Posted by Lieutenant Junior Grade Aasrel Izei (Chief Medical Officer) in Promises and Connections

Posted by Lieutenant Commander Bethany Kovra Gadi (Chief of Security) in Promises and Connections

Posted by Lieutenant Junior Grade Aasrel Izei (Chief Medical Officer) in Promises and Connections
Posted by… suppressed (40) by the Post Ghost! 👻

(snip)
Aasrel administered the hypo gently and then hugged her to him, rubbing her back, talking gently to her telepathically, his head rested against her. He was sitting on the floor, legs stretched out, arms carefully around her. The activity made him hurt, made his muscles sore and his still post surgical body hurt. The ghost pain had faded, like he expected it to. He would do it again for her, though.

~ Izei, CMO

The medication worked quickly. At least that was a benefit of the transfusion finally having cycled out of her body. The downside was it made her groggy and tired. It caused a lull in the vortex where she could think again, she could process, and the emotions, her emotions, erupted. Where before she’d been still and more similar to shock, even though psychically she was hysterical, now it was quite physical. She shivered harshly and began to sob so hard it shook her whole body. Then the medicine took full effect, she grew quiet as her body was forced to calm, and then laid against him in a mostly unconscious daze.

Jake and T’Jal arrived at Martin’s request. The doctor had gotten a stretcher and they waited quietly outside the door.

Lt. Cmdr. Gadi, COS

“Bring the stretcher,” Aasrel called through the door, still hugging her and holding her. “Give her somewhere quiet to rest. And something to dull her telepathy but don’t completely suppress it. If she can’t sense me she’ll panic.”

~ Izei, CMO

Martin and Jake entered and carefully lifted her. Jake spoke to her very quietly, his affection and concern for Bethany was quite clear, and very akin to an uncle with a beloved niece. The Admiral’s feelings were similar and equally strong. She picked up Izei’s crutch and then offered her hands to help him stand. She might not look it, but she inherited the strength of her Vulcan heritage.

“We’ll convert the chair in your room to the bed and put her there. No prying eyes and you’ll be near by. I’ll get the suppressant after we get her settled.” Martin and Jake moved back down the short hall to Izei’s room. The Admiral stayed with him. She didn’t force her help, but she was there if he needed it. She was very troubled though.

Lt. Cmdr. Gadi, COS

Aasrel nodded. “That’s perfect.” He was troubled, too. Visibly so. He tried to get up on his own, couldn’t, and took the Admiral’s offered hands. His muscles were too tired to walk on his own, he needed help all the way back and into bed. He didn’t know what do to about it or how to help her. He wouldn’t ask the Admiral or Jake, he barely knew them. Instead he settled back into bed and watched her, frowning.

~ Izei, CMO

The Admiral had no qualms helping him. Her feelings were friendly and understanding. It didn’t bother her why he had had the surgery or the out come. He was simply a person, a fellow officer, and more importantly, important to someone who deeply mattered to her. She helped him get settled even as Jake fussed over Bethany. Martin came in and administered a hypo to Bethany and then walked over to check on Aasrel.

T’Jal walked over and searched Bethany’s face and sighed. She felt responsible for the younger woman. Jake set an arm on her shoulder and squeezed. She looked at Aasrel, “We don’t know each other, but anything you need for her, I will make sure she has it. Just tell me.” They left quietly so as not to disturb either of them.

“I don’t know what she needs,” Aasrel said miserably, “She won’t tell me anything.”

The older woman looked down at Bethany with concern. She’d never seen Bethany break like that. She wanted to assure Izei that Bethany would tell him, but she didn’t know.

“Your K3 is a bit elevated, an anti-inflammatory would help. Maybe a muscle relaxer.” He glanced over at Bethany. He realized Aasrel may not want to sleep or be lethargic. However, if they were connected enough the woman would panic if she couldn’t feel him, his pain could disturb her rest. “It’s up to you of course.”

Lt. Cmdr. Gadi, COS

Aasrel heard his thoughts. He was right, of course. His pain would disturb her, probably stress her out. “I’ll take them.” He said. “I wasn’t ready for that much activity. Everything is irritated and sore and tired.”

