Posted by Lieutenant Junior Grade Rand Farquharson (Yeoman First Class) in This Homework is Not an Easy A

Posted by Commander Roman Alden (First Officer & Chief Science Officer) in This Homework is Not an Easy A

Posted by Lieutenant Junior Grade Rand Farquharson (Yeoman First Class) in This Homework is Not an Easy A
Posted by… suppressed (6) by the Post Ghost! 👻
Rand was overjoyed when Roman was allowed out of isolation. She worked very hard not to make a big deal of it. She wanted to hug him and love him and remind him constantly that it was okay to be sad. That she loved him and wanted him to stay. She didn’t want to make it worse though. So she settled for telling him she loved him and she was glad he was home. She told him she loved him a lot, but that wasn’t unusual.

She tried to keep things normal otherwise. Of course he couldn’t work fully yet, but he was allowed to catch up on the lab notes.

Roman had also told her about his homework from Lt. Hart. This was not something Roman would pass with an easy A. She arranged for a Time when the comms would be available for the call. Rand didn’t do more than that because she knew Roman had to do this.

Yeoman Rand

Roman seemed mostly like himself. He was awkward and didn’t want to talk about his time in isolation. But he did tell her, repeatedly, that he wasn’t upset with her.

When the time for the call came, he seemed nervous, not wanting to do it, but knowing Leah would ask if he had.

~ Cmdr Alden, XO/CSO

Rand hugged him gently and then moved over to the bed. Roman hadn’t wanted her to leave, but she wanted to give him privacy if he wanted it.

The comms connected and the Calianos appeared on the screen. Mrs. Caliano immediately became teary eyed and smiled brightly at him. Mr. Caliano smiled and looked proud. “Roman! How are you?” Mrs. Caliano asked, unable to stop herself.

Yeoman Rand

“I’m fine,” Roman said with a shrug. “Same as always, really.” The Calianos would be able to tell the little bit of smile he’d managed was forced.

~ Cmdr Alden, XO/CSO

Mrs. Caliano looked at her husband, worry and sadness so obvious. She had always been demonstrative with her emotions. If she was there, she would hug him, but she wasn’t and she didn’t know what to do. Her son was hurting and trying to hide it.

Mr. Caliano held his wife’s hand under the table and squeezed it reassuringly. “I’m glad you were able to find time to call again.” It was carefully worded. A nod to his busy and many duties, but also acknowledging what he had been through. He didn’t miss how Roman worded things though and he wasn’t one to beat around the bush. “What can we do to make it better than just the same? We’re far away, but we’re here, Son. We love you, and will move planets for you.”

Yeoman Rand

Rand could tell this made Roman really uncomfortable, the way he flushed lightly and looked away was unlike him. “I-I know.... I mean, I um… I love you too.”

~ Cmdr Alden, XO/CSO

Rand knew this was extremely uncomfortable for Roman, but there was no healing without discomfort. She gave him what she hoped was an encouraging smile. Mrs. Caliano smiled. “What can we do Roman? We would like to see you,” she said hopefully. “I know you don’t want to leave your work. We,” she looked at her husband, “we could come and meet the Sentinel.” Then she rushed out, “but only if that would be okay with you.”

Yeoman Rand

“No, no,” Roman said with a polite franticness. “I can’t put you out like that. It would be such a long trip.” He smiled a small smile that failed to reach his eyes and fiddled with his hands the way Rand often did. “I just don’t want you to be uncomfortable.”

~ Cmdr Alden, XO/CSO

Rand got up and moved to sit beside him, “Yes, Roman would like that very much.” She held his hand tightly.

Mr. Caliano grinned, “Put out! My boy, I miss space. It would be a joy to return, even as just a passenger. And Maryanne has always wanted to see why I find it so fascinating.”

Yeoman Rand

Roman squeezed her hand and leaned into her a little. “I, uhm.... Okay,” he said, but it was so soft it didn’t sound like him at all.

~ Cmdr Alden, XO/CSO