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 (19) 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

Rand watched Pipkin with a smile. She watched Roman more. There was no joy in his look. Pipkin zoomed about and then skidded to a stop in front of him and sat up, ears flopping. Then she jumped and spun in a circle and stared up at him expectantly. She did it again and a third time.

Rand

Roman reached down and scratched her head, playing with her floppy ears. He smiled a little, but it was a sad look, more akin to just before he’d sent Mr Wyvern away. As though he were saying goodbye.

~ Roman

Rand watched with a sinking empty pit forming in her stomach, and it filled with fear.

Pipkin wasn’t happy with gentle ear scratches. She banged her back feet and shook all over and hopped around and between his feet. She wanted him to play.

Rand

Roman made a half hearted attempt to play with her, trying to make the little bunny happy but not having the energy or motivation to put a lot of effort into playing with her.

~ Roman

After a few minutes, Pipkin gave up. She hopped the small steps onto the bed and wiggled her way onto his lap. Then she set her front paws on hid arm and stretched up to twitch her more and whiskers at him. “She’s very attached to you,” Rand said reaching over to pet her once.

Rand

He nodded and gave the rabbit more pet. “She is. I could never have asked for a more perfect rabbit. A more perfect pet.” The words were nice, but his voice still carried that hollow tone.

~ Roman

Rand slid off the bed and knelt in front of him and took his hands. She looked up into his face. “Roman, talk to me. What’s going on in here.” She reached up and set one hand over his heart.

Rand

Roman looked down at her and squeezed her hand. Then he lifted his other hand and put it over hers, against his own chest, and squeezed both her hands gently. It looked like he wanted to talk, to tell her, to make her happy, but he didn’t know how. He didn’t know the words to use.

~ Roman

Rand knew that look, she wore it often enough. She would often quote plays rather than her own words. That worked for her, but not for Roman. “Nothing you say or do will change my mind, and I promise I won’t take it personally or become anxious. No matter what it is.” Then she waited quietly.

Rand

“I know,” he said, voice soft and sad. “You wouldn’t… You’re too good for that.” Roman tugged gently on her, wanting her to sit up with him. “I don’t.... I don’t know.” He sighed softly and looked at her. “I’ve been… like this for a while, and then with Lieutenants Hart and Kreed, I just…” He blinked hard like he might start crying and he didn’t want to.

~ Roman

Rand rose and sat next to him. If Lts Kreed and Hart could see so easily what he wanted to hide, didn’t he realize he wasn’t okay? He wasn’t handling it? She didn’t know if she should push or not. “Why didn’t you tell me?” He hadn’t. He had told Kovan, but Kovan had no idea what to do but tell Rand. Roman didn’t know that though.

Rand

“I didn’t know how. I didn’t want you to worry.” Roman leaned against her, resting his head on her shoulder, keeping her hands in his. “I don’t know.”

~ Roman