Categories > TV > Stargate: Atlantis > Evaluations and Enlightenment
No Bed of Roses
0 ReviewsJohn is introduced to the new psychiatrist and he lets his feelings about this particular profession show clearly.
CHAPTER 2 – NO BED OF ROSES
He led her through the city, Elizabeth having excused herself to go back to her office to continue working her way through the growing mounds of paperwork. She carried her small bag and he couldn't help but query how long she intended to stay, given the size of the bag she had brought.
“Actually Carson, they're wanting someone permanent here. I understand that your last psychiatrist met with an unfortunate accident and you have been without assitance in this area since then. Given the level of stress that all Atlantis personnel are under at some time or other...” she paused to flick a quick smile at him... “yes, Carson, I've read most of the mission reports and am more surprised than not, that more of your personnel here are not plagued by mental disorders of some sort. It is an extremely traumatic environment to work in, and even given that appropriate stress relieving plans are in place, this is a platform for more serious issues.”
“Ahhh, Kat – it was the … tiny... size of the bag that I was a little surprised about. Most women travel with a little more weight...”
“Ok... well... about that Carson. I'll let you in on a little secret... I'm not most women, far from it!”
“Secrets and women Carson? Sounds like something you need to let me in on...” Rounding a corner of the hallway that led to the mess, they ran headlong into John Sheppard, literally as he put out his hands to steady the woman who was too busy laughing up at what Carson was saying to watch who was coming in front of her.
“Easy on there Tinkerbell... USA road rules apply in the hallways here, so that means travelling in the right hand lane... unless you come from Canada of course, then anything goes!” Grinning down at her, his first thought was woah!, then his second though was wow! And after that, most of his vocabulary pretty much dried up, until Carson began the introductions, then his rather sarcastic vocabulary inadvertently found it's way into play.
“So, Kat the psychiatrist... ok... dazzle me. What am I thinking?”
Kat gave a mental groan. Another one of these damn macho types whose thoughts are governed by a certain part of their anatomy and think that psychiatry is a circus trick. Tread carefully Colonel Sheppard, Tinkerbell had wings and a rather feisty personality and could kick some serious ass!
Aloud she said. “I have no idea what you are thinking Colonel Sheppard, unfortunately I am not blessed with the skill of telepathy. Although I do believe that my great great grandmother who was an Irish gypsy, professed to being able to read minds as well as see into the future, so perhaps I possess a tiny portion of her skill. However, I can tell you what I'm thinking, and unfortunately it is not of a particularly complimentary nature. Do you wish me to elaborate?”
Carson fought to smother a grin and mentally gave her a high five. Carson had known that John would be resistant to bringing another psychiatrist here and having seen Kat in action for just a few minutes, already had faith that she would be more than a match for his less than enthusiastic demeanor.
“Actually... Tinkerbell... I would like you to elaborate. Please, do tell me what you are thinking.”
His voice dangerously quiet now, he lounged negligently against the wall, one leg bent slightly and arms crossed over his chest. She moved closer to him, her head coming up just under his shoulder, and tilted her head back to give him a stern look, that had the laughter suddenly rolling out of him. He pushed himself away from the wall and stood over her for a few moments, looking down into the angry brown eyes. “Nothing personal Kat, really. I just haven't had the best experience with your profession. Just saying...” and felt just a flash of guilt as he saw the hurt coming quickly into her eyes, then disappear, leaving him to wonder if he had seen it at all.
“OK you two, it looks the mutual admiration society needs a little break, how about we continue that tour Kat. I don't know about you, but coffee sounds pretty good about now...” Carson had seen the flash of hurt that came into her eyes and he gave John his own annoyed look causing the younger man to drop his eyes in acknowledgement. But the wee lass has backbone Carson thought, as she turned for one parting shot.
