Simon enters Starbuck's room. He looks at her IV and sits down heavily on the edge of the bed to make notes as Starbuck stares at him. She asks how many patients there are, and notes how strange it is that she hasn't seen anyone besides Simon. Simon says that there are 223 patients, two doctors, "and five teachers masquerading as nurses." Starbuck mumbles that she knows a teacher who masquerades as a president. Then she continues to interrogate Simon, wondering why she doesn't even hear other patients moaning, or calling for a doctor. Simon testily explains that most of the patients are victims of radiation poisoning. He describes how patients are tired and nauseated, and then feel better for a few days: "After that, cell death in the gastric and intestinal tissue causes massive diarrhea, intestinal bleeding, and loss of water." Starbuck stares as Simon cheerfully concludes, "It's not pretty, but it is quiet." He goes on to explain that Starbuck is quarantined because they're concerned about infection and don't know what kind of cooties she might have. He says that they'll have her test results that afternoon. Starbuck looks boggled.

And then Simon's doing a gynecological exam on Starbuck. Gack. This scene's kind of short on things I feel comfortable making jokes about, honestly. As Simon finishes up, he says that she may have an ovarian cyst, but insists, "It should be fine; we'll keep an eye on it." He adds that Starbuck's reproductive system is her most valuable asset now, and Starbuck looks aghast as Simon lectures her about the importance of repopulating the species. Starbuck pulls herself back into the bed and insists, "I am not a commodity; I am a Viper pilot." As he prepares a needle, Simon says that she's one of the few women on the planet capable of bearing children. Starbuck says, "Well, I don't want a child, so just drop it, okay?" Simon somehow determines that I got rid of my ironic foreshadowing alarm and then says, "Well, no one's forcing you." There is certainly some nagging, though, as Simon lectures, "Potential mothers are more valuable than a whole squadron of Viper pilots." Off Starbuck's stony expression, Simon apologizes: "I should have known you'd be sensitive. A lot of women with your history forego bearing children of their own." At that, Starbuck freezes for a moment and then repeats, "My history?" Simon says that he noticed a lot of old fractures in her x-rays. Starbuck doesn't respond, and so Simon presses the issue by mentioning how all of her fingers were broken "between the first and the second knuckle." Starbuck stares at him with an expression of horror. Simon sits on the bed and gently asks, "Did someone break your fingers, Kara?" Starbuck clutches her hands together and gasps, "Get out." Simon says that people with abusive parents often worry that they'll repeat the behavior. Starbuck lurches upright as much as she can and screams, "Get out!" Simon gives a "my work is done" Ed Crane nod, and exits. Starbuck presses her hands to her head for a moment, and then slides her hands under the blanket. I really liked that little moment when she hid her hands.