Posted by Lieutenant Junior Grade Rand Farquharson (Yeoman First Class) in Three More Days

Posted by Commander Roman Alden (First Officer & Chief Science Officer) in Three More Days

Posted by Lieutenant Junior Grade Rand Farquharson (Yeoman First Class) in Three More Days
Posted by… suppressed (7) by the Post Ghost! 👻

(snip)
The call took about an hour. Afterwards, the screen went blank, and Roman was left sitting in front of the computer console with a frown. Then he got up and sat on the bed with a sigh.

~ Roman

Rand put her arm around him and just sat quietly waiting for him to talk. It was hard for him, she knew that. But Hart struck her as someone who could be just as stubborn as Roman if she needed to be. She thought it went well, but she knew how antagonistic Roman could be about these things. At least he had called her back.

Rand

“I’m going to lose my job.” He didn’t even sound angry or worried, just… upset and defeated. He rested his head on her. “It’s just a matter of how long it takes now.”

~ Roman

Rand shook her head. “Lt. Hart didn’t sound like that. She wants to help. She wants you to keep your position. You just need to work with her.” He sounded so defeated. He wasn’t even going to fight for it. He was severely depressed. She would go to Lt. Kreed, but she didn’t know if that would help.

Rand

Roman would think that would make things worse. But whether it helped or not depended on what Kreed did about it. “And when she can tell from the logs she asked for that I was underplaying? She wasn’t even willing to clear me now.”

~ Roman

“But she did. And she doesn’t strike me as the kind of person who would do that because rank scares her. Be honest Roman. You have always held honesty to the highest value. Be honest. That will show her you are trying, that you are willing to do the work, even if it is hard. That will help prove her trust in you when she allowed you to stay on duty.”

Rand

Roman nodded and then sighed. “I have, haven’t I?” His voice sounded hollow and sad. “She didn’t clear me, she only refused to make a determination. That’s not the same thing.”

~ Roman

“True… but that also means she didn’t see an immediate reason to remove you. Hold on to that and keep pushing to stay. Don’t give up.”

Rand

Roman smiled a tiny bit and moved just enough so that he could see her. “You’re never going to give up on me, are you?”

~ Roman

Rand grinned and shook her head. “Never.” She kissed him slowly and deeply. “I love you. Nothing will change that.”

Rand

Roman hugged her and kissed her back. He rested his head against her with a sigh. He looked absolutely unwilling to do anything besides stay right there. “I don’t know what I’d do without you here.”

~ Roman

“I don’t plan to go anywhere.” She was more worried. That wasn’t like Roman. It wasn’t said in a romantic and loving way, but despondent. He was one of the most capable and independent people he knew. It wasn’t like him to feel lost and cling desperately. How had she missed he was this bad? She felt guilty, but she would be more observant and make sure he got help. Even if it made him mad at her.

Rand

Roman gave her a little smile, and then got up and let Pipkin out, watching the little bunny rush out of her enclosure. But it wasn’t done with his usual enthusiasm, more like an automatic task he was simply used to doing. He sat down and mindlessly watched the bunny race around the room.

~ Roman