Where Do We Go from Here?

Posted on Sat Aug 21st, 2021 @ 10:05pm by Commander Samantha Howard & Commander Jonathan Grayson

Mission: A Dark Looking Glass
Location: Various locations
Timeline: After Return to Sender

Jon sat alone in DS9's medical bay. Essie had been placed in stasis and no one knew how long she would be in it. It was all up to Essie and her body's ability to heal the wounds she had received in the MU. However he still remained to see how Sam was after her surgery. He wouldn't abandon Sam so he sat and stared at the floor, the walls and back to the floor. His thoughts were all over the place. As they bounced from Essie to Sam to wanting to kill the mirror Shran. He was concerned for both Essie and Sam. He knew of Bashir's reputation, he just hoped it wasn't all hype.

Bashir kept a watch from a distance, his eyes on the padd in front of him that relays Sam's bio readings. She was coming out of the sedation but it appeared her subconscious was having a field day of whatever they had experienced wherever they had been. Rumour had it they'd had a run in over in the Mirror Universe, details however were sketchy.

Sam stirred in her sleep, moving restlessly under the light blanket as her memories replayed, twisted, then replayed again. Over and over she saw her weakness, her failures and the cost of her actions.

Jon saw Sam stir, moving restlessly under the blanket. He got up and walked to the side of her bed. he took her hand gently in his, just holding it. Hoping his mere presence would help settle her.

Within the darkness there was a presence she could feel closeby, different to what she assumed was the nurses going about their business. The fog receded further and she cracked open an eye, wincing at the bright light.

"Owww..."

"Easy Sam." The voice was Jon's but it was quiet, subdued. "Just take it slow."

The voice she recognised and she turned her head, taking in the blurry image of her friend as her eyes tried to adjust to the brightness. " Jon?"

"Right here Sam. You just go slow. Your still recovery from surgery." Jon told his friend. His voice still subdued but there was a sliver of happiness within it.

" Ughh... I want out..."She grumbled as she took in the surroundings more clearly. Bashir flashed a frustrated look from where he was going over reports...preparing himself for battle it seemed. " How's Essie?" Sam asked.

Jon hesitated a fraction of a second, a heartbeat before replying. "She's in stasis Sam." He said quietly not wishing to upset his friend.

" That's a good thing, it gives us time to work out how to treat her" Sam exhaled, relieved that Essie didn't die in the process of being placed into stasis.

"I guess so Sam. She's alive at any rate." Jon replied.

"And she will continue to be alive, it buys us time" Sam explained, turning so she could see Jon better. He looked like hell.

"Yes." Jon replied simply. Not trusting himself to say anything more. It was too painful, too fresh. He was just glad Sam was alright.

" Did Dr Bashir tend to you?" She asked, not being able to focus entirely just yet. Events from the last few days were starting to blur together.

"Yes Sam. He did." Jon replied without elaborating. His face and chest were repaired but some scars went beyond skin deep and were source of constant pain.

" Good" Sam smiled as she held Jon's hand " Hey, we're all gonna get through this - Essie included" She tried to reassure him.

Jon marveled at Sam's outlook and didn't want to dampen it but he was not nearly as optimistic as she was. Still Essie was alive at that was something. "Right." He replied simply.

She could see his pain, it was written as though a large neon sign exclaimed it for all to see. His love was in stasis, for who knows how long and his team beaten to within an inch of their lives. She was a bit at a loss as to how she could best comfort him, their friendship had been forged during an away mission gone badly wrong and had been strong ever since. But now - she was at a loss as to what to do. Squeezing his hand she fell silent, just 'being there', and hopefully keeping Bashir off her tail so they could plot her exit from the Infirmary.

Jon tried to conjure up a smile but the attempt failed miserably. Instead he squeezed Sam's both in a silent statement of thanks for her support as well as for her friendship that like a fine wine kept improving with time. He looked at her, "So, when do we plan the escape for?" he asked for if Sam was in any way like him, she wanted to get out of the infirmary.

" As soon as possible - I do NOT want to spend a nanosecond here longer than I have to. I have things I need to do, not waste time lying around because Mr 'My brain is the size of a small planet' says so." She grumped, giving Bashir a good glare in the process.

"Want me to knock him out Sam?" Jon asked her half seriously all while giving Bashir the evil eye.

" You wouldn't....." She left the rest unsaid, trying to work out if he was serious or not.

"Want to bet?" Jon replied cryptically. He had nothing to lose. Essie was gone at least figuratively. So punching Bashir was no big deal.

" Wait.. no.. I'm not serious....I mean..." Sam stammered, trying to work out if Jon was still serious or not.

"He won't even know what hit him and we can be back on the Washington." Jon continued. "Just a little tap and he'll be out like a light."

She looked at him carefully - watching for a telltale sign of his sincerity or lack there of. " Jon, you can't.. you'll get us both locked up" She erred on the side of caution - just in case.

Jon shrugged his shoulders. "Fine have it your way. But you had your chance to escape, now you are stuck here, so I don't want to hear any complaining about the food or anything else." He told her.

" I was thinking something more... discreet. Slipping out quietly whilst they are occupied doing something else" She mused, rubbing her chin thoughtfully knowing that it was wishful thinking.

Suddenly klaxons began sounding an a voice came over the com system. "Medical emergency in the Promenade! Medical emergency in the Promenade!" At that Bashir gave a quick glance at the two and bolted from the room. Jon looked to Sam, "It seems now a good time to leave."

Bashir looked at them, having a damned good idea of what was about to happen. " Just... stay in bed for a few days... ok?" He stammered as he grabbed his medical kit and bolted for the door. It looked as though the leave pass had been granted.

" Shall we?" She queried, gingerly sitting up.

Jon extended his hand to help Sam stand up. "An excellent suggestion Sam. Let us be on our way or would you prefer to be beamed to your cabin aboard the Washington?"

"I can walk, I'm not completely useless, I don't think so yet anyway" she retorted in good humour, accepting his arm and heading for the door.

"Sam, you will never be useless. You have many outstanding qualities in addition to your medical prowess." Jon answered quietly. He held his arm steady for her to grab and then together, arm in arm they left the room, heading back to the Washington.

"Thank you Jon" Sam smiled as they cautiously headed back to their ship.

Jon nodded at Sam, as they slowly headed back to the Washington. He was well aware of Sam's weakened state so took extra care as they walked. After losing Essie, he couldn't lose Sam as well.

The two friends walked in companionable silence, each with their own demons and but feeling just that little bit less alone.