Afternoon Nightmares Part One

Posted on Sat Oct 15th, 2011 @ 6:19pm by http://starbase900.info/index.php/personnel/character/23 & Commander Oralia Zeferino

Mission: In Our Time of Need
Location: Connor's Quarters
Timeline: current, late afternoon

Having completed the autopsy of the dead Enaran found in Oralia's office, Connor walked into his quarters; he was beyond exhaustion, having been going for over thirty hours.

Some time later, having showered and changed, he tossed down his second drink, and laid back on the bed, then reached over to place his glass along side the bottle of scotch that sat on his nightstand, next to his combadge. Soon as he closed his eyes, unwanted memories started replaying.

"Hey, I'm glad you're here, Connor."

He turned to her, "So am I", and swept some lose hairs back before leaning into her, caressing the side of her face with his fingertips. He swayed a bit, his eyes were studying hers. "I love you", he said, thinking about how soft her skin was like he always did whenever he touched her. He now touched his forehead to hers, knowing his words were an understatement before speaking them, "I know I'm not always crushie to live with...but I want to be there for you...always."

"Always is a long time, love," she replied, kissing him and letting the robe slide from her shoulders.

Angst lanced through him and he shifted position in the bed. More than anything, he wanted to sleep, not to rehash conversations with Oz. He closed his eyes and another memory came.

"You cheated on me! I never hurt you that way, I couldn't..not even here..!" he jabbed at his head. "But I get it.... It's my fault, you've made that clear. I...didn't love you enough, I drove you crazy, I chased you to him. You want to punish me...okay..or better yet... use that energy, 'n' keep yourself alive."

"I didn't cheat on you! I never would have! I can't believe you'd think that of me."

He had kissed her then and she'd slapped him, hard. Rolling over onto his back, he rubbed his jaw where she'd gotten him. Sleep wasn't coming; worse, he knew he'd lay here and rehash things, over and over, if he didn't do something.

Feeling ill, he pulled himself up, swinging his legs over the side of the bed before reaching for his combadge, and calling on the one person he felt he could, telling her, "I need your help. I...I can't sleep."

A short time later, Counselor Eliza West followed him back into his bedroom, her eyes resting on his nightstand as he sat back down heavily onto his bed, looking up at her as she picked up the bottle of scotch and frowned. "I shouldn't have to point out to you how you're a prime candidate for alcoholism.."

"I know", he said quietly, laying back and closing his eyes. "It's why I stopped myself after two drinks. I don't want to go in that direction."

Eliza nodded, sitting down on the edge of the bed, resting one leg on it as she pulled out of a pocket an alpha wave inducer. "I think it would be best if you returned to regular HBOT treatments instead of the occasional ones...", she regarded him, his face had become so pale, dark circles appearing around his eyes, and she placed the device on his forehead, "You can get this back under control, Connor", she encouraged, her voice now barely above a whisper as she activated it. "I know you can."

The inducer would help him sleep, while allowing him to wake up on his own at the sound of someone calling on him. He had become quiet, and Eliza sat there watching, gently placing a hand on his shoulder as it became apparent he was finally fast asleep, and then she left him, quietly leaving his quarters.

* * *Some Time Later* * *

Reeking of Orion musk, stale sweat and three-day old Ailis pate, a figure stood over Connor's prone form in the darkened room. He didn't pause long: leaning over the human, he drove a blade into the man's groin, causing him to rock upwards in pain and to be jolted out of sleep. Calming, holding the dagger in place, he carefully enunciated, "Listen carefully and no one else will have to be hurt. I come bearing a message to your lovely Oralia: tell her to back Security off or we'll have to kill those she holds dear."

Pain radiated throughout Connor's body and stole not only his ability to breathe, but to think and move as well. He gripped the arm that held the blade within him; his eyes widened at the pain intensity as it was pulled back out.

The male shook Connor's grip off of him, dropped something on Connor's chest and wiped the blade of the knife on Connor's sheet. "Better pass that on before you bleed out, Doc," he sneered and, chuckling, left the human to his pain.

With his world fading around him, Connor closed his eyes. He could taste his blood, and weakly reached up to his chest, tapping the combadge that lay there.

"Oralia...", he breathed out, his voice ragged, "I've been stabbed.."

_______________________
LC Oralia Zeferino
CSEC

LC Connor McKinney
CMO

Counselor Eliza West
NPC'd by Connor

Smelly Intruder
NPC by Oralia