Can you help me Please?

Posted on Thu Jun 1st, 2023 @ 9:36am by Senior Chief Petty Officer Emily Charles {Kelea-Salik} & Lieutenant JG Zac Smithson

Mission: Season 6: Episode 2: Survival
Location: Med tent
Timeline: MD5 1200 hrs
2063 words - 4.1 OF Standard Post Measure

Zac headed for the med tent, holding his injured hand. He was mad and embarrassed. He had been in the food tent and wasn't paying attention and picked up a cup of extremely hot, hot chocolate and promptly spilled it all over his hand. Causing it to blister, turn red and swell.

He walked into the tent, looking for someone to help him but everyone was busy seeing other patients. "Screw it." He muttered. "I'll stick in some snow. There's plenty of that around."

Emily was just returning from organising paperwork with Sthilg for the adoption of young Lia when she’d almost walked smack bang into Zac. “Whoa! I’m sorry!” She noticed his hand. “That looks nasty, How’s about I sort it out for you? Don’t worry I’m a fully qualified nurse.”

Zac looked up at woman who spoke. "Oh no, my fault entirely. I was just going to go stick it in some snow." he blushed. "I don't want to put you out but I would appreciated it if you could at least stop the pain."

“I can do better than that” Emily smiled warmly. “Come right over here” She motioned to one of two small little rooms attached to the medical tent. “Take a seat and I’ll be right with you.” She went to a tray of hypos picking up what she needed along with a medical tricorder and dermal regenerator.

"Oh fantastic. I would be so grateful." Zac replied as he headed to one of the rooms the nurse had pointed at.

Following Zac in Emily waited until he was comfortable before gently pressing a hypo to his neck. “That’s pain relief it should kick in momentarily. Now let’s take a look at your hand.” She gently took his hand giving it a thorough look over, and a scan before picking up the dermal regenerator. “It’s not too serious, but if I leave you with a blistered hand chances are you’ll end up with an infection. I’ll heal it for you but the skin will still be tender for a few days afterwards.”

Zac nodded as his benefactor spoke. She had a pretty face, with dark eyes and brown hair. "Thank you so much for your kindness. I greatly appreciate your help and compassion. I can deal with tender skin." He paused for a moment and then continued. "I feel so stupid over this."

“No need” Emily smiled. “Accidents happen all the time. There’s no need to be embarrassed.” She gently ran the dermal regenerator back and forth over his hand. “So out of curiosity just how did you do this?”

"Which is why I feel so stupid. I wasn't paying attention. I picked up a cup of very hot, hot chocolate and immediately spilled it all over my hand." Zac answered. The nurse also had a beautiful smile, it lit up her whole face.

“Ouch!!” Emily grimaced at the thought of that. “Tell you what once we’re done here I’ll get you another hot chocolate. You just have to promise me you won’t go spilling it on yourself again, okay?”

"Its a deal and I promise." Zac said with a smile. "Oh, by the way I'm Zac. Zac Smithson, tactical officer." He said holding out his uninjured hand.

Emily paused what she was doing to shake his hand. “I’m Emily Charles, it’s nice to meet you Zac. Now your hand is healed, but like I said it’ll be tender for a few days. Try not to do any hard graft with that hand until it’s feeling better, the skin will be liable to more damage if you do.”

"A pleasure to make your acquaintance Emily." Zac replied with a smile. "I treat the hand with TLC, I promise."

“Excellent!” Emily smiled warmly. “Let’s go and get you that fresh mug of hot chocolate, I might just have one myself.”

"I would be honored if you joined me." Zac replied honestly.

Emily couldn’t help but blush, she wasn’t used to getting compliments. “I’m not due on shift just yet so I have some spare time, I think spending it in your company will be nice.”

"Oh gosh, now the pressure is on for sure." Zac joked. "I hope I don't disappoint you Emily."

“You don’t have to prove anything to me Zac, we’re just two people going out for a drink.” Emily paused. “Did I just make that sound like a date?” She grinned.

“Well. I kinda do Emily. I don't want you to think I'm a jerk." Zac answered. He nodded, his head. "Yes, you did. Not that would be a bad thing." He added with a smile.

Emily couldn’t help but blush. “So I’m asking you out on a date now?” She paused before nodding. “Why not! Life’s too short to beat about the bush, a date it is.”

Zac smiled broadly, He found her blushing made all the more attractive. "I do like the way you think Emily and you are right, life is too short. On our next date, I'll take you to dinner. How does that sound?"

“That sounds wonderful.” Emily gazed around as they stepped out of the med tent. “As much as it’s beautiful here I’m looking forward to getting back aboard a warm ship eventually.” She zipped up her coat.

"Wonderful Emily." Zac, "That is great." He added as they headed out of the med tent. "I can't wait to be back to the Elysium, be back in my quarters in my bed, use the replicator."

Emily nodded. “If we’re lucky enough to be able to use them, I guess it depends on how the repairs go. There was a lot of damage to some of the crews Quarters so we could end up sharing what’s left.”

