A Different Diagnosis

[T'Prise 0]

"T'Prise, there's a little something here... that shouldn't be. I think. I mean, I don't want to alarm you, but it could be the cause of the headaches... or just residual swelling from the injury."

 

The science officer stared impassively at Vil for several seconds, unblinking, before responding. "Have you completed your scans, Dr. Chalice? I prefer any diagnosis take place after the examination is complete and the results have been appropriately analyzed."

 

Dr. Chalice looked down at the Vulcan for a moment. She never considered how stiff her stoic friend was until this moment, when she was being personally scrutinized. "Ya know, you need to relax. There will be tests, and more tests. Once something is totally confirmed and everything else ruled out, then we'll act, and not beforehand, but till then, let ME be the doctor, and try to be a whiny patient or something." Vilanne broke into a short giggle.

 

In characteristic Vulcan fashion, T'Prise arched her brow. "I understand that a thorough battery of tests must be completed; however, you were making assumptions based on preliminary findings. I merely wished to point out that it is illogical to make a diagnosis at this time."

 

"Now, we have a neural scan," Vil stated, unperturbed, before turning back to the console. "Let's take a look at it together."

 

T'Prise sat up, turning so that she too could study the results of her scans on the readout. After staring at them intensely for several moments she looked back at Vilanne. "How familiar are you with Vulcan neurology?"

 

"Definitely not my specialty, but the ship's computer will fill in any gaps I've missed." Other than the aforementioned swelling nothing else appeared outwardly significant, but Vilanne had some ideas. Something she'd seen in on accident once, somewhere. She turned off the console's reader for a moment and spun on the stool towards the science officer.

 

The Vulcan quirked her eyebrow quizzically once more at her words, but was silent.

 

"There may be something that isn't visible in these initial scans." Vil paused as T'Prise focused her full attention toward the doctor instead of the blank console. "Consider this. There is a brain. There is a mind." Vilanne waited to let those object ideas sink in.

 

The patient looked skeptical, still holding herself stiffly and remaining taciturn.

 

"Seriously, T'Prise, bear with me." Vil smiled, hoping that the Vulcan wouldn't be too upset that she was taking the slow route. The water Vil was about to tread was getting deep, so she slowed even further in her explanation, staying away from the scientific to appeal to anything personable in this Vulcan mind. "The connections between the brain and the mind are the neurons. Those neurons are not something medicine has ever been able to create independently. I can remove your brain and your neurons stop, but there's no instrument or machine that can remove your mind."

 

T'Prise nodded mutely, indicating Vilanne should continue.

 

"The mind controls neural activity. We can stop neural activity by forcing feeds into the physical brain, but we cannot access the mind. Even if I diagnose the physical problem and fix your brain, your healthy brain still won't be running on all your neurons unless the mind is also determined to allow itself to be healed."

 

The Vulcan was thoughtful for a minute, quietly assimilating what Dr. Chalice was saying and considering the potential of what was being suggested. "What would you prescribe to alleviate my symptoms in the interim, as we wait for the results of a full analysis?" she queried, obviously ignoring Vil's detour into the metaphysical aspects of neurological health and focusing on the practical element – the possibility of a diagnosis and resolution.

 

"My recipe for recuperation is shoreleave, official leave, vacation, sickleave or many, many hours of relaxation in the holodeck. I think I am going to have to order you to rest and relax. I do not believe that going back to your homeworld to have more Vulcans probe and prod you is going to do anything but stress you more."

 

"I do not believe…" T'Prise began to protest but was cut off succinctly by Vil.

 

"Our bodies are amazing; without being told, they will try and heal on their own, before we even know what's wrong. Our blood clots when there is a leak, our eyes tear when something foreign gets in them, our ears leak when they need to clean themselves...I could go on and on. Your brain and mind need to function together, and you need this break. "

 

"While your reasoning and suggestions may be suitable for other patients, I cannot in good conscience neglect my duties. I also do not have emotional needs like the other members of this crew. Once the analysis of your scans are complete, a physical explanation of my symptoms should present itself and allow for a medical diagnosis. As my current condition is not significantly impairing my ability to perform in the capacity of a science officer, I will take your recommendations under advisement, but need to return to my work."

 

"What good will you be to your Chief if you can't think?" asked Vil. "What good will you be to the rest of the crew if you are chewing off their heads with senseless logic that even you can't understand?"

 

T'Prise quirked her brow once more, this time in disapproval, and the corners of her mouth turned down slightly. "I have agreed to consider your advice. However, as this is not an official examination, logic dictates that I resume my normal activities until an official diagnosis be made. Idleness is not a rational cure."

 

"I'm placing my recommendation with Chief Mele. He'll be the final decision maker; if you won't heed my recommendation, he'll make it an order." It was clear; Vilanne was in full work mode again, even though her body was still on the mend.

Edited June 28, 2009 by T'Prise