A/N: fair warning I'm not a doctor or a scientist, I didn't even take biology in school. I just have extensive experience with being a patient and having to do all my own medical research/doctoring lol
[trigger warning: slight xenophobia, self-injury]
Abby secured the tail end of the bandage in place around her patient's arm, scrutinizing her work for a moment before pulling back.
Luna lifted her lips weakly. "Thanks."
"I'll check on it later and change the dressing if necessary. Don't get it wet."
Her mouth twitched. "Don't worry, I have no intentions at all of going swimming anytime soon."
Abby hoped that remained true.
"You'll have to hold off on showering until I change it tomorrow. Though a bath would be alright. Just as long as you don't submerge your arm."
Luna pursed her lips, staring down at the bandage. "I'll be fine until tomorrow."
Abby suspected she might change her mind given a few more hours. The fever had already made her skin slightly damp with sweat and was likely causing more than a little discomfort. As the day progressed, that discomfort would only grow. "The steam will help with that cough."
"I'm fine," the words were soft, almost absent, and Luna's attention wandered elsewhere, focusing on Raven, who was currently in the middle of some incredibly determined pacing.
They'd moved into one of the lab's many bedrooms, one of the few which housed two beds. It was on the small side but more than adequate for its intended purpose. Most importantly it was close to Abby's office and any life-saving equipment that might be needed. The seizure kit she'd leave in the room. Luna had learned how to use it the day after Raven's second seizure, following every one of Abby's demonstrations with an admirable level of focus and intensity. The doctor knew she could be relied upon to use it if needed.
Deciding to move on from the topic of bathing, Abby began the process of taking Luna's blood pressure, the two of them watching as Raven stalked the room, seeming dissatisfied with everything she found.
"God, this is going to be so boring."
"With any luck, you'll sleep most of the time away and won't have a chance to get bored," Abby commented, knowing even as she said the words how unrealistic they were.
"Right." Raven's tone was noncommittal. Likely she knew it too.
Abby returned her focus to Luna.
"What other symptoms does this illness have?" Depending on what they were, she would hopefully be able to help in the management of them - possibly even eliminate some altogether.
Luna grew thoughtful. "It varies from person to person. I've seen headaches, difficulty breathing. Widespread muscle pain and weakness-"
"Oh joy," Raven muttered. "Do you think if you already have one symptom they cancel each other out?"
Luna sent her a sympathetic look. "I don't think it works that way. But not everyone gets pain."
"It's part of the immune response," Abby explained. "Evidence that your body is fighting the infection."
"Well it's pretty lousy evidence."
No arguing with that. She returned her attention to Luna. "Anything else?"
She lifted a shoulder. "The usual things. Nausea. Vomiting. Diarrhea."
"Seriously?"
Luna suppressed a smile, turning to Raven. "Again, not for everyone."
She huffed. "This is the worst island vacation ever."
Abby was no longer listening.
Those last two could pose a problem for Luna.
Her ability at the moment to absorb nutrients — including iron - was greatly reduced. The ARS had already caused severe malnutrition by the time Luna had made it to them and so far there'd been only moderate improvement. It was Abby's hope that the more the lining of her gut healed, the healthier she would become. Back in Arkadia, she'd put Luna on a daily supplementation of intravenous fluids in an attempt to counter her severe dehydration. Thankfully, Luna had responded well to that. When it came time to leave for Becca's island, the daily doses were no longer necessary and had been reduced to once a week.
However, recently her bloods had shown a notable drop in electrolytes again. Abby suspected it was down to the significant increase in activity. Luna had become far more mobile - and active - during her time on the island in comparison to when she'd been recuperating within the walls of Arkadia. Likely, her body wasn't keeping up with the fluids lost during exercise. Whilst Abby believed regular activity to be important - and more than beneficial in the long-term - she worried that Luna might be pushing her body past the point of what it could currently endure. She might just have to give her long walks with Raven a rest, at least until she'd recovered more. Especially after this.
In the meantime, it was clear that weekly intravenous therapy was no longer adequate so she'd decided to increase the frequency in order to compensate for the change in Luna's routine. Her last intake had been just before she'd gone out on her little fishing expedition with Raven and she'd been scheduled to stop by this morning for another treatment but had never shown.
