Back to Work

Posted on 16 Feb 2016 @ 12:28pm by Commander Allyndra illm Warraquim

1,098 words; about a 5 minute read

Mission: Episode 10 - Symposium
Location: USS Galileo, Deck 3, Sickbay
Timeline: MD35 0700

ON:

Allyndra was distracted still. There had been messages from home and it seemed the situation was not good. The timing was both perfect and yet not exactly what she had hoped for either. Mother Ryaldi had not gotten her wings and the age had set in. It meant that she had less than a year and already the process from the messages she got had been that things had accelerated somewhat but there was still time. Allyndra had been requested, scratch that, commanded to come home but the final reason was not given.

There was no doubt that there would be changes in the House and she wondered exactly how it would affect her. A new House Mother might even decide to forbid her to return.

Well that was one thing, but right now there was another. Naois was requesting to be let back on duty and she wondered how he was adjusting to his new hand and the psychological impact. She sighed, the data they had gotten and she had argued over might be able to bring that hand back but then there had already been disappointments along that line.

She was so distracted she did not even notice that he had arrived. "Hello Naois, sorry I did not hear you."

Naois bowed his head apologetically. "I did not knock," he said softly as he approached, "you seemed deep in thought and I thought I would wait until you noticed me. I did not intend to startle you. May we talk?"

"I am fine. My thoughts have been elsewhere. Please come have a seat." Allyndra gestured. There was no one about right now in sickbay but the door could always be closed. "What may I do for you?" She asked. Allyndra knew better than how are you doing. How would anyone do with a missing appendage being replaced by something artificial. As good as the prosthetics had gotten they were still not quite the same as the real thing.

He sat down opposite of her and folded his hands in his lap. It felt odd, to have two hands again just when he was getting used to only one, and it was still a little cumbersome but he would get used to it in time. "I would like to return to duty," he started, not quite looking at her, "for a few hours a day. I feel, having nothing to do is starting to weigh on me, especially when I see those around me in need of someone who will listen. We are short on counsellors doctor....and I feel I can contribute. While I am not wholly healed myself I feel I am capable of helping others."

"I can understand. I think it would be an excellent idea actually. However, before I certify you tell me, how is the adjustment coming?" There it had to come out. He seemed confident enough but she needed to see how his outlook was as well.

"It takes getting used to," he admitted, "though I believe I am doing well enough. I had just gotten used to avoiding my right arm though I am fortunate to be left-handed. Therefor the adjustment is minimal, however I am happy to have use of my right hand again, especially with household chores. I have spoken with Andreus and he suggested I should keep doing them. Which I did, it helped making the adjustment a little easier."

"I think Andreus advice is excellent. The more you use it the more it will begin to be 'a part' of you. I would say you are adjusting well to the situation. I must ask though how about flashbacks, post trauma stress, that sort of thing?" Allyndra so wished she could just have the tools to give him back the hand like hers had come back.

"I have nightmares," the Vulcan confessed. "Not every night but frequent enough. I see her eyes, as she smashes my hand, feel the pain as she tortures me as vividly as if it happened only seconds ago. I wake up, realize it was a dream, and fall back asleep. It does not keep me up at night, but it does interrupt my cycle."

Allyndra nodded. She understood. Dreams sometimes of long ago but not so recent. She wondered about that. Perhaps though traumatic she had faith and also knew that if she survived she would come out whole again.
"Well as a counselor and I am sure as one yourself, you know it is the mind shuffling things back into place. I will give a prescription for a sleep aid but take it as you think you need. If these dreams persist we might have to work a bit more. Overall it sounds as if you are adjusting well enough and let's get you back into doing something else. I think it would help with the problems you have been having. Gives the mind something else to work on."

"As do I," Naois replied, "I would like to start with one or two patients a day as needed and gradually build up to full duty shifts. However I would also like to keep my medical degree valid so if I can do an hour or two in sickbay, perhaps alternated with seeing psychological patients? Is that acceptable to start with?"

Allyndra nodded her head. "Sounds like an excellent start and I agree fully. I would like to continue to meet like this, informally, just so I can keep abreast of how things are going if you do not mind."

"I do not mind, in fact I believe that may be a good idea. We could do this perhaps after a shift, as a sort of...review? To see how the day went and either increase or decrease my workload as needed or desired."

"A good plan indeed." Allyndra replied and then stood up. She came around the desk and gave Naois a little brief hug. "Welcome back," she said. It was highly informal but she wanted him to know just how much she really meant the words.

"Thank you." Despite the no-touch protocol for Vulcans, Naois didn't mind the hug and actually seemed to appreciate the sentiment. "I will come in tomorrow morning for my first shift, and depending on what is needed most, see counselling patients, or medical ones." He stood up and smiled. "I look forward to occupying myself with something useful again."

tag

OFF:
Lieutenant j.g. Naois Mercy
Counsellor
USS Galileo
pnpc Tyrion

LCmdr Allyndra illm Warraquim
Chief Medical Officer
USS Galileo

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