A Potential Option

Posted on Tue Jun 8th, 2021 @ 5:27pm by Dixoho Saa (*) & Micheal Robertson

Mission: Mission 13: Stowaway
Location: Deck 3 - Chief navigator quarters
Timeline: MD08 11:00
2273 words - 4.5 OF Standard Post Measure

Dixoho slowly awoke from what felt like was her new life now barely awake and always asleep and jumped nearly as she found Michael next to her.

“Um hello?” She mumbled confused as to why he was there. Had she missed something they had planned? She had been coming to her quarters to try and sleep as sickbay was just not the place to do it at all. People coming and going and some of them less than quiet which was understandable when they were there for such vast and vast reasons. It just was not helpful to the woman whose body was slowly breaking down.

Micheal was sitting in the chair that he had moved into Di's bedroom, having fallen asleep while watching Di. When he heard her stir, then jump, he sat up, quickly wiping the restless skeep from his eyes. "Di! It's okay," he quickly said. "You don't remember? You bumped into me out in the corridor, on your way here to sleep. I had asked if you wanted to go to sickbay instead but, you asked me to help you come home. So I did." His voice was calm and full of concern.

"As we reached your door, you passed out. I picked you up and carried you in here. Don't worry, all I did was remove your boots and cover you with the blanket. Then, as I was about to leave, you asked me to stay. So, I did. That was about three hours ago."


The woman quickly relaxed and shook her head. She could barely remember anything any more other than what caused her to come out into space. The navigation charts were still safely secured in the grotto and Gregnol was the only person who knew where they were or even they they existed.

“No I don’t remember but I trust you. It’s not like I’ve not seen it before.” She commented slowly attempting to sit up. “My brain is a bit foggy at the moment,” she admitted with a sad smile. “You should be helping to secure the ship.” The Trill remembered suddenly why she had requested to leave sickbay.

Micheal shook his head slightly. "Everything is good at the moment. I've got a good team working in my department. I can stay here, with you, for a little while." He took a slow breath before continuing. "How are you feeling, honey?" He used the familiar nickname without thinking.

“I am okay. Tired but it is my body trying to keep me alive.” Dixoho was confused how he could be so blasé about the Ferengi D'Kora Marauder class ship just off the port side and the stowaway that was currently in sickbay. It seemed like the right time to be panicking or doing more. “ Should you not be doing more? I am not telling you how to do your job as you are amazing at it but it seems a waste of your time to be here with me when there is an enemy so close to us.” She pointed out finally managing to gather herself enough to sit up properly and lean back against the wall.

Micheal shook his head and gave Dixoho a soft grin. "There's nothing more, at the moment, that I can do. Burnie and his team are getting the pod ready, the young woman who was in that pod is on sickbay, the two smugglers are in my brig, and my people are carring out my orders to get Rosie ready for any form of combat that we may encounter." He took a deep breath and continued. "So, as I said, I have some time available, and It all belongs to you, Di." The compassion in his eyes and his words was brilliantly honest. This woman was the most important thing in the entire universe to him.

“I am sure there is but I really…” Dixoho coughed a little before sitting back on the pillow. She was sure there was more he could be doing but she appreciated the company. People had been off with her recently as it was now well known just how sick she had been since she had collapsed and fitted at the tropical ice bar. She could not blame people for being unsure what to do or say but she did miss people. “Well I guess I appreciate the company. Sickbay is pretty boring with only doctors to talk to.” She admitted. It was not the place that she wanted to die either. She wanted her own bed.

Micheal sat forward, his elbows resting on his knees, as he responded. "Di, there is nowhere more important for me, then by your side. I already told Reuben that, unless it was an emergency, by your side is where I would remain." The undeniable love he had for her clearly showed in his eyes. However, there was also a look of sadness as well. "What can I do, to help you be more comfortable, my love?"

The Trill shrugged, pushing her long orange hair behind your ear. She did not know what to do to make herself feel better at the moment so it was no use trying to tell him what he could do to help. No one could help her now unless they knew a way to heal her lungs from the damage that had already been there since she was born.

“I am okay, I think. The medicine I am on is making me as comfortable as possible.” She lied. She felt awful that it had all come down to being stuck in bed. She did not want to be a burden to anyone.

While he was no telepath, Micheal had a pretty good knack of reading people. Slowly, he rose for the chair and moved to sit on the edge of the bed, facing Dixoho. Reaching out, he took her left hand into his and gave her a slight squeeze. "Di," he said softly. "I can tell that you're not being totally truthful. You do remember what I used to do for a living, right honey? As a bounty hunter, one of the skils that helped me, was my pretty good ability to tell if someone was bullshittin' me." He moved a little closer and brought his right hand up to gently cup tge left side of her face, his fingers gently stimulating her spots as he looked lovingly into her eyes.

