Jayme was on the couch resting with her knee up and an ice pack in place. The brace was on the floor beside the couch. There was a PADD in her hand and several modules scattered in her lap, and a cup of coffee at her elbow. The door sensor chimed. As she absently called for the door to open, Kassia entered with her usual calm and gentle presence.
"Are you so sure coffee is the best thing for you to be drinking?" she said gently with a teasing grin on her face.
"I switched to Coffee after the Raktajino started eating a hole in my stomach lining. Help yourself to the replicator and take a seat. I could use a cup of tea. Kassia retrieved a cup of herbal tea and took a seat. "You've been doing a lot of studying lately," she replied as she sipped the hot liquid.
Jayme frowned and looked at her friend, and said, "I'm forbidden to stand watches either in the Corps or Sickbay. I can't workout, or play with he guys in the holo deck. I've read two novels you recommended that I never got to on Thermopylae...so I'm studying."
"There's nothing wrong with studying in and of itself," Kassia replied as she took another sip of her tea. "But... how many hours a day have you been studying?" She observed Jayme carefully at her casually stated question, which was anything but casual, and they both knew it.
"I've been averaging eight to twelve hours a day." Jayme shrugged. She took a sip of her coffee and saw Kassia nod acceptance of the answer. "The Colonel, is giving me a very great responsibility and position with the creation of the medivac unit." Jayme paused and thought about what she'd learned, but hadn't yet discussed with Tarik yet. "I've decided to accelerate my studies to get my medical degree as soon as possible or I could get this position taken from me--if someone more qualified arrives."
"Still... That's an awful lot of hours during the day," she replied. "But I can see why you're doing it," she smiled. "How's your appetite?"
Jayme shrugged. "Okay, I'm eating three meals a day and none of them consist of MRE bars." She smiled at Kassia, who laughed. "When I was on the pain medication. I didn't have much of an appetite, but that's improved. But if I do to much and the knee starts to ache...foods the last thing I think about, does that make any sense?"
"It makes perfect sense," Kassia assured her. "And I take it your father has been around to visit you frequently?"
"My father is here in the mornings and for lunch and then he leaves...said something about working the bar at Soma. Then in the evenings Dr. Fletcher is here unless he's in Sickbay in which case Marki, Kama, or Shannon drop in for visits."
"Sounds like you have a steady stream of visitors," Kassia laughed softly. "And yes, apparently your father is helping out at Soma. That's what Troy's told me anyway. He makes quite a mean drink, Troy says." Again Kassia laughed. "He even mentioned something to me about your father was thinking of staying out here this way..."
"He hasn't said anything definite about staying on station. But it wouldn't surprise me." Jayme said.
Kassia leaned forward with her hands clasped and head slightly tipped, "Why?"
Jayme laughed and said, "His wife/my mother is a bitch! She is married to Starfleet Medical and my father second. I was an accident, and then became a major disappointment when I dropped out of Starfleet medical to be a Marine." Jayme looked away from Kassia back at PADD and study materials.
"Is she the reasons you dropped Starfleet Medical for the Marines?" Kassia asked curious, wondering if maybe in some small part the decision had been partly been made to separate herself with identification with her mother.
"At the time, I hated school, I hated her for interfering with my classes, and no mater what I did my grades weren't good enough for her... Finally, when I had leave I went to a recruiter who knew my father and signed in. she hasn't spoken to me since."
"Kassia, I've enjoyed my Marine training and career for the most part. And right now, I don't have a problem with completing a program I dropped out of six years ago...because I'll still get to use it in the Corps!"
"Oh, I know you enjoy being a marine," Kassia smiled. "But my question was directed at the past. I think you answered it though... Your mother's a very demanding person."
"That's putting it mildly." Jayme emptied stuff off her lap and swung both legs around to rest on the floor. She noted Kassia's frown. "As long as I don't bare weight without the brace...I'm fine.""Whenever it was possible, my father took me with him, as a kid versus leaving me home with mother." Jayme relaxed against the back of the couch, and said, "when he had to leave me I was with my grandparents, and very rare occasions my mother."
"What was it like on these occasions with your mother?' Kassia asked gently.
"Hmmm, she'd find fault with everything I did, and I'd end up locking myself in my room. Jayme laughed, and said, "I learned to stash extra MRE's dad brought home in his gear in my room--so I've liked them from an early age." Still chuckling.
Kassia smiled. "MRE's... I don't think I'll see another one without thinking of you!" A twinkle went into her green eyes as she chuckled back.
"I guess that's why I had no problem living on them for so long on Thermopylae." Jayme said. After a moment of silence she said in all seriousness. "My goal is to complete the boards for my second year, this week while I'm off duty. Then I can start my final year when I am back on active duty as I can squeeze it in."
