Clean-Up

Posted on Wed May 13th, 2020 @ 1:45am by Lieutenant Commander Nicholas Kincaid & Karina Tell

4,575 words; about a 23 minute read

Mission: Mission 2 - Encounters of a First Kind
Location: Decon Chamber
Timeline: 2168/07/29 1630

Nick was shocked to have received an order, via the comm system no less, to report straight to decontamination. It had been two days since his landing party returned from the surface of The Tar, and he felt fine. But in such situations, even the lowest-rank medical officer outranked the XO.

So here he sat, alone, as he waited for someone to give him an update on his condition. Did he have something virulent? Deadly? Had he already doomed the crew? Probably not. But he understood the need for precautions, of course. He would wait for the news.

KAT stood in Sick Bay, called for whatever reason, she wasn't sure, but it was quite probably a shortage of staff. She had mentioned that she would be available for overflow assistance and when she got the call, she excused herself to answer it. Sick Bay outranked everyone.

So when she was handed a tube of Decon Gel and told to head through to assist someone through decontamination, she was more than a little curious. "Who?" The doctor rushed by her as though she hadn't asked a question. "Why?"

A nurse, rushing past, tapped the screen on her PADD and it opened up the information that answered her question.

"Oh!" She said and hurried through to get outfitted properly before continuing on to Decon. She was careful to not rush too quickly, but this was the second in command that required immediate assistance.

"Commander?" she said with some concern as she entered in scrubs and looking a bit flushed from hurrying. She held the PADD in front of her, gloves squeaking a little.

Nick looked toward the quarantine room’s double-door and saw KAT, looking like she was about to perform an operation. Despite the Yeoman in the medical clothes ready to give him what could be awful news, he tried to stay upbeat. “Good to see you, KAT. I like this new look.”

Taking the back of her hand, she used it to push her hair back. "And you, Sir." She held out the PADD. "Although hoping that this look is temporary, but you never know." She smiled, holding out the PADD further.

"First of all, let me assure you that you're going to live." Her green eyes twinkled slightly as she gave him the best news first. "But something..." she squinted at the screen as though the words might change by studying them more thoroughly.

"Something odd is in your bloodwork." Her face was open and honest, eyes attentive but not overly concerned. "It seems that you picked up some sort of bug on your Mission." She scanned the information.

Why had it taken this long to have him report to Decon?

She didn't know. She only knew that he needed to go through the procedure. "So, you need..." she held out the tube. "Decontamination Gel 0416-A. For..." She coughed delicately. "... various possible infections of the insectoid variety."

“...Oh.” Nick paled at the thought that he had picked something up. “Insectoid variety...you mean there’s some kind of insect parasite?” He cleared his throat and stood up. “Well, at least we caught it early.” It was important to stay positive, for the sake of the crew. “Decontamination Gel 0416-A. I take it that I apply it all over, since we don’t know for sure where the bug is? Anything else I should know?”

She knew it needed to be put on bare skin. And that he'd probably need help in the more delicate areas... "Only that if you'd prefer someone else to help you with the gel..." her voice trailed off. "It doesn't say whether or not the bug's contagious... or whether it's just initial contact with no transmission."

KAT blushed and said, "You might want to let the Doctor know if you've, uh... had any... contact..." she let the word sit for a moment and continued, "with other crew members since you came back."

Her cheeks turned a deeper red. "I don't need to know... you can simply tell..." She looked down at her shoes, covered in hospital gown material. "Look. None of this is any of my business. And although I'm not a doctor, there IS a certain level of confidentiality that is expected."

Beads of sweat gathered on her upper lip. "I... I should stop talking now." Nodding to herself, she handed him the tube. "I'll be... right here if you need anything." She turned her back to him. "All over really does mean... ALL. OVER."

“Wait!” Nick said. “Don’t go. Please.”

He took a deep breath. “I have nothing to hide, and the ship’s Yeoman does her job best when she knows everything. I’ve not had...contact, as you say, with anyone since we came back from the planet.”

He took off his uniform shirt and set it on the bench. “I’m probably going to need some help. And honestly? I don’t want to be alone right now.”

“But!” he interrupted himself as he began to remove his boots. “Only if you’re okay with it. I don’t want to make you uncomfortable.”

