Posted by Lieutenant Séan Iven (Counselor) in Peaceful Night’s Rest?

Posted by Lieutenant Tandra Mika (Chief Mental Health Officer) in Peaceful Night’s Rest?

Posted by Lieutenant Séan Iven (Counselor) in Peaceful Night’s Rest?
Posted by… suppressed (62) by the Post Ghost! 👻
At a peaceful one o’clock in the morning a certain counselor was sprawled out under the covers of his bed just snoozing away. It had been a long day of work with a myriad of patients to see. The current tensions with the Vren, the murder, and ongoing diplomatic proceedings had shown an uptick in people needing to talk. Most of the counseling staff had been putting in longer hours and of that Séan was no exception.

Counselor Iven

Mika was still not seeing patients. It was too soon after her ordeal. She desperately wanted to, to help lessen the load on other mental health staff. But she just wasn’t ready.

Tonight was proof of that. Mika woke drenched in sweat, hyperventilating, in terror. It had been like this every night since she was released from the hospital and the lack of sleep was only making things worse.

So tonight, she slipped on her pajamas and slippers and stepped out into the hall. She headed down a familiar direction, armed with a can of pepper spray and her head on a swivel.

At last she reached Séan’s door and knocked softly. When there was no reply, she knocked a little harder. “Séan?”

~ Mika, CMHO

Séan isn’t exactly a heavy sleeper but he totally didn’t hear the first knock on his door. The second knock to his door roused him however he wasn’t sure if he imagined it or if someone was really there. After a handful of heartbeats of indecision, he sighed to himself before he crawled out of his warm covers and got some pants on.

He padded his way to the door and opened it to discover much to his surprise that Mika was standing there. “Tandra?” He asked quietly as sleep still fogged his brain.

Counselor Iven

Mika sighed a deep sigh. “I woke you up, didn’t I?” She asked softly. “I’m sorry, Séan, I know how busy everything’s been. I should’ve let you sleep.”

~ Mika, CMHO

Séan leaned against the door frame and used a hand to rub the sleep out of his eyes. “Well you’re here and I’ve told you before day or night that I’ll be here for you.” He stepped out of the doorway and beckoned for her to follow him in.

“Do you want some tea or coffee?” He asked as he made his way to the replicator.

Counselor Iven

“No- actually, chamomile, if you could. Sorry,” she said again as she stepped in and let the door close. She locked it behind herself. Then her eyes began to fill with tears and she said, “I’m so tired, and I couldn’t sleep.”

~ Mika, CMHO

Séan was halfway to the replicator when Mika’s tearful words struck him like a blow to the heart. It was surprising how a big guy like him could move when he needed to and at this moment in time he was back in front of her and gently pulling her into as encompassing of a hug as he could while still letting her breathe.

Counselor Iven

Mika melted into him, his presence making her feel safer. She cried quietly against his chest. “I haven’t slept a full night since Sharah released me.”

~ Mika, CMHO

“Didn’t she give you something to help with sleep?” Séan asked softly. He was fairly certain Sharah had but there could be any number of reasons why Mika wasn’t using them. It was better to ease into that topic though.

Counselor Iven

Mika nodded, “She did, but…” She sniffed against him and shifted so she could look up at him. “The dose isn’t high enough.” The drug Sharah had given her was designed to help with trauma nightmares and aid sleep. But when the dose wasn’t tuned right, the nightmares still happened. “And I can’t prescribe it to myself.”

~ Mika, CMHO

Séan used one of his hands to slowly rub her back. “That’s fair. We should see about getting her to revise the prescription.” He said as he knew he was too personally involved to change it for Mika himself.

Counselor Iven

“Can you go with me?” Mika asked. “I… I trust her, but I just…” She shrugged. It was then that she noticed the warm, soft yet firm texture against her skin and she reassessed the situation.

“Of course I’ll go with you.” He said as he smiled down to her encouragingly. “Whatever you need I’ll be there when you need it.”

She’d intruded, and he… Well, he was shirtless. She shouldn’t be surprised by how toned he looked, but somehow she was. She flushed, but didn’t stop herself from looking. “I um… Sorry. I really must’ve woken you, huh?”

~ Mika, CMHO

Séan looked down at Mika blushing as she just realized he was without a shirt. He grinned and made no effort to release her from the hug, he would if she asked though. “You did indeed. It is a bit after one after all. It’s a lucky thing I even remembered to put pants on. That would have shocked us both.”

Counselor Iven

She didn’t want to. “I… I think I would’ve fainted on the spot.” Was that a joke? It had been since before the ordeal he’d really heard her joke. “I mean, not really, but I’ve never… You know, seen that. For real.”

~ Mika, CMHO

“Well…” Séan was at a loss at how to respond to that. Brush it off? Ask her what she meant by “for real”? Offer himself as a teaching aid? It was too early for him to give a witty and flirty comeback. So instead he leaned down and gave Mika a light kiss to the forehead by way of response.

