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 Lieutenant Junior Grade Aasrel Izei (Chief Medical Officer) in Nightmares Tell Us What to Pray Against
Posted by… suppressed (62) 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

Bethany shook her head. “It will work. And I’m going to play counselor for a moment. Don’t borrow trouble. We’ll cross that bridge when and if we get to it. We don’t know how long it will take to work. I read the study and time to healing varied depending on the amount of damage. So give yourself the time.” She squeezed his hand and grinned. “It’s going to work and you’ll have that d@mn implant out of your head too.”

Bethany

Aasrel smiled and hugged her again. “You don’t worry about me, okay? I want you to rest while I’m back there.”

~ Aasrel

“I’m going to worry. Get used to it.” She genuinely chuckled. “I believe the nurses are under your orders to see that I do. They won’t even let me sit up a little bit. Even to have water they lifted me rather than letting me do it on my own. I swear if they try to feed me like a toddler, I’ll act like one and throw food all over sickbay.”

Aasrel smiled and laughed. He’d warned the nurses. They were to let her try to do things on her own, but if she was showing signs of strain or discomfort, to make her stop.

Right then a nurse came over. “Dr. Izei? We need to get you prepped now.” Then she stepped away.

Bethany grinned and winked at him. “See ya in a few hours Doc.” She pushed herself up slightly to hug him. Her voice was quiet in his ear, “I love you. You’ll be fine, I know it.”

Bethany

Aasrel hugged her tightly and kissed her at her words. Then he stood and followed the nurse.

---

The surgery took nearly six hours. The implant was deep in the brain, lodged in the brain structures near it. Removing it was not easy. When it had been removed, the injection was given, a long needle through the brain into the psilo-gland and Bethany’s psilosynine injected into the gland. Then he was done and moved to recover, wake up, and rest.

~ Aasrel

The waiting was horrible. There were no updates. Except for being told he was still in surgery. They made her eat, though she was too worried to enjoy it. She only ate because she was sure when Aasrel finally woke up, he would ask how she was doing.

Bethany slept some. With weeks of lack of sleep under her belt, it was refreshing. However when she woke up the next time, she was ready to get up. She drove the nurses to distraction refusing to go slow. Bethany was surprised by how unsteady she felt getting up. The nurse with her told her that was normal after everything she had been through.

When they told her Aasrel was in recovery, Bethany began to pace around. She couldn’t sit with him until he woke up. She got the nurse to let her walk in the corridor, but that didn’t last long. The woman decided Bethany was over doing it and made her go back to bed. Bethany even snuck off to try to see him, but that nurse was a blood hound. The seconds felt like hours waiting to find out if he was okay.

Bethany

Aasrel woke confused and disoriented. “Bethany…?” He asked, reaching around himself. Once he’d been checked out to make sure everything went okay, Bethany was allowed to come see him.

~ Aasrel

Bethany slipped onto the chair beside his bed and took his hand. He looked asleep, and she didn’t want to wake him. She watched his chest rise and fall and let out a small breath of relief.

Bethany

It was only half an hour or so before he woke again, his hand squeezing hers. “Bethany?” He asked again, then turned his head to look at her, squinting against the light. He took a deep breath and smiled. “I made it, huh? How do you feel?”

~ Aasrel

She moved her chair a little so her body was blocking some of the light. She smiled and leaned over a moment to kiss the back of his hand. “I told you, everything would be okay. Me? I’m fine. How do you feel?”

Bethany

Aasrel was a little slow to respond. Like after Bethany’s surgery, it was to be expected. “Hmm… I feel okay. I have a headache.” He said, looking up at her.

~ Aasrel

“I’ll get the nurse.” She would imagine it normal, but she didn’t know. She caught the attention of his nurse who hurried over. “Yes, Cmdr,” he asked.

“He said he had a headache.”