KAT turned back around slowly, nodding. "I wouldn't leave you alone, Commander." She knew how scary anything like this could be. Alien bug. Infestation. She was hoping it was just an easily treatable infestation of space lice. "Of course I'll stay."

It was important for the whole crew to be at ease with her, and abandoning a member of the crew, especially the XO... that would be unforgivable. "I was more concerned about you being uncomfortable, Commander."

She kept her eyes up at his face, knowing that skin was revealing itself. But this was simply a medical procedure, necessary for the safety of the crewman and the ship. 'Yeah, honey, you keep telling yourself that,' she thought to herself.

Nick nodded and finished taking off his boots, socks, pants, and then boxers. For the first time since coming aboard, he found himself completely naked in front of a woman who wasn’t his doctor.

“Well, may as well get started.” He took the tube of gel, uncapped it, and squirted some onto his left hand. It was very cold! He dreaded having to apply this to himself, but he dreaded even more playing host to a parasite.

“Can you start my back please?” He passed the tube to KAT and then spread the gel on both of his hands. It spread quite easily; the tube was deceptively small but could probably cover him with half to spare. He began spreading the gel on his arms. It went on bright phosphorescent green, which made Nick chuckle. “I hope this doesn’t stain the skin.”

"Of course, Commander," KAT said as the tube slid neatly from her grasp as she scrambled to keep it from hitting the floor. She caught it in a less than glamorous position, but at least it didn't hit her skin or touch the floor.

By the time she began applying the gel to his back, she had noticed that some spots went a brilliant green right away, while others were clear and still others a lighter green. "I think you should be fine."

Smoothing the gel easily across his broad back, KAT swallowed reflexively and tried to keep the conversation light. "Unless you run into a vegetarian... and then? All bets are off."

Nick’s cheeks flushed when KAT bent down ungracefully to catch the dropped tube. He could tell that she had been trying to keep her eyes up, which was very professional of her, but that would only get more difficult as they applied the gel.

Having finished as much of his arms as he could reach, he applied gel to his cheeks and face. He was sure he looked ridiculous, but the green would at least cover any physical reactions. At least those on his face.

Looking at his increasingly green skin, he couldn’t help but laugh at her joke. “I’ll be counting on you to keep me safe from them! I’m sure I look like an all-you-can-eat salad bar.” He had her squirt a bit more of the gel from the tube and began applying it to his chest and neck.

"I'll do my best, Commander," she chuckled as she tried to keep her focus neutral. She looked at his back and noticed a spot missed. She tried to not worry about its location, just the fact that it was skin. That needed covering. Health reasons.

She took her palm and covered a slim sliver of skin on the back of his calf. "Missed a spot, Sir." Still professional. Starfleet. Duty. Honor.

She was sure there were other spots but she wasn't really ready to take a prolonged look. Even at bright green skin. Covering a... Starfleet Officer. Colleague. Second in Command.

Her face became serene as she repeated this mantra over and over. She would have to eventually look. But not yet.

He finished covering everything he could reach. Gel was in his hair and over every square centimetre of him. He felt ridiculous, and knew he looked the part, but he also understood that this was necessary. He had to stay healthy and strong, not only for himself, but for the crew. And he had to set an example, as any crew member may need to undergo similar treatment. It would help them to know that he did it and was fine, if a bit embarrassed.

He took a deep breath. It was time. “I’m sorry, KAT. But this is where I need to ask you to make sure I’ve not missed anywhere. And to do that, I’m going to need to turn around.”

And there it was. The moment she had been anticipating with a haunting and deep-seated dread. It was a gnawing in the pit of her stomach. But more than that... it was a question of why this might somehow matter. Neutrality was one thing... some people she could view without concern or interest and an eerie detachment.

But not him.

To be honest, she liked Nick. There was a weird connection with him. If there wasn't an interest of some kind, this wouldn't be so hard. Um. Difficult. She pushed the word out of her mind. That wouldn't do at all. The more she pushed the worse it got.

KAT shook her head as if to clear it and coughed to clear her closing throat. Instead of anticipating, she nodded, and said out loud in as calm and professional a tone as possible, "Of course, Commander."

