Joint Log | Capt Ivanova, Cmdr PontBrillant - "Bulletproof" - PT III/III

Posted on Fri Oct 24th, 2014 @ 12:39am by Admiral Rochelle Ivanova & Vlimar PontBrillant

1,850 words; about a 9 minute read

Mission: Are You Touched?

Rochelle's eyes closed as he brushed her hand, acknowledging the touch and the sentiments behind it as the holo-cameras came out and worked their way around her. Each cut, each scrape, each bruise was being cataloged for reference later on. The process was nearly unbearable as they lifted her hands to photograph her broken nails, the ones she'd used to rake at Mikkal's face and hands, each finger coming under scrutiny.

"All done, now just try to relax and we'll have you fixed up and out of here." Someone, a doctor she could only assume, said what felt like hours later. She was guided to a bio-bed through gesture and gloved hands as dermal regenerators came out to merrily hum away as they worked on her thigh and belly. The bruises on her back and throat would come next. Soon, she knew, all evidence of her struggle would be gone beyond those photographs and the tests now being run and processed into the computers.

"And what of him?" The authority of her own voice startled her, how strong and vibrant it seemed as it spilled from her lips.

"We can't save his eye, his jaw and neck are broken. Something about a ruptured wind pipe." The doctor shrugged as he worked, though pride resonated in his voice. His Captain was a fighter, fierce. The rumors about her prowess had rang true, evidenced by the way she'd bested a much bigger, stronger foe.

Vlimar followed Rochelle until she was brought to the biobed and once she was strapped in, he walked a short distance away to provide her and her doctor privacy. From a convenient monitor accessible to Security only, he began to receive reports about the incident, gatherings of various bits and pieces of information and allowing him to provide instructions to his teams. Even then he kept looking over his shoulder at the biobed where Rochelle had disappeared inside the instrument, her head facing away from him.

Time passed, ticking its precious seconds by and minutes turned to hours until, at long last, the Captain was freed. They replicated a t-shirt and sweatpants for her and she happily had changed into them, hiding in their over sized warmth as they swallowed her tiny form whole. Her skin still stung with the memory of her injuries, blood still crusted over a good portion of her skin, begging her for a shower to dissolve it and set her free from all but her thoughts.

"Thank you." She nodded to her medical team as she slid the last sock on, determined to flee to the isolation of her quarters.

"You're welcome Captain. We're sorry you had to experience our services like this."

She shook her head, dismissing the thought and dismissing them all in the same motion as she got to her feet. Rochelle's eyes cast to the scene of the medics still working on Mikkal, the very sight making her stomach churn. "You'll hold him here as long as you can?" She asked, knowing Vlimar would be only a short distance away.

Vlimar was sitting in a chair, watching Rochelle walk into the room where Mikkal was when he got to his feet to meet her. "He will be under sedation for a while but we will keep two guards with him at all time, plus a doctor to monitor his vitals and condition." he stated, reaching up to touch her side. He was still wearing his undershirt and uniform pants, while his tunic was in a transparent bag still laying on a table having become evidence. He looked tired and worried but was showing signs of relief to see Rochelle on her feet.

"I know you are aware of this, but, eventually, I will need your statement. It doesn't need to be tonight, it definitely can wait." he said, softly.

The brilliant crystalline blue of her eyes quickly snapped to his, searching their fathoms. "I received word to meet you in the arboretum. I went, he was there waiting, he attempted to rape me, I defended myself and called for help at the earliest opportunity." Rochelle's voice was cool and crisp as an autumn morning, far from the tenderness she reserved for friends and family. She was tired, so very worn from the emotional onslaught that had swept her under and left her barren and devoid of feeling anything beyond contempt.

"Is that enough of a statement?" She asked, her eyebrow lifting in question. "Or do you want the details of how he pinned me against the railing and demanded I carry his child as he cut my uniform away and tried to choke me to death when I lied to him and told him I was already pregnant to try and slow him down?" Vlimar wasn't the enemy. She knew this. But the anger at what had happened suffocated each and every word of explanation she spoke. It was uncontrollable, a proverbial wildfire ripping through her as she internalized and analyzed everything that had come to pass.

Vlimar took a deep breathe and offered a soft, sad smile to Rochelle. He nodded slightly as she spoke. "Do you want me to accompany to your quarters?" he asked her politely. Obviously, the verbal onslaught he'd just received from Rochelle was not aimed at him per say, he knew that. But, beneath the surface he felt his heart being torn by the description of the events. The struggle was really in his heart, hurting and praying that this entire investigation would be swift and painless.

