Overload (part 5)

Posted on Tue Sep 30th, 2014 @ 12:48pm by Captain T'mpest Michaels & Lieutenant Jensen Foster & Lieutenant JG Heather Quinn

1,138 words; about a 6 minute read

Mission: What Dreams May Come
Location: Jensen Foster's Quarters

[CONTINUED]

[OLD]

[NEW]

He'd spent the last few hours inside his hotel room, trying his hardest to block out all the emotions he was feeling, along with all the errant thoughts that were bombarding him. What was worse was that he was beginning to feel as if his body were burning up. All he really wanted to do was smash something, throw anything. Do everything he could to get himself under-control and deal with this pain from losing the one person whom he'd found himself having fallen in love with.

And that made it all worse. Remember that he'd said "I love you" to Illo not more than twelve hours ago. And now this? Having had him leave? Wasn't that he was upset with him leaving, it was the fact that he hadn't gotten to say goodbye. That's what hurt and caused his heart to ache. He wasn't even sure if he would ever see his young cadet again!

In that moment the mirror over the dresser shattered into a million pieces and the voices in head turned to screams. The bed he was on was suddenly engulfed in flames and Jensen found himself curling into a ball. Trying his hardest to get away from it all.

He heard voices and people shouting, but the pain and sorrowful screams he was feeling drowned out the others. He dimly heard the windows shattering and then felt the bed beneath him begin to levitate.

As he drowned in the emotional pain he suddenly found a calm in all that he was; a blessed void of peace and tranquility that beckoned to him like water to dehydrated man.

And then he heard his twin's voice.

"It's OK, Jensen. Don't be afraid. But don't let your abilities take over. Own your emotions. Not the other way around."

He wanted to, more than anything. But he didn't know how.

"Come back to me, Jensen. I'll protect you. Like I have since the very beginning."

That's when the way to peace and tranquility became reality and everything stopped. The fire was reduced to just small flickering flames, the glass and broken bits of furniture dropped to floor, and the voices in his head went quiet. No screams, no pain. Nothing.

Except his twin. James.

Smiling down at him, James wrapped his arms around Jensen and pulled him into an embrace to loving and gentle, it soothed Jensen's aching heart.

"I... I didn't get to s-say goodbye..."

"I know, Jensen. I know..."

And they stayed like that for hours, James comforting and consoling him, while Jensen cried his heart out.

"Sorry, Captain," Jensen said, coming back to himself. He smiled softly, sorrow evident on his face. "The cadet's name was Illo Gwyn, and he was my very first love. He was also almost matching in his own empathic ability to myself. He was the first to truly understand what I have to deal with on daily basis."

T'mpest nodded. "There is no need to apologize," she assured him. "Have you considered studying for the Kolinahr? Although you would not pass, the training could be of great benefit to you."

"That was actually something I'd been thinking about since my last episode before this one. Maybe when we return from our mission I'll look into it," Jensen replied. He turned his gaze from T'mpest to look towards Quinn, who he sensed had a question, but was afraid to ask. He'd almost forgotten she was there, what with all of his talk of his childhood and abilities.

"I sense you have a question to ask, Quinn."

"What exactly is Kolinahr?" Quinn inquired, blushing just a bit out of nervousness. She was very curious to learn about this Vulcan technique, especially if it were something that could help her colleague. "It's not something I'm familiar with, I'm afraid."

"Since I myself am not completely familiar with Kolinahr," Jensen intoned, "maybe you'd like to explain, Captain?"

"It is the pinnacle of logic," T'mpest said, a hint of irony in her voice. "It is the process by which a Vulcan purges him or herself of all emotion. The training is difficult, even for a Vulcan. Many fail to reach a state of Kolinahr." Now a mischievous smile flashed briefly across her face. "I failed within a month. My father was disappointed, but ultimately understood that I am too much like my mother to eschew emotion. However, there is much to be said for the control you can learn from studying the techniques."

"Seems like it wouldn't hurt to try," Quinn replied, smiling a bit.

"I will more than likely look into it when we get back," Jensen replied, smiling a bit at the captain's tale of her own experience with Kolinahr. He knew that he'd called Quinn to his quarters on a medical emergency and turned to her. "Lt. Quinn, am I fit to stay here or would you like me to come to sickbay for the remainder of the night?"

Opening her tricorder, she scanned him quickly and then turned her dark gaze on him and the captain. "While Lt. Foster is not having the major spike in energy readings from earlier and is very much so coherent, I would like him to return to sickbay. Just for observation for the night."

Turning her gaze on Jensen she smiled and said, "If that's OK with my boss?"

Smiling, Jensen responded, "Yes, I would actually prefer to go back to sickbay, just as a precaution."

Turning towards what remained of his quarters, he frowned. Looking upon the captain he said, "Is there anyway we could get my quarters back in order before I am released from sickbay, or shall I be sleeping in sickbay for a while?"

"No," T'mpest assured him. "I will arrange for your quarters to be cleaned and repaired before your return.


"Thank you, Captain." Jensen lifted himself off the floor and walked with both women to his doorway. At the threshold he turned to T'mpest and said, "Captain, thank you for coming tonight. I couldn't have gotten through this without you. It means very much to me that you would come my aid given a moments notice. I will return the favor on any occasion you need my assistance. Please, enjoy the rest of your evening."

T'mpest gave him a Vulcan bow in acknowledgment. "I am glad I was able to help," she replied. "If you need my help in future, do not hesitate to ask."

Turning back to Quinn he said, "Ready, Doctor?"

Quinn linked her arm in Jensen's and said, "Let's get you to sickbay and give you something to help you sleep." With that they walked off towards the turbolift.

____
OFF

Lieutenant Jensen Foster
Chief Medical Officer

Lieutenant JG Heather Quinn
Assistant Chief Medical Officer

Commander T'mpest Michaels
Commanding Officer

 

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