A State of Mind

Posted on 28 Mar 2018 @ 5:09am by Commander Jayla Kij & Lieutenant Commander Camila Di Pasquale

2,598 words; about a 13 minute read

Mission: Crossing Over
Location: Sickbay
Timeline: MD 35 || 1045 Hours

Two gold uniformed personnel, one male with blue skin and one female with pointed ears came into the place that the computer had called Sickbay. They carefully carried a thin woman with ombre hair between them and looked around. "We need help," the blue one said as the pointy eared one supported the woman's upper arms, but felt he could have carried her on her own. "Where do you want us to put her?"

The EMH glanced to where the Black Hawk's CMO was undergoing treatment to restore her memory and then turned back to the two gold uniformed officers. "Put her up here," he instructed, indicating the nearest unoccupied bio bed. "What has happened?"

"We were firing at the intruders and they got in our heads," the Bolian said as they laid Camila on the biobed. "She just crumbled like it hit her harder than us."

"Well," replied the EMH curtly as he began his scans. "That isn't good at all." He studied the readout carefully, brow wrinkling. "According to this, she is conscious," he said. "Lieutenant? Can you hear me?"

If Camila heard the EMH, there was no response; she just stared up at the ceiling with a blank look and didn't move.

"Perhaps restoring her memory would help," guessed the EMH. "Can you tell me anything about these... intruders?"

"They assaulted us mentally," the Vulcan responded. "It was emotional and mental anguish. As for memories, none of us have them."

"So I have gathered," replied the EMH dryly. "A mental assault, you say? Perhaps she is simply traumatized. Restoring her memories could help. I shall begin treatments. I do not believe it will do any harm, at least."

"You're the person treating people here," the Bolian said. "That's your job."

“I am also going to give her Benzodiazepine,” continued the EMH, crossing to a cupboard. He quickly located the correct phial and loaded it into a hypospray. “This will aide the gamma-aminobutyric acid neurotransmitter and hopefully cause quick relief.” He pressed the spray to the patient’s neck and quickly began readying a neural stimulator to repair the damage to the limbic system.

Camila moaned on the table, then sat up screaming as she clutched her head, her face pale and sweat began to pour from her pores before she began to hyperventilate.

The Vulcan moved to hold her down, gently but firmly. "Doctor?" he prompted as the woman struggled uselessly in his grip and screamed again.

With no change of expression, the EMH picked up another hypospray and pressed it to the now screaming woman’s neck. “A sedative,” he explained, having anticipated this. “She will remain conscious, but it should help to calm her.” They needed her to talk so they could figure out how best to treat her it was entirely possible that only counseling would work as a long-term situation, but in order to determine that, they would need to speak to her.

"What do you need to get all of our memories back?" The Bolian asked as the Vulcan released the woman. "She is the Chief of Security and is surely needed based upon the way the ship we are on is shaking."

“It is a fifteen to thirty minute procedure,” answered the EMH, making a small adjustment to the neural stimulator before placing it on the security officer’s head. “The memories seem to return slowly. There is no telling how long to full memory restoration. Lieutenant,” he said, turning his attention to his patient. “How are you feeling?”

"Where am I?" Camila asked as she ignored the man's question. "Who are you? Why can't I remember anything? Am I a prisoner?"

"You are in Sick bay," answered the EMH. "I am the Emergency Medical Hologram. I am not certain why you cannot remember anything, but the working theory is that something has damaged your limbic system; I am working to repair it. No, you are not a prisoner."

Camila looked at the blue man and the one with pointy ears. "Is what he's saying true?"

"It would stand to reason that it is," The Vulcan replied. "We are wearing the same types of uniforms and we are all on the same ship."

"Wait...my name is Camila...Di Pasquale," she said. "I remember that. The Captain showed us pictures with our names and positions on them."

The EMH nodded. "And this little device," he said, tapping the Neural Stimulater attached to her head, "will help you remember more. Do you require anything while we wait?"

"What happened to me?" the ombre haired woman asked. "I was firing at some intruders, then it was like my head exploded."

"It appears they have used a psionic attack," explained the EMH. "For some reason, they were able to overwhelm you. Either you were more susceptible or they concentrated on you. In either case, we are going to get you back to normal."

