Breakdown

Posted on Fri Dec 16th, 2022 @ 7:51am by Lieutenant Sky Jansen-Carey & Commander Antonia 'Tony" Stoffels & Lieutenant Commander Diane Doctrine & Lieutenant Commander Rutherford (RJ) Milton

Mission: Traitor amongst us?
Location: Intel Center, Deck 9 & Sickbay

Tony slipped away from her quarters. She wasn't sure if Sky or Ren were supposed to be keeping an eye on her. Tony knew she was a bit of a mess at the moment. Right now she did not want to talk to her parents. Her dad would be calm and rational and that was not something she could deal with right now and mum... hell her mum would join her in tearing down the walls.

Xavier was out as well for now. She did not want him to see her unstable. That left Diane. Almost at a run she made her way to the second officer's office and hit the chime.

Diane answered the door. "Commander," she greeted Tony with some sympathy in her tone moving aside so she could enter the Intelligence Center. "How can I help you today?" She wondered if Tony should be running around the ship after hearing the bad news. Should she, perhaps, call Lieutenant Jansen?

"I escaped my keepers." Tony laughed and hoped it would not sound hysterical. "They are treating me like I am made out of glass or if I am going to do something stupid. Not what I need right now."

Diane blinked once not entirely sure about Stoffel's state of mind at the moment. "All right... What do you need right now?" Diane knew she wasn't a counselor in any way, shape, or form, but if Tony had come to her for some kind of aid, she would do the best she could. Aside from Captain Carey, these two women had the most responsibility on the ship.

"Advice. They want to pull me off duty. But I will go crazy if I am stuck in a cabin right now with nothing to do. I can't do that. But... I know I may not be thinking too clearly right now. I want you honest opinion, Diane."

"Tony," Diane began not entirely sure of what to say, "I think you should try and look at yourself from another's perspective. If anyone else on the senior staff suffered a traumatic loss like this, and were feeling the way you do right now, what would you do?"

It was plain to Diane that Tony's emotions were getting the better of her. That would be expected of anyone in her situation and was not a tenable for anyone. The first officer needed to be thinking clearly and ready to act at a second's notice.

"Look Sky should not be working either, but she pleaded with me and I let her. I know she would go stir crazy. My mind has not gone because my grandmother died, my grandfather and my uncle may be dying and one of my little nieces is dead and I don't even bloody know which one." Realising she was shouting she took a deep breath. "Sorry. I just need an hour or so to get my composure back."

Diane looked doubtful. "I think you need a little longer than that." She backed up against the table in the center of the intelligence center. With one hand behind her back she carefully tapped out a text message to Rutherford.

"Okay, okay, maybe I should take the rest of today off. Diane, can you back me in this? I need work."

"While I agree you may need something to occupy your thoughts during this difficult time..." Diane started, wondering how long it would take Doctor Milton to arrive, "...I highly suspect that thing should not be work. Tony, come on, look at yourself. You've snuck out of your quarters. That's not exactly normal, you know that right?"

"They are all against me right now. I thought I could trust Sky. She bloody drugged me. I am a psychiatrist, Diane. I can look after my own mental health and I know what is best for me." she was getting pretty agitated again.

Diane's brow furrowed in thought. She decided to try and keep reasoning with Tony. "I really don't think anyone is against you. That's seems like a harsh accusation. I think it's more like people are concerned for your well being. I get that sometimes it doesn't look that way from your standpoint but I'm sure that's the truth. Let the people who care about you carry you during a difficult time. It's completely normal to need help from time to time and there's nothing wrong or weak about it. Look, even I need help from time to time, and I recognize when I do, and when I do, I get help."

"I am a bloody shrink!" She shouted. "Mental health used to be my work. So I should bloody well know when I am fit to work." She shook her head. "I don't know what the hell Sky gave me to knock me out yesterday. My head does not feel right."

Diane inhaled and exhaled slowly. It seemed clear to her that Tony was not fit for a whole lot of anything, especially treating herself. "For the record, I don't know any doctors that treat themselves. They usually go to a trusted colleague or peer in their field."

