Thanks for the reviews, freshman11, MultiFandomGirl1424, and EsmeAmelia. :)
freshman11: Thanks for the questions about Han's care. Your concerns inspired this chapter, because I figured Leia would be wondering the same thing.
EsmeAmelia: I think you are right about Han and his mother, but he hasn't told me anything about that yet. :P
Note: I am not a doctor, nor do I play one on TV. I do, unfortunately, have extensive experience with migraines. Migraine testing, in the manner described at the end of this chapter, does not exist in this universe. Yet. It remains to be seen whether that is a good or bad thing ...
After collecting her wits, Princess Leia went in search of the medical staff. At the nurses' station, she thrust every one of her royal titles at the Mon Calamari manning the desk and demanded to speak with Han's doctor.
The man who appeared moments later couldn't have appeared less concerned. "Ah, yes, the Corellian," Dr. Regis sniffed. He was a thin man with dark hair; Leia identified his features as Alderaanian. "Not a real member of the Rebel Alliance, is he?"
Leia narrowed her eyes. "What difference does that make?"
"We have a limited number of resources available here, your Highness. We can't be expected to waste them trying to dry out some drunk who doesn't even want to be here." He spoke conspiratorially. "You know how those Corellians are."
Leia spoke more calmly than she had thought possible, given the circumstances. "Who is your superior officer?" As the man stuttered out a name, Leia smiled coldly. "Your services won't be required here any longer. You are on administrative leave. Return to your quarters and remain there until someone comes for you."
"But, your Highness - "
Leia had already turned back to the nurses' station, demanding that the Mon Calamari contact the senior doctor on duty. Leia paced up and down the hall until Dr. Sabrina Algers arrived.
"What seems to be the problem, Princess?" Dr. Algers appeared barely older than Leia. She held a clipboard under her arm as she buttoned her lab coat and brushed the crumbs from her shirt. Apparently, Leia had summoned her during a break.
"I need you to check on a friend of mine, Captain Solo." It was clear to Leia from the woman's expression that she was unfamiliar with Han's case. "He's currently chained to a bed in the east wing." As the woman's eyebrows rose, Leia pressed harder. "Is this the normal standard of care when one of your patients is frightened and in pain?"
"No, of course not," she said. There was a pause before she added, "Unless they are threatening to harm themselves or others. Sometimes temporary restraint is required."
"Captain Solo has an aversion to droids." At this, the woman stalled mid-stride. Leia could see the wheels turning.
"Ah, yes. The violent alcoholic."
Leia grabbed her by the arm. "Look, I don't know what you've heard or who you're getting your information from, but that man in there is suffering from severe migraine headaches. He may have been self-medicating but his primary problem isn't alcoholism. Dr. Regis prescribed something for him that elicited a severe allergic reaction and rendered him violent. He's not normally like this. I demand that you review his chart and prescribe him something to alleviate his suffering."
The two women entered Han's room. The Corellian gazed at them with dull eyes. Dr. Algers spoke in a calm, clear voice as she reviewed his chart. "How are you feeling, Captain Solo?"
Han didn't reply and Leia felt her heart breaking by pieces at the dullness of his expression. Chewie whuffed something from the corner, and Leia was surprised when the doctor nodded.
"What did he say?"
"The medical droid administered a sedative before we came in. Apparently, it was a struggle to keep the droid intact, even with the patient restrained." She touched Leia on the shoulder. "I'm going to prescribe him a central nervous system depressant to help with his anxiety. I appreciate you contacting me. His care has been substandard." She clucked her tongue. "The medication he was given earlier frequently causes severe reactions in Corellians."
Leia swallowed. "I put Dr. Regis out on administrative leave."
The woman nodded. "I concur with that decision. I'll discuss the status of Dr. Regis with Dr. Selooni. Clearly, he shouldn't be interacting with patients." Leia recognized the name of the director of the medical laboratory, and it occurred to her that a meeting with General Rieekan was in order as well. No one deserved to be chained to a bed like an animal, even if they had nearly destroyed a medical droid worth over seventy-five thousand credits.
After Dr. Algers administered the anti-anxiety medication, both woman studied Han, who had drifted back into an uneasy sleep.
"Does he have to be chained to the bed like that?" Leia whispered.
Chewie growled and whuffed lowly from the corner, and the doctor chuckled. "Okay, you've convinced me," she said, softly. "Only human medics for this patient." Chewie gave as close to a grin as he could and leapt up to release Han from the restraint.
"I'll be back to check on him," Dr. Algers assured Leia. "I'd like to get another blood chemistry panel and see where we're at. I suspect that he's been having rebound headaches. That can happen when the body gets used to having a certain amount of medication on a regular basis. If the medicine isn't taken, lack of painkiller can actually trigger the pain." She watched Han as she spoke. "Unfortunately, he's got a rough road ahead of him. Once he's through this hurdle, we still have migraine testing, which is a painful process. We'll be trying to trigger migraines while monitoring the blood flow through his head as well as the electrical impulses of his central nervous system." Leia blanched and Dr. Algers patted her arm. "It will be worth it if we can find a long-term treatment that works."
"If," Leia echoed, looking at Chewie. The big Wookiee met her gaze and shared her sorrowful expression as the doctor left the room.
Once the door had closed behind the doctor, Leia collapsed on Han's guest chair and grabbed his free arm. Holding his limp hand to her face, she whispered, "I'm so sorry, Han." She tried not to cry, but one tear slid down her cheek and ran onto his fingers.
