Seeking Comfort

Posted on Tue Dec 10th, 2019 @ 3:32am by
Edited on on Tue Dec 17th, 2019 @ 5:20am

970 words; about a 5 minute read

Mission: Episode 8 - The Silence
Location: Richard Ballston's Quarters - Deck 2 - USS Pioneer
Timeline: MD004 1858 hrs

Richard returned from Security walking through his front door. His pale eyes gazed off somewhere as he just stood there just inside as it hissed closed behind him. The physician's face was pallid minus the smile that normally occupied it.

Slowly he moved towards the dining table without looking around and placed a hand against the hard surface, "Adibah'," he muttered under his breath, "oh Abigail where are you?"

T'Rish was sitting on the floor in the supply closet when it hit. She couldn't quite pinpoint it, the sorrow. She could only guess as to where it was coming from. She rose from her chair without thinking and began moving through the ship, her feet moving of their own accord.

The doctor felt his way more than looked for a seat and sat there at the table with his eyes still gazing out into nowhere. He had heard nothing so far from Lei'hallah though he knew she was probably extremely busy in the frantic search to find the blond-haired girl Richard called his daughter.

Fahli', at least he surmised, of both the of the murder and abduction. His conscious and telepathic connection was strong enough to verify her innocence in the matter. What he needed now was comfort, comfort to morn the loss and as any Azzian would tell you, time. Time, to an Azzian, could heal anything and in many cultures had the same philosophy.

Richard finally brought himself around enough to clear his thought and tap his com badge, "Medical, this is Doctor Ballston, I am relieving myself from duty effective immediately, I'll fill everyone in later."

He breathed in deeply somewhat relieved that he had managed to make the announcement to his department, there was a Captain, though Security had probably already contacted him. Si before he faced his CO there was someone else he needed to contact, =/\=Doctor Ballston to Lieutenant T'Rish, could you meet me at my quarters, please?=/\=

The voice was scratchy and a little haggard from his usual pleasant tone, "I can do this, I can."

T'Rish didn't bother responding to the page on her comm as the door to the Doctor's quarters opened to her and she soon found herself standing in Richard's quarters. Scanning the room with Vulcan efficiency until she spotted him sitting at the table. Quietly, and slowly she approached him from behind. The waves of emotions coming off of him threatened to overwhelm her even with the neuroblock in place. With no words she slid her arms around his neck, resting her cheek against hist.

Richard reached a hand up to clutch hers and for a moment he said nothing. His eyes began to well up as the emotions emerged. The physician let his head drop a bit relaxing into her warm embrace.
Adibah'," he began trying to keep things together, "Adibah' is dead, they killed her and Abigail has been taken and I don't know who or why."

T'Rish's chest tightened at the mention of Richard's daughter.

"She is only seven T'Rish, only seven."

Richard leaned forward and burst into agonizing tears still holding onto T'Rish's hand.

T'Rish just held her. His emotions threatened to overwhelm her but she said nothing. This was not about her, she would give him whatever he needed.

For many minutes Richard cried still holding onto the half-Betazoid then drew in a deep breath and added, "Abigail's still alive, there is hope for her, I must hang onto that."

"Yes, hold on to that." She said softly pressing a kiss to his forehead. "She is a smart strong girl." She added softly.

"Yes she is," Richard admitted in a scratchy voice, "like you T'Rish."

His arms encircled her more tightly and he placed his head on her shoulder. He felt no shame in his grief for Adibah' or his fear for Abigail, he deserved that, it was his right as a bonded mate and a father.

"Would," Richard began gently, "would you like something to eat?"

"I am ok, Love." She said softly. "I could eat if you are hungry." She added softly. "I must be honest, I don't know what is the right thing in the situation. Emotions of this level have always eluded me." The Vulcan part of her coming more to the surface than was normal as of late.

"Just be with me," Richard replied in a whisper and placed a kiss gently on her forehead, "there isn't a right way or wrong way to greave, and I must do that, somehow."

T'rish said nothing and simply watched him for a moment before she kissed him. She poured everything she had into it. Her attempt to comfort him. "I am so sorry." She whispered.

The intenseness of the half-Vulcan's kiss brought an immediate reaction from Richard and his arms brought her even closer to him. Just knowing how his anguish brought such a response from her brought a sense of comfort Richard really needed at that moment.

"Thank you T'Rish, " Richard said finally, "I just really need to know you're here."

T'Rish's outer corner pulled up in satisfaction. "I am here." She held him again before speaking. "Are you hungry?"

"Just for company," Richard replied with a faint smile, "for you, I don't think food wouldn't really help much."

T'Rish took a step back letting her hand trace along his arm until her fingers linked with him. "Come," she said softly as she pulled him to follow with her. If he was seeking comfort, then that is what she would give him.

A Joint Post By

Lieutenant Commander Richard Ballston M.D. PsyD
Chief Medical Officer, USS Pioneer

Lieutenant Junior Grade T'Rish
Quartermaster, USS Pioneer

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