In Sickness and in Health.

Posted on Sun Sep 28th, 2025 @ 11:48am by Lieutenant Seth Travis & Lieutenant Commander Shoniara T’ghann-Travis MD

4,912 words; about a 25 minute read

Mission: Holding Pattern Hijinks
Location: Travis family quarters.
Timeline: Wounds from the Mirror

Shon sat on the couch and looked around the room. for the first time she saw it in a different light, as though nothing at all had happened and she had just arrived home from a busy day in sickbay. but, then she looked at her body and realised that was not so. The scars on her back which she had worn so proudly had gone and her back was smooth and formed. Her new eye was working well but when she looked in a mirror all she saw was a hole. Her prosthetic arm worked well but she still need a lot of therapy before and if she could return to work.

Shon still did not know if she would ever perform surgery again and her other wound, the wound that would be with her for the rest of her life......."T'aSlava Shran!" she said as the words expressed ........she did not know what. Then she smiled as she crushed the coffee cup she held in her hand. "Oops." she said looking at the porcelain remnants on the floor. A little giggle escaped her as Shasta picked the shards up. "Be careful, don't cut yourself Shas," Shon said.

The teenager looked at her, "Don't worry everything will be okay you know. Sage is fed and is fast asleep, she shouldn't wake until we return. I am going to pick Dad up and I am going to look after both of you.....Mom, for the moment..." Shas hesitated. "Don't pick Sage up okay, not unless I am here?"

Shon turned away so Shas could not see the tear in her eye, there were not tears from the prosthetic." Go, pick him up and return safe."

The teenager nodded, kissed Shon on her cheek and touched her prosthetic hand, "It really will be okay mom." Shon nodded and Shasta left.

Making her way to sickbay she entered. It was still very busy as she made her way to the bio bed Seth was sitting up on. She had gotten used to her father lying down and she realised he was indeed tall. She kissed him. "Doctor says you can go home but to do nothing, just like Mom, she is home waiting for you, we can walk slowly?"

Seth smiled at the sight of his daughter and Shasta was his daughter in every way that counted. He loved her and her goodness and her overwhelming capacity for compassion. She was like Shon in that regard. Seth smiled as Shasta kissed him and the relayed the doctor's instructions. "Got it Shasta, go home and loaf around." He teased half seriously where what he wanted to do was get back to work and find the bastards that had hurt Shon and caused Shasta so much concern.

He stood up slowly, "Let's get this show on the road as he took small steps to get out of Sickbay. As they cleared Sickbay and had gone a few more feet, Seth put out his arm touching her shoulder. "Shasta, I want you to know how proud I am of you. I am always proud of you but never more so than right now. Your quick thinking saved my life. You are an amazing young woman." He finished as he leaned forward and kissed her forehead. "I promise not to make a pest of myself and irritate you." He looked into her large expressive eyes and asked the question on his mind. "How is your mother coping with all this?"

Shasta screwed her mouth up. "Mom told me not to tell you anything, she is more worried about how you are? She knows the best thing is to talk but I cannot get her to talk about anything. I know she is worrying about whether she will be able to work again." she stopped and turned to her father. "Dad, I'm worried about Mom, very worried. She won't touch Sage, she won't talk about anything that happened over there, she looks so bad. Whatever happened I think this is much worse." she looked at him, he looked white and not so good on his feet. "Come on let's get you home," she said supporting him along the way.

Seth listened to his daughter as she described her mother. When she had finished, he spoke. "Your mother has been through a terrible ordeal Shasta. One we may never know the full extent of. We do know she lost an eye and a hand and these are major obstacles to overcome as well as adapt to. In addition her confidence has been shaken. She is a doctor , a surgeon and to possibly not be able to perform her craft is a blow. You must remember she is still getting use to her hand and doesn't want to accidently hurt her your sister." He looked at her, "Together you and I through patience and love will get your mother to open up and talk about what happened. Only then can she move forward and have a complete rehabilitation."
He let Shasta support him as they moved down the corridor to their quarters.

"I know dad, I know." She patted him on the arm. "Remember dad you need help too, you nearly died, I love both of you and will do everything I can to get you both well, anything." Shasta turned away so Seth would not see her tears. She had to be an adult for them both. At last they entered their quarters. Shon was sitting on the couch looking into space. Hearing the door she stood up and walked slowly over to Seth, put her arms round him and held him. After a moment she released him. "Shas can you change Sage please."

