Lt Cmdr Quentin Beck - I Might've Been Wrong

[Quentin Beck]

((Sickbay, Deck 10, USS Ronin))

Beck: I think maybe you and I got off on the wrong foot. You're here as a guest, right?

While they didn't give any outward indication, his choice of words seemed fitting in that moment. He pulled a padd from his pocket and tapped the screen a few times to be sure.

Beck: Yeah, from the Thor? Commander DeVeau was one of the proctors for my final exam at the Academy, and I have had a little opportunity to correspond with Sevantha Saa about some research I've got going on in the background. They're good people. And I don't think they would waste their time with someone who wasn't worth it.

Shortrith: I don't know much about them, to be honest.

He offered Renaie a slight smile before looking to their guest. 

Taj'el: Fascinating. I did not know Commander DeVeau well, but she… had wanted us to dance. I had been more familiar with Commander Saa; we had completed several missions together.

Quentin couldn't decide if the slight hesitation before they mentioned how DeVeau wanted them to dance had any additional meaning. Still, their tone certainly suggested that it was the case when it came to Saa. Curious as he was to dig into that, he decided then probably wasn't the best time. 

He smiled, sliding his right hand into his pocket and tapping the edge of the padd against his thigh.

Beck: I'd like to hear more about your research. I've actually got a pretty stellar bespoke lab set up for my own.

Taj'el: I had to admit it had been a personal project undertaken during periods of downtime. The intent had been to prevent my Chief Medical Officer from becoming aware of it. I believed they would have responded… emotionally.

This time he couldn't keep the surprise from his face. While he knew Vulcans could handle things as discreetly as anyone else, it wasn't an action he usually applied to them overall. Thinking about it, though, perhaps this was Taj'el's own version of bedside manner - it just happened to be applied to an unwitting patient, rather than an active one.

Shortrith: As much as I would enjoy to stick around and discuss things, unfortunately I have to go do some counselling stuff.

Taj'el: Forgive me for having detained you, Doctor.

Quentin waved at the Klingon.

Beck: Sure thing. Thanks for all your help today.

Shortrith: Feel free to reach out, either of you, if you'd like to hang out off-duty.

Taj'el: Yes, Lieutenant. Thank you.

Beck: ::smiling warmly:: I'll remember that, thanks. Take care, Renaie.

They moved toward the exit.

Shortrith: I'll see you two around.

His focus returned to Taj'el as they turned to him.

Taj'el: Forgive me once again for my forwardness. I come from a scientific background and continue to experience difficulty with what you term “bedside manner.” Additionally, the Academy had been my first substantial interaction with non-Vulcans on a personal level, and I am actively refining my capacity to engage with them.

Quentin waved a hand dismissively, wrinkling his nose and squinting his eyes shut briefly. 

Beck: No, no, no need to apologize, it was a simple misunderstanding. I don't know enough about your history, I was just responding with my gut. ::indicating the monitor:: What exactly are you working on?

Taj’el: Ah, the research. ::They looked back up:: We had just lost a crew member to ultraviolet radiation. I had hoped to investigate further and determine whether there existed a more effective method of early detection.

His head tipped to the side curiously before he nodded, pursing his lips.

Beck: I'm familiar enough with the symptoms of UV exposure, but I don't know enough about the specifics in this case to make any kind of suggestion. ::a beat:: Why are you doing the research in secret? 

Taj’el: My Chief Medical Officer  had appeared significantly affected by the loss, so I had considered that this period away from him would provide an appropriate opportunity to gather information, in order to avoid… eliciting an emotional response from him.

The Doctor studied Taj'el for a moment thoughtfully before nodding his approval, offering a slight smile.

Beck: I take back my remark about your bedside manner. Maybe you still need some work learning when exactly to apply it, but it sounds to me like you understand it better than I thought.

Taj'el: Response

He nodded.

Beck: If you don't mind sharing the details of your research and the circumstances of the officer's loss, I would be more than happy to help try to fill in some gaps where I can. And you can expect full access to the Ronin's computers for your research.

Taj'el: Response

Beck: I can't make any promises, but I will do what I can to help. Send me the data you've got and I'll take a look.

Taj'el: Response

[Tags/TBC - possibly the end of the scene if you'd like]

Lieutenant Commander Quentin Beck, MD, FASFS

Chief Medical Officer

USS Ronin NCC-34523

A238810SA0