Nightmares afoot

Posted on Mon Sep 23rd, 2019 @ 3:43pm by Commander Caressa Melanick

Mission: Side Stories
Location: Caressa's quarters
Timeline: Loose ends mission

Caressa struggled to keep her eyes open walking to her quarters. The last 48 hours were stressful to say the least. Dead crewman are never a good thing, but when you find them in the shape they were in on this planet, it was cruel. Inhumane was the better term.

Her quarter doors opened with a familiar swoosh. She saw the kids sprawled on the sofa and chair. Ensign Chow was sweet enough to sit with them while she was working. “Thank you Alana” She whispered. “I will take it from here” The ensign gave her a nod and out the door she went.
She so wanted to just take them up in her arms and hug them, but they were sleeping so peacefully she left them alone. She went into her room and changed into comfy jammies. Her tired steps made it to the replicator. “Chamomile tea, hot with 2 sugars” The steaming beverage appeared in a cup with saucer. She sat in the over-sized chair and pulled her legs in under her. Setting the tea down and pulling the wool wrap around her. She just couldn’t get warm enough. Picking up the saucer and cup she sipped the tea. Letting the warmth catch up to her cold feeling body. That was more like it. She picked up the closet padd on the table and started reading the day’s crew reports. Her eyes felt heavy.

It felt like only minutes, she was being shaken awake by her children. “Mommy are you ok?” Gavin was standing next to her with Galena across the room with a horrified look on her face. “Mom you were screaming about something. Are you afraid of monsters?” Galena said while walking back to her.
She was still a bit startled, but the cob webs were vanishing. “Yes, we get scared too. Sorry I just had a very long couple days at work.” She smiled inviting the children over to sit on her lap. “I am taking a couple of shifts off. How about I make a huge breakfast before you head to school. I will pick you up and we will have some holo-deck fun. How does that sound?

Gavin was the first to speak up as always. “I think it sounds like you need to see the counselor.” Caressa was a bit shocked but them grinned and poked him softly in the stomach. “Maybe you need to look into becoming a counselor. I promise it was just me being over tired.” She made the cross your heart sign, over her heart. Galena kissed her on the cheek. “I hope so mom. That was scary. If you have another I am telling dad.” Caressa’s eyes got large. “Well, we can’t have that. Who wants chocolate chip pancakes? Hoping that her diversionary tactics would work. It did for the moment, both children were headed to their rooms to change for the day. Caressa stood at the replicator. “Chocolate chip pancakes for three with whipped cream, two hot chocolates and a coffee.”

She prayed it was just being overtired.



Lieutenant Commander Caressa Melanick
Chief Medical Officer, USS Mercutio