Shasta looked at her mom, "you know you can do that, Viviana said you could."

Shon looked at her daughter her face a vision of confusion and pain. "Shas, please....I am scared i will hurt her with this arm."

Shasta nodded and went to see to Sage.

Shon smiled a smile that did not reach her eyes. I'm glad you're home Seth, how are you feeling?" she patted the couch next to her.

"Shasta, I will be fine." He lied, he had been shot a close range by a disruptor and it had done a number to him. However his oldest daughter had enough to worry about and he didn't want to overwhelm her. Arriving at their quarters, he watched the exchange between mother and daughter. When Shasta left he kissed Shon tenderly, softly. "I'm fine love." He replied as he sat down next to her. "What of you?" How are you doing? You know you have to trust your arm sometime Shon." He gently reminded her.

Shon held him gently and put her hand over the place were his wound had been."you nearly died," she said gently. "I read your notes, we are very lucky to have you. now, just like me I know you are not fine, we will not be fine for a long time, working, maybe but not fine. As for Sage Viviana told me that I need work on my prosthetic arm, it is much stronger than my original one so holding such a tiny thing bothers me in that I could crush her in a nano second. No, I would rather Shas fed her. Now love, tell me what happened to you?"

"Shon, can they not dial the strength back so your arm is no stronger than a natural arm?" Seth asked. "And I ask again, you have to be able to trust yourself, trust your arm to feed, change, bathe Sage." He said softly. "As for me, some woman who looked like Deanna, burst into our quarters, looking for you. She saw Shasta and Sage and was going to shoot them in cold blood. I jumped in and stood in front of our daughters and she shot me and laughed and then I remember looking up at her and she just turned on her heel and left. Shasta saved me." He finished quietly.

"Oh love, I am so sorry you were shot because the mirror Deanna was looking for me. Thank you for protecting our daughters with your life. I know you would do anything for them....and me." Shon laughed softly. "I was told by Viviana that my new arm will always be stronger and I have to learn to control it, she recommended that I do not feed Sage for a few weeks until more neural pathways are formed and I gain control. Seth I could crush her, Shasta, you in a microsecond, I am so scared, what they did to me, took away my scars and any chance I would now have at giving you more children, I so wanted a boy....I am...I feel destroyed...." Shon began to sob deep painful bursts from deep inside her pain. Leaning against him she sobbed. "they made me enjoy giving pain, i almost Killed Inara, I wanted...to. to inflict as much agony as i had been given and enjoyed it. Oh Seth what is happening to me?"

Seth held Shon gently in his arms. "Alright we go slow, let you learn control of the arm and its strength. You can do this. You, Shasta and Sage are my world and I will do anything to protect and keep you from harm. I'm so sorry I wasn't there to protect you." He rubbed her back softly as she sobbed against him. Shon love, I know you wanted to give me more children and what they did was unspeakable but you are alive and we have two amazing daughters. We cam always adopt if we want another child." he kissed her forehead. "You were tortured love both physically and mentally and that will be a hurdle for you to get over but you will and we will all help you. You just need to have faith in yourself Shon. You are a good and amazing doctor, mother and wife. Never forget that."

Shon felt so much better with Seth's arms around her and his gentle soft speech. She nodded, "I know we can adopt and how marvellous that will be it's just, I feel less of a woman, Vulcan women are especially....well proud is the wrong word Sa'lok is the Vulcan word for it, but then i am only half Vulcan. I am sure I will come to terms with it but Seth, she tore a live child from me, from us....I wanted to kill her but even that was taken away from me, Inara beamed me away and I do not think I can ever forgive her for that despite what I did to her." she sighed, "It seems like we both have healing to do both physically and mentally." she looked up at him. "I do not know what we would have done if you had died...." she went quiet just enjoying listening to his breath and feeling his chest expand beneath her.

Shasta came out with Sage, "She's fed and changed and now fast asleep...Mom...do you want to hold her?" Shasta asked.

"No Shas, give her to your father and come and sit with us?"

"Less a woman, oh my darling you are all woman. Never doubt that. This was done to you not something you wanted. As for Inara, never say never. You both need to forgive each other and that will come in time. Don't force anything let it come of its own accord. I didn't die, I'm here with you and the girls and we will all get through this."

