Posted by Commander Roman Alden (First Officer & Chief Science Officer) in What If…

Posted by Lieutenant Junior Grade Rand Farquharson (Yeoman First Class) in What If…

Posted by Commander Roman Alden (First Officer & Chief Science Officer) in What If…
Posted by… suppressed (60) by the Post Ghost! 👻

(snip)
Hammond returned a moment later and with Jay’s protective eye and help, he ordered Roman into the chair and took him for the tests and images he needed. Lori looked at Jay, eyes wide and then grinned. It wasn’t funny Roman was hurt, not at all, but the way those two were acting now was cute.

Yeoman Rand

Jay grinned back playfully and then over exaggeratedly rolled his eyes. It was a silent message: Our needy friends, right? Then Roman was taken out of the room for his tests and Jay stayed with Lori. “He’s an idiot, I swear. Leave him to his own devices I don’t know where he’d be.”

Lori’s shoulders shook slightly and she bumped his shoulder with hers. “I don’t know where either would be, but they seem to be figuring each other out just fine. Amazing what a little medical intervention can accomplish.” She started laughing, and covered her mouth to quiet the sound. That sounded really bad taken out of context.

It wasn’t long before Roman was back. He’d argued Doctor Hammond into letting him stay in Rand’s room a little longer. Something told Roman Rand would worry if he wasn’t there when she woke.

~ Cmdr Alden, XO/CSO

Roman wasn’t wrong, she would worry. She’d stress just as much to find him still sitting there. Why was he still there and why hadn’t the doctor made him go back to his bed? But she slept for awhile. When Roman returned, Lori was sitting in a hard chair, turned side ways, with a pillow to cushion her back and her legs stretched across Jay. They were both sipping almost cold tea. “Honestly, Jay, I’m surprised it took this long for this to happen to her. It was kind of inevitable. Glad she was already at the hospital when it happened.”

Yeoman Rand

“Roman’s like that. So good, he knocks the women off their feet. And he doesn’t even know it!” Jay replied, grinning. Roman shook his head. His scans showed no skull fractures, but the brain was swelling in the area that had been hit. There was bruising in the brain in the front, the opposite of where it was hit, a quite common “contrecoup” injury.

He was rolled back in, in a chair, and left next to Rand. “Come on, I didn’t mean to do this to her. I… I hope it’s not me.”

~ Cmdr Alden, XO/CSO

“No!” Lori flushed and whispered, “No. It’s not you. Rand is…” she turned and dropped her feet to the floor to look at her. “She’s emotionally fragile. She hides it alright when she needs to, but once she’s alone or the dam bursts it’s like this.” Lori didn’t know why Rand was that way. “She’s had a lot going on, so she was bound to get overwhelmed. Her twin, Randy, usually goes on tour with her, but he just joined Star Fleet and his shipped out. So she’s alone. Then add to it,” Lori motioned toward Bys and Pater who were still standing guard, “this stalker business. I mean that’s enough to break anyone’s nerves.” She grinned at Roman, “Rand doesn’t date. She’s shy around everyone, but romantic interest seems to scare her. She invited you home for tea. Rand doesn’t even invite friends over. That adds to the nervousness, in a good way. Then you got hurt. Rand is… well she’s a little intense when people get hurt, especially if she is there when it happens. It’s like she thinks it’s her fault, no matter the circumstances. I don’t know why, she won’t talk about it.”

Yeoman Rand

“Hmmm.” Roman said, thinking it over. His thinking was a bit sluggish. “She means don’t blame yourself. Rand will figure herself out.” Jay said. “Just… Just stick with her, alright?” Roman nodded and looked at Lori, “Just don’t let her think I’m not… I mean.... Let her know I erm… I really like her. Okay?”

~ Cmdr Alden, XO/CSO

Lori laughed, “I intend to remind her every chance I get. She won’t believe me though. So you should tell her, a lot.” She gave him a very stern look, “But first you need to get better. She’ll be fine. She should have taken her anti-anxiety meds, but she forgot and didn’t bring them. By the time the doctor saw her here, she needed something just a bit stronger. She’ll sleep it off and be fine, I promise. And she’ll have time to rest. We don’t have rehearsals for another week. And she doesn’t need to rehearse for the next show. She can do it in her sleep.”

Yeoman Rand

“Oh I’m alright,” Roman said, earning another glare from Jay. “We were just dancing, honest and I… I don’t quite recall, that’s funny.” He shook his head. “I’m alright. The doctor said I’d be fine by tomorrow.”