“You're quick to judge, Colonel... Tinkerbell? If I was as quick to judge, then I'm guessing that would make you Peter Pan. An instant diagnosis? An exaggerated stereotype of a boastful and careless boy. You'll be quick to point out how great you are, even when such claims are questionable. You've no doubt got a nonchalant, devil-may-care attitude, and are fearlessly cocky when it comes to putting himself in danger. You appear very judgemental and pompous, nonetheless, you probably have a strong sense of justice and are always quick to help those in danger. How's that for a parlour trick Colonel Sheppard...hmmm? And I imagine I'm not too far off base.”
She smiled then, a cocky smile and turned to follow Carson who had given up even trying to hide the grin that spread almost rapture like across his face. Oh she was on fire! Amost brought our irreverent Colonel to his knees...
And John, watching the swing of those rather enticing hips clad in worn denim forgot his anger, actually forgot pretty much everything he had just thought about her... damn that woman looks fine in a pair of jeans and thought ouch! I'm thinking with exactly that part of my anatomy that she accused me of...
Entering the mess, Carson took her straight to the coffee machine, still chuckling a little. “That was priceless, really Kat. But I do have to tell you, in all fairness. Colonel Sheppard is far more than how you just described him. He's a good man, a good soldier.”
Kat was serious now. “I know that Carson, I've read his file and even if I hadn't he's not that hard to read. The humour, the jokes, the attitude – it's not difficult to see what's really going on inside him, and I could do it in less than the recommended one hour session. I know he's a good man, and I know that is his way to let off steam, and likely it's worked for him and will continue to work for him. I certainly am not going to force him to undergo something he is not comfortable with unless there is a damn good reason for him to do so. So rest assured Carson, I harbour no ill feelings towards your Colonel... I think I'll enjoy keeping him on his toes though...”
“I have no doubt that you will Kat. You're like a breath of fresh air, very very different and I hope that you can help me with some of the cases I have had coming into my infirmary. We'll get some lunch, get you settled in your quarters, then we'll start going over my notes – if you are happy with that?”
“The sooner we get started Carson, the sooner hopefully, we can get to the bottom of whatever is causing these outbreaks here in Atlantis. Between the two of us...”
We'll work well together thought Carson she understands the need for a variety of treatments, and is not set on one particular path of treatment for a certain condition. She's exactly what the city needs, young, proactive, innovative... oh and the cute factor? Definitely a bonus!
He led her through the city, Elizabeth having excused herself to go back to her office to continue working her way through the growing mounds of paperwork. She carried her small bag and he couldn't help but query how long she intended to stay, given the size of the bag she had brought.
“Actually Carson, they're wanting someone permanent here. I understand that your last psychiatrist met with an unfortunate accident and you have been without assitance in this area since then. Given the level of stress that all Atlantis personnel are under at some time or other...” she paused to flick a quick smile at him... “yes, Carson, I've read most of the mission reports and am more surprised than not, that more of your personnel here are not plagued by mental disorders of some sort. It is an extremely traumatic environment to work in, and even given that appropriate stress relieving plans are in place, this is a platform for more serious issues.”
“Ahhh, Kat – it was the … tiny... size of the bag that I was a little surprised about. Most women travel with a little more weight...”
“Ok... well... about that Carson. I'll let you in on a little secret... I'm not most women, far from it!”
“Secrets and women Carson? Sounds like something you need to let me in on...” Rounding a corner of the hallway that led to the mess, they ran headlong into John Sheppard, literally as he put out his hands to steady the woman who was too busy laughing up at what Carson was saying to watch who was coming in front of her.
“Easy on there Tinkerbell... USA road rules apply in the hallways here, so that means travelling in the right hand lane... unless you come from Canada of course, then anything goes!” Grinning down at her, his first thought was woah!, then his second though was wow! And after that, most of his vocabulary pretty much dried up, until Carson began the introductions, then his rather sarcastic vocabulary inadvertently found it's way into play.
“So, Kat the psychiatrist... ok... dazzle me. What am I thinking?”
Kat gave a mental groan. Another one of these damn macho types whose thoughts are governed by a certain part of their anatomy and think that psychiatry is a circus trick. Tread carefully Colonel Sheppard, Tinkerbell had wings and a rather feisty personality and could kick some serious ass!
