The next morning Jayme woke, showered and ate breakfast with Nathan before they walked together to sickbay. There Nathan kissed her and walked back into the office where he sat and forced himself to work on the article he was preparing for the trauma board.
Dr. Cherrin and one of the nurses walked up to Jayme and he could see that she was extremely anxious. "Captain." He said pausing and looking at the monitor at the head of the biobed. "Relax, and take a few deep breaths." He said, and saw her nod, and do as he asked. "Lay back and we are going to start with the neurological exam." Twenty minutes later he shook his head, and ordered, "1cc Alprazolam. I need you to relax." He saw her nod and that she didn't fight the nurse.
Fifteen minutes later he returned and started in on the rest of his exam. Dr. Cherrin noted that her eyes remained closed as he worked. He asked a few questions and listened to her answers but her words slurred slightly. An hour later he left her headed back into his office to review the scansand her medical record. Her BCI was due to expire in less then ninety days, he wanted to threat her neurological defect, and boost her immune response. He stood and walked back to the treatment area. "Jayme, I'm going to place the neural calipers on . . . you've had two high gradeconcussions in the last thirty days and I want to do more advanced treatment of them. Also, your BCI is due to expire while under combat conditions and, I am going to swap them out now. And with your schedule and fatigue you've trashed your immune system; I am going to infuse 10, 000 unit's Immune-globulin and nutrients. I should have you out of here in less then two hours. Any questions?"
She opened her eyes and shook her head, and said, "No." She went to sit up, and he rested his hand on her shoulder. "I'd like to use the restroom, and then have Nathan sit out here to visit with me."
He patted her shoulder and said, "Ok. Let a nurse help you as you're liable to be unstable on your feet with the medication. I'll get Nathan."
Nathan touched his combadge after talking to Dr. Cherrin and sitting down in the seat he took Jayme's hand in his. "Lt. Commander Fletcher to Lt. Kassia."
[Kassia, Here, Nathan.] She replied, with her usual calming voice. [What can I do for you?]
"Jayme was set up for that 1300 hr appointment . . . she won't be home. She's still being worked up in sickbay." He said watching Jayme nap.
[I see . . .] Kassia replied. [You're thinking she might need me . . .]
"She's been medicated and I think talking with her at this moment wouldn't be beneficial. You're always welcome to visit . . . you know that." Nathan slouched in the chair and watched Dr. Cherrin do the BCI implants.
[I wouldn't be able to come until later anyway,] Kassia replied. [I have an appointment coming here in the next few minutes. But I do have part of the afternoon free. I'll make sure I stop by for a visit . . . as a friend.]
"Ok. I don't think Dr. Cherrin plans on keeping her here, but in quarters." Nathan met Dr. Cherrin's eyes and saw the conspiratorial wink.
[I'll be there] Kassia replied softly. [Give her a Big hug for me until I see her and can give her one in person . . .] It was easy to hear the gentle smile and the care she had reflecting in her voice.
Later Jayme woke asleep on her side with a warm blanket over her. Through slitted eyes she watched as Scott scanned Nathan and then placed a hypospray to Nathan's common artery. "Thanks. The headache was getting pretty intense there."
Jayme stirred and shoved the blanket away from her shoulders and looked around. "What time is it?" She asked sitting up. Dr. Cherrin and a nurse moved together to steady her so she didn't fall.
"1600 hours. How are you feeling, Jayme?" Scott asked looking at the monitors.
Jayme frowned and shrugged, "I feel okay . . . maybe just a little tipsy."
Nathan moved over and sat beside her on the table and took her hand in his. "Kassia called and wanted you to know she's there and cares." Dr. Cherrin took a seat in the chair Nathan had been sitting in.
"Captain Alcon, I am discharging you to quarters. You are on a medical hold for the next three days. You're also taking four additional days off following that . . . which depending on how you are doing, may be a medical hold. I am dispensing some medications to boost your immune system and a medication to help keep you compliant. You will be required to eat three meals a day and two protein shakes. I also want you to meet with Kassia."
You're medical studies are on hold for 90 days, which means you will not be pulling any shifts in Sickbay or studying."
"Excuse me." Jayme said angrily looking from Nathan to Dr. Cherrin.
"The Colonel needs you able to focus on the up coming conflict and you have a Medivac unit to run . . . when you get off medical leave. And he has approved this order."
Jayme slid off the biobed and paced a few steps before stopping and looking Scott eye to eye, "So, I'm on a medical hold . . . but in quarters. I've been pulled from the Starfleet Medical program for 90 days . . . I can't believe this shit!" Jayme placed her hands on her hips and paced a little more and then looked at Nathan, and said, "There is nothing wrong with me!"
Nathan hooked her arm and got her hand in his . . . and said, "Jayme, you're exhausted and your immune system is compromised. Take the seven days off and spend them in quarters with me or fight this and spend them here under observation. The choice is yours."
After a few moments she sighed and nodded, "Okay. I accept the order, when can I be discharged?"
Scott handed Jayme the PADD and she read and signed the order with gritted teeth, after handing it back she took Nathan's hand and together they walked out of medical headed to their quarters.
In quarters. Jayme had barely sat on the couch and felt dizzy, but the sensation went away after a few minutes. She touched her combadge and said, "Captain Alcon to Commander Nadira?"
[Nadira here] came the replied. [What can I help you with, Jayme?]
"You're going to find this funny, but I've been 'sacked' by medical on a three-day hold." Jayme took the glass and the meds from Nathan, then added, "I need someone to teach the kickboxing class for the next three days." Jayme took the meds then asked, "Would you be willing to teach for me?"
