Okay so my idea/prompt for this was since the Warehouse has its own doctor, I think she should have to do physicals on the agents once a year to make sure the warehouse isn't messing with them or something. Also this takes place when Claudia is still an apprentice to the warehouse.
Claudia woke up feeling exhausted. She was always tired these days. For the past almost two months, it has seemed like her body has just been rebelling against her. Any food she ate no matter the time of the day, immediately sent her to the bathroom where she either puked it up or had horrible diarrhea. She would then be hungry, but felt better that is until she ate again then the process just repeated. She would also get these extreme stabbing pains in her right side that seem to come and go at random. She was confused as to what was causing this. She tried cutting things out of her diet even going as far as cutting out all processed foods, but it had no effect. She tried getting more sleep. She had done research to see if there was an artifact causing it, but to no avail. She hadn't told anyone though. She was afraid they would send her away from the Warehouse and her only family to see if it was the Warehouse affecting her. And if it was, she would be separated from her family and purpose in life.
"Claudia!" Leena called pulling Claudia out of her thoughts. "Breakfast time!"
Claudia rolled out of bed and went whole gang was sitting at the breakfast table. Pete and Myka were bickering about something stupid, Leena was serving food to Artie. Claudia slid into her spot and began her new habit of just picking at her breakfast.
"Kids, behave!" Artie snapped. "Now everyone listen up."
Pete, Myka and Claudia all turned to look at their boss and Leena took her seat to pay attention.
"Alright so per the manual" Artie began and Pete rolled his eyes and everyone snickered as he still hasn't read the manual.
"ANYWAYS." Artie continued. "Per the manual, Dr. Calder will be in today to conduct the yearly physicals."
Claudia felt her stomach drop and churn even more than usual. She hadn't had a physical since Artie made her get checked over a year and a half ago after the whole health endangering experiment with Joshua fiasco. She was fine, but Artie and Dr. Calder wanted to make sure.
"So,"Artie continued, "Pete and Myka, you will be going first in case we get any pings that you need to investigate. Leena will go after them and Claudia you will be fourth."
"But Artie!" Claudia exclaimed. Everyone turned to her looking confused. Claudia blushed and realizing her mistake she tried to back pedal and play it cool "Old man, I am just an apprentice and physicals are for the agents."
"Claudia you are getting a physical and that's that." Artie said very seriously. He knew she had issues with doctors but her health was too important to skip out on.
"Fine" Claudia huffed and crossed her arms and sunk into her seat. Everyone looked at each other and each seemed very confused by her behavior.
"Pete, Myka, get going" Artie said, his tone leaving no room for disagreement. Leena also got up to start cleaning the kitchen, leaving Artie and Claudia at the table.
"Claudia" Artie said. When Claudia didn't respond, Artie tried again. "Claudia, what's going on? You like Dr. Calder. Or you did last time. Why are you upset?"
Claudia sighed but didn't raise her head to meet Artie's eyes. "I do like Dr. Calder. I just don't want a check up. I am fine and I just don't know why I need one. Its dumb and…. " Claudia rambled. She really didn't want everyone to find out something was wrong with her.
Artie sighed and moved to sit next to his young charge. "Claudia, look at me." When she did, Artie could see the tears slowly trickling down her face. "Claudia, is there something else going on? I don't like to see you upset, but I must insist on the check up. I need to make sure my apprentice is in tip top shape."
"No, there is nothing going on." Claudia huffed. "I just don't want one."
"Claudia, you heard me earlier, everyone has to get one." Artie said, getting slightly frustrated by her stubbornness. "Okay Artie." Claudia replied looking away from him again.
"Would it make you feel better if I was with you for your check up like last time?" Artie asked, trying to do anything to make Claudia feel better.
Claudia shrugged. She knew that would make her feel better and maybe Artie wouldn't let the doctor send her away.
"Alright kiddo I can do that. Now why don't go get ready? Leena, you and I will be leaving for the warehouse in an hour or so."
Claudia nodded, got up and slumped away.
Artie watched as she walked away completely baffled by his apprentice and her behavior. He knew he would have to keep a close eye on her today and hope everything would go smoothly.
Looking at his watch, he decided to step outside and give Vanessa a heads up.
He called her on his Farnsworth and she answered in two rings. "Hello Artie" She said with a smile.
"Vanessa" Artie replied with a smaller but no less genuine smile. "Well, I have sent Pete and Myka to you for their physicals."
"Thanks for the heads up" she replied
"That's not why I called though." Artie said and Vanessa quirked a questioning eyebrow. "Its Claudia, when I said we were getting physicals today, she had a minor freak out. But she won't say why she is so against getting one. I tried talking to her, but you know how she can be. I just wanted to warn you that she might be a little difficult to deal with today and also that I would be sitting in."
Vanessa nodded her head and said "I am glad you will be sitting in, you seemed to calm her last time so hopefully that will help. Thanks for the heads up. We will figure this out together and get through it." Vanessa paused and looked over her shoulder. "I think my first patients are here. I got to get to work Artie. See you soon." She smiled at him before hanging up.
Artie smiled to himself and headed back inside.
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