MedLab was quiet, other than the gentle hum of the instruments that glowed in his hand. He stared at the readings, wondering whether he should believe them or not.
"Well, your heart's beating." That was the only thing he could think of to say. The walking miracle grinned in forced sort of way.
"There's an improvement." It was a sense of the old Sheridan humor, though the eyes remained rather subdued. Franklin knew that this was the most important thing-a warm beating heart couldn't lead the war John Sheridan had started.
"I'd like to take a few more detailed scans, some blood samples. But for now you seem to be the one and only John Sheridan."
"Go ahead. Make sure to check for little devices running around in my skull." His voice was bitter now, eyes growing dark as he stared at nothing.
"Noted." It easier not to talk, just to keep up the doctor-patient banter while he tired to decide whether or not this man was actually alive. But he needed to say something, to let him know. "Have you talked to Deleen since you've...been back?" He winced at his own words, keeping his eyes focused on the monitor. It was somehow easier, reducing the Captain to a series of figures on his screen as he spoke.
"Yes, a little." He could feel John's eyes focused on him now, like two lasers focused on his back.
"You should take her out to dinner." The words tumbled out of his mouth before he could stop them. He turned in time to see the slight confusion spread across the Captain's face.
"I've been meaning to spend some time with her-" Great. Subtlety had failed, now he had to sound all cryptic and sinister.
"I mean make sure she eats." This time, he managed to look his captain in the eye, forcing himself to meet the puzzled expression and watch it slowly change to compression. Sheridan wasn't stupid; he knew Deleen.
"Noted." Sheridan spoke softly, twisting back around so his back was facing him. Franklin turned back to the monitor and MedLab was quiet again.