A Long Day's Journey
Posted on Sun Feb 16th, 2025 @ 4:17pm by Sergeant Audie Fitch & Lieutenant Angela Abernathy & Lieutenant Jayak Zek
Edited on on Sun Feb 16th, 2025 @ 9:07pm
3,691 words; about a 18 minute read
Mission:
Episode 16 - Silent Cries
Location: Lower Promenade - Deck 6 Central Core - Empok Nor
Timeline: MD004 0700 hrs
Something was in the air...
Audie had heard that expression more than once but had never really understood what it meant until now. The dreams had continued, vague, annoying...disturbing, and she was finding it hard to get a good night's sleep.
Of course, she'd been on assignments where sleep had been elusive, where the team had had to stay awake for well over twenty-four hours, so she was well aware that eventually that caught up to you, and emotions got frayed, and the ability to fight them became fragile. So maybe that was what was happening...she was just tired, so everything seemed unsettled and off.
Even so, she was up an at ungodly hour, roaming the station, trying to stay awake and to ward off the anxiousness with pacing. After an hour or so, that pacing had brought her to a cafe, and it wasn't hard to decide that a cup of strong coffee and cinnamon roll just might be the thing to lift her mood.
With her order in hand, she was looking for a table when she noticed a familiar face.
"Morning, Zek!" Her smile was genuine, but her drawn features belied her mood. "What are you doing up this early?"
One of the many drawbacks of having been a child of the Occupation was that you took your sleep when and where you could, but it was never too deep. You never knew what might happen to you if you were out cold for a lengthy period of time. Consequently, Zek did not sleep for great lengths of time or very deeply. It also tended to make him a morning person.
This morning, he decided to set out for the Replimat Cafe. Many people came her for some sort of coffee, tea, and/or breakfast treat. After ordering himself some deka tea and groatcake. He had some syrup on the side. Too much of it would make it too sweet for Zek and also would change the taste of his tea.
Secretively he smiled as everyone came and went and he casually observed. That was until Audie appeared before him. "Early?" he asked her with a small chuckle. "I suppose that I have technically been on duty for the last hour." He rose up and pulled a seat out for her. "Would you like to step into my office, or just enjoy my company?"
"Both, maybe?" Setting her things on the table, Audie took the proffered seat, then looked around. "I like what you've done to the place! The esthetics are cozy, reminds me of a cafe!" She laughed, then shook her head. "It's been a rough few days...not as far as work, but I've been having some trouble sleeping, so, of course, I turn to coffee!"
"Oh, I'm glad that you appreciate all of my efforts. I worked hard at the aesthetics and from what I can see, they only are better now that you are here."
He paused for a moment when he heard that Audie was having difficulty sleeping. "But seriously, while the caffeine of coffee will keep you awake for awhile, I am concerned to hear about you having difficulty sleeping. It has been a few days since I last saw you. How much have you slept since then?"
Audie rolled her eyes at his attempt at flattery, although she couldn't say she didn't like it! She took a sip of coffee before answering his question.
"I'm getting some sleep here and there," she explained, "but then I start dreaming...I've always had dreams, and even the 'bad' ones didn't really bother me, but these...they're persistent, every time I fall asleep, and, well, they're disturbing, someone needs help, like, life and death, but I don't know who they are, or where they are, and even if I do, I can't get to them, something always gets in the way...I don't mean physically, but stupid things, like I can't remember a code, or the hatch turns into a solid wall, or the deck disappears just before I get there, so I can't...So, it's better just to wake up, to stay awake."
That was a lot of rambling, and the caffeine and sugar hadn't kicked in yet!
This was not the conversation that Zek was prepared for. He was hoping for some witty repartee and fun. This confession, however, seemed serious. Zek's happy-go-lucky demeanor changed. He leaned forward and his voice lowered, expressing concern, "Am I the first person that you have told this to?"
"No, no, I've talked to a couple others, and they are having the same sort of dreams, and every night...unusual for them." Shrugging, Audie sighed. "Even Buster...I mean, he'll just be staring at the wall, then growl or cower. I know they say cats can see things we don't, but that's just rhetoric, and he's never done that before."
Reaching out, she patted Zek's arm, then left her hand there, for the physical contact of something tangible, living. "I know I'm over-thinking this, and it should stop soon, but..."
"I don't think that you're overthinking this at all." He made no comment or mention of her hand on him. "Audie, we need to look into this more. Your solution of not sleeping is detrimental to your health. Sleep is so important to all of our daily functioning."