Kassia nodded. "That's an admirable goal... But don't do it at the expense of your health, physical or otherwise," she said. "By the way, how's you're sleep?" she asked with concerned.
"Sleep?" Jayme said as she met her friends concerned eyes. "I'm getting more now, then I was off station." She shrugged and crossed her arms over her chest and realized how that would be interpreted uncrossed them. "I'm restless and it's difficult to sleep in the brace." And with a sigh Jayme added, "some of the dreams are unsettling be it from the pain medicine I was on, the interrupted REM cycles due to the brace...but they aren't nightmares, but some aren't real pleasant either."
"Care to give me an example?" Kassia asked, though she had already received a mental image by simply posing the question. However, she wanted Jayme talking about it. She wanted to see what Jayme thought of the imagery.
"Kassia, some of its pieces of what I experienced while in LI school, some bits from Mars--mainly good stuff, then from Thermopylae, and some PTS from the accident in the Holo suite that lead to my knee. Nothing heavy or even resembling a nightmare."
She nodded with smiled softly. "Just promise to let me know, if they do progress into nightmares. Okay?"
The door chimed and Jayme yelled out enter. Nathan walked in and saw Jayme with her foot down and that Kassia was present. "How are you ladies?" He asked.
Both women at the same time answered, "fine," and started laughing. As he took a seat next to Jayme on the couch.
Jayme smiled at him and then looked to Kassia with a grin. "Before you leave could you do me a quick favor?"
"Of course!" she replied, with a bright sparkle in her eyes as she looked to Nathan for a brief moment before turning her gaze back to Jayme.
Jayme met Kassia's gaze, and said, "Earlier you pulled images from my mind... which as a counselor you are sanctioned to do. But when I've been alone, I've left my shields down...I would like you to try again? I need to get in the habit of having them up all the time--not to keep you out. But if I am going to have Tiyanna over I need to know that they are strong."
"I was wondering if you might ask," Kassia replied with understanding. "Okay... Think of something very clearly, but try to put your shield in place."
As Jayme attempted to do so, Kassia gently probed her mind. The image she saw, though wasn't completely clear, was clear enough. It was Jayme with Nathan in bed together. A sly smile crossed her face. Interesting image, Jayme. ~
"Well, your shield is almost back in place, but not quite. I think you need to work on controlling the level of the shield a little more. But I don't see that being too difficult for you."
"Damn!" Jayme said. Nathan stood no quite understanding what just went on, only knew that whatever it was it frustrated Jayme. Jayme looked up at Kassia and Nathan, and said. "It's okay, I asked for that." She said relaxing back against the couch.
Kassia watched her friend settle back and relax, before she looked to Dr. Fletcher. "Can I see you and your tricorder in the corridor for a minute."
She looked to Jayme and said, "I'm going to barrow him for a minute about my wrist."
Kassia could see and feel Jayme trying to read her...only to meet very strong shields.
"Okay." she said with a shrug.
"I'm not entirely sure what I did to this today," Kassia smiled as the doors closed behind them, "But it's given me some twinges today as I've moved it and lifted things. I thought since you were here, you could tell me if I need anything more than an ice pack and some standard pain relief."
Nathan tucked the tricorder under his left arm and used both hands to examine and move the hand and wrist this way and that, noting what twinged and what didn't. "It's a soft tissue stain, which isn't as bad as a sprain or a break. So I agree with the Ice pack and the acetaminophen. Try to avoid any activity that causes the twinges." He continued to hold her hand, and gazed into her bright green eyes. "If this was the problem I could have checked it out or you could have had Jayme do it--she's more then qualified. So what else is on your mind counselor?"
She smiled and nodded. "Well, I've heard from Jayme, but being the concerned friend and counselor that I am, I'd like to hear from her doctor how she's been eating and sleeping, if you happen to know," she asked.
He released her hand and leaned against the wall. "I know that she's eating...between her father and I that's covered." He frowned, and said, "I'm assuming there isn't an issue with sleeping. But obviously something she's told you makes you concerned enough to bring it up to me, right?"
"She mentioned the brace isn't comfortable to sleep in. That its interfering with her sleep," Kassia replied. "It's affecting her REM cycles. She's not really dreaming. Just more or less seeing imagery. "
He exhaled and thought about things, and then said, "She needs to wear the brace continuously for the next two weeks at least, or she'll think she can move around without it during the day too. I could order her medications for sleep, but hate to do that as it could make things worse." He paused and thought for a moment. "Could try an Alphawave generator...but she'd fight that almost worse then the medications. How big a deal is this?"
