Log Date: 6/11, 6/15/97 Log Cast: Shenneret Veery, Paul Nighman, Ms. Tsuma (NPC), Li Hua (NPC), Devon (NPC), Dr. T'shallat (NPC) Log Intro: Shenner has spent several days unobtrusively looking after Paul while he throws himself headlong into research of the Mandalorian artifacts, which has proven to be a rather difficult task, as the girl has had to remind him to eat and sleep and get fresh air... in short, she's found this Paul a rather startling change from the Paul who took her out for the romantic night of dancing, and it's been a startling enough transition that Shenner has expressed concern in a message sent to Paul's old mentor Molari Canto on Calamari. Troubled by her ongoing reactions to Paul, Shenner has also sent a letter to Jessalyn Valios, both to get caught up on the news from the Major and also to see if Jessa can provide her any advice during the uncomfortable process of simply getting used to being a girl. Paul has continued to trouble Shen as well, as he gives off little signs to her that his feelings about her are rather more deeper than she'd guessed... especially when he confesses that he'd written a song for her. Unable to quite believe that he might genuinely love her, trying to convince herself that she will not press herself on him in any way, Shenner has been wrestling with her feelings about the man. And now, much to Shenner's dismay, she has come back from her forays through Coronet City one night to find Paul collapsed and feverish in their room in the Kind Hearts and Coronets Inn. Aghast, Shenner has hastily sought the aid of the inn's proprietor and her daughter, and has followed the venerable Ms. Tsuma's advice, staying up practically all night tending the fevered Paul.... ---------- The night passes for Shenner in scraps of sleep, gleaned in between more tending of the ailing Corellian. At one point during the night she makes herself eat her nerf steak, vaguely grateful that the restaurant had been a fancy enough one that its takeout containers kept the food reasonably warm until you deactivated them; it is without appetite that she downs the meal, however. Her primary concern remains Paul, and with eyes that grow blearier as night winds its way into morning, she monitors his temperature, wiping his face and chest when she needs to, watching for any sign of returning awareness. The rangy Corellian remains in a deep fevered sleep for most of the night. Occasionally he wakes at Shenner's touch or at the coolness of the washcloth, but at these times he does little more than mumble incoherently, or just open his eyes for a brief, drowsy moment, before letting the fever take him back to sleep. By morning, Shenner's eyes are itchy behind her lids, and she has to rub the back of her hand across them frequently to keep herself awake. The thermometer reports a steady 100 degrees on Paul's temperature no matter how often she works at washing his face, and the girl has begun to worry anew, her anxiety gnawing in her stomach. Only when the sunrise casts increasingly bright illumination into the room does she reluctantly tear herself away from the side of the bed, and stumble downstairs to find Mrs. Tsuma, and report that Paul's fever has not yet broken. Mrs. Tsuma follows upstairs behind Shenner, her face serious. She enters the room to find Paul only slightly better than he was the previous night, but still far too feverish for her comfort. She rings downstairs, speaking softly into the comm unit by the door. "Li? I need you to help take Paul to Dr. Slaulkin. Come up and I'll trade places with you downstairs." Sitting back on the bed she shakes Paul roughly. "Wake up Paul, wake up right now," she commands, her tone firm and demanding. Her face drawn, Shenner watches the woman, standing just behind her -- and wincing at the shaking. It takes a moment of struggle to keep from hollering a protest -- _he's a sick man!_ The shaking seems to do the trick, as Paul's eyes snap open and after a moment of blinking past the fever, they focus on the woman shaking him. "Mrs. Tsuma?" he mumurs in surprise and confusion. He may be sick, but apparently he's not fragile. Sitting back and eyeing him archly, the elder woman sighs. "Your companion treats you with kid gloves," she notes, "but I'm old enough to be your mother boy. Now, you are sick and it's your own fault that it's gone this far. Sit up." she commands him. Paul gives the woman a wavery smile and moves to do so, but just as quickly he catches an arm under himself as the room spins at that slight movement. Determined not to look a weakling in front of this old family friend, he grits his teeth and forces himself upright, closing his eyes against the slight tide of lightheadedness. Shenner bites back another protest at the woman's words, but can't keep herself from blushing. Only the spark of recognition in Paul's eyes and his response to Mrs. Tsuma's order keep her from losing her hold on her temper; elated by this, the girl smiles anxiously at Paul. Not missing a trick, Mrs. Tsuma places a hand on Paul's arm, gentling her earlier biting remarks. "It'll be