"What is a pisonic attack?" Camila asked. "And why can't any of remember anything?"

By that time, the Bolian and Vulcan had gone off to help more people because they had no answers and wanted to check to see if others were injured.

"Never mind that just now," answered the EMH, realizing that explaining it was futile. "You will remember everything soon enough. Just try to relax for now."

She laid back and closed her eyes as bits and pieces of her shattered memory started to form like a jigsaw puzzle, but with no picture to look at. "I...was born in Venice, Italy on Earth. I went through Search and Rescue. I..." More pieces flashed through her mind, names and faces of people that had died while serving under her and a tear slipped from her eyes. "Do...do I have to get them all back?" she asked in a pleading tone.

"I'm afraid so," answered the EMH rather more gently than he had yet said anything thus far. "It is, after all, our experiences who make us who we are."

"I fought so hard to forget...and now it's like it happened all over again fresh," Camila said and roughly wiped the tears off of her cheeks.

"Don't forget, Camila," said Jayla softly as she approached. The Neural stimulator the EMH had laid across her forehead had beeped, which she now remembered meant it was finished. She had even remembered how to deactivate it. "Don't ever forget," she said, tears springing to her own eyes, for now she remembered all the recent trauma in her life. "Remember and grow. Don't let it crush you."

The Security Chief looked up at the Trill officer and tried a pale smile on even though it looked sickly to an observer. "I don't have a choice, Doc," she said. "I have a job to do. How are you holding up?"

"So far so good," replied Jayla, offering the other woman a watery smile. "It's still all fuzzy, but it's coming back to me. How are you feeling so far?"

"Discombobulated," Camila answered. "I had no idea I knew so much stuff. I mean, I did, but while I didn't have my memory, I had no idea of what I've done since I joined Starfleet..or anything before that. It must be really hard for you since you're Joined."

"Oh, that was weird," Jayla agreed. "Kij didn't have any memories, either, but I knew he was there. It was like I was two people. A bit disconcerting at first, but... and then the EMH had to come up with a way to restore the symbiont's memories, too. Hey!" she said, a look of realization coming to her face. "I only just realized- you remembered that I'm joined! That means your memory is coming back quickly."

"Not really," the ombre haired woman replied. "I know some things, but ask me for a phrase in Italian and I couldn't tell you. I don't even remember if I have family right now. Do I?" She has to ask in case she had to brace herself for more heartbreaking memories.

"I... I don't know," said Jayla, puzzled. "If you ever told me about them, I don't remember. Goodness! I remember that I have a nephew! Which means I must have a brother. Or a sister. Maybe both. You must at least have parents, even if they're gone. I hope they're not, though."

"Could you check the computer, please?" Camila asked. "Well, if you know how to use it. It should be in my personnel file." She paused. "I remembered that I have a personnel file...neat."

"Sure," replied Jayla, turning to head three steps to the nearest console. "Uh... let's see if I can remember...." It took her a moment, but she finally pulled up Camila's personnel file. "Here we are!" she announced triumphantly. "Knew I'd figure it out eventually. It lists mother, father, and brother. Looks like they're all alive, as far as Starfleet knows."

"Grazie. Penso che sto iniziando a ricordare di più," the woman on the biobed said, then blinked. "Er...what?" She paused. "I know Italian. I just said thank you. I think I'm starting to remember more in it...."

Jayla grinned, her eyes taking a far-off, nostalgic look. "The only Italian I know is, 'Ti amo, cara mio,'" she said. "I dated an Italian in the Academy. Oh! How could anyone forget Valentino Rossi?" And she laugh/sighed. "Ah, Val. I should have been kinder to him." She shook herself, remembering her job. "Anyway, how are you feeling?" she asked.

Camila smiled. "You're starting to remember, too," she said. "I'm doing better. Thank you for being here with me, Jayla. That holo doc needs some lessons on bedside manners. Maybe you could program it with some?"

Another grin met that comment; yes, Jayla was beginning to remember that despite all of the recent difficulties in her life, she was still relatively cheerful. "Well, he isfor emergencies only," she replied, glancing over to where the EMH was checking the progress on other patients. "Still, it wouldn't hurt to actually give him a personality."