~ Izei, CMO

Martin nodded and prepared the hypo. “I’ll do a low dose so you don’t get too groggy. If you need more we can do that.” He pressed the hypo to Aasrel’s arm. “You weren’t ready for that much activity, but you did extremely well. You made it there and back. With some help, but you weren’t carried.”

“I would have died of embarrassment if that Admiral had carried me here.” Aasrel tried.

Martin chuckled. “I know exactly what you mean. Luckily I was unconscious when she did it to me.”

“She carried you?” He asked in surprise and then shook his head. “Sorry, I shouldn’t ask.”

Martin grinned, “No, no it’s fine. Yes she did. She led an assault team to take us back from the Borg. I wasn’t very cooperative, so she shot me and then carried me fireman style to the transport point.”

He walked over to Bethany and scanned her. “The stomach acid really tore up her throat. I’m going to use a dermal regenerate on her before I go. She should sleep for awhile.” He left after.

Lt. Cmdr. Gadi, COS

He watched Martin give the treatment. He didn’t want more medication, but he needed it so his pain wouldn’t bother Bethany so he asked before Martin left. Shortly after he was asleep too.

~ Izei, CMO

Martin came in and checked them himself. He didn’t want any unfamiliar people in the room when Gadi woke up. They didn’t know what had caused the break down and he didn’t want anyone to get hurt.

Some time later Bethany’s thoughts intruded on Aasrel’s sleep. Quinyi. Aasrel quinyi bo. (I’m sorry. Aasrel I’m so sorry.)

Lt. Cmdr. Gadi, COS

There’s nothing to be sorry for. Aasrel’s reply came telepathically, in the same language. He felt tired and groggy, and worried for her. I just want you better.

~ Izei, CMO

I’m sorry. She repeated it over and over, overwhelming grief cracking even her mental voice. Physically she moaned from it. I wasn’t strong enough. I’m sorry, I’m sorry. It’s my fault.

Lt. Cmdr. Gadi, COS

Aasrel jolted fully awake and looked at her. He reached over and rested a hand against her. “Bethany. Wake up, please.” He said, aloud. “Come on, it’s a dream, okay?”

~ Izei, CMO

The medicine had too strong a hold for her to wake up. I’m sorry. In her dream she curled over his lifeless body as she held him. I couldn’t leave you. It’s my fault. I knew what would happen, but I couldn’t leave you. She sobbed aloud in her sleep. I’m sorry, Rel.

Lt. Cmdr. Gadi, COS

He pulled himself out of bed and closer to her so he could hug her. He was half in the chair half on the floor. Aasrel was trained in visual telepathy, he’d been taught long ago, during his Academy days actually. He was able to see her dream. He hugged her tightly, hoping she’d be able to hear his telepathy. I’m right here, Bethany. I’m going to be fine. I don’t want you to leave.

~ Izei, CMO

It was like he becane oart of the dream. I have to. I should have. I knew what he would do. It’s my fault. It’s my fault. It’s my fault.

Lt. Cmdr. Gadi, COS

It’s not your fault. I choose to be with you. I can protect and manage myself. You are teaching me to defend myself, remember? We are both going to be fine. Now, who do you think did this? Who is going to kill me?

~ Izei, CMO

Not against him. No one can. She sobbed uncontrollably, pressed tightly against him. In her dream a shadow fell across her. She looked up into the face of a man that Aasrel had onky seen on a message broadcast across the ship - Elias Balthazar. Fear and hatred and paranoia filled her. ‘I have to do what is best for my family, Granddaughter. We aren’t finished yet. I can’t have you distracted.’ The man turned and walked away. Bethany bent over his body and sobbed, repeating over and over it was her fault.

Lt. Cmdr. Gadi, COS

The donor, that man… No wonder his blood was compatible, not to mention what they now knew about him. Everything made sense. She was afraid the stranger - her grandfather, apparently, would make good on his promise and kill Aasrel. So you can’t force him to do, or not do, what you want. Don’t discount the power of words. Convince him not to. Aasrel imagined himself as the body in her arms. He imagined himself coming to, wrapping his arms around her. There is more than one way to protect someone. And sometimes that’s to let them protect themself.

~ Izei, CMO

There was only one way to convince him to leave Aasrel alone. To make him believe Aasrel meant nothing to her. She hadn’t… she’d been selfish. Stayed with him. It was her fault. She held his body as everything in her broke. The stress was causing havoc on her vitals. But eventually her mind fell into an exhausted uneasy oblivion.

