Lt. Nesre Salo - "Won't Leave You Alone"

[Theo Whittaker]

You can really feel Nesre’s anguish in this post. This was a wonderful and engrossing read @Alora DeVeau.
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((Corridor, Deck 6, USS Intrepid))

They were in the past.

That realisation was nothing new, but it seemed that the weight of it 
was coming down more and more heavily upon the minds of those who were 
stuck there.  Even Nesre felt it, that sudden pressure of the knowledge 
that they may not be able to return to the reality from which they had 
come.  All they had known, all they loved was back in a different 
century far removed from where and when they were.

The counselling staff were not immune from such thoughts.  The strike in 
the breast at the dawning that she might never see her mother or her 
brother again had hit at the least expected moment. Her sessions were 
filled with people on their break between shifts, lamenting their 
losses, their fears, and they were all quite valid.  And Nesre?  She 
hadn’t taken a moment to consider her own.

It was in the middle of the corridor that it truly hit.  There was 
little traffic, those going on duty taking to tasks they had to finish, 
those coming off allowing themselves the luxury of a meal, or a shower, 
or simply some well earned rest.  And she made her way toward her own 
quarters, her thoughts whirling with the fears of others, only to have 
her own suddenly rush to the forefront.

Her feet froze and she stood there a moment, the tightening sensation in 
her chest, that squeeze that left her breathless. One hand pressed 
against where her heart pounded loudly within its chamber, the other 
hard against the wall in order to offer some level of stability.  Deep 
breaths.  Slow.  Controlled.  Inhale. One.  Two.  Three.

Her whole galaxy had circled around her family.  Even in the darkest 
times, when the shadows in her past had clawed at her, when the pain and 
suffering of their situation seemed unbearable, they had at least been 
able to find comfort, support, and love in each other.  Since then, her 
universe had expanded to others, and she’d found there were more stars 
and suns than she had ever thought possible. But even though some of 
those lights in the darkness had come with her, she could not help but 
mourn over what she might very well have lost.

Slow.  Deep breaths.  Deep breaths.

They game in gasps, sudden rushes of air that squeezed in and out of her 
lungs in chaotic draws, sharp, and painful.  Closing her eyes, Nesre 
tried to count down, then focused on something. Anything.  Noise.  
Noises.  There were noises.  The hum of the ship.  It was there.  
Something beeped, a steady rhythm.  And there were footsteps…

That snapped her back to reality and Nesre managed to inhale more 
slowly, then gained control.  Straightened, she allowed herself another 
breath, long and easy, her heart still pounding, but with less urgency 
than before.  Her eyes opened, and around the corner, a familiar blue 
form appeared, and almost ran into her.  He barely stopped in time, then 
tried to circumvent her.

Kel:  Excuse me Lt. Salo.

His voice was dark, rough, not at all like the V’Len she knew, and his 
form of address in such an informal situation stole her attention.  
Every muscle of his body tightened, the line of his jaw sharpened with 
tension.  All her own cares were cast aside, her mind snapped back to 
the reality of the here and now, and without hesitation, Nesre turned 
and followed him.

Salo: V’Len, wait!

Kel:  ::annoyed::  I'm on an errand of my own Lieutenant.  You need not 
involve yourself.

An errand?  In such a temper?  His continued response toward her was 
cold, callous, certainly not the V’Len she knew.  Their earlier 
conversation burst to the forefront of her mind, and it only helped to 
spur her onward.

Salo: V’Len, what’s wrong?  What’s happened?

Her inquiry only set his ire against her further.  He stopped so 
suddenly, that this time, Nesre was the one who almost collided with 
him.  She jerked to a stop as he whirled around, his form looming over 
her and shadows darkening his expression.

Kel:  ::gritting his teeth::  Nothing is wrong and I don't need your 
help.  You should turn around and go the other way.

He didn’t even give her a chance to respond before he turned again and 
began to stomp away.  Once again, Nesre followed, unwilling to simply 
let this go.  As a counsellor, she was duty bound.  But as a friend, 
there was more at stake, and more determination to help and protect 
those whom she cared for.


Salo: I can't do that and you know it.


Kel:  response


Salo:  You're obviously upset.  I can't just leave you like this.


It wasn’t just his current state, though that was troubling enough.  
Nesre knew there was trouble brewing in that mind and heart of his, and 
the situation left him torn, struggling with a part of himself he hadn’t 
really had to wrestle with before. Nesre picked up the pace, coming 
alongside the man.

Kel: Response

He wasn’t talking, but then again, he had already talked.  While Nesre 
didn’t know all the details of what had happened on the surface of the 
planet, she knew some from the preliminary reports.  Because part of her 
job was to keep up with the officers and possible scenarios that could 
be concerning, Nesre paid close attention to what happened on the ship, 
and this was no different.  With V’Len’s case, she’d an opportunity to 
talk with him earlier, and had seen first hand one of the struggles he 
dealt with.  And now?  Now she had a suspicion.

Salo: This is about Millie, isn’t it?

Kel: Response

[Doz Finch]

Wow! Thrilling read! Thank you for sharing