Concerns of a Concerning Nature

Posted on 27 Apr 2013 @ 1:53pm by Lieutenant Jacob Pendleton
Edited on on 27 Apr 2013 @ 6:54pm

1,544 words; about a 8 minute read

Mission: Episode 03 - Frontier
Location: USS Galileo - Chief Science Officer's Office
Timeline: MD 4: 1800 hours

[ON]

Jacob ran down the corridor at near full speed. He barely missed running over a couple of recruits as he made his way to the Science Labs. He reached the primary Science Office and saw the door open. He rushed in and saw Maenad working away on some research.

"Oh thank the Universe you are here Dr. Panne!" Jacob's face, full of worry was now filled with a look of relief, "I heard what happened! I just was told not a few minutes ago! Are you all right?"

Maenad was looking at the particle analysis reports from the mission that morning. The one that she could no longer stand to think about without busting her chops. The one that the captain had lost her mind at her about, the one that everyone now hated her for. Like it was her fault Darius was overconfident in his piloting ability. She wasn't a pilot; she wasn't a mechanic or an engineer. She was a geneticist and an archaeologist. She thought she could trust her pilot when he said he could take them down; what leader didn't put faith in their subordinates? Lirha Saalm, Maenad thought. That's who.

When Pendleton burst into her office, she jerked up, almost covering herself. Now being more averse to explosions and loud noises than she had ever been, she was half expecting to die and half expecting it to be Stone coming to jail her for gross incompetence and break her nose like he had Jared Nicholas'. It was just Pendleton, and she let out a breath. She smiled, embarrassed at her reaction. "Yes," she breathed, shaking her head with a grin. "Thank you for asking." She didn't mention that other than Liyar, nobody else on the ship had shown any concern for her. "You scared the life out of me."

Jacob, embarrassed, replied apologetically, "Oh.. so sorry Dr. Panne. I just wanted to make sure everything was all right. I heard the news and I made a bee line here." He easily walked up to her. "What happened? Is there anything I can do to help? Should you be back to work so soon?" His concern was genuine apparent by the tone of his voice.

Maenad turned off her screen and slowly got up, gripping the desk because of how stiff she'd become from sitting. She nodded to the couch and led them over to it, indicating for him to join her. "You're very kind," she smiled as she carefully sat down. She wasn't one to complain down to people were were supposed to look up to her, but something about the Pendleton and his 'gentle giant' personality made her want to talk to him.

"We hit something in low orbit and had to make an emergency landing," she said quietly. "My console exploded." With her left hand, she traced along her long and slender right arm, over the fabric of the uniform. "This was all torn open," she said, "from the blast." Maenad flexed the fingers of her right hand. "My hand was badly burned." She turned to show him her right shoulder even though he couldn't see through her top. "And my shoulder was badly injured. It took most of the blast and most of the shrapnel." She sighed and gave him a calm smile that was more for her own reassurance than his.

Jacob sat beside her and watched her trace her arm. He did not touch her but looked closely at the damage. His brows were furrowed, "Universe help us! Why in the world are you back to work then Dr. Panne? You should be resting and rehabilitating that arm! Lieutenant Cho and I could handle the work load in your absence. Your personal health is of paramount importance to the staff, the entire crew, and most importantly to your friends and the people who care about you."

Maenad looked at him gently. "Thank you," she said, "but I really am fine now. They did surgery and beamed out all the fragments. I'm just sore."

Jacob frowned, "I was really worried about you Dr. Panne. Terribly worried. Our work.. this team.. would be beyond devastated if something had happened to you. Please Dr. Panne, take care of yourself if you need to.. I am willing to work double shifts if it will mean you taking enough time to relax and recuperate... the team needs you, *I* need you! Without you, our leader and scientific 'compass', well.. we would be horrifically lost." He gently placed her hand in his, "If you are sure you are all right then I will take you at your word, but no work, no matter how incredible the work, is worth your life or your health. It is not worth any of our lives or our health."

She tensed as Pendleton took her hand. It was strong and incredibly warm, she thought. If it weren't for his good intentions, she might have jerked it back into her lap. He was right, she knew. Although she had never been described as a scientific compass before, Maenad understood what he was getting at. She had received the same lecture from the captain that afternoon, but Pendleton's concern felt more worried than suspicious. She put her other hand over the one that held hers.

"Thank you, Jacob," she said softly, trying to reassure him. "I am fine," she looked into his eyes. "Admittedly, I am shaken. Doctor Kohl told me that it will take a few days to fully recover, but I promise you that I am all right." How long the psychological scars would last was anyone's guess. "I didn't die," the word sent ripples through her mind, "and I am here now. Alive and well." She took back her hands. "Other than my little scare, how were you today?" she had to change the subject.

"Well, I was doing well until I heard the news. The surveys, the data, the ongoing research... all makes my adrenaline rush that is for sure. I am honored to be part of so many away teams so far; I believe I have shown myself, and the Science team in general, to be a good scientist and researcher. I am doing everything I am able to make this team, and you, proud of my work." He smiled at her.

Jacob noticed how smooth and nice her hand was. He made extra sure to be as gentle as he possibly could holding it. "All right then Dr. Panne. If you will promise me that you will get some rest and relaxation, I will stop doting over you." He smiled again at her and added, "I am, admittedly, a worry wart, so you have to forgive me. Our working relationship and our friendship is important to me ok?"

"Yes," she replied, "it will an early night, I assure you."

Jacob gently patted her back and removed his hand from hers. "Good then." He got up from the couch. "Don't make me worry about you all right?" He smiled at her. "I shall get back to my duties Dr. Panne. Be well and... stay safe for a while.. at least until you are fully healed."

Maenad watched the giant Jacob Pendleton get up from beside her. She wondered how someone could be as nice as he was for no other reason than just to be kind. She had never met anyone quite like him, but it was at that moment that she knew she had a friend other than Liyar on board.

"Jacob," she spoke up as he headed toward the door. "Wait." She got to her feet and met him. "Thank you," she said, looking up at his gentle eyes, her own were wet and shining. She hugged him as tightly as she could, pressing her head sideways against his chest - he was a full head taller than she was. Everyone else hated her for what had happened that day, even blamed her, but this man whom she had never given a real chance was genuinely concerned about her well-being. For no real reason other than his own kindness. "It means a lot to me."

Jacob smiled and hugged her.. gently of course. "I don't have many real friends Dr. Panne," He said quietly into her ear, "Many are either fearful of me, want to use me because of my strength and skills, or think I am some kind of curiosity, I respect you so much and am honored to be on your science team. You are an incredible and wonderful colleague. As I said, you are important to me because you have given me this wonderful chance to prove myself. I consider you my friend, and I care about my friends and colleagues."

She let go and stepped back from him. "You're welcome to come by any time, Jacob," Maenad said kindly. "Thank you. I'm glad to have you around, and I'm very happy you came to see me."

Jacob smiled, bowed slightly and then stood straight in usual Starfleet protocol, turned on his heal and walked out her door.

[OFF]

Lt. (JG) Jacob Pendleton
Chief Research Officer
USS Galileo

Lieutenant (JG) Maenad Panne
Chief Science Officer
USS Galileo

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