Desha's Reno of the Turks Fan Fiction

Interludes – Scene 24

Scene Notes: Reno’s first visit to Dr. Ward.

From Chapter 18: A Night on the Glacier:

“… Ward’s been takin’ care of me for a long time, ‘Lena,” he chuckled, “Since I was first recruited, so goin’ on ten years now. That’s a lot of not wantin’ to kill me. And… the candy’s a nice bonus, too. She… uh… actually keeps it around just for me, I think.”

“Why?” she asked, curiosity piqued. Reno shifted a little awkwardly.

“‘Cause I was a sixteen year old kid the first time Tseng dragged me in to see her,” he finally said, “First medical workup, they check that you’re up to date on vaccinations ‘n shit. Tseng pulled me straight outta the slums… so I wasn’t. Which meant way more needles than I ever wanted to see intended for me.” He shuddered at the memory.

---

“Why the fuck do I have to go to the doctor? I’m not sick…”

The rather petulant teenager was presently sulking in the passenger’s seat of Tseng’s car, a scowl firmly embedded on his face. The Turks second-in-command sighed. He’d known taking on a rookie of his own wasn’t going to be a simple task, but the young redhead didn’t seem especially eager to make things any easier for him. Veld had even tried to talk him out of selecting the young man… but Tseng had been adamant.

“Because it’s a requirement. And because… when exactly was the last time you even saw a doctor?”

Reno shrugged. “Got stabbed awhile back and needed a shit-ton of stitches. Guess technically he wasn’t really a doctor though… Used to be a medic or some shit in the army. He’s just who everyone in my neighborhood goes to when they get hurt ‘n shit.”

Tseng looked at the boy sidelong as he pulled into his parking space. “And before that?”

“Hell if I know. I kinda remember someone checkin’ me over when I was a kid… Mighta been a doctor. Is this gonna take long? When do we get to the cool shit?”

“I realize you’re excited…” Tseng replied, smirking slightly, “but there are a number of formalities we need to go through before we start any actual training. A medical evaluation is only the first, so I suggest you calm down.” He stepped out of the car and waited for Reno to follow suit before guiding him towards the parking deck’s elevator.

“The medical suite is on the ninth floor,” he explained, pressing the button. “It’s well-equipped, but hardly to the extent of a proper hospital. It’s more than sufficient for treating minor injuries, however. I suspect you’ll be getting to know the staff fairly well once we do start training.”

The redhead scoffed, rolling his eyes. “Never needed someone to clean me up after a fight before. Why would I now?”

“Trust me. It makes things far simpler,” Tseng responded. “You’re free to see whichever member of the medical staff you like. There were four, last I checked, though I personally prefer Dr. Ward. She’s in charge of the department and has admitting privileges for Midgar General… and she is who will be examining you today.”

“Is she hot at least?” the redhead asked, hopefully. Tseng chuckled softly.

“I suppose that depends on how you feel about sixty-two year old women…”

Reno groaned and sagged against the wall of the elevator until it arrived on the ninth floor. “Figures…”

“Come on. I don’t want you to be late,” Tseng urged as the doors opened.

“What’s the fuckin’ rush? The little old lady goin’ somewhere?” he muttered, dragging his feet as he obeyed.

“Hmmm… Turk or not, one does not keep Justinia Ward waiting. I would also recommend against referring to her as a ‘little old lady’ unless you happen to have a fetish for rectal thermometers.”

“… That’s a joke, right?”

“You’re welcome to try it and find out…” the Wutaiian replied, a faint grin on his face. Tseng led him down the hallway to the wide door at the end, and pushed it open, ushering the rookie inside.

“Ah, there yeh are,” a lilting voice called out from the back, and seconds later its owner appeared from a behind a screen. “I’ve been expecting yeh. Tsk… really, Tseng. This is your new recruit? Yeh can’t be serious… He’s just baby.”

Reno narrowed his eyes, glaring. “Who the fuck are you callin’ a baby?” He stared at her, taking in the woman’s short, graying hair and the long white lab coat.

“Reno…” Tseng cautioned.

“Yeh’ll watch that mouth of yers if yeh know what’s good for yeh,” Ward said, firmly. Reno started to reply, but a sharp look from the older woman quickly silenced him. She turned back to Tseng. “Alright… go on, then. I’ll give yeh a call when I’m done with him.”

The Wutaiian Turk nodded and made for the door.

“H-hey… You’re not just leavin’ me with this old bat, are ya, Tseng?” the rookie asked, sounding slightly nervous.

“And just who are yeh calling an old bat?” Ward shot back, clearly more amused than angry.

