Interviewing the Little Doc (G)
This 400-word ficlet is for aelfgyfu_mead, who wanted Janet and Emmett Bregman in Heroes. Spoilers for that ep, obviously, and tiny references to previous canon events. Rated G.
Interviewing the Little Doc
Emmett listened and took copious notes, trying to keep the incredulity off his face as Dr. Fraiser described various crises that her medical staff had faced over the years. It wasn't a question of not believing her; it was, rather, wonder at her ability to be so calm about managing six impossible things before breakfast. How could she sit there with that impish smile and cooly discuss how often the SGC had almost been wiped out?
Treating alien species. Discovering new viruses that didn't even exist on the planet. Healing injuries caused by weapons using forms of energy that had no parallel on Earth. Medical puzzles that would baffle the most brilliant minds, yet were solved by this petite doctor and her competent team.
"How do you cope with so much uncertainty?" he asked her at one point, when she'd finished explaining the connect-the-dots that had enabled them to find a cure for yet another alien organism that had run rampant over the base.
"I don't think we have a monopoly on the unknown here at the SGC," she answered, her animated face turning more serious. "Doctors have struggled with mysterious illnesses throughout history. There's always something new to discover, whether it's a mutated disease or fresh ideas for treatment. Our learning curve is a just a little steeper, that's all."
"So how do you isolate causes, when there are so many variables?"
Dr. Fraiser leaned back in her chair, one manicured fingernail tapping absently on one of the closed files on her desk. "Trial and error, I suppose," she said at last. Her eyes lightened again. "More error than trial, sometimes. How can we tell what's causing erratic behavior? It could be something an SG team breathed in the air on an alien planet. Maybe the water purification tablets couldn't cope with some particular powerful bacteria. They might have eaten something they shouldn't have." She chuckled to herself. "There are other possibilities, too. Maybe someone got bitten by an insect with hallucinogenic properties in its toxin. Or maybe," she added wryly," there's an alien computer chip trying to play hide-and-seek."
"That's not just a metaphor, is it?" Emmett asked cautiously.
"No, it isn't. I only wish it was."
She didn't elaborate further, although she muttered something like her go under her breath. Emmett fought temptation and didn't ask her for more details.
"So how about..."
Interviewing the Little Doc
Emmett listened and took copious notes, trying to keep the incredulity off his face as Dr. Fraiser described various crises that her medical staff had faced over the years. It wasn't a question of not believing her; it was, rather, wonder at her ability to be so calm about managing six impossible things before breakfast. How could she sit there with that impish smile and cooly discuss how often the SGC had almost been wiped out?
Treating alien species. Discovering new viruses that didn't even exist on the planet. Healing injuries caused by weapons using forms of energy that had no parallel on Earth. Medical puzzles that would baffle the most brilliant minds, yet were solved by this petite doctor and her competent team.
"How do you cope with so much uncertainty?" he asked her at one point, when she'd finished explaining the connect-the-dots that had enabled them to find a cure for yet another alien organism that had run rampant over the base.
"I don't think we have a monopoly on the unknown here at the SGC," she answered, her animated face turning more serious. "Doctors have struggled with mysterious illnesses throughout history. There's always something new to discover, whether it's a mutated disease or fresh ideas for treatment. Our learning curve is a just a little steeper, that's all."
"So how do you isolate causes, when there are so many variables?"
Dr. Fraiser leaned back in her chair, one manicured fingernail tapping absently on one of the closed files on her desk. "Trial and error, I suppose," she said at last. Her eyes lightened again. "More error than trial, sometimes. How can we tell what's causing erratic behavior? It could be something an SG team breathed in the air on an alien planet. Maybe the water purification tablets couldn't cope with some particular powerful bacteria. They might have eaten something they shouldn't have." She chuckled to herself. "There are other possibilities, too. Maybe someone got bitten by an insect with hallucinogenic properties in its toxin. Or maybe," she added wryly," there's an alien computer chip trying to play hide-and-seek."
"That's not just a metaphor, is it?" Emmett asked cautiously.
"No, it isn't. I only wish it was."
She didn't elaborate further, although she muttered something like her go under her breath. Emmett fought temptation and didn't ask her for more details.
"So how about..."