Bethany

“That’s normal after this kind of procedure.” The nurse assured her but turned to Aasrel and asked a few questions. Satisfied with his responses she looked between them, “Do you want me to get the doctor?”

~ Aasrel

Bethany was sure Th’rethiss needed a break after so long a surgery and would be by to see Aasrel soon. She looked at Aasrel, “Do you want her to get Th’rethiss or wait?”

Bethany

Aasrel shook his head. “I can wait.” He squeezed Bethany’s hand as the nurse left. “I’m glad you’re here.” He said. He looked tired and a little dazed and he hasn’t yet thought of his telepathy and the fact he didn’t feel anything yet.

~ Aasrel

Bethany did her best imitation of his stern doctor look, which wasn’t nearly as convincing. “Just rest. You need it. I’ll be here, or I’ll be in bed. Depends on whether or not Nurse Harkins makes me go back to I bed or not.” She laid her head against his arm in a gentle awkward little hug. “I wouldn’t be anywhere else. Just rest, okay.”

Bethany

Aasrel smiled at her attempt at his look. He rested his head on the side of the bed close to her. “You need it too.” He said. “But I don’t want you to go.”

“I have had plenty of sleep. I’m not even sure what day it is at this point. I can stay right here for now.” Bethany had no intention of going anywhere. Harkins was just going to have to get over it.

Th’rethiss walked in a couple of moments later. He checked Aasrel out again, asked him a few questions about how he felt, then did some tests to check for brain damage. When he was done, he nodded. “Everything seems okay. You might be confused or disoriented for a while, or have headaches.” He looked at Aasrel, “Give it some time before you expect any changes. Your brain needs time to heal.”

~ Aasrel

Bethany stayed quiet while he was there. She didn’t want to irritate him further. She did thank him before he left. She was sure he didn’t care. When he left, she turned to Aasrel. “Time. We can do that. Let yourself heal, okay?”

Bethany

Aasrel nodded. “Time. Right.” He said, and then sighed. How much time? How long would he be waiting for something to happen? Would he wait until he lost hope it would work? He should’ve asked Th’rethiss how long it should take. He cursed himself for forgetting. He squeezed Bethany’s hand again. He felt nauseous, but he knew it was an aftereffect of the anaesthesia. “Have you eaten?”

~ Aasrel

Bethany seemed to know what he was thinking. She was wondering the same things. “Yes time. But I am sure you can run scans to see how you are healing and whether or not your gland and paracortex are starting to function. We can read the study again and see what it says.” She smoothed back his hair. “Yes, I did and I slept a little too. Harkins tried to get me to just have soup and jello. I had stew and cake instead.” Bethany grinned looking rather proud of herself.

Bethany

Aasrel smiled and shook his head. “You should listen to Harkins. Wise old nurse, that one.” He nodded, “Let’s read the study again. It might answer some thing.” Without having to talk to Th’rethiss again. He looked up at her. “I just wish I knew whether it worked or not.”

~ Aasrel

“I will ask Harkins to let me go back to my quarters and get my PaDD. I’ll read it while she makes me rest.” Bethany squeezed his hand again. “I know it’s hard to wait, but you have to give your body time to heal the damage and get back to normal. Just like a bandaid might seal and protect a cut, but your body still needs to heal it inside. You can run scans when you are feeling up to it. How are you feeling now?”

Bethany

“Nauseous, but it’s getting better. It’s just the anaesthesia, you don’t have to call anyone.” Aasrel said. Then he sat up, slowly, gripping Bethany’s hand as he swayed due to dizziness. “I want to rest in my quarters.”

~ Aasrel

As he swayed, Bethany steadied him and then set two hands on his shoulders and gently but firmly pushed him back down. “Oh no. You wouldn’t let me go to my quarters. You stay here. You had major brain surgery. You need to be where they can keep an eye on you. Don’t be a horrible patient.”

Bethany

“Bethany....” Aasrel complained as the world spun around him. “I can keep an eye on me.” He was being a little playful though he sounded tired. He didn’t resist her or try to sit up again.

