The Doctor is always in

7 – Exhaustion

Recent research informs me that Hibiki is, in fact, sixteen years old at the beginning of the series. I have added a new warning to my summary and edited the chapter that stated otherwise.
This change only affects the content, not the story and I will continue with this fic. Though, I do not condone underage sex, I do understand that it happens and as this takes place in an alternate universe, alternate rules can apply.
I apologize to anyone who is insulted or angered by this new development.


“Duero-san, I think I am sick again.” Hibiki said from the door of the medical bay.
“Come in here. What are your symptoms?” the doctor asked as the boy removed his clothing and climbed onto the examinations table.
“I feel like my muscles won’t work, and I have no energy.” Hibiki answered.
Duero began attaching the probes for the machine as he watched the tired expression in the boy’s eyes.
“You were fine this morning, what have you done today?” Duero asked.
“I just worked on Partner after my workout. It didn’t bother me before.” Hibiki said.
“I see.” Duero continued as he began to check out the pilot’s muscles for strain.
Hibiki jumped when the hand moved to a place that Duero knew was particularly ticklish.
“Hey!” Hibiki yelled.
Duero smiled as he stated, “It’s for Diagnosis.”
Hibiki was not fooled and pushed the man’s hand away, “Don’t touch strange places.”
Duero held in a laugh as he removed his hand, “You look pretty tired.” He said getting serious again.
Hibiki squirmed as he thought about his days, “Well, you know, getting caught up with those women and firing guns does make you tired. I am protecting them.” He explained.
“You were protecting the women?” Duero asked, half closing that one eye in a sexy way.
Hibiki shifted again, and looked away as he answered, “Umm I mean, since I am stronger and since women are weak . . . . .” he trailed off, and his monitor began to fluctuate at his lie.
Duero noted the reaction and decided to change the subject, “Let’s stop talking about women.” He began only to be cut off by his nurse.
“What is this? A Game?” Pai Wei said, moving up behind the doctor.
Hibiki stared at her and listened to her explanation of her medical prognosis for him.

After a large lunch provided by Dita, Hibiki was feeling more energetic.
The food was delicious and he had to tell Duero about it later.
If he weren’t so hungry he would have saved some for the man, but as it was, the girl was watching his every move.
The voice of B.C., informing them that the women would be working out in the Bangata simulators, drew him away from his last crumbs as he rushed through the halls.
Meanwhile, Duero was studying the latest information about female anatomy when he heard the call and he rolled his eyes as he closed the program to go and see how this would turn out.
The simulators were not difficult to use, and with practice the women would become proficient but Duero noted that Meia was having a problem.
After Meia had stormed away from the simulators, Duero returned to his office on the medical level to back up his diagnosis of her condition and let his mind wander again.
He considered the planet that the pilots were preparing to descend onto.
B.C. had shown him the scans of the surface and he knew that even Hibiki would have difficulty with the Bangatas on that terrain.
He smiled as he recalled the way the fiery little pilot had reacted to the women using the ‘Ban-types’.
Gone was the earlier exhaustion that had sent him to the infirmary and his usual excited attitude leaked onto those around him.
Pyoro floated through the medical bay muttering something about human stresses and food intake.
Duero smiled and returned to his screen.
Pyoro settled onto an exam table near Pai Wei who was folding sheets and pillow covers.
A quiet hour passed before the door opened and Bart rushed in. His face was flushed and his mouth swollen around the words he tried to sputter out.
Pai Wei was becoming impatient with him by the time Duero managed to decipher enough words to understand that he had eaten some of the “Evil Women’s Food” and his mouth had been “Burned by the Acid They Used”.
The doctor tried to explain that they were not trying to kill the men off one at a time, but Bart was adamant.
After some time, the effects of the tainted food wore off and a tired Bart drifted into a hazy doze, just in time to hear the call for the pilots to make the trip to the planet surface.
Duero told him to sleep, as he headed for the bridge again.

After the pilots escaped the planet, Duero found Hibiki on the platform in front of his Bangata.
The sneezing, watery eyes and overall drowsy look told the doctor more than any piece of equipment could.
“You are sick, again. Come on.” He said, lifting the little pilot and slinging him over a broad shoulder. “You are going to bed for three solid days. I don’t want to spend all of my time curing you.”
Hibiki sniffed deeply, hearing only the man’s concern in the harsh words.
“I’m sorry for worrying you, Duero-san.” he said.
“Just get well and be more careful next time. We all have to fight, Hibiki. I will always be here waiting for you to return.”

B.C. stood to the side of the Bangata hangar and waited as the two men made their way to the hallway.
The first officer of the women’s crew smiled as she watched the disappearing backs and heard their final words.
It had been one of B.C.’s many suspicions that those two were closer than they seemed. It seemed fitting to the tanned officer that they find comfort with each other.
The idea that Dita and Hibiki could become more than what they outwardly seemed, struck a wrong cord with BC and whenever they were together it left her confused.
B.C. shifted these thought to other confusing considerations.
Bart Garsus.
Each time the accident-prone navigator popped up unexpectedly, B.C. felt an odd surge of emotion that left her blood racing through her veins and her heart beating erratically.
Bart posed a unique problem for BC and no solutions seemed in sight.
The man was working past years of conditioning and mental barriers that B.C. had worked hard to perfect. He could likely uncover her most crucial secret and expose it to the crew.
B.C. could not risk this now, so had been working hard to avoid Bart whenever possible, but this left her feeling needy and alone.
A careful balance was needed but the more she allowed Bart into her company, the more she wanted him around her.
No solution had come to her, as yet.
She remembered hearing Paiway saying that Bart was in the infirmary for some unknown ailment. B.C. found herself hurrying to that very destination to check on her most unique bridge crew member.

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