Pix was kicking at the chime to Her Diane's Office, Stoffels; her BFF, was in some sort of a bad Vibration, Pix tried frantically to get the door to be opened for her. She was using all her lungs to whistle high enough to maybe be heard as she had this dire desire to get to her BFF

=Sickbay=

In Sickbay Sky had arrived to see Rutherford about Tony, having taken a rest for a little while in-between which was one of the proviso’s for getting back to duty in the first place. She was surprised to see Rutherford preparing to rush out. “Did I catch you at a bad time?”

"Not really as you might be one who is involved once I get a handle on a situation." He looked up. "Pix bolted out like a Faire Missile just as I got a message from Diane requesting that I get there right away and Tony was in a bad way." He look to Sky. "Tony is not acting right, very paranoid and might need sedation?" He had the belt clip field Medical kit as the larger one might escalate the situation. "I have a trick or two up my sleeve that I hope not to use, I just want to talk her down. Pix is heading there in a near panic to help her so that might be a good thing. She has a connection to Tony and that Pix would never be anything but Pix is an asset."

He was turning to depart.

Sky sighed. “Right I’m coming with you, but I’ll stay outside out of sight. Seeing me might cause more problems.”

"Yeah, I would have called you enroute and staying clear is about right." Milton said as he allowed Sky to follow. "Stay clear once you get there."

Milton's running regiment was coming into use as he darted down the corridors to a turbo lift and to the Intel level, good thing he knew the way to this office well. The fact that Diane called him put a feeling in his gut that she was nervous; not a good thing for Dear Diane. He slid to a halt, only lightly winded as his running is kilometers so the quick run here is nothing, He took a calming breath and tapped the Chime.

The door slid open allowing Rutherford into the intelligence center.

Sky nodded as she stepped aside out of sight, she’d wait outside just incase she was needed.

The door did not close automatically like it normally would.

Diane saw Doctor Milton as the door slid open. "Oh, hello RJ, thank you for stopping by..." She offered a wink when Tony wasn't looking at her as she tried to make it sound like Rutherford did this all the time. "Tony and I were just having a... discussion... about doctors, believe it or not... and, if you don't mind me asking, who do you see when you need a doctor?"

Diane hoped Rutherford's bit of Betazoid heritage picked up on her trepidation and the need to handle this situation delicately.

Outside the Intel Center, Sky moved out of earshot of the door and tapped her comm badge. “Sky to Soran, please quietly join me outside Commander Doctrine’s office, you might be needed.”

Soran stepped out of the lift and came to where Sky was standing. "Where is she?”

Sky motioned to Diane’s Office. “She’s in there, Diane sent for Rutherford and I saw Pix shoot in there in a hurry too. I told Rutherford I’d wait out here.”

"I see," Soran said and leaned on the bulkhead.

Pix was into the room and heading right to Her BFF Tony, landing; with a bit more impact than normal, the little person clung to Tony's neck with as much physical touch as her limited body could muster. She felt the waves of an odd feeling hit her so hard she nearly lost grip with ambient waves that Pix believe even Milton's limited heritage might pick up.

Pix held on for dear life.

"Doctor Benton of Second shift, she is a fine Doctor that does not let my Being her Boss influence her." He gave a slow wink to Diane. But if that is all you need then I guess you do not want this..." With a flurry he brought a red rose in his left hand. "I hoped you would accept it and made a trip to bring it after all." He had that sweet smile he gave his patients, he thought he might need a viable reason to stop by or Tony might take it the wrong way.

Diane accepted the rose, smiling, and said, "Thank you."

Pix concentrated on holding tight and absorbing some of the negative 'vibes' off Tony, cold torrents of pain and other mixed feeling tore away at Pix, she kept fast despite the negativity in her friend and the anger were whittling away at Pix's being. Her body felt cold , he glow was dimming and she felt pain like nothing before. Only Tony's belief in Pix allowed her to absorb what is obviously harming Pix both physically as well as her empathic abilities.

Tony blinked and finally got a good look at Pix who was holding on to her clothes in a strangle hold. Pix did not look good at all and that was about the only thing that could reach Tony, a loved one in danger.

"Doc! Pix is ill!" She carefully cradled the little being and walked towards Milton. "You have to do something! She can't be ill, she can't be in danger." Fear for her little friend made her hyperventilate again.

Outside the room Sky was feeling the strength of negativity rolling off Pix, it made her cringe. She gave Soran an apologetic look. “I err... I need to get away from here. It’s Pix... she’s...” She shook her head and backed away. “I’ll be in my office.”

