I am sick and tired of being sick and tired.

Posted on 30 Jun 2018 @ 6:46pm by Commander Scarlet Blake & Commander Luke Wyatt
Edited on on 21 Aug 2023 @ 1:47pm

1,685 words; about a 8 minute read

Mission: Episode 16 - A Far Sun
Location: USS Schofield - Sickbay
Timeline: MD -01, 2200 hrs

[ON]

Tapping his left hand against his leg to a tune he couldn’t figure the name for Luke walked towards sickbay. His mission? To rescue Scarlet from the grips of medical and rescue the crew from the tyranny of Lily Blake the dragon huntress, someone who Luke volunteered regularly between shifts to look after. Though at one stage she managed to lock him in the brig claiming he was being haunted by the spirit of a dragon. He knew what it was like to be cooped up for days and also knew just what she needed. So with a tub of Neapolitan ice cream, some homemade selection of sandwiches and a card from Lily he marched toward sickbay.

Having finally got permission to see her from the on duty nurse Luke found himself entering the sickbay of the Oberth class ship and immediately began looking for Scarlet. “Scarlet?” he called out, the sickbay somewhat quiet and deserted at this time.

Scarlet looked up from the biobed, propping herself up on an elbow as she saw him, rolling her eyes. "About time...have you finally turned up to break me out? You took long enough...."

Following her voice Luke walked over to where she lay propped up on the bed. “You know how it is, I figured I’d let you have a couple of days clawing at the walls before rescuing you, that way you’ll be super appreciative.” He teased before adding, “besides our medical department are kind of badass when it comes to patient treatment added to the fact I have a department to run, a daughter from the mirror universe to guide and baby sitting Lily who alone is a full time job makes it kind of difficult to plan an escape.” He said pulling across a stool and sitting next to Scarlet.

“Lily and I made you a card... well I sort of watched and gave ideas she done most of the making,” he said handing her the piece of card which when opened out popped a 3D scene which brandished the hand drawings of Lily, Scarlet and Luke stood in front of a hillside castle and a dragon flying in the background. In one hand Lily held Scarlet the other a golden dragon egg. The drawn version of Luke stood watching and smiling a sword and shield in his hand with the federation crest on the shield. “She’s very creative,” he added holding up the ice cream and sandwiches. “And I brought food.”

Scarlet smiled fondly as she took in the card, her fingers caressing over the drawings with a soft chuckle. "Oh, don't sell yourself short, your drawings have really come on," she teased him with a soft smile. She leant to put it up close by, grimacing slightly at the stretch in her. "You really brought me icecream?" she chuckled softly with surprise, looking to it with awe. "Missing the park already?"

Luke watched uncomfortably as Scarlet grimaced, only relaxing when she began talking again the pain obviously still present in her movement. “The park, Earth and a few other things I reconnected with there,” he said shortly after opting not to mention the couple of days where they had all spent together. “How are you doing? Really? We were worried about you.”

"Oh, I'm fine, fine," Scarlet said quickly. She never found it easy to admit weakness and she gave a slight wave of her hand before forcing herself to sit up properly for him. "I'm more annoyed than anything. You know me, I don't like something else calling the shots for me."

“Yes well, there’s a very dedicated, and well trained medical team saying otherwise and I’m 99.99 percent certain if you really was fine you would get up and walk straight out those doors.” He said pointing with the spoon in his hand. “Take it from someone who has spent a lot of time recovering lately, it’s best just to accept it and eat this delicious ice cream.” Luke held the tub up like it was a pizza delivery box. “And I'll keep you company, I can even answer all your questions so you don’t feel so disconnected with the goings on of the ship?”

Scarlet looked at the spoon for a long moment before meeting his eyes with a soft chuckle. "Deal," she said softly, taking the spoon and digging in. She closed her eyes as she moaned softly at the taste, sighing as she shook her head. "Okay, maybe this makes it a bit better," she smiled softly, tilting her head tiredly. "At least I know you're looking after the ship. And Lily."

