EXETERRPG: (16 11:58) ACTO Ensign Paul Sleeford

[Paul Sleeford]

Mission: The flames of purity.

Day: 16

Stardate: 2445:09:16


(USS Exeter - Sickbay - ACTO Ensign Paul Sleeford and Counselor Ensign
Harlequin Lavorre - 16 11:58)


NRPG - Sleeford isn't being rude, he's feeling sorry for himself and a
little depressed.


RPG


Laying on his bed. with his leg and a half out on the covers, dressed in
sickbay gown, listening to the hubbub going on in sickbay as people came in
and where treated and left or where bedded down. The stump of his left leg
began to throb slightly as the pain relief he'd been given was beginning to
wear off.  Closing his eyes against the discomfort he thought for the
hundredth time that he was here because of his own stupidity, He could be
on the planet surface assisting his friends, but no he'd got himself
severely injured, enough to get cashiered out of the fleet. Hearing the
slight breathing next to the bed, Sleeford opened his eyes to see one of
the Orion counselling twins standing next to the bed.


 "Anyone ask for a Counselor?" She spoke calmly and evenly.


Shifting upwards Sleeford turned and looked at the young woman next to him.


"I did. I suppose i better get it over with, sooner rather than later so to
speak."


He knew he sounded rude, but he knew that shortly his career would be over,
once the ship hit DS9 he'd be offloaded and away back to the farm with all
his anger and resentment hanging over him like a black cloud.


"Its not a matter of sooner or later, It's better when you feel comfortable
to talk." She spoke calmly, she didn’t stare at the wound but she did make
a mental note of it.



"That"; Patting his left thigh well above the stump Sleeford nodded down to
his wound.; " The reason that my career is over. Why i'm going to end up
like my step father and tend pig for the rest of my miserable life..
scrapping up pig muck and chasing the old mad bull round the fields."


She shook her head softly. "I don't see how that would define your career,
in Starfleet." She showed Steelford the respect of looking at him in the
eyes and not looking toward his leg. He was drawing he enough attention to
his own opened wounds. His leg was just the physical manifestation of a
larger whole.


Closing his eyes Sleeford let out a large sigh, “The stupid thing is I know
it’s my own fault, I’m here. I left cover of the shuttle to get a better
shot and wham, i’m on my back with Vespers shoving a dead phaser in my
hand, scared i’d shoot myself”


Laughing slightly, Sleeford looked at Lavorre.


“I’m a security officer, no sorry was. I’m no good now, unless I bloody
well hop after people.” Stopping Sleeford smiled at the thought; “Now that
would be funny. Seriously, a security officer who can't stand is no good.
I’m not old enough to be shoved into the armory or the brig “


She motioned to a seat. "Do you mind?"


Shaking his head, “Sorry, Please”


Waiting Sleeford ran his hand over his face he felt relieved to be talking,
since he’d woken up and realised he’d lost his leg, something he’d known on
the planet.



Pulling up a chair. "Now why do you think what happened to you will define
your career. There have been countless officers that have suffered and the
still go on to accomplish great things." Harlequin sighed softly. "I
understand what you are processing is life altering. But how you process
what's happened will be life changing."


Sleeford lay there and listened to Lavorre and stared at the ceiling, how
did he really feel about what had happened, at the end of the day he was
alive, a little more scared, a little weaker, a little, he couldn't; think
of what but something was there.


“I … I  .. “Sleeford closed his mouth and looked at the foot of the bed.” I
lost part of me, I .. Heck I dont know what to think if i’m honest. All i
can see is a blank future and future leaning against the porch railing
watching the sun going down, with a large drink, thinking of how it could
have been. No one wants a cripple.”


"Your only a cripple if you let your lose take over your life. I get it,
there is great deal going though your mind. But I don't think it's the loss
of your leg that weighting you down." Harly knew she could potentially be
walking on dangerous waters but the reality was the sooner Steelford faced
his mental demons the better he could focus on healing his body.


"Lossing a part of yourself is difficult, your future will require change,
I won't lie to you about that. But what I think truly bothers you is the
fact your here and the rest of the team is not." Harly spoke calmly.


Sleeford stared at Lavorre, “You part Betazoid.. Your right.I should be on
that damn planet with Ravok, More, Vespers and Foxglove, risking my life
against the enemies of the Federation, not stuck here worrying that I’ve
let them all down by my own foolishness. “


"I'm not part Betazed just got a nack for reading people. Might be the
reason no one comes over for poker night anymore." Harly jest, before
becoming more serious.


Letting out the first real laugh since he’d been brought back Sleeford
looked at Lavorre. The image of her and her sister playing poker, straight
faced with a stack of chips in front of them left an interesting image in
his mind.


“Now that I’d love to see, the Lavorre sisters taking on the crew at poker,
you could both retire on Risa”


"Yes, but then who would be left to talk to you." She smiled, as she
brought the conversation back to the matter at hand. "I know the feeling of
failure. Its hard, its complex, and no one likes the way it makes them
feel. However its how we work though those failures that define us."


She placed a hand on the side of the biobed. "Yes one day you will be
looking over a vast field with a drink in hand, but that will be after a
career of your choosing. True you might have to leave security for a while
till you get used to a new leg. But its a life for you to take hold of and
make it your own. I mean there have been great captain's with artificial
eyes, and Adrmial's with artifical hearts, if they can do it, why can't
you?" She let the question hang there as something she wanted Steelford to
add to everything he was processing.


Sleeford sat there and looked at his foot, taking in what Lavorre was
saying, leaving security would probably better option. There are other
departments on board.


“Your right. Although I don't see myself as a captain, well not just yet
anyway. I think security will have to go, I mean can you see ole hoppy
chasing a drunk round the ship. “Laughing he shook his head. “No there must
be something else, I’m sure the nacelles need a good clean or the shuttles
need washing”


Wiping his eyes Sleeford smiled at Lavorre. “Thank you, for listening and
thank you for the  common sense. I have a lot to think about and not just
my selfish, foolish ego”


"As for what else you can do around the Exeter, that's up to the Captain
and the FO but they are good people and won't put you out to pasture just
yet, and as for me…" She paused for a moment as she stood and than gave a
slight bow. "I am honored to be of service, and your welcome. If you ever
need someone to talk to my number is listed in the ships database. Drop me
a line." She spoke light heartedly but her and her sister knew how a kind
word or kind hearted gesture could ease a tense situation.


Laying there Sleeford smiled up at Lavorre, “I know where to find you and
your sister, I have a feeling in the coming months I may become a pest. But
then again maybe not. I’d stand and give you a hug.but” Laughing Sleeford
looked at the young Orion, “heck you got me to laugh anyway, that cant be
all bad. Thanks. When I’m up and about i owe you a drink at the least”


"Pest..." she shrugged, "No. Has for a hug, you got to get better and chase
me down for one of those. Mom always said never be to easy and I like a
good chase." She chuckled.


Nodding Sleeford winked, “You're on. You’ll hear me coming so you can get a
head start. “


She nodded seeing his mood vastly improved she knew her job was done, at
least for the moment. She made her way for the exit. "Take care and I'll
keep an ear out." She spoke kindly as she slipped out of his alcove and
into the main medical facility to head back toward her office.



Laying back as Lavorre left Sleeford drummed his fingers against the sheets
of his bed, he had a lot to think about and a lot of decisions to make.


(Posted by Alistair & Matthew)
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