Counselor Iven

She giggled lightly and looked up at him. “Thank you. I’m sorry I woke you,” she said quietly, reaching (and for her, it really was a reach) up to put a hand on his shoulder.

~ Mika, CMHO

Séan smiled as Mika reached for his shoulder while he still held her in his embrace. This was nice even if the reason why she was here wasn’t. Still he was happy that they were spending time together even if it was at an ungodly hour.

He shrugged his shoulders slightly. “Your being here is a very good reason for me to wake up. I’m happy that you sought me out when you needed me.”

Counselor Iven

Mika leaned her head against him and looked up at him. “I didn’t feel safe, Séan.” She said softly.

~ Mika, CMHO

“Do you feel safe now?” Séan asked back just as softly.

Counselor Iven

Mika looked up at him with a lost, sad expression. “Yes,” she said, “but only because you’re here.”

~ Mika, CMHO

Séan leaned down and gently kissed Mika’s lips. It wasn’t for long or with much passion behind it but he hoped it conveyed in his action what was difficult to provide with words. “Would you like to stay the rest of the night?”

Counselor Iven

Mika’s face turned rosy pink as she returned the gentle kiss and melted into his arms with a little nod. “Yeah. Please.”

~ Mika, CMHO

With a smirk Séan moved to the side of Mika and scooped her up into his arms and walked slowly towards the bed with all thoughts of tea or coffee gone from his mind.

Counselor Iven

“Hey- no!” Mika squeaked, and then she fought, and fought hard, like her life depended on it. “Let go! Let go!” She shouted in a high pitched, fearful voice. He could feel her hyperventilating.

~ Mika, CMHO

To say he was taken by surprise would be an understatement as Séan suddenly found himself in a frantic struggle with Mika. He would let her go if he wasn’t holding her four to five feet above the ground. He didn’t want to drop her but her fighting him was making it really hard to keep her from falling and himself protected from eye gouges, kicks, elbows, and chest clawing.

His best option was to lower himself down to the floor as gently and quickly as possible so that he was sitting and she was on his lap. With that accomplished he disentangled his arms from her and shielded himself as best he could though she had gotten several good kicks in. “Tandra it’s okay. You’re okay. I’ve let you go.”

Counselor Iven

As soon as he let her go she scurried to the other side of the room backwards on her hands and knees and cowered against the wall. “Don’t take me away, just go away, please,” she cried.

~ Mika, CMHO

“Tandra you’re okay. You’re safe here.” Séan said softly as he moved a little closer but still out of arms reach. He was kicking himself for making an impulsive move like that that startled here. “You’re with Séan and I promised I’d keep you safe.”

Counselor Iven

Mika started to quiet, no longer kicking and fighting, but crying softly and reaching for him. Tears streamed down her face and she looked terrified, but at least she seemed to have broken free of whatever flash back she must have been in.

~ Mika, CMHO

Séan moved next to Mika and put his back to the wall and opened his arms. He felt it was better to let her come to him then force his way into her space.

Counselor Iven

And after a few moments she did come to him. Mika crawled into his arms and lay her head on his belly. She sniffed, took a long breath, and settled in there.

~ Mika, CMHO

Séan softly rubbed Mika’s back with one hand while he just breathed like normal. He would wait until she had settled and was ready to talk.

Counselor Iven

It took another several minutes. He could feel her taking intentional deep breaths… Holding them… And letting them go. Finally she let out a long, slow breath and looked up at him. “I’m sorry, Séan… I didn’t hurt you, did I?”

~ Mika, CMHO

Fortunately the lights were still low but if Mika looked close enough she’d see that a couple rivulets of blood trickled down his chest and his face had a couple scratches. What wasn’t apparent was the burgeoning swelling around his right eye. “I’m fine Tandra. I’m very sorry for spooking you like that. I should’ve either let you know what I planned to do or just walked with you to the bed.”

Counselor Iven

Mika shook her head. “Don’t be sorry. I… I normally would’ve liked that.” She said softly. She snuggled closer to him, wrapping her arms around him. As she did, her hand brushed against his chest. When she felt wetness, she looked up at him more closely. “You’re bleeding,” she gasped, rushing to get up. “Let me get my kit.”

~ Mika, CMHO

“It’s okay. It can wait…” Séan started to say but she was out of his arms and on her feet before he could finish.

Counselor Iven

She always carried a first aid kit with a tricorder. She didn’t have it, though. She’d rushed here, in the middle of the night, in her pajamas.... Oh, gosh. What was she doing?? Oh! But Séan was hurt. “I don’t have it,” she said, seeming overly distressed for the situation. “I-I’ll have to go and get it. Just wait right here....” But she didn’t want to go to her quarters. She didn’t want to go anywhere he wasn’t.

~ Mika, CMHO

“Tandra.” Séan said softly but firmly to get her attention. He continued once he was sure her focus was back on him. “I have a first aid kit here. After… everything these last few weeks I made sure to have one in case I needed it for… whatever. I just never thought it’d be used on me first.” He finished with a small grin.

