06-19-2024, 05:29 PM
The Commander swallowed when Maz spoke. The news would have been hard for anyone to take so suddenly.
"I'm....truly sorry to hear that, Leftenant" He said surprisingly softly compared to his trademark clipped cadence, before he continued with; "I don't think you should finish your shift today. If we could afford to, I'd ask the Captain to take us back to DS9 so you could go home", he sighed, "But we can't. If it had only been a matter of updating star charts....but it isn't. I'm really sorry."
The initial shock had begun to wear off her now, as away from the rest of the people and the bustle of the bridge, she could centre her thoughts a little better.
"Take the rest of the day off.” Jensen was now saying. “T'Lari is more than capable of covering for you. Let me know by the start of next shift if you need to work to distract yourself, or if you need to take some more time. There is no shame if you're not. Something like this... Don't worry about the Captain. Shove your shift.", The words now coming from the Commander were seemingly rushed. Maz wasn't sure if it was the Commander who was in need of a sit down now.
"Go.....do whatever you need to do. I don't think we have a counsellor, but Beinn is bound by Doctor-patient-confidentiality, so if you need someone to talk to, he's likely the closest thing..."
All the while, Maz had moved around the table and taken a seat as the Commander was talking.
Taking a deep breath, she slowly exhaled. A technique taught to her by an old friend. Who she wished was here now. After a second breath, she looked up at Jensen.
“I can continue with my shift, Sir.” She began. “It was just the initial shock I think. I needed to... Just, you know... If I hadn't looked at the message, I'd have been none the wiser right now.” She said pulling out her PADD and offering the message for Jensen to read himself is he chose.
“It was sent just over two weeks ago. If I started back right now in a shuttle, I wouldn't reach Earth for three months.” She'd quickly calculated in her head. “And if I take the rest of the day off, all I'm going to do is stare at the walls of my quarters. I think I need to finish this shift and keep occupied until you're back aboard and safe... Then, if you can arrange it for later please, I'll need a priority one channel to call my Dad. I don't think he'd like it if my reply takes another two and half weeks to get to him.”
Until you're back aboard and safe? Why did I just say that?
Then standing up again, she stepped around the table back toward Jensen. “I am sorry to have to drop this on you just as you're about to lead an away mission.”
Then glancing over at her reflection in the wall panel, she asked. “Do I look okay? I guess I want to look like I have some measure of decorum left when I go back out there.” She said with a small smile.
== Tag ==
"I'm....truly sorry to hear that, Leftenant" He said surprisingly softly compared to his trademark clipped cadence, before he continued with; "I don't think you should finish your shift today. If we could afford to, I'd ask the Captain to take us back to DS9 so you could go home", he sighed, "But we can't. If it had only been a matter of updating star charts....but it isn't. I'm really sorry."
The initial shock had begun to wear off her now, as away from the rest of the people and the bustle of the bridge, she could centre her thoughts a little better.
"Take the rest of the day off.” Jensen was now saying. “T'Lari is more than capable of covering for you. Let me know by the start of next shift if you need to work to distract yourself, or if you need to take some more time. There is no shame if you're not. Something like this... Don't worry about the Captain. Shove your shift.", The words now coming from the Commander were seemingly rushed. Maz wasn't sure if it was the Commander who was in need of a sit down now.
"Go.....do whatever you need to do. I don't think we have a counsellor, but Beinn is bound by Doctor-patient-confidentiality, so if you need someone to talk to, he's likely the closest thing..."
All the while, Maz had moved around the table and taken a seat as the Commander was talking.
Taking a deep breath, she slowly exhaled. A technique taught to her by an old friend. Who she wished was here now. After a second breath, she looked up at Jensen.
“I can continue with my shift, Sir.” She began. “It was just the initial shock I think. I needed to... Just, you know... If I hadn't looked at the message, I'd have been none the wiser right now.” She said pulling out her PADD and offering the message for Jensen to read himself is he chose.
“It was sent just over two weeks ago. If I started back right now in a shuttle, I wouldn't reach Earth for three months.” She'd quickly calculated in her head. “And if I take the rest of the day off, all I'm going to do is stare at the walls of my quarters. I think I need to finish this shift and keep occupied until you're back aboard and safe... Then, if you can arrange it for later please, I'll need a priority one channel to call my Dad. I don't think he'd like it if my reply takes another two and half weeks to get to him.”
Until you're back aboard and safe? Why did I just say that?
Then standing up again, she stepped around the table back toward Jensen. “I am sorry to have to drop this on you just as you're about to lead an away mission.”
Then glancing over at her reflection in the wall panel, she asked. “Do I look okay? I guess I want to look like I have some measure of decorum left when I go back out there.” She said with a small smile.
== Tag ==