Refuge

Posted on 18 Jul 2015 @ 7:09pm by Lieutenant JG Grayson Jones & Lieutenant Oren Idris Ph.D.

3,804 words; about a 19 minute read

Mission: Episode 09 - Empires
Location: USS Galileo, 02-3216 SO, Grayson's Quarters
Timeline: MD 01, 2200

ON:

It had been a long day for Grayson. So far the repairs to the ship had went well and there were less...challenged to contend with. He was looking forward to a nice relaxing night with Tyrion after his most stressful day in his short residency as Chief so far. Laying on the bed, he was still feeling his head where it had been split open earlier. Although the wound was healed, he could still feel it. Still feel the opening and the blood. Tomorrow he would head straight to sickbay to get it checked out again.

His door chime went and assuming it was Tyrion, he called out, "Come in babe, you know the door is always open for you anyway." Grayson still lay on his bed, looking out the window to the stars and rocks outside, expected to be joined any second by his new lover.

Several beats passed, Tyrion's voice nowhere to be heard but after a few moments someone else appeared in the doorway of Grayson's bedroom. Instead of Grayson's new lover, Oren came into view, or rather, what little of him could be seen from behind the furry bundle in his arms.

"Hi," he said tiredly, looking at Grayson over Landi"s head.

"Oren!" Grayson said excitedly as he jumped up and went to give his friend a hug. "I hate to ask, but, how are you? I saw the damage report come in, I'm sorry," he managed to get at least one oh his arms around Oren in some fashion of a hug.

Oren smiled, leaning into Grayon since his hands were full. "I'm...dizzy and my ribs broke but then got healed. I probably shouldn't be carrying her like this but she wouldn't walk when I put her down and I'm...kind of homeless so we're here to take over your couch," he told his friend in one breath. He looked down at Landi and, if he was being honest, he was still coming to terms with the idea that she might've died so it was hard letting her out of his sight.

"You know you are always welcome, take a seat," he lead Oren over to the larger couch under the window. "I'll go get the spare bedding, make yourself comfortable. Want anything from the replicator? Both of you?" Grayson was trying his best to be a good host. It would be moments later he returned with the fluffy pillows and duvet cover he kept in a spare closet for just such occasions.

"Maybe some food for Landi. I don't think I could eat anything. I've been feeling queasy since I woke up in Sickbay. I also feel like my skin is a size too small," Oren replied, finally settling Landi down gently and taking the offered duvet and pillows. "Thank you, Grayson. How are you? Did you get hurt?"

"One meal and one warm drink coming up. You are at least having a hot chocolate Oren...comfort at its best," Grayson returned from the replicator his hands full. "Now, scoot over to the other chair and I will make up the bed. You've been through enough," he smiled the best he could, "and drink your hot chocolate. But yeah, I was hurt a bit. Gash across the forehead, all patched up but I can still feel like it is there, you know? Oh and all the usual head/migraine stuff."

"You don't have to do all that, Grayson," Oren complained weakly, smelling the cup of hot chocolate cautiously. Luckily, his stomach remained settled so he took a tentative sip. "I can make my own bed," he continued, licking his lips. Grayson being a mother hen was comforting though, as much as Oren hated to admit it. It was nice to have someone make a fuss over you, even if you totally didn't need it.

"You're hurt too," he complained to the half-Trill. "Make chocolate for yourself and sit with me."

"You're the guest, sit down and relax a little," Grayson fussed, "I honestly think with the amount of pain killers I have had, any amount of sugar will send me over the edge and into full humming bird mode... I'll be flapping around here at warp speed getting things done. Already feel a little on edge from what I have had." He smiled wearily looking over at Oren as he tucked the fitted sheet into the couch cushions, bring up and fluffing a pillow before adding the final layer of a light bedspread.

"Then you probably shouldn't have any," Oren agreed, taking another small sip. "I think my pain meds are beginning to wear off, but it's not like I'll be doing much heavy lifting. Just don't make me laugh."

"I will try," Grayson smiled. "Your bed is all set up for when you are ready. I would have just invited you into mine, but..." his voice tailed off for a second as he contemplated a less awkward way to admit Tyrion would be sleeping there, "someone has already tagged that spot for the night."

Oren grinned at him tiredly. "Yeah, I think I overheard something about your affairs around the ship in the last couple of days. This ship, I swear..." He shook his head but didn't look disapproving. "May I inquire who it is?" As the question left his lips, part of Oren hoped the answer wouldn't be Ellsworth, even though he knew it was ridiculous. He knew Ellsworth wouldn't have jumped into bed with someone so quickly, but the doubt was still there, ever present in the back of his head.