alright," she assures him, "Li will be here in a moment," and no sooner do the words leave her lips than Li Hua comes into the room uncertainly. "Help Paul get dressed," she tells her daughter. She lays her hand on Paul's arm. "Li will get you to a doctor ... I have to attend to my guests," she murmurs with a hint of concern. Paul drops one warm palm on top of hers. "It's alright, I don't mean to be such a nuisance," he murmurs back to her. _They're handling it. They're gonna handle it. It's okay..._ Shenner swallows hard, more relieved than she can fathom that Paul seems to have regained his wits. She finds herself blinking rapidly, though, as she struggles to hold fast to her awareness of the situation. "I'll... get him a shirt," she mumbles out. Leaving somewhat reluctantly, Mrs. Tsuma disappears out the door. Li stares at Paul for a moment, as this kind of interaction is not one she is familiar with, and especially not in regard to this old classmate. "Uh, yeah, that would be great Shenner," she replies, regarding Paul with wary eyes. "Can you stand?" she asks him skeptically. Shen hastens to Paul's side of the storage drawers in which they'd unpacked their clothing, digging up one of his khaki shirts; after a moment, she fetches his boots, too, and returns then to him and Li, saying hoarsely, "Here..." Paul reaches out before Li or Shen tries to dress him like a doll or something. "I'm fine," he growls softly, beginning to feel more than a little embarrassed at his enfeebled state. He pulls the shirt on and buttons it up with little incident. He then nods and, with a determined expression, rises up. "I'm fine," he insists, until the vertigo hits him hard and he grabs frantically at the wall to avoid falling over. _Shit...!_ Shenner is immediately by Paul, propping him up bodily, and muttering, "Fine, huh?" Cursing his breath, he blinks the sweat out of his eyes and waits for his balance to restore itself. "Well I -was- fine before I stood up," he insists crankily. He waits another moment before declaring. "Okay, I got it now." Li Hua just shakes her head at him. "Paul you are always going to be second chair, now let us help you, you doof!" He gives the woman a sharp look, but doesn't resist as she slips his other arm over her shoulder, leaving Shen to the one that she had claimed. "Okay, you got standing down, now how about walking?" she teases him. Still strangely quiet, Shenner simply props Paul up on her side as he and Li exchange their commentary. All she says, and this to Li Hua, is, "Where we headed?" Her voice is low, edged with weariness. Casting Shenner a concerned glance from under Paul's arm, Li responds, "Not far ... just down the street to a doctor that we know." Paul, way too concerned with remaining upright and concious, doesn't catch Shen's deflated tone. They slowly, carefully, make their way down the stairs. Shenner doggedly sets herself to the task, keeping one hand gripping Paul's arm about her shoulders, and her own other arm curled around his waist. With the height difference between her and the Corellian, supporting him is an awkward task at best, but as she and Li help him stumble outside, the young redhead issues no words of complaint. For that matter, she says very little of anything, remaining, as she has through many of the last several days, a quiet presence only on the side of Paul's general existence. It takes awhile, but eventually they arrive at the office, and manage to get Paul seated. Li Hua speaks briefly to the receptionist before she returns to Paul and Shen. "Okay, you're all set here." She lays a hand on one of Pauls, her face softening with concern. "Get better," she commands, "You still haven't played with me ... for old times sake." Paul, blanched beneath his tan and breathing heavily, nods, too winded for words. "You want me to stay?" she asks, casting her glance to both Paul and Shen, who really doesn't look much better than her friend. Shen has sunk into a chair by Paul, and appears to be stoically forcing her expression into coherent lines. "Thanks," she says roughly to Li Hua. "Don't wanna keep yah from workin'...." Despite the polite noises she's making, though, the girl's eyes are limpid with exhaustion, and a mute plea for the other young woman not to run off. _You can help. Don't go away...!_ Li hears the words, and at the same time, reads her expression. Without another word, she sits down next to Paul, who is now leaning against the back of the couch, concentrating on catching his breath and staying concious. She eyes him with concern, stroking his brow thoughtfully. "Can you breathe alright?" she murmurs. Shen, as Li leans over Paul, seems by contrast to draw back from him slightly, making no physical contact with him now. Her eyes flick between the receptionist's desk, as she mentally orders a doctor to appear on the scene, and Paul himself. Paul shakes his head in response to Li's question. "No, I just feel completely enervated, as if all of my strength had just been drained out of me." At that moment the door opens up and a nurse steps out, heading straight over