Bent near to breaking.

Posted on Fri May 19th, 2023 @ 3:59pm by Lieutenant Acacia Thomas & Lieutenant Aaron Byrne & Colonel Jason "Jack" Frost

1,117 words; about a 6 minute read

Mission: Ethics, Morals & The Prime Directive.
Location: Sickbay-Maternity

I am not in labor

There was a sense of quiet desperation in the room that Acacia paced in. The staff watching through the one way window, made her feel a bit like a caged animal. The doctor knew they were watching her, and a tiny rational part of her mind understood why. The more primal part of her hated the eyes upon her and wanted only to curl up in her bed and close her eyes. That would ease her, she was sure.

Wishful thinking.

People came into the room, and addressed her and she answered them only in short monosyllabic responses. The ache of her back sharpened as it wrapped around her belly. She dug her fists into it and continued to pace circuits around the room.

As the hours progressed the change in Acacia was evident. The pains stopped stealing the breath from her lungs, and instead had her muffling cries of pain with a pillow or against her arms. She didn't want anyone to hear her pain, just as she didn't want anyone to hear her screams when she woke from vibrant nightmares. Jack had only seen a few of them, and he'd never seen her lose control the way she was about to now.

Acacia groaned softly and covered her face for a long moment. "This...is not happening." she whispered to no-one She lay down on her left side and dozed in between the waves, only to jerk awake as each new spasm gripped her. Silent tears tracked down her cheeks, as she hid her face from the lights. Hid herself from the people she knew was watching. Hid from the universe of unfairness that left her here, alone.

I am not in labor. I am not in labor, because if I am then Jack won't get here in time to see our baby born.

Air hissed out through her teeth as a particularly fierce contraction drove the breath from her and made her cry out. The door opened and even though her eyes were shut she knew it was Aaron. He was a good friend, and she'd have to remember that later...when she cared enough about that to have it register.

"Acacia, its time to move this along and have this baby. Are you ready?"

"No."

"Acacia..."

"I said no. No, I'm not ready."

"But..."

"Get out." she growled softly at him, before returning to her position forehead resting on her forearms. They were crossed against the wall, as she rocked against the tempest building in her body. She wanted to scream, and she was sure she was going to scream. She didn't want to admit how much it hurt yet.

"But Acacia ...it's time."

"Get. Out. Aaron." She bit off the words but there was something almost halfhearted in the dismissal.

I am NOT in labor

Aaron got out, and chewed his lower lip in a nervous gesture. Casting a glance at the fetal monitor, he saw the deceleration in the heart rate before he saw the change in Acacia's demeanor through the window. The tension in her every line as she fought against the contractions instead of working with them. Damn. That was enough, and he walked back in. If he had to take her against her will for a cesarean he would do his duty to her and the baby. "The baby is coming Acacia. I don't understand what your hold up is here?" He touched her forehead softly, wiping it free of sweat with a cloth and Acacia sagged with exhaustion. "Talk to me, I can't help if I don't know the problem.

"He's not here." Acacia said simply, her voice breaking on the last word. That seemed to be the catalyst for everything that had been building in her like a storm. The words tumbled out of her on a wail of despair "I need him to be here! I don't even know what corner of this progenitors forsaken universe he is! He hasn't seen the changes in me. He hasn't felt his baby move! He didn't get to help me build the nursery. He hasn't gotten TO DO ANYTHING! ANYTHING!!! I don't even know... They won't even tell me if he's alive!....I...If I...I'm not strong enough....I can't do this all alone...I can't. I..." she ran out of breath to scream at Aaron, and hung her head as if the effort of doing so had taken every last bit of strength she had. Tears ran unheeded down her cheeks as her cascade of limp green curls hid her face from view.

Jack bolted through the doors into Sickbay nearly jarring his shoulder on the door because he didn't wait for it to fully open before moving again. One of the Nurses had noticed his urgency and a few words later he was pointed down a hallway. It was a sight to behold, a Marine charging, steeled determination on his face as his legs carried him.

Someone must have known who he was or checked because a Nurse was waving him down towards another room, even if this was Sickbay he was still bellowing 'Make a hole' to move people out of the way.

He stormed into the room filled with people some of which turned to see who had just charged into the room. Only lightly out of breath and already catching it he spoke. "Colonel Frost, Acacia here?" With all the people in the room, his view was blocked from who was the patient.

"Clear out people" came a strong male voice from the back of the room. The gathering staff dissipated, leaving behind just four. Frost. Evander. Byrne and Thomas.

Acacias skin was sheened with sweat and exhaustion was written into every line of her. Tears still glittered on her cheeks as the disturbance behind her registered. Turning just enough to cast her gaze over her shoulder she spoke in a hoarse voice "What in the .." A sharp, gasped intake of breath broke the stillness as Acacias eyes focused on Jack and her mouth dropped open in utter, absolute shock.

It was clear at this point what was going on, it didn't take a genius to figure that out. "Acacia, is everything ok? The baby alright? What's happened, something wrong?" Jack asked taking several steps forward.

"You're here?". Acacias voice shook and the tears set clung to her eyelashes slid down her cheek and another set of bright lines. "How are you here? " A sound that was half laugh and half sob escaped her as she pushed away from the bed she was supporting herself on and flung herself at Jack.

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