(something Abby could admit to being more than a little irritated by)
Her main concern, beyond malnutrition - which was a temporary problem that would eventually correct itself in time - was Luna's heightened risk of infection. The loss of intestinal barrier integrity had the potential to lead to bacterial translocation and thus the spreading of that bacteria into Luna's circulation.
Which could be disastrous.
Despite this, Abby wasn't overly concerned. It was a possible complication, true, but Luna was at much less risk of developing it now than she had been weeks ago. Still, it could take anywhere from a few months to years for her gut to fully heal after the damage it had endured from the irradiated fish. Either way, Luna wouldn't be recovering in the short term and that was something they were just going to have to manage as best they could.
Much like everything else.
Abby wasn't looking forward to dealing with this on a grander scale. If nightblood failed to metabolize radiation immediately in every case, then they could be facing high morbidity rates in the wake of Praimfaya. At least, in the beginning.
An acceptable price for surviving extinction but not one Abby was particularly eager to pay. It was possible that her own people would be more resistant to such complications, given how their bodies had adapted to high levels of radiation in space, but there was no way to know for sure. Regardless, she was going to have her work cut out for her, that was for certain. There wasn't nearly enough of her to go around, not to be of use to hundreds, possibly thousands of people. How would she, Jackson and Clarke see to everyone?
Perhaps if they teamed up with the healers of each clan, there would be enough of them to delegate? Nyko, despite his somewhat primitive training, had always been a help. That was something she could talk to Roan about.
But. . . back to the problem at hand.
They had plenty of intravenous supplies for now. If Luna - or Raven - ended up losing too much fluid throughout the course of this illness, Abby could manage it.
It was a workable problem.
Unlike everything else currently on her plate.
Luna coughed, bringing Abby out of her thoughts, and she frowned at its intensity.
With earlier worries about pneumonia running rife through her head, she reached for her stethoscope. "Would you mind lifting up your shirt? I want to have a quick listen to your lungs."
Luna obliged and she heard a squeak from the opposite side of the room - an instant before Raven spun around.
Abby suppressed a smile.
Saw a faint one playing across the edges of Luna's mouth as well.
(it probably didn't help matters that she wasn't wearing a bra)
Abby had been exposed to far worse things than a naked chest during her time as a doctor, though, and the sight barely registered. Well, not that part of the sight at least.
Abby frowned at the darkening rash spanning the course of Luna's back and disappearing under her hair. Definitely half-circles. Some of which were starting to blister.
Abby hadn't thought to bring any ointment from Arkadia. Though that was hardly her fault. It wasn't as though she'd planned on something like this happening.
She had antiseptic cream but that wouldn't help with the itching or pain.
One problem at a time.
Lips thinning, Abby pressed the stethoscope to Luna's chest. The nightblood flinched at the contact - unsurprising with how flushed her skin currently was. The cold metal must have felt like ice.
"Sorry about that. Should have warmed it first."
"It's fine."
"Can you take a breath in and out for me please?"
Abby waited for her to finish exhaling before moving on to the next spot, eyes catching on something.
Years of being a doctor made it easy not to stare at the scars littered across Luna's ribs but she still paused a moment. They were familiar in that she'd seen similar ones on Indra when treating one of her injuries. Small and precise. Not the kind of wounds that would arise from battle - or even an attack.
Self-inflicted, maybe?
Perhaps another Grounder tradition that was both illogical and macabre.
It wouldn't surprise Abby given what the Ice Nation did to their own faces. She couldn't say she approved of any cultural practice that involved carving up one's own flesh.
Though she supposed it wasn't all that different to piercings and tattoos, even if the aesthetic was far more off-putting.
In the end, her curiosity got the best of her. "I've seen similar scars on a warrior from Trikru."
At Luna's questioning look, she touched the edge of one of the lines farthest from her breasts to indicate. The muscles under her hand tensed - whether at the question or the contact - though Luna's face remained still, entirely bare of emotion.
Still, Abby took the hint. Moved her hand away.
"That doesn't surprise me," Luna said as soon as distance had been granted. "It's a tradition in many clans, not just Trikru. Though it's more common among the older generations."
