The My Fair D.A.M.E. Project

Chapter 7

Author's Note: This chapter has been completely rewritten. The previous version no longer exists. I hope you didn't love it cuz in the end I wondered what head injury I must've been sporting to post it. Anyhow, here's the rewrite. I hope this is much better.

In addition, I couldn't find a mention of Dr. Chakwas' first name so I named her Carolyn after her voice actor. :)

Holy crap this ended up long. I apologize. I couldn't bear to split it into two chapters.

Disclaimer: I own nothing. This is for amusement only.

Dana shifted uncomfortably on the padded table. The pseudo-paper thing that she was wearing was not comfortable. It also didn't cover much nor keep her very warm. She wanted her old clothes back. She'd even take the weird prison clothes that she'd been wearing recently over the current attire. She'd been informed that this was what she was inspected to wear for her appointment with Dr. Chakwas, so she was.

Dr. Chakwas came in the door and smiled in a friendly manner, "Okay then, Miss Cousland, did Commander Shepard explain to you what we're doing today?"

Dana shook her head, "No. I know you examined me before, so what are we doing now?"

Dr. Chakwas smiled again, "Well… we'll be starting your first set of vaccinations and gene therapy. I'll also be taking a few other notes for your medical file."

Dana frowned slightly, "Umm.. what are vaccinations and gene therapy?"

Chakwas blinked at Dana and then chuckled abruptly. "Right.. okay then. Vaccinations are a type of medicine that I'm going to inject in you that prevents you from getting major diseases. The gene therapy is a little something that some local scientists put together to get you and your people up to speed with the genetic modifications that everyone receives in childhood now."

Dana smiled sheepishly, "Okay… what are genetic modifications then?"

Chakwas responded with a sheepish smile of her own, "Of course. Umm… let's see. Okay, so genes are basically the code inside our bodies that decides how we look and function. Sometimes those genes contain code for deformities or disorders that are hard to deal with or medically treat. Technology today has allowed us to figure out how to alter our genes a small amount to prevent these problems. Now normally this is done with a series of smaller shots over the course of early childhood. You and your people are adults and are capable of handling larger doses. Also, we have less time for the medical treatments to occur before the Council decides you need to start being… productive. Make sense?"

Dana nods softly, "I think so. Does.. altering our genes hurt?"

Dr. Chakwas shook her head, "Not in the manner that you're expecting. You may experience a few side effects like insomnia, upset stomach, digestive tract issues, dizziness and headaches for a few days. By all accounts you should be fine about a week after the last treatment. Anything else?"

Dana shook her head, "Not that I can think of."

"Let's get to it then," Dr. Chakwas said cheerily before pulling over a wheeled table with a tray of syringes on it.

Dana's eyes widened when she saw the needles. "What are those?" she asked testily.

Dr. Chakwas smiled back firmly and said, "Syringes for your shots."

"You're going to stick those in me?"

"Yes."

"I really rather you didn't."

"Too bad. Now sit back down on that table and take it like a grown woman."

Dana sullenly settle back on the table with a pouting frown. She eyed the needles on the tray as Dr. Chakwas, cleaning wipes in hand, approached. A quick swipe up and down the inside of Dana's arm left her shivering as the liquid quickly cooled and evaporated. Dr. Chakwas' grip on her armed firmed a little more as she took up the first of several syringes. "Now try to relax, you will feel a pinch, but it'll only hurt if you tense up."

Dana nodded nervously and took a deep breath and then promptly yelped as the needle plunged quickly into her arm. "A little pinch?" she asked shakily once the syringe was removed.

Dr. Chakwas smiled grimly as she disposed of the syringe, not letting go of Dana's arm, "Yes, that was a pinch. Stay calm or it gets worse."

Dana nodded softly again and then proceeded to bite her tongue through the rest of the injections. She pouted sullenly at Dr. Chakwas as the woman applied brightly colored adhesive bandages over the injection spots.