Of course, as though this inevitable part of the process was simply expected and no big deal. None. At all. Closing her eyes, she mentally prepared herself. Calm. Professional. And green.

Like a big... INCREDIBLE Hulk. Oh good lord. KAT's cheeks felt warm and a creeping redness crawled upwards from deep within her uniform. She didn't have to stare. She just had to do a thorough and specific inspection.

For the briefest moment, she thought she would never be able to look him in the face again. She had seen, was seeing, the man. Without shame. Or covering. He had exposed himself to her physically due to a medical necessity. His nakedness before her was something she wasn't prepared for.

The greenish color didn't deter from his physique, and the lighting was increased so she could see each curve, each ripple, and each shining crease. She made sure she was breathing, easy, slow and without a sharp intake of breath. She realized that he was most likely as uncomfortable with this situation as she, and she attempted to make it less so.

'You've covered every inch, Commander.' Well, that was awkward. Her lips moved but her voice decided that it couldn't stop this moment of gawking. Clearing her throat again, she attempted the same sentence, this time with actual vocalization.

"You've covered every inch, Commander," she said, a little breathlessly, but with more sound than the last time. "You're still decontaminating," the green color was still bright in some spots but others were completely clear. Nasty bug he'd picked up.

Was she staring? 'Oh heavens,' she thought, 'Please look up at his face.' Gritting her teeth she forced herself to look upward, knowing full well that her own face with completely pink with awkward embarrassment. Instead of making this an easy process, she had made it most definitely worse for him.

"You're good," KAT said, voice gathering strength. "Just a few more minutes and the decon will be complete."

If there had been a hole in the floor, she would have sunk into it right then and there. But there was not. And she was flailing on a deeper level. "I apologize for being the only one available, Commander. In future, I'll put in a request that I not work overflow in Sick Bay unless absolutely necessary."

"Nonsense. You're going great, and sickbay needed you. Awkwardness aside, I'm glad you're here." He wasn't entirely truthful. Nick desperately wanted out of this situation, and he could see in her eyes and in the colour of her cheeks that she did, too. It wasn't that long ago that he would have given anything to spend some time naked with KAT. But now, in this sterile medical setting, his skin shiny but a sickly green colour, he had no desire for it to continue. The close attention she had to give him, normally welcome, was a bit too much today. Of course, his body didn't know that, having reacted the way it always did under the scrunity of a beautiful woman and having been so handled to apply the gel.

And for some reason, he couldn't get the nagging thought out of his head that he'd done something wrong. Not necessarily today, but in the past year. His conversation with Serenity a week or so earlier made him think hard about his interactions of late. And now, naked in front of KAT, it's all he could think about.

"KAT," he said softly, "have I been too forward with you? Not today, I mean, but before? Recently? I've been told that I have a reputation, flirting with lots of women and maybe it's not always welcome. I was thinking back to when we first met, and me telling you how beautiful you were and that I wanted to draw you, and I wonder whether I've overstepped my bounds. I don't want anyone, especially you, to ever feel uncomfortable around me."

Despite the embarrassment, the awkwardness of the situation, KAT's eyes widened in surprise. "Forward?" She thought carefully about their interactions and found nothing awry. She thought him charming and open, but certainly not forward. Mind you, she wasn't really one to notice a person's interest in her unless you hit her over the head with a heavy object.

"I'll get over this..." KAT gestured between them, a fresh lot of burning heat lighting up her cheeks. "A necessary evil, so to speak." She bit her lip as her eyes lit up with the slightest bit of humor as it expanded. "But you?" She blinked a little. Had she been living in her own world, so to speak?

"You have a reputation?" She thought of the Captain and his various trysts with any and all comers aboard and stifled a snorting giggle. "Since when did friendly conversation and social interaction become flirting?"

Well, perhaps in the eyes of some who might want more attention than the others... She smiled, easily and more at ease. "No, Commander. I was flattered by your compliments, and enjoy your company..."

She took a casual sweeping look and then up to his eyes... "Even fully dressed." Her lips pursed as she tried to stop from smiling, but it didn't work. "Please, don't feel the need to put me at ease." Perhaps that's what HE was looking for...

"Perhaps whoever has observed this behavior in you would prefer you to pay more attention to her?" KAT shrugged. She met his eyes with her sparkling green ones. "It seems, Commander, that you've attracted attention as well." How else might someone draw a conclusion without interest or observation?

