That first day at the doctors - An Andromeda fic
Title: That first day at the doctors
Rating: PG
Pairing: Beka, Harper friendship
Setting: Maru days not long after Harper was picked up and Bobby dropped off.
“Look I’m fine boss lady, I don’t need to see no doc!”
“Harper healthy people don’t cough like that, nor is their skin hot enough of fry an egg on!”
“I don’t need no doc, I’ve been sick plenty of times before, and I never saw no doc then, and I lived didn’t I?”
Beka looked him up, and down “just barely.”
“We’re not far off from Serenity drift I know a decent doc there; my dad took me there when I was a kid he gave me candy, I know he still works there. You’ll like him Harper honestly”
Harper did not look convinced. “Look Beka boss, these docs’s their expensive right? And you know I aint got no cash, so why don’t we just leave it for now?”
“Harper I’m worried if I leave it much longer you might drop dead. You haven’t eaten in days, you’re burning up, and despite this you refuse to stop working!” She was beginning to sound exasperated. “As for the money it’s beneficial to me to keep my only engineer alive so I’m paying.” She hoped that last bit was ok it sounded rather cold to her, but in the month or so he had been living with her she had learnt that paying his own way was very important to Harper.
Beka missed whatever Harpers reply may have been to her previous little outburst, but she was sure it involved something along the lines of Harper protesting about it being normal to not eat in days, so she didn’t feel she’d missed much.
Beka hated to do this, but seemed like she wasn’t going to be able to talk him round anytime soon. “Harper, you’re going to the doctors, and that’s that!” She for a second she felt bad about bossing him about like every other mean Uber, but she was after all his boss. Also since she hadn’t been exaggerating that much when she said she thought he might die she decided it was undoubtedly for the best.
If Beka thought it would be plain sailing once she succeeded in getting Harper to the doctors she was wrong, very wrong, as it turned out that was only half the fun. When Beka finally managed to cajole Harper into the doctor’s office after several unsuccessful escape attempts from the waiting room she breathed a sigh of relief: it was over. When screaming and crashing sounds began to emanate from the room she was forced to amend that assumption. Clearly now was the point the real fun started.
Beka burst into the room gun drawn. “Harper can’t I leave you alone for five minutes?” she grumbled looking around. “Harper?” She called again when the object in question refused to present itself.
She heard a groan from behind her: it was the doctor, Beka hauled him to his feet, “Where is he?” Beka demanded, her tone clearly stating don’t mess with me.
The doctor just pointed to an unturned table and sure enough Harper was sitting behind it rocking back and forth. “What have you done to him?” She demanded dropping to Harpers side.
“Nothing” stammered the doctor “Honest, I was only trying to take some blood, and he just lost it.”
Beka scowled at the doctor, but paid him no further attention instead focusing on her engineer. “Harper, Harper, it’s ok” She said attempting her best soothing voice though in truth she was a little irritated, not so much at Harper it wasn’t his fault; Beka was more irritated at herself for taking on this kind of responsibility. Responsibility and Beka Valentine were not two things usually associated with each other; also Beka had thought they were long past this stage the ‘settling in days’ as she dubbed them.
Another glace at Harper and Beka succeeded in letting go of her irritation; she’d grown fond of her little engineer in the couple of months she’d known him. “Harper it’s ok” she soothed she risked reaching out to him, when he did not flinch away, she placed a hand on his shoulder “it’s ok Harper the nice doctor here just wants to take some blood he won’t hurt you.”
Harper looked unconvinced “I’m sorry Harper I should never have left you alone; I should have know this would all be a bit frightening for you.” This had an immediate effect, but it wasn’t the one Beka was expecting.
“I ain’t afraid Beka Boss” he declared stiffening then jumping to his feet “I just don’t need some silly blood test is all, and this guy weren’t taking no for an answer.”
“I see” said Beka, “but don’t you think the doctor knows best Harper?”
“I told you I don’t need no stupid blood test.”
“Ok” Beka soothed, seeing she was not going to win this one, she should never have let him go in alone. She turned her attention to the doctor still cowering in the corner “look I’m sure it’s just a simple infection, couldn’t you just give him some antibiotics or something?”