He stopped when Shasta came out with Sage and he saw and heard Shon's reluctance to hold their youngest daughter. he took Sage from Shasta and gently held the infant smiling down at her for a few seconds before he placed her in Shon's lap. "This your daughter as well Shon and you can't put off holding and interacting with her. We trust you, trust yourself."

Shon looked down at her chubby little daughter who was attempting to eat her toes. For a moment har arms moved as if to pick her up. "Shas take Sage!" Shon made it an order rather than a request. Sage began to cry as Shasta picked her up and began rocking her. Shon turned to Seth her eyes cold with anger. "you do not know what I have done, if i hold her then I run the risk of retribution and you put her in my arms...you have...have no idea Seth!" She stood, Shas I am sorry to leave her with you, you do not deserve this but, I just cannot......" she could say no more as she limped to the door. "I am going out, do not follow me I want to be alone." she left and, for a moment did not know where to go, but then she knew and headed slowly and painfully for the holodeck.

Shasta looked at Seth, "Mom is not well is she dad? she has never acted like this before?"

Seth looked at the door where Shon had just gone through. he was hurt by her words. She acted like he was a stranger and not her husband. he knew exactly what she was dealing with and running away was not the answer. "No she isn't Shasta. You stay here with Sage or go to Commander Grayson's quarters. I'm going to get your mother." With that he kissed Shasta on the forehead and slowly went through the door.

Thankfully the holodeck was was not in use and she quickly loaded the cabin programme and entered. Immediately she could hear birdsong and the wind in the tall trees as, somewhere across the river a buck called looking for his mate. It had been raining and the sweet smell of meadow grass mixed with the smell of the peaty earth that Seth had used to plant her favourite magnolia tree. She unlocked the door taking a bottle of scotch and a glass and walked to the wrap around porch that overlooked the meadow and on down to the river. It started to rain again as she sat in the well padded old rocking chair, opened the bottle and filled her glass. Throwing a blanket over herself she lifted her painful legs onto the stool and began to drink watching the rain.

A voice interrupted her solitude. "I thought I'd find you here." Seth said quietly as he leaned heavily on the porch railing for support. "You always loved this program." He said not moving toward her. As the silence grew he spoke again. "You had no right to talk to me like you did. Do you actually think I am so insensitive not to know and understand what you are going through? You aren't the only one hurting Shon. So is Shasta. This is eating her up seeing you like this. If you don't care how I feel about you, care about your daughter." He finished never once raising his voice.

Shon was already drunk, she gave a small bitter laugh, "I am not fit to be a wife, a mother or a doctor. You are all better off without me. I have decided to leave the Washington and seek J'a'amara Pher on Vulcan. It is only there I can attain purification from the vile things i have done," she stopped, "I have...loved you, I do love you but... I cannot give myself to you. I am"...She took another drink...."I need to be purged of my emotions I need to be....you need to think of me dead....I am so...so very tired I want to sleep and never wake. Her head rolled back and her glass fell on the floor.

"Oh love, do you not understand? You mean more to me than my life. You are a good woman, a good wife and a good doctor who was made to do vile, evil things. Do not crucify yourself. We will get through this together." As he finally moved to her and picked her up and carried her inside the cabin and to the master bedroom where he gently deposited her on the bed. "Sleep my angel." He whispered as he went into the other room to sit and wait.

Shon woke her head full of wool. "I'm in bed?" she asked to no one. She was not sure how she had gotten there but she felt as though she had had the best dream free sleep in a very long time. Her brain had begun to reset whilst she slept and she felt settled. Even though the knowledge of what she had done was still there it was contained and no longer all she thought about. She sat up gently aware her head felt as though it was about to explode. Swinging her legs out of the bed she put on her robe and belted it. Slowly, painfully she walked to the lounge.

Seth was asleep on the couch his face lined and a slight streak of grey in his hair. Sitting next to him she covered both of them up with the rug that Shasta had made for them, leant against him and watched the rain rolling in from the east.

Seth woke a short time later and a soft smile graced his lips as he saw Shon leaning next to him. Both of them covered in a blanket. He kissed her softly. " Feeling better?" He asked nd continued, "I love you. Would you like some breakfast? That is some solid food and not a liquid one?"