Jay scowled. “Just shut up and rest, alright? Or I’ll have to chase you down and make you. Remember the last time? Do you really want a repeat?”

Roman shook his head. “No, not really, no.”

~ Cmdr Alden, XO/CSO

Her hand fanned her neck, “Oh my, you do sound so fierce Jay.” Lori hid a grin behind her tea cup. She wished Rand was awake to listen, but knew it would only make her nervous because she wouldn’t know how to participate.

Yeoman Rand

Jay grinned. “Fierce as they come.” Roman rolled his eyes. “More like a little ferret.” He leaned back in his chair - a wheelchair, they expected to roll him back to his room, probably after Hammond returned with the imagining results - and sighed. “What a way for a good date to end.”

~ Cmdr Alden, XO/CSO

“Ferrets are fierce,” Lori declared. “You study animals.” She grinned at Jay, “Though I have a feeling you are sneaky like a ferret too.” She glanced at Roman, giving him a serious look, “No one said a good date had to already end. It’s just intermission.”

Yeoman Rand

“I might be,” Jay said, shrugging. Roman smiled, “So you’re saying when I’m better, we should finish what we were doing. And since the doctor said I’d be better by tomorrow…” He grinned.

~ Cmdr Alden, XO/CSO

“I’m saying there are 168 hours in a week. That’s a lot of time, or not much at all. And it has to last until you come home again.” Jay said he had to be encouraged, so Lori was going to encourage. It was telling how Rand’s hand was still sitting on the edge of the bed where he’d left it, as if waiting for him. Personally, Lori didn’t want to be there when Rand woke up. Oh, she’d love to be a fly on the wall, but the moment would be better without spectators.

Roman smiled and looked at Rand. “It will.”

Lori hoped so. She knew the chances of seeing Jay again, that they would have something long term. Lori knew that when she agreed to go out with him. It would be nice if it was more than a shore leave fling for him, but she was okay if it wasn’t. Rand wasn’t like that.

Hammon came in, “Well, the good news is no skull fractures, but the bad news is your brain is swelling in the area that had been hit. You also have what is called a “contrecoup” injury. Basically your brain tissue is bruised on the front of your brain, opposite of where you hit. You shook your brain pretty hard with that fall. We’ll do another round with the regenerator, and mandatory anti-inflammatories and anti-nausea. One full day, 24 hours of bed rest, and then another day of rest.” He looked at Jay as he said the last part. Not envying the young man the job of making Alden behave. “You need to come back in 48 hours to see me or see your own physician to make sure the swelling and bruising has healed.

Yeoman Rand

“Oh, he’ll behave. Once we get him home.” Jay said with a grin. “I’ll make sure he rests. And gets seen.” Roman crossed his arms. “I’ll be fine.”

~ Cmdr Alden, XO/CSO

“Of course you will. You’ll do as I’ve instructed and you will get better in no time. I’ve also made sure to forward all of this to Star Fleet medical. So your ship doctor will have your records. First the hypos.” He moved behind the chair, gave Alden the anti-inflammatory and anti-nausea meds, and wheeled Roman out. “Now back to your own bed, young man. You’ll have to lie down so we can get to the back of your head with the regenerator.

“Ugh,” Roman sighed.

“I guess you need to go with him to make him behave?” Lori half asked, half stated.

Yeoman Rand

“Uh, yeah, I better,” Jay said, getting up. He gave Lori an apologetic look. “Sorry! I’ll come find you soon as I can. But Roman… He gets… Let’s say stubborn.”

~ Cmdr Alden, XO/CSO

Lori kissed him, “I know you will. And stubborn is good. He’ll have to be. Rand’s not great at taking care of herself or setting boundaries. People use her up, ya know. She needs someone stubborn enough to stand up for her.” She prodded him toward the door. “Go on. I’ll be right here.”

Yeoman Rand

Jay stood there surprised for a moment and then grinned. “Alright I’m going. ‘s long as there’s another kiss in it when I get back.”

Lori flushed a little but grinned. “Oh there will be. So hurry up so you can get back.”

He followed doctor Hammond into Roman’s room and sat in his place next to Roman’s bed. Roman was getting settled in bed for his treatment. “Jay? You’re not still with Lori? Haven’t you got better things to do than babysit me?”

“I’d love to be with Lori but we both know you need babysitting.” Jay replied with a snort.

