A/N: Thanks pallysd'Artagnan, Deana, 29Pieces, and SnidgetHex for reviewing the first chapter! I'm still just dipping my toes into this fandom, but I can't deny it'd be fun to write more. XD Speaking of which, here's a follow-up to the first one.

"Reinforcements"

"I would have done this, you know," the EMH commented from where he watched the brain waves of REM sleep on the monitor above the biobed. "He wouldn't have had to ask."

The EMH felt it important to emphasize that he wasn't some run-of-the-mill medical hologram who was happy to wave a dermal regenerator over tissue and call his work done. Nor did he fail to take into account every facet of the captain's well-being. If only said captain was more receptive to the help he tried to offer.

Rios's expression was currently slack in slumber, conveniently induced by a deftly wielded hypospray. The man rarely slept well on a good day, but the combination of his recent injuries and stress had lowered his reserves, making any attempt at sleep a powder keg for the nightmares that often plagued him.

"He'd never ask," Raffi Musiker said, sitting on the swiveling stool at the foot of the next bed over. She was the reason Rios had finally relented and agreed to rest.

"Indeed." The EMH sighed long-sufferingly at his captain. They were his crew, in a fashion, his squad of holograms. They were fully equipped to serve in every way, save for one.

"It's been so nice having you all on board," the EMH went on. "He can't deactivate you when he doesn't like what you have to say."

Raffi's mouth quirked at that. "No he can't."

"We do our best, you know," he added.

"I'm sure you do."

Her tone held a soft sincerity rather than patronizing dismissal, and the EMH was inwardly pleased with the acknowledgement. His job was usually a thankless one, but he kept at it nonetheless.

There was a spike in brain activity, signaling the start of active dreaming. The EMH didn't hesitate to pick up the hypospray lying on the nearby tray of instruments and inject a stimulant into the captain's neck. Rios jerked awake groggily, eyelids fluttering and head lolling in a desperate attempt to orient himself.

"I woke you promptly, as you wanted," the EMH stated.

Rios pressed his palms against his eyes and let out a muffled invective in Spanish.

"Was it bad?" Raffi prompted gently.

Rios didn't respond for a moment, then slowly shook his head and dropped his arms to his sides. "This isn't exactly what I'd call restful," he pointed out sardonically as the EMH prepared another hypo to put him back under.

"Yet it's better than nothing," the EMH pointed out.

"Mhm."

A hiss of the hypospray, and the captain drifted off once more, starting the cycle of sleep all over again. It would take some time for him to work his way back to REM stage, so the EMH might as well kill two birds with one stone and finish repairing some of those injuries the captain hadn't let him treat earlier.

Raffi stayed seated where she was, a silent sentinel over her long-time friend.

The EMH smiled to himself. Yes, he was glad for the reinforcements.