"A tradition for what?"
Luna fell quiet a moment. "It's a mark of strength. And remembrance."
Which did very little to answer her question.
But now wasn't the time to indulge her curiosity. She had a job to do. And, to be perfectly honest, Abby wasn't sure she wanted to know the details of this particular tradition.
"Would you guys hurry up?" Raven interjected, voice coated with irritation, though Abby swore she could detect an element of strain there too. "This wall is boring as hell. Someone should have told Becca that blue and white aren't the only goddamn colors in the goddamn universe."
Amusement filled Luna's eyes, her lips hinting at a smile. "I like the blue."
"Of course you do." The words were followed by a low muttering, "Ocean geek."
Luna bit her lip, her smile becoming more than just a hint.
Abby cleared her throat pointedly as she carefully returned to her examination. "If you want me to get this done, then you'll need to be quiet."
The two fell silent.
Methodically, she slowly worked her way around to Luna's back.
So far, nothing concerning.
She tapped the nightblood's chest, relieved when no dull thuds were heard.
"Could you say the letter E for me?"
"E."
The relief intensified at the lack of distortion as she listened.
"We do that to check if it sounds like A instead through the stethoscope," she explained. "But you're in the clear. Now, would you mind moving your right arm to the side?"
Luna obeyed - she was certainly more compliant than Raven - and Abby set to work on moving down through the lobes on her right lateral chest area, before getting her to repeat the same for the left side.
As Abby worked, the tension inside her began to ease.
The examination was one she'd carried out a thousand times as a doctor and the benign familiarity of it brought a comfort she hadn't experienced in weeks.
After a moment, Abby let out a breath.
"It all sounds good." She pulled back with a smile. "No crackling or bubbling. You can put your shirt back on now."
"Finally."
Abby glanced in amusement at the room's other occupant, whose back was still stubbornly turned to them.
She saw Luna suppress a smile before slipping her shirt back on and wondered at the strange relationship between the two.
She'd never known Raven to be discomforted by anything to do with nudity - or sex, for that matter. She'd always seemed very at ease with other people's bodies.
Perhaps she was merely trying to be respectful.
Abby didn't know what the Grounders' customs were around nudity. Possibly it was rude - or even forbidden - to be seen without clothing by anyone who wasn't a healer. Maybe Luna had informed Raven of this. The two certainly spent enough time together for it to come up in conversation.
"Raven, I should probably listen to your chest as well."
"Not a chance."
Abby frowned.
"She should be fine," Luna interjected as Raven turned back around, arms crossed in defiance. "She hasn't been coughing."
Which didn't necessarily mean anything. It was entirely possible to have pneumonia without a cough. "Any difficulty breathing?"
"Nope," Raven said blithely, taking a seat on the other bed.
Her temperature had been normal as well, not too low, not too high. "No confusion or weakness?"
"I feel fine. Except for this damn rash." She scratched her arm pointedly, brow furrowed with furious determination.
Abby wondered whether Raven would admit to any other symptoms even if she had them. "Alright. But if that changes, let me know."
"Sure thing."
(she absolutely would not)
Abby sighed, giving up.
"I'm going to be back every hour to check your vitals but if either of you have any concerns in between, radio me. Alright?"
Reluctant nods were her only answer.
Honestly, Abby wasn't sure if she'd ever encountered such difficult patients. She was certainly less than confident about receiving that radio call if needed.
Perhaps she should post John outside in the hallway. Return him to Ravensitting duty with the addition of one more person to keep an eye on.
Sighing, she retreated from the room.
"Abby, wait."
Frowning, she paused in the hallway, turning to see Raven quickly shut the door behind them. Clearly, whatever was about to be said, she hadn't felt comfortable with it being done so in Luna's hearing.
"Isn't there something else you can do?"
All earlier signs of petulance were gone from Raven's face and Abby straightened.
"I know it's frustrating. But with a little rest, you'll be fine."
"Not for me, for Luna."
So it was going to be another one of those conversations.
"Like what, Raven?" Because, in truth, Abby was doing much more than she usually would for a simple infection and she didn't appreciate the implication that she was dropping the ball in any way.
"You said an infection could kill her."