"Commander, you have to be true to yourself." This was advice that she had received after the fiasco at her would-be wedding so long ago. "You can't live for someone else's approval or someone else's attention." She smiled, eyes softening. "People look at you through their own eyes and experiences. They see what they imagine as a reflection of themselves."

How many harsh criticisms had she endured, how many snickers behind her back? No more than most, she was sure. Even after all of this time, human behavior hadn't evolved that much. "Please don't concern yourself with our interactions."

She reached out with a squeaky gloved hand and patted his broad muscular shoulder. "We're good."

Nick smiled, and his cheeks, the green having faded, went deep red as she stepped closer and touched his bare shoulder, all the while giving great advice and compliments.

A lot went through his head, so much so that he had a hard time keeping it all straight. KAT appreciated his company, and her quip about liking him even when he was dressed made him laugh. And being this close to her, looking in her eyes, some animal part of him wanted to pass her the gel and ask her to re-apply some. Just to be safe. He would trust her judgment as to where.

But her comment about attracting attention...did that mean Serenity was interested in him? She was beautiful, kind, and the two had a lot in common. He had kept their relationship friendly to date, but was it possible she wanted more?

Some questions were answered, but many more raised.

"Did you know this is the first time I've been naked in front of a woman since coming aboard?" Nick said. "Dr. Stanzel had my pants down once for an exam, but other than that, nothing. I've gone on a few first dates, but nothing ever felt special. No one to write home to mom about, you know? And now that's not even an option even if I do meet someone special."

KAT’s face remained unchanged, and any question she had about an interest in her was answered in that one remark. She continued the light conversation between them and kept it very professional.

“It’s not as though you had a choice, Commander.” She smiled indicating her state of dress. “But I am honoured.” She grinned widely, and chuckled., looking at his skin with the keen eye of an objective observer.

“I’m certain you’ll find that special someone some day.” She took an easy walk around him swallowing reflexively as she stepped out of his direct view. “I think you may be safe around vegetarians, Sir.”

“As for writing home...” her heart softened for him far away from his family. “Do it anyway.” She spoke softly, wistfully... “You never know what might happen. Life has an odd way of working itself out.” One way or another.

Nick smiled warmly at the suggestion. It was a good one. One that he might pass along to other crewmembers who felt homesick. Write home. Sure their families might never read it, but in this life, nothing was 100% certain.

"Thank you, KAT. For everything. I suppose I should get dressed." He moved toward his uniform, but then stopped and chuckled. "Or should I?" he said, his tone having just a bit of humour to it. "We don't know how virulent this parasite might be. Should we apply more gel? Did the doctor say how contagious it was? Is there a chance you need some of this, too?" Part of him truly was joking; KAT had helped him using humour to break the tension. Part of him took a shot and wondered if it would land.

KAT blinked in some surprise and her eyes widened. She hadn't checked that, had she? "One moment," she said, the humor on hold until the possible threat had been addressed. How virulent? How many applications?

Better safe than sorry was her family's motto. "Nothing's on the PADD about virulence, Commander..." Then something dawned on her. It might take her a bit, but sometimes, KAT gets the joke. "If you'd prefer to take another shot at the color Broccoli, we might hit Kale, or go all out to Incredible Hulk." Her face was impassive, her eyes sparkling with humor.

"I'm pretty sure I'm safe, Commander. But if you'd prefer to spread that decon gel one more time for good measure... perhaps remove this application first. It looks to have done whatever job it could do." She could see his skin clearly through the gel.

KAT stepped out of the area for a moment and indicated the shower nozzles on the wall. "I'll come back in when you need that extra coat." Her lips twisted. "Like we're waxing a car."

“Come back sooner, if you like,” Nick said with a smile and a wink. He turned on the shower and allowed the hot water to cascade along him. He washed what he could of the gel out of his hair and face. The water felt fantastic against his chest and back.

The gel hadn’t been particularly uncomfortable. It looked strange, but it was cool and relaxed his muscles, especially during the application. A massage-like application by a woman as beautiful as KAT didn’t hurt, of course.