[Woah, woah, woah . . . You're on a three-day hold? Is everything okay?] Katianna asked, clearly concerned. [Are you all right?]
"Yeah, I'm fine but you can't argue with certain people. You can only put in 80 hours a week for so many months before someone notices . . . medical and our favorite Mental Health counselor . . . noticed. So watch your own ass."
A small understanding laugh issued from Katianna. [Noted] she replied. [Believe me, I know what everyone thinks about me at the moment . . . They might not be too far off from the truth,] she said. [But anyway! On to your question . . . Yes, I will take over your class for you, unless for some reason I get pulled a way. But I find that highly unlikely in the next three days.]
[No problem] she replied. [I'm familiar with all of it. Of course, the group might be in for a couple of days of hard workouts!] It was obvious Katianna was already making plans in her head from the sound of her voice.
"Just don't kill them off." Jayme laughed and wished silently that she could be there to watch, and that she didn't need someone to teach the classes for her in the first place. Nathan handed her a protein shake. "Have a good time, my keeper is getting impatient. Have to go. I'll be around if you have any questions."
[All right] Katianna replied. [I know where to find you if I need you! ]
Jayme sat back and curled her legs under her and sipped the shake. She wasn't sure what Nathan had handed her but it was making her feel fuzzy . . and she hated that with a passion.
The bell on the door rang and Nathan walked over and answered and there stood Kassia.
"Hello there," she smiled, her spot-framed face was alight with a sense of calm. "May I come in? I thought I would stop by and see how you were."
Jayme went to put the drink down and saw Nathan shake his head, so she downed the rest of the shake and looked at Kassia, "Hello, and welcome to my cage."
Kassia's smiled didn't change as she lifted her eyebrows a bit. "Well, at least you're not alone," she replied as she looked at Nathan, before she sat on a comfortable chair.
Nathan took a seat on the couch next to Jayme, "She should be glad she's not being held in Sickbay . . . "
Jayme shrugged, and said, "I'm sorry. I'm happy not be in Sickbay. I'm glad I have friends that care. And yes I've done this to myself . . . but it doesn't mean I have to be happy."
Kassia gently placed one of her hands on Jayme's. "You're absolutely right. But thinking about how well this will help you, will actually help you heal faster," Kassia explained. "Never under estimate the power positive thinking!" Her smile continued to be bright.
Jayme was silent for a few minuets and then said, "Excuse me . . . I think, I missed some important verb or something. . . " Jayme looked at Nathan and then back at Kassia and said, "Never mind, I think that drug Nathan gave me is messing with my mind."
"It's all right," Kassia assured her. "Just think good thoughts. That will help you heal faster", she said. "That's what I said. In fact, I might be able to help with that a little." She raised her hand to Jayme's head and gently touched it. She pulled one of Jayme's happiest memories and let it play in the fore front of Jayme's mind, eliciting a smile from her.
Jayme did one of those long blinks. The kind you do when your so tired you fight to stay awake. "...I don't want to take any morrree of thisss medication."
Nathan looked at Jayme and shook his head and said, "sorry sweetheart, every six hours! Non negotiable . . . "
Jayme looked at Kassia and said, "Shit!"
"Why don't you get some sleep . . . Dream of the meadow I took you too in your mind once, where it's very peaceful . . ." Kassia projected the image to Jayme's mind.
"I need to call the Colonel, and see if he can reinstate my medical program... I don't want to sleep."
"It'll be reinstated when you're ready . . . and right now, you're not ready, Jayme . . . Sleep . . . heal . . . That's the most important thing," Kassia said. "We want you to be healthy . . . Please . . . rest . . ."
"Kassia. I'll take the medications for sleep, but please take me of this one? I promise to rest." Jayme all but pleaded.
Kassia looked at Jayme and she didn't like the affect of the drug on her at all. But on the other hand, it was forcing her body to relax. She looked to Nathan. ~What do you think? Will she relax and sleep without the medication?~
Nathan looked at Jayme and shook his head and thought, ~It would be almost impossible to manage her without the Alprazolam, without locking her down in Sickbay. She's just cranky and hates to have her mind fuzzy; she'll live.~
Kassia nodded slightly. "I'm sorry, but you'll have to stay on it . . ." she replied. "This is for the best . . . and you'll be better soon. Nathan, maybe you could help her find activities that relax her, but aren't too taxing . . ."
"Fine," a very tipsy Jayme said, standing and walking into the bedroom. Leaving Kassia and Nathan sitting there.
"That went well." Kassia replied with a gentle smile, yet a touch of sarcasm in her voice.
"Would have been worse without the Aprazolam in her . . . she was mildly upset when Scott told her about the 90-day suspension of her studies . . . and I think she expected the 3-day hold . . . but not the vacation that follows or the medications." He said.
Kassia nodded. "This isn't going to be easy for her. She's going to need us to support her and show her that there is more she can do besides work. She has to learn to manage her emotions. And that's hard for anyone to do," she replied. "But if she doesn't . . ." Kassia shrugged hershoulders knowing Nathan understood. They both knew the gravity of the situation. Only Jayme was in denial. They had to get through the denial first.
"Thanks for dropping by, and you're right this isn't going to be easy." He stood and paced a few minutes and then said, "I have some ideas on stuff to do later in the week, but for now, she just needs to sleep and eat."
"I agree," Kassia replied. I'll be back to check in on her tomorrow and see how she's feeling. She might be more willing to talk then." With that she gave one more smile and headed to the door. "Take care of yourself too." With that, she left.