The doctor stammered “Surely nanobots would be better? Faster yes? You can afford them, yes? You don’t look like payments an issue.”
“That’s not really the problem here doctor is it?” Beka stated, casting a feverant glance in the Maru’s direction.
The doctor risked a glance at Harper “Yes of course your right. I think in this case antibiotics might be more appropriate; though if you’d mentioned your special circumstance’s I’m sure this mishap could have been easily prevented.”
Raged burned in Beka’s eyes. Surely this was not the sweet doctor she had seen years ago? How dare he turn this on her? Perhaps she should have mentioned something, but he could have showed some sensitivity once he became aware of the said circumstances.
Beka yanked the doctor out the room by his arm, staring him up and down, she realized he was too young to be the doctor she knew despite his name tag declaring otherwise. Must be a son she realized; too bad he didn’t seem to inherit his dad’s better quality’s.
Once outside his office the doctor seemed to regain some of his senses and demanded to be unhanded. “Damages are not included in the bill” he informed Beka. Beka just glared at him “perhaps you could write that prescription now, and I won’t report you to your boss for traumatizing a patient” she said in a measured tone, struggling to keep her anger in check.
“Well if you’d mentioned…” he doctor started, but abruptly stopped at sight of the weapon before him; “Yes perhaps I could have dealt with the situation a little better after all. If you’ll just put that down I’ll arrange for a full refund, and perhaps this misunderstanding can be forgotten, yes?”
“Prescription” Beka ground out. The doctor hastily pulled a pad from his pocket and scribbled on it, thrusting it into her hand, “on the house of course though without a blood test there’s no guarantee it’ll work.”
“We’ll take our chances” Beka told him as she strode back into the room to collect Harper.
“Come on Harper time to go” She called out as cheerfully as she could. Harper followed silently behind her.
The pharmacist had evidently been told of their arrival as she called them to the front of the line. “Miss Valentine, your prescription is ready” she called glancing nervously at Beka as she handed the little paper bag over as quickly as possible; Beka snatched the bag and made a hasty exit.
It wasn’t till they were back on the ship that Harper spoke again. “Sorry boss, didn’t mean to cause no trouble, won’t do it again promise” he looked so sad, and sorry that Beka wanted to hug him, and she wasn’t an overly huggy person; she settled for a brief pat on the shoulder. “Not your fault Harper that wasn’t the Doctor I thought he was, he was a jerk, and I should have come in with you.”
“I don’t need no babysitting Beka boss” Harper grumbled. Beka was beginning to twig by now that he hated being seen as an inexperienced kid, and was embarrassed by his lack of knowledge on things outside his experiences on Earth.
“I know, but sometimes we all need a friend yeah? Especially when we’re sick” She countered trying not to make him feel so bad. She wondered when she had become so soft, or if for that matter she even cared.
Harper had of course insisted on going straight back to work as soon as they were clear of the system; Beka had other ideas though “I’m starving” she called to Harper “How about I get us some lunch? The engines can wait yeah?”
Twenty minutes later Beka had them seated down to a meal of Tomato soup and bread rolls. Beka was reasonably sure Harper liked soup, but she could never be sure as he never complained. She only found out his dislike of peas last week; he had just said he was happy to have food to eat.
When they had finished eating she handed over the pills to “Harper time to take your medicine” she said.
“I told ya boss I don’t need no medicine” Harper protested.
“Harper we’ve been over this” Beka stated calmly she’d been expecting this. “You’ve been getting steadily sicker over the last few days, and you passed out yesterday” before he could protest again she continued “You’re no good to me dead Harper. Besides I’ve become quite fond of you, you little squirt and I’d miss you if you go die on me so take the dam medicine.”
Harper looked like he might protest for a second, but took the bottle of pills, he began shaking them out into his hand “easy there shortie you just need two” Beka hastily interjected imagining him swallowing the whole handful. He gave her a look which clearly indicated she was crazy, though she wasn’t completely convinced it was a Harper branded are you crazy? I knew that look, or not.