"I can see in your eyes that you aren't okay. I can also see, because I had the same look in my eyes once, that you don't want to be a burden to those around you. I felt the same way when I was released from the Dominion POW camp." He took a ragged breath as the painful memories of that time flashed through his mind. "Dixoho Saa, I want you to listen and listen good. No matter what ever happens, you would and could, never be a burden to me. I will always be here for you."

Dixoho bit her lip hard enough to nearly drawl blood before she finally muttered what was on her mind. What had not been said properly between them yet. “Of course, I am not okay. I am dying. I have very limited time and people keep looking at me with pity.” She murmured softly trying to not sound bitter or annoyed but it was hard when she could feel the clock ticking down with every breath she took. “I do not want pity. I want people to treat me like normal. I want people to bring me random star maps for me to work routes for us,”

Micheal nodded as he listened. "Okay. I'll bring some later. As for dying. It may very well be true, however, as you're not dead yet, then you need to demand that you are treated properly. People will only treat you as you allow them to treat you, Di." He took in a breath through his nostrils, then quickly blew it out. "I never told you this. After the War, when myself and others were repatriated back from the Dominion POW camps, many of us didnt survive. I cant tell you how many strong, intelligent Starfleet personnel took their own lives rather than fight to stay alive.....I was almost one of them."

He took a moment to collect himself. Though it was a long time ago, ut was a demon that constantly stayed with him. "I survived because there were people who stood by me. Now, though you are not wanting to end things, you still need the same support. I'm here. Si no more talking aboyt dying. You start talking about it as if its a possibility, then you may as well lay down. Because youve already decided to give up, you just don't know it yet. Simple truth is, we are all dying. We start dying the day we are born. Dying is easy. Staying alive...now that's hard. I'm willing to stand with you, fight the fight to keep you here...if you are."

Dixoho let out a pearl of laughter that turned into a cough for a moment. “I cannot demand that people do not feel sorry for me. That is their feelings, I cannot change them no matter how much I wish they would stop feeling sorry for myself.” The woman shook her head taking a sip of the vitamin drink that she had close by thinking on her words carefully. She had considered that as an option but having people around her had stopped her every time she had gotten close to doing anything more than thinking about it.

“Michael I am dying. I have been fighting this for 25 years. Every doctor who has come on this ship has tried to find a cure and they cannot even work out why I am dying why every breath I am taking is destroying me. You need to accept that as well.” She said in a kind voice though it was strict. "I am fighting but it might not be enough."

Micheal took in a deep breath. Seeing the woman he loved, the woman he crawled through a year of hell in another galaxy to get back to, so weak and tired, made his blood boil. There had to be a way! Suddenly, he had an idea. He said it without hesitation. "I'll give you one of mine. At least this way, your lungs won't be killing you anymore. I know it's not a permanent fix, but it would buy you, us, time to find another solution."

Dixoho looked at him amazed before she shook her head. “We are different species, Michael. I have spots.” She said sadly. If only it was that simple. “Completely different breathing systems.” She reminded him. It was an option she had looked at many times either doner or other routes but it was not doable. It almost made her wonder what the other her from what they called the shattered universe did to extend her life two years ago. “It means a lot that you offer but it is not possible.” She said patting his hand that was nearby before a moment before pulling back.

Though Micheal's heart was breaking at this revelation, he didn't show it..much. he was tryinh to be strong for Dixoho. If only there was something, anything! Maybe if they could figure out a way to put her in stasis. Then they could......."The transporters!" He suddenly blurted out, excitement filling his face anew. We could put you into a transport lock cycle, like the Ishimura crew was! Our transporters was far more sophistixated than theirs were! It'll work! Hell! The transporters on the Alexandria are even newer than Rosie's! And, before you say anything, they are working to full specs. I made sure of it, while i was putting her back together. Remember, my Grampy was a transporter operator back in the day. If there is a piece of equipment that I know lime the back of my hand, its the transporter! And, Alexandria has a completely isolated power system, so, all power could be shunted to the transporter to ensure it stays operating smoothly!" A look of joy filled his eyes, this was the answwr they were looking for, it had to be!!!

Dixoho frowned and shook her head. That was not the answer she was looking for, suspending her in some type of animation. “I will think about it. Give it some proper thought. It is not something we can just think on right now with a ship about to board us.” She said not wanting to disappoint him that suspending herself was not something she really wanted to do. She was not sure her body could cope with it. Everyone who had been stuck there had been at the height of their fitness. Cassie and Kenda could have given her a run for her money even before she had taken her newest turn for the worse.

Though disappointed, Micheal knew that Dixoho was right. Sughing, he replied. "Okay. I'll drop it for now. However, once we get through this crisis, we will circle back to it as an option. Not a decision," he said patiently. "But an option nonetheless. Deal?" He looked at her pointedly, the love and desire to protect her clearly evident in his eyes.

“One of many options but yes, it is a deal to discuss in the future.” She promised quietly. They couldn’t always lurch from one disaster to another. Something had to give, something had to change.