~ Cmdr Alden, XO/CSO

Hammond worked quietly but shook his head. Honestly, head injuries could turn back quickly, even in this day and age of medical advancement. They were on vacation anyway. “Lori has to watch out for Rand anyway,” the doctor said suddenly. “She’s got Bys and Pater, but it’s not quite the same as having another woman in the room. And knowing Rand, she has asked her family not be informed. By the time you are ready to go, she will be too.” The headache faded more as the regenerator did its work.

Yeoman Rand

Roman wasn’t listening. As the headache subsided, he started to feel tired. He didn’t want to sleep though. Jay nodded. “I can tell they’re very close. Like sisters.”

~ Cmdr Alden, XO/CSO

Hammond laughed gently, “Rand doesn’t know how to not treat someone like family if you can get her to open up to you. You haven’t seen her with her brother though. Those two,” he shook his head, “They are very close. If I didn’t know her brother was gone, I would have thought he did this to him,” and he nodded at Alden.

Yeoman Rand

Roman chuckled a little bit. “I’d like to see him try. Jay and I, we’ve done Judo since we were eight years old.” Jay swatted his arm, “You don’t know the strength of a brother protecting their sibling then.”

~ Cmdr Alden, XO/CSO

Hammond shook his head, “Maybe, but you aren’t the only young men to take martial arts and do well. And I would hope, your intentions toward Miss Farquharson will never require us to find out.” Hammind gave him a fierce look.

Yeoman Rand

“Of course not.” Roman said defensively. “What on earth do you think I’d do?” He sighed and settled into the bed and the regenerator worked. “I don’t date for fun. I like her.” Jay grinned. “He’s telling the truth. He really doesn’t. The way he’s been with her… He’s serious.”

~ Cmdr Alden, XO/CSO

Hammond nodded and looked at Jay with a grin, but gave Roman a serious look. “Good, then there is no reason to see her brother try, is there?” It only took Hammond a few more minutes to finish. “Rand doesn’t date, at all. So that should tell you how serious she is.” He moved around where Alden could see him better. “I’ll check on you in 15. Do not get up.” And he left.

Yeoman Rand

Roman shared a look with Jay. Then Jay gave him another glare. “Didn’t you hear? Don’t. Move.” Jay said. “Come on, do I look like I’m getting up?” Roman complained. “Not yet.” Jay said. “Emphasis on yet.” Then he pulled up a chair and sat down, crossing his arms.

~ Cmdr Alden, XO/CSO

In the other room, Hammond was checking on Rand. Her adrenaline levels and vitals had returned to normal. He motioned Bys into the room. “She should wake up soon. We will bring her to the back and you can have Pater come around. I am going to suggest that one of her guards carry a hypo for her. She doesn’t need to have another attack like that.”

Bys agreed, “Especially now. It’s important that she be able to follow direction no matter what.”

“Any progress?”

“Not enough,” Bys growled. Hammond gripped his shoulder and left.

Yeoman Rand

Roman, surprisingly, lay still. He looked tired. It was just the effect of the head injury and his body trying to heal. “You should rest if you need it.” Jay said. “No, I’ll wait till they let me go home.” Roman replied, shaking his head.

~ Cmdr Alden, XO/CSO

The nurse came by Rand’s room with an extra hypo for Bys to carry and to go over discharge care. They were all familiar with it. She stopped in Roman’s room. “How are you feeling Mr Alden?”

Yeoman Rand

“Ugh, I’m alright. Head pain’s getting better.” Roman answered. He sat up a little and looked at the nurse. “Still getting dizzy.”

~ Cmdr Alden, XO/CSO

“I’ll get you some water, and let Dr. Hammond know.” She left and returned a couple of minutes later. “Here you go. Dr. Hammind said we’ll take you out in a chair.” She looked at Jay, “How is he getting home?”

Yeoman Rand

“My dad has a car. I’ll call him.” Jay said. “Drink that,” he said to Roman. Roman drank the water. “Give us a few minutes and then we’ll be out of your way,” Jay said to the nurse.

~ Cmdr Alden, XO/CSO

The nurse smiled, “Take your time. We are here for you. I will be just down the hall.”

She left and stopped in Rand’s room. The young actress had woken up. She was still tired, and very disappointed to find Roman gone. Perhaps she had dreamed him sitting with her.

“Pater has gone to get the car. We will take you home. I can stay with you,” Lori said offering her some water.

