Moving
Posted on Sun Aug 9th, 2020 @ 1:58pm by Lieutenant Commander Hermia O'Rourke
Edited on on Tue Aug 11th, 2020 @ 1:27am
768 words; about a 4 minute read
Mission:
Episode 10 - New Home, Same Pioneers
Location: Sickbay - Deck 5 - USS Pioneer
Timeline: MD006 1225 hours
"I think that's about it," Richard said in a low voice not trying to draw attention to what he was doing.
Over the past few days, the now-former CMO had taken many of his things out of the CMO's office just off of sickbay. He had tried to do it discretely as to not raise suspicions of what he planned to do knowing Hermia would probably object to his plan to surrender control of the department and his rank. What had been left were those things, personal items that sat on his desk that would have tipped everyone off to the plan.
Many things had happened in that office and many more would as well, but now, at least the majority of them wouldn't involve him. There was some sadness involved in Richard's decision, a sense of loss, and even failure but no regret. It was the right thing to do, for the good of all.
For a moment he paused looking back at the now scant space and smiled, "now to figure out where to put these."
"There's no rush, Richard," Hermia said sensing his emotions. "Take your time."
Richard smiled, "no, this is your space now Commander. He chuckled realizing how ridiculous he was being, "I'll be finished here shortly."
Taking his things he moved towards the sickbay double doors and into the hall. He took in a deep breath then moved to the new office and setting them down in one of the much smaller offices.
Hermia followed him. "How's Abigail doing?" She asked.
Richard drew in a deep breath and glanced over at Hermia. The usual smile that graced his face wasn't there and it was easy to tell in his pale eyes the hurt he was experiencing, "Abigail won't talk to me. She won't wear anything but traditional Azzian dresses, She won't eat if I'm there and what she replicates is junk food." His gaze lowered and he looked back up facing her fully, "she hates me, Commander, with Lei'Halla telling her it was my fault Adibah' was murdered. To top it off the two women who kidnapped her told her I was an evil, bad man and that I ordered Adibah's execution." Resting a hand on the edge of the desk he looked back up, "I've scheduled counseling for her, but it won't do any good unless she's willing to communicate with someone."
Hermia could empathize, she knew what it was like to be betrayed by someone you loved. Her ex-husband had claimed she was an unfit mother and forged evidence to substantiate his claim. His scheme had worked and he was granted full custody of Helena. It was good thing her mother still had access to Helena, or he may have succeeded in turning Helena against her.
"I'm sorry." She said. "Do you think she'd be willing to talk to someone closer to her age, if so I could ask Helen to talk to her." Hermia suggested.
"I think she'd like that, " Richard replied, "I do hope she'll open up to her because right now, Abigail is scared, reverting back to things she did when she was younger and I, I can't help her."
"I'll ask her, I'm sure she'd be happy to help." Hermia said.
"Thank you," Richard said letting a relieved look cross his face. He nodded and added, "what do you think about an outing to the station. We could let the girls go with us to have pizza or something?"
"Sounds good." Hermia said with a smile.
"Her birthday is coming up," Richard said with a smile, "perhaps we can make it sort of party?" He chuckled as his pale eyes looked at Hermia, "for Azzians, at least those raised on their homeworld, their eighth birthday isn't a typically important one, but neither of us was and I don't see any harm in celebrating it.
"I like it, we could all use a party, after what's happened lately," Hermia said.
"Should we plan for two days from now," Richard asked as a smile crossed his face, "we can set the exact time a little later."
"I'm sure we could make that work." Hermia said returning Richard's smile. Hermia didn't have a good relationship with her own father, but hopefully she could help Abigail and Richard to repair theirs.
A Joint Post By
Lieutenant Commander Hermia O'Rourke
Chief Medical Officer, USS Pioneer
Lieutenant Richard Ballston M.D. PsyD
Assistant Chief Medical Officer, USS Pioneer
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