Kirk complains that he absolutely can't pay the medical bill; Luka reassures him that half his patients can't pay, either, which absolutely makes it okay for the youth of today to scam hospitals for free treatment. Go now, and get free morphine! Kirk flatly insists he doesn't know where he'll be or whether he'll be able to get a follow-up checkup. Luka busts him for drugs, announcing that Kirk tested positive for opiates. "My joints bleed, and it hurts," Kirk says defensively. Luka wants to know what he does. "Demerol, if I can get it," admits Kirk. "And if not, heroin?" Luka quizzes harshly. He deduces that Kirk abuses the implanted catheter, using it to dump heroin into his bloodstream. "That's not what a porta-cath is for," he notes helpfully. Well, fuck. There's no point to it, then. Luka wants to discuss rehab, but Kirk bristles and rips out all the tubes, prepared to leave. To make him stay, Luka begs him just to stick around long enough to get his hand sutured. Neecole enters with a ham-and-cheese sandwich and some fruit, which thrills Kirk. "Wait here," Luka instructs. "I need another suture kit." Neecole, as is her wont, obediently follows him out.

Curiously, Neecole presses Luka for information about Kirk's case, then balks when he admits he's planning to remove the implanted catheter. Luka changes the subject by apologizing for Carter's behavior in the trauma room, which is bullshit because Carter was justifiably upset that the equipment shelves were in shambles and under the administration of a doofus. Neecole argues that Kirk will obviously find another way to do drugs if he's so intent on getting high, but Luka insists he can't allow it to stay if it's being abused. Neecole stops walking and gazes at Luka's back, mischief and misdeeds percolating in her boring blonde head.