Out On A Limb

Posted on Tue Feb 20th, 2024 @ 4:36am by Ensign Sophie Bishop & Commander Steven Greco

0 words; about a 1 minute read

Mission: Year One: Whispers in the Wind
Location: Crew Quarters, USS Moore
Timeline: MD 016 - 2115 hours

Sophie had to reason to feel groggy. The meds she had been given to help her heal were working and the wound in her leg had disappeared as if it had never been there. Still, she'd had trouble sleeping it off and even the slightest noise would startle her.

She'd never been of the strongest disposition, the biggest confidence and always felt like a bit of an outsider in larger groups. A bit of the light in her eyes had gone out since the other day, a bombing would do that to you.

Lying on her bed she had her eyes closed trying to get some sleep. Her tired eyes not wanting to let her drift off but still, she tried.

Thankfully her roommates were out. The bombing had been an 'all hands on deck' situation and she'd been left to recover.

Once the planet was secure, Greco returned to the ship and had been treated in sickbay for his injuries, had a sonic shower and changed into a fresh uniform before heading to a briefing on the terrorist attack with the Captain. He finally was allowed to head out and check on Sophie. He felt guilty he had her go without him, but relieved by the time he was treated in Sickbay, she was already released to her quarters for rest.

Nodding to two passing crewmembers, he pressed the chime to the ensign's quarters and eagerly awaited a reply.

Her leg felt a bit like a dead weight but Sophie rose from her bunk and shuffled over to the door with a blanket around her body for heat. The quarters weren't cold but she felt shivery. She was told shock can manifest in different ways but feeling cold can be one of them.

As the doors opened she saw Steve, "Commander?" she poked her head out and looked up and down the hall. Sophie knew him to be a stickler for the rules, she also knew he had an affection for her... she'd seen it in his eyes, how he acted around her etc. "Is everything alright? Do you need me on duty?" she asked.

Steve looked at the woman in utter confusion. "What? Of course not. Sophie, you need to be resting." He softly scolded her before helping her back inside to her bed. "I came to see how you were doing." He explained, his tone more gentle as he eased her back on the bunk.

His touch set her alight somewhat. Almost as if he had healing powers and simply by being with her she felt a little better. "Oh, okay. Sorry..." she said as she was guided back to her moderately comfortable bunk. "I'm fine." she lied. Sophie felt guilty for being on bed rest, especially with what had happened. She felt angry that people had been hurt, that bombs had been used and that people claiming it was in the Federation and Starfleet's interests that it happened. "I'm just feeling a bit of the cold for some reason. Turned the environmental controls up twice... I'll need to take a look at them if they are broken." she huffed.

Steve simply moved to adjust the blanket on the young woman as he sat on the edge. "There is nothing wrong with the environmental controls. You are simply in shock. Just take it easy and let your system reset itself." He said calmly, stroking her arm. "Besides, you shouldn't even be here alone. Where are Ensigns Joal and Ramsay?" He inquired, looking around the space.

"They are out working, like I should be." Sophie complained. "My dad always taught me that if I could stand, I could work. I hate this lying around." she continued her mini rant. It was almost like ranting at a partner, almost. "And what's there to be shocked about? I was in a bombing, I got impaled through the leg and I'm healed now. I'm not dead unlike some of the other people down there..." her mind got lost for a moment in remembering a girls eyes she saw staring at her. They were devoid of life but still bore into her soul.

Steve looked at Sophie resolutely. He knew she was in shock, physically and emotionally. He remembered what it was like in his first skirmish against a Dominion warship and understood the shock to the system a life-threatening situation can cause. “Sophie,” he said calmly but his voice steady as he drew her attention. “it’s ok. Alright? It’s ok. What we went through today would shake anyone up. We are all still processing what happened. Just…take a breath and let whatever you are feeling happen. It’s ok…” he repeated, looking in her eyes as he kept his voice calm.