“Oh, no, Lori. I will be okay by myself. I am just going to sleep more. I’m sure you want to finish your date with Jay. Please don’t let me ruin it more. Please?” Rand asked her. She looked down. “Please tell him to convey my apologies and I hope Cmdr Alden recovers quickly.” Her voice was so quiet, Lori could hear her heart cracking with disappointment.

“Why don’t you tell him yourself. He is still in his room. Come on.” Bys helped her into a chair and Lori pushed her, despite Rand’s nervous protest, down to Roman’s room. Rand’s eyes fell on him immediately, but she didn’t say anything. The medicine stopped her from being able to use her acting masks to hide herself. Her shyness was sparkly apparent in her eyes now.

“Someone woke up and was worried about your recovery,” Lori said for her, pushing Rand up against his bed.

Yeoman Rand

That made Roman smile. Jay was out of the room calling his parents. “Rand! You came by.” He said, smiling at her and reaching out for her hand. “I am not supposed to be walking, but,” he lowered his voice but not so low she couldn’t hear, “I think I shan’t care about that. But nevermind that, how are you feeling? Better?”

~ Cmdr Alden, XO/CSO

She was timid, shy, but there was no sign of her anxiety. She still looked sleepy. She stared at his hand a long silent moment, biting her lip before she slowly put her hand in his. Warmth and electricity raced up her arm and all over.

She wanted to tell him to be careful, that he should worry. She wasn’t bold enough. She nodded, “Yes. Oh, I uh I feel better. Still … still tired. You?”

Yeoman Rand

“I’m alright.” Roman held her hand gently. Jay re entered the room. “Dad’s on his way. We’ll take you home, put you in bed and on a 24 hour idiot watch.” Jay turned to Rand, “Don’t let him fool you. He’s on a full day of bed rest and a full day of rest after that.”

~ Cmdr Alden, XO/CSO

Rand’s eyes widened as she looked over at Jay. When she turned back to Roman, she was so worried that her eyes were filled with tears. “Oh! I am so sorry. Wha…what can I do?” She whispered quietly.

Yeoman Rand

“Stay with him,” Jay answered jokingly. “Make sure his stupid arse stays in bed. He likes you enough he might listen to you better than me.” Roman scowled. “Come on Jay, you make me sound like an unruly toddler.” Jay grinned, “And you’re not?”

~ Cmdr Alden, XO/CSO

Rand turned scarlet, as bright as her hair. She watched Roman trying to figure out what he thought. She talked herself out of it. “Oh, no. I’m sure uh … are a perfect patient. You would be better off with someone else. I’m clumsy. I would just hurt you again.” Her hand began to slowly pull away

Yeoman Rand

Jay laughed out loud. “If it weren’t for me I’m not sure he’d ever listen to a doctor. He’s not scared of them, just hardheaded.” Roman gripped her hand tighter, not wanting her to go. “I… I don’t want to impose on you, but I would like more time with you.”

~ Cmdr Alden, XO/CSO

Her hand stopped moving as he held it tighter. Her eyes flickered shyly to his stunning blue ones. She managed not to blurt out how much she liked his eyes this time, but heat rushed up her cheeks as she thought it.

Lori grinned at Jay as Rand sat mesmerized by Roman. Lori quietly slipped out of the room, glancing back to see if Jay would follow her.

Rand realized she was staring and she hadn’t answered him. Her eyes dropped and she managed to blush even brighter. It was her fault he was in this predicament, so the least she could do was keep him company. “O… okay.” She really did want to spend more time with him, but she couldn’t figure out why he wanted to spend more time with her. “I’d like that.”

Yeoman Rand

Roman smiled. She was staring, but he didn’t mind. “Good. I’m glad.” He sighed softly, “Once Jay’s parents get here we can go… I’m sure hospitals aren’t comfortable for you, either.”

Jay noticed Lori leaving. Then she turned around and looked at him. He stood and slipped out with her. “Giving them a minute alone?”

~ Cmdr Alden, XO/CSO

Lori laughed quietly. “We’ll say that, but while they have each other to focus on, we can have a minute alone. And we won’t have to worry about them wandering off.”

Jay shook his head. “Roman will talk her into wandering off with him if we’re not careful.” He smiled at her, “But I think I’ll take that chance for a moment alone with you.”

Lori moved over closer to him, “Good answer.”