to Paul. "Mr. Nighman, can you walk to the examination room, or would you like a lift there?" Pride has Paul sitting upright, unwilling to be so weak in front of Shen. Damnit, he had crawled to the med center on Palanhi, he could walk the few steps to the examination room. "I just need a little assistance," he assures her, and stands firmly, holding his own against the wash of vertigo. _I -will- stand up ... I -will- stand up_ he repeats, over and over again in his mind. The nurse offers him an arm, which he gladly takes. She then looks at the two women. "This might be awhile," she warns them, "as the doctor may need a series of tests ... do you want to wait here? If you want, one of you can come in?" Paul flashes the nurse a look at that, uncertain that -he- would want anyone to witness his examination, but he doesn't voice his opinion. Still parked in the chair she'd claimed, Shenner feels her heart rising into her mouth as she watches Paul struggle to his feet. This doesn't hurt quite so much as his febrile ravings of the night before; last night, it'd felt as if her heart would rip in half, and now, there's only a pang in her chest. She says huskily, watching Paul, and suspecting now that he is coherent he would be ashamed to undergo testing in front of her, "I'll... wait right here..." Nodding the nurse moves to support Paul's arm. "The doctor will let you know as soon as we have a diagnosis," she assures the girl, and she leads Paul into the office. Li sits quietly for a moment before turning to Shen. "Why do you go back to the hotel and get some sleep, I'll wait," she offers generously. "I ain't leavin'," the girl mumbles lowly. Li Hua stares at the redhead for a moment, uncertain with this stranger. "I could call you right over as soon as he's done?" she offers. "Gotta stay," Shenner maintains hoarsely, slowly shaking her head. "Thanks, though... I just... gotta stay." Fidgeting slightly, and wishing she had brought something to do, Li folds her legs up underneath her on the couch. Her gaze brings her to the table next to her where there are a few holodiscs. She picks up a few, scanning over the titles, and finds to her relief that some of them are actually books, not just periodicals. She pops one into a handheld viewer and begins to idly read to help pass the time. Conversation with the exhausted and obsessed redhead seems right out. Shenner, however, is perhaps a trifle less exhausted than she looks, for she eventually asks, her voice small, "What's second chair?" Glancing up in surprise, the elegant woman drops the viewer to her lap. "Second chair? Well, it's not First Chair, that's for sure," she replies with an impish grin. "Paul and I were in orchestra together ... he always wanted to be First Chair, the best in the section, the first in the row, but I was ... am ... better than him." "He didn't tell me that," mumbles Shenner, rubbing the back of her hand across her eyes once more. "Nothin'... 'bout no orchestra..." And she shakes her head suddenly, as if trying to clear it. "It was a long time ago," is Li Hua's soft reply, but her attention is more focused on Shenner half shut eyes. "Here," she offers, "lets trade seats ... you take the couch." To let Shen know that like her mother, she will brook no arguement, she stands up and places herself next to Shen's upright chair, waiting for the girl to move to the larger and softer couch, feeling certain that she will easily fall asleep there. "Why don't you stretch out, make yourself comfortable," she suggests smoothly. "Hafta wait," Shenner mutters, but she does eye the couch with evident longing, and after a moment, she rises and creeps to it. Stiffly, then, the redhead lowers herself down onto its cushions, pillowing her head on her arms, and with a rather sleepier voice she adds, "Music? He didn't hafta sing it..." Shenner's eyes drop closed, then... and in seconds, she is asleep. Seating herself in the chair, Li nods knowingly to herself. She watches Shenner for a moment longer and then casts a glance at the doorway that Paul had gone through. "Oh Paul Nighman, if I ever had my eyes on you, I would have a fight on my hands, that's for sure." She leans forward, trying to determine what it is about the girl that has made her Paul's companion, and what exactly -is- their relationship. "One things for sure," she mumbles to herself. "Whether or not Paul is in love with her, she is in love with him." She purses her lips against her steepled fingers thoughtfully before reaching down to the viewer in her lap. She starts to read again, but occassionally her gaze rises to touch on the sleeping girl and contemplate. [And not too much later....] There is a gentle push at Shenner's shoulder, trying to awaken her slowly, carefully. Li pushes once again, wondering if she shouldn't just leave the girl to sleep. _She looks burnt out physically, psychically, and emotionally, the poor thing_ she thinks to herself. Shenner's brow, already crinkled in her sleep, tightens a little further at that small prodding. She stirs a little, and mumbles thickly, "Paul?" Li sits back for a