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 Ensign Rand Farquharson (Yeoman First Class) in Side sim: Matters of the Heart
Posted by… suppressed (5) by the Post Ghost! 👻

(snip)
Roman nodded, looking briefly at Rand. Grat’s statement wasn’t hugely reassuring but at least it was something. He turned, slipping his legs over the bed, and then waited again. He felt lightheaded, his vitals again reacting though less drastically, to the movement. When he started to feel better, he looked at Grat.

~ Roman

“I’m not thrilled with how long it’s taking to return to resting, but it’s not unexpected for your first day. How are you feeling? Want to try standing again or rest for a bit?” Rand didn’t even need to hear the answer, Roman would try to stand again. She had too, and she kept trying till she could stand on her own.

Rand

“I want to try standing.” The answer came quickly, as Rand had expected. Roman was far too stubborn to say anything else. When Grat gave him the green light, he stood again, hand out towards the bed in case he needed it. He did need it, he was quickly so lightheaded he needed to sit back down or fall down, so he steadied himself and then sat. But he did not black out, and that felt… weirdly triumphant.

~ Roman

That was much better, and Grat let Roman keep working on standing until he showed signs of fatigue. “Alright, I would prefer you to rest for awhile, but if you are feeling up to it later, Elbbirt will be here all night.” He was rather pleased that the lower dosage was enough to keep Alden stable, but he had already learned not to say too much, for fear the Cmdr would become more stubborn.

This. was. frustrating. Roman tried until Grat made him stop and he still couldn’t stand reliably let alone walk on his own. With a frustrated harumph, he laid back when Grat made him stop. He hadn’t expected it to be so hard.

Rand moved back over and sat with him. “You did really well.” She kissed his cheek. “You want some water or citrus tea?” She remembered she wasn’t allowed caffeine for awhile. The stimulant could over work the heart.

Rand

“Citrus tea,” he sighed. At least it was tea. He wouldn’t be allowed his usual black tea for a while. He didn’t feel like he did well. He’d have at least liked to stand in one spot without needing to leave a hand on something to support himself, and that hadn’t happened yet, not even after all their trying. And the fact that standing in one spot without moving was some kind of accomplishment was just depressing to him.

~ Roman

Rand knew it was depressing and frustrating. To be so sure you could make your body obey and it wouldn’t. She could only sit with him and answer whatever questions he might have.

The following days were the same, Rand did have to leave for awhile. Once to visit Pipkin and to clean up and fresh clothes. She brought Roman something more comfortable than a medical gown to wear. Another time for a longer session with Rogers. She had her escort the whole time.

Roman tried every time until the doctor made him stop. Then he plop back onto the bed with a frustrated sigh. It helped when he was finally able to move around the room at least. He was happy when Rand brought him regular clothes to wear. Each time she left, Roman would stress the whole time she was gone, watching the door until she came back. Each night, he was struggling to sleep, having nightmares, because of Sickbay and because of the stress.

Rand had taken to laying on the edge of the bed and would tell him stories again. Some of her, a lot of times, fairy tales, or sing softly. Just using her voice to soothe him, or at least to remind him where and when he was even if it didn’t calm him.

Each time when he woke up, he’d look and see who was in the room, embarrassed for the doctors or nurses besides Randy to see him having them.

Rand stayed awake if Randy wasn’t in the room. She knew how Roman felt about it, and so it was something she could do to help. Being awake didn’t stop him from having them, but like on Kelmao she would rub his arm and hold his hand and it seemed to help.

Roman was making good progress. Once his body remembered how to maintain when standing he was able to move around the room. After Elbbirt came on duty he had good news. “Alright, so I have been arguing with Morgan all day, but she’s going to station Richards in here and we are going to clear sickbay and go for a walk. There is a small office past the main bay that has a window. Right now only Morgan knows, and we have to stay in sickbay. We can take as many breaks as you want.”

Elbbirt

At that, Roman looked up excitedly. They still wouldn’t let him leave Sickbay, but at least he’d get to see something besides the walls of this room. Staying here was driving him crazy. “Alright, then let’s go.” He wasn’t sure how far past the main bay was, he spent most of his time avoiding being in Sickbay at all, but he was going to try and make it there.

~ Roman

“Whoa, hold on. Another of Morgan’s provisions, she picks the time so no one knows but her. I have also been told to tell you not to touch anything electrical.” They didn’t have to wait too long. Morgan knew she would be going stir crazy by now and the lack of movement, she had been told, was bad for his health. While they waited, Rand gave him the dreaded XO paperwork. Since he was off the pain killers and sedatives he was allowed. And with Rand’s help he would be caught up by the time he got out of sickbay.

Morgan’s arrival was announced by Randy entering with Roman’s shoes. “Alright, she’s here, it’s time. Let’s go.” Randy was almost as eager as Roman.

Rand

Roman made a face, finding the electrical comment notably not funny. Even his XO paperwork Roman happily did, it was at least something he was allowed to do and get caught up on. But today he could barely focus. He’d rather be walking. Finally, Randy handed him his shoes as Morgan showed up and he slipped the shoes on. “You’re sure I can’t go out of Sickbay?” He complained, but he was still smiling, glad to see anything that wasn’t this room.

~ Roman

Morgan wasn’t being funny, she was dead serious. They still hadn’t caught this person and she was taking it personally. A crisp, “Positive, Cmdr.” was Morgan’s only comment. Richards came in the room and stood in the back. His job was to make sure no one came in the room while they were gone. Rand sat on her bed out of the way until they were out of the room. Then she joined them. Elbbirt and Randy were on either side of him, close, but he had room to move without them hovering.

Rand

Roman gave a soft sigh. Then they were leaving the room, Randy and Elbbirt trailing on either side of him, Morgan with them as well, and Rand there as well. Roman needed a break much sooner than he expected. He found a place to rest a few steps after the first medical/security checkpoint between the surgical suite they were keeping him in and the main bay, waiting until he started to feel better to go again.

~ Roman