Posted by Lieutenant Junior Grade Rand Farquharson (Yeoman First Class) in Temp Quarters- Assessing the Situation

Posted by Commander Roman Alden (First Officer & Chief Science Officer) in Temp Quarters- Assessing the Situation

Posted by Lieutenant Junior Grade Rand Farquharson (Yeoman First Class) in Temp Quarters- Assessing the Situation
Posted by… suppressed (37) by the Post Ghost! 👻

(snip)

She nodded. “Of course. I know my schedule will be rather busy too. But”-Hart leaned forward, meeting Rand’s gaze-“if you ever need someone to talk to, day or night, call me. I can always make myself available unless I’m in the middle of another session. We can always arrange things, even if it’s 0200 hours,” she said. It was just like when Roman had called her. It had been the middle of the night for her, but she still had answered. She was always on call and very used to it.

Rand nodded, “I will remember, Lt.”

“Now, how about we go see Roman and bring him coffee and a visit with his rabbit?”

~Leah Hart, NP

Rand brightened, “Alright.” She got up and walked across the corridor. The door opened on the XO Quarters. The first thing that was noticeable was a floor to ceiling rabbit enclosure. A orange and white Netherland Dwarf was inside and sat up, wiggling her nose. “You need to watch me make the coffee, of course.” She pulled out several items, coffee, chocolate shavings, whipped creamand, whiskey flavored syrup. “Roman and I don’t drink, so I use flavored syrup.” Then she took the bottle to the refresher to fill with water and began making the coffee.

Yeoman Rand

Leah was glad she didn’t need to specify that she had to ensure that anything that was brought into Roman’s room was vetted and she watched Rand work while she moved about the room, ending up at the enclosure. She kept her eyes on Rand’s actions. “Let me know if I can help with anything.” She smiled and looked at the rabbit. “And who is this sweetheart?”

~Leah Hart, NP

“Thank you, it’s very simple though. Unless you prefer to do it?” She took put two travel mugs and set them on the table where Hart could see they were empty. “I usually make them in clear glass mugs, but I thought a insulated one would be better.”

“You’re probably right.”

She looked up from the table and smiled at the rabbit as she worked. “That’s Pipkin. Roman always wanted a rabbit growing up. His parents wouldn’t let him even though his siblings were allowed. Pets aren’t prohibited and Cpt Roger’s had a cat. She approved it and I surprised Roman with her almost 2 years ago for his birthday.”

Yeoman Rand

Leah grinned. “What a nice surprise. I always loved the idea of having pets, but I never had one growing up and the reality of my job was that I was barely home enough to take care of one.”

“Roman loves animals of all kinds. That’s why he specialized in zoology. He is one of those lucky people who actually gets to do what they love. Not just as a hobby but their career.”

Leah gave a genuine and wide smile. “It’s a great feeling,” she said.

“And I can carry the coffees, if you want to handle Pipkin. We’ll need to keep the visit fairly short, no more than thirty minutes, but if you put what you need for the rabbit, security will clear it and then we won’t have to worry about accidents or whatever.”

~Leah Hart, NP

Rand put a lid on the coffee and looked around. She walked over to the bed and opened a drawer. She brought a container over and opened it. “Freeze-dried yogurt chips and dehydrated papya slices. They are Pipkin’s favorite treats. He might like to give her a few.” Then she went into the closet and brought out a tiny harness with a leash. Pipkin knew what other was and hopped right over to the cage door to wait. Rand had her ready and picked her up, sliding the treats into a pocket. “Alright, that’s everything.”

Yeoman Rand

Coffees in hand, they made their way back to the temp quarters. “Wait here a moment while I make sure we’re all good for the visit.”

Rand nodded and stood in the corridor, Pipkin cuddled in her arms, and waited.

Leah stepped in and took in Roman. “I’m back and I have coffee for you as requested,” she said, handing one to him and setting Rand’s to the side. “Are you up for visitors?”

~Leah Hart, NP

Roman was sitting at the table, drumming his fingers against the table. Hair messy, he didn’t quite look his usual self. He graciously accepted the coffee. “Thank you. Of course I am.” He brightened a little, “Is it Miranda?”

~ Cmdr Alden, XO/CSO

Leah just gave a little smile and wandered back to the door. She opened it and stood in the doorway, gesturing with her head for Rand to enter. She stepped back in, giving the other woman space.

“So, half an hour and I do have to remain, but you all are free to visit. Rand, I put your coffee on the table with Roman. Don’t mind me, I’m just going to do some reading,” Leah said, waving her PADD.

~Leah Hart, NP

Rand didn’t believe for one minute that Hart was ‘just reading’, but it was at least polite of her to give the ruse. She couldn’t help the way her eyes lit up seeing him, but he did look worn. Pipkin was suddenly very insistent she didn’t want to be held. She kicked hard at Rand’s arm and chest to get down. Rand knelt quickly before the rabbit hurt herself trying to jump down. Pipkin scrambled across the room, raised up on her back feet, and pawed at Roman’s leg.

Rand sat down in the chair next to him. “We’ve missed you.” She wanted to hug him, but it was weird being watched, and Pipkin might get kick her again if Rand got in the way.

