Meeting someone Random

Posted on Tue Jan 8th, 2019 @ 3:36am by

Mission: Run Afoul
Location: Corridor between Mess and patrick's quarters
1148 words - 2.3 OF Standard Post Measure

Beads of sweat were pouring down the sides of his face. His cheeks were flushed and he was panting for breath. Patrick was starting to see why the doctor had told him to rest as much as possible, as he was slowly inching his way home.

He just didn't have the energy to be up this long, even if he was utterly bored and felt like flying up the walls. He leaned against the bulkhead, closing his eyes for a moment, shifting uncomfortably as it jarred his restrained arm. He didn't have far to go now, but he was exhausted.

"Are you all right?" Beata asked coming upon a stranger who looked like he was having some kind of medical emergency. She had been on her way back to her quarters after visiting Dr. Adamson in sickbay. "Do you need me to call someone?" She put her arms on him, thinking it looked as if he might start to fall.

Patrick flinched as he was suddenly touched. "Murphy," he prompted, then shook his head. No, Murph was probably still busy as he hadn't come home in days. "No," he amended sadly, "there isn't anyone. Can you help me get home?" He gestured ahead. "It's not far."

"Are you sure? You don't look well to me at all." Her blue eyes were piercing into him. "Lieutenant Murphy? The engineer? I could call him." She wondered why he'd requested him and then changed his mind.

"Yes, Lieutenant Murphy the engineer. No don't call him, he's busy. He'll come home when time permits. He's got a ship to fix." He tried to straighten. "Can you help me home? It's just around the corner there. I shouldn't have gone to the mess...doc warned me I shouldn't."

"Then why did you?" Beata was very skeptical of this decision. She was worried she might get in trouble if something did happen to this man after she helped him to his quarters. "All right," she reluctantly agreed. "Were you injured in the explosion?" This man was not an officer but maybe he'd been near by when it happened. She put an arm around him carefully.

Patrick nodded slowly, while grateful for the support. "Yes. I was in Lieutenant Murphy's quarters when it happened. I was thrown and I hurt my shoulder and ribs. I don't remember much of it though, but I remember feeling it. I was lucky I didn't choose to have a shower then." He swallowed a few times. "If I had...I'd be dead."

"Well then I think you can thank someone for small miracles." He was rather heavy leaning on her and she used her breath to help him to the quarters he indicated, not leaving much room for small talk. Once they were inside and she had him sitting on the couch she stepped back from him an offered her hand shyly. "I'm Beata, by the way."

"Patrick," he replied, taking the offered hand. He leaned back, panting for breath. "Who knew a small walk could take so much effort. I just wanted to get out of my quarters, I felt like the walls were coming in on me. I'm not supposed to work, but no-one seems to get that I'm happiest when I can do my job. I feel it'll help me heal, but no-one wants to understand. Everyone wants me to stay home and rest."

"That would probably be because you're injured and being on your feet does not help your body with what it needs to do. She frowned. "Why don't you ask your friends to bring you work here? I mean you could do small things and you wouldn't have to travel far."

Patrick shook his head, seeming a little amused at her ignorance. "I can't cook for the entire crew from my little kitchen. I can barely lift a pan right now and I need two hands to do any kind of cooking. I'm a chef."

"Well who said you were cooking for the whole crew? I said little work, not kill yourself. I thought maybe a batch of cookies. Chocolate chip and oatmeal are my favorite," she suggested hopefully.

"Not right now, I can't even stay on my own two feet. I made breakfast for the captain just now, that's enough. Perhaps later today, when I have some energy again?"

"Sure, just offering to relieve your boredom. I could stay a while if you'd like. I just got off duty." Beata looked around for a place to sit but wanted to make sure it was all right first.

"You're welcome to stay but please don't be offended if I fall asleep." He smiled encouragingly. "Make yourself at home, tell me a bit about yourself?"

"There's not much to tell," Beata said, sitting down in a chair that looked comfortable. "I'm an orphan I joined Starfleet as soon as I was old enough so I could see interesting places and never be stuck in one spot again." She shrugged.

"I'm sorry to hear that," Patrick offered, "what about your dreams? Where would you like to be in say, five years?"

"I'm not really sure to be honest." Beata blushed a bit. "I just met someone special, I would hope we are still together. " She seemed to think about it a moment. "I want to be happy, no matter where I am." Her face fell though, as if she realized that would never be possible.

The man smiled, though he saw the change in her expression. "I'm all for being happy," he answered, "though why the sadness then? If you're happy with him, assuming it's a him of course."

"Oh I am happy with him. I mean we actually don't know each other that well but our time together has been enchanting. It doesn't have anything to do with me not being happy with him." Beata clammed up. It wasn't his business and she couldn't tell him anyway.

"Then why the sadness?" It was a simple question, but a very important one.

She shook her head. "It's not sadness, it's pain and fury and hopelessness . . ." her train of thought seemed to take her away form the subject but her eyes were blazing for a moment before she became all mild and meek again. "I should go. I can't explain, I want to but . . . "

"Then why don't you?" He held his breath as he saw the blaze in her eyes, but he did his best to hid her gaze. "What is so hopeless that you can't be happy?"

"I just can't," Beata shook her head and headed for the door. She turned around briefly to say, "I'm sorry."

Shaking his head, Patrick gave a half shrug. "As you wish," he said, then turned away from her, indicating she should go then.

Ensign Beata Lauryl (pncp by Saulitis)
Operations Officer
USS Majestic

Patrick O'Malley
Chef
pnpc Lhaes