit of a wild man that was a long shot. The engineer figured it was highly unlikely that the doctor would get shot unless he did something inappropriate. Kato didn't seem to be the kind for that activity.

The reassurance from Kato didn't help. Killian still held onto his pants. "I am the captain!" No matter what he said the man was going to insist that he had to be checked. When he finally gave in it was with great reluctance. "Nothing else right?" He was feeling a bit weary of the entire process. After the finger exam he had to do a breathing thing. It was to check for muscle weakness in the abdominal wall or something like that. Killian couldn't remember the fancy term the doctor used. It was uncomfortable to say the least. At least socially uncomfortable. And now this guy was part of the crew and he would see them all over and over every day. Not to mention he had x-ray vision. More than likely it wasn't that bad, but Killian couldn't keep his mind from running wild at this point.

As they were nearing the end of the exam the doctor seemed to take notice of his one leg. Usually Killian didn't mind folks seeing him shirtless but, the leg was bad. It had scars that ran almost the length of it from the crates. His knee might have been the most painful part though there was still plenty of other damage. "Well if you...Ow!" Normally it took Killian a few tries to find the tender spots on his leg but, the doctor found in a single jab. Whatever the man said he just nodded. "Fine do what you have to. Am I done now?" Pulling his pants back up he started to limp for the door. His leg hurt a little worse now than it had when he woke up.

At the door he met with Star. She almost looked amused. The captain narrowed his eyes slightly. "No I didn't kill him. I have wait at least a week to do that."
 
"Well, imagine how I feel." Star says to Killian. "I'm a woman and I have to let him do a full exam." She walks past Killian, wondering if the comment had made him jealous or if he didn't care.

Kato had suggested corrective implants to help support his leg where his knee was no longer able to. Whether or not the Captain really had heard him or simply wanted to get away, he was unsure, but he made a mental note to bring up the topic later when the Captain trusted him more.

Star walked in, her cheeks slightly flushed. Kato nods to her. "Shall we begin?"
"I suppose we must."
***
Later that evening Kato joined everyone at the dinner table where Star had prepared a yummy dinner as always. If he felt awkward about the exams he showed no signs of it. He acts as if everything were normal and as it should be. "This smells impressive." He notes, then takes a bite of the dinner. "It is quite delectable as well."
"Well now. That's the first time I've heard that term in reference to my cooking." Star smirks.
 
Killian shrugged when she mentioned a full exam. He'd never really learned much about female anatomy. Just enough to know where things went. Rest of it was a mystery to him. The man sat uncomfortably in a seat and waited for the doctor to finish and present him with a list of items and their approximate cost. The captain had to try and determine now if the medical supplies were going to still be on the ship. He might have to rework the cut that everyone got to pay for the doctor and all the supplies he would need.

By that evening he had mostly forgotten the entire conversation with the doctor. At least they were about ready to be leaving. The food like usual was good tasting. Killian waited patiently for her to serve. That was a small manner that he had learned after a few weeks. Star had a little fire in her and he'd picked up the manners whether he wanted to or not. "Well we'll be taking course in about an hour." Looking at the others he knew they were ready and then he gazed at the doctor for a moment. "You get everything that you needed for the crew?" He didn't want to know what was wrong with the various members. It was just clear that they all had needs and that was the way it was when you travelled the stars for a long time.
 
"I believe I do." Kato nods. "Thankyou for your quick retrieval of the items and being willing to purchase them. Too many Captains will make excuses for why each item is not needed or will not be needed and the crew suffers for it."
He continues to eat. Its only now that Star notices his impeccable posture and eating habits. He's like one of those butler androids or something.
She snickers to herself at the thought and takes a seat right beside Killian. "Do you like it?" She asks leaning towards him expectantly, knowing full well that he did. But now that they were attempting this relationship thing, she was going to have to train him how to treat her better.
 
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