Shon smiled, "if you feel up to it love?" she looked out of the huge window overlooking the mountains covered in trees their rocky crags poking upwards to where they met the sky. "Looks like it is going to be a beautiful day." she said softly.

"Love, for you I am up for anything." Seth smiled at the love of his life. "Everyday with you is a good day. What would you like for your breakfast?" He slowly rose from the couch and headed for the kitchen, waiting to hear what Shon wanted him to cook for her.

"Ooh, blueberry pancakes and sausage! and a big pot of tea if you can manage that Seth?" she stretched to reach the sun as it streamed through the large windows. She looked at her hand and flexed each finger. "I feel so much more a peace today, almost as if i can begin my life once again. I made up my mind Shasta wants to go stay with Benito and his family, you know the boy who wants to be a science officer. It's only a week and I think she needs it. I will ask her to bring Sage here. I think I can recover more here than in our quarters so long as no one else wants the holodeck. What do you think?"

"Blueberry pancakes, sausage and a big pot of tea." Seth repeated. I can manage it love. I am glad you are feeling better darling and excellent decision in starting your life over." he paused for a moment "I think Shasta should wait before going to spend time with Benito and his family. Something could arise here where we need her. You can still have Sage brought here so you spend time with her." Seth replied.

Shon nodded and smiled, i will go with you on Shasta, she is such a good teenager and deserves some self time. I could have Sage here in her cot next to us whilst we watch the rain come in over the mountains. Oh Seth i could not imagine a more beautiful place even if it is the holodeck. Maybe we can do this for real one day?"

"Glad you agree with me on Shasta. A cot for Sage is perfect love." Seth looked out the window at the scene before them and nodded, "I agree and I don't see any reason why we can't do it for real. It is a place we all enjoy and love. A perfect retreat from the hassle of the world." He nodded again, "Yes, we can definitely do it."

Shon yawned and stretched noting her new arm was a little slower to react but, surprisingly she was so relaxed and her mind was clear. "Marrying you was the best thing I have ever done Seth, you have accepted Shasta and given me Sage, dealt with all my temper and tantrums. I wish I had been with you when you were hurt, I'm sorry about that."

Seth smiled and shook his head, "Love, you are the best thing in my life and Shasta and Sage are right behind. Shasta accepted me, calls me dad and nothing makes me prouder than hearing that. You have been through a lot Shon but you aren't alone, we'll get through this together. As for not being here when I was hurt, you had no control in it"

"You were near to death when Shasta found you, I don't know what I would have done if you had died? you are my life." She sat up and began to tuck into her blueberry pancakes and sausage. She stopped for a minute as she watched the fat rain drops begin to slip down the picture window like now superfluous tears. The tops of the mountains were now covered with mist and the tops of the trees began to whip in the wind. The fire began to crackle and burn as the room warmed up.

"Shasta saved my life to be sure. She didn't panic. She had me stabilized so I could be transported to Sickbay. I am so proud of her. Not that I'm not always proud of her but this was extra special." Seth answered as he sat down and ate his eggs and had a sip of tea. He looked out the window at the rain and the surrounding countryside. "I could get use to this very easily."

She laughed, she thought, feeling it for the first time for a long time. "I wonder if Shasta wants to do a medical degree, I know she has a penchent for science. Mmm this is wonderful Seth." then, suddenly she sat up stretching her new arm out. "Can you see any difference?" she asked.

"I don't know if she does or not. Ask her, I think she would make an outstanding doctor as she has a great one to learn from." He looked at her two arms and shook his head. "No love, they look the same to me and that's a good thing."

Shon shook her head, "it still feels strange, slow like working in treacle and i need the arm for my work as you know. If I could not perform surgery than what good am I ?" Shon jumped at a particularly loud clap of thunder and the large glass window shook. "My nerves are still healing I think," she said laughing.

Seth smiled at the love of his life. "Give yourself time love. You have been through a terrible ordeal, let yourself fully recover both physically and mentally. As for what good are you, I'll say plenty, You could still teach or instruct, you have considerable knowledge in the area of surgery." He wrapped his arms around her in a hug. "It is alright daring. I think you are still a bit on edge and that will ease the longer you are removed from the situation and out among those who love and care about you."

