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

Posted by Ensign Rand Farquharson (Yeoman First Class) in Side sim: Matters of the Heart

Posted by Commander Roman Alden (First Officer & Chief Science Officer) in Side sim: Matters of the Heart
Posted by… suppressed (4) by the Post Ghost! 👻

(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.”

Roman didn’t want to lay back down, so it took a good a push from her to lay him back. “Five days, Miranda. It’s just so long…” He said, squeezing her hands when she took his. Then he listed off a few more of his daily duties he’d missed.

“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.”

“I do want to know-” Roman interjected but then broke off. “All the biology projects are on hold?! Everyone’s been reassigned? That can destroy projects. Samples deteriorate or die, or get misplaced. Notes can go missing. Reports and findings will be late,” he went on. He was glad Franks was following safety precautions. Having all the equipment checked was something Roman would do if an accident this catastrophic happened. But he wasn’t in a great mindset just then, in no place to recognize that. Then Roman went on a new tirade, “Animals like routine, they’ll be entirely upended, stressed and upset. I want to see them. I want to see how they’re doing.” His chest was starting to hurt, his heart rate was staying high, so he squeezed her hands again and finally lay back more comfortably into the bed. But he looked far from relaxed.

Rand squeezed his hands. “Whoa, slow down. Franks knows that. He is keeping an eye on all the work. He can’t remove anything until it’s cleared, AND he needs a place to move it to. It is not a great solution, but neither is the situation.” Rand nodded, “I think I can arrange that.”

No, neither was ideal. But it was probably what Roman would do. He’d trained Franks well. He nodded when Rand said she might be able to arrange it for him.

“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.”

The news about Pipkin seemed to help a little, at least. Then he shook his head. “I don’t have any information. I… I can’t even remember the events leading up to the incident. I was just doing my work… And now…” he wasn’t relaxing and it wasn’t good for him. But he couldn’t help it.

Rand stopped, set a hand lightly against his chest. “Don’t push it. I felt the same way when I woke up. It came back. You know Rogers though, she visits everyone in sickbay.” Then she breathed with him for silent moments. Randy checked a few readings and then stuck his head out the door. A few minutes later Shrine came in with a tray and left. “I know you prefer tea, but the apple juice will help your blood sugar. It’s low and that can strain all your systems.” Randy handed Alden the glass to drink.

Roman carefully set his own hand over hers. There was still a bandage over the middle of his chest, protecting the incision site, and it was still sore at five days out, but not too bad. “The machine Elbbirt said I was using? I don’t even remember taking those samples out. Last I remember… I was finishing the morning paperwork.” Then he made a face. He didn’t really want to see the Captain. Not like this, not in sickbay. He was able to breathe with her, resting quietly for a few minutes. Then he took the glass of apple juice and sipped it, feeling thirsty enough to not mind what he was drinking. He’d been on IV hydration and IV nutrition while he was under, but that wasn’t a substitute for having something in his stomach.

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 of 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

Roman was glad to hear they’d both been here, though scientifically he knew while he was out it would make little difference. He looked up at Randy when he felt his hand on his shoulder. “Rand’s been sleeping? And eating? And getting her work done?” He rattled off questions.

Randy nodded, “As much as she can, every meal I made sure, and all her work. She’s very efficient.”

Then he stopped and leaned forwards a little, his breath catching painfully. Suddenly it felt impossible to breathe at all. Rand had stopped her brother, but it was too late. He’d already said it. “Morgan is afraid of what? What does she think they’ll do?!” This kind of panic was uncharacteristic of him but he was already worked up, and with the incident and his heart, it was a lot easier than usual to set him off. Morgan, he knew, was the security officer investigating Roman’s accident. Most likely because she was trusted, because Randy was dating her. Roman was familiar with her and her work, she would be thorough. Or she had been. He had no idea how the investigation was going. But whatever Randy was going to say, it didn’t seem good. And that was really scaring Roman.

