Posted by Ensign Charlie Bailey (Doctor) in Ensign Bailey’s Quarters - Side Sim

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Katie glanced through the report one more time before answering, wanting to be absolutely sure before she responded to Bailey. Finding the important detail, she looked at it for a few seconds and then made steady eye contact with the young ensign. “No, you didn’t,” she said firmly, waiting a moment for that to sink in before continuing on. “Her time of death is before you were rescued.” She held the woman as tightly as she could as she processed the news.

Lt Cmdr Nunn, CNS

Charlie’s eyes went wide as a wave of relief came over her. “Are you sure?” she stammered, not quite believing what the counselor was telling her. For so many years she had lived with the guilt of leaving her mother behind, she couldn’t quite believe it had all been in her head. As she processed the news, she began to feel the weight of those years slowly dropping off her although in truth she felt a little stupid for not having tried to find out earlier. She gratefully clung to the counselor as tears of relief flowed down her cheeks.

Dr Bailey

“I’m sure,” Katie responded, firmly. “I’ve read it three times because I had to be absolutely sure before telling you.” Waves of relief came over her as well as she felt Bailey’s body relax against her and the more soothing, clarifying tears stream out. Giving her a final squeeze, she made her way over to the replicator in Bailey’s quarters and demanded two shots of tequila. Bringing them over, she handed one to Bailey and smiled. “I feel like we both could use this, although I doubt it’s indicated with your head injury,” she commented with a wry grin.

Lt Cmdr Nunn, CNS

Charlie dried her eyes and chuckled as she took the glass. “Thanks counselor, I’m willing to take the risk!” she replied as she quickly knocked the shot back and made a face. “Ugh…” she added as she set the glass down on the table and raised an eyebrow. “You drink that for pleasure?” she chuckled and then grinned as she felt it slowly warming her throat. “Aah, now I understand…” she nodded as she led back and closed her eyes for a few moments. The throbbing in her head had mellowed to a dull ache and the tequilla nicely took the edge off it. As she let out a brief yawn, she realised that the counselor had been there for hours and she gave her an apologetic grimace. “I’m so sorry counselor, you must be exhausted…” she added sheepishly, as she felt a pang of guilt at keeping her so long.

Dr Bailey

Katie imitated Bailey’s motion and downed her own shot with a perfectly straight face and then, seconds later, burst out giggling. “It gets the job done,” she commented, her body trembling slightly with amusement. Giving the ensign a conspiratorial smirk, she murmured, “I’m not sleeping that well myself these days, so you’re just keeping me from whatever the entertainment du jour of the evening is.” Reaching for the blanket that had been dropped long ago, she tucked it around Bailey carefully. “But you, on the other hand, should get some sleep. I’m happy to stay for a little while to make sure the nightmares don’t come back.”

Lt Cmdr Nunn, CNS