"Don't hate me, but...Tyrion," Grayson jumped quickly to defending himself, "I was really low and he sort of came along. We arm wrestled in the bar one night, playful banter and he really cheered me up. Cut to the party on the Klingon ship, which feels oh so long ago at this point, he saved me from a fight. Someone saved me Oren. He held me back. I could have cried, heck I think I did."

"You must've been really drunk," Oren said, putting his cup of hot chocolate up to his lips for another sip. It was still hot, but he barely noticed, trying not to show that he was freaking out over the fact that out of all the men Grayson could have gotten involved with, it had to be Tyrion.

"I..uh...I know Tyrion," he managed, pursing his lips.

"Oh?" Grayson quizzed, almost tilting his head to the side like an excited puppy. "But yeah, well, you know me and when I like to party...I party," he giggled slightly.

Oren smiled, giving Grayson a look that said he knew it all too well. Then he nodded, feeling awkward over how he and Tyrion knew each other. "Yes, Tyrion and I met during Galileo's last shore leave. We...uh...he didn't mention that shore leave to you? At all?" he asked, buying time as he tried to decide whether Grayson really needed to know the nature of his connection for Tyrion.

"No...," he paused, "but from the tone I don't think I want to know the rest of the story. Will things be awkward if he turns up?"

"I...I'm not sure. Things are strange between us right now, so...probably?" Oren said, looking unsure. How could he find a way to just tell Grayson what happened with him and Tyrion without it being awkward? Was there an un-awkward way of telling your friend you slept with their boyfriend?

"Right, so... will just grin and smile and play nice," Grayson forced a grin quite noticeably while he planned of that to do. It was at that time he heard the door swish open.

"Gray, I'm ho-" The cheerful voice broke off as it's owner sensed someone else in the room. Seconds after the cut of call, the owner appeared, looking a little flustered. "Oh...hi Oren," he greeted awkwardly as he walked up to Grayson and instead of his usual spot, opted to just kiss his cheek instead.

"Hey babe," Grayson said, moving to meet his lover, wrapping his hands around his waist and enjoying the kiss. He knew they would not be exchanging their normal greeting. "Oren is going to be bunking with us for a bit," he gave a smile, "his quarters were unfortunately in one of the sections now exposed to the wonders of space. We were just catching up a bit before you walked in."

"Yeah, so, this isn't awkward at all," Oren said with a smile, hoping that at least acknowledging the awkwardness would somehow lessen it. It didn't.

"I see," Tyrion replied, without moving away from Grayson, looking just a little too possessive as he stood between the two men. "And he couldn't take my place in my quarters? I'm here most of the time anyways...so my bunk is free in my room."

Oren's smile fell of his face slowly as he looked from Grayson, to Tyrion, the awkwardness increasing, "Oh...um..." he began, shifting uneasily. "You're right, that's probably better," he said, though he didn't exactly like the idea of spending the night with Pieter.

"No, no, stay, please," Grayson shot over a warning look to Tyrion and began to beam a mental/telepathic message in his direction that he hoped he would pick up, 'My quarters still, my friend, my decision. Deal with it' it was the most direct he had ever been with Tyrion so far. "You are comfy and settled, plus... after an injury and experience like that, you want to be somewhere comfortable. I'm not having you squashed into a small bunk," Grayson continued, thinking so many situations in his head. While he was now in a relationship with Tyrion, Oren was his very good friend, his best friend on the ship. He was going to make sure things were okay with him. Oren had been there long before Tyrion, and hoped, should the situation arise, be there long after as well.

Turning his head, Tyrion watched the El-Aurian closely, feeling extremely awkward but unwilling to apologize for being jealous. "You're injured?" he asked quietly, "are you alright?"

His eyes moving from one lover to the other, Oren felt unsettled. He may have been feeling sick and more than a bit rattled, desperately wanting to just pass out and see what the next day would bring, but he could still read a situation.

"I'm fine," he said perhaps a bit too quickly, settling his eyes briefly on Tyrion. A small bunk somewhere else seemed preferable to whatever this was. He looked back at Grayson. "It's okay, Grayson," he told him, looking down at Landi, who was almost done with her meal. "We'll go."

"No." Tyrion reached out as if to keep him down on the couch. "Gray is right, these are his quarters...it's his call. And you're injured and you shouldn't move."

With a small sigh, Oren shook his head. He knew that, given how this day was going, he probably wouldn't find any rest in Grayson's quarters. "It's fine...I'm fine," he insisted, though he was lying through his teeth and knew it was obvious to all of them.