He put his hand over hers and said, "So let's go get you examined. What do you say?" He then looked around absently. "Um, where's Buster?"
"Buster's back in my cabin on the ship," Audie explained, "he was sleeping pretty good when I left." Sighing, she nodded and stood. "All right, I'll submit to your wishes, but no crawling into my head, all right? It's not clear right now anyway."
"Audie, I think you know better with me. Let's get you somewhere where we can have your head scanned, see if there's something unusual going on. Besides, it will give me a good excuse to meet the Doctor. I did not check in for my medical either. So, we can be efficient about that, alright?"
Audie rolled her eyes and nodded, she didn't have the energy to argue, and he was going to win anyway. As they headed toward the medbay, she grinned. "Orrrr...we could just go to my cabin and Buster can give me a CAT scan!!"
Zek laughed heartily at that. "I don't think that kind of CAT scan is going to be helpful in this case, as tempting as going to your cabin might be." He put his arm around Audie's further shoulder. "Go ahead, lean on me, if you need to. It is not a long walk, I don't think."
"I'm fine," Audie insisted, although she didn't resist his support. In fact, when she relaxed and gave into the fatigue, she did find that her gait was a bit off, and it was nice not to have to worry about falling into the bulkhead. "I think this is pointless, but I would like for the dreams to go away. I don't like them!"
Zek had to admit that he liked Audie leaning on him. She smelled good too. However, he had to remember that she had some other paramour. He had hoped to tease it out of her but the situation had escalated and he had to get her to a doctor. "They definitely sound disconcerting, Audie. I don't think they're normal and we need to check them out," he insisted.
Finally escorting her to sickbay, the two arrived. Zek called out, "I need the Chief Medical Officer. Can you please let her know that I have a special patient here and that I'm also the new Chief Counselor."
Angela had been taking inventory of the medical supplies came out of the storage area hearing someone call for medical.
"Hello hello. I am here," the chief informed them, bustling over to where the tall red head woman being supported by a dark haired Bajoran male. "I am Doctor Abernathy, tell me what is happening, and while you are telling, looking at Zek, "Let's get you to a bio bed and see what is happening." She helped Audie get to there. Despite her being smaller than the two, Angela had a firm but gentle strength.
Zek noticed the doctor's strength and wondered about it for a moment. However, he quickly decided such considerations must be reserved for another time. "Doctor, this is Audie Fitch. She's a marine who is assigned to the Pioneer. She has not slept for nearly 3 days. While hallucinations can occur from sleep deprived people, I do not believe that is the cause in this case. She says she is having life and death type dreams and others have reported the same to her. I need to know what is happening to her." There was a pressing concern in his voice. He doubted that Audie would notice in her current state.
He then turned to Audie on the biobed and asked, "Did I sum it up properly, Audie?"
"I'm fine, really," Audie insisted, although she didn't resist...she was too worn out, and she knew she'd lose against Zek in this, since she felt more like crying than smacking him!
Sighing, she looked at the doctor. "Besides those dreams keeping me awake, I've been eating fine, moving around, just..." Another sigh. "Just not coping so well."
"And not sleeping," Zek added. "I do wish that you had come to me sooner, Audie." Reassuringly, he put his hand on her shoulder.
"Audie why don't you lie down so I can take a scan," the doctor told Audie with a gentle smile. "The Pioneer, I am familiar with the ship, have you spoken to Commander Hermia O'Rourke about what is happening?" Angela pulled up medical records on the crew of the Pioneer, besides taking scans of Audie. "Do you know the details of said life and death dreams? I can also prescribe you something that can block the nightmares and dreams that you are having."
Zek was not certain that he liked the direction that Angela was going with this. Did she really hear what he had to say? For the moment, he bit his tongue and waited to see what might develop. Besides, he had to work with Angela for the foreseeable future.
"You can scan me, yes," Audie chuckled, "but I've been told there's nothing there to find!" Still with a sense of humor despite being exhausted! "I've just talked to a couple other of the crew on the ship," she continued, "and they have the same sort of dreams. Didn't seem like anything to report."
Sighing, she shrugged. "I just know I'm having dreams...but when I wake up, it's like...whiffs? You know, the star you can only catch in the corner of your eye? And I don't want to take anything...besides maybe a shot of whisky!"
Zek groaned at Audie's joke. He might have made the same one. Now he knew how to tell if she was dying...she'd stop joking and possibly would stop talking. He chuckled lightly to himself on that realization.
