Posted by Commander Roman Alden (First Officer & Chief Science Officer) in Side sim: Matters of the Heart

(snip)

Roman looked at her and shook his head, squeezing her hand hard. Then he whispered, “I don’t think I can do it, not that long.” She was calming him, helping keep him from getting too worked up. His fear of Sickbay had gotten worse after his leg and so far this wasn’t helping either. He was looking at her intently, and then up at Randy as if asking if she was right, if it really was two whole weeks.

~ Roman

When he looked up at Randy, Rand did too. She couldn’t do it. He was going to freak out, full blown panic when she told him how long he’d been in this room. The days had started to run together in a tired haze. Randy stayed while she had rounds and she was there otherwise. Most everyone had stopped asking for her extra help, though at first Rand had just showed up. She wasn’t helping in the lab with it still closed, and Franks was having everything gone over with a fine toothed comb, to make sure the lab was safe for crew and animals. She took Rogers the reports and her meals, showed up for bridge duty, when required, and Randy made her leave for an hour and half every day for Pipkin and a shower. Through it all she had a constant redshirted shadow. Randy made it a point that it had to be someone she knew. Rand thought he was going over board, everyone else agreed with him.

Randy gave her an encouraging nod. Alden needed to know how long it had been, and it would be easier coming from her. He also had a hypo standing by to actually sedate him if his heart showed any signs of dangerous distress. The nod was also in answer to Roman’s silent question. Rand looked back at him, “Well it’s two weeks from the incident. So that’s only 8 and half days left.” Then Rand kissed him. It was totally one of those kisses that Randy always complained about them snogging. Rand was one really desperate to distract Roman from how long he’d been out, and two just really needed to know he was okay. She would die of embarrassment if Randy or Elbbirt said anything about it.

Rand

Roman’s mind decided not to work too fast on thinking about what she’d said. For a moment he wasn’t sure he’d heard her right. Her kisses turned him to mush, all he wanted was to kiss her back and enjoy the moment. But then his brain got back to him on that thought. Eight and a half days left… Two weeks since the incident… Fourteen minus eight… Rand would be able to tell the moment he’d figured it out, even before he broke off the kiss. “Five days? I’ve been out for five days?” That was nearly a week! A week he’d been gone from his animals, his lab work. Think of all the built up paperwork, all the reports he’d missed! All that time he’d been away from Rand… No wonder she looked so tired, she’d been sleeping here… Or more likely, not sleeping here. That panic Rand was worried about, Roman was definitely having, as he pushed himself into sitting up and continued on, “I’ve missed a week of work! I was busy before this.” Then he started listing the things he’d been doing, all his reports and science projects, XO things he’d needed to get done. “And my animals! They get depressed if I’m away too long. I need to see them. Pipkin, too. I can’t leave it all another week!” His breathing was no longer controlled, his heart rate soaring, stressing his heart. “What have I missed on the ship? Did we pass anything interesting? What about the Captain, surely she needs her XO? I’ve missed too much already! And then there’s the two of you, what have you been up to the last week?” For Rand at least, it had better be her job, because if Rogers thought she wouldn’t work if Roman was hurt she could transfer someone.

~ Roman

Rand was unceremoniously dumped off her precarious perch on the edge of the bed as Roman pushed himself up. She caught herself on the edge before she ended in a heap. Roman didn’t notice. She wasn’t upset at all, she knew that panic could cause tunnel vision, both literal and figurative. She tried to answer him but he just kept going. Then he turned his questions on her and Randy.

Rand put her hands on his shoulders and pushed him back. “Roman stop.” She swallowed hard, pushing back tears, and sat back on the edge of the bed, facing him, holding his hands. “I told you, I will answer all your questions, but you have to breathe slowly for me.”

“Five days, and if you want all the details of why and what the doctors did, Randy and I will tell you. Your projects are on hold. The whole biology lab is off limits because of the investigation. Franks is handling the department and your XO paperwork is fine. Franks and Morgan and Rogers are the only ones allowed in to feed the animals. Franks has given me reports each time, so you can see how they are doing. Remember with Nibbles you told me, no mistakes, all situations give you data. When the lab is cleared, Franks is having all the equipment inspected first and replaced if necessary. All projects in the biology lab are on hold. Franks has reassigned everyone to other labs for the time being.”

“Pipkin is okay. Randy and I have been taking care of her. I haven’t forgotten about her. I wouldn’t do that. She’s okay, a little frustrated for being in her cage, but I switch the toys out every day.”

“The only thing you have missed is the investigation and now that you are awake, Morgan or Rogers will be in to talk to you about it. We haven’t passed anything. We came to an all stop awaiting word if command wants us to go to the nearest starbase. Yes Rogers wants her XO, which means you are supposed to do whatever the doctors tell you so you can be cleared to go back to duty.”

Rand looked strained, and Randy who had stepped as far as he could away for some privacy, was now back and gripped Roman’s shoulder, firmly, trying to be reassuring. “I’ve been here when I’m not in other appointments. Sleeping on a rotation with Rand, and spoiling that rabbit if yours rotten. Rand, she’s been doing what she always does, keeping us all going. Her schedule has been changed a bit, due to orders. Morgan is afraid they…”

“Randy don’t.” Rand’s voice was soft but very clear. She wanted her brother to stop talking.

Rand