"I don't want to get in the way here," he told them, already reaching down to run his hand through Landi's fur to break her out of her little haze. He felt bad for having to move her again, but he definitely didn't want to stick around there and be in a third wheel, adding to the tension of the situation. As he lifted Landi up again tiredly, he gave Grayson an understanding and hopefully reassuring look. "Dont worry about it. It's just a couple of decks down and Pieter and I know each other."

"Oren, please, I insist," Grayson gave a weary smile, "I'm sure whatever awkwardness there is here is second next to your health. I'm not having you and Landi in a smaller room, cooped up in a bunk. Stay here, Landi can stretch out and walk, you can relax, we can all have a nice meal. It is not as if there isn't room here for all of us really." He briefly considered barring the door with his body.

"Grayson, it's okay," Oren assured him, his voice more firm than it had been. He was starting to feel anxious, just wanting to escape the conflict. In fact, at that moment, being in a room with Pieter seemed preferable. At least there'd be complete silence between the two of them and the only lingering feeling in the room would be that of Pieter's disapproval and he was used to that.

"This awkwardness is not really helping my health either, so it's probably better for everyone if I go. Well," he amended. "Maybe not Pieter, but he can deal with it." He knew his attempt at humor would fall flat, but it was a sincere attempt. "Thanks anyway," he told Grayson with a soft, grateful smile, swallowing the small lump in his throat before looking at Tyrion again. "Bye, Tyrion," he said, making his way to the door.

Though Grayson had been thinking it, Tyrion moved back to the door, and barred his way. "No. Look, I'm sorry okay. You surprised me by being here, and well..." He rubbed his head, looking away. "This isn't my room and Grayson wants you to stay, and you know..." He faltered, not sure how to express himself. "I'm sorry," he finished.

"Tyrion," Oren began, his voice still firm and his mind made up. "It's done, okay? I'm really not in a great mood, it's been a long day for me. We're all still friends here," he said, looking back at Grayson, then back at Tyrion. "But the moment is over, and I want to leave now. I appreciate the sentiment and the fact that Grayson let me stay when I asked if I could, but I don't want to get involved in whatever it is between you two. It's too much for me right now." His voice broke slightly at the end of his sentence as Oren's feelings, pent up from when he woke up that evening in the lab to find the air being sucked out of the room to this awkward situation, finally caught up with him.

In fact, it had been a long week for him, all things considered, and Oren blinked a few times to push back the tears he knew would soon threaten to overcome him from the adrenaline of his anxiety and pent up frustrations. "I just wanna go now, okay?" he asked softly, looking up at Tyrion.

"No," the Betazoid answered. "I'll go."

"Tyrion," Oren warned, his frustration evident. Staring at Tyrion for a moment, he tried to establish that connection they'd shared briefly, weeks ago. I'm leaving either way, he thought. Don't leave Grayson alone. He needs someone tonight. As he thought it over and over again, he hoped it got to his past lover, at least partially.

Having watched the conversation, his head going back and forth like he was watching a tennis match, Grayson's headache and general pain he was experiencing got much worse. Feeling his legs buckle from underneath somehow, he managed to make his way to the bed before they gave way. Managing to catch himself on the soft mattress, he managed to stutter out, "I'm ok, honest."

"Grayson!" Tyrion cried out. "You, don't you dare leave," he told Oren as he raced to the bedroom. "Grayson, what's going on?" he demanded, cradling his beloved in his arms. "You weren't hurt, were you? What happened?" Confusion and fear etched on the Betazoid's face.

"Mix my earlier head wound, which hasn't felt quite right since with some heightened emotions," Grayson stuttered, "it is all a little too much for me to handle right now." He managed to pull himself up onto the bed and lay down. "I'll be fine," Grayson's eyes closed over, he badly wanted to sleep.

"Don't let him fall asleep," Oren said from his spot at the door, Landi still in his arms. The haziness in Grayson's voice didn't bode well, "We should get him to Sickbay," he added.

"Will you sit down already Oren?" Tyrion sighed, torn between taking care of Oren now, or going back to Grayson and get him to sickbay. "If anything we're all going to sickbay because you're not well either." He turned back towards the bedroom. "Do you want me to take you to sickbay Gray?"

"Don't ask him, just take him. You know how he is," Oren said, not sitting down. "I just came back from Sickbay, the doctor said there was nothing she could do for me," he explained.

"Then sit down, and make yourself comfortable," Tyrion suggested, while scooping Grayson up in his arms, hissing as his still not quite healed wrist protested. "I'll be back later, or I can return to my own quarters if you prefer. Either way, you're not leaving. Understand?"