"No, it wouldn't," the other woman replied. "Do you know how long it may be before I get all of my memories back?"

"According to the EMH, it could be as little as a few hours, or as many as several weeks," replied Jayla. "Although, given by how quickly everything is returning for those who have completed treatment, the shorter estimate is probably closer."

Camila started to say something, then her stomach rumbled. "I know what that means," she said. "Would it be too much trouble to ask for a glass of apple juice and maybe some toast with jam, Jayla?" she asked politely.

"Let me see if the replicators are working," Jayla replied. "Any particular flavor of jam?"

She thought for a moment. "Cherry. I think. I'd really appreciate it."

"Coming right up," said Jayla. As luck would have it, the replicator in Sick Bay seemed to be functioning well enough. She sniffed the food and juice to make sure it smelled right, then delivered it to Camila. "It seems okay," she said. "Not sure how it'll taste. Hopefully it's right."

Camila accepted them and sat up on the biobed. "Thank you, Jayla. This officially makes you the sweetest person I can remember."

"Then you clearly haven't gotten your memory back," Jayla joked. "I'm a cold, hard bitch."

"Remind me to hit you in your head after I eat so you can go back to being nice and sweet," Camila said after a bite of toast and sip of her juice.

Jayla laughed. "Do you suppose that'll work?" she asked.

'We can try," the ombre haired woman laughed. "I seem to remember some form of martial art called Jiu Jitsu, although I have no idea how to do it. The name is in my head, though. Mess with me and I'll Jitsu."

“It sounds badass,” agreed Jayla. “Although if I ever knew what it was, I’ve forgotten and haven’t yet remembered.”

"I'll let you know as soon as I remember and then we'll both know," Camila said after another bite of her toast and juice. "I think I'd like hanging out with you once all this is over," she said with a smile.

“Me, too,” replied Jayla with a friendly grin. “I only hope we don’t remember that we hate each other or something.”

"We have to work together as a whole," the blonde said quietly. "If we fight amongst each other, then we'll fall together. If we stand together, nothing and no one can take us down."

“Good point,” replied Jayla, another grin spreading across her face. “Plus, i haven’t met anyone I didn’t like. At least that I can remember. Oh wait. I forgot Jason. Yeah, I didn’t like him. But I was a moody teenager and he spend every possible moment hitting on me. I’m sure that was an isolated incident.”

Camila started to say something, then the spots on Jayla brought another image to her mind, that of a spotted man. Someone she had been close to. Someone who only seemed to want to use her for what she had to offer and then turned on her. "I have one of those, but he's gone. I think he's gone. Are there any others like you on the ship?" she asked, trying to recall what race Jayla was.

"Spotted people?" asked Jayla with a small grin. "Quite a few, actually. Two others on senior staff, both male, and a slew of junior officers."

A name came to mind and a frown crossed her lips before the blonde responded. "Do you know if there's one named Bast?" she asked.

Jayla thought for only a moment before she remembered the whole story, nasty break up and all. "No," she replied. "He took a posting elsewhere after our old ship was destroyed." She did not mention that she had remained in contact with him. They had both been her friend, she remembered, and she was refusing to take sides. Actually, she really didn't know exactly what had happened between them and she didn't particularly care; they were both her friends and she wasn't about to stop speaking to either of them.

"Thank you," Camila said with a tone of relief but wasn't sure why. "Enough of that, though. I'm sure you have a lot more people that need you attention. Remind me to invite you to dinner one of these nights when people aren't trying to kill us."

"Well, I haven't fully gotten my memories back just yet," Jayla replied. "But, I don't know. Maybe I should be shadowing the EMH; it might help me remember how to do medicine."

"You don't have to leave if you don't want to," the Security Chief said. "I really don't mind your company."

"I would love nothing more than to just sit and chat," Jayla replied regretfully, "but, I probably should be paying attention to my Sick Bay. If you need anything, though, give me a shout, okay?"

"Thank you again for being here and for breakfast," Camila said. "And I promise you'll be the first to hear from me if I need something, even if it's just a friendly voice."

"Try to get some rest," Jayla advised. "And remember: don't let it crush you." And with a final warm smile, she crossed to where the EMH stood speaking to another of her medical staff whose memories were being restored.

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