Rand tried to shrug, “I don’t like strange places and people. I’ve known Dr. Hammond a long time. So this isn’t so bad. He is very kind about my privacy.” She was looking at the way he held her hand, like it confused and fascinated her. “Doctors are really amazing people. They have to know so much and learn constantly. They do something truly beneficial and useful to society. Kind of like you… and Lt Caliano,” she added hurried to include is friend, blushing at the tone in her voice that clearly said she was only thinking about Roman. “Your research and exploration is going to have significant impact on our knowledge. It’s important.”

Yeoman Rand

Roman chuckled. “I don’t like hospitals…” He said. “What you do is important, too. You may not be saving people or studying aliens, but you help people relax and let off steam and that’s important too.”

~ Cmdr Alden, XO/CSO

Her red hair swayed as she shooknher head, ‘no.’ “In Maslow’s Hierarchy Of Needs, art and culture and entertainment comes at the very top tier of self-actualization. The 5th and last tier. It’s nice to have, but not necessary. It is the very last thing to develop within a society because it has no benefit to survival.” She smiled, but it didn’t really reach her features. “Good thing I live in a developed society.”

Yeoman Rand

Roman stared for a second. Then smiled. “Well, I don’t know what I’d do if I lived in a society with no entertainment. I certainly don’t know what I’d do in a society without you.”

~ Cmdr Alden, XO/CSO

Her eyes flickered up to his; he was making her giddy, and it was obvious. Was he flirting with her? She thought so. She wished she knew what to say back. “Whatever you did before you met me last night.” Her face flamed and she looked down again. She’d insulted herself. That wasn’t what she meant at all, but it came out all wrong! Her face was hot and red. It wasn’t from sweet compliments and shy flirtation, but shameful embarrassment over her inability to be appropriately social.

Yeoman Rand

Roman chuckled, “Sure, but having you will give me all the more reason to come back.”

~ Cmdr Alden, XO/CSO

He was laughing, but it didn’t sound cruel. Or maybe that was wishful thinking. He was still holding her hand too. What did he mean by having her to come back? She puzzled over that. He had family and friends here. This was his home. She didn’t really know what she could add to that. She wanted it to mean he just liked her that much and wanted to see her long term. Rand knew she should be realistic, but she really liked him. She’d never liked anyone this much.

Yeoman Rand

Roman noticed her puzzled expression and remembered what Lori said. “Rand, I like you. A lot. I don’t want to be rash, we only met yesterday, but I want a future with you.”

~ Cmdr Alden, XO/CSO

Her whole face lifted to look at him that time. She was too relaxed by the medication to be anxious or to hide the hope in her expression. She worried at her lower lip. How was that statement not rash? “I really like you too, Roman.”

Yeoman Rand

It was, but something about saying that way made it feel less so. He wasn’t going to worry about it. “Perhaps we can spend some time getting to know each other while I am recovering.”

~ Cmdr Alden, XO/CSO

“I would like that.” At the very least she could keep him company. “I am so sorry you were hurt.” Her voice, her eyes were passionately sincere. “I’m glad you are going to be alright.”

Yeoman Rand

“It wasn’t your fault.” He wished he could remember exactly what happened. He smiled anyway. “Work with venomous animals, you’ll get a lot worse than a little concussion.”

~ Cmdr Alden, XO/CSO

“Venomous animals?” So he had said he studied alien animals, and Rand knew wild animals could be dangerous. The look on her face told Roman that every second she didn’t hear from him would be spent imagining horrible agonizing encounters that would result in his death. She would lose sleep for worrying about him.

Yeoman Rand

Roman smiled and squeezed her hand. “Should anything happen you’ll hear from Jay. But it won’t come to that. I keep my labs quite safe. As safe as one can be when handling these things.”

~ Cmdr Alden, XO/CSO

To her credit she didn’t ask why he had to study them. It was obvious. It didn’t occur to her to ask him not to study them. Her throat felt a little tight, “Promise ta keep ‘em that way. I don’t wanna hear from Jay.”

Yeoman Rand

“I promise.” Roman said, voice full of sincerity. “I love your accent. It’s cute.”

Her smile was teasing and playful. Her voice like music as it lifted over the words. “Tapadh leibh, Ròmanach. Is toil leam e cuideachd. Tha e tàmailteach gum feumadh mi a bhith ag obair cho cruaidh airson a chuir am falach. A bheil Gàidhlig agad? (Thank you, Roman. I like it also. It is a shame I had to work so hard to hide it. Do you speak Gaelic?)”