Kassia thought for a moment seriously. Two weeks could be a long time... But on the other hand, it could be manageable. She was getting less sleep on her last assignment. "Well, I don't see it being a real big problem at the moment, but I'll keep an eye on it every few days. I'm sure she'll see through why I'm asking, but she'll have to deal with it," Kassia smiled gently again. "I think she'll be all right though, but I'll let you know if that changes. You can let me know if you find out otherwise to..."
Nathan nodded. "I'll keep a closer eye on her too and I'm going to talk to her about it tonight. Maybe she'll volunteer since she knows not sleeping will interfere with healing. Go Ice your wrist. I'm going to go see what's we're doing about dinner." She walked off with a smile and he turned and entered Jayme's quarter's to a wonderful smell. He noted she was up and her brace was on.
After dinner, he sent her off to shower and put on shorts. He wanted to re-examine the knee. He picked up her coffee mug and saw three modules for her PADD, each with a check mark, meaning she'd completed the chapters. He rinsed out the cup and shook his head. He realized how much time; she'd spent studying in the last two days. He'd given her plenty of time and entered her bedroom to find her sitting on her bed towel drying her hair. She put the towel down on the floor and ran her fingers through her hair. "Good timing." She said as he entered and pulled up the spare chair and sat down across from her with a smile.
"Dinner was good." He said as he switched on his tricorder and made several passes over her leg. With a nod he set it aside and gently palpated the knee trying to find tender spots...she yelped when he found one and only one. He adjusted his position and tested the strength and joint stability. While doing it he watched her for signs of pain or tenderness. "Good," he said palpating pulses in the foot and knee. "Stand up and I want you to do a squat...don't go past where you start feeling pain or burning, and then stand back up. He placed his hands out in case she lost her balance or didn't have the strength. Jayme did as he asked and made it to almost 90 degrees and then slowly came back up without losing her balance. She smiled, and added, "no pain." She sat back down when he gestured her to do so.
He sat across from her. "That's good. You don't need to ice it unless it starts to ache or swell. Starting tonight, I want you to sleep without the brace. But know this, from 0600 to 2400 if that brace isn't on--you'll be back to wearing it 24/7, as it will be screwed into the bone! Starting tomorrow, I want you to walk (with the brace on) and do a mile-- only a mile around the track in the MC Gym--you're father will be doing the laps with you. So don't think you're going to do more then a mile or anything faster then a walk! He watched as she accepted the decreased restriction. He leaned back in the chair and took a deep breath exhausted after a day of treating more refugees from the Mullurans.
She saw the fine lines around his mouth, the pale blue circles under his eyes, the shallowness of his skin, and heard the sigh as he leaned back in the chair. She picked up the tricorder he'd set down and sitting forward on the edge of the bed, chanced running a scan on him. He looked up and met her eyes, and asked, "What do you think you're doing?"
"Just practicing," she said as she shook her head and turned the tricorder off. "Why don't you go shower and I'll find you some scrubs to wear." He sat up in the chair, and stood to leave, when he heard her say, "I know you are off duty tomorrow. I want you to stay here, tonight, please?"
He paused and thought about her as his patient. He saw her as a woman. He thought about what Kassia had said about her sleeping and he didn't want to be the cause of her not sleeping well...but damn, as a man did not want to say no. "Okay, I'll stay." She stood and moved to a closet and found the scrubs that were way to big for her and limped back to hand them to him. She took a seat back on the bed.
He cleared his throat, and said, "I wasn't going to say anything but Kassia's worried about your sleeping? Anything I need to know?"
Jayme looked away from him and then said, "She a counselor--it's her job to 'worry', when was away on assignment I was exposed to 'dust' and it caused hallucinations and nightmares... something from my past. I'm still not sleeping well, but it's not the hallucinations or nightmares...just restlessness and fragmented, that's all."
"If I ordered a light sedative, would you take it?" He asked.
"No."
He stood, bent down and picked up her towel and as he stood up she reached up with both hands on either side of his face and pulled him in for a kiss. She pulled away and hid her face in her hands, "I'm sorry."
"Don't be," and he took her hands in his an leaned in and kissed her back, gently and patiently waiting for her to open up and make it a mutual kiss. Finally she relaxed and joined in sharing the kiss. When they separated he turned and headed for the shower.
He returned to find her half asleep and almost stepped out to sleep on the couch when she said, "I'm awake."
"Could have fooled me." He walked to the bed, and slid in on the side nearest the door. Soon she'd relaxed and they'd found a comfortable position he laid there away for a while just listening to her sleep and then nodded off himself. It was late and the room was dark and both were asleep. Then all of a sudden he took an elbow to the ribs and heard her shriek. His arms tightened around her and he tried to talk to her. Then all of a sudden she was quiet, limp, and unarousable. He sat up and found his tricorder and scanned her...only a high level of catecolamine. Her heart rate and everything was dropping back to normal.