by -=/\=- Zanh Liis
80627.21
During and After Come What May
Soundtrack: You Are Loved, by Josh Groban
-=Conference Room Near Sickbay=-
80627.21
During and After Come What May
Soundtrack: You Are Loved, by Josh Groban
-=Conference Room Near Sickbay=-
"Reece wanted us to come to the bridge immediately," Blane asserted. The precariousness of their current situation had been at the forefront of his mind since Salvek had uttered the words 'Warp, bubble, and collapse.'
"I will accompany you." Salvek looked at Vol Tryst. "Counselor, are you quite well?"
"I'll be fine, Commander, thank you." Vol's senses were spinning, so much information to take in and process not only from the Healer but from the glimpse he'd had into Salvek's mind through the meld as well.
Salvek's mind was a fascinating place. Vol only wished now he'd had a little more time to look around.
"I will check on the Vedek," he volunteered.
"Please do that, and keep an eye on O'Sullivan. When he wakes up he must not be allowed to interact with the Captain until we know how she," Salvek stopped.
"Understood. I'll let you know if her condition changes in the slightest."
The three men dispersed into the hall, Blane and Salvek heading for the bridge and the frantic Trill, Vol heading back to a room so thick with grief and misery, he had to brace himself for impact before entering.
-=Sickbay=-
"Don't be afraid to touch her," Vol said softly, stepping up behind Jariel.
The Vedek stood motionless beside Zanh Liis' bed, hand hovering above her face but not making contact.
*I'm afraid to do anything,* Jariel thought. Vol sensed the heaviness in his heart, and moved around in front of the man where he could be seen.
"If it is the tiniest consolation to you, Vedek Jariel, the Healer was desperate for you to understand that she was really only trying to help Zanh Liis. O'Sullivan too. And the others." Vol's thoughts went back to Beth DeBerry, and he wondered, and dared hope that she was one of the ones that the Healer had meant when she spoke of those who would realize a 'positive result' from this intervention.
"It is." Jariel replied simply. He believed that no harm was intended, and as with any accident, assigning blame would only muddy the waters and make the situation harder to cope with. "Things happen in life. All we can do is go on."
"You've always done just so, haven't you?" Vol interjected softly. "Gone on." He observed the pain in Jariel's eyes as the man shook his head slightly.
"What else can you do?" He sank to the side of Liis' bed now, and held her lifeless hand in both of his own. Now that he did not have to use them to communicate, he hardly knew what to do with them.
"Oh, Vol." He sighed deeply, shuddering. "What do we do now?"
"Now we see what the Captain remembers when she wakes up."
Vol dared not to use the word 'if'.
"Then we talk to Keiran, and Salvek, and we try to figure out what is best for everyone."
"What is best for everyone may not be what is best for the timeline." Jariel droned, his voice reflecting his concern over the matter.
"Right here and right now," Vol remarked, "that is where I want your mind to remain, Vedek Jariel. Focus on the way that you feel about the Captain. Talk to her. Hold her hand, just as you are. Be her anchor. I truly believe she can hear you, even though she is unable to respond."
"I'll," Jariel blinked back a fresh storm of tears. "I'll try."
"If you need me, I will be nearby." As Vol moved away, he looked at Jariel out of the corner of her eye. "If it is any more of a consolation to you, Vedek," he paused, wondering if he should say this but in his heart knowing that Jariel needed to hear it. "Even if the worst were to happen, and she does not return to consciousness,"
Jariel inhaled sharply in pain at the very thought.
"She is at rest. Her last clear emotions were feeling peace, and knowing she was loved."
*Loved by whom, though?* Jariel thought, the last waves of his conflicting emotions breaking against the shore as he thought back one more time to the sight of Liis in O'Sullivan's arms.
"By us all." Vol replied serenely, before moving across the bay to check and see if there was any sign that Keiran O'Sullivan was waking up.
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-=/\=-Zanh Liis
Commanding Officer
USS Serendipity NCC-2012
-=/\=-Zanh Liis
Commanding Officer
USS Serendipity NCC-2012