<USS Avalon> "A Meeting by Chance"
- From: EnsnSaraCrusher@xxxxxxx
- To: avalon@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
- Date: Sat, 8 Jan 2005 18:32:37 EST
"A Meeting by Chance"
By: Senior Lieutenant Elissabeth Marksbury and Lieutenant First Class
Melanie Redgrave
She had taken the quickest shower of her adult life that morning, rushed
through dressing, threw her hair into a pony tail, and barley spent ten minutes
in the lab and her office before returning to sick bay. Melanie hadnât said a
word as to way sheâd be out of the labs, sheâd only told Paul that sheâd
be
reachable by comm but only if they really needed her. She wanted check on
Skyler and possibly give Georgia a break.
It was no simple task to get Georgia to leave, but an hour later, Melanie
had managed to talk the older woman into going back to her quarters for a
shower, change of clothes and a bite to eat. Melanie wasnât sure what to do
as she
sat next to Skylerâs bed, she wasnât even sure that Skyler wanted her
there,
or if she even knew anyone was there, Cazook was keeping her very well
stoned. But Melanie just felt that she couldnât be anywhere else, so she sat
in
the chair Georgia had slept in and sang in a soft whisper as she brushed hair
from Skylerâs face.
Elissabeth wasn't surprised to see someone sitting next to Skyler's bed.
The woman was loved. However, she frowned when she realized who it was that
was sitting there. She recognized Lt. Redgrave and she knew that somehow she
was a piece to Skyler's puzzle. A puzzle that Lissi didn't have the mental
energy to solve at this point. She wanted some pain medication and a nap.
Apparently, it was too much to ask for.
Marksbury acknowledged Redgrave with a nod as she took up post on the other
side of Skyler's bed. "Any change?" she asked softly. So softly, in fact,
that if Melanie hadn't been looking at her, she would've missed it entirely.
Melanie knew Marksbury partly from Elijahâs descriptions and partly from
making herself familiar with senior officers and department heads. What Melanie
wasnât sure about was her connection to Skyler. âNo, nothing new.â She
replied and then looked back down at Skyler in a vain attempt to hide the fear
and
guilt that washed over her features.
Marksbury sighed. It wasn't hard putting two and two together. "You're
Sunni, aren't you? Skyler's sister," she said simply.
All the color drained from Melanieâs pale face. She looked up at the other
woman slowly, looking her in the eyes a moment, and then finally nodding.
âHow
did you know that?â She asked. âDid Skyler tell you?â
"In so many words, yes."
It was clear to Melanie that Marksbury must mean something to Skyler if sheâ
d told her about the woman whoâd come to the Avalon and turned her world on
it
âs ear. âI didnât think she wanted anyone to know about all of this.
Iâm
glad she confined in someone since she wasnât talking to Georgia and, well,
she
doesnât even look at me.â Melanie looked down at Skyler again and fussed
with the blankets. âThis is my fault you know.â She said softly, and the
her
voice dropped even more when she asked, âShould I leave since your here now?
I
promised Georgia she wouldnât be alone.â
"I won't be here long, unfortunately. I just needed to stop by and check on
her." She studied Skyler a moment, glad that her mind was at peace for the
time being. "You shouldn't blame yourself. I don't know all the details,
but you obviously care for her a great deal. You couldn't have intentionally
done this." After another long pause, she looked at Melanie intently. "She
isn't angry with you. She's just confused. I don't mean this to sound rude
or angry, but if you're a telepath too... you need to stay out of her head.
Last time she woke up, she didn't know anyone and everyone was talking to her
and ... " Lissi bit her lip. "She nearly slipped away on us. We need a
logical plan to help her and not... so much chaos."
For a moment, when Marksbury had said Skylerâd nearly slipped away,
Melanieâ
s heart stopped. âI think Iâm more of an empath. I didnât even know I
was
partly Betazoid until a few months ago, but Iâve always had this weird sixth
sense thing when it comes to how people are feeling and stuff. So thereâs no
worry about be getting into her head. Normally if thereâs any contact itâs
on
her part.â Melanie paused a moment. âOur mother was afraid this would
happen. Itâs way Georgia couldnât tell her.â
"You don't have to be a telepath to be in her head, I'm thinking. Or maybe
it's just me. I don't know anymore. I - I need to go," she said suddenly.
Lissi felt as though she were nearing her breaking point and needed to get
away. Somewhere alone. "Call me if anything changes. Day or night - doesn't
matter. But I'm pretty sure the doctor is going to keep her sedated until
we have something of a solution. Or it seemed to my understanding." She
turned rather abruptly to leave.
âLieutenant,â Melanie said without turning to look at the retreating woman.
âThank you for being the one she can turn to, and Iâm sorry for having
dragged you into this. I know you a lot to do, itâs very kind of you to take
time
for Skyler.â
Lissi stopped and turned, regarding Melanie. "You didn't drag me into
anything, Melanie. I choose to be here." She began to leave once again, but
stopped with another thought. "Would you like me to send Elijah here? I bet
he
doesn't even know, does he? Or he would be here."
Melanie nodded. âI havenât talked to him yet today. Thank you,
Lieutenant.â
Elissabeth nodded and quietly made her way to the main reception area to
get something for her headache. She needed that nap now more than ever.
Melanie could see why Elijah was fond of his SO, and it was probably why
Skyler liked her, she was a good person. Despite this and her gratitude
though,
Melanie still wished that sheâd been the one Skyler needed.
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