Dr. Beverly Crusher lowered the dermal regenerator and contemplated her patient with a touch of exasperation. Starship captains were not supposed to get shot while away on diplomatic missions. Especially not with arrows.

At least there hadn't been any toxins or xenopathogens on the arrowhead to contend with. Jean-Luc was a lucky man. "There, Captain. I've repaired the tissue damage, but it's going to take at least 24 hours for the muscle fibers around the wound to fully heal. So in the meantime I want you to wear this sling to take the pressure off your shoulder." She took the strip of sturdy black cloth being proffered by the attending nurse and started to unfold it.

"I'll be perfectly fine –" he began to protest.

"Doctor's orders," she cut in smoothly.

He huffed, a sound that Beverly found unexpectedly charming. She deftly draped the flexible black cloth around his neck and fitted it over his left forearm, then tied it so that the arm was supported by the cloth rather than by the newly repaired musculature in his shoulder.

"There." She took a small step back to survey her handiwork. "That should do it. Try not to grip anything heavy in that hand for the next day or two," she instructed.

Jean-Luc shot her a disgruntled look that only served to make her smile.

"And don't jostle it," she admonished him. "I don't want to have to redo my repairs."

"Very well." He levered himself off the biobed with his good hand and started towards the door. He still had unfinished business down on Mintaka III. "Thank you, Doctor," he added over his shoulder, not wishing to seem ungrateful for her aid.

"Captain," Beverly said quietly behind him, halting his departure in its tracks.

He turned back inquiringly.

"Deanna told me what happened down there. You took a hell of a risk, Jean-Luc." She shook her head. "I can't say I approve."

"I did what I thought was necessary given the situation," he replied mildly.

"You nearly got yourself killed. I know you're willing to give your life for your principles, but," Beverly glanced around, waiting until the rest of her staff were out of earshot before adding softly, "just…well, just know there are people who would miss you if you met an untimely demise." She'd been aiming for a light, bantering tone, but somehow the thought of losing him made the words come out more solemnly than she'd intended.

Their gazes met for a brief, charged moment as a flicker of emotion appeared in his eyes, then was gone. He gave her a somber nod. "Understood."

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