minute, feeling for the girl and lightly cursing Paul for being such a dunce and acting more like a child than the one before her. "How can a grown man be so completely clueless and irresponsible?" she mutters softly under her breath. She nudges at Shenner once more, her touch still tentative. She determines that if Shenner doesn't wake this time, she -will- let the girl sleep some more. "Shen? It's Li Hua honey." Shenner's eyelids creak open, and glazed green eyes lift unseeingly to the woman leaning over her. "Li?" Her voice comes out of her a little too high, slurred by drowsiness, and she adds in a mumble, "What time is it? Where's Paul?" Leaning back once again, Li rocks on her heels. "It's been about an hour or so since we arrived. The doctor just came out to tell us that he is sending Paul to the Medical Center for further tests and treatment ... whatever this is, it's beyond his capabilities." She frowns and bites her bottom lip thoughtfully. "He said that it might take awhile ..." she adds hesitantly, not wanting to worry the girl, but not wanting to keep anything from her either. The words 'sending Paul to the medical center' make it all the way into Shenner's brain; abruptly, she looks rather more awake, as she fumbles to sit up on the waiting room couch. "What? Wait... tell me what's goin' on?" Li rises sufficiently to slip herself into a nearby chair, leaning toward Shenner. "They don't really know. His red blood cell level is extremely low ... they're apparently being actively destroyed by something in his blood, some kind of parasite. Problem is, they don't recognize the introduced organism, don't know how it even got into his bloodstream in the first place. It isn't indigenous to this planet, so there's no telling where it came from or how it got there ..." Her gaze flickers down for a moment and she adds, "...or how to stop it ..." before raising it again. "The Medical Center has better equipment, access to a larger database of known parasites and treatments ... they hope that Paul can receive a better diagnoses there." The redheaded girl scrubs a hand across her eyes, blinking herself conscious until everything Li says succeeds in making sense to her. Mostly, at any rate; Shen does not know what red blood cells are, though it's clear enough from context that whatever's going on is Bad. She does not, however, mention her ignorance to Li; all Shenner says is, hoarsely, "Is he gone yet?" "I don't know," she admits honestly. "The doctor just said he was sending him over, why?" Shenner's green gaze shifts off in the direction she'd last seen Paul go, and probably entirely without her knowledge, her eyes turn limpid with worry. But then her eyes close for a moment, and her head dips, as though she's trying to take a moment to steady herself. When she looks up again, the youngster asks gravely, "D'you know if we can see him?" "Oh. I'm sure they'll let you see him," Li assures the redhead's poignant regard. "They have visiting hours at the very least." Li looks over to the reception area briefly and then back to Shen. "What do you want to do?" "I'm his assistant," Shenner says gruffly, squaring her shoulders. "If he's gotta be in the med center... I gotta, well, do what I can to help him while they're workin' on him." The girl stands firmly, almost as if she intends to do something helpful and assistant-ish this very instant -- but her gaze wanders off in the direction Paul had gone again. Li rises in response. "Okay, well let's see if he's gone yet ... if he hasn't, do you want to ride in the emergency transport with him?" She cocks her head to one side, her hair swaying silently, echoing the motion. "I don't know what he might need, but I'm sure that he'll be glad for the company," she offers in response to Shen's declaration. Wanly, Shenner smiles, and her eyes go liquid for a moment again before she simply bobs her head in agreement. "Yeah... let's find him," she murmurs. Walking over to the reception desk, Li smiles pleasantly at the woman seated there. "Excuse me, can you tell me if the emergency transport has arrived yet for Paul Nighman?" The woman glances at her computer and shakes her head. "It's been called, and should be arriving any minute now, but I don't see a note that he has left the office yet. Can I help you with something?" "Can we go with him?" Shenner puts in, her voice slightly roughened, her words straight to the point. The older woman behind the desk, her hair dark brown as are her eyes, regard Shenner for a moment steadily before shifting back to Li Hua. "One of you can," she replies, just as succintly. Shen's gaze shifts to the young woman beside her, and Shen's features flare with entreaty, but also with sudden awkwardness. "I..." Li's eyes drop to Shen and she immediately responses, "Oh, you can of course ... after all I haven't seen him in years, it's not like we're all -that- close any more." The woman behind the desk shifts her gaze between Li and Shen, her assessment of the situation obviously incorrect. Fixing her pleasant but neutral expression on Shen, she points toward the