Posted by Ensign Rand Farquharson (Yeoman First Class) in side-sim: The Reckoning

Posted by Commander Roman Alden (First Officer & Chief Science Officer) in side-sim: The Reckoning

(snip)

If Rand or Randy had known what he was thinking he would have gotten a lecture about his stubbornness being detrimental to his health. And Rand would have been even more angry than she was on the planet.

With no more questions Elbbirt stood up. “Well then, I will see you again in a couple of hours to start the next round with the regenerators. Randy, if you would.” And he nodded toward Rand. Randy walked over, scooped her off the chair and deposited her on the other biobed in the room. “Smile for the camera Rand.”

Rand let out a surprised squeak at being picked up and deposited. Randy sounded like a photographer taking pictures of a runway model, but he was only taking pictures of her foot. He was convincing too, and it was completely comical. It also served to keep Rand from worrying about what they were doing with the images and extra scans and tests. Elbbirt found it unprofessional, but allowed it only because they were siblings. “You will stay here for the time being Yeoman. I want to make sure there isn’t any underlying issue with that foot before I release you. I’ll be back.”

Roman glanced up as Elbbirt stood, considering asking his question one last time, but remained silent as the doctor left. He watched as Randy scooped up Rand, taking her over to another biobed. He knew Randy was probably trying to distract her as he watched the comical act he put on.

Randy moved Rand back to her perch next to Alden. He set two cups of ice water within reach. “Press the buzzer if you need me.” And then he left. Rand blinked in the sudden silence and then leaned over to rest her head against Roman.

Rand

Then Rand was next to him again and they were alone. Roman put his arm around her when she rested her head against him. “Alone for a while at last,” he said. He wanted to be in the comfortable privacy of his quarters but at least they were in a quieter part of Sickbay.

~ Roman

Rand let out a deep breath when Roman put his arm around her. She knew she had to keep her anxiety in check, at least while she was here with Roman. If she was worried and anxious he would be too. She was worried he would get stubborn, refuse treatment, or try to do things that would make it worse. She was afraid he would wake up from a nightmare or a flash back and she wouldn’t be there because she was on duty. She was afraid he would get himself so worked up he’d damage his heart, or Randy would be forced to give him an anti-anxiety med. Which would help keep his heart rate down, but being on more meds would also make his anxiety worse when it wore off.

Perhaps because he was already starting to feel a little tired, but Roman was most worried about sleep. He knew everyone would be telling him all about how he needed rest and he should be sleeping and he wasn’t sure he’d be able to. He didn’t like using sleep aid medications, partly because he didn’t want to have to explain why he needed one and partly because he didn’t like needing meds in general. Then of course when he did fall asleep, there was always the possibility he had one of his nightmares, which he didn’t like anyone knowing about. He wasn’t in the privacy of his quarters here, and if he had one, the medical staff would probably know about it.

Roman was not worried about his leg, not really. It was more frustrating that he couldn’t use it, and that he’d have to do recovery and physical therapy again than anything. He figured it would heal regardless, and it would be fine. He was a little worried about what the waste from the dead muscle was doing to his heart. It was still resting too high and it seemed like just about anything he did caused it to shoot up. He wanted to just not think about it. It was only a few days and he assumed as the potassium levelled off to its normal amount, his heart rate would go down naturally. That was his question from earlier, the one he hadn’t asked. That and what would happen if it didn’t go down, or went too high.

Being in sickbay was enough to keep him on edge, which probably was not helpful to the heart rate issue, and it would make it even harder to sleep. What if he had another nightmare, and he was stuck in his memories like he had been when he woke up? That didn’t typically happen, but being in Sickbay made them feel so much closer, more real. The ambient sounds of the room did not help. If Rand wasn’t there, it would’ve been a bigger issue than it was, especially with how worked up he had been. He chose instead to put the thoughts out of his head and sit quietly with Rand, enjoying her company.

She stayed there quietly for a long time. Roman may have even thought she fell asleep. She didn’t, but after Kelmao and now this, Rand just wanted to be.

Finally she decided to address one thing head on. Even though she wanted to be with him the whole time she had to report for duty and she wouldn’t be there every time he had a treatment. “What would you like to have for when I’m not here? Books, movies, reports from science command?” She leaned her head back and grinned up at him, teasing, “practice your violin?”

Rand

He glanced down, and half jokingly replied, “You’re not going to be here?” Roman knew she would have to report for duty, and he was smiling when he said it, but there was a bit of an edge to his voice, like he wished she wouldn’t have to. He shook his head at her teasing comment. “You have to be able to sit up straight to play the violin, you know.” He replied, still smiling. Then he answered the question seriously. “The science reports would be fantastic. And my PaDD, I have my books on there.” And his work, research, and some other stuff. But the books were the part he was allowed to have.

~ Lt Cmdr Alden, XO/CSO