Its cold, damp but we're alive

Posted on Fri Mar 24th, 2023 @ 12:56am by Senior Chief Petty Officer Emily Charles {Kelea-Salik} & Lieutenant JG Elijah Carmichael

Mission: Season 6: Episode 2: Survival
Location: Cave system
Timeline: MD1
2436 words - 4.9 OF Standard Post Measure

Elijah had joined the team planet side on the second rotation, he had heard it would be cold but hadn't expected it to be quiet so dull. The idea of being planet side at first thrilled him, being in a nice cosey starship was great and all but actually exploring a new planet that was what made him tick, and saving lives of course but their little pop-up village was far from pleasant. However, he managed to find a lovely view over the primarily grey cavern they had set up in, from his position he could see the tops of all the emergency shelters and the people buzzing between them.

He was taking a much-earned rest, it had been almost 24 hours since he last slept and was finally taking some of his own advice of not over doing it. He didn't hear the other person approach being so lost in his own thoughts.

Emily had wondered where Elijah was, having asked around she’d finally located where he’d set himself up, given the view she couldn’t blame him. Approaching his shelter she cleared her throat wanting to give him pre-warning that he had company coming.

Elijah turned and looked, seeing Emily made him smile it had been a crazy period of time, so much so he hadn't even registered how much time had actually passed nor how happy he was seeing her. "Emily" He exclaimed getting up from his sitting position, his legs dangling over the edge. "I'm glad you're ok, and George, the other patients they made it ok too? We're still cataloguing all the data and receiving the injured." He stopped himself, "Sorry I ramble when I'm tired. How are you?"

“It’s okay, we all ramble from time to time.” Emily smiled warmly. “I’m okay, just tired. I didn’t really get much chance to rest while I was looking after George, Hendor, and helping the other patients. Though I’ll admit it was nice to get a taste of what it’s like to be a mother.”

“I’ve never considered it like that, a mother or father looking after their children but I can see the similarities with people depending on you and in the worst cases for every need” he considered her for a moment, “Latinum for your thoughts?” He asked, using a phrase he’d used often for his patients, if he hadn’t become a doctor of medicine he would have become one of the kind as a counsellor.

“Long story” Emily offered a melancholy expression. “Short version, George and I are from an abusive background. George saved my life, but I spent a long time in a catatonic state. George never left my side, he was my carer as well as my twin brother.” She offered a warmer smile. “We were never taught to use our abilities, we were punished for it, so I never learned to use my Betazoid abilities in the way George did. I do use them now though.”

“That’s a tough story to tell, I’d always be here to listen to the king version and I’m glad that you had each other, I am sure he thinks similarly with you” Elijah looked back to the spot he was sat, a gritty imprint of his bottom being the only evidence, “How rude of me I didn’t even offer you a sit at my table” he joked smiling, “I’d offer some food or drink but all I have is some emergency granola bars and I’ve resolved to using them to bribe unruly children” he held out his hand, “it’s a little slippy, with the grit and damp and all”

Taking Elijah’s hand Emily grinned as she moved to sit down beside him. “You can share some of my emergency rations if you like, you need to keep up your strength.” She sat down looking out at the view. “May I ask you something?”

“Of course you can” Elijah said looking over the top of all the emergency shelters. His hair had gone more grey now, with all the soot and having not dyed it in a while it had lost its colour. He turned to face Emily after a short while.

“In all the time looking after everyone else I haven’t had a chance to check over myself. I’m not hurt, it’s just... A while ago Doctor Sthilg performed a procedure to enable me to have children in the future. I just want to make sure that everything is okay. That’s if you don’t mind scanning me?”

Elijah nodded, “I’d be a terrible doctor and friend if I refused such a request” he fumbled into his medical satchel that he had placed next to him when he first arrived and pulled out the medical scanner, “I must ask what it is I’m scanning exactly, patient doctor confidentiality and all” he explained waiting in standby.

“Well Sthilg implanted me with a tiny robot that he classed as a ‘worm’ to start repairs on the internal damage to my reproductive system. He said he could remove it if I wanted, I told him he could leave it there to carry on it’s work. Sthilg did say that it could be monitored 24-7 and shut down if anything went wrong with it. I guess I’m just worrying for nothing really, but this means a lot to me.”

He nodded and began scanning, “Sthilg always had a way with his naming convention though I think ‘worm’ takes the cake” Elijah didn’t see any problems with Emily or the micro robot insider her. “You’re looking healthy both physically and chemically, I can even tell you if you wanted when your next ovulation will be, so I’d say everything is ok.” He snapped the scanner shut and put it away.

Emily breathed a sigh of relief. “Thank you Elijah, I appreciate you putting my mind at rest.” She smiled warmly. “All this is just... it’s crazy! We’re all stuck here until the ship is repaired, no one even knows where to look for us!”

“I’m sure we’ll be ok, I mean yes it’s a little crowded, damp and cold but everyone is doing their bit to keep us safe, it’s the engineers I don’t envy they’ll be working overtime to get the ship safe to travel again. what I’d pay to see the faces of those dock workers when we limp back into port” he chuckled, “You can call me Eli by the way, you’ve earned that much. You’re a very capable Nurse Emily you should be proud of yourself!”

Emily couldn’t help but blush. “Thank you Eli, that means a lot. You should be proud of yourself too, you’re one hell of a Doctor.”

“Yes well, the years of training at the academy had helped” His smile faded slightly before he picked it back up, “Before all this we hadn’t really spoken before?” He asked in a form of a rhetorical question. “I feel as if I should have noticed you sooner.” He sat back his face not ever really turning away from the view of emerging shelters.

