DISCLAIMER: I do not own Star Trek.
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AFTER THIRTY DAYS - by YANNIK.
Chapter Fourteen – THE DOC.
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Doctor materialized in the empty Sickbay seconds before the end of the gamma shift. 'Voyager' was smoothly darting trough the Delta Quadrant, all repairs in the Engineering were over, so no more casualties were expected. There wasn't supposed to be any work today, unless another disaster strikes. But other than that, Doctor expected it to be a calm day.
And he decided it was the day when an opportunity to discuss certain problem with Tom Paris would come into view. He realized he had to take matters into his own hands. He was very proud of himself of course – having shown so much sensitivity for a friend. It must have meant that his compassion, bedside manner, or whatever one might call it – had improved over the years. He hoped – no, he was certain! – Mr. Paris would notice.
But half an hour of alpha shift had passed and there was no sign of Tom Paris. Doctor became annoyed. If that was how his assistant treated his duties…
The Sickbay door swooshed open.
"You're late, Ensign!" Doctor stated with reproach.
"I've just finished gamma shift on the Bridge!" Tom seemed surprised. "I grasped some breakfast, and headed straight here!"
"Mhm."
"I don't understand what you're upset about! I've worked out my schedule that way…"
"I presume you couldn't work it out so you'd be leaving the Bridge half an hour earlier…"
"No!"
"Of course. The Bridge is always more important than the Sickbay."
"Unfortunately yes!"
Doctor thought of another smart reproach, but then he realized this was not how this conversation was supposed to expound. He softened his demeanor.
"You must be tired" he started with a nice smile, "having worked double shifts for… what has it been? A week now?"
Paris eyed him with unconcerned expression.
"I had a lot of rest before" he observed finally.
"I wouldn't exactly call it 'vacation'" Doctor replied, and received another look from Paris, this time a sarcastic one.
"Correct me if I'm wrong" Tom quoted Doc's phrase from a few weeks before, "but it was not supposed to be a vacation."
Doctor opened his mouth, but before the right words came through, his comm-badge cripped.
"Torres to Doctor."
"Doctor here!" he tapped it impatiently.
"Could I borrow Mr. Paris for half an hour?"
"What – now?"
"I checked – you're not busy. I need him to help me with the control circuit in Holodeck 2."
"And I presume that couldn't be anyone else?" Doctor sighed heavily. Why was it, that everybody on this ship considered his needs and his plans as the least important?
"Well… It's just that Tom was working on that circuit with Tuvok couple of days ago, and I thought he could give me some hints…"
Doctor turned his sight to his assistant, who only shrugged.
"Ah, all right!" Doc snapped. "Go!"
Tom turned around and left without a word. So much for the opportunity for conversation. And he tried so hard!
"Computer! Deactivate me!"
"Please specify who 'me' is."
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t.b.c.