Roman’s look told her he did not. But he smiled politely, “Maybe you could teach me that?”

“Ma nì mi sin chan urrainn dhomh innse dhut cho bòidheach ‘sa tha thu agus dè cho mòr’ sa tha mi a ‘guidhe gum pòg thu mi. (If I do that, then I cannot tell you how handsome you are and how much I wish you would kiss me.)” Her face flushed even though she knew he didn’t understand.

Roman smiled. “Whatever you’re saying must’ve been nice.”

She flushed more but didn’t say anything else.

At that moment Jay re-entered the room. “Dad’s here, doctor says we can go when ready. We just have to call someone to wheel you out of here, so you don’t fall, hit your head, and die.” The last part was just to shut Roman up about how ‘he could walk himself out’.

~ Cmdr Alden, XO/CSO

Rand turned and looked at Lori. Her friend was gazing at Jay. Bys came in behind. “Miss Farquharson, Pater brought the car to the back entrance. We can go when you are ready.” Lori grabbed the chair to roll her out. “No Lori. Go with Jay if you want.” Rand would rather stay with Roman, but there was no need to ruin her friend’s date too.

Yeoman Rand

“You could both come with us.” Jay offered. “Right, Roman?” Roman looked at Rand. “That way we can keep talking. Jay’s dad could pull around the back.”

~ Cmdr Alden, XO/CSO

Rand looked back at Bys. He didn’t decide what she could and could not do, but she trusted him to keep her safe. Things were not as benign as she had told Roman. Bys nodded though. He had already done thorough background checks on them all. “Pater and I will follow in our car.”

Rand’s hand tightened around Roman’s as she looked at Jay. “If you’re sure your father won’t mind. I don’t want to be in the way.”

Yeoman Rand

Jay laughed. “No, he won’t. Not at all. He’s encouraged Roman to get a girlfriend himself.” Jay and a nurse helped Roman into a chair and started to roll him out. Roman turned to look at Rand. “You’ll like him, Jay’s dad. He’s a good man.”

~ Cmdr Alden, XO/CSO

Rand had her hands back in her lap. She looked down at them, feeling overwhelmed by being called Roman’s girl friend. She liked it, but it all felt like a whole lot so soon. She was sure if the medicine wasn’t in her system she would be clise to an anxiety attack over it all.

Lori pushed her out, Bys leading the way. “Oh Rand adores Cpt. amd Mrs. Caliano. They come to a show at least once a month. They are wonderful.”

Yeoman Rand

“Then all the better,” Jay said. When they got outside the hospital, Mr Caliano was standing by the car waiting for them. Mrs Caliano was inside the car. “Roman, what happened? How do you get a head injury on vacation?” Jay grinned, “Dancing with a girl, apparently.” The two of them helped him into the Captain’s car. Roman looked at Rand with a look that clearly said, You coming?

~ Cmdr Alden, XO/CSO

Rand was too shy to move. She knew these people. They were kind and sweet. They were also patrons of the arts. Part of the audience. She didn’t know how to interact with them outside of that context.

Bys leaned down and whispered in her ear. “Miss Farquharson they are waiting for you. You need to get in the car and not just sit out here. I will help you.” Rand was looking at Roman. She looked very uncertain and nervous. He could see her fighting not to be, to hide it, but the medicine made it impossible. Bys helped her out of the chair and passed her into the car. Bys looked at Alden silently asking him to take care of her.

Rand sat in the back beside him. Bys waited until everyone was in and secure. Then he joined Pater and they followed behind.

Yeoman Rand

Roman nodded firmly. Jay and Lori had to ride with Bys. There wasn’t enough space in the car for all of them. Roman took Rand’s hand in the car. “Miranda, right?” Mr Caliano said from the front seat as Mrs Caliano started taking them home. “It’s a pleasure to meet you. Your plays are excellent.” Then he addressed Roman, “So how does one get a head injury dancing with a girl?”

~ Cmdr Alden, XO/CSO

“Yes Sir,” she answered softly. Her hand was gripping Roman’s like a vice. “The pleasure is mine. I’m honored you enjoy them.” It was very formal, but there was no doubt she was utterly sincere. She looked down at her lap, her other fingers twisting her skirt just a little. “It’s my fault, Cpt Caliano. I tripped him.” Her neck all the way to her cheeks was red with embarrassment.

Yeoman Rand