Dr. Chakwas finished cleaning up and then pegged Dana with a firm glare, "Now.. do not pick at the bandages for another hour, then you may take them off and throw them away. If you see any unusual redness or a rash developing, contact me immediately. If you feel faint or you vomit, contact me immediately. If you pass out, please do so in front of someone who will contact me immediately. Now, drink this and you may go."

Dana looked at the glass of clear liquid warily and asked, "What is it?"

Dr. Chakwas laughed, "It's water, dear. You're dehydrated."

Dana blinked and then smiled ruefully before downing the water. She handed the glass back to Dr. Chakwas who took it out of the room with her allowing Dana to get dressed again.

Back out in the 'waiting room', Dana sat down next to Alistair who poked lightly at the row of brightly colored bandages on Dana's arm. "What are those?" he asked curiously.

Dana smiled widely at him, her eyes taking a slightly evil glint to them. Alistair shrunk back from her and then eyed her arm warily again. "Oh you're going to act like that then, are you? Well two can play at that game," he huffed before crossing his arms and pretending to be unaffected. Dana merely leaned closer, her grin growing that small touch wider.

"Alistair, you're next!"

Alistair jumped when Dr. Chakwas' voice rang out loudly from the doorway. He blinked at her and then at Dana, panic blooming on his face. He slowly got up and approached the doorway like it held a dragon on the other side. The minute he was in reach, Dr. Chakwas hand shot out and snagged him by the ear, "Oh quit being a baby. She's just playing with your head. Get in here and quit wasting my time!"

The rest of Chakwas' lecture was cut off by the snap of the door closing behind them. Leaving Dana to snicker playfully while the rest of her team shifted worriedly in their seats.

Alistair now sat on the same padded table as before, shifting in his own paper dress, trying desperately to think of anything but what horrors his active imagination was coming up with to explain Dana's arm. He sat up straighter and attempted to keep the alarm off his face when Dr. Chakwas swept into the room.

She snorted at him, "Oh calm down, I don't bite. Too much possibility for infection if I break the skin."

Alistair smiles weakly, "Oh.. that's um… that's great, because I'd hate to have to explain that Dana. And I would have to because we're engaged and all. And so I really don't want anyone to get the wrong idea and all. I mean.. is this attire absolutely necessary? It's kind of drafty if you know what I mean."

Chakwas smiled at him and reigned in the urge to pat him on the head like a child, "Yes, it's necessary. Now… To explain why you're here…" She started up, going over the lecture she gave Dana and smiled when Alistair seemed to relax a little as they conversed. "Any questions?" she finished off.

Alistair mused a bit and then shook his head. Dr. Chakwas nodded and then pulled over the wheeled tray table. Having not noticed it before, Alistair balks at the number of needles laid in a row on the gleaming surface. "Dear Maker… is that what you used on Dana?"

Dr. Chakwas snorted and shook her head, "Not these particular syringes, but yes, she also received the same number of injections. Why? Think you can't handle it when she could?"

Alistair balked and then frowned at the Doctor, "Of course I can handle it… It's just a bunch of tiny blades. Not like you're going to kill me with them…"

Dr. Chakwas barked out a short merry laugh, "Of course not. You'll live. Might be uncomfortable for a few days with the side effects I mentioned before, but yes, you'll live."

Alistair's frown lifted into a small sheepish smile and then nodded at her. With the go ahead given, Chakwas took the alcohol pad and swabbed Alistair's arm. She then took the first of the syringes and smiled widely at Alistair, "Now.. just a little pinch. Be the big, strong warrior I know you, okay?"

Alistair suppressed an unmanly yelp and then managed to sit through the rest of the injections silently. His shoulders slumped as she then applied the numerous brightly colored bandages. He looked up at her warily, "And that's it?"

"That's all for today, yes."

"There's more?"

"In one week, we'll have another set of injections."

"Maker's breath…"

Dr. Chakwas smiled calmly and patted him on the shoulder, "Oh don't worry, good patients get a treat." She pulled a small lollipop from her pocket and handed it to him.