"Fair enough, then hopefully a solution will come to pass and keep me updated. I can't make you take medication. And from what the readings show, you are okay except for the lack of sleep and the over caffeination of your body. Please do talk to Hermia, and give her my regards. I need to talk with her very soon; it's been a while." Angela smiling.
"Yes, sir," Audie nodded, compliant for now, although she wouldn't go against orders regardless. "I'll cut back on the caffeine, too. I mean, how much longer can this go on?"
Forever, maybe? Now, there was a depressing thought, but for now, she pushed it aside. "I appreciate the help. I'm just sorry I didn't practice my sleep-walking when I had the chance!"
Angela caught the humor and chuckled. "Practicing sleep-walking, that is a good one. You take care, both of you. And I will see you later on Doctor Jayak."
"Yes, Doctor, you shall see me at some point. I'm sure that you're just dying to get to my welcome physical," Zek told Angela. He then turned to Audie, "In the meantime, Audie, let me take you somewhere to rest. I can take you to your quarters, Pioneer, or wherever you want to go. I just know that I'm going to make certain you get a little rest, even if I have to strap you down." He snickered at the unintended potential innuendo but quickly stopped when he remembered that Audie had someone else that sparked her interest.
"Only if you promise to poke me with a stick if I start dreaming." Audie chuckled, walking with him onto the promenade. "Probably best to just go to my quarters, make sure Buster isn't crawling the walls and dancing on the ceiling yet." She chuckled again. "He'll be happy to see you."
Part of Zek wanted to say something about if he was to poke her, it would not be with a stick, but he refrained. "Quarters it is, then." He wrapped his arm around Audie's shoulder furthest from him, allowing Audie to use his shoulder as a head rest if she needed to again. "It will be nice to see Buster again, as well. Problem is that if I sit down, I may find myself pinned to your quarters. Apparently, I'm a good pillow."
"All soft and squishy?" Audie giggled, a part of her knowing she was going to be appalled when she was more rested and coherent. For now, she used his shoulder as a pillow, making sure to stay in step with him. "Do you ever dream?"
Zek had to admit that he was amused by this unguarded Audie. He knew why she asked the question. After all, her dreams were bothering her. "I don't often sleep deeply enough to dream," he confessed.
"Oh, that's kind of sad." Audie shrugged. "Dreams can be nice...I mean, before now, most of the time I didn't mind dreaming so much, sometimes it's like an adventure, or just nice. Sometimes they're...well, nice, but you don't always remember what it was...it's just, just like a lingering flavor, that you can't quite place." She'd never realized how hard it was to explain dreams.
"Is it a surprise that I don't sleep heavily? I grew up during the Occupation. You had to be ready. So, if I do manage to sleep deeply, it is really deep."
He brought Audie a bit closer to him as they walked. "I wish I could experience what you have when the dreams are pleasant. I would imagine it would be like the reminiscence of a pleasant lover who is momentarily absent from bed."
"What?" She pulled back a little so she could look at him, then shook her head before leaning on Zek again. "Nah, got no lovers, pleasant or otherwise. More like...being able to fly, or being on a sailing ship, with the sails overhead and a nice breeze...well, until a rogue wave tips you over!"
"I didn't say that you had lovers," wondering if Audie's exhaustion had gotten to her or if he was completely misunderstanding what she meant. "And having a rogue wave tipping you over does not necessarily make dreaming sound pleasurable, you know?"
"Well, that's true." She buzzed them into her room. "But mostly I don't remember much anyway, so..." she shrugged.
Her cabin was small, mostly utilitarian, especially since she hadn't had a chance to personalize, outside of some clothes tossed haphazardly over a chair, and papers and a writing pad scattered on the desk.
"Here it is! Chez Audie. Buster!" A lump under the covers on the bed moved, and a moment later a one-eyed orange head popped out, followed by the whole cat, who trotted over to the pair.
"Ah, Buster!" Zek told the cat. "We meet again. Was Audie mean to you and lock you in here while she was suffering sleep exhaustion? Hmmm?"
He then turned to the Audie on his shoulder. "Now, Miss Marine. I think it is about time that we get you to bed. If I get you over there, do you have enough energy to handle your bedtime routine, or do you need my assistance with that, as well?"
"You wish!" Audie laughed, then stooped to pick up Buster and give him a snuggle. "It's too early for full bedtime, so I'll just..." She shoved Buster at Zek, then flopped onto the bunk, chuckling. "So, tell me a bedtime story!"