Rochelle could only nod. Happy that he understood, happy that he could piece together everything else -- or at least it seemed that way for now. "Please." She said, not quite ready to wander the corridors alone, not ready for the looks and the questions.

Vlimar offered her his arm in case she needed the closeness of him, visible enough that she would know what he was offering, but discreet enough that if she'd rather keep her distance it would be understood. His eyes shot a look at a guard near Mikkal, which sent the guard, who was watching the scene unfold, immediately turning on his heels to stare at Mikkal once again.

It took her a moment to consider the choice, to allow him the guide her with his polite gesture or to deny herself the stability he offered. This was one thing she knew she couldn't forge through alone -- self healing wasn't going to happen no matter how tough she tried to be or how strong she thought she was. It was a bitter lesson to learn, hard to swallow. Rochelle took his arm, sliding her own under and around it until her hand draped across his forearm -- allowing him to lead her away from sickbay and towards the security of the command suite.

As the duo exited Sickbay, Vlimar made sure that any and all passersby didn't dare allow their eyes to wander along the dressed down Rochelle. If they did he gave them a stare so intense that they instantly looked away and minded their own business.As the turbo lift door opened, Vlimar stepped inside and ushered the little Captain within, calling for the door to shut immediately behind them in order to give her the privacy she needed.

"Deck 2." he called looking at Rochelle. He slowly brought his other hand to caress the one she'd rested on his opposite forearm.

The computer chirped and quickly whisked them off in hot pursuit of fulfilling the Commander's demands while the Captain stood in silence. As Captain she simply couldn't ignore it, not when they were dealing with so much as a crew. Rumors, as it was, would by flying thanks to the loose lips of those who had seen her cruising the halls in the ill-fitting t-shirt and sweats while attached to Vlimar's arm. Rochelle's lips were pursed, tight and displaying her displeasure and tension knowing sleep wouldn't be an option with her duty shift looming so very close to the horizon. She also knew Amelia and Almar both would be there demanding word and needing information. She sighed softly, watching the man's fingers work over her wrist and the back of her hand. "I want to say thank you," She started, her voice rough and raw, "for everything you've done tonight and everything you will do from here forward regarding this situation."

Vlimar looked at Rochelle then back at the door. He really didn't know how to answer her. She was thanking him for his actions past, present and future, actions that didn't really command thanks in his opinion. "I would and could do so much more..." he muttered, barely audible. Given the circumstances, he knew it wasn't the best of situations to express any of his own emotions. It was about Rochelle, not about him. "I... I hope you are going to be ok." he said. "I will be there if you need anything... anything at all." he added, his hand now resting lightly over the on top of hers.

The woman's head shook with a quick rush of air, perhaps sardonic laughter. The smile she wore was a strange one, cynical and cold as she tore her eyes away from where they'd focused on the floor to look up and to the side, meeting his gaze. "I'll be fine." Rochelle said, "I've been through far worse and came out on top."

Vlimar nodded slowly. "I am sure you have. But, again, I would like to help... anyway I can." he stated, smiling. The coldness of her eyes did not reach his heart that time. After all, he was expecting the petite Captain to react in a defensive way. As he opened his mouth to add something, the turbo lift stopped and the door opened with a ding of the computer's chime.

"I know and I appreciate it. Right now I just need a shower and to relax." Rochelle replied, her brows furrowing as the lift came to a halt. She could sense and see he wanted to say something, the very thought of which rested in the fathoms of his eyes. She almost asked for him to spill it, but decided it was likely better left unsaid.

Vlimar exited the lift, heading towards Rochelle's quarters. He remained silent, acknowledging her need for solitude and isolation. It was normal for someone living that kind of trauma to wish for some time alone. He walked her to the door of her quarters and stopped, smiling, liberating Rochelle's arm in the empty corridor. "There you are, safe and sound." he stated, smiling softly.

"Thank you again, Commander." The Captain replied, keying in the access code to her quarters. The doors slid open with an audible, welcoming hiss and the cool air within beckoned for her to come inside. "You're dismissed." And with that she disappeared into what would only be a few hours of privacy before all Hell would ultimately break loose.

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end
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Captain Rochelle Ivanova
Commanding Officer
USS VINDICATOR, NCC 78213-E

&

Commander Vlimar PontBrillant
SOC
USS VINDICATOR

 

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