Nightmares

Posted on Sun Nov 9th, 2025 @ 9:59am by Lieutenant Xalanth & Lieutenant JG Jezra Siv MD & Lieutenant JG T'Para MD
Edited on on Sun Nov 9th, 2025 @ 8:57pm

1,211 words; about a 6 minute read

Mission: Side Plots
Location: Ship's Gym

T'para had felt like she was drowning. Lost in a sea of loneliness, abandonment and confusion. Why had she been abandoned? The very people whose flesh and blood she was made from had left her cold and wet in a cardboard box. How could they hate her so much? Failure, mistake and accident echoed in her brain as the cold dark closed in.

And as he always did, her knight in red armour plunged into the dark to pull her out. Her blue eyes opened as she found herself safe in his arms. Of the man who loved her unconditionally, who had blessed her with the family she always wanted. He had held her tight, saving her from the pit this place had slithered into her brain.

Now they were down in the gym, adrenaline pumping through their bodies as they sparred with each other. She was feeling much better now. Her body may have ached from the exercise, but the rush of being alive was worth it. Holding up her hand to her mate, he called a time-out as she walked over to one of the benches and sat down, breathing in and out as she closed her eyes and just listened to her racing heartbeat.

Jezra rubbed sleep out of her eyes as she entered the gym, unsure of what she wanted to do but knowing it would be better than sleep. The incident in Sickbay brought the nightmares back, and the back of her neck still felt sticky from cold sweat that she tried to wash away. They had a pair of dark grey running pants that conveniently doubled as loungewear, and a dark green hoodie with a v-shaped pattern across the front. Their reddish hair was a slight mess, clearly only brushed to be manageable.

There was usually someone in the gym at all times, and this time was no different. Jezra spotted Xalanth and T'Para and gave a polite smile, at least to him. She saw that T'Para was resting and let her be. "Unable to sleep, or nighttime habit?" Jezra softly asked, keeping their tone hushed so it wouldn't disturb the stillness of the gym.

" Yeah, couldn't sleep." T'para said, looking up at her boss. " Felt like I was drowning in self-doubt. Thankfully, my knight in shining scales managed to pull me out. Yourself?" She asked.

"Couldn't sleep," the Trill replied. She looked around, still unsure of what she wanted to do. "What happened in sickbay brought back some old sleeping habits." That was the polite way to say that they couldn't sleep because their dreams were infested with harrowing reenactments. "Thank you, again. That won't become a habit, it just caught me by surprise."

" Don't mention it." T'para said, a smile forming on her face. " I think everyone has been thrown off their habits by this place."

No kidding. The number of requests to sickbay for a sleep aid slowly started to diminish, but there were a few repeat offenders. "I certainly can't replace the counselor, but 122 years has taught me to be a decent listener if you want to talk about it." Jezra gave her a smile in return. "I might be able to find some 'wise old man' inspirational quote somewhere, too."

T'para let out a slight smile. It was always good to hear that her sister wife and best friend was doing an excellent job. " I believe my sister wife describes it as deep-buried abandonment issues. I take it you've read my file, that i was abandoned on earth and i never knew my parents. Well i guess part of my brain still wonders why they abandoned me." the hybrid explained.

The smile turned sympathetic as Jezra listened, taking a seat on the bench. "That must be difficult to carry, T'para."

The hybrid nodded. " It is. I've searched all human and vulcan records but no records of whom my parents could be. Even though i know in my soul that Xalanth would rather die than abandon are girls, but i just can't fully shake that fear. I guess this place amplified it."n

Rigon Siv had seen plenty of child abandonment cases during his pediatrics career. There was no particular reason that stood out, but they all typically centered around the idea that it just wasn't the right time to raise a child. It was heartbreaking and painful each time Siv had to explain to a child why their parents weren't coming back. Jezra could feel Rigon's sadness when she looked at the Vulcan, knowing this fear was one of the many outcomes of such a process, and she gently put a hand on T'para's. "Your fear is both understandable and justified. I can tell you that nearly every child who grew up without knowing their parents feels a similar way, and they all process it, live with it, differently. From what I know of Xalanth, he is highly devoted to his family, and I would be stunned if that changed." There was a brief pause, then the Trill added, "If there is anything I can do to aid in your search, if you still want to find your parents, do let me know."

T'para gave her boss a smile of thanks. " i appreciate it. "

As if he could have heard what was going on the red lizard himself re appeared holding three fruit drinks. Even before he spoke you could tell from his poster he was concerned for his first. " Everything okay my love?" he asked as he offered one of the drinks to Jezra.

T'para smile her mood rising at the close proximity of her beloved. " Everything fine my love. Just letting the boss do an examination of my head."

Looking up, Jezra accepted the drink, a faint citrus scent reaching their nose. "You're making it sound like I work all the time," the Trill teased with a chuckle. She was glad to see T'para's mood improve.

" Well thank you for taking a keen interest in my first. " Xalanth said putting his arm around her. " Without this wonderful woman i don't know where i'd be."

Jezra gave a polite smile and nod in return. "It's no trouble, really." Something behind the smile faltered, and before the doctor could dwell on it they asked, "so, you two were sparring?" She came here to get out of her head, after all.

The lizard nodded as he put his arm lovingly on t'para's shoulder. " Sparing with one's mates has always been part of my people's family customs. What better way to know how to protect the ones you love by seeing where they are weakest."

"What a lovely custom." There was a brief pause, then Jezra asked, "I know I'm not part of the family, so I don't want to intrude on customs, but would one of you entertain a round?"

" Sure, i'm up for it." T'para said, glancing at her husband with a warm smile. He replied with said smile as he took the drinks bottle from.

Taking one more sip from the fruit drink before setting it aside, Jezra stood, glad for some friendly competition.

T'para stood up as well, stretching her arms as she took her position on the mats. " On, guard." She said, dropping into a defensive position.

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