~ Roman

If looks could kill, Randy would be tortured. She turned back to Roman, “Lay back. If you keep this up Elbbirt will come back in here and up your medication.” She stoked his cheek again, “Roman, look at me. Really look at me. I’m fine, not a scratch, just a bit sleep deprived.” She was scared witless, but it was the truth. “Morgan has been looking into the group. Fanaticals all of them. It’s not a secret we’re engaged. She is being over cautious.”

Roman made another face, not wanting more medication, and lay back again, resting his head on the pillow. But he was still stressed and worried and his heart rate was still way up. “Good. She’d better be. If they can do this to me I can’t even think what they might do to you because of me. You don’t have a scratch now, I want it to stay that way. If I could have things my way you’d do all your work from here.”

Randy adjusted the bed a bit, a little higher but not much. “It’s why you are still in the surgical suite and not ICU. One way in and out, multiple medical check points to get through, plus security now. Plus the room has it’s own back up power and life support systems. Which is why she is under orders to stay here unless necessary. Otherwise she has an escort.” Randy was quite calm about it. Hiding his fear like he possessed Rand’s acting skills.

Rand

Roman nodded again, looking a little calmer about it. No one could sneak past that much security. As long as she was here, she would be safe. If they were going to try something, it would have to be while she was escorted around the ship. And in his current condition all he could do was sit here and worry about it. It was frustrating to him.

~ Roman

Her fingers curled around his and she smiled. It was reassuring, hiding her fear and near panic for him and herself. “And I’m under strict orders to not be involved in any incidents on the ship. One injured person was enough. So I have to stay here with you, unless it’s absolutely necessary. Most of my work can be done from my PaDD, and there are ‘no emergencies’ as far as I am concerned. I don’t get to go anywhere unless it’s been checked and approved first.” Rand rolled her eyes a little. “I have no desire to get caught up in anything, so I follow my orders and go where I’m told.”

Roman smiled, that reassured him. And it meant she wouldn’t have to leave too much. He took a deep breath, to help his heart rate. “I’ll come to you myself if I hear there’s been an incident, so you better not be involved in anything for both of us.”

Rand smiled, he was absolutely serious, but at least he was making the effort to calm down. “I will be even more extra cautious then.” She leaned in and kissed his cheek and then stayed there, close, breathing with him.

“A’right enough of that. You’ve got to be hungry.” Randy swung a table arm over and then picked up the tray Shrine and brought. Semi-liquid foods: soup, jello, pudding, apple sauce, and the like. Randy pointed at Rand, “You too. Over there on your bed, eat.” Rand crossed her arms looking stubborn, “What about you?”

Randy grinned, “Naw, I have a dinner date with this really cute, pale, gingered hair girl. She’s got hair you can’t help but run your fingers in it’s soooo soft. She loves to cuddle and be scratched between her floppy ears, and a mean back kick if you make her mad.” Rand couldn’t help it, she giggled. “Oh and did I mention how cute she is when she twitches that tiny nose of hers?” Randy put two hands over his heart and sighed dramatically.

Rand

Roman shook his head. “Don’t spoil her too much.” He was hungry, he felt like he hadn’t eaten in five days despite having at least had IV nutrition. He squeezed Rand’s hand a little bit, not wanting her to move away from him. And then he looked at the tray and made a face. “Apple sauce? Pudding? I don’t get real food?”

~ Roman

Randy laughed, “It’s not spoiling to give her attention and know she’s loved. That’s just taking care of her.” Rand rolled her eyes. “Well at least he isn’t feeding her treats all the time.”

Randy shook his head, “Nope. You know the drill. If you keep that down then you can have whatever you want. I’m going to go check on your rabbit, then eat and shower. K’pok is outside the door with Richards.” Randy looked at Rand, “You don’t go anywhere while I’m gone. Shrine will be in and if you need anything just tell her.” Randy left and Shrine came in and sat down at a far corner, giving them as much privacy as she could.

Rand