door. "You can come in then and wait with him if you like." Li touches Shen's shoulder, expecting her to bolt for the door, and wanting to ask her something first. "Do you want me to meet you there?" she asks uncertainly. "Do you need me?" "I... dunno," Shenner admits. "Maybe you should... tell your Mom? Yeah..." Her nose crinkles, as she slowly settles on the decision. "You should tell your Mom. If Paul's gonna be in the hospital, she'll wanna know, okay?" Shenner adds sheepishly, "Bring the other food box, from our room, if it's still good?" Li Hua nods, her hair swaying back and forth. "Excellent point. You know where we are ... if you need us, or if there is any new news...?" At Shen's request, her face softens and a sweet radiant smile breaks free. "Screw that," she says, "we'll smuggle in something fresh and good for the both of you ... can't have him eating that dang Center food ... that'll give anyone parasites." She winks slyly. Shenner abruptly gives a lopsided grin, and hugs Li impulsively. "Thank you," she tells her, her tone fervent, before she turns and heads off through the door the receptionist has indicated. The kid's attention is clearly already on finding Paul. The slender woman watches Shen whirl off through the door, too quick for her to even give the redhead a responsive hug. "Take care of him for us," she murmurs softly, before turning to head out the main door, back home. As Shen bursts through the doors, which whisk open at her approach obediently, she is confronted by a large desk, centered between a number of doors to the right and the left. The nurse that had helped Paul in before stands behind the desk, and she leans forward at Shenner's approach. "Ah, you're with Mr. Nighman, correct?" Anxiously, Shenner nods, though she corrects automatically, "Dr. Nighman. He's a doctor. I'm his assistant." Her firm tone falters a little as she adds, trying not to sound too plaintive, "The receptionist said I could ride to the med center with him, can I see him?" The nurse gives Shenner a rather wry look, murmuring under her breath, "Well, he's obviously not a -medical- doctor." She points to the door to her right. "Well then, -Dr- Nighman is waiting right through that door there. Go right on through." Shenner blurts, "Well, no," but hastens where the nurse directs her, scanning her surroundings anxiously the moment she steps through the next door. The door opens silently into an open waiting room. There is medical equipment along the sides of the space and a large hydrolift door that makes up one side of the room. The door is currently open, allowing a slightly briny breeze to travel though the space. Obviously it is a treatment room that allows for patient transport in and out directly. Sitting in a hydrolift chair by said entry way is Paul. He is staring out into the drive, waiting rather glumly for said transport. Leaning against one arm, he looks both physically weary and psychically troubled. Leading from his left arm is an intravenous monitoring device, which has been strapped to his chair, pulling small samples of his blood for periodic testing. Shen feels her chest tighten briefly with another flare of worry; with an effort, she gets herself under control, and approaches Paul as casually as she can manage. "Hey," she greets him. "How you feelin'?" Looking up, a touch surprised, Paul takes in Shenner's features and rumpled clothes, his brow crinkling as his suspicions are confirmed. He shrugs in an equally casual gesture and replies, "I've felt worse ... I've felt better," he a somewhat rough, low voice. His color is still a little on the pale side, and he glares at the blood monitor, and in a slightly more frustrated voice growls, "Damnit it, this is ridiculous." He chafes visibly at his weakened and vulnerable condition, not being happy about it personally, and not being comfortable with the fact that he was probably a great deal worse the previous night, and in Shenner's care the whole time. He casts her a somewhat chagrined look. "Sorry 'bout last night ... I hope I didn't scare you too badly ...." Shen, hoping that Paul does not read in her expression exactly how frightened she'd been the night before, decides to take refuge in a partial truth. "I was worried, yeah," she confesses, but offers with it a crooked grin, and a tone brightened with relief. "Mrs. Tsuma told me what to do, though, so it all worked out, yah know? Flushing slightly at the implication that Shen had to do anything, and wondering half curiously what she -did- have to do to take care of him, Paul turns his head away for a moment. "Ah, well, that's good." Looking up at her again, doing his best to hide the discomfort, Paul gives Shen a wan smile. "So, look this might take awhile and I'm in good hands now, I'm sure, so don't feel obligated or nothing ... I mean, looks like I kept you up at least half the night as it is ..." he jokes weakly, uncomfortable with the fact that he was unconcious and helpless with Shen watching him all night. That idea doesn't sit well with him at all. _Damn, if I'm not always in some kind of distress these days ... she probably wonders that I am even able to survive without her continued presence_ he rails at himself. The girl rolls a shoulder in a shrug, and for a moment, her eyes flicker with an inscrutable sentiment. _Does he want me with him?