CHAPTER EIGHTEEN

HEALER MODE

Several hours after his arrival in the TARDIS sickbay, Eroica was fast asleep in one of the guest rooms. The last time he had been Jason’s patient, he had been more dead than alive and remembered very little of what had happened until he woke up in one of the recovery rooms.*
* My story – Do UNIT & NATO Spell Disaster

This time was different. Although battered and badly shaken, he was fully aware of what was going on. He was also amazed that Jason wasn’t in the least self-conscious about what he was doing, or to whom he was doing it. Considering the unrelenting sexual overtures Eroica made every time they met, the thief found this quite remarkable. In fact, it was he who was self-conscious, possibly for the first time in his adult life.

Jason had taken note of this, going on to remark on how truly prudish the Earl actually was, being “all talk.” Eroica did not reply, because he knew it was true. His over the top behavior was an excellent shield that kept all but a select few at bay.

After a scan was taken of Eroica’s body, Jason produced what he called a “Rape Kit” and proceeded to very carefully collect evidence from all over his patient’s body. The Healer explained exactly what he was doing and why as each procedure was carried out.

Eroica wondered just how much his friend could deduce about what had happened to him, and how the tiny samples of DNA could identify his attacker using something called a DNA profile. He had heard about this newest breakthrough of modern science, of course. DNA was the buzzword in the criminal underground, although many of the courts were still dubious as to its validity. Now, here was Jason talking about it with such conviction. He had mentioned it in the console room as if it were commonplace. Then again, now that he thought about it, Eroica realized that it would be commonplace to someone from the Twenty-seventh century.

“Do you want me to explain it to you?” Jason had asked in the gentle, soothing tone he adopted when in “Healer mode.” After a pause, he added, “It might help keep your mind off of what I’m doing.”

Considering the Alterran was about to start swabbing his genitals and combing out his pubic hair, Eroica agreed that this was probably a good idea. Then he listened in mute fascination as his alien physician explained about DNA, genetic fingerprints, the best sources of DNA on the human body, and so on. The next thing he knew, the examination was over, all his injuries had been treated, and Jason was giving him a robe to wear.

Jason led the still shaken Eroica to an enormous bathroom where he could either shower or soak in a warm bath. He chose the latter. Jason provided him with a pair of the most luxurious silk pajamas he had ever seen, a stack of towels, shampoo, and several very exotic smelling soaps. Then he made a discrete exit, saying that he would give his friend a little privacy while he bathed, but would be just outside in the sickbay should he need him.

After a long, relaxing soak, Eroica went on to take a shower, washing his hair and body several times. He wondered if he would ever feel clean again. As he dried himself off, he looked at the artificial skin that Jason had used on his injuries. The scratches and bruises were still there, of course, he could feel them. But they were completely camouflaged, just as the first set of bruises had been. He exited the room to find Jason at work at a computer, patiently waiting for him.

Jason looked up when Dorian opened the door and stood nervously looking at him. He just smiled and got to his feet, leading the way to the residence area

* * *

Jason held open the door to a guest room, allowing Dorian to look inside. “Well, does this room meet your high artistic standards, Lord Gloria?” he asked with a smile.

Eroica gave his friend a puzzled look. “I get to choose my room this time?”

Jason’s smile widened. “Why not? There are several dozen,” he informed. “Let’s say this one is temporary until you’ve gotten some rest.”

Eroica nodded and entered the room. He gave his surroundings a cursory glance before making straight for the bed and climbing in, sinking into it gratefully.

Jason dimmed the lights, throwing a quick glance over at his patient. There was an odd, almost frightened look in his eyes. He checked himself before asking if Dorian were still afraid of the dark. No need to add trauma to trauma. “Will you be alright on your own?” he asked instead.

“I…suppose…”

“Do you want me to stay?”

“Would you?” Well, that was pathetic, Eroica thought with a wince, adding quickly, “Just until I fall asleep.”

The Alterran gave a small smile. “Dorian, I’ll stay as long as you need me to.” He took a seat near the bed and stretched. It had been a very, very long day.

Eroica settled himself under the covers and turned onto his side. He looked at his alien friend a moment before saying quietly, “Jason, you have a very soothing bedside manner, has anyone ever told you that?”

“Not in those exact words, no. The Doctor calls it ‘Healer mode.’ He says if you know what to look for, you can see it happen.” Jason smiled self-consciously. “Personally, I think he’s just pulling my leg.”

“No, he’s right.” Eroica hesitated before going on to say, “I know how this will sound, but…I’m glad it was you who found me.”

Jason gave his friend a bewildered look. “Why?”

“Because—” Eroica paused. “You don’t see me the way others do.”

“Didn’t we have this conversation once before? I’m not from your time. I don’t use the same standards of judgment.”

“I don’t know if it’s that, either. You’re…” Eroica searched for the right words. “You’re very easy to talk to.”

Jason frowned. “This is a problem for you? As I understand it, you have men and women practically throwing themselves at you.”

“Yes, and jabbering inanities at me at the same time. I should think you have the same problem. You’re incredibly good looking, Jason, but you don’t seem to care one way or the other.”

“You mean I’m not vain, like you?”

Ouch. “You’re also brutally honest.”

“Sorry. The fact that my true self scares the hell out of people may have something to do with that.”

“Only at first.” Eroica drew a deep breath. “I feel—I don’t know—safe talking to you. I’ve thrown some rather ridiculous propositions your way, but you’ve never retaliated. The Major usually threatens to hit me.”

“Dorian, I threaten to do all kinds of things to you.”