"I'm just really tired is all. I don't quite need sickbay just yet," the engineer protested managing to get himself back down to the bed. "There was so much to fix today, some staffing issues in Main Engineering and more work to carry out than we have people for. Add in the heightened emotions that I seem to be all too eager to pick up on now...it makes for one tired Grayson. A nights sleep and I will be fine. Anything else happens or I don't feel right come morning, I will head to sickbay. Ok?"

"Are you sure those heightened emotions aren't a sign of injury from a bond you guys shared?" Oren asked, thinking of Ellsworth and K'os' problems. He'd hate to see someone else suffer due to not taking proper precautions. Not wanting to add to the tension anymore, Oren sat down on the made up couch.

Grayson looked up at Tyrion, "Potentially, we...or rather I, have had some trouble with headaches and such for a bit. Nothing overly painful. I figured it was stress related at first."

"I've had a few headaches too," Tyrion confessed, "mostly when I felt you got hurt. Gray, I'd really feel better if we went to sickbay. Oren's right, you shouldn't sleep."

"Then I will be up all night, I'm not going to sickbay though," Grayson demanded, "they have enough to deal with right now when all I need is to rest up."

Oren watched the exchange for a few moments before butting in. 'What if you get hurt and you can't bond anymore? Ellsworth got hurt because of a bad bond and now him and K'os can't even be in the same room together." It wasn't the whole truth, but if it scared Grayson into going, then Oren considered it a harmless lie.

"Then there is nothing a few hours sleep won't do to help," Grayson pleaded, tears forming in his eyes. "That can be dealt with in the morning, but I am telling you both, right now, I have been fixing this god damned ship all day. I am tired and need to sleep. I had a gash across my forehead and lost a lot of blood. I am going to need to sleep. There are two separate issues here."

"But if you have a concussion it may be dangerous to sleep," Tyrion countered, not quite sure what he was sensing from the hybrid engineer now, "Oren's right Gray, what if this goes wrong? What if this will result in us going mad just by being in the same room? Please Gray, at least allow us to call someone to check on you. Please."

"I've been checked though," Grayson was now switching from emotional to annoyed. "They went over all of this with me, checked for concussion and I was fine. They did say I would be tired later, which I am. I'm going nowhere other than to bed. Oren, you are free to stay, Tyrion you are free to join me, but it is where I am going," for a second he appreciated the idea of not being in the same room as any of them. It was the emotional exchange that brought this on after all.

Tyrion sighed as he eased Grayson into a more comfortable position on the bed. "Your word then if it gets worse we go straight to sickbay?" he asked.

"My word," he replied.

"I'll go help Oren get comfortable and then I'll be back, if you want me to."

Saying nothing, he turned over on the bed to get a little more comfortable and pulling in a pillow to hold in the mean time.

Oren stood up, saying nothing more as he followed Tyrion out of the bedroom. Once they were out of earshot, he looked at the Betazoid. "If you want to be alone, I really can go."

"No Oren, I promised him I'd make you comfortable and I already told you I'm sorry for overreacting. It's past..." Tyrion hesitated for a few seconds. "Alright? I haven't told him yet, but I will, when the time is right."

"Hope I won't be there. That conversation will be awkward," Oren replied, sitting down on the couch and running his hands through Landi's fur.

"You won't," Tyrion promised, reaching to help him lay down. "Will you be alright here? If you need anything just call alright? I...really need to be with him now. I promise we'll be quiet, not that anything will be happening...." He smiled awkwardly. "Sorry, too much information. I'm sorry, I'll leave you be now. Good night Oren."

"Good night. Tyrion?" Oren called, until the Betazoid turned his attention back to him. "For what it's worth, I'm glad Grayson has you. I know how much he wanted to have someone, so I hope you make him happy."

"I will," Tyrion promised, "I have no intention of leaving him. I love him Oren, and for what it's worth, I did love you too..." He smiled and waved briefly, before going back to the bedroom. "I'm back," he whispered as he crawled into bed.

While out cold due to the pain, something in Grayson's subconscious knew Tyrion was there. His body reached out to find him, and while still in uniform, went out to cuddle into him. It was the tightest he had ever held on to someone in his life. Something wasn't right and while he would never admit it...he would be going to sickbay first thing in the morning.

OFF:

CPO Tyrion Faye
Intelligence Officer
USS Galileo
[pnpc T'Vanna]

Lieutenant JG Grayson Jones
Chief Engineer
USS Galileo

Lieutenant JG Oren Idris, Ph.D.
Chief Research Officer
USS Galileo

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