Aloud she said. “I have no idea what you are thinking Colonel Sheppard, unfortunately I am not blessed with the skill of telepathy. Although I do believe that my great great grandmother who was an Irish gypsy, professed to being able to read minds as well as see into the future, so perhaps I possess a tiny portion of her skill. However, I can tell you what I'm thinking, and unfortunately it is not of a particularly complimentary nature. Do you wish me to elaborate?”
Carson fought to smother a grin and mentally gave her a high five. Carson had known that John would be resistant to bringing another psychiatrist here and having seen Kat in action for just a few minutes, already had faith that she would be more than a match for his less than enthusiastic demeanor.
“Actually... Tinkerbell... I would like you to elaborate. Please, do tell me what you are thinking.”
His voice dangerously quiet now, he lounged negligently against the wall, one leg bent slightly and arms crossed over his chest. She moved closer to him, her head coming up just under his shoulder, and tilted her head back to give him a stern look, that had the laughter suddenly rolling out of him. He pushed himself away from the wall and stood over her for a few moments, looking down into the angry brown eyes. “Nothing personal Kat, really. I just haven't had the best experience with your profession. Just saying...” and felt just a flash of guilt as he saw the hurt coming quickly into her eyes, then disappear, leaving him to wonder if he had seen it at all.
“OK you two, it looks the mutual admiration society needs a little break, how about we continue that tour Kat. I don't know about you, but coffee sounds pretty good about now...” Carson had seen the flash of hurt that came into her eyes and he gave John his own annoyed look causing the younger man to drop his eyes in acknowledgement. But the wee lass has backbone Carson thought, as she turned for one parting shot.
“You're quick to judge, Colonel... Tinkerbell? If I was as quick to judge, then I'm guessing that would make you Peter Pan. An instant diagnosis? An exaggerated stereotype of a boastful and careless boy. You'll be quick to point out how great you are, even when such claims are questionable. You've no doubt got a nonchalant, devil-may-care attitude, and are fearlessly cocky when it comes to putting himself in danger. You appear very judgemental and pompous, nonetheless, you probably have a strong sense of justice and are always quick to help those in danger. How's that for a parlour trick Colonel Sheppard...hmmm? And I imagine I'm not too far off base.”
She smiled then, a cocky smile and turned to follow Carson who had given up even trying to hide the grin that spread almost rapture like across his face. Oh she was on fire! Amost brought our irreverent Colonel to his knees...
And John, watching the swing of those rather enticing hips clad in worn denim forgot his anger, actually forgot pretty much everything he had just thought about her... damn that woman looks fine in a pair of jeans and thought ouch! I'm thinking with exactly that part of my anatomy that she accused me of...
Entering the mess, Carson took her straight to the coffee machine, still chuckling a little. “That was priceless, really Kat. But I do have to tell you, in all fairness. Colonel Sheppard is far more than how you just described him. He's a good man, a good soldier.”
Kat was serious now. “I know that Carson, I've read his file and even if I hadn't he's not that hard to read. The humour, the jokes, the attitude – it's not difficult to see what's really going on inside him, and I could do it in less than the recommended one hour session. I know he's a good man, and I know that is his way to let off steam, and likely it's worked for him and will continue to work for him. I certainly am not going to force him to undergo something he is not comfortable with unless there is a damn good reason for him to do so. So rest assured Carson, I harbour no ill feelings towards your Colonel... I think I'll enjoy keeping him on his toes though...”
“I have no doubt that you will Kat. You're like a breath of fresh air, very very different and I hope that you can help me with some of the cases I have had coming into my infirmary. We'll get some lunch, get you settled in your quarters, then we'll start going over my notes – if you are happy with that?”
“The sooner we get started Carson, the sooner hopefully, we can get to the bottom of whatever is causing these outbreaks here in Atlantis. Between the two of us...”
We'll work well together thought Carson she understands the need for a variety of treatments, and is not set on one particular path of treatment for a certain condition. She's exactly what the city needs, young, proactive, innovative... oh and the cute factor? Definitely a bonus!
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