Doctor's Orders
Grilka, Bashir | Feels
"Raktajino?"
Grilka graciously accepted the drink from Julian, in need of both the comforting familiarity and the caffeine boost it provided.
"I thought your shift didn't start for a few more hours," she said.
He nodded as he awkwardly sat down on the floor across from her. "I'm just checking in as a friend."
The disparate gestational periods between Klingon and Ferengi meant that they'd had to transport her unborn child to an artificial womb. She'd been resistant to the idea at first, and with treatments and monitoring was able to soldier on for a full eight months— a month longer than any Klingon pregnancy would last— before placental failure and decreased amniotic fluids left them with no choice.
Everything had gone swimmingly, and both mother and child were in good shape. Nevertheless, Grilka refused to leave the infirmary.
"You really should go and get some rest," he told her, his tone gentle but firm.
She sat cross-legged on the floor besides the incubator. Quark was curled up next to her, fast asleep. He'd been content to let the Federation Doctors do their damn job, but stayed to support her.
Grilka sipped the raktajino and said nothing.
"We're not exactly set up for extended visitations. You've been through some serious physiological stress, you really need to get some sleep— in an actual bed."
"I was not present when my first child died. I do not intend to repeat that mistake, should this one take a turn for the worse."
Frustrated, Julian pulled a face. She knew that these were two completely different scenarios, and that the first accidental pregnancy had been doomed from conception.
"I assure you, this one is going to be just fine."
"You are a pompous jackass to assume such a thing."
"Perhaps, but I'm also right."
An uneasy pause followed, before Grilka finally admitted: "I can't leave. I can't bear to do it."
"You know I could have you transported out of here; Doctor's orders. Or hypo you. Or drug your drink."
"But you won't."
He sighed. No, he wouldn't.
Instead, he stayed with her on the uncomfortable Infirmary floor, chatting about the politics on Qo'noS and how things were going on Bajor and whether or not he'd go to Ezri's wedding, until his shift came.