~ Aasrel

Bethany shook her head. “No you can’t. Your eyes are all unfocused and going cross-eyed. You can barely keep an eye on the light above you. Try to rest okay. The more you rest the easier it will be for your body to heal. I won’t go anywhere.”

Bethany

“Then you can keep an eye on me.” Aasrel said, closing his eyes to try and help the spinning room. It didn’t help that much. “I don’t want to sleep.”

~ Aasrel

Bethany shook her head with a soft smirk. “Th’rethiss isn’t letting me go anywhere either.” She rubbed his forearm gently. “I know, but you need to. There is enough lingering anaesthesia in your system to keep it dreamers. Take a slow deep breath for me. In through your nose.” Bethany matched his breath, inhaling slow and deep. “Hold it. 3… 2… 1. Breathe out through your mouth.” She guided him through a directed dreaming meditation. Giving his mind a story to focus on and play out through his dreams.

Aasrel squeezed her hand gently, nodding. He took a deep breath, following her directions. Breathing slowly with her. It didn’t take long for him to fall asleep, his breaths slowing and steadying.

She continued for a few minutes after he fell asleep. Then she sat quietly beside his bed and watched the monitors like a hawk.

Bethany

Aasrel slept long and hard. His readings on the monitor were steady. When he woke, he woke suddenly and looked for Bethany. “Bethany?”

~ Aasrel

Bethany, much to Harkin’s displeasure, refused to go back to bed. She had snagged another chair and had her legs propped up on it, reclining quietly. She had dozed some, which had started a whispered battle of wills between Bethany and the formidable nurse. When he woke, she dropped her feet to the floor and leaned toward him. She squeezed his hand and set the other on his shoulder. “Hey, Rel,” she spoke softly, “I’m right here.”

Bethany

Aasrel relaxed and smiled. “How are you doing? Do you still feel okay?” He asked. He seemed to be doing better, his speech a little less slow than before and his eyes focused on her. He blinked and frowned, “How long was I asleep?”

~ Aasrel

“I’m good.” She grinned brightly with a hint of mischievousness. “I am irritating the nurses no end. They are going to kick me out of here for some peace in a few minutes.” She leaned in and whispered, “Joke’s on them. I’m not leaving until you do.” She sat back up. “I feel good. Better than I have in awhile. I’m supposed to get my hypo in about an hour. You slept almost five hours. You needed it.”

Bethany

“You’re supposed to be being a good patient,” Aasrel said hypocritically. He smiled though. “Good. I want you here. I’m glad you feel better.” Aasrel looked up at her, a worried, impatient on his face. “I don’t feel anything at all yet.”

~ Aasrel

“I only promised to be good while you were in surgery. You’re out now.” She grinned playfully. “Besides, I haven’t broken any doctor’s orders. I am taking it easy, letting them help me walk around. I am resting. I ate and even had a nap.” Forget the fact she was walking and pacing about so they had to watch her constantly and made sure she didn’t look like she was overdoing it. She made sure to go sit when she started to feel it so Harkins wouldn’t know. The old battle ax would put a forcefield on Bethany’s bed if she did.

“Well, while you slept, I read. The study said that the earliest indications of returning telepathic senses were 4 days post surgery. The average was 10 to 14 days. But that wasn’t full telepathy. The patients described it as similar to when their telepathy first turned on during adolescence or having taken a telepathic inhibitor.”

“Medically it says that a successful transplant can be seen at around 48 hours. The transplant psilosynine will trigger the gland to start producing. The increased levels can be detected at 48 hours. If the gland was damaged prior to surgery, the transplant psilosynine will begin repairing the gland and then trigger production. So a slow drop in levels for up to a week followed by a steady increase.”

“After the gland starts working, the study says the psilosynine will be used to repair the paracortex. No input or output signals will be processed until the paracortex is healed. Then it is a slow, but steady increase as the paracortex wakes up and starts working. The more damage the longer the process. But it says the progress will show up on scans.”

