Work Text:
Phlox smiled as the doors to sickbay opened, his expression immediately shifting to one of shock as Hoshi hauled Malcolm and Jay over the threshold, an ear caught neatly between the index finger and thumb of each hand.
“Ensign, how may I be of assistance so early in the day?” he asked, making a valiant attempt at his usual cheer.
“Good morning, Doctor,” Hoshi said sweetly. “You can remind these two overgrown toddlers that if they’re caught pummelling each other again they’ll both be thoroughly demoted. Crewman third class for our chief tactical officer, and private for the MACO commanding officer, I believe Captain Archer said.”
Clearing his throat to hide his amusement, Phlox nodded. “That would be an accurate summation, yes. Were they pummelling one another?”
Sighing deeply, Hoshi said, “no, but only because I caught them strapping their hands, with boxing gloves resting at their feet.”
“Lieutenant. Major. Explain,” Phlox said, looking between the two men.
“Our intent was a training session, nothing more,” Malcolm said crisply.
Nodding sharply, Jay said, “that’s correct.”
Training her glare on Malcolm first, Hoshi said, “training, with boxing gloves, while you still have a detached retina!” Turning her ire on Jay, she added, “and a bruised kidney!” Taking a deep breath and releasing it slowly, she faced Phlox once more. “Would you be so kind as to remind these nincompoops of your instructions from yesterday?”
“No physical impacts until their injuries have healed, unless the ship comes under attack and such impacts are unavoidable,” Phlox said placidly.
“No! Physical! Impacts!” Hoshi said, stomping her foot on the deck plating to emphasise each word. “Now take the strapping off before I use it to bind you to the biobeds like the mental patients you both obviously are!”
Blinking shamefacedly Malcolm began first, quickly followed by Jay. Both handed the fabric to Phlox, who tucked it into a pocket for safekeeping.
Smiling sweetly once more, Hoshi said, “thank you, Doctor. I believe that was all we needed.”