Luke took the remaining spoon and took a small scoop for himself, letting the icecream melt slowly before replying. “The ship has been easy, Lily however...” he let out a low chuckle. “You know she managed to lock me in my own brig, She’s getting smarter by the day!” he explained taking another scoop of ice cream before adding. “Have you noticed anything about her sleeping pattern? I didn’t have time before to tell you but she managed to get into your LCARS and contact me. I figured you might have been in trouble but turns out she just wanted to talk... in the middle of the night mind. Other than the obvious...” he waved his spoon towards her highlighting her current occupancy. “Has everything been ok, she was asking about her father and may have mentioned about you waking in the night. Stop me if it’s none of my business but you know I’m here for you?” He let out another chuckle. “Jesus I sound like the ship's counsellor.”

"Wait, wait, wait....." Scarlet tried to turn to him, searching his eyes with confusion. "She called you? In the middle of the night? Just to talk?" she'd had no idea....and that worried her. And the fact he'd gone in and out without her even bloody stirring.

"I should have told you sooner, we've been a bit busy lately and to be honest this is the first time I've spoken to you properly since." Somewhat shyly. "She hasn't done it since and since you've been in here I've been keeping an eye on things," Luke added.

Scarlet nodded slowly, although with a frown as she searched his features. She believed him....he was a father and knew better than to lie to a mother. "She's been asking about him more," she sighed heavily, shrugging weakly. "There's only so many times you can tell a girl she doesn't have a father."

Luke looked away for a moment in thought of how to respond before speaking in a softer more heartfelt tone. “But she does have one, and I don’t need to know the details I won’t ask that from you but maybe explaining it to her in a way that will settle her curiosity, she’s getting older, smarter and she knows she is absent a father figure in her life.”

Her chest tightened at the words as Scarlet held her breath. The usually cool, calm woman had to look away from him for a long moment to gather herself. The truth was, for the last years, Scarlet had convinced herself of it. Lily didn't have a father. Not in the real sense. "She's never had a father," she said firmly, but quietly, not having the energy to summon up any more force. "Not a real one. Not how it matters. I can't tell her...no child should have to..." she stopped, frowning as she shook her head, looking down. "Maybe one day, when she's an adult, but not yet. I just don't know what to do anymore, in the meantime..." she shook her head with a weak chuckle at herself. "Great counsellor, hm?"

“The greatest!” he said with a light chuckle. “I don’t know if it would help but maybe I could speak to her? Maybe it would make sense to her if I explained the situation?” Luke shrugged, “When she’s older she’ll understand just how lucky she is to have a Mum like you.”

Scarlet gave him a small but grateful smile at the words. They meant a lot coming from another parent. It was a confidence boost that maybe many people wouldn't have guessed she needed from time to time. It reminded her though, of what he had lost. She reached out, taking a hold of his hand, squeezing it gently. "Abbey was lucky too, you know that right?" she said softly. "Never doubt that."

He nodded a sad smile on his face as he looked down at their hands. "I Just wish I had more time with her, what's worst is that she isn't exactly gone it's a very confusing situation," Luke admitted looking back towards Scarlet. "I think Lily will do well with coming to see you unless you think you'll be out soon. She's really excited to have you back, even though she's had her fair share of fun running me and Aria off our feet."

She laughed weakly at that, shaking her head carefully as she squeezed his hand. "I'm sure she's doing her best," she said knowingly. "But I feel better knowing she has a good guy looking out for her. A good guy that deserved more time with his own girl, but I'm pleased has the chance to spend time with mine."

Luke let out a small sigh before smiling. “Thankyou,” he said simply. “I better let you rest, I’m sure you’ll be full ahead when you leave so take this time to recharge your warp coils,” he put his hand over hers. “I’ll see you soon?” he asked hopefully.

Scarlet gave a gentle nod, easing back a bit, not wanting to admit how tired she was. "Better believe it. Make sure the little dragon hunter doesn't get into too much mischief, hm?"

[OFF]

--

Lt Cmdr Luke Wyatt
Chief Security Officer
USS Schofield

Cmdr Scarlet Blake
Acting CO
USS Schofield

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