Posted by Lieutenant Commander Roman Alden (First Officer & Chief Science Officer) in A Glimpse at the Weekly Condition

(snip)

“If it’s physical discomfort waking you up you could try some type of physical exercise that will stretch your muscles and help them relax.” She said remembering her leg cramp a few days before. “If it’s…mental discomfort,” that was a very broad way of putting it. “Maybe play an audiobook? Or music? Your brain listens even if you are asleep.”

Yeoman Rand

Mental discomfort was… probably the most interesting term Roman had ever heard for it. He wished he had more alcohol, that would loosen his lips. “Music… might help.” It was a subtle way of telling her ‘mental discomfort’ was the right track. “I didn’t want to ask Sickbay” he added. His avoidance of Sickbay was probably well known, he never went unless there was an emergency, or he was mandated to.

~ Lt Cmdr Alden, XO/CSO

Rand nodded and sipped her drink. There were two full shots of whisky in the coffees. If he drank it might get him to relax. “What kind of music? I’m sure the computer library has plenty to choose from. Maybe epic ballads, musical but tells a story. It offers a different focus point for your brain. Did…did the tea help? I am happy to make it for you if you wake up, or I can give you some to make yourself.”.

Yeoman Rand

Roman sipped the coffee. The tea helped, yes, and he said, “It helped, if you could give me some, that would be best. I don’t want to wake you up when I am awake.” What helped more than the tea was her, Rand. Her soothing voice. With half the coffee down, he was beginning to feel more relaxed, and yet, any way he thought of to tell her so just sounded awkward to him. “I think you help, too. Your voice…” The music, offering something else for his mind to focus on, was probably also a good option to keep in mind.

~ Lt Cmdr Alden, XO/CSO

Oh....Rand had to work really hard not to blush or show any sign that his comment struck a chord with her. She had a feeling if she did, even though she was immensely flattered by it, Alden would stop talking. She had shamelessly used the voice training she’d had the other night. She had learned to use her voice to move audiences, to make them feel what her characters did. And she had used it to try and help him relax. “I can give you the tea. I have plenty, and I’m sure more is coming. My grandmother grows and blends herbal teas. She’s always sending it and trying to catch up with our supply shipments.” Rand sat in the chair, sipping her coffee and then she began to tell him about her grandmother and helping her. She tried to make it seem that it was a natural progression of her comment about her grandmother. But it very slowly turned into a heartwarming tale about herself and the spry older woman. It was all true, but maybe embellished a bit to draw the story out. To let him listen to her voice and maybe allow him to sleep.

Yeoman Rand

Roman had to hope that something would work long-term, this sort of thing couldn’t continue forever, and Rand had shown him definitive proof of that. But as Rand started her story his worries fell to the back of his mind and he began to grow tired as he finished off the coffee and set the empty mug aside. By the end, he had fallen asleep once again, with the hope that he’d be able to manage better. Generally, he didn’t have this much of a problem, but lately, it had snowballed into something he couldn’t manage.

~ Lt Cmdr Alden, XO/CSO

Rand turned to the desk quietly for several moments, hesitating on what she was doing and how she was going about it. Coming up with no better plan and a lot of nervousness she slipped a piece of paper onto the table by his bed. Then she pulled a blanket over him, turned of the lights and left.

The next morning however, next to the empty coffee mug was a hand written note.

*It is, perhaps, not my place, and it is a suggestion that you probably will not like. I, better than anyone, know how annoying my brother can be, but when it comes to caring for people there is no one better, and no one more professional. Speaking as one of his patients, without his guidance and help, I never would have been able to cope with my social anxiety and serve in Star Fleet. Without his guidance and medical care I would be no more than a shut-in. I do not exaggerate. This is just another option you have.

And for however long it helps I am happy to share Scottish Coffee and conversation in the evenings. You didn’t ask and I didn’t offer, it’s what friends do.*

Yeoman Rand