"Those people..." was all Sophie said as her eyes filled with tears without her realisation. "When I close my eyes I can hear their screams." she did so, her eyes closing forcing the tears to stream down her cheeks. "It wont go away... and the smell of burnt..." a catch caught in her throat. "Why, Steve? Why did this happen?" she gripped his hand tightly and with a little more strength than one would expect.

Greco set his jaw and looked at Sophie. He considered his words carefully. "I don't know, Sophie." He said honestly with a helpless shake of his head. "And in truth, it doesn't matter."

Steve knew that his understanding that sometimes there is not logical or explainable reason for why things happen had come with age. Sophie would learn this, though far sooner than she should ever have had to.

Stroking the back of the hand that was holding his, Steve took a breath to compose himself. Feeling the tears rescind from his eyes and his vision clear he looked into Sophie's beautiful eyes. It wasn't fair she was having some of her innocence taken away from her like this. "But I promise you, those dead that you can't forget about, what happened to you, it will not be for nothing. We will see justice done." He said resolutely.

"But it does matter..." Sophie mumbled. "What if it happens again?" she asked rhetorically as she blankly stared at Steve. She could see him but he wasn't in focus until he spoke again and she felt his hand stroking hers, it brought her back.

"We need to catch them. Now." She said all serious. She began to shift on her bed. Her leg felt dead but it was very much not. Still the phantom pain shot through it but she quickly pushed it aside before looking at Steve once again, his eyes glassy as if holding back the world. "Are you alright?" she asked.

Steve looked at Sophie and stroked her cheek to draw her eyes to his. As gentle as he was, he knew it was important she understood this point. "Sophie, listen to me. As you get older you will find there are situations with no easy answers. There is no logic or lesson to be learned. Bad things happen. That doesn't make what happened to you any less tragic or real. I understand you want an answer but sometimes there is none. You will never get a satisfying answer. Dwelling on what could happen is living in fear and that will only drive you mad. That's no way to live." He explained gently but firmly. "Do you understand?"

Sophie looked away from Steve and down at the floor. "I guess." she replied with somewhat of a defeated tone. That much of a child giving up on wanting that cookie they'd been screaming for for hours.

Steve nodded and took a deep breath and let it out, ready to answer her question. "And yes, I'm fine. I'm just so glad you are safe." He admitted honestly. "Right now the best thing you can do is get some rest. Alright?" He watched her response and felt himself wanting to lean in and kiss her cheek but controlled himself. Instead he leaned over and kissed her forehead affectionately.

As he began to withdraw from the kiss to her forehead she grabbed his head with both arms and placed her mouth onto his. This was something she could control, something that she could put her hands on and make her feel something other than despair if only for a moment. "Maybe I've already gone a little mad already." she answered breathlessly as she retreated. Given their size difference and the fact she had to raise herself up she slowly sat back on her bottom and looked at Steve. "I'm glad you're safe too."

Greco was taken aback by the sudden and bold actions of the ensign. It was clear as day Sophie had a crush on him, but she seemed too shy to ever act on her feelings. Taking a breath to control himself, Steve looked at her sympathetically. He wanted nothing more to return the kiss but now was neither the time nor place to discuss, much less act on his feelings. Sophie was in a vulnerable position and seeking comfort. He knew that. He also was aware he was not only her command officer but considerably older.

With another sigh, he gave a shy smile and stroked her cheek. “Get some rest. We will talk when we both have had time to process what’s happened. I promise.” He said sincerely.

Sophie looked dejected by his response. Looking away from him and down at the side of her bed. This was a gentle let down and she knew it. "Thank you for stopping by to check on me, Commander." she said professionally before wrapping herself up in a bedsheet and turning to face the wall. She just wanted to wallow in darkness now.

Steve visibly winced when Sophie turned away. He could tell she was hurt but knew it was the safest course of action, given everything, for both of them. He softly took a breath and nodded to himself. "Good night, Ensign." He said kindly before gently lifting himself from the edge of the bed, giving her shoulder a brief squeeze of reassurance before seeing himself out.

 

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