"A Brother's Worries"

"Lieutenent Ashraf Kahfre," Captain Buford said as he tapped his commbadge. "Could you manufacture some 'white' for our guests."

[I'm right on it, Captain] Ash had replied.

Captain Buford sat in his chair on the Bridge once again as they raced back to Juno III ahead of the Dominion vessel that on course for the Starbase.

Ashraf immediately began acquiring what was necessary to generate the 'white'. It would take some time, but not all that much. It left his mind too much time to wander. However, it was better than having nothing to occupy his mind, he thought.

But try as he might he couldn't get his mind off of Rahel, still trapped on Juno III. She was going to be facing a situation much like she had seen on the Baltimore. He hadn't been with her, but they had talked about her experience during the Proktolan campaign. She always tried playing it off that she was fine now. But he knew better. Being the telepaths that they were and being as close as a brother and sister could be, he definitely knew better. He had seen and felt some of what she had come back with and he was worried that some of what she would see now would trigger off memories and emotions she didn't want to face. After all, they already knew there was dead . . .

On the Baltimore she had faced many dead and dying. She had taken on not just the medical department with trying to treat an ever mounting flow of patients that never stopped, but also the science department, trying to keep up with the data streaming in. They had been desperate to come up with anything that could help them in their fight . . . She had gone through way too much, he thought. Yet here she was again. Not only on a starship, but back in the Gamma quadrant . . . and facing more dead. Was it too much? He had to wonder.

He had to set down the container in his hand before he crushed it as he tried to get a hold of himself. Taking a couple of deep breaths with his eyes shut he managed to center himself and refocus on his work. It didn't stop his concern. But as soon as Rahel was back aboard and they had an opportunity, he would arrange to speak with her and make sure she was all right. If for no other reason, than for himself.