Now You Know

[pitied]

Who: Claire Saunders, open
What: Still getting her bearings, feel free to bump into her or if you need medical care, etc
When: During the day
Where: Around the clinic
Rating: PG

[She'd mainly been keeping to herself, that's what Claire did best. She kept her nose to the pavement, taking everything in. She had no real need to act brazenly, do anything to make herself known as a whole.

However considering how violent this place was, taking up a position in the clinic seemed a logical thing to do. She did have the knowledge and expertise of a doctor. Regardless of her own struggles. Perhaps she should abandon the whole premise, but it was needed here and this was something she was good at.

Besides she could still figure herself out. She was returning to the front of the building with extra clipboards.]

Comments

[pitied]

[She could do without the weather, but Whiskey had spent so much time underground that even this wasn't as bad as it could be.

Half turning, she heard her name and came in front of one man who certainly looked out of his time period. The scars across her face are a lot more prominent in person, but she's used to them by now.]

Dr. Watson.

[the_good_doctor]

[The scars were certainly more noticable. Watson caught himself before his surprise could show, ducking his hat in greeting.]

On your way to see me, I presume? Come around the front and I'll let you in at the door -- don't want to spend too long outside in this weather.

[pitied]

[She's used to that reaction and actually manages to smile more despite it.

Moving swiftly, she ducks out of the rain and heads in. Brushing off some of the water, Saunders took her coat off.]

Good day.

[the_good_doctor]

Allow me.

[Watson hung Claire's coat on the coatstand before waving her towards a seat. While waiting for her to make her way in side, he drew the two chairs at the desk over to the fireplace.]

Please make yourself at home. Unfortunately Tsukiko is running errands at the moment, so you'll have to take your chances with my tea-making skills ...

[pitied]

It's fine. I don't need anything. [Offering tea was DeWitt's thing. It was her bait.]

[the_good_doctor]

You're sure?

[Watson took his seat in the second chair.]

You'd prefer to get down to business then, Dr Saunders? Let's see -- the last time we talked, you were sure this was all illusion. Has anything happened to change your mind?

[pitied]

It's how I work. [Well, how she worked.]

Nothing has changed.

[the_good_doctor]

I'm sorry to hear that.

I take the responsibilities of running this clinic very seriously, and I'd hope that anyone in my employ would be the same. I'm not sure that someone who has doubts as to the reality of the situation would be able to treat patients with the urgency they require.

[pitied]

Just because the knowledge isn't real doesn't mean the physical aspect isn't. Someone gets hurt, there's still blood and tissue regardless of how they got it.

[the_good_doctor]

I happen to the think the knowledge is very important. There's much more to treating a patient than the mere physical aspect. A physician has to be a counsellor, a confident as well.

[pitied]

Just because we differ in opinion on this doesn't mean I don't care about the people here. I've already seen good people used as fodder, lied to, and everything they knew was a lie. It didn't mean I didn't treat them.

But fine, if you don't want my skills because you can't handle the fact we disagree-- that's on you.

[the_good_doctor]

I'd hardly let a disagreement on methods of treatment stop me from employing someone, Dr Saunders. The ability of medical professionals to agree to disagree is important. That's how we've made our major medical advances, after all -- because someone believed differently.

I do, however, have to be assured that your beliefs won't effect your level of professionalism.

[pitied]

Why would it affect my professionalism? I was trained to be a doctor.

[the_good_doctor]

[Well, it seemed he had no recourse but to be open about it.]

I'm worried about you, Dr Saunders.

[pitied]

[She just makes a scoffing sort of laugh.]

You don't know me. And however I act doesn't mean I'm not capable of doing my job. [So long as no one gets slashed in the face and expects her to be sympathetic.] This is what I do.

[the_good_doctor]

That's the problem, Dr Saunders. I don't know you -- all I have to go on to decide whether or not I can trust you with the care of my patients are your actions.

[pitied]

But you know I'm doctor. That I'm bound by an ethical code. My actions in regards to my work will reflect that.

[the_good_doctor]

[Watson's tone is sympathetic.] Doctors are human too, subject to strain, to doubt, to weakness. There were several months in London when I was too ill to leave my rooms, let alone run a practice.

And you ... when you first arrived, the conversation we had ... you were distressed, even beyond the norm for arriving in this place. Even now, you still seem ... anxious. [Watson put a hand up to forestall the protestation he's sure that Dr Saunders will make.] I won't ask or demand that you confide in me -- that is your decision to make. If you can assure me that whatever troubles you won't interfere with your work, it's enough for me. But if you do ever need someone to talk to ... I am always available.

[pitied]

[She was about to jump all over that. Whiskey was still trying to figure things out. He was right.]

It's complicated, and has everything to do with happened before I came here, but I've been dealing with this for a bit now and still managed to do what was asked of me at my last job. While being held hostage.

[There's a slow breath. She's worried about revealing everything, but he should at least know where she's coming from.]

I may not be the kindest or have the best bedside manner, but I know how to be a doctor. At the very least it's what I am. I honestly don't know what else to do and that is what I am best at.

[the_good_doctor]

Host--

[Watson stops himself. He's told Saunders that he won't ask, and he means that -- only what she's comfortable telling him.] Well. It appears that I haven't given you the credit I should. My apologies, Dr Saunders.

[Standing, he fetches a couple of documents from his desk, passing them to Saunders.] At the moment, I'm the acting GP, with my counterpart -- another John Watson, you'll meet him soon, I'm sure -- supporting the clinic by working extra shifts as needed. He'll return to his usual hours at the hospital once we're up to full capacity -- which should be soon.

Tsukiko, our secretary has healing powers of Sigyn, and we have four, well -- at the moment I'm terming them assistants. Four young lads, with either medical knowledge or one of the two healing powers and an interest in learning how to help others. I'm going to train them in the rudiments of medicine, so that eventually they'll help with the practice -- interviewing patients and preparing a rudimentary diagnosis before we see them. Teaching them will take time, however, so I'll be relying on you -- and possibly a third partner -- a lot. In addition, I'd like to see that there is someone at the clinic with medical training or one of the two healing powers here all the time, so will be setting up one of the spare rooms with a bed.

Do you have any questions?

[pitied]

Honestly? I'm used to it. [What she's been through the last few weeks outside of being in Asgard was more than being underestimated.]

All of that sounds fine with me. Give me a schedule, and I'll be here whenever you want.

[Whiskey shakes her head at his question.]

[the_good_doctor]

Splendid.

As for salary, I believe we'll be able to match what the hospital would offer, and I should have that schedule for you within the next few days.

I look forward to working with you, Dr Saunders.

[pitied]

That works for me. You know how to contact me.

[There's a moment when she pauses.] Thank you.

[the_good_doctor]

A message to your inbox? I can handle that.

[Have a formal box in return.] Not at all. I'll see you soon, Dr Saunders.

[pitied]

[She stands then and takes her jacket with her.]

Thank you again, especially for trusting me.

[the_good_doctor]

[Box? Bow. Good grief.

Watson saw Dr Saunders to the door with gentlemanly regard.]

Again, not at all -- I think I'll be relying on you a great deal. Well, be careful getting back -- at least the rain has stopped.

[pitied]

[She gave a nod, and a genuine smile, which was rare these days.]

I'll see you then. [And with that, she headed back out and toward Hel.]