Harper chugged the pills down with a swig of his Sparky cola can from the pack he’d found hidden at the back of the top cupboard, behind a box of out of date crackers. How it got there he will never know; sometimes he swore the Maru itself wanted to deprive him of the sweet drink.
Beka watched him swallow the pills wondering if there was any place on this ship she could hide the Sparky without it being found. It’s not that she wanted to deprive her engineer of his favorite treat it’s just he drank so much of it; it came with warning labels for a reason she was sure. Besides anything that had slipstream carborator neutron oil in it could not be good for you. Beka was no expert but she strongly expected the best place for slipstream carborator neutron oil was in fact the slipstream core, and most certainly not her engineer.
Beka had barely completed this thought before Harper burst out in a coughing fit, he looked puzzled, “see I ain’t no better I told you boss I don’t need no medicine” he declared.
Beka did her best to stifle a giggle, “Harper you’ve got to give it a chance these pills aren’t a magic cure they take time to work; at least a full day before you feel any better, and a week or more before your back to your pesky little self.”
Harper frowned “A week? I could be better myself without no pills in that time, are you sure these aint no scam?” He waved the bottle around for emphasis causing it to rattle.
“No Harper it’s no scam these things have been used for centuries, and yes you might have got better all by yourself, but you might also have died, and like I said as I’ve become quite attached to you I didn’t want to take that chance. Now you need to take two of these three times a day for the next week; will you do that for me squirt, or are we gonna have to have this fight every time?”
Beka found Harper was staring at her “You really do care for me boss don’t you?” He said with a hint of amazement.
“I said so shortie didn’t I?” She replied softly before snapping back into caption mode “Right” she said “This washing up won’t do itself, and you need your rest, and don’t even think of trying to argue with me, we’ve done enough of that already today so go.” She stated pointing at the door for emphasis, “and don’t even think of heading back to the engine room because I’ll know” she added.
“Yes boss, nap time, I got it, and from now on I’ll take my pills just like you said.” And Beka knew he would.
A week later and Harper was back to his annoying cocky self, a week after that, and he was still declaring this had nothing to do whatsoever with any pills.
Rating: PG
Pairing: Beka, Harper friendship
Setting: Maru days not long after Harper was picked up and Bobby dropped off.
“Look I’m fine boss lady, I don’t need to see no doc!”
“Harper healthy people don’t cough like that, nor is their skin hot enough of fry an egg on!”
“I don’t need no doc, I’ve been sick plenty of times before, and I never saw no doc then, and I lived didn’t I?”
Beka looked him up, and down “just barely.”
“We’re not far off from Serenity drift I know a decent doc there; my dad took me there when I was a kid he gave me candy, I know he still works there. You’ll like him Harper honestly”
Harper did not look convinced. “Look Beka boss, these docs’s their expensive right? And you know I aint got no cash, so why don’t we just leave it for now?”
“Harper I’m worried if I leave it much longer you might drop dead. You haven’t eaten in days, you’re burning up, and despite this you refuse to stop working!” She was beginning to sound exasperated. “As for the money it’s beneficial to me to keep my only engineer alive so I’m paying.” She hoped that last bit was ok it sounded rather cold to her, but in the month or so he had been living with her she had learnt that paying his own way was very important to Harper.
Beka missed whatever Harpers reply may have been to her previous little outburst, but she was sure it involved something along the lines of Harper protesting about it being normal to not eat in days, so she didn’t feel she’d missed much.
Beka hated to do this, but seemed like she wasn’t going to be able to talk him round anytime soon. “Harper, you’re going to the doctors, and that’s that!” She for a second she felt bad about bossing him about like every other mean Uber, but she was after all his boss. Also since she hadn’t been exaggerating that much when she said she thought he might die she decided it was undoubtedly for the best.
If Beka thought it would be plain sailing once she succeeded in getting Harper to the doctors she was wrong, very wrong, as it turned out that was only half the fun. When Beka finally managed to cajole Harper into the doctor’s office after several unsuccessful escape attempts from the waiting room she breathed a sigh of relief: it was over. When screaming and crashing sounds began to emanate from the room she was forced to amend that assumption. Clearly now was the point the real fun started.