Soran nodded, he didn't fully understand. He knew Sky and Pix had some sort of connection.

Back inside, Diane gave Rutherford an explanation hopefully in a way that wouldn't make Commander Stoffels even more upset, "Tony, you see, is a little upset at being confined to her quarters. She still wants to work even though some people may not think that's the best idea at this point. She, ah, well, wants to argue about her fitness for duty."

"Do something doctor!!!" Tony was shrieking. "Save Pix!!!" She held the little one with one hand while the other clutched her head where a very nasty headache was developing. In her anger and insanity she did manage to be gentle with Pix as if the little being was the only one who could reach her right now.

Milton moved closer to Tony, reaching out to support the hand holding Pix, his gut felt like churning glass with a hot poker in it. Pix being here is a risk, she was in pain and still trying to help Tony get back out of hysterics and it literally almost killing her slowly to be in this wave of emotion. Milton knew it is a risk having this intervention for Tony but Pix is playing her part to help and Milton dare not interfere by removing her for her safety.

"Pix needs you Tony." Milton said sternly. "She flew to you so I cannot help her." He forced a positive expression despite all the pain that NOW his heritage decides to kick in full force it seemed. "You need to let her feel how much you care for her, she needs you to let her f-e-e-l how much you care as her BFF." He emphasized. "That is how it works, Pix lives off Love and she knows you love her so she came to you in this time of need." He said slowly.

Pix smiled weakly and pointed to herself then crossed her right arm to her left shoulder and left arm to the right and finally pointed to Tony. Symbolizing the Sign Language term 'I love you' so Tony could see and sense it from Pix.

"Just think of how much you care for Pix and focus on that Love to help her right now, she needs you to hep her know she loves you and you love her." Milton continued. "I can give you an aspirin type injection for the headache to help you concentrate on Pix?" He offered before reaching for a premade Hypo , but not until she agreed or he needed the one up his sleeve.

The painkiller was harmless, Benzodiazepines are the most widely used group used due to the safety and improved effectiveness as drugs of choice in the treatment of anxiety. They also have hypnotic, anticonvulsant and muscle-relaxing activities, but do not exhibit antipsychotic activity. This seemed the perfect bit for a hysterical person with a light painkiller in the hypo.

The one up his sleeve would drop her like a sac of potatoes; Milton is determined not to use that, only if extreme danger of hurting Herself or Pix at the moment.

"Tell her how you feel and she will get better, I promise you." He told Tony gentle in tone.

Tony nodded trying to get herself under control. "Pix, please get better. I feel... like my mind is not working right. It feels funny." She swayed on her feet. "And it hurts." The painkiller had not been able to do much for the headache. "It's like a stranger is in my brain."

Pix's glow brightened just enough to show the first reaction was starting to do something. Meanwhile Milton was able to gently support her lower back and keep her upright without being too forceful.

Pix struggled to roll over to her side and take a finger of Tony's like a hug, holding it tightly and trying to give Tony a little Pix's own strength of mind to help stabilize things. Looking into Tony's eyes and concentrated on their connection with all that she could muster. Trying to make her own presence known in Tony, driving out anyone else that would harm her. Pix is determined to allow Tony's mind to see a serine meadow in her mind.

The same meadow that Pix had spent so much time; where the happiest moment of her life happened. Amongst the swaying grass where her world had vanished, where for a moment she did not know where she was or what was happening to her. Only the fact she had a connection starting with someone that would keep her grounded. The turmoil in Pix's own mind seemed like the one in Tony's and like Pix Tony had someone there to help ease the pain, maybe know that Tony is cared for more than anything. Pix loved her Best Friend Forever and would share the pain and help her through it if only Tony accepted a Little help from her friend?

"Pix is with you." Milton urged. "She will always be there for those she cares for and you are her BFF, you are not alone Tony." He whisper to her.

Soran stepped through the door silently, he just stood waiting to what was going on.

Tony did not notice him or anyone else she was totally focused on Pix right now. Trying with her last bit of strength to help her little friend. "It hurts so badly, Pix. Like something is eating my brain from the inside out." But she had to stay conscious and fighting for Pix, the little one could not be harmed because of this, she had to continue to try to keep her brain together, to fight to save. She swayed on her feet.