Bethany gave him a reassuring smile. “It’s not even 24 hours yet. We’ll get there.”

Bethany

“So I won’t know for 48 hours to a week?” Aasrel asked. He looked distressed and upset. He was being impatient but he just wanted to know. Not knowing what going to drive him crazy. He frowned in thought a moment, “If it’s like puberty all over again, it’ll be difficult without anyone to talk to.”

~ Aasrel

“I know it seems forever, but at least we know now.” She leaned back a bit, resting against the chair. “You can talk to me, but I suppose that won’t be quite the same thing will it? You should read the study. There were several quotes by the patients about it that were more specific. That’s the gist of what I understood them to mean.” She couldn’t help him with that part. Maybe there was a Vulcan on board that would ‘talk’ with him. They could through touch, she knew that much.

Bethany

“I’ll read it later.” Aasrel didn’t feel like he could focus on something like that. He smiled at her, “Of course I’ll talk to you. I just meant telepathically.” He squeezed her hand, “You know, to get used to having it again.” If he got it back, he reminded himself. What would he do if this didn’t work? He didn’t want to think about it.

~ Aasrel

Bethany nodded, “I know. You could try though. I know some Betazoids can speak to non-telepaths.” She shrugged lightly as if it was only a suggestion, but it bothered her that she couldn’t be that person. “We have no other Betazoids on board, but there is a Haliian and Vulcans can speak telepathically through touch.”

Bethany

“I was able to before but I’d probably have to be really close to them…” Aasrel glanced at her. “Maybe you. I don’t know.” He shook his head, “Vulcans don’t typically like to use their telepathy. And I don’t want to bother some random Haliian.”

~ Aasrel

Bethany didn’t know about the Haliians. Vulcans though, “They don’t, but they would find it quite illogical to refuse to help when you have limited options. They believe in the strict control of mental skills. They would be willing to help you retrain your skills. They would not know how to help you retrain your empathy, but they could help with your telepathy.” She grinned, “Well if there are no other options, we will have to make sure this mission goes smoothly so I can get you back to Betazoid so you can use it.” Hopefully before her desiese spiked again.

“How are you feeling? Thirsty or hungry?”

Bethany

Aasrel smiled. “I can’t speak to you, but I can hear your thoughts and your emotions.” He shrugged, “Maybe we can ask a Vulcan, we’ll see.” Then he looked at her and smiled. “Then our trip will have a dual purpose. You’ll meet my family and I’ll retrain my skills.” He shrugged to her question. “A little thirsty, I guess.”

~ Aasrel

If she even had a presence to sense. Oh, Aasrel had assured her she did, but her father’s comment echoed cruelly in her memories. “Most importantly, you will get to heal and have your family back.” She leaned forward and brushed a kiss across his temple. “I’ll go get you some.”

“Bethany-” Aasrel tried to stop her, but she was already gone. With a huff, he relaxed into the bed.

Bethany stood before he could protest. She was careful not to turn or look around as she stood. She wasn’t getting dizzy, but no reason to risk it. She made her way toward the main bay. “Lieutenant Gadi!” Bethany laughed at the open warning of her truncated rank. “Why are you walking about on your own?”

“Aw Harkins, I was comin’ to find you. You haven’t cracked your whip in a couple of hours, at least. I thought you had forgotten about me.”

The old nurse harumphed. “Not likely. You were finally being still, and I got some work done. Why are you up?”

“Dr. Izei wanted to know if he could have some water.”

Harkins attitude immediately changed and Bethany grinned. “He’s awake? Good. Jonan! Take Gadi for a walk, she’s been still too long. If she gives you trouble she gets confined to her bed.” The large Klingon nurse grinned at her. He was big enough to scoop her up fireman style and never slow his step. “Let’s go Cmdr.” Bethany sighed, she wanted to go sit with Aasrel, but Jonan didn’t look to be willing to let her off the hook.