Beka burst into the room gun drawn. “Harper can’t I leave you alone for five minutes?” she grumbled looking around. “Harper?” She called again when the object in question refused to present itself.
She heard a groan from behind her: it was the doctor, Beka hauled him to his feet, “Where is he?” Beka demanded, her tone clearly stating don’t mess with me.
The doctor just pointed to an unturned table and sure enough Harper was sitting behind it rocking back and forth. “What have you done to him?” She demanded dropping to Harpers side.
“Nothing” stammered the doctor “Honest, I was only trying to take some blood, and he just lost it.”
Beka scowled at the doctor, but paid him no further attention instead focusing on her engineer. “Harper, Harper, it’s ok” She said attempting her best soothing voice though in truth she was a little irritated, not so much at Harper it wasn’t his fault; Beka was more irritated at herself for taking on this kind of responsibility. Responsibility and Beka Valentine were not two things usually associated with each other; also Beka had thought they were long past this stage the ‘settling in days’ as she dubbed them.
Another glace at Harper and Beka succeeded in letting go of her irritation; she’d grown fond of her little engineer in the couple of months she’d known him. “Harper it’s ok” she soothed she risked reaching out to him, when he did not flinch away, she placed a hand on his shoulder “it’s ok Harper the nice doctor here just wants to take some blood he won’t hurt you.”
Harper looked unconvinced “I’m sorry Harper I should never have left you alone; I should have know this would all be a bit frightening for you.” This had an immediate effect, but it wasn’t the one Beka was expecting.
“I ain’t afraid Beka Boss” he declared stiffening then jumping to his feet “I just don’t need some silly blood test is all, and this guy weren’t taking no for an answer.”
“I see” said Beka, “but don’t you think the doctor knows best Harper?”
“I told you I don’t need no stupid blood test.”
“Ok” Beka soothed, seeing she was not going to win this one, she should never have let him go in alone. She turned her attention to the doctor still cowering in the corner “look I’m sure it’s just a simple infection, couldn’t you just give him some antibiotics or something?”
The doctor stammered “Surely nanobots would be better? Faster yes? You can afford them, yes? You don’t look like payments an issue.”
“That’s not really the problem here doctor is it?” Beka stated, casting a feverant glance in the Maru’s direction.
The doctor risked a glance at Harper “Yes of course your right. I think in this case antibiotics might be more appropriate; though if you’d mentioned your special circumstance’s I’m sure this mishap could have been easily prevented.”
Raged burned in Beka’s eyes. Surely this was not the sweet doctor she had seen years ago? How dare he turn this on her? Perhaps she should have mentioned something, but he could have showed some sensitivity once he became aware of the said circumstances.
Beka yanked the doctor out the room by his arm, staring him up and down, she realized he was too young to be the doctor she knew despite his name tag declaring otherwise. Must be a son she realized; too bad he didn’t seem to inherit his dad’s better quality’s.
Once outside his office the doctor seemed to regain some of his senses and demanded to be unhanded. “Damages are not included in the bill” he informed Beka. Beka just glared at him “perhaps you could write that prescription now, and I won’t report you to your boss for traumatizing a patient” she said in a measured tone, struggling to keep her anger in check.
“Well if you’d mentioned…” he doctor started, but abruptly stopped at sight of the weapon before him; “Yes perhaps I could have dealt with the situation a little better after all. If you’ll just put that down I’ll arrange for a full refund, and perhaps this misunderstanding can be forgotten, yes?”
“Prescription” Beka ground out. The doctor hastily pulled a pad from his pocket and scribbled on it, thrusting it into her hand, “on the house of course though without a blood test there’s no guarantee it’ll work.”
“We’ll take our chances” Beka told him as she strode back into the room to collect Harper.
“Come on Harper time to go” She called out as cheerfully as she could. Harper followed silently behind her.
The pharmacist had evidently been told of their arrival as she called them to the front of the line. “Miss Valentine, your prescription is ready” she called glancing nervously at Beka as she handed the little paper bag over as quickly as possible; Beka snatched the bag and made a hasty exit.
