follow up

Posted on Thu Apr 21st, 2022 @ 9:02am by Commander Antonia 'Tony" Stoffels & Lieutenant Commander Rutherford (RJ) Milton & Pix Osheena

Mission: Free write
Location: sickbay

As busy as Tony was she had not had any time yet to apologize to Pix for leaving her so suddenly after their movie evening. And indeed for falling asleep on her. When she finally had half an hour to herself she made her way over to sickbay to go and apologize.

"Hey doc." She said as she spotted him. "Is Pix around?"

Milton was at his desk, the office was small but comfortable enough to have consultations with patients and such, the desk was not cluttered . He had a Book shelving unit behind him and on one level was a very ornate pillowed lounge that was just about the right size for someone of Pix's stature. Pix was not on the shelf with her lounge but near the roof looking at some of the books.

Looking up from the medical records he was filing he hesitated as he look at Tony. "I was under the impression you had gone to sleep early." Milton said calmly. "Though from the looks of it I could be mistaken?"

Pix descended from the Bookshelf to land on the desk between Milton and Stoffels; her grin was wavy as she tilt her head in an analytical way and gave a more concerned or puzzled reaction.

"Hey Pix." Tony said. "I came to apologize again for the other night. I swear I will make it up to you by having you over again and I promise not to fall asleep. That may have to wait a little while though." She looked at both of them now. "With the captain taking it easy I am pretty busy."

Pix crossed her arms over her chest, scowled a bit and shook her head while stomping her foot. Meeting Tony's eyes she made a gesture of putting her hands together, moving them to her left cheek as she tilt her head slightly closing her eyes for a second then brok the charade type hint and crossed the arms again tapping her right foot.

"I think she is saying you owe her a sleep over?" Milton said slowly. "That is the stance she give me when she thinks I need a nap or something and will not take 'No' for an answer?"

Pix nod without breaking her gaze on Tony.

"I do want to invite you for another sleep over." Tony said sincerely. "But when the captain is feeling a bit better. Can you wait that long?" She then smiled at the doctor. "I may have dozed off for a bit during our first one so I want to make that up to her."

Pix puffed out her face in frustration; shaking her head reticently and pointed her finger at floor as though to say quite firmly, 'Now.'

"I-I don't think she likes that idea." Milton was glad it was not him under that glower of Pix, she did not often get where her glow was staring into the pink shade that rapidly went more red with her temper, of more like concerns for people.

Tony blinked. "Pix. I work most evenings now. You know the captain has to rest that means the first officer has to work more. It is not my choice."

Pix flew up to hover nearly in Tony's face; a redish hue to her as she stare deep into Tony's eyes.

In an instant there was the sight from Pix's view of Tony noddedoff; her neck at an aggle that would leave a kink like no one's business in her neck should she remain that way was followed by an 'snap Shot' of Tony in her bed with blankets pulled up as Pix decended to lay next to her on pillow. The feeling of concern could not be kept from the background of the sight.

Pix waved her index finger in warning as though to say . 'You need sleep and I will see you get some.' Pointing at the clock she gave a warning feel of her posture and expression before she point to Tony and then did the 'Sleep gesture and then to herself as to say 'When you sleep/ I sleep. Then crossed her arms defiantly.

Tony looked at RJ helplessly. "It wasn't that bad."

"You know she could be this way to save you from getting to 'That Bad' stage of things?" Milton shrugged. "She seems determined to see you get some sleep." He raised an eyebrow. "SHould I call for an in-depth scan of your saline levels; if out of phase I could put you on bed rest?" HE gave a neutral grin, he might even be kidding but she would have to 'ask' if Tony wanted to know his real thoughts. "Or will you take Pix on you next off duty for a Sleep Over?"

"I will take her on my next off duty for a sleep over but as I explained that won't be for a while." Tony took a deep breath. "Look I am making sure he gets rest. That means extra work. At he same time I have been ordered to assess him and to assess Sky. That means more extra work. I am totally fine, but I can't do anything social at the same time. All my energy has to go into work right now. It was not that bad the other night. Somehow I sleepwalked myself over to bed. So I still got a good night's sleep. I make sure I sleep at least 6 hours every night. I am not stupid."

"You did not sleep walk obviously, Pix made sure you had a soft place to sleep." Milton gave a sly grin. "SHe is apt in taking care of those she cares about." Giving her a wary eye. "I would 'Never..." He emphasized. "Call or think of you as stupid Tony, takie on too much for the good of the ship , yes. But not in anyway 'Stupid, those are your words, not mine or Pix's. She sees you as a Cherished friend, I get that feeling in my gut that she is just trying to look out for you as her Pal."

"Pix could not have carried me." Tony said. "No way."

"You obviously do not believe in magic." Milton chuckled. "Too bad as that would be an easier explantion for what Pix can and cannot do." He look Tony in the eyes. "You understaqnd Pix and know she cannot be kept where she does not want despite the locks and such that Scientists tried to do to keep her under observation in a gilded Bell Jar right?" He nod. "Do you know why she glows or anything else about her race?" He gave a sly grin. "Think of that before you make statements out of context, think of what is said and then make conclusions." He raised his chin defiantly. "Pix is very good at seeing that people she cares for get what they need."

"I am sorry." Tony said. "I would never harm Pix. I would put scientists who do that in a bell jar themselves to see how they like it." She looked at Pix so that her friend could see that she meant it. "I am sorry for doubting you. And I know you are looking out for me." She came closer to Pix. "But the captain is my friend. And he stands to lose a lot if I don't do my very best to help him. I don't have many friends and I can't let him down. I have to make sure his ship functions well and I have to make sure that I make him feel better. AFter that I will look after myself ok?"

"How can you look out for him if you do not take care of yourself?" Milton asked. "If both of you are zombies then we are in a fine pickle."

Pix pointed at Milton and nod her head and then dropped to her knees, hands together in a pleading manner.

"You can do both." Milton said. "Take power naps if needed or if Pix senses you need them." He had a kind expression. "She has a way of getting her message through. You need to keep functional also and able to do your job. Pix and I are looking after both of you, but you need to let us help. "Pix is a great relaxant for deep sleep so let her help you get good sleep and then you will not need to sleep as long to get same results. A good 6 hours is often better than tossing and turning and sleeping longer to compensate."

Tony rubbed her eyes finally giving in. "I guess I am exhausted." She admitted. "So how would this work? Could you come by before I go to bed, Pix?"

Pix nodded and gave a regal bow before looking up again.

"I would not have been surprised if she did not sneak about waiting for a chance to help you sleep." Milton interjected.

Tony smiled. "You are a great friend, Pix." She said. "And I do appreciate it. I was planning to nod off in an hour or so. And I must not forget to set my alarm this time."

Pix smiled and brihtened slightly as she nod.

End

Lt Reginald Milton
Chief Medical Officer

Pix Osheena
Best Buddy

Commander Tony Stoffels
XO