Welcome To Sickbay – Please Take A Number
Summary: It's another ordinary day for Doctor Phlox. But can the crew of Enterprise keep out of trouble?
Beta: Kathy Rose
Spoilers: Dear Doctor
Time frame: This story takes place sometime during the Second Season.
Disclaimer: I don't own Star Trek or any of its characters. This is all written for non-commercial enjoyment. No animals were hurt during this story. Can't say the same for some Starfleet officers…
A/N: This is my first fanfic. I never thought I would start writing, but you inspired me to 'give something back to the community'. Reviews are appreciated!
Chapter 1: Logic
It was quiet in the ship's corridors when Doctor Phlox walked the short distance from his quarters to the mess hall. He had decided to start the day early, and did not want to miss a good breakfast. He was happy to find his favourite blueberry pancakes waiting for him. While enjoying his meal at a table near the viewport, the doctor had some time to study the vista outside.
In the past hour Enterprise had entered into a geosynchronous orbit with the planet Vasga. From this distance, the clouded orb reminded him of his first journey to Earth. However, this planet had only two large continents, and a band of smaller islands circling them. The great planes of water that surrounded the landmasses had a certain purple tinge - like lavender - that gave Vasga its distinctive feature.
His thoughts turned toward the crew of Enterprise. Humans are such an excitable species. They grasp every opportunity to meet other races and learn about new cultures. And they are remarkably resilient. It is fascinating to observe them when they are acting under duress. The doctor hoped he would learn about new aspects of human behaviour today.
When Phlox had finished the last of his pancakes, the trickle of early birds entering the mess hall had become a steady stream of Alpha-shift crew preparing for another day.
The sickbay doors opened with a soft "whoosh" when Doctor Phlox entered the darkened room. Only soft twittering and the occasional rattle were heard from the covered cages in the far corner, which became louder when the lights came on.
"Good morning, my little friends, I hope you all had a good night's sleep," the doctor chirped. He tapped his finger on the cage of his beloved Pyrithian bat. "You must be hungry."
Putting several food containers on a tray, he started feeding his menagerie, all the while making small talk or clucking noises to his – well, he wouldn't call them 'pets', but he had to admit he had grown quite fond of them.
While he was refilling an empty canister with moth larvae, he heard the doors open again.
"Doctor." It was the low, crisp voice of Subcommander T'Pol.
"Ah, Subcommander, I'll be right with you." He closed the canister and put it on the shelf. He turned around and walked to T'Pol who stood just inside the closed doors.
Was it his imagination, or did she seem somewhat… flustered?
"What can I do for you, Subcommander?" he asked with a smile.
"I require another injection of nasal numbing agent," she stated without preamble.
Aha. That explained her disposition.
"Mmm, I thought your last injection would reduce any distinctive odours for at least another three weeks? But, as the human saying goes: the customer is always right!" He beamed.
The humour was lost on the Vulcan officer. Phlox, not deterred, continued, "It will only take a moment."
As he was preparing a hypospray with the drug, Phlox was curious. "When did you first notice the effects of the injection were wearing off?"
T'Pol clasped her hands behind the small of her back. "I became aware of my olfactory senses being heightened during breakfast with the captain." She paused for a moment. "The offending smell seemed to emanate from the captain's pet."
The doctor looked up from his task at hearing this. "Was captain Archer feeding Porthos anything?" he asked suspiciously.
One sculptured eyebrow of the Subcommander rose to its usual position. "He did give the dog some yellow pieces of dairy product… cheese, I believe it was called."
Phlox shook his head. "How many times do I have to tell the captain not to feed Porthos any cheese?" he muttered under his breath.
"Doctor?" T'Pol queried.
"Nothing, nothing!" he answered hastily. He had forgotten that Vulcans have excellent hearing. "I just need to remind the captain about Porthos' gastrointestinal conflict with cheese."
He walked back to T'Pol and administered the drug to her neck.
"The intestines are very complex organs in any creature, even those of humans, and should be nurtured with great care." Phlox was warming up to the subject. "Most people, for example, are not aware that their body does not digest and absorb certain carbohydrates in the small intestine, because of a shortage of certain enzymes." He chuckled. "Why, a few weeks ago, Chef prepared a special Mexican cuisine, with that festive name, 'Chili con carne'. The aroma that was wafting through the corridors afterwards smelled like...
"Doctor!" The voice of the subcommander pulled him from his reverie.
"I'm sorry, Subcommander. What did you want to say?"
T'Pol looked slightly miffed. "The mission of the away team to the planet Vasga has to be finalized. So if you will excuse me…"
"Oh, of course Subcommander, I would not want to keep you from your work." Phlox smiled warmly.
With a nod, the Vulcan science officer quickly left sickbay.
While putting away the used hypospray, Doctor Phlox reminisced of the mineral springs in Tuneer Yok on Denobula that the odour had reminded him of, and the good times he spent there on his honeymoon with his third wife. Maybe I should mention the lovely spot to Doctor Lucas in my next letter…
To Be Continued...