Posted by Ensign Rand Farquharson (Yeoman First Class) in side - sim: In Memory of Jay

Posted by Commander Roman Alden (First Officer & Chief Science Officer) in side - sim: In Memory of Jay

Posted by Ensign Rand Farquharson (Yeoman First Class) in side - sim: In Memory of Jay
Posted by… suppressed (1) by the Post Ghost! 👻

(snip)
Rand noticed the difference in his behavior between his officers. She wondered what Scott would make of it. Make her words kinder or harsher. She would never say anything though.

Rand kept the cloth cool, and in fact brought him a second one for his face so he could keep the other on his neck. She continued to make the notations as the videos played. They worked through lunch. Roman had seemed to cry himself out. It was still hard but he seemed to be numb at the moment or more like simply exhausted. Rand wanted to get the disk done so he could stop for the day. If the process repeated the next day she wanted to get as many out of the way as possible.

Roman chose to swap them, putting the fresh cold one on his neck and the older, only cool by now one for his face. He was tired and quiet for the rest of the disk, numb and sleepy if only because he was simply out of energy.

When the disk was done she didn’t put in another. She sat with him for awhile, until Pipkin decided she had to check on things, again. Rand picked her up and the bunny made her way into his lap. Rand got up handing him another bottle of water to combat the dehydration from all the crying. “I am going to go check on Nibbles and Mushu and grab a lunch tray. Why don’t you try and take a shower and then,” she took out the frozen ‘doll pillow’ (as Roman called it), “put this over your eyes for a bit?”

Rand

The disk ended and Rand just sat next to him quietly for a while. Pipkin started pawing at their legs again, so Rand picked her up and Pipkin hopped across their laps and then settled in on him. She handed him another water bottle too, and he set it down within his reach. “Alright.” It was if that was all he had the energy, or maybe will, to say.

After she left he gently scooped Pipkin off his lap and went in for a quick shower. It took about ten minutes and then he got out and redressed. He took the “doll pillow” and lay down on the bed and covered his eyes with the little pillow thing.

~ Roman

Rand was gone for a little more than half an hour. Frank’s had already fed Nibbles’ and Mushu when they were late, but he allowed her to to spend a little time with each of them. She had taken time off and if she wanted to spend her vacation playing with the animals he would let her. He didn’t have a lot of time though. He really wanted to ask about Alden and what he was working on, but he knew if Alden didn’t say, Rand wouldn’t. He also didn’t want to put her in an awkward situation.

Rand left, content that both the mouse and lizard shouldn’t feel abandoned. She entered the galley and was pleased with the choices. She brought back soup and plain broth in cups. She hoped that he was sleeping or at least resting so she didn’t knock but quietly went in. Roman was on the bed with the pillow over his eyes. She set the food down for later and then quietly sat on her side of the bed and put her head back.

Rand

Roman had been laying down for about fifteen minutes. He was nearly asleep when he heard the door open. Then he heard her put something down, a few footsteps, and then she sat on her side of the bed. He reached for her hand, accidentally whacking his hand into her side because he couldn’t see around the little cold pillow over his eyes.

~ Roman

Rand had closed her eyes a moment when his hand thumped into her. She opened her eyes, surprised. She was glad he wasn’t trying to hit her because that stung a little (not really). Now she knew why Mr Dummy always behaved. The thought made her grin. She reached out for his hand, lacing her fingers through his, and raising it to kiss the back of his hand. Rand turned on her side, moving closer resting their hands on his chest. She didn’t break the silence, but began to gently squeeze his hand in rhythm of her breaths.

Rand

Roman wrapped his fingers around her hand as she laced her own fingers through his. Then he felt Rand’s warm breath on his hand as she kissed the back of it. He moved closer to her as she turned to her side. She lowered their hands onto his chest, and then began the familiar rhythmic squeezing of his hand. He was used to her doing that when he was stressed or scared, helping him control his breathing. Now, he was calm, but his breathing still started to follow hers. It was always relaxing, both laying with her and the way she squeezed his hand, and that was all he wanted to do.

~ Roman