Check Up

Because you have to take care of yourself too.

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Giotto sat on the edge of the biobed doing his best impression of someone who wasn't nervous or impatient. The older you got, the more disciplined you became about bringing your body in for maintenance, but the more apprehensive you became when a doctor took longer than usual getting back with your lab results.

He raised his eyebrows inquiringly as Dr. McCoy returned.

"You're in fine shape, Sam." The doctor drawled. "I just wanted to double-check a few indicators. There's a hint of arthritis starting in that old wrist injury, but since we've caught it early, it ought to be fully reversible."

Sam nodded, trying not to look excessively relieved.

McCoy held up two hypos and applied each as he explained. "This one is scheduled inoculations. This one is for the arthritis. Three more of these over the next two weeks ought to nip it in the bud."

"Thanks, Doc." He grinned at McCoy and rubbed the injection site on his neck. "You're losing your touch. I hardly felt those."

"For patients I don't have to drag in kicking and screaming, I can be nice." The doctor hitched a half-smile. "I don't suppose you could make one of those sims of yours a lesson in showing up for physicals on time? I swear I ought to have a bloodhound to track down half the people on this ship."

"Most of them are still young enough to think they're immortal. I wasn't so good about physicals at that age either." He couldn't help thinking that he wished he could still afford not to be.

"At least you're setting a good example for them."

Sam winked as he hopped off the bed. "After what we pulled on the Captain, I figure I better set as close to a perfect example as I can for awhile."

"Jim?" McCoy snorted. "I need bloodhounds and a team of ninja nurses to drag his ass in."

Giotto laughed. "Well, I've already told my people to be good, but if any of them give you trouble, let me know. If they won't follow orders, I'm not above throwing someone a little harder than necessary in a demo so they'll have to drop by sickbay anyway."

"They're lucky to have you, Sam."

"I'm not sure how many of them would agree with that," he chuckled, "especially since I just volunteered to personally send anyone who doesn't comply to sickbay."

McCoy shook his head. "I think they know you've got their best interests at heart. I know Jessy thinks the world of you."

The doctor's expression had gone a little soft as he looked down to put his instruments away. There had been something in his tone too, almost like he was hoping for further comment. Giotto quickly repeated 'I know nothing' in his head until he was sure he could sound like it was true.

"Hanlan spent time in the middle of a combat zone before joining Starfleet, so she understands better than most of them." He smiled a little at the memory. "Don't tell her, but she's one of my favorites even if she does talk back almost as much you do."

"She's certainly not shy about saying what she wants." The doctor smiled fondly.

Giotto sent up a silent prayer: please, please don't make me think about that statement anymore than absolutely necessary. "Well, if that's all Doc, I'll get back to work."

"Actually, Sam, there is one more thing."

That was never a good thing to hear just when you thought you were getting out of a doctor's office free and clear. "Yes?"

"Don't worry; it's nothing to do with your health. The thing is, I know how you look out for your people and not much gets by you for long… so, um,…" McCoy cleared his throat a little uncomfortably.

Sam closed his eyes briefly wishing he wasn't way too old to put his fingers in his ears and sing 'La-La-La-La'. But the doctor was a good guy and he didn't want to make him uncomfortable. Well, maybe losing 50 credits would teach him not to get drunk enough around Dan to lay bets on this sort of thing...

He smiled and raised his eyebrows. "Doc, are you trying to ask permission to date my Lieutenant?"

"Sounds a bit ridiculous, doesn't it?" McCoy chuckled dryly. "Not to mention horribly old-fashioned, but that's how I was raised and you're as close to a Pop as she has anymore."

How did he get himself into these situations? Well, duh. Obviously by developing something close to a paternal relationship with a promising soldier he'd pulled out of the line of fire and into the 'fleet.

"Okay, Doc. You have my blessing on two conditions. One: if you hurt her, I get to put you through every sim I've got." He solemnly looked McCoy in the eye. "And two: Don't ever call me Pop."

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AN: I've been scheduling maintenance for myself and the kids, so the opening to this scene popped into my head and it went from there. Although it can stand alone, technically this comes after Don't Ask, Don't Tell.

Please r&r