_ she thinks in that moment, anxiously. But what she says is, "I did wanna ask you, if you were awake, if there's anything you need me to do. I mean... I _am_ your assistant." She thinks in addition, _And your friend,_ but she only allows that to make it to her eyes. He watches her carefully, weighing the expressions that flit across her face. "There's nothing that really -needs- to be done," he replies neutrally. "I think I'll just let the research go for a few days if it's all the same to you," he adds, the ever so slight curl of his lips and the glint in his eye telling Shen that he is yanking her chain. Spontaneously he reaches out to catch her left hand in his right, unconciously echoing his words from the previous night, "I'm sorry." "Nothin' to be sorry about, pal," Shenner murmurs, automatically echoing her own response to those same words. She grins a bit, conscious of the teasing, and she readily grasps Paul's hand in hers as she goes on, "Uh... the receptionist, she said I could go with you to the med center. If you want...?" Gripping her hand unconciously, he gives her his true answer. His voice merely rumbles, "Sure, if you want to," in a far more casual response. He doesn't want to admit that a fraction of him is scared ... because this isn't something that he has any control over, and if the -doctors- don't know how what is wrong with him .... He firmly closes off that concern as being irrelevant. _That won't be the case, so why even worry about it?_ "I got time free," Shen observes, laying her other hand over her and Paul's joined ones. _This is getting out of hand_ he thinks at her gentle touch. _What is happening here? What am I doing?_ Not saying anything, but simply looking at their joined hands, Paul can feel a collective piece of panic begin to worm its way through his shields. Determined to remain composed, he sits up, straightening his shoulders, and receives the blessed and cursed distraction of the emergency transport pulling up to the open lift-wall. "Well, then here we go," he murmurs as the EMT's step out of the vehicle to approach the two of them. Their arrival triggers a page inside the doctors office, and the nurse steps into the room, handing one of the EMT's the paperwork. "Here are the preliminary tests that we ran as well as the blood samples, though there is a rapid breakdown over time in each sample, so you'll need to take more samples for further tests. We have him on a continuous monitor now, just to assure that the RCC doesn't drop to dangerously low levels. The basic biotic infection has been contained and counteracted, though the bone marrow production levels are still rather low." Paul listens to her recitation with only half an ear, as he's heard it already. The EMT listens carefully, making sure that all of her comments have been duly noted in the notes that she has handed him. The second EMT, his badge proclaiming his name to be "Devon" leans forward and says in a chipper voice, "Let's get you on board then, eh?" Shenner steps back a bit out of the way as the transport and its personnel show up. She, unlike Paul, listens to everything said, though she doesn't grasp the meaning of very much of it. But she strives to memorize the words she doesn't know to be looked up later, and when it looks like the EMTs have a moment she pipes up, "I'm his assistant. They said I could come with." Devon looks up at Shen and smiles brightly. "No problem, there's plenty of room in the back for one more, and it's always nice to have company, eh?" He steers Paul in carefully, connecting the monitor on this chair to a part of the console on the interior of the vehicle. Most of the back is crammed with emergency equipment, including two of those life pods that Trace had been packed into over a week ago. "You doing alright?" is the question posed to Paul, as Devon waves Shenner to take a seat on a bench to Paul's right. Paul grunts in response, obviously not happy about the situation. The E in EMT must stand for "Empathetic" as the man lays a hand on Paul's shoulder and somehow manages not to sound patronizing as he says, "I know man, just hold on, we'll have you fixed up and outta here in no time." The young redhead parks herself where requested, trying to keep out of the way, and waiting patiently for the medical personnel to get Paul settled. She can't help a measure of curiosity, though, as she looks all about herself at everything; street rats don't get to ride in medical transport vehicles very often, and for all her worry about Paul, her interest is piqued. Once Paul is settled, comforted only fractionally by Devon's assurances, the EMT settles down against the backwall and thumps on the partition between the drivers seat and his own, indicating somewhat crudely that he is all set and ready to go. The transport fires up and takes off rapidly, and Devon