They’d whisked him away before he could find out who the woman was. Stuffed him in some private room off the main sickbay. He wasn’t an idiot, he recognised a medical hold when he saw it. No doubt there were a couple of security officers stationed outside.

“Any headaches?” The doctor in front of Murphy asked, shining a light into his eyes, one after the other. Checking pupil response or something, at least in the organic eye. He had no idea what they’d be looking at in the replacement. Would it respond the same way?

“No, no headaches,” he shook his head. “Not since the surgery anyway.”

He’d dropped the attitude, at least in here. Getting well was his priority at the moment. Well, getting well, and convincing the counsellor they were bound to send in here soon that he was sane. His memory? That could wait if he could accomplish the first two.

“Good.” The doctor, Ket apparently, folded the light away and looked at him. “Micheals is an excellent surgeon, you were lucky to get her rather than me.”

That got his attention and Murphy’s gaze focused on the doctor. “Why? Are you bad in surgery?”

He couldn’t see him being a CMO if he was. Didn’t they have to be good at stuff like that?

The corner of Ket’s lips quirked, his dark eyes twinkling. He was a tall, lean man with grey in his dark hair and in his close cropped beard. He didn’t move like a combatant but there was an awareness about his movements that warned Murphy not to under-estimate him. “Oh, I’m a good surgeon but it’s not my speciality like it is hers. Especially with delicate cosmetic work. I’d be considered a bit of a butcher in comparison.”

“What is your speciality then?” The question was blunt, but, he figured he was this crew’s CO, so he could ask the hard questions.

Ket folded his arms over his chest, giving him the direct look right back. “Viruses and disease control.”

Murphy gave a small nod, pressing his lips together. Interesting speciality for a doctor. “So what made you join the Canterbury?”

Did this guy know him? His face didn’t ring a bell at the moment, but that meant nothing at the moment. Only Mason had seemed familiar so far. But more flashes were coming back to him now. 

Ket leaned back against the opposite bed, his body language a little more relaxed than before. Easily Murphy picked up the moment the conversation went from doctor and patient to… what? Colleagues? CO talking to a member of his senior staff?

“Frontier Day,” the doctor said. “I was retired, mostly. When the call went out, I figured I might as well put my name back on the active list again. Was bored anyway and we lost a lot of good staff that day. Doctors included.”

Murphy nodded. He might not remember much just yet, but he knew about Frontier day from his reading. Just the name evoked… something. Not fear, not dread. Sadness? Was that what it was? An ache in the centre of his chest that was new. “Have you been on the Canterbury since?”

“I have,” the doctor confirmed.

“Excellent, perhaps you can solve a mystery for me then.” Murphy’s attention sharpened on him as he smiled. It wasn’t a nice smile, it was the smile of a predator. “There was a woman in the transporter room. Tall, blonde, and absolutely gorgeous. She threw herself at Mason. Do you know who she is?”

The doctor chuckled and pushed off from the bed, pulling his white coat straight.

“Oh, yes… I know exactly who she is. She’s a whole heap of trouble you do not need right at the moment. Now, get some rest. We’ll re-check your readings in the morning,” he said, heading for the door. 

“No, wait!” Murphy, dropped off the bed, read to follow the doctor but Ket turned and eyed him over his shoulder, a stern look on his face. The CMO was back with a vengeance. “Just tell me one thing… is she Mason’s girlfriend?”

Ket chuckled, shaking his head. “No, she isn’t.”

”Wife?”

”Not that either.”

And with that the doctor was gone.

Murphy dropped back onto the bed with a sigh, closing his eyes. So much for that.

Then he frowned and turned his head, there was another bed on the other side of the room. Which seemed a little odd. Did he have a roomie? Who would they trust in here with him?