"Good Morning!"
Previous post was "The Longest Night"
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Setting: USS ANUBIS, Mei quarters
Stardate: 60327.0805
There were many reasons that Susan may have wanted to spend the rest of the day in bed. The fact that she had a pounding headache that made it feel like her head was about to explode was one. The fact that there was someone else in her quarters willing to cater to her every need was another. However, Susan didn't see it this way.
She swung her legs over the edge of the bed and put her coffee cup down on the bedside table. "Well, I guess you'll be wanting to get some of that sleep you came here for?"
Lindsey blinked at her, "Oh no dear, I'm quite alright. Why don't I make you some breakfast?"
Susan felt her eyes dart to the door - her escape route - and willed them to look back at the woman sitting beside her. "Oh, there's no need... I..."
She needed to think of somewhere she needed to be and thinking of anything feeling the way she did, was a challenge. Feeling the way she did... sickbay.
"I think I should go to sickbay first. I'll pick up something to eat from the Black Hole."
Lindsey frowned and narrowed her eyes as if she didn't quite approve of this plan. Before she had a chance to say anything, Susan jumped out of bed. "Um... make yourself at home" and darted for the door.
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Setting: USS ANUBIS, sickbay
Stardate: 60327.0810
Susan paused at the entrance to sickbay and peered inside. It seemed completely deserted. Thinking Lea would be in her office, Susan began making her way there when her eyes fell upon Leas sleeping form in a chair. She nearly jumped out of her skin, thinking her friend had fainted or something worse...
Common sense soon took hold, however, and Susan approached the sleeping figure gingerly, wondering if she should wake the doctor and lead her to a more comfortable place to sleep or leave her to her rest. Guessing that a stiff neck and sore back would not be appreciated, Susan continued her approach.
"Lea?"
There was no response. She tried again slightly more firm.
"Lea?"
This time her efforts were rewarded and the CMO stirred, "uhn?"
"Lea, it's Susan" she said gently, not wanting her friend to be brought to life in the disconcerting way she had been, "You're in sickbay."
Lea's eyes shot open, "Who? What? Is someone hurt?"
Susan couldn't help but laugh. So much for the gentle awakening. "No, no... you just don't look very comfortable."
Lea looked down at herself and then sat up straighter and yawned, stretching, stopping when she felt her neck muscles protest. "You're right, I'm not." She got up with effort, "Must've fallen asleep on the job. Lucky there weren't any..." Her eyes fell on Susan and seemed to take in her appearance for the first time. "I was going to say 'patients', but I guess that's not true. What on earth happened to you?" her eyes narrowed, "Did Uxtar and Nico challenge you to a duel in the holodeck without the safeties?"
Susan looked down bashfully and ran her hand through her hair, "Um... not exactly." She hadn't considered how she looked, but if she looked half as bad as she felt, she was surprised Lea hadn't run for cover. "Do you know any cures for a hangover?"
Lea's mouth dropped open and a smile slowly spread across her face, "a hangover?"
"That's what I said." Susan confirmed, not sure if she wanted to meet the doctor's eyes.
Lea laughed and made her way to an array of hyposprays, "I knew I shouldn't have left you alone with those two. Hope you didn't embarrass yourself..." a knowing look in her eyes.
Susan followed her, "As far as I remember, no."
"How far do you remember?"
"Um... until about an hour after you left."
Lea raised her eyebrow, but didn't say anything as she charged a hypo except, "Here - this should get rid of the headache. For the rest I suggest you sleep it off."
Susan took the hypo gratefully, but grimaced at the thought of going back to her quarters. It wasn't like she was afraid of Lindsey - after all, what was there to be afraid of? But she needed a little while to think things over.
"Lea? Do you know anything about a woman called Lindsey Donavan?"
Lea shook her head, "Sorry. Should I?"
Susan smiled "No, it's not important. You're probably right, I should sleep it off. What do you say we get some breakfast before returning to our respective quarters?"
Lea looked uneasy, "I shouldn't, David..."
Suddenly Susan remembered, "The trial. What happened? Do you now yet?"
Lea looked suddenly sick, "Yes. He's going to be court marshaled."
"Oh, Lea..." Susan felt sorry for David but also for Lea because she knew how worried her friend had been over the past few days.
"It's alright." Lea looked down and began straightening out her hypos, "I just keep remembering what Elan said. Maybe it's for the best you know? And anyway, I'm not giving up yet. Now my energy has to go in preparing for his trial."
"But if you don't get any rest, you won't have energy left. Lets get something to eat and then some rest. You'll be more prepared to look for answers with a fresh mind and a full stomach."
Lea looked around sickbay as if trying to decide on the best course of action. Eventually she sighed, "You're right. Maybe things will look different and more hopeful when I wake up."
"And if not," Susan assured, "At least you'll be able to sit up for hours on end trying to *make* them look that way."
--------------- 2005 post #436
Tallulah Habib {thabib@eject.co.za}
Ensign Susan Mei
Head Counselor
USS ANUBIS
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"Life is mostly froth and bubble,
Two things stand like stone,
Kindness in another's trouble,
Courage in your own." - Adam Lindsay Gordon