Lt. Cmdr. Gadi, COS

He wouldn’t let her leave him. He couldn’t do this without her. He was going to tell her when she woke. Until then, he stayed where he was, laying against her, holding her in the chair. He supported his weight with his left leg, the right remaining awkwardly straight out as he tried to rest it.

~ Izei, CMO

Martin came in not long after to check on them. “That can not be comfortable,” he whispered seeing Izei half on and half off the chair. “Let me ease her over so you both have room. I’ll be very careful, I promise.” He moved around the other side. He moved the blanket, lifted her head to move the pillow, and then lifted her into his arms. He set her further away on her side, giving Izei plenty of room to stretch out fully beside her. Then he brought pillows and an extra blanket. He used the extra pillow and a rolled blanket to ease the strain on his right leg and arm.

“Did she wake up?” Martun asked as he ran a tricorder over both of them.

Lt. Cmdr. Gadi, COS

“She was dreaming.” Aasrel said, voice equally soft. “Having a nightmare, actually. I-” he sighed, “I saw things she doesn’t want me knowing, telepathically.” Laying like that for so long had strained his tired muscles, but he would be fine. Might need another dose of anti-inflammatories. He settled in next to Bethany and cuddled as close to her as he could, shamelessly. “Don’t let her go anywhere if she does wake.”

~ Izei, CMO

“I won’t have to. I heard her, she promised to be here with you through it all. There is one thing I do know about the people who work with the Admiral, they never break their word. They are careful whom and how they give it, but once they do, it is absolute.” He set a hand on Aasrel’s shoulder, “Get her to keep giving her word. I’m going to give her an anti anxiety medicine. Her BP and pulse are high for sleeping. It should help her sleep for awhile longer. What about you? What do you need?”

Lt. Cmdr. Gadi, COS

“Normally, I’d trust her word with absolute certainty. Right now… She is not in anything resembling her normal mindset.” He nodded. “An antianxiety med is a good idea for her. I’ll be fine.”

~ Izei, CMO

The hypo took affect after a minute. “I can tell the Admiral. If she tried to get off the station, T’Jal would know how she would do it.”

The medicine made her relax, lowered her vitals, but her fists were still balled into his shirt, and her face was tear stained.

Lt. Cmdr. Gadi, COS

Aasrel was soon asleep cuddled into her. His body needed rest desperately. But soon he was sucked into his own nightmare. It started out as his usual - he was in Sickbay, on his ship, sealing the quarantine doors. But this time it was different. Bethany was there with him, phaser in hand. She was rushing around, helping. When the time came, when the Borg broke through the doors and Aasrel moved to intercept them, she pushed him out of the way, and was grabbed instead. Aasrel screamed for her, No, Bethany, what have you done?! But it was too late, he saw the Borg drone inject her. It was a fate worse than death, to see her blank face, all sign of what made Bethany, Bethany washed away while he sat uselessly on the ground where he’d fallen when she pushed him.

~ Izei, CMO

Bethany couldn’t see his dreams, didn’t know why he asked what she had done. She only knew it came with a feeling of heart break and it blended with her own troubled dreams in her sleep she responded. I had to protect you.

Lt. Cmdr. Gadi, COS

It’s not worth it, not without you. I can’t let this happen to you! Cried Aasrel, his own mind not awake enough to discern her real voice from the nightmare.

~ Izei, CMO

Confusion clouded her mind. What had happened to her? Nothing. What did he mean? Elias would never hurt her, not until he was finished with her. She moaned and shifted heavily in her sleep. You have to be safe. I won’t survive if you aren’t. She couldn’t let him die because of her.

Lt. Cmdr. Gadi, COS

He was breathing heavily, twitching in his sleep. In his nightmare, he watched as a legion of Borgs lead by a Bethany that was no longer Bethany assimilated his crew. I don’t care what happens to me if you’re not there.

~ Izei, CMO

His twitching roused her. Not much but enough to realize he was having a dream. She was so tired she couldn’t make herself wake up fully. Her arms slipped around him and bunched in his shirt. “Rel. They’re gone. Promise. Won’t let them hurt you.” Her lids were incredibly heavy and her eyes closed again. “Use the computer and order them out the airlock.” She kissed his neck and pressed against his shoulder.