Yeoman Rand

Roman hugged her, but it was a short hug, made awkward by Leah’s presence. He picked Pipkin up and set her in his lap, giving her scratch. He looked worn and tired and simply defeated to Rand. “I’ve missed you too. I just want back to our quarters.” His voice was sad. As defeated as he looked. “I’m… I’m sorry. For all this.” He took her hand gently. “How have you been?”

~ Cmdr Alden, XO/CSO

Rand hugged him tightly but it was awkward with an audience. Pipkin put her front paws on his chest and stretched up, her whiskers vibrating as she sniffed and rubbed his chin.

Rand reached for his hand hesitantly. “I know, and you will.” She didn’t want to tell him that Hart wasn’t sure it was a good idea for her to be with Roman. Hart had given her reasons, but it still sounded like that to Rand. But Roman would concentrate on her and not himself if she did. “You’re stubborn, Ròmanach. You will meet all the goals you and Lt Hart set. I know it. And I’ll be there too. We’re in this together.” She shook her head and squeezed his hand again. “You have nothing to be sorry for you. I just want you to get better.”

“I’m okay. I promise. I saw Nibbles and Mushu today.”

Yeoman Rand

“You’ve been worrying about it. I can tell.” Roman squeezed her hand gently back, giving Pipkin more attention with his other hand. He didn’t want either of them to have to leave, especially not so soon. “You did? How are they?”

~ Cmdr Alden, XO/CSO

Rand nodded, Roman knew her better than anyone. “Of course I have. I love you. You’re worth it,” she said very quietly for an attempt at privacy. Pipkin was going to be hard to get her to leave when their visit was over. “Nibbles is hoarding food again. I told Lt. Franks. He said he would lower the temperature in her enclosure like you had mentioned when she did this last year. Mushu ate more than usual. He’s been scratching and rubbing on the bark. Jorik and Franks checked him. His skin isn’t dry or infected and the humidity inside was good. They think he might be growing again.”

Yeoman Rand

“He is? And I’m missing it,” he said, and threw his face into his hands with a sigh. He hated these quarters and this process and it just made everything worse. He reached for Rand’s hand again with another small sigh. “And what about you? What are you doing?”

~ Cmdr Alden, XO/CSO

Pipkin nuzzled his hands and hunkered into him. Rand shrugged, “Maybe not. Remember he started acting differently the last time you were gone for awhile. It got him lots of attention. He acted up a lot and then you came back. He may have learned a new behavior.” That’s what Rand thought, but she tended to personify the animals.

“Same as usual. Making myself useful, running about back and forth. Kovan gave me more assignments for my communications certificate. Stocked the new games and art supplies that arrived for the recreation room. I had some letters that needed answering.” Busy, she always was, but it was hard to go back to their quarters without him there.

Yeoman Rand

Roman felt like she was just trying to make him feel better by saying maybe not. He kept letting Pipkin and nodded. “You’re always useful, Miranda.” He said. He glanced at Leah, then back to Rand, “I love you.”

~ Cmdr Alden, XO/CSO

Rand wasn’tjust saying that though. She wouldn’tdo that to Roman. She didn’tknow if she was right, but it was her point-of-view. “I love you too.” She was torn, she knew he was upset with her, and he hated excuses. She wanted to talk to him, but it was hard with an audience, it was too personal. She could speak in Gaelic, the UT wasn’t programmed for it. She was certain if she did, and Hart couldn’t understand what they were saying, their visit would be cut short. She held his hand tightly, “That’s why.” She used all the training and skill she had to pour every ounce of feeling and meaning into those words. To make him feel how much she loved him. “We will get through this. We’ll grow old together.” They had always been comfortable sitting in silence together, but she didn’t want to waste their time. She didn’t know how much work she was allowed to talk about. “Is there anything you want me to give Lt Hart for you if she’ll let me?”

Yeoman Rand

Her voice made tears start to roll down his cheeks. He wanted that, he really did, but he couldn’t see it happening. Crying though, here, in front of Hart, was shameful to him. Embarrassing. All of this was, really, but one was not allowed to show such emotion. Not publically. “No, nothing.” He almost asked for her stuffed kelpie, something hers that she spent a lot of time with that would remind him of her, but he chose against it. It wasn’t fair to ask for. She was stressed. She’d likely need it.

~ Cmdr Alden, XO/CSO

Rand moved her chair closer and wrapped her arms around him. She whispered in his ear, “It’s okay, Roman. Just hug me, she won’t see.” Oh Rand knew Hart would know, so did Roman, but she would give him a pseudo buffer. If he was crying, he was at least letting the emotions out rather than hiding them. “Tell me what you want, no matter what it is. She may not approve it, but I will ask.”

Yeoman Rand

Roman hugged her, tucking his face into her shoulder. He cried quietly against her. He shook his head against her. His violin, but he didn’t want Leah going through the case. Her Kelpie, but he wouldn’t ask for that.

