for ZEX

[bornsnarky]

[scowling at the communicator]

Yeah, but what the hell happened to him? You could give me a little more-

[Jim barks something curt about not having time and you'll just have to deal with it, Bones]

Oh, great. Just great. Guess I better get ready for anything from the Antares Two-step to Denobulan Mudfever.

Comments

[zexyandiknowit]

[Nope.]

[Just a bunch of not-shallow cuts, one weird-looking bruise thing on his left shoulder, and a palpable aura of seething rage just below the (composed and quiet) surface. Another odd thing--his uniform top seems to be in tatters, and long, bluish spines are poking out of each of ZEX's vertebrae where they certainly hadn't ever been, before.]

[ZEX stands in the entryway to the medical bay, not willing to enter before he is invited.]

[bornsnarky]

[nodding to a nervous-looking nurse who scurries away thankfully, think Jim's right and I better handle this one]

[...shit]

[deliberately businesslike] C'mon in.

[zexyandiknowit]

[Enters, meeting McCoy's eyes but without really seeing McCoy]

[bornsnarky]

Why don't you come into the private exam room over here, ZEX.

[not really a question; suspecting privacy would be best]

[absolutely no fear of you attacking me, but help's not far anyway if I need it]

[zexyandiknowit]

[Goes, keeping his pace and breathing even--it would be like meditation, if he weren't so tense]

[bornsnarky]

[scowling fiercely behind you, softening it somewhat to my usual professional scowl as I close the door behind us]

Take a seat and let me scan you.

[zexyandiknowit]

[Sits, continuing his deep breathing]

[bornsnarky]

[scanning] Okay, so you've been in a fight. You knew that already.

No major damage, though you'll need some work.

[deliberately businesslike] ZEX? What do these spines mean? Am I safe to touch while I treat you?

[zexyandiknowit]

[His voice is hoarse, as though he had been shouting]

They are poisonous, and will retract when my pulse evens out. Do not touch them without gloves.

[bornsnarky]

[shoot]

[nods, finds gloves, speaks while putting them on]

Okay. You wanna tell me what the hell happened down there?

[zexyandiknowit]

...

I did not know they would be slavers.

[bornsnarky]

[winces]

Ah, hell. I hate slavers.

[starting to work on the bruise, passing a tissue regen tool across it gently]

[silent, inviting you to keep speaking]

[zexyandiknowit]

As do I.

In the moment, I decided that they did not deserve the grace of a quick stun. That is all.

[bornsnarky]

[phew]

[that... explains the injuries]

Looks like you tried to beat them up with your entire body.

[zexyandiknowit]

I succeeded.

[bornsnarky]

[exhaling]

ZEX? What happened to the slavers?

[zexyandiknowit]

[Bitterly] They are alive. The men and women they had captured are not all so lucky.

I came close, but I did not kill anyone, this day.

[bornsnarky]

[breath catches in my throat]

Assholes.

[working on your back, now, gently, mindful of the fact that you're the tensest I've ever seen you and that your heart rate doesn't seem to be going down any]

[zexyandiknowit]

[Silent, for a long moment, gathering his thoughts]

Slave ships were a common thing, when I was serving in the Armada.

[bornsnarky]

[voice rough with rage/protectiveness]

You've had some experience?

[zexyandiknowit]

Yes.

I was banned from raiding slave ships after an incident similar to this one.

[bornsnarky]

[expression hardening, empathy for you but also fear/anger for you, you don't normally lose control like this]

What pisses you off so much about slavers?

[zexyandiknowit]

...

Initially, I had honorable reasons. Now, I believe it is that they remind me of the Druuge, the slavers of my home galaxy, and the... the deals I struck with them for the betterment of the Armada.

It is most likely guilt. Guilt and rage. I have been able to quell neither.

[bornsnarky]

...oh.

Oh, fuck.

You do realise beating people up doesn't generally help with either of those?

[as close to snapping at you as I get, but it's out of concern]

[zexyandiknowit]

I do.