It wasn’t till they were back on the ship that Harper spoke again. “Sorry boss, didn’t mean to cause no trouble, won’t do it again promise” he looked so sad, and sorry that Beka wanted to hug him, and she wasn’t an overly huggy person; she settled for a brief pat on the shoulder. “Not your fault Harper that wasn’t the Doctor I thought he was, he was a jerk, and I should have come in with you.”
“I don’t need no babysitting Beka boss” Harper grumbled. Beka was beginning to twig by now that he hated being seen as an inexperienced kid, and was embarrassed by his lack of knowledge on things outside his experiences on Earth.
“I know, but sometimes we all need a friend yeah? Especially when we’re sick” She countered trying not to make him feel so bad. She wondered when she had become so soft, or if for that matter she even cared.
Harper had of course insisted on going straight back to work as soon as they were clear of the system; Beka had other ideas though “I’m starving” she called to Harper “How about I get us some lunch? The engines can wait yeah?”
Twenty minutes later Beka had them seated down to a meal of Tomato soup and bread rolls. Beka was reasonably sure Harper liked soup, but she could never be sure as he never complained. She only found out his dislike of peas last week; he had just said he was happy to have food to eat.
When they had finished eating she handed over the pills to “Harper time to take your medicine” she said.
“I told ya boss I don’t need no medicine” Harper protested.
“Harper we’ve been over this” Beka stated calmly she’d been expecting this. “You’ve been getting steadily sicker over the last few days, and you passed out yesterday” before he could protest again she continued “You’re no good to me dead Harper. Besides I’ve become quite fond of you, you little squirt and I’d miss you if you go die on me so take the dam medicine.”
Harper looked like he might protest for a second, but took the bottle of pills, he began shaking them out into his hand “easy there shortie you just need two” Beka hastily interjected imagining him swallowing the whole handful. He gave her a look which clearly indicated she was crazy, though she wasn’t completely convinced it was a Harper branded are you crazy? I knew that look, or not.
Harper chugged the pills down with a swig of his Sparky cola can from the pack he’d found hidden at the back of the top cupboard, behind a box of out of date crackers. How it got there he will never know; sometimes he swore the Maru itself wanted to deprive him of the sweet drink.
Beka watched him swallow the pills wondering if there was any place on this ship she could hide the Sparky without it being found. It’s not that she wanted to deprive her engineer of his favorite treat it’s just he drank so much of it; it came with warning labels for a reason she was sure. Besides anything that had slipstream carborator neutron oil in it could not be good for you. Beka was no expert but she strongly expected the best place for slipstream carborator neutron oil was in fact the slipstream core, and most certainly not her engineer.
Beka had barely completed this thought before Harper burst out in a coughing fit, he looked puzzled, “see I ain’t no better I told you boss I don’t need no medicine” he declared.
Beka did her best to stifle a giggle, “Harper you’ve got to give it a chance these pills aren’t a magic cure they take time to work; at least a full day before you feel any better, and a week or more before your back to your pesky little self.”
Harper frowned “A week? I could be better myself without no pills in that time, are you sure these aint no scam?” He waved the bottle around for emphasis causing it to rattle.
“No Harper it’s no scam these things have been used for centuries, and yes you might have got better all by yourself, but you might also have died, and like I said as I’ve become quite attached to you I didn’t want to take that chance. Now you need to take two of these three times a day for the next week; will you do that for me squirt, or are we gonna have to have this fight every time?”
Beka found Harper was staring at her “You really do care for me boss don’t you?” He said with a hint of amazement.
“I said so shortie didn’t I?” She replied softly before snapping back into caption mode “Right” she said “This washing up won’t do itself, and you need your rest, and don’t even think of trying to argue with me, we’ve done enough of that already today so go.” She stated pointing at the door for emphasis, “and don’t even think of heading back to the engine room because I’ll know” she added.
“Yes boss, nap time, I got it, and from now on I’ll take my pills just like you said.” And Beka knew he would.
A week later and Harper was back to his annoying cocky self, a week after that, and he was still declaring this had nothing to do whatsoever with any pills.