~ Cmdr Alden, XO/CSO

Rand would give it to him. It would make her feel like she was with him even when she couldn’t be. “Just your violin?” Rand knew he kept things in the case, and she wouldn’t let his private things out. She didn’t know what was there, she had never invaded his privacy. “Or a warmer blanket?” She had a tartan one that they used. “The latest science journals or your book?” It had to be painfully quiet alone in there with nothing to do. “Maybe she would let me make you tea every morning?”

Yeoman Rand

The idea of familiar things was tempting, like their tartan blanket, the one she used to use when she stayed over to help him sleep. His science journals might be okay, but he really didn’t feel like reading them. Which, to Rand, should really be an indicator of how he was doing. “She might let you do that.” He considered for a moment. “The blanket, I guess. If you don’t need it. My violin… It can’t stay out of it’s case too long, the wood will be damaged. It wouldn’t be easy to replace.” Not to mention, it was his from Earth.

~ Cmdr Alden, XO/CSO

“I’ll make sure it is in the case. I will be very careful with it. I’ll ask if I can carry it back even if I can’t come in.” She kissed his cheek. “I’ll send the blanket, too.” Rand sat up, “Oh. Here.” She pulled out the small container of treats for Pipkin. “I thought you might want to give her a few.”

Yeoman Rand

“Okay.” He agreed at last. He smiled, just a little, and popped open the container of treats. He set Pipkin on the table and offered her one. Then he told her to spin and she hopped in a tight circle and looked at him expectantly. He gave her another treat and then scratched her head. Then he offered her another free one and then bent down and kissed her furry head.

~ Cmdr Alden, XO/CSO

Rand smiled as she watched Pipkin do tricks for Roman. She pawed at his hand and nuzzled his face. Her nose tickled his nose. She spun, sat up, wiggled her ears, searched for hidden treats. “She loves you, too.” Rand didn’t know what to ask. She wanted to know if he thought he would be able to let Hart help him, but she didn’t want to push. “We got some new movies in for the ship’s library. We will watch one as soon as you’re home.”

Yeoman Rand

He smiled again at the rabbit and set a treat on the table behind her, waiting for her to find it. He nodded to Rand and reached for her hand. “When I’m home. Yeah.”

~ Cmdr Alden, XO/CSO

“It will be soon. It’s hard, but you can do it, and you aren’t alone.” Pipkin spun around and thumped her hind leg happily as she found the treat. “I got a new reading too.” She was hesitant to say in front of Hart, but Roman would know what she meant.

Yeoman Rand

Roman leaned over and hugged her again and spoke into her ear. He was embarrassed. “I just don’t want to be here alone,” he said softly to her. He pulled back and smiled. “Then I can’t wait to read with you.”

~ Cmdr Alden, XO/CSO

“I know,” she said just as softly. Physically he wasn’t alone, but Rand knew all too well what it was like to be alone in a crowd. She wished she could stay with him, but she wasn’t allowed. “Me either.” She had avoided it for so long, and she looked forward to when she could share with him. “Here, before it gets cold.” She slid the cup over to him.

Yeoman Rand

He picked it up when she slid it over and sipped some of the coffee. It was delicious as always. He smiled, but there was no joy in his look. “Thank you.”

~ Cmdr Alden, XO/CSO

“You’re welcome. I was glad to make it.” She pet Pipkin for a minute and then she took his hand and held it until he looked at her. “I love you. Nothing will change that.”

Yeoman Rand

It took him a moment to shift his gaze from Pipkin to her. He reached over and hugged her again. “I love you, too.” He squeezed her to him. “So, so much.”

~ Cmdr Alden, XO/CSO

Roman squeezed her so tight she ended up in his lap. It was rather embarrassing, but she didn’t let it show. She just hugged him. Then she told him the same thing she had when she convinced him to talk to Randy. “The work is hard, but if you do it, when it’s over, you’ll be glad you did.” She kissed him gently. “Don’t you dare give up you stubborn English,” she said in her thickest accent.

Yeoman Rand

Roman smiled sadly, not so sure, and kept her held tightly to him for another moment. Then he hesitantly let her go and sipped his coffee. “You’d better visit as often as she lets you.”

~ Cmdr Alden, XO/CSO

Rand leaned back and looked him in the eyes. She looked quite serious, “As you wish.” She kissed him then gave him that look, “But you had better be around for me to visit. Tha?”

Yeoman Rand

Roman nodded and hugged her again. He kissed her quickly and gently, taking her hand and holding it. “Okay.”

~ Cmdr Alden, XO/CSO

Rand smiled at him, her thumb rubbing his engagement ring. “Good. Now, I have a very serious question for you. What about the ROUSs?”

Yeoman Rand

“ROUSs? I don’t think they exist,” said Roman, putting all the effort he could muster into his imitation of Wesley. He smiled back and squeezed her hand gently.

~ Cmdr Alden, XO/CSO

Rand’s eyes gleamed at him with a smile, “Good thing for you. Oh! I bet they do on Kelmao and they’re probably so beautiful,” she said wistfully. “I wish we could go back.”

Yeoman Rand

“We are supposed to next time we’re nearby.” Roman said. “There is interest in the ecosystem there within Starfleet’s scientific community.”

~ Cmdr Alden, XO/CSO