Milton gave Tony physical support ; holding her up as she tried to help Pix, the gut wrenching effect was slight diminished as Tony focus. He knew what Pix wanted and just stayed close to support her.

"The pain will be gone soon. " Milton quietly told Tony. You and Pix can get you to that nice meadow that is a place you and Pix will be safe. " It was a relaxation exercise on steroids but an effective method to promote mental relaxing and the ability to just do something good for Tony's state of mind.

Pix had some glow increase as she felt Tony trying, pouring more of herself into the solidifying link and allowing some of pain to be put on her while giving that image in both their minds a bit more power to be a place of sanctuary, a place that when one needs a rest their mind can go for a bit of peace. Pushing the image and especially the feeling that Pix loved her BFF and would help her through anything; while not able to speak, the mental picture and relief of support from Both Pix and Milton the little empathic Pix hoped to get her friend to a point she can rest and that she is 'Loved and Not Alone."

Tony's focus Pix brightened herself a tinge despite the pain, any help to another brightened Pix , she is fighting for her friend with all Pix could muster. If Pix just needed to get Tony able to listen, then Sky could do her part to help.

"I can't keep it up much longer." Tony whispered. "Doc can you break the bond so she does not suffer my pain. Please." despite the drugs the pain in her head was intense and building ever stronger. "I have no more strength to give."

Soran silently moved behind Tony and got ready to catch her if she fell. He was putting all of his energy into being as calm as possible, trying to be mindful of Pix.

Diane took a step back from the proceedings feeling the people that knew Tony best would be better able to help her. A streak of empathy ran through her as she knew what it was like to lose a loved one, and here, Tony had lost several at one time. That was something Diane could not imagine at the moment.

Finally Tony could not take any more pain and a black haze engulfed her. She fell backwards and with her last strength made sure that Pix would be cradled if she fell and hardly noticed Soran catch her.

Soran shifted Tony's weight so that he could get her into to a cradle carry and moved to the doctor. "Doc is it safe to transport her to Sickbay? I don't want to carry her through the corridor."

"Medical Transport Lieutenant Soran and Commander Stoffels to Isolation Bay one." Milton cut the channel. "Dr. Benton is there she can handle Tony til I can get there." Milton held his gut hoping no one really notice his pain. "The nurses can care of Pix, take her a small bedroom in my office for her."

Diane let out a small 'ahem', "Thank you all for coming by on short notice. I hope she'll be all right."

While alone Milton doubles over and having hard time breathing evenly through the pain he had fought to hide until they were gone.

"I-I don't - think I will be going Sick bay right away." He forced a smile to Diane. "I-I think I need to sit down for a minunte?"

“RJ, are you all right?” The worry in her tone was evident. Diane brought him a chair from a nearby work station to sit on, “Here, do you want anything from the replicator?”

Milton allowed her to help him down, his medsection was easing but still in pain. "Order Milton Kid Milkshake 22." He forced that assuring smile, sort of. "It is really a mint milkshake with and antacid and meds to calm little stomachs that are wounded and the cold might help the hot glass shards I feel right now." Winking he went on, "Sometimes the Betazoid connection to Pix and people can... be a mule kick to the gut."

"I see," Diane told the replicator to produce item Rutherford requested. When it was finished she handed it to him, " That must be... well, difficult at times... Here you go. You are going to be all right, won't you?" She'd never seen him like this before and the worry showed on her face.

"I am needed in Sick Bay." He finished the milkshake. "Would you walk your boyfriend there while this takes effect, sorry for some PDA but I would use a bit of a crutch while this wears off. Never been hit this hard, Pix is a wreck, safe but out like a light." He tapped his temple. "Connection..." Looking into her eyes. "Nothing to worry that beautiful head about, Touching someone I..." Milton had to hesitate as it might be too soon. "Care for dearly actually helps, it is a Betazoid thing I suppose, that heritage caused so it will heal also, right." He winked, hoping she would believe it?

A demure smile grew onto Diane's face. "I'll be happy escort you to sickbay," she slipped her arm through his, "I wouldn't worry to much about the PDA. People are going to find out sooner or later... but for now," she shrugged, "even doctors need some assistance now and then."

"I hope you realize how good a medicine you are right now?" He slowly rose and let Diane walk slowly, the illusion being casually, forward.

As they left the intel center she replied, "You're always doing things for me, let me do something for you for a change."

{OFF}