“I have other matters to attend to, not the least of which is seeing to your security clearance… and besides which, I’ll only be in Dr. Ward’s way if I stay. You’ll be fine. She doesn’t bite…” Tseng said, before adding with a teasing smile, “… as far as I’m aware, at any rate.”

“Oh, go on, yeh irritating thing! Back ta work with yeh,” Ward replied, shooing the other Turk out of her domain. She shook her head and turned back to her patient. “Well, now… come with me, then, and I’ll have a look at yeh.”

Reno sighed and followed as she walked towards a screened off area and gestured to a small exam table. He hesitantly took a seat.

“We’ll start off with a quick history,” she said, picking up a clipboard. “Full name?”

“Reno James Donovan,” the rookie replied, in a bored voice.

“Age?”

“Sixteen.”

“Any allergies?”

The redhead shrugged. “Not that I know of.”

“Do yeh smoke?”

“Yep.”

“Drink?”

“That a trick question?” he asked, smirking. Ward silently stared him down, until Reno finally rolled his eyes and sighed. “Fine… yeah, I fuckin’ drink.”

“Thought I told yeh ta watch yer language,” the doctor replied, “Any drug use?”

“Tried some shit… hated it. Didn’t try it again.”

“Are yeh sexually active?”

Reno blinked, slightly caught off guard by the blunt question. “Uh… yeah.”

“Do yeh use protection?”

“I’m not an idiot,” he said, vaguely insulted. Ward looked up from her chart and chuckled.

“I don’t think yeh are. But I do have ta ask.”

“Yes, okay?” he muttered.

“Good. Yeh’d be surprised how many I get in here that don’t. Names of any previous doctors?”

“Why do ya need to know that?” the redhead asked, confused.

“To request your medical records.”

Reno laughed. “Tch… good luck with that. Don’t think Old Sarge even keeps any kinda records.”

“I see,” Ward said, looking more than a little annoyed. “Yeh came from the slums, then, I take it.”

“That a problem?” he asked, wary of her reaction.

“No. It would’ve been nice if that Shiva-forsaken mentor of yers had thought ta mention that little bit of information, though. I could’ve prepped the vaccinations yeh’ll need ahead of time.” She shook her head dismissively. “Well, no matter. It’s only a minor delay. What about yer family? Are they healthy?”

“Haven’t got one.”

Ward glanced up again, one eyebrow rising in curiosity. “Yeh just blinked inta existence one day, is that it?” she said, dryly.

“Tch… Only family I ever had was my mom. And she’s dead,” the teenager responded. He looked away from the doctor. “So I don’t have a family anymore.”

“Ah…” Ward gave him a contrite smile. “I’m sorry, Reno. I didn’t mean ta be so hostile.”

The redhead shrugged with feigned indifference.

“Do yeh mind if I ask how she died?” Ward queried, a bit more gently, “Was she sick?”

“Just sick of livin’ in the slums. Couldn’t take any more of that shit… so she offed herself. Look, can we not talk about this?”

“Alright… I think I have all I need, anyway.” The doctor set her notes aside, and picked up a neatly folded gown. “Why don’t yeh get changed inta this while I go and see about those vaccinations, hmm?”

Reno did as he was asked, and waited. When Ward returned, she made quick work of the physical examination, poking and prodding with an efficiency the redhead had up until then only ever had cause to associate with Tseng. He flinched at the sudden sensation of icy cold metal against his skin as she listened to his heart and lungs. He suppressed an irritated groan when she insisted on measuring his height and weight. And, in spite of a well-earned reputation for being utterly shameless, he found himself fighting to control the blush that rose to his cheeks when the exam moved on, without much warning, to the lower half of his body.

He vaguely wondered if all Shinra employees were so calculatingly productive. If they were, he was going to have one hell of a time measuring up.

“Nearly done,” Ward said at last. “Just one last thing to take care of and then I’ll turn yeh back over ta Tseng.”

The doctor disappeared a second time, and returned a few moments later with a small tray covered by a crisp, white cloth. She set it down beside the teenager, pulling away the cloth.

Reno’s eyes widened. He’d known he’d be getting a shot, but…

“No fuckin’ way…” he said, shaking his head vehemently. There were no less than eight separate needles, neatly arranged on the tray, each filled with its own deceptively cheerful-looking liquid. The green one, he found particularly disquieting.

“Oh, don’t get yerself inta a state…” Ward chastised, “It’ll be over before yeh know it. Yeh’ll hardly even feel it.”

But by then, Reno has already hopped down from the table and was backing towards the wall, looking like he was debating what would be the most expedient route to get him the hell out of there.

“Fuck no… You’re not comin’ anywhere near me with all that shit…” One needle he could handle. Maybe. If he didn’t watch. But eight? What the hell was she planning to do? Turn him into a pin cushion?