Alistair blinked calmly at it and then back up at her in confusion. She laughed and pulled out another one to show him how to first pull off the plastic and then how to eat it. Alistair followed her example and then brightened considerably when he realized how sweet the candy was. "Oooh… I get another one of these in a week?"

"If you behave, yes."

"Yes Maam!"

"Good man. Go tell Wynne it's her turn, okay?" Dr. Chakwas said with a pleased smile before exiting to her office.

Alistair nodded and slipped off the table to put his clothes back on, happily sucking away on the lollipop.

Wynne sat primly on the table, sheathed in her own paper gown. She was calm, centered, at peace… and cold. She allowed the shiver to pass but her facial expression of calm did not alter once.

She could feel more of her companion spirit today than before. She heard the spirit's weak whispers in her dreams, knowing that it was making headway in reconnecting with her. She and It were both concerned and yet intrigued. Being so far from Thedas seemed to offer interesting ideas regarding how they connected with the Fade and how magic worked. The senior enchanter in Wynne was excited to consider the possibilities.

It seemed out here that they knew how magic worked and where it came from. It was.. a science to them. But this didn't explain her spirit companion and their connection, or the Fade as they didn't seem to have anything analogous to it. She mused on this silently to herself, personally relishing the possibility of learning more about the Fade and it's connection to their world than they'd ever managed before. There was so many questions that needed explaining.

But she decided those questions would have to wait when Dr. Chakwas entered with a cheerful, "Good morning!"

Wynne smiled widely and inclined her head in greeting, "Good morning to you as well, Doctor."

Chakwas grinned companionably, "And how are you feeling today? Your connection with your… friend any stronger?"

"Better and yes. I can feel it much stronger today. I think we'll recover just fine."

"It.. not he or she?"

"No.. spirits do not have gender that we know of or understand."

"Fascinating. We really must set aside some time to go over our understanding of your world, our world and how it connects. I've got some neural tests I'd like to run to see if I can trace some kind of physical connection between the two of you." Dr. Chakwas was clearly as excited as Wynne with the possible connections and discoveries awaiting them.

Wynne nodded happily, "I agree. The more we learn the better. I seem to recall the ah.. Asari? Dr. T'Soni was interested in the possibilities as well."

Dr. Chakwas nodded, "Indeed. She'd be invaluable in the study. In the meantime, for preparation I'd like it if you could record as much as you can about your world that would be effected by this study."

Wynne nodded back, "Gladly, it'll take some time to cover all the possible facets for study. So better to start sooner."

Chakwas acknowledged Wynne's statement and then leaned back against the counter. "Alright then… on to the business at hand." Wynne nodded and listened carefully as Dr. Chakwas, yet again, launched into a thorough explanation of the same things as before.

"And with your previous health conditions in mind, I considered delaying your treatments for another few days or even a week. But you've been recovering quickly enough that I don't think we'll have to worry about a degradation of your health. The potential side effects along side what you're already dealing with shouldn't be any worse than your first couple of days here."

Wynne nodded again, "I understand. I am ready whenever you are Doctor."

"Please… call me Carolyn."

Wynne smiled and then sat through the ensuing series of injections with only the slightest muffled murmurs of discomfort. She frowned in consternation at the multitude of bandages now adorning her arm, "That was.. unpleasant."

Dr. Chakwas huffed a tiny laugh, "True. I do not envy you and your friends. But I can say that you will all be better for it once it's over."

Wynne snorted and rolled her eyes, "Of course."

Dr. Chakwas found herself smiling fondly at the next woman sitting uncomfortably in a paper gown. Leliana made her objections to the lackluster quality of the attire known quite eloquently. There was no doubt the bard had her standards and medical grade examination gowns did not meet them.

Leliana huffed in the cold room and refused to resort to pouting again. It was obvious Dr. Chakwas was immune to her considerable charms.

Chakwas calmly informed the red-headed woman of the necessities and then asked if she had any questions. Leliana thought for a moment and then asked, "So.. how many of these… ah… treatments are we to have?"

"Four total sets of injections."

"I see.. and ah… we will have these treatments once a week?"