"Hmmm. That's true. Well, if that turns out to be the case. You are welcome to share mine Emily." Zac offered, hoping it would ease any worry Emily had.

Emily blushed. “Thank you Zac that’s very kind.” She paused walking to turn and look at him. “If we’re to start dating there’s something about me that you need to know, but it’s something we should talk about in private.”

"Your welcome Emily." He met her look. "We are to start dating and okay, tell me in private." He answered easily.

Emily nodded. “Thank you Zac, it’s nice to be able to talk to you so freely.” They approached the Common area tent, Emily stepped inside glad to be in the relative warm again. “That’s so much better.”

"I would like always to be able to talk Emily and as our relationship grows that we continue to talk and not keep secrets. Oh, I don't mean birthday or Christmas present secrets but big secrets." Zac answered.

Emily nodded as she hung her jacket on a chair. “That sounds good to me Zac, I believe that there shouldn’t be secrets in a relationship. Relationships are built on trust.”

"I couldn't agree more Emily. Trust is a cornerstone of any lasting relationship." Zac answered as he took of his jacket and hung it next to Emily's.

“Now that hot chocolate” Emily headed over to the drinks and organised two hot chocolates, she carefully carried them back to the table. “Here you go..” She gently placed both down on the table. “Ohh and I picked up these..” she pulled out two little packs of marshmallows. “I thought you might like one.”

"Marshmallows!" Zac said happily. "Oh yes. The perfect topping for hot chocolate well this or whip cream." He said with a grin. Thanks for getting the hot chocolate for us as well."

“Not a problem I did say I’d get you one.” Emily grinned as she sat down. “There’s something you should know, I’m in the process of adopting one of the orphan children, a little girl named Leana.”

Zac blew on his hot chocolate. "I think that is fantastic Emily! Good for you! I know you will be a terrific mother. You have a compassionate nature and a good heart. If you need help watching her, just ask."

“I will, thank you Zac” Emily smiled as she blew her hot chocolate to try and cool it a little. “If we’re going to start dating then you’ll need to meet her too.”

"Oh gosh Emily! I'd love that. Thank you for including me. I hope she likes me." Zac replied.

“I’ve no doubt she will Zac” Emily smiled warmly before blowing on her hot chocolate and taking a gentle sip.

"Well her mom seems to like me so, that's a plus." Zac quipped as he looked over at Emily and picked up his cup and took a tentative sip. "Ohhhhh! Still hot." He blushed.

“That it is” Emily grinned. “Just means we’ll have to sit and talk for longer I guess. How’s about you tell me about you?”

"Well, it's pretty boring but okay. I was born in Altamonte Springs Florida. I have a younger brother named Mark and a younger sister named Deanna. My mom is a registered nurse and my dad is a civil engineer." He paused and tried another sip of his hot chocolate, finding it cooler and able to drink. He put the cup down and resumed talking. "Ever since I was a kid. I wanted to be out here, among the stars and now I made it." He smiled broadly at her. "I went to Starfleet Academy. I excelled in tactics. My first assignment was the Loki, a Excelsior class ship as a junior tactical officer. Now I'm here on the best ship in the fleet. This is like a dream come true. Along with meeting you Emily." He added. "Oh! I like being outdoors but this it a little ridiculous." He chuckled at his joke. " Also like games of strategy. Reading mysteries and historical novels and cooking." He looked across at her. "Now that I have bored you. It is your turn to tell me about yourself."

Emily nodded. “I’m a twin, George and I were born sometime around 16 December, 2366, near New Dallas, on Mars. We don’t know the exact date as we were found abandoned on the steps of a convent. We were sent to live with a foster family when we were two. Life was good for a few years before our foster parents became abusive.” She paused. “We never used our Betazoid abilities as they made us wear inhibitor shock collars. That, and our foster father was... abusive in other ways.” She paused to sip her drink. “Long story short, I spent several years in a catatonic state in an institution, George raised me, took care of me, I wouldn’t be here now if it wasn’t for him.”

Zac listened as Emily told him a bit about herself. His eyes widened in shock and anger as she told him of her foster father and his abusive ways. He reached his hand out and placed it gently atop hers. "Emily, I, I am so, so sorry to hear what you went through. I am glad you had your brother to look after you and care for you. I know we just met but I want you to know, you can count on me for whatever you need."

Emily offered a warm smile. “Thank you Zac, that’s good to know. I should warn you I’ve never been in a relationship before, I did start falling for someone but I guess we weren’t meant to be.”

Zac smiled at her, "Consider me warned. I'll only say, that perhaps we are meant to be." He shrugged his shoulders. "I like to think positive."

“Me too!” Emily smiled warmly. “I think we’re going to get along just fine Zac.”

"I think that is just good thinking Emily and I couldn't agree more. In fact it is music to my ears." Zac agreed happily.

Emily smiled as she sipped her chocolate, perhaps she wasn’t going to be as alone as she thought anymore.

Zac gave her an answering smile. This looked like the start of a beautiful relationship.

{OFF}