Posted by Commander Roman Alden (First Officer & Chief Science Officer) in Check Out of a Check Up

(snip)

She saw him reach back for her hand and change his mind. If they were in his quarters or her office, she would just reach over and take it. This should not be so complicated. Again she had the thought that she really couldn’t stand people. She glanced out the door before looking at him, her face covered in a cold sweat. She also asked him to call the nurse before her stomach decided it wouldn’t rebel. In voice soft enough to not travel, “I’d really like you to stay, but I’ll be here awhile, so…”

Rand

Roman took a chair, and sat down, that look that said ‘this is what I’m doing and nothing is changing my mind’ on his face. “I’ll stay then. I’m off duty, after all, I have nowhere else to be.” She still looked like she didn’t feel good. A part of him hoped it would just come out, so they could stop hiding it, so he could be holding her hand or hug her. But the other side of him detested dealing with all the annoying and invasive questions that he was sure would come after people started finding out.

~ Roman

Shrine was keeping an eye on Rand from the other room. She had this feeling that Rand had tried to sneak out at some point because of how the bone hadn’t set right at first. She couldn’t prove it because she wasn’t on duty the whole time, but she didn’t miss how the Cmdr held Rand’s hand or that he sat down to stay with her. Unfortunately for Rand and Roman, Shrine and Elbbirt weren’t the only one’s who noticed. They understood discretion even if they enjoyed quietly watching such things play out.

Rand didn’t miss the look on his face, and it made her smile slightly. He was so stubborn about everything. It made her feel warm all over that he chose to stay, even more so because she knew how much he hated being in here. After another few minutes she finally felt like she could lean back and not feel like she’d get sick. She turned her head to look at him, “Well I didn’t get out of it, but we did get an answer about the bacteria.” She was teasing even if she did sound like she might still not feel well.

Rand

He sat quietly for the few minutes she was quiet. There were quite a lot of people around between medical staff and regular appointed visits. He smiled. “Yes, now we know how they test bacterial contamination and you’re cleared to run again.” He knew she was teasing and he was still smiling. “Just not as far as you usually do.” He said, a subtle reminder he’d hold her to the doctor’s orders.

~ Roman

Her foot ached some, she knew from the treatment and it was normal. It was also having to hold it absolutely still while it throbbed slightly. But at least her stomach had stopped protesting. She grinned at him, he was teasing her, but also serious. “I promise I’ll behave, Cmdr.” And then realizing someone might see the look was gone and she was staring at the ceiling. Why couldn’t she ask if he liked to play cards or chess. Chess was probably a yes, cards maybe not. But it was an easy way to pass the time. Or if he’d want to watch a vid of the latest Broadway play she’d received. She didn’t know if it was good, but she still enjoyed watching. And why not? Because people gossiped.

Rand

When the look disappeared from her face, it was gone from his as well, as if they had suddenly remembered where they were. He did know how to play cards, one didn’t generally make it through academy without learning some games in his experience. He also played chess, of course. He wasn’t sure what to tell her about or ask her, either, and they sat there for a while in awkward silence. It made it doubly awkward for Roman that it wasn’t common for them to be awkward at all around each other.

~ Roman

Several people moved in and out of the area. A handful of times Rand caught the sudden stop and gawk and ‘I don’t believe it’ looks from a couple of people. It only made her want to be quiet more. Until a science officer managed to get her attention and he mouthed, over exaggeratedly and silently “Are....You....Okay???” and mimicking an animal biting his arm. Rand shook her head and once he was gone she started to laugh, softly and she turned her head to look at Roman. “I think everyone is under the impression that I did something incredibly stupid in the lab, got bit or some such, and you are here because of that. They are probably expecting me to get the lecture of a life time and be perma-banned from the labs.”

Rand