Even In The Grave, All Is Not Lost

The Case Against Attachment

A/N: fair warning I'm not a doctor or a scientist, I didn't even take biology in school. I just have extensive experience with being a patient and having to do all my own medical research/doctoring lol

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[trigger warning: slight xenophobia, self-injury]

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Abby secured the tail end of the bandage in place around her patient's arm, scrutinizing her work for a moment before pulling back.

Luna lifted her lips weakly. "Thanks."

"I'll check on it later and change the dressing if necessary. Don't get it wet."

Her mouth twitched. "Don't worry, I have no intentions at all of going swimming anytime soon."

Abby hoped that remained true.

"You'll have to hold off on showering until I change it tomorrow. Though a bath would be alright. Just as long as you don't submerge your arm."

Luna pursed her lips, staring down at the bandage. "I'll be fine until tomorrow."

Abby suspected she might change her mind given a few more hours. The fever had already made her skin slightly damp with sweat and was likely causing more than a little discomfort. As the day progressed, that discomfort would only grow. "The steam will help with that cough."

"I'm fine," the words were soft, almost absent, and Luna's attention wandered elsewhere, focusing on Raven, who was currently in the middle of some incredibly determined pacing.

They'd moved into one of the lab's many bedrooms, one of the few which housed two beds. It was on the small side but more than adequate for its intended purpose. Most importantly it was close to Abby's office and any life-saving equipment that might be needed. The seizure kit she'd leave in the room. Luna had learned how to use it the day after Raven's second seizure, following every one of Abby's demonstrations with an admirable level of focus and intensity. The doctor knew she could be relied upon to use it if needed.

Deciding to move on from the topic of bathing, Abby began the process of taking Luna's blood pressure, the two of them watching as Raven stalked the room, seeming dissatisfied with everything she found.

"God, this is going to be so boring."

"With any luck, you'll sleep most of the time away and won't have a chance to get bored," Abby commented, knowing even as she said the words how unrealistic they were.

"Right." Raven's tone was noncommittal. Likely she knew it too.

Abby returned her focus to Luna.

"What other symptoms does this illness have?" Depending on what they were, she would hopefully be able to help in the management of them - possibly even eliminate some altogether.

Luna grew thoughtful. "It varies from person to person. I've seen headaches, difficulty breathing. Widespread muscle pain and weakness-"

"Oh joy," Raven muttered. "Do you think if you already have one symptom they cancel each other out?"

Luna sent her a sympathetic look. "I don't think it works that way. But not everyone gets pain."

"It's part of the immune response," Abby explained. "Evidence that your body is fighting the infection."

"Well it's pretty lousy evidence."

No arguing with that. She returned her attention to Luna. "Anything else?"