"Yes."

"So… three more times of…. wearing these awful clothes?"

Dr. Chakwas frowned and shook her head at Leliana, "Yes, three more times wearing a medical examination gown."

Leliana wilted at that. "Oh… I don't suppose you'd let me come up with something more ah… comfortable? Perhaps fashionable?"

Dr. Chakwas snorted and then pulled over the wheeled tray, "No. Now, no more stalling. Time for your treatments."

Leliana pouted through the injections only to brighten when she saw the open box of bandages. "What gloriously bright colors! Please, may I pick the colors I get?"

Dr. Chakwas laughed and gestured at the box, allowing the bard to color coordinate her medical care.

Morrigan sat stiffly in the paper gown, in the cold room on the just barely padded enough table. She mused to herself about how nothing had gone the way she had expected. She should have run the first chance she had instead of allowing herself to be roped into going to Ostagar by that damnable Warden and her kind, sisterly smile.

Now, there was nowhere to run. She knew nothing of this place or how it worked. Her connections to her magic had not returned and she felt beyond empty again. Just like before she had learned how to shapeshift. Not being able to change her shape was perturbing to her.

Sometimes she thought she could feel her connections with the Fade trying to reestablish itself. Just as though she had some connection like Wynne. But that was ridiculous… wasn't it?

Her hand hovered over her womb in contemplation. She hoped her child was doing okay in spite of all that happened. It seemed that her companions would have a hand in her child's young life after all. She did not appreciate this. But Doctor Chakwas had made it quite clear the last time they spoke that she wasn't going anywhere even if she had to tell Commander Shepard to put her under house arrest with dedicated guards.

Morrigan huffed and crossed her arms sullenly. What else was she to do then? Make nice with her companions? Pretend that she hadn't slept with Alistair? The man would hardly look her in the face as it was. Not that she minded. It was simply less of his simple-minded nattering that she had to listen to.

She put on the darkest scowl she could muster when Dr. Chakwas swept into the room. She listened in complete icy silence as the doctor explained what was going to happen and how her treatments were going to differ slightly from the others since she was pregnant.

It seemed that she (and Wynne due to her still recovering health) would be kept off the battle lines longer than her 'friends.' Not that she cared what they would be fighting since her magics were lost to her.

She merely nodded curtly and then managed to not even twitch through the injections. She scowled at the brightness of the bandages but said nothing. She then took her silence and her clothes and left the room, not caring for her state of dress.

Dr. Chakwas shook her head and considered telling Shepard to hire a psychologist.

Sten sat on the table with the paper gown draped over his lap. His hands were folded contentedly there as he waited for Dr. Chakwas to arrive.

She swept in and blinked in surprise at Sten. "I guess um.. it did not fit?"

Sten didn't even blink, "No."

Chakwas sighed, "I see… no matter. I will simply have to order some more Krogan sized gowns I guess."

Sten said nothing. Chakwas arched an eyebrow and muttered something about communication seminars before launching into a complicated rambling dissertation about the treatments he'd be receiving. Sten merely nodded at the appropriate points and then replied in the negative when she asked if he had any questions.

Chakwas huffed in irritation and then grabbed the syringes. Sten watched calmly, almost clinically, as Chakwas administered the injections. Once they were through, she reached for the box of bandages. Sten frowned and pulled his arm from her grip, "Those are unnecessary. These wounds are not enough to merit wasting your resources. Save those for another."

Chakwas blinked and then shrugged before putting the box back down. "Suit yourself. If they get infected I'm letting the nurse clean it out for you."

Sten nodded, "Very well."

Ogrhen picked at the oversized gown with a frown. He scowled at it and then at Dr. Chakwas when she came it. "What kind of frilly nonsense is this?" he demanded impatiently.

Chakwas frowned at him, "It's sterile attire provided to give you some warmth and modesty during a medical examination. It is neither frilly nor nonsense. Much to Leliana's dismay."

Ogrhen snorted, "Asschabs. It ain't warm and I dun need no modesty." And with that he ripped the gown off and tossed it to the side. Chakwas managed to mostly suppress the twitch that followed.