Abby was also coming to regret that conversation they'd had the other night more and more. She really hadn't predicted Raven becoming this protective.
(or attached)
It wasn't a welcome complication.
Not least of all because it meant Abby having to bear the brunt of all of the mechanic's anxiety - and accusation.
"We're not there yet, Raven. This is mild and we're treating it early. It's also not invasive candidiasis, which is what I was talking about earlier. She'll be fine."
Because if she wasn't, there would be no hope for them.
But everything Abby had said was correct and, although Luna's temperature was high, she otherwise appeared in good condition. Even the infection in her arm wasn't much to write home about.
And Abby knew things could change in an instant. Of course, they could. But she was confident that they'd caught this early enough for that not to be the case.
If she had any doubts, she wouldn't be walking away now.
Would never risk the survival of their one and only chance to make it through this hell.
Raven shifted in her stance, still not entirely reassured but apparently out of rebuttals. "You're sure?"
"Yes." Sure enough. "And like I said, I'll be back to check on her - and you - every hour. She just needs rest. You both do." Abby sent her a meaningful look, which she expertly ignored.
If points could be awarded for avoiding bedtime, Raven would be unopposed in victory. There were days Abby was sorely tempted to sedate her.
"What signs should I look out for?"
"I've left a thermometer in the room. If her fever gets worse, radio me. If either of you develop chills or shaking, or a change in mental status, radio me. If you suddenly become dizzy, weak or have difficulty breathing-"
"Radio you. Got it."
Abby decided not to mention seizures. If that happened, neither of them would need any prompting to get her.
Seizures had the one benefit of being incredibly difficult to ignore.
Raven shifted towards the door, paused. "This is going to hit her a lot harder than me, isn't it?"
"Probably." There was no point in denying it. "But the antibiotics and immune booster will help a lot. She just needs-"
"Rest. Yep. Got that." She turned to go back inside. "See you in an hour, Doc."
"Raven."
She halted, hands on the door, craning her head back to face her.
Abby hesitated. But this needed to be said. And apparently she was the only one willing to say it.
"You shouldn't get too attached. Luna's here for one reason and one reason only. It would be better for everyone if you didn't forget that."
It sounded cold but Abby hadn't forgotten that, until only recently, Luna had been perfectly content to leave them to their fate.
To their deaths.
She might be agreeing to help them now but there was no guarantee that her mind wouldn't turn on a dime at some point in the future. Possibly the very near future.
Abby would never do anything to endanger the nightblood's life but there may come a day when they had to choose between doing what Luna wanted and doing what was best for humanity.
For everyone.
That would be a tough decision to make but a necessary one. One that they had no choice but to make.
And the less emotionally involved Raven was at the time that came to pass, the easier for her it would be. She'd been through enough pain, Abby had no desire to see her experience any more. Nor did she want to see her get hurt if Luna ended up running before any of them could stop her. Didn't want her to feel the sting of that abandonment.
(she was also keenly aware of how loyal Raven could be. How that loyalty often overruled her rationality and devotion to doing what was right. She'd been willing to save Finn even if it meant provoking a war that would have seen them all slaughtered.
It wouldn't be good for anyone if she developed that same level of loyalty towards Luna)
For a long moment, all Raven seemed capable of doing was staring, her mouth parted in disbelief. Then anger kickstarted her expression - and her voice. "She's not just a means to a fucking ends, Abby. She's more than that. She deserves to be more than that."
"Of course she does," Abby said without pause. "But it's not about deserves in the end, is it? It can't be."
If it was, her husband would still be alive.
If it was, her daughter would never have been sent down to the ground. Would never have become this haunted woman who remained a stranger to her.
It wasn't about deserve and it couldn't be.
(no matter how much they might wish otherwise)
Raven scowled and shoved the door open. "Careful. You're starting to sound like Mount Weather."
The door slammed shut.
No. . . I'm starting to sound like myself.
The self that had existed on the Ark. The self she never thought she'd have to be again.
Sighing, Abby accepted her losses and left. Though she was unable to shake the dead weight of dread in her stomach. The building certainty that this wasn't going to end well.
Next time: Luna receives a marriage proposal. Also we're finally back to Luna & Raven interaction.