“I guess I wasn’t really around that much before” Emily offered a smile. “I did my shift and went home, now there isn’t anywhere for me to go to.”

“It’s easy to forget just how fragile a thing life is until these sort of things happen, it’s also easy to forget how difficult it is to be a doctor when there’s only so much you can do” In the low light you could just make out the subtle detail of his face, his eyes were tired, his face covered still in dried blood and muck from the explosion and their new home. He was exhausted and it was for people like Emily why he hadn’t broken yet.

Emily gently reached out her hand placing it on Elijah’s. “Why don’t you get some sleep? I’ll let you know if you’re needed. You’re a good doctor, but you need rest Elijah.”

He didn’t recoil at her touch but did feel an odd warm sensation, he couldn’t tell if it was physical or emotional but smiled none the less “I’ll rest once everyone is down and all my patients are accounted for, besides why should I sleep when everyone else is working so tirelessly” Elijah spent the next moment trying not to focus on her hand on his, he hadn’t moved his and in a way hoped she wouldn’t move hers either.

Emily smiled and nodded. Her senses were telling her that Elijah was enjoying her touch, she gently moved her hand just enough so that she could curl her fingers and hold his hand instead of just rest it. “I could get used to this.” She blushed as she looked out across the view as well. Elijah was the first man she’d ever had feelings for. Looking back at him she found herself transfixed on him as she leant in for a very gentle kiss.

It may have been his tiredness but Eli didn’t respond immediately which led to an awkward after thought kiss back as he leaned in. The moment hit him and he pulled slowly away, “Emily, I” he tried to find his words, “I could get used to this too” he said slowly before looking down at their hands and slowly pulled his away. “It’s just, I’m not sure if this is the best time, or environment.” His argument sounded pathetic even to him. “I don’t want to hurt you if… Anything was to happen, there’s to many uncertainties.”

Emily moved to stand up, feeling more embarrassed at what she’d done, than upset with what Elijah was saying. “You... you’re right, I err... I’m sorry! I should... go.” She gave him a confused look.

He jumped up following her, “Emily... Sorry... I” he wasn't sure what to say he could see the embarrassment etched onto her face and he felt terrible. “I like you too Emily, I just. I'm worried that we won't make it out of this mess.” He paused and sighed, l before his face lit up “What about if I kiss you? That way we both have something to blush about.” he shrugged, “and then maybe we meet up later and we can talk?”

“I understand” Emily offered a warmer, less embarrassed smile. “Meeting up later sounds nice.” She gave him a sheepish look. “You can kiss me if you want but not if it’s going to confuse things further.”

Elijah leaned the distance between them and kissed her softly on the lips, "Not complicated at all - Just..." He smile softly and looked over his shoulder to their current situation, "Its just bad timing I guess, I didn't mean to upset you - I just don't want anything to happen - We don't know what's happening and I'd hate for anything to happen to either, sorry I guess a little complicated."

“I understand” Emily offered a brief smile. “I guess we just see it from different viewpoints. I see this as a chance to ‘grab the bull by the horns’ as the saying goes. I want to get on and live my life, not delay it because of what if’s.” She gave Elijah a worried look. “Do I sound crazy? It’s just... I’ve never let myself jump into anything before, but you... there’s something about you Elijah. I trust you.”

He shook his head, "No you don't sound crazy." Elijah was silent for a moment while he gathered his thoughts and considered everything. "Ok" He said finally with a smile, "I guess it scares me hell this whole situation scares me but I guess it'll be easier if I have someone to help me through it?" He offered. "Because I trust you too, and hell I guess if were going to go out I guess its better than doing it alone."

Emily’s smile practically shone, “Exactly. I want to be the one whose there for you at the end of a tough day, even if it’s just to talk and cuddle. To be honest this is my first ever relationship, and I’m as nervous as you. I just feel that... as long as we have each other we’ll be okay. Does that make sense?”

He nodded and her happiness meant a lot to him, especially seeing her smile a much as she was. "Dont get me wrong, this scares the hell out of me but..." Elijah shrugged, "You're very convincing. Just promise me one thing. Don’t do anything reckless" He absolutely, categorically didn't want anything to happen to her.

“I swear!” Emily smiled the warmest, happiest smile yet. Just being around Elijah made her want to smile, he lifted her spirits no end. “There is something you should know, I want complete honesty between us.” She paused. “Before all this I was seeing someone, a woman...” she paused again. “We’re obviously not together anymore, I just wanted you to know.”

Eli paused, considered and shrugged. "That's ok, I mean long as she's not going to come after me and duel me for you then I don't think it's any of my business." And he meant it, Humans were slow at overcoming social norms but he felt they'd done pretty well since the 21st century when same-sex relationships were frowned upon.

Emily grinned. “She’s not like that, but thank you for understanding. Anyway, I should go and let you rest.” She stepped closer kissing Elijah on the cheek. “Maybe we could eat our rations together later?” She grinned.

He nodded smiling back, "Yes that would be the nice, same place?" He asked before adding "I'll find us something to make it a little more comfortable - A ration picnic" Elijah still felt nervous about the pace of things and their situation but he believed things happened for a reason and perhaps this was one door opening.

Emily nodded and smiled. “I’ll bring along some of my rations to share, it’s only fair. I’ll see you later.” She wrapped herself back up ready to go out into the biting cold.

"See you soon Emily" Eli smiled and waved slightly. "And stay safe"