smiles pleasantly at Shenner. "First time, huh? No flashing lights this time ... not an emergency," he quips in a tone of mock disappointment. "Sorry." Shen flicks a grin back to Devon, and says blandly, "I'll survive. Non-emergencies are good, anyway, right?" "The best, " he replies fervently. With a soft downward whine, the emergency transport arrives at the facility. "Trip back is always faster than the trip there," he notes idly, opening up the back. The intercom unit buzzes softly, "Devon, move it along, we got a coronary on Homeport Lane." Devon nods, even though the non-verbal response won't make it to his partner, detatching Paul's machine from the interior and reconnecting it to the seat. He passes off Paul to one of the awaiting medical personnel. "Hematology," he announces shortly, passing off the paper work and notes. He gives Paul a supportive look and a "Not much longer," and then smiles at Shen. "Short trip, huh? Well, hope you never have to grace my transport again," he comments in a friendly and honest voice. "Not unless it's after hours and just for fun," he adds with a wave. The girl offers the EMT -- _Corellian, gotta be_ she thinks with a not unkind smirk -- another grin, and hastens off after Paul as they whisk him into the medical facility, both hovering protectively over him and trying to pretend she isn't. The two of them are taken up to a room in the Hematology department, and Paul is hooked up to a more complicated monitoring device with a reassuring touch and assurance that a doctor will be by soon. Paul stares after the nurse for a moment before glancing down at the intravenous tube coming out of his arm. He touches it lightly, and for a moment it looks like he is seriously considering just yanking the damn thing out. Claiming an unoccupied chair, Shen glances after the nurse and then back to Paul, as she scoots the chair to the bed on which they've settled him. Mercifully, she doesn't ask if he is alright; that'd be evident to a five-year-old. Instead she murmurs, straight-facedly, "Want me to distract 'em, while you make a break for it?" That is enough to startle Paul out of his bad mood and his ruminations. His face cracks into a grin, but more importantly, his hand drops away from the tube. "That's a fine idea," he murmurs appreciatively, "but how will we ever make it past the guards?" "We could sneak out through the trash compactors," Shenner suggests, winking. "It worked for the Rebels." Paul wrinkles his nose in disgust. "I think I'll take my chances with the Imperial torturers," he replies, just as the door to the room opens and the doctor steps in. "Now now Dr. Nighman, I assure you, our techniques have been vastly improved in the last few years and your discomfort should be nominal at best," she notes in a teasing voice. The woman entering the room looks extremely professional in her lab coat. She looks to be in about her late thirties, rather petite and thin, topping at about 5'2". Smaller than Shen be quite a bit, and equally as delicate in her build. Her hair is very long and pure white, her eyes a strange icy light blue. She is obviously -not- Corellian, not only because her features are so unusual, but also because her ears are just ever so slightly elongated at the tops, curving almost forward in elegant points. "I'm Dr. T'shallat," she offers in introduction to both Shen and Paul. "Uh..." Shenner rises, and says sheepishly, "Shenner. Uh, Shenner Veery." The diminutive woman smiles pleasantly at Shenner. "Won't you have a seat?" she offers, drawing up on for herself so she is in front of Paul. Her gaze shifts to the Corellian before her, becoming more serious and professional. "Now Dr. Nighman, it seems that you have something breeding in and devouring your red blood cells. This is potentially quite serious, since your red blood cells carry oxygen from your lungs to the rest of your body. Since this complication was precursored by a biotic infection, you had a particularly destructive reaction, as the biotic infection led to the shut down of your bone marrow, which would normally replace your red blood cells. This is why you had diffculties remaining concious ... insufficient amounts of oxygen being transported. Now, the initial biotic infection has been eliminated, and your body is producing new red blood cells, but at a greatly reduced rate, which makes me think that the parasite started there. I would like to take a bone marrow sample to test this theory. In addition, I will need to take several blood samples over a duration of time to try and determine what this parasite is. So far there is no record of it, so we may just have to test out different medications in the hopes that one of them will be effective against it." She looks at both Paul and Shenner, her chilly eyes even colder as they reflect the seriousness of her next words. "I don't see any reason to panic, but I want you to be aware that this is going to be a laborious process, potentially without an evident solution. I must ask you to be patient." As asked, Shen sits. Trying very hard to assume if not a knowledgeable