Posted by Lieutenant Commander Bethany Kovra Gadi (Chief of Security) in Nightmares Tell Us What to Pray Against

Posted by Lieutenant Junior Grade Aasrel Izei (Chief Medical Officer) in Nightmares Tell Us What to Pray Against

Posted by Lieutenant Commander Bethany Kovra Gadi (Chief of Security) in Nightmares Tell Us What to Pray Against
Posted by… suppressed (11) by the Post Ghost! 👻

(snip)
Th’rethiss gave a long, suffering sigh. “I do not appreciate the accusation of prejudice. I have no such problem with telepathy. Nor do I ‘play’ with lives.” He looked between them with a sour look. “I will do the procedure. But I hope you’re both aware it may not be effective.”

~ Aasrel | Th’rethiss

“It is his choice isn’t it? He knows it may not be, but it his choice to try? Correct?”

Bethany

“Of course it is.” Th’rethiss stated flatly.

“I want it,” Aasrel said instantly. “As soon as possible. Please.”

~ Aasrel

As Th’rethiss walked away, Bethany deflated some and swayed. She stubbornly refused to lay back down. “He will never forgive me.” It had been a calculated statement, and it got them what they wanted. Bethany wasn’t sorry for it. It was going to work. After that, Th’rethiss could take the gland or anything else he wanted to do to her. Even ignore her and her medical needs. It was worth it.

Bethany

“No, he won’t. Now lay down.” Aasrel said, giving her a look. Then he sighed and rested his head on the side of her bed. “Thank you.”

~ Aasrel

Bethany stared back at his look and huffed. “I’m never going to win against that look am I?” She laid down with a cheeky grin. She ran her fingers across his temple, subtly, as she was now aware of people watching. She had been careful to keep her voice down during her discussion with Th’rethiss. It was their business and not everyone else’s. But they were curious what had caused the COS to be so animated. The discussion had certainly raised her heart rate and BP.

“You don’t have to thank me.” The truth was Bethany would advocate for anyone like that. She wouldn’t put herself purposely in danger for anyone else, like she was for Aasrel, but she would help anyone. “I just hope I didn’t make things difficult for the two of you to work together.”

Bethany

Aasrel smiled. “I’m not worried about it. He’s a jerk, but he’s professional. Besides, I…” he smiled. “I’m a little scared for the surgery but I’m really glad it’s happening. When did you read all that about betazoids who lose it in telepathy?”

~ Aasrel

“I’ll be here. Don’t worry.” Bethany shrugged. “Some of it was in the study paper, at the beginning. Some has to do with understanding trauma and its effects. I learned about with my counseling degree. The rest, I can’t tell you.” It was not only told to her in confidence, it was classified. She gave him a serious look hoping he would understand.

Bethany

Aasrel nodded and just hugged her. It was an awkward hug, him leaned over the bed with his arms partly around her. He understood he couldn’t ask. “That sample is sixteen hours old already. We have just over two days to use it, but the newer it is, the better, so Th’rethiss will need to do surgery prep pretty soon.”

~ Aasrel

Bethany hugged him as much as she was able. The exertion of facing off with Th’rethiss had cost her. “You should go make sure everything is in order while you are recovering. Don’t prove me wrong about your dedication to duty.” She laughed slightly. “I won’t move, promise. If you give me a blanket, I will even try to nap till you come back.” Her eyes were already closing. She looked exhausted to him.

Aasrel smiled and stood, grabbing a blanket and handing it to her. “You look like you’ll nap regardless. Here.”

Before he could leave she squeezed his hand and forced her eyes open. “Come tell me before you go. You know he won’t let me up to sit with you.”

Bethany

He squeezed her hand back. “I will. I promise.” Then he left to make sure everything would be covered. Several hours later, he was back, sitting in the chair by her bed.

~ Aasrel

Bethany had mostly slept. She had woken once and a nurse had allowed her some water. She had asked Bethany if she wanted to eat, but she hadn’t been hungry. She should have been, but her body was simply focused on rest.

It was roughly half an hour after he returned that Bethany woke. She shifted on the biobed. It was uncomfortable, and she was sore from not moving for hours. She opened her eyes briefly, aware that time had passed, but unsure how much. Her eyes snapped open as the confrontation with Th’rethiss processed. “Aasrel?” He hadn’t gone back yet, had he?

Bethany

Aasrel turned and smiled at her. “I’m here. We have an hour before I go back.” He said. “How do you feel?”

~ Aasrel

She rolled to her side to face him, keeping the blanket around her. “Better. I think anyway. I’m a little hungry but cold. I’m not sure if I want to get up and stretch a little or just go back to sleep.” With one hand she reached for his and the other folded back under her head. “How are you doing?”

Bethany

Aasrel took her hand and squeezed gently. “I’ll bring you something to eat before I go back.” He smiled at her and then shrugged. “Nervous,” he admitted. “I’ve wanted this for so long, but… what if it doesn’t work? Or what if something goes wrong and I get brain damaged?”

~ Aasrel

Bethany nodded and squeezed his hand. “Th’rethiss is an excellent doctor, he’ll be careful. Waiting won’t change the risk though. No matter what happens, I’ll still be here.” She knew he wanted to be ‘normal’ again. “Are you sure you want to go through with it? I know you want this. Though, if you aren’t sure, you don’t have to just because I convinced him.”

Bethany

“I want to do this.” Aasrel said definitively and quickly. “This is what I want. I just… I don’t know what I’ll do if it doesn’t work. But I can’t not do it.” He wanted it more than anything. His telepathy, but also another Borg implant out of his body. Both were important to him.

~ Aasrel