~ The Doctor ~
The Doctor muttered a few bars of the New World Symphony under his breath. The tune swelled and fell as he scanned Tuvok with the tricorder. When he caught the agitated look in Tuvok's eyes, however, the Doctor stopped, smiling briefly. Pulling out a hypospray, the Doctor injected its contents into Tuvok's neck.
"Well, Tuvok, I'm afraid I'm unable, at the moment, to synthesize any more medicine, although the lack of stress that you have on this planet is causing the disease to move a slight bit slower, but not enough to cause a world of difference."
"What did the medicine you just used do?"
"Its an incredibly primitive form of your old medicine, not nearly as strong. It will continue to slow down the process, but not as well. Hopefully, this combined with your new environment will slow down the disease as well as the old medicine, but don't get your hopes up."
Ever since he had been reactivated, the Doctor had split his time between keeping the crews health in check from the various bugs and plants. Apparently, those who had allergies to dust also had an allergy to something on the air on Haven, and a special vaccine would need to be created for those people. Later. As far as he was concerned, Tuvok's health came first at the moment. Unfortunately, his original cultures pf Tuvok's medicine were destroyed on Voyager, and with only a limited medical database to serve him, it was taking a while to find some sort of replacement. Some of the primate's DNA showed promise for something, and it may even help cure Tuvok's disease, perhaps with some aide from Vorik…
"I have no hopes, Doctor." The Doctor circled the small bed that Tuvok was sitting up on, putting away his supplies.
"I know how you value your privacy, Tuvok, but the Captain will have to be notified eventually."
"And I will deem when the time is right." The Doctor sighed. He knew the doctor-patient confidentiality by heart, or rather, memory banks, and had always tried to uphold it. But Tuvok was a critical part of the crew, stranded or not, and he could still pose a threat even at this early of a stage.
"Okay Tuvok. I'm trusting your judgment. However, another outburst like the one today, and she'll find out, one way or another." The Doctor looked Tuvok straight in the eyes. "Believe it or not, but everyone can tell that you aren't well."
"Then I will practice the Disciplines with extra diligence."
"I'm afraid that isn't enough Tuvok. You're Vulcan."
"I'm aware of that biological fact of my existence, Doctor. I do not think that the disease as progressed so far as to rob me of my fundamental being," Tuvok said, slightly irritated. Trust a Vulcan to make a dry joke while being threatened with terminal illness.
"Yes, I know, I know. But, as a Vulcan, and a very good one, I might add, it's very noticeable when you are agitated. You've always concealed your emotions so well, and now, they, well….they leak. Just small little outbursts. I'm surprised that no one came to be about it earlier."
"As you see, Doctor, I have everything under control. There will be no need to inform the Captain until – "
"Inform me of what?"
Standing in the doorway was Captain Janeway, hands on hips, head tilted at the mention of her. Both Tuvok and the Doctor whipped their heads towards the door. The Doctor tried to play innocent, but he was all too aware of how this would look to her. Just as he was about to come up with some such nonsense of a stomach flu induced by some native insect, Tuvok saved him, or rather, himself.
"As I was just saying to the Doctor, there will be no need to inform you of my condition until it worsens." She looked first at Tuvok, and then the Doctor.
"What condition?"
Tuvok looked at the Doctor and drew a breath.
"I have contracted a skin rash from a plant. I do not believe it to be serious, and with the present condition, it did not seem wise to alert you about it with so many other activities happening already."
Janeway nodded once, slowly, and then twice more, signaling acceptance.
"Understood. That must have been why you were so…irrational, earlier. All is forgiven. If you're better, I need you in the communications room, right away. Doctor?" He was startled into awareness by his title.
"Uh, yes. Yes, Captain, he is fit for duty." Turning towards Tuvok, he said, "Tuvok, please come see me later for some creme for that itch." Nodding quickly, Tuvok thanked the Doctor with his eyes.
"Understood."