He hated needles. Just the thought of them made him slightly dizzy. Hell, he’d never even been able to tolerate watching other people use them… which, he supposed, was a good thing, insofar as it had always kept him far, far away from the drug dens in Sector 2.

“Alright… Alright… Calm down.” Ward covered the tray again, and cautiously approached her frightened patient, keeping herself between Reno and the door. “Poor thing… Come on, now. Sit yeh down and try and relax.”

“I’m good right here,” he replied, eying the woman with suspicion. He mentally kicked himself as he suddenly realized that he’d, quite literally, backed himself into a corner. As it stood, the only way out was through the doctor… and injections aside, she’d been pretty nice to him. He didn’t want to end up hurting her just to get out of something Tseng was probably going to drag him back in and make him do anyway.

“Yeh know this is required, don’t yeh?” the doctor said, her voice even and reasonable. “Yer not going ta get out of it.”

Reno looked over at the tray on the table, swallowing nervously.

“Do yeh like candy?”

The redhead’s eyes flicked upwards, locking onto her. Hell, yes, he liked candy. Not that he ever got to eat it real often… that shit was like gold to a kid in the slums. Hard to come by, and even harder to hold onto. He nodded mutely.

Ward chuckled softly. “I’ll tell yeh what… If yeh come over here and sit down, and yeh let me get this taken care of, I’ll let yeh have a little treat when we’re done.”

“How much candy are we talkin’ here?” he suddenly found himself asking. This was bribery, plain and simple, and he knew it. He knew better than to fall for something like that.

But… candy…

“One piece per injection.”

He hesitated. Eight needles in exchange for eight pieces of candy? Reno shook his head.

“Two pieces.”

“Yeh drive a hard bargain,” Ward laughed, “Alright. Two per injection. Though I think that’ll just about clean me out. I hope I don’t have any more difficult patients today.”

“Tch… that’s your problem, not mine, Doc. And I wanna see it, first.” He crossed his arms stubbornly over his chest, challenging her to refuse. Ward shook her head in amusement.

“Yeh stay right there, then. No running off on me.”

She vanished behind the screen, and the redhead could hear her footsteps on the cool tile floor as she crossed the suite toward her office. She returned mere moments later, a large jar cradled in one arm, which she set pointedly on the counter.

“Do we have a deal?” Ward asked, patting the lid. Reno stared at the jar, and its jewel-like contents. Any shred of resistance he might have still had died almost immediately. It was too much to turn down. He nodded and slowly approached the exam table, resuming his previous perch.

“Yeh don’t have ta look if yeh don’t want to,” the doctor said. “I’ll make it quick.”

Reno took a deep breath and looked away. The first thing he felt was a cold wetness on his skin. It was followed by a sharp pinch, then three more in quick succession.

“Halfway there,” Ward assured him. “I’m going ta spread these out a bit so yeh don’t end up too bruised.” She switched to his other arm and repeated the procedure with the remaining injections. “There yeh are. All done. Not so terrible, now was it?”

“Yeah… I guess,” the redhead grudgingly muttered, “I held up my end. Now hand over the candy.”

Dr. Ward snickered and retrieved the jar, presenting it to him. The teen immediately twisted off the lid and fished out one of the colorful suckers. He wasted no time in unwrapping it and popping it in his mouth, savoring the sweet, sugary taste.

“Totally worth it…” he sighed, contentedly. Ward snickered.

“Yeh can get dressed now. I’ll let Tseng know he can come and get yeh.”

He was on his fourth piece by the time the senior Turk returned. Reno emphatically ignored the raised eyebrow that questioned him when Tseng spotted the jar.

“Dare I ask?”

“He’s not overly fond of needles,” Ward explained with a somewhat affectionate smile, “We had ta work out a little arrangement ta get him vaccinated. He’s probably going ta be a bit drowsy the rest of the afternoon. If I’d known he needed a full series ahead of time, I’d have just told yeh ta plan on giving him the rest of the day off from the start.” She looked at Tseng accusingly. The Turk awkwardly cleared his throat.

“I apologize for the oversight.”

“Hmph…” she snorted, derisively, “In any case, take him home and tuck him inta bed. But for Shiva’s sake, feed the poor thing first. He’s decidedly underweight. Should be a good twenty pounds heavier, as tall as he is. Other than that, he’s perfectly healthy and cleared for training.”

“Understood,” Tseng replied, motioning for the redhead to join him. “Come on. Let’s go.” He turned back to Reno, and rolled his eyes at the sight of his new rookie unwrapping yet another of the doctor’s confections. At the rate he was going, the jar would be empty by the time the senior Turk managed to return him to his apartment.

“You don’t have to eat all of those now, you know…”

~fin~