Shon shrugged, "I know and understand but I'm not sure if Sam will still let me work, if I can no longer then what will happen to us, to you, you love your post?"

"Love, you worry much too much. Sam will let you work and even if by some chance she didn't we still have each other and we will continue and go on. As for me, if need to retire i will and see about teaching at Academy."

Shon smiled, "You would be a good teacher, you have patience and kindness. In fact I was offered a teaching post before I met you, i mean, the most important thing is that we will be a family." Shon laughed. "You might even end up teaching Shasta." Shon stretched and felt her back pull. "Those scars I kept have gone, that is one thing they did to me that turned out well, I mean i don't need them any more. I have all I want." Shon lay down so his arm was over her. "I always feel so good in your arms Seth."

Seth chuckled, "I appreciate and love your support Shon. That would be something to teach Shasta." He wrapped his arms around her. "As do I my love, you, Shasta and Sage are my life and anywhere we go, we go as a family." He kissed her softly, "I will hold you until the end of time if that is what you desire my love."

She smiled and stretched, "Don't say that I may just take you up on that." she said sleepily. "do you mind if i have a little snooze? listening to the storm outside is so restful. You know I think I need to hold my baby."

"I won't complain if you do." Seth replied with a grin. "As for taking a nap, you go right ahead love. I will be right here." He smiled broadly as he said his next, "I think that is a wonderful idea."

Shon, so relaxed slept, however instead of a good dream she found herself back in the nightmare in the alternate universe sickbay. The iron smell of blood filled her nostrils as she felt such pain. Her head moved back trying to get away from the sharp instrument that was nearing her eye. then, pain exploded in every fibre and there was blackness. "No....no... please stop!" she screamed as her eye was removed. "Tu'vEni diatka!" she screamed returning to a dream from her childhood. "It does not end, never ends" she screamed.

Seth has gone to the study when he heard Shon scream. He rushed back to and took her shoulders and said firmly. "Shon darling, wake up! You were having a nightmare. Everything is alright, you are here with me on the Washington. Relax love, you are safe."

Shon jumped up her hair dishevelled, "No No Seth don't you see I will never be safe again!" she pulled away from him. "It's over now leave me alone." Opening up the huge plate glass doors she ran out into the storm and disappeared into the undergrowth of the forest. Despite the storm above the forest floor was quiet and dry as she moved through the undergrowth. She ran as fast as she could given the trees woven together so closely. Suddenly she fell down a bank into a small pool where a large black bear was drinking. Even though she knew there were safeties that would prevent any injuries she was even more frightened. The bear looked at her it's eyes trying to zoom in on her face then, suddenly it turned and crashed off through the bush. She stood screaming her fist balled towards the sky. "YOU SEE EVEN A HOLODECK BEAR IS AFRAID OF ME." She carried on running until, exhausted she found the hollow provided by several tall pines and curled up. Pulling bracken over herself her heart and breathing slowly slowed. "T'ghrek hT'lij,ka! help me please," she cried softly until, exhausted and in pain she fell asleep.

"Shon what are you talking about?" Seth managed to get out as Shon jumped up and ran out of the house. He was shocked by Shon's outburst as she jumped up from him and ran into the forest. He grabbed two windbreakers and put one on then he went in search for Shon. Her trail into the forest was easy enough to follow despite the rain. He was even able to follow her tracks to the small pool. Where her tracks stopped. Frantic he looked for several minutes until he found them leading away from the pool and back into the forest. he slowly followed her tracks through the broken and twisted tree limbs until he came across her sleeping in a hollow. He smiled gently down at her. "My precious Shon. No one is afraid of you. Not I or Shasta and Sage. Certainly not your shipmates. My love you need to forgive yourself." He whispered as he bent down put the windbreaker over her and gently scooped her into his arms. He kissed her softly. "You will never be alone. Too many people love and care about you."

Shon's mind had turned in on itself in an effort to protect her higher brain functions. She was no longer aware of anyone around her, whilst her unconscious mind attempted to deal with the multiple trauma's she had suffered on the alternate universe ship. the pain she had endured and seen in others and also the pain she herself had inflicted on her friends. She could no longer reason as the Vulcan side of her brain had taken over. She would remain unconscious until she received medical help or the alternative would be madness and ultimately death.

TBC......

 

RSS Feed