Harkins grabbed Th’rethiss and the pair entered his room to check on him.

Bethany

“Beth- oh.” Aasrel had thought Bethany was returning. Instead he was greeted by Th’rethiss and nurse Harkins. “Where’s Bethany?”

~ Aasrel

“She has been sitting for the last 5 hours, rather than following her orders to move every hour. So since she got up herself and reminded me,” Harkins grinned, “I sent her on a walk with Jonan.”

Aasrel scowled. He’d have to remember to ask her if she was following her medical orders… he’d only asked if she’d eaten and rested.

“She said you were thirsty so I brought Dr. Th’rethiss. He can check you over and approve a meal plan for you.” Of course Dr. Izei knew that, but Harkins was on a roll.

Harkins

“I’m uh, not really that thirsty after all,” sighed Aasrel. “When will she be back?”

~ Aasrel

Th’rethiss and Harkins exchanged a look. “I’m going to check you out anyway,” The Andorian doctor stated.

“Chief Gadi will be back by the time Th’rethiss is done. Then she is due for her hypo, so she will have to lay down. We don’t want her falling again, do we?” Harkins chattered as she went about fussing over him.

“No,” Aasrel answered.

Th’rethiss checked his vitals, took scans to check the healing of the surgical site, and then asked him several questions reminiscent of checking for a concussion. He checked eye dilation, muscle tone, and reflexes. He did this to ensure his neurological systems were operating correctly.

His cognition was slow, which was to be expected, and he had some memory problems similar to a concussion. His eye dilation, muscle tone, and reflexes were normal.

Th’rethiss would do this exam each day as needed. It was expected and should clear easily in a day or so, but he wanted to make sure.

“Alright, Harkins help him sit up, I want to watch his pulse and BP while he does.”

Harkins

“I can sit myself up,” Aasrel complained, moving to sit up himself. The dizziness came back as he did, reflected in his vitals.

~ Aasrel

“Tsk, tsk, tsk. You and Gadi are a pair.” Harkins chided as she steadied him and then laid him back in the bed.

When his vitals steadied out, Th’rethiss ordered Harkins to slowly raise the head of the biobed to no more than 25°.

Harkins

“I’ll be fine,” Aasrel argued with them about the limit on the bed angle. “How am I supposed to eat when I’m basically reclined? Honestly I just want to rest in my quarters.”

~ Aasrel

“No,” was all Th’rethiss said about that request. He continued with his scans and adjusting the readouts he wanted on the overhead display.

Aasrel pouted and looked between them.

“Now Dr. Izei you know the routine,” Harkins admonished. “We will raise the bed every 5 minutes so you don’t get dizzy. In the mean time can he try some water or juice, Dr. Th’rethiss?”

The Andorian doctor nodded and made a little wave with his hand. Harkins looked at him, “Which would you like?”

Harkins

“Juice.” Aasrel answered. He named a specific Betazoid juice he’d liked as a kid. Like apple juice on Earth, it commonly came in little boxes or containers for kids’ lunches. It was sweet and tangy with a somewhat sharp taste. It had a pinkish colour similar to grapefruit juice. He glanced at the door as if hoping to see Bethany, then watched Th’rethiss.

~ Aasrel

Harkins bustled off and returned in a moment with the juice. She had put a straw in it and held it for him so he could drink easily.

“She’s at it again, Doctor.”

Th’rethiss sighed, “What is it this time?”

“Claims she doesn’t need to lie down for her hypo. She can sit in a chair just fine. Told Jonan if he wanted to be stubborn about it she would just use her patient right of refusing the medication. I don’t think she understands the balance issues we are seeing are a result of the seizure and not just extended fatigue.”

His antenna stiffened in frustration. “I can’t stand Security. Always think they are indestructible. Alright, let’s finish here and we will try, again, to make her see reason.”

Harkins