He felt like a new man once the gel was fully removed, but he stood in the hot water another moment, enjoying the feeling of cleanliness and heat a bit longer.

KAT remained outside, politely distant as the Commander managed to get clean. And also managed to consider an additional application. Hopefully, the gel would either be easy to obtain or manufacture out here away from everything. Somehow though, it seemed more likely that they'd find something similar. If there was life, there'd be a need to keep them healthy, clean and well-fed. The only concern she'd have is the way this part of the Galaxy would choose to distribute it to those who lived there.

As she waited, she realized something that she hadn't let sink in before now. In the next room, a naked man she barely knew was taking a shower. Waiting on her to return to apply more decon gel. Having taken off all of his clothes... due to necessity, KAT reminded herself... so that he would be protected from whatever alien bug had decided that he was a tasty treat.

A small thought scooted through her mind and before it could take hold, she shot it right out the other side. She was sure there would be plenty of women aboard that would find him that as well... Instead of considering only one of them, she imagined them all beating a path to his door. And at least she was doing her part for them all... getting him prepared for... extra-curricular activities.

The water still running, KAT leaned in slightly, "How are you doing in there, Commander?"

"This feels fantastic," Nick said, his back to her as the hot water hit his face and chest. "The water is just the right temperature. Between that first gel administration and washing it off, I feel great. Ready to take on this entire Galaxy." He turned around to face her, allowing the hot water to massage his back and gave her another smile. "See for yourself?" He winked.

Both her eyebrows shot up and almost lost themselves in her hairline. "I'm not sure I can see how fantastic it feels..." her lips curled in wry amusement. "But you certainly appear to be... in the pink?" She chuckled softly and made sure she met his eyes and didn't let hers stray too far. "Let me know when you're ready for a reapplication." At least he wasn't allergic to the gel. And at least her precautions were still holding up. But would they endure a second test to their robustness?

He turned off the water, chuckling at her 'in the pink' joke. "I think now is good." He stepped out of the shower area and took a deep breath. "KAT, I'm going to be up front with you, because I've been dancing around innuendo in a fun and flirty way but the time for that is over. I'm not sure I need another application. But," he took another step forward, "I still want you to do it. And I want to apply it to you. It's been a long year. It's been one of the most stressful times in our lives. You're beautiful and wonderful. I'm naked in front of you. I want your touch, and I want to touch you. I'm not a no-strings-attached kind of guy, but if you'll have me..." There it was. He had danced around this long enough. A straw had broken the camel's back and the only thing stopping him from slathering gel all over a beautiful woman like KAT was her word.

KAT’s lips pursed beneath her mask, and it could have been the condensation gathering on her visor that obscured her eyes. “It indeed has been a long year,” she began, voice low. “And it looks to get even longer, Commander.”

There was a whisp of a smile and then it was gone. “I’m both honored and flattered, but unworthy.” She took a deep breath, looking him in his eyes. “What you are looking for is not here, Commander. But I’m quite certain you’ll find what you’re looking for.” Nodding, she retreated some steps. “But not with me, Commander.”

Nick was crestfallen, but understood. He sat on the bench in the decon suite and sighed. “Thanks for your help, KAT. All of it. You faced awkwardness and discomfort with grace and poise, and you’ve helped me more than you can know. I can probably get the rest of this done myself.”

KAT nodded and backed out of the room, closing the door behind her. She could have given herself a chance, but she knew, in her heart of hearts that she was broken. What he wanted was not possible. She was healing, cocooned in her pain and removed from everyone else.

He turned his back and began to apply the second dose of gel. There were a few objects he could fashion into something to get the parts of his back he couldn’t reach.

He’d sort out his other frustration later.

She got to the second chamber in Sick Bay and carefully removed her gear, realizing once she had gotten to her face shield that the wetness on her face wasn’t condensation. She swallowed, dismayed by the encounter but hopeful that they might still remain friends. She wiped her face, checking the redness of her eyes and headed for her quarters. She needed a few minutes to reassemble her professional demeanor. She really liked the Commander. Which was precisely why she knew he would be disappointed in her. He would be happy with someone else. There were many beautiful and intelligent women aboard.

By the time she reached her quarters she felt better and headed instead to the Mess. A good cup of coffee could cure just about anything.

 

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