expression then at least one that doesn't let on that at least a third of the doctor's words are unfamiliar to her, she takes all this in, and her brain does succeed in reducing it to the heart of the matter: something got into Paul's blood, is eating it, they don't know what it is, and it's going to take a while to figure out what's happening. She slides a sidelong look to Paul, watching for his reactions first. Paul's expression is carefully controlled, giving away nothing of his interior thoughts. He merely gravely nods his head, the only emotion escaping at all being a sense of impatience or frustration, as it is a quick tight little jerk of his head. "How long?" is his only response. The doctor shrugs diffidently. "I wish I could tell you. A few hours, a few days. Hard to say." Paul's frown deepens slightly as he considers the unspoken possibility of a few weeks. _It doesn't go that far_ he determines in a flash. _I'm out of here as soon as we get the word, one way or the other_ With this decision, his face grows firm, determined, and Dr. T'shallat considers him carefully, perceiving that a limit has been placed internally. "May I remind you," she adds in cautious tones, "that this is not life threatening ... now ...." Shenner briefly bites her lower lip, peering between the doctor and her friend and back again. Paul makes no comment to the doctor's attempt to scare him. With a soft sigh, she rises, reaching back to pick up a large needle from a drawer nearby. "I need you to undress," she notes mildly, preparing the needle for the marrow extraction. Shenner puts in, "Uhm, should I leave?" Flashing a look to Paul and then one to Shenner, she gestures her head to Paul. "Up to him, or up to you, whatever you're comfortable with." Paul doesn't look at Shen, uncertain about how he feels about any and all of this. "Where is the extraction point?" he asks instead. The ice haired woman places that needle aside and pulls out a local anesthetic. "Your hip bone is the easiest, " she replies, "close to the surface." Paul merely nods and undoes his shirt first. Shen settles for sitting back in her chair, and keeping extremely quiet, letting the doctor go about her work. Paul gets the shirt off, but is stymied by the intravenous. He settles for leaving it circled about his left arm. The frost eyed doctor approaches Paul's right side, dropping the arm of the chair and readjusting it so that it reclines backward. "Okay, just lie on your left side for a moment, and loosen your pants." Paul does so, and once he is still, she pulls down one corner to expose his hip, eyeing the scars on his torso curiously. She applies the local anesthetic to the area above his hip, murmuring, "In comparison to those, this will be a butterfly kiss," She places the needle above the hip bone and presses it in. When it hits the bone, she changes her grip and forces it in, penetrating the bone itself. Paul flinches ever so slightly at the pressure, his face turned away. She then extracts the bone marrow sample, removes the needle, and places a light dressing on the puncture area. "Alright, show's over," she murmurs softly. "You can just rest now if you like, I'll be back in about an hour to give you an update on what we've found out." Paul shifts over, pulling his pants back over his hip and fastening them. "An hour," he repeats, as if binding her to that promised time mark. Not wanting to waste a minute, Dr. T'shallat gathers the samples and the data and leaves with a brisk nod and smile to Shen on he way out. Shenner waits until Paul is settled, then murmurs, "You wanna sleep, Paul?" He doesn't respond to her question, just stares at the ceiling for a moment before muttering, "I hate this." Unsure whether he needs her to touch him, Shenner simply leans a little closer to the bed. "I ain't surprised," she says quietly. "It don't look like much fun to me, either, and I ain't the one that's sick." Turning his head to look at her, he sighs softly, the harsh lines easing somewhat as he tries to relax. "It's frustrating ... I'm not comfortable with not being in control," he admits, "and this is something I have no control over ..." Taking in the dark circles under Shen's eyes, Paul looks about, spotting another reclined chair. "Why don't you rest some," he suggests softly, a flicker of guilt stealing over him. Shenner can't help but blink a little at Paul's confession -- _never thought I'd hear him say anything like that! Bright suns..._ But she covers it by half-smiling. "I will if you will," she counters. "Deal," is his half hearted reply, but the subtle smile is genuine. He tries to settle himself down more comfortably, and then finally allows his eyes to shut. Shenner by way of reply touches her palm to his cheek for a moment, then withdraws to the reclined chair, still inwardly marvelling -- but trying not to think about how his admission of discomfort over his condition reminds her too sharply of the words he'd mumbled in his fever. She curls up on the chair, and settles herself with rather more ease than Paul does; in an instant, she is dozing. [End log.]