Posted by Ensign Rand Farquharson (Yeoman First Class) in side - sim: Head Case

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

(snip)

Roman hugged her closer and nodded slightly. She had known, and if she wasn’t so confused, she’d also know he’d hurt himself carrying her. “Tha, ach tha e ceart gu leòr,” (Yes, but it’s okay). He said quietly. She looked really guilty and he didn’t want that. It wasn’t her fault. He was cleared for light duty only and he could barely lift twenty five pounds without his chest hurting. Strenuous exercise was not happening. Then there was Rand, her concussion meant she had similar restrictions. In fact that was the reason for her visit to sickbay. Kissing was okay, but only that.

~ Roman

Rand’s guilt wasn’t that she thought she had caused his injury, but that she didn’t remember the doctor’s instructions. It was not okay that she didn’t remember something about his health! Elbbirt and Grat had explained that she might have some short term memory difficulty, but sometimes she forgot that too. She hadn’t said anything to Roman or Randy, but she had written it down and put it in her drawer so she would be reminded. Maybe she should make a list?

As much as she might enjoy kissing him, his recovery was more important. She settled down next to him and was quiet for awhile, until suddenly her shoulders shook a little and sniffled…she was crying. “Chan eil e ceart gu leòr. Dè… dè mura h-eil mi a’ fàs nas fheàrr? (It’s not okay. What…what if I don’t get better?)”

Rand

Roman had both his arms around her, holding her in a loose hug with his body pressed against hers. He felt when she started shaking and tightened his hug. “Bidh thu nas fheàrr. Tha e dìreach a ‘toirt ùine,” (You will get better. It just takes time) he said, his voice soft and he hoped reassuring. He knew she would get better. She had to.

~ Roman

Roman sounded certain, but he always did. At least she thought he always did. Rand pressed closer as he hugged her tighter. Her arm slipped around him and her hand fisting in his shirt. She cried, for awhile, even sobbing softly for awhile - fear, uncertainty, the stress of all of it. Some times Rand remembered the cause of the whole horrible situation and other times she just knew something had happened but not what. Randy had told Roman that part of it was the concussion make it hard for her brain to physically work, and the other part was the mind’s way of protecting her from the trauma. That given her anxiety and her heart he was relieved for it, though it made the situation harder for her. There were things he could do to help her, but it was best to wait until she’d recovered from the concussion.

Roman said she just needed time. But how much time before it was decided she wasn’t fit to serve any longer? What if she got better but not enough? What would she do? Go home? Leave Roman and Randy here? She couldn’t imagine being without Roman. She certainly couldn’t go back to acting, even without everything that happened, if she couldn’t remember her lines anymore she was useless as an actress. Or even if she could what if she got confused on stage? Embarrassing, but not as catastrophic if she forgot something or confused something when she was advising Rogers and created a diplomatic incident. She had to get better.

Eventually she quieted because all that crying made her head hurt than because she felt better.

Rand

Roman had no idea what he would do if she had to go home, but that wasn’t something that has crossed his mind. He was hugging her tightly to him while she cried, having no idea what to say to make her feel better. So he held her tight, one hand rubbing her back gently, until she started to quiet. Then he said, “Why don’t we get some sleep? Maybe that will help make you feel better…” He hoped it would.

~ Roman