“But never seriously.”

“True.” Jason paused, shaking his head. “It isn’t easy, y’know. You are relentless. It’s as if you think that one day I’ll magically change sexual orientation and—” He broke off as a frightened look came to Dorian’s face. Somehow, he’d just struck a raw nerve. “You okay?”

Eroica shuddered, pulling the covers up more. “Someone just walked over my grave.” He tried to put on a brave face, but knew he wasn’t fooling anyone, including himself. “At least you’ve never taken a swing at me,” he said in as upbeat a tone as he could manage.

Jason gave an amused grunt. “The last thing you want is for me to lose my temper. When Mt. Jason erupts…” He shook his head. “The Major is an amateur compared to me in a full-blown rage.”

Eroica was genuinely surprised. “You mean you didn’t lose your temper in the mind probe room?”

Jason laughed, shaking his head. “I was damn close. I’ve gotten better at keeping my temper in check over the years, thankfully.” He drew a deep breath and sighed heavily, leaning back and closing his eyes. “I don’t know about you, but I’m very tired.”

Eroica studied him a moment. “Jason…?”

Jason did not move. “Yes, Dorian.”

“Don’t tell the Major what happened to me.”

Jason frowned and sat up. “It’s a little late for that, isn’t it? He helped me bring you here.”

“No, I mean…” Eroica sighed heavily. “Don’t tell him the details.”

“Dorian, I don’t know the details.” Jason saw a pained look come to his friend’s face.

“You just used a rape kit on me,” Eroica said gravely. The only reply he received was a steady look. He returned the look with a serious one of his own. “Jason, I am trying very hard to be serious.”

“And succeeding admirably.”

“You know he’ll say I deserved it.”

Jason gave his friend a steady look. “Are you sure about that?”

“Hells bells, Jason, this is Iron Klaus we’re talking about!”

“Are we?” Jason asked pointedly.

“What do you mean?”

“Well, I don’t know about me in Healer mode, but I’ve seen the Major switch over to Iron Klaus. It’s…chilling, to be honest.”

“That’s my point.”

After a thoughtful pause, Jason nodded. “If you don’t want me to tell him, I won’t. I’m your doctor. And more importantly, I’m your friend.”

“Thank you.”

After a short silence, Jason said, “You should tell the Doctor what happened.”

Eroica scowled. “Why?”

“Because chasing hostile aliens is what he does best. If anybody’s got a chance of catching this thing, he does,” the Alterran said knowingly. “He won’t judge you, either.”

The man in the bed gave a laugh of irony. “I wouldn’t be so sure. You didn’t hear what he said after you passed out in the transmat room.”

Jason furrowed his eyebrows. “Why? What did he say?”

“I don’t remember.”

“Don’t lie to me, Dorian,” Jason said playfully. The horrified look this statement produced puzzled him. Somehow, he had struck a nerve again. “What did the Doctor say?”

“He said I was spoiled, selfish, and self-centered.”

Jason blinked. “You are.”

“Thank you very much.”

Jason actually laughed. “He must’ve been very angry to be so blunt.”

“He said we almost killed you.”

“Ah.” Jason nodded, a knowing look coming to his face. “Protective mood. Did he apologize?”

“Later, yes, but…”

“He meant it. He always does.” Jason met his friend’s questioning look. “He won’t tell the Major if you ask not to. Believe me, he’s very good at keeping secrets.”

After a long silence, Eroica nodded. “Alright. I’ll take your word—” A sudden thought struck him and he caught his breath, his eyes growing wide. “Bloody hell, Jason!” he cried, sitting up in bed. “The Major!”

“What about him? Surely he’s not spoiled and self-centered.”

Eroica had a panicked look on his face. “What if that wasn’t the Major?”

Jason was suddenly completely lost. “What? When?”

Eroica did not seem to hear him. “We just assumed it was. What if it wasn’t?” He threw a frightened look over to the door. “And we sent Turlough with him—alone!”

“Dorian, welcome back,” Jason said with a grin. “You’re finally thinking straight again.” He held up his hands to calm his friend. “Don’t worry. It was the Major.”

“You can’t know that for sure.”

“Yes, I can.” Jason met Dorian’s questioning gaze. “Do you remember the body scan I took of you?”

“Yes. What has that to do with anything?”

“Well, I only did that to get the information into the computer. I didn’t need to do it for me. I can scan anything I touch. And I touched the Major when we brought you here. Believe me, it was him, no question about it.”

Eroica blinked. “So…when you touched me…”

Jason gave his friend an apologetic look. “I knew all I had to know.”

The man in the bed closed his eyes a moment. “You can be very scary sometimes, did you know that?”

“I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to frighten you.”

Eroica looked up sharply, giving the Alterran a stricken look.

Jason’s eyes narrowed. “Now what?”

“Nothing,” Eroica replied and he slid back under the covers.

“Something. That’s the third time you’ve done that.”

“Done what?”

“Reacted negatively to something I’ve said.”

Eroica shuddered as a chill ran down his spine. “That thing sounded a lot like you.”

The Healer nodded and then waved a hand in the air. “I won’t press for details. You need to sleep. You’re exhausted.” He leaned back in his chair again, closing his eyes. “And so am I.”

The room was silent for several minutes.

“Jason…?”

“Yes…”

A pause.

“Thank you.”

“You’re welcome. Now, go to sleep before I sedate you.” Jason heard a low chuckle in response to this. A good sign.

“Always with the threats…”

An amused smile came to the Jason’s face. “Idiot.”

* * *