I can't deny that I wish but in this case I cannot in good conscience take advantage of a sleep deprived woman who also has her sights on someone else. "A bedtime story, huh?" He took Buster and put Buster in his lap. "Let us see what we can come up with."
Audibly he hummed. When he stopped, "Once upon a time.... No proper bedtime story can start without those magical words, right? So, once upon a time there was a warrior queen named Audessa, whose heart was a flame that could never be snuffed out. But there were those who feared her light—the Shadows Between, whispering wraiths who despised all who burned too brightly. They tried to steal her dreams, hoping to dim her fire...."
He paused, to see Audie's reaction. Perhaps she already was asleep. Buster certainly seemed to have settled in.
"Guess I don't hafta worry, then," Audie mumbled, smiling a little. "I ain't so bright, and maybe a bit dull sometimes. Even the other me...."
"I think you shine like a star, Audie. Give yourself more credit." He paused and said, "Oh, yes. The wraiths were trying to steal her dreams because even in her dreams, she shown brightly, so much so that it lit the worlds of the shadowlands like a beacon. The wraiths needed to live in shadow, so they conspired for a way to steal those dreams, to dim that fire, so that the wraiths could rule dreamland forever."
Buster chose that moment to stretch and adjust himself on Zek. He softly chuckled and looked at Audie, hoping her eyes were closed and she may be sleeping.
"They c'n have my dreams," Audie murmured, "an' now iss so bright, keepin' me away...k." She giggled, rolling to her side and pulling the pillow over her eyes. "Better...go on, now."
Zek scooched himself and Buster closer to Audie so he could speak in a much softer voice as he continued, "Well, the wraiths, they conjured an audacious plan. They decided since they could not enshroud her light to make it go away, they would make Audie's light brighter and brighter until it burned itself out. That way, the area would then be as dark as them and they could inhabit it forever."
"Fooled 'em, huh?" Audie replied slowly. "Not 'fraid'a dark...been there...waz that other me an' a fairy circle, an' then Buster wanned'a see Mindy an' play ca's cradle...." She trailed off, drifting to a light sleep.
Zek looked down on Buster and told him, "Well, at least we know that she does not snore, hmm? What do you say that you get up there and cuddle with her? I should let her be until she's slept this off."
Buster was content where he was and started 'making biscuits' in Zek's lap as he purred loudly. For a time, Audie's breathing was slow and even, but then it started to speed up and her eyes were moving rapidly. A moment later, she started muttering. "Where..? I can't..."
"Buster!" Zek, harshly whispered at the cat. He picked up the cat and readjusted so he could move towards Audie. When there, he let the cat back down on him as Zek touched her lightly and comfortingly on her back. "Shhhhh," he whispered in her ear. "Everything is alright. Just sleep. I'm here to protect you."
Audie flinched at the touch, but then almost immediately relaxed, any signs of distress vanishing. Buster hopped onto the bed, curling at her side, but making sure his head was resting on Zak's hand. Maybe the cat felt it, too.
Zek sighed. I'm going to have to stay here, aren't I? The cat won't let me leave. He looked around to see if there was a pillow within reach that Audie was not using so that at least he could rest his neck on something while he stood guard.
Zek's physical contact seemed to be doing the trick, and Audie drifted into a deeper sleep again, her body relaxing...
"Shore leave is rescinded. All personnel report to stations on the double. Senior and Junior staff report to the Mess Hall for a briefing. Malbrooke out."
The announcement, while not alarmingly loud, was enough to jolt Audie awake, and she immediately sat up, causing Buster to hop to the floor. "Stupid debriefs," she muttered, then looked at Zek and shook her head. "Sorry, that really seemed to be working."
She was on her feet, heading for the door. "Maybe you're just going to have to sleep with me!" She gave him a cheeky grin, then shrugged. "Thank you for your help, Zek."
The Counselor was taken back. Sleep with her? But what about the guy she's interested in? "Any time, Audie. Don't forget Buster!" He headed to the door just behind her. "And for the Prophets' sake, be safe out there."
"Buster will be fine, and I'll keep you posted on what I can." She gave Zek a quick hug, then headed for the debrief.
A Joint Post By
Lieutenant Angela Abernathy
Chief Medical Officer, Empok Nor
Lieutenant Jayak Zek
Chief Counselor, Empok Nor
Sergeant Audie Fitch
Corpsman Team 2, The Cure
USS Pioneer
RSS Feed