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

(snip)

Rand adjusted as he requested. Roman’s leg seemed steadier than when Randy had tested his leg strength. She hadn’t helped him with his PT before, so she had no way to know for sure if it was stronger. From plain observation it seemed his leg didn’t shake as much. Maybe it was just wishful thinking. She did know it was better than on Kelmao. He was able to put weight on it for longer and his balance was better. He also didn’t rub at it as much.

It was hurting less than before and that made it easier, but it would still hurt if he overused it. It was getting stronger, previously a lot of the stretches hurt, now he could do most of them painlessly as long as he didn’t overdo it or use too much resistance. But his recovery was going slower than it was supposed to because of his stubborn noncompliance. A mix of overuse during the day and not doing his stretches except during PT was slowing his recovery (and frustrating Sovak).

Rand did remember Sovak seeming to be frustrated with Roman the day before. Asking him over and over again if he was completing his exercises as he should and if he had any questions about how to do them properly. She thought the Vulcan doctor was just being pushy, since there was no way he wasn’t familiar with Roman’s stubborn streak. Now that she thought about it though she hadn’t seen Roman doing the exercises. She didn’t think it was a matter of him not wanting her to observe. He tried skipping appointments with Sovak if she couldn’t make it. She would have to prod him a little to do them. There was no good reason for him to be uncooperative in his PT except Sovak was a doctor. Well Rand would have to be stubborn too.

After they finished stretching Rand glanced at the other equipment, “Looks like we still have the gym to ourselves. What do you want to do?” He could do the bike, but the weight machines were there too. Like she had told him, he could get a good upper body workout without risking his leg getting hurt. Rand was trying to decide if she would continue with the bands and a yoga routine or maybe try a slow jog on a treadmill.

Rand

Roman glanced around at the equipment. He got up off the mat with Rand’s help, and then headed over to one of the upper body machines. His first choice might’ve been influenced by trying to pick something he could show off a little, a pull down machine. The exercise would work his back and Rand would get to see those muscles in action. Then he could move on, he might not have time to work all the muscle groups that didn’t risk his leg, but he wanted to do as many as possible, keep the rest of himself in shape.

~ Roman

Rand had decided on a treadmill. Nothing fast just a slow gently jog. A few minutes to get her foot used to the motions again. That ended up being as disastrous as the first time she’d seen Roman practicing his jiu jitsu and she’d tripped over her own feet while watching him. Luckily Roman had his back to her and didn’t see. It wasn’t all that sculpted muscle though. They were dating and it wasn’t bad to appreciate his physical appearance. Rand had a sudden moment of clarity. His looks certainly weren’t why she liked Roman though, it was his mind, his personality. She’d always known that. When she had first started helping in the biology lab, she had enjoyed it because she knew exactly what was expected of her. Roman had also been rather indulgent with her commentary and endless questions. He was very strict with proceedures in his lab and what she was and was not allowed to do. He respected her position as yeoman and didn’t try to take advantage of her time. And most especially he didn’t think yeoman were there to be ‘social distractions’ for the crew. She was a person and officer just like everyone else.

Over the months, though, she’d gotten to know him not just the officer. He’d gotten to know her, and knew more of her secrets than anyone else. A few things she’d never told Randy either. And she’d fallen in love with him. She grinned a little goofily as she watched him work out. He was doing it just to tease her and show off a little. Gratitude washed over her that despite how scary the sink hole had been, it had happened or Roman could have died from the damage in his leg. They wouldn’t have known. So it’s wasn’t the sight of all that muscle working that distracted her, but the realization of how deeply she loved him, and how much he had changed things for her. She decided that maybe a short yoga routine was better to help her breathe and focus for the day. If she walked around with that stunned smile on her face people would ask questions and she was happy enough she might answer.

Rand