Counselor Iven

At her name, she stopped and looked at him. She let out a breath and smiled. “Oh. Good. Where? Let’s turn the lights up some, I need to see you…”

~ Mika, CMHO

“Bathroom behind the laundry bin.” Séan said while he moved to turn the lights up more. He sat on a stool at the kitchen island with a sigh and waited.

Counselor Iven

Mika found it quickly and brought it back out. She opened it and looked through the supplies, then took a closer look at Séan.

~ Mika, CMHO

The swelling eye would be more apparent now as would the scratches on his face. He obviously had the cuts across his chest that were bleeding. “So, how do I look doc?” Séan joked to try and lighten the mood.

Counselor Iven

“I’m glad you’re not going to make habits of fighting me,” she said and smiled, though it looked forced, hiding a look of guilt. She pulled the supplies out of the med kit and started cleaning the cuts on his chest. “I’m really sorry, Séan.”

~ Mika, CMHO

“I’m a lover and not a fighter.” Séan said with a smile of his own in return. When she started cleaning his cuts he grimaced slightly but didn’t make a sound. Not because he wanted to be overly macho but because this was far from the worst fight injuries he’s had. “I appreciate your apology Tandra but I own some blame for this as well. If you must make it up to me then I will be accepting snuggles with a few more hours of sleep before work drags us back out of bed. Deal?”

Counselor Iven

She finished and used bandages to cover them. “I’d use a regenerator, but this kit doesn’t have a portable.” She said, moving on to his eye. She pressed gently on it and then reached into the first aid kid, got an ice pack, snapped the activator, and pressed it to his eye. “There. I must’ve hit you pretty hard.”

~ Mika, CMHO

“You were very motivated to not be in that position anymore.” Séan said with a chuckle. “You did get me pretty good.”

Counselor Iven

“I’m sorry,” she said again, pressing the ice pack to his head. She pulled a fabric hair band out of her pocket and used it to strap the small ice pack to his head. “There.”

~ Mika, CMHO

Séan put on a thicker Irish accent as he winked at Mika with his uncovered eye. “Now I just needta commandeer tha Centurion an I’ll be a pirate.”

Counselor Iven

Mika laughed. “You’d be a fearsome one, too.” She said. “You’re free to go, mister pirate, you’re as treated as you can be.”

~ Mika, CMHO

“My offer of cuddles and sleep still stands madame doctor.” Séan said while he played up the pirate persona a bit longer.

Counselor Iven

“Why, I accept,” Mika said, impersonating a Victorian British Lady. “You can pick me up. I’m expecting it this time, I’ll be okay.”

~ Mika, CMHO

Séan stood from the stool and obliged the Lady by scooping her off her feet and then sauntered towards the bed. He gently placed her on one side then climbed over her to lay beside her.

Counselor Iven

This time, like she promised, she was okay, clinging to him as he carried her. After he settled in, she cuddled against him, tucking herself against his side.

~ Mika, CMHO

Séan let out a content sigh as they got settled. “This is so much better than that chair that was next to your hospital bed.”

Counselor Iven

Mika smiled. “I think almost anything would be more comfortable,” she said softly. “Thank you… for staying with me.”

~ Mika, CMHO

“Of course.” Séan said as if another option hadn’t existed. “Even if that hospital bed was bigger I doubt Sharah would have been thrilled with me climbing in with you.”

Counselor Iven

“I think she figured you’d hurt me… She was probably right.’ Mika commented, smiling at him. “Those beds aren’t made for two.”

~ Mika, CMHO

Séan looked conflicted about the first thought but nodded at the second. “Those beds aren’t quite built for me solo. A couple of nice blankets and the floor beside your bed would have been preferable to that chair but I would’ve blocked care to you in an emergency if they let me do that.”

Counselor Iven

Mika smiled. “I did say you should get some rest, didn’t I?”

~ Mika, CMHO

“You did but your hand holding mine wouldn’t let go either.” Séan pointed out with a grin. “You needed me and I was going to be there. Simple as that.”

Counselor Iven

She cuddled into him. “You’re too good to be true, you know that?”

~ Mika, CMHO

Despite his best efforts to stifle it, Séan’s smile turned into a big yawn. It was still really early in the morning and the adrenaline from everything had worn off so he was crashing quick. “I’m just me though a very tired me it seems. I’m not sure how long I could fight the sleeps for and still be worth a damn for patients.”

Counselor Iven

“Then you better go to sleep,” Mika said softly. “They need you.”

~ Mika, CMHO

“You’re going to be a welcome sight when I wake up.” Séan said back quietly. “So many people on this colony but you’re the…” He faded off into sleep without finishing his thought.

Counselor Iven

Mika smiled, cuddling into him.

---

The next morning when his alarm went off, she was still awake. “Wake up, sleepy, that’s your alarm.”

~ Mika, CMHO

Séan groaned muffledly into his pillow and didn’t want to get up.

Counselor Iven

Mika poked his belly playfully. “Come on, you don’t want to be late, do you?”

~ Mika, CMHO