She managed to remain mostly professional as she explained the treatments to the scowling dwarf. She realized though when she pulled the tray of syringes closer that there was going to be trouble. "Don't you dare bolt. Sit back down this instant!" Ogrhen snorted again and then made a beeline for the door.

Oghren fled into the common room where nearly everyone was gathered, hollering, "I ain't gonna and ye cain't make me!" He darted behind a small couch that Dana and Alistair were currently occupying. Dana quickly slapped a hand over her eyes and then in retrospect, slapped one over Alistair's as well.

Dr. Chakwas emerged from the clinic with a green filled syringe in hand, "Heaven so help me, Ogrhen, you get your naked butt back here or I will shoot you myself!"

Ogrhen peeked up over the couch, "Ye could be Andraste herself and I wouldna come near ya with that torture device yer wavin' about!"

Dr. Chakwas fumed and turned to chase him from behind the couch. He darted away towards the other side of the room to escape out the door. This unfortunately had to take him past Sten and the table he was seated at. Sten scowled and reached out as Ogrhen ran by, grabbing him by the head and lifting him clear off the floor. Ogrhen's displeased shout rang out as he waved his arms and legs about for balance.

Chakwas, now angrier than anyone on the Normandy crew had ever seen her, slammed the needle home into Ogrhen's rear and injected the green fluid in. Two seconds later the dwarf hung limply from Sten's hand and a small snore emitted from his mouth.

Dr. Chakwas huffed and gestured silently at Sten to take Oghren back into the clinic room. She adjusted her lab coat and followed sedately, her calm restored. Sten came back out of the clinic and closed the door behind him before resuming his seat at the table.

The dead silence in the room was broken a moment later by a blushing Liara who covered her face with her hands and muttered, "Oh goddess…" Wrex burst out laughing, followed by the rest of the room.

Meanwhile, Zevran having seen the number of bandages his comrades were sporting as well as their less than pleased demeanors had excused himself to use the restroom. Having escaped the room, he quickly turned and headed to an area of the complex that he'd already scoped out and knew held a couple of decent hiding places.

He shifted a few crates and got comfortable, internally prepared to wait as long as necessary. He spent the better part of an hour keeping himself occupied with the same skill and patience he'd developed stalking his contracted assassinations.

Needless to say, he was utterly surprised when his covering crates were unceremoniously tossed aside revealing the tiny hallway alcove he'd claimed as his. He looked up and saw red armor. Looking further up, he saw the amused grin of one mildly entertained Wrex.

Wrex's grin then morphed into a full-blown smirk, his expression clearly showing the accomplished feeling of a predator having caught it's prey. Zevran found that he distinctly disliked being on the receiving end of that look.

Without commentary, preamble or further ado, Wrex simply reached in and grabbed Zevran by the ankle. He then turned and dragged the now pleading and flailing elf down the hallway back towards the makeshift examination room.

Zevran pouted to himself at his failure to escape his medical doom via his normal route. Therefore he was left to fall back on his… other skills.

He forwent the paper gown, posed on the padded table with as much sultriness as he could possibly ooze into a medical setting. No other woman had managed to resist him when he'd tried this tactic yet. He would be making a note to avoid the Krogan however.

Dr. Chakwas entered the room, took one look at Zevran and then muttered, "Great heavens…"

She crossed to the counter and launched, without preamble, into the lengthy explanation for what felt like to her the hundredth time that day. Finally winding down she asked, "Any questions?"

Zevran smiled his best come hither paired with a saucy wink, "Oh yes, dear lady. Just one. Will I be receiving kind comfort at your hands after the treatments are ah.. administered?"

Dr. Chakwas snorted, "Not the kind you're after. I imagine one of the unattached crew members might be more receptive to your charms however. And the sooner we get this done, the sooner you can go about seducing the rest of the female population around here."

Zevran pouted sulkily, "Only the female?"

In response, Chakwas grabbed his arm and went about applying the treatments.