Lt. Cmdr. Gadi, COS

Aasrel woke with a start and then gripped her tightly and wouldn’t let go. “Bethany no, you can’t. You can’t.”

~ Izei, CMO

Her eyes fluttered, she was just so tired. Life seemed too much. She couldn’t remember why just then, but sleep was a better alternative. Aasrel was ordering her around. Crazy man. Then his urgency slipped through. What couldn’t she do? Her whole body felt heavy. She just needed more sleep. Sleep. Was she not supposed to sleep? She groaned, well more like whined softly. “Rel…”

Lt. Cmdr. Gadi, COS

Aasrel woke enough then to look down at her. She looked exhausted. Martin must have given her something strong. He hugged her tight and buried his face against her. “Go back to sleep.”

~ Izei, CMO

That sounded great. Sleep was an escape. She curled warmly into him. Something nagged at her. “You said I can’t.” She sounded puzzled. On the positive side whatever Martin gave her was keeping her mind and body too tired to think about what set off the attack.

Lt. Cmdr. Gadi, COS

“I… I was having a nightmare. You’re fine. Sleep.” Aasrel gave her the nearest thing to reassurance he could manage. “Just sleep. You’ll feel better.”

~ Izei, CMO

She kissed him sleepily, awkwardly even. I’m here. Stay with me, it will be okay. She drifted back to sleep. She slept hard, deeply, even sleeping through his next PT session.

Lt. Cmdr. Gadi, COS

As long as you’re with me it will be. He said as she drifted off. He didn’t sleep anymore. He was too stressed. He had a difficult PT session. When it was done, he had to move back to his biobed. He reached over and held her hand.

~ Izei, CMO

Bethany finally started to come around, slowly. It was the noise that woke her as the suppressant wore off. She knew something was wrong. Something had happened, she just couldn’t remember what it was. Her mind felt like it was trapped in quicksand. She felt drugged. That brought her more awake. Her eyes fluttered open. What was wring with her? “Rel?” Aasrel? Something happened to him. The nightmare, that had been so real crashed in on her. She sat up, dizzy from the medication, panic rushing through her blood. “Aasrel!?”

Lt. Cmdr. Gadi, COS

Aasrel looked over at her. He looked tired. “Bethany. It’s okay. Doctor Martin gave you something to help you sleep, you’re still feeling the effects of it.” He squeezed her hand. “I’m okay.”

~ Izei, CMO

She stood up, swayed, and then steadied. Her eyes traveled over him. Fear burned in her black eyes. “You… you don’t look good.” No…no! “Who…who’s been in here?” Martin gave her something… why? She wasn’t awake, she was drugged, he could have poisoned the food, slipped him something in a hypo. Her eyes darted to the monitors. They looked okay, but computers could be programmed to lie, and Aasrel didn’t look good. “When did Martin last check you?” Panic rose sharply.

Lt. Cmdr. Gadi, COS

“Please… Sit down. You’re going to fall.” Paranoia and fear radiated off her. The fear began to turn to panic. “I’m just tired. No one has been here except Martin, the nurse, and the Admiral, she checked on you. He checked me two hours ago, after my PT. I’m okay.” He was patient and calm, watching her with calm, tired black eyes.

~ Izei, CMO

She didn’t look convinced. “Have you eaten since then?” She looked around the room like a monster might be hiding in a corner. She moved closer, her posture protective. “Why,” she blinked slowly, “did Martin give me a sedative?” She couldn’t have her senses dulled now.

Lt. Cmdr. Gadi, COS

“A little. I wasn’t that hungry.” He said with a shrug. “Because you were hysterical, Bethany. Panicking. Throwing up. We had to sedate you.” He sighed a long deep sigh. “Bethany… When I was in the academy, I learned how to use visual telepathy. I… I saw your dream.”

~ Izei, CMO

No! It wasn’t a dream. It wasn’t her paranoia resurfacing after the mission… no… It was real. Her life had come to an end, and so would Aasrel’s if she didn’t do something. Her mind went blank. It was hard to tell if it was panic or training. It was a good bet on panic because the sedative made her too groggy to process quickly. Her face turned white and adrenaline flooded her. “My… my dream?”

Lt. Cmdr. Gadi, COS