SIM:German Galven - Physical and Mental Tension in Sickbay

((Main Sickbay, Starbase 118))

Against his own wishes, German had been put in a wheelchair for the time being as the crew was heading back to the starbase from the hellacious mission they all just went through. Usually, the Denobulan CSO would be already in his office filling out his department staff reports among other things. He wasn't really being restrained to the wheelchair, but German didn't really want to argue with Sheila.

He possibly didn't have the strength to muster up an argument anyways. So while German was waiting for her, he had taken out his PADD to make some notes about certain things that happened in the mission because he most likely would've forgotten about whatever came to his mind as a precaution.

After a few moments passed by with German glancing around the large room and seeing others in their own biobeds, the Elaysian doctor finally made her way over towards him.

Sheila felt bad for anyone that had to be in a similar situation to her, whether that was by using a wheelchair, crutches/cane or by being in physical pain. She didn’t want anyone to have to go through what she was going through.

It had taken the doctor some time before she went over to Galven. Sheila herself wanted to make sure she reviewed the facts of the injury and how best she could help with physical therapy with her limitations.

Galven: Sheila, I don't really have much time to be bothered by physical therapy. I have much work to do. ::Apparently, he did have it in him to try and word his way out of the room::

Bailey: You seem to be making enough time for it just by being here.

Galven: ::sighs as he puts the PADD inside his tunic, rolls himself back by his biobed:: If you say so. How long do you think it'll take?

Bailey: ::sighing herself:: It won’t take one session Galven. I’ll tell you that.

Sheila knew how hard it could be for people to understand that. They always seemed to want their injuries healed as soon as possible. Sheila herself normally hoped that based on the way she navigated the world showed them that. Showed her Uncle that. That it wasn’t easy to change people and that to change it took many hours of careful planning along with willingness.

Galven: There's going to be more than one session? ::mouth agape:: What's the first one then?

Bailey: Today I’m going to see where you're at. What you can and can’t do. We might get far we might not, it all depends.

Galven: ::rubs his ridged chin:: Fair enough. What would you like for me to do first?

Bailey: I’m going to start out with seeing the way in which you walk.

Galven: ::smirks:: I think I can manage that. It'd be nice to finally get out of this wheelchair. How do you do so well with your wheelchair and crutches? Doesn't it get tiring after a while?

Just like with Romy, Sheila was taken aback by German’s statement. Nobody cared. Not when she first came to Earth and definitely not before she left. It would have eased her transition if she had had someone to help her prepare.

Bailey: To tell the truth yes it does get tiring. It’s a pain to always have something weighing you down. But I have no choice, any other method would mean learning to walk in a way that I have never done before. Plus it helps that my wheelchair is custom.

At that she had to pull herself up onto the biobed near German. She was reminded how her Uncle told her she could never make it. Not with all the accommodations she would need. She had to take a deep breath and wipe her eyes before the memory overwhelmed her; before the pain she was given then came back.

Granted they had only just got back from their mission. This meant that all the emotions of it were still fresh. However Bailey had a patient to take care of meaning that she had to pull herself together. At that she sat up just a bit taller and focused back on the job.

German waited for Sheila to get herself onto the biobed before he did. It was more a reason to just be out of her way so he wouldn't have caused some sort of hindrance being in her way. As soon as it looked like she was comfortable enough, he got himself out of the wheelchair, then onto the biobed as well.

Glaven: I'm rather confused about what we're supposed to be doing. Why are you on here too?

Bailey herself mentally sighed. She thought German would stay where he was and just stand up. Instead he had pulled himself up next to her. For half a second it creeped her out being that close to someone of the opposite gender. However she was quite pleased that Glaven had been able to get up onto the bed with what seemed to be little problem.

Bailey: Why don’t we start with you standing up. That will show me the sort of strength that your legs have. Please though tell me if you have any pain or difficulty while doing so. I can hop down at any time to assist you.

Galven: ::arches a brow:: But I just got on the biobed… Is this routine for physical therapy? Doing the same standing up and down thing?

Bailey: It’s not normal but it’s normal for you.

Galven: ::shrugs and sighs:: Whatever you say, doctor. I'll play along.

He extended his legs outward, then placed the right foot down first. There was some tingling going on in his thigh, but nothing too serious as he placed his left foot down, then stood upright which followed a little wobble.

Bailey: Difficulty?

Galven: Well, it is the first time that I'm standing up without something to hold onto so it would be a little difficult at first. That much is obvious. ::chuckles:: Want me to start walking?

Bailey: Umm...no not yet…

Sheila had to think for a minute on what she wanted to do. It seemed he had no trouble with his ability to stand. It was starting to become more of a question of the strength of the limb than anything else. It was something that Bailey knew a lot about herself.

German glanced at the chronometer on the wall that was behind Sheila above her head. It was getting a little too late for him not to be working. There were mission reports to be finished, his team's evaluations, and then there were the new officers who had just graduated from the Academy.

Galven: Do you know what you're doing?

Bailey: I’m trying to puzzle through how best to go about this. You stood up excellently but I noticed a slight wobble.

Galven: Yeah, I hadn't stood up straight in a while because you ordered me to sit down for 17 hours until we finally got to the starbase.

When she had looked at the way he stood up German had said after that it was going to be difficult but nothing about how the leg felt. If it felt weak and unstable then it was a matter of trying to strengthen the limb. On the other hand if the leg felt numb then it was most likely going to be much more difficult as to how to assist Galven in walking.

Bailey: I would like you to tell me how the limb feels. Does it feel weak, like it won’t support you or does it feel numb, a loss of feeling? If it’s a weak feeling then I know plenty of exercises one can do to help strengthen the leg.

He tried to think clearly about how his ligaments and limbs were feeling as he tried to bend down with his legs, but then a stringy sensation overcame his thigh. Felt as if he was a puppet and someone was the puppeteer pulling the inside of his thigh muscles.

Galven: It takes some effort to try to bend down with my knees and back straight, then when I get back up, I feel as if my thigh muscles are being pulled apart.

A physical therapist's first thought would be to do exercises that had the patient pushing with the leg or even work on standing and redistributing the person's weight. This normally utilized gym equipment. For this case Sheila had a different approach. She herself liked to swim. When she swam she had to use all her muscles in order to stay up. It was the best place to start due to the fact that it was low impact.

Bailey: Pain?

Galven: ::shakes his head:: Negative. There's no pain that I'm feeling which is strange, don't you think?

Bailey: I think it’s a rather good sign.

Galven: Since I'm here for a while, how are you feeling after the mission? What do you think Doctor Bailey's progress report should entail?

Sheila internally shuttered at the thoughts the mission had brought up. Of course she was going to fill out the report on all the injuries sustained during the mission but she didn’t know what else to include. Nothing else that wouldn’t be too personal.

Bailey: I have injury and accident reports to fill out for those injured, namely you. Other than that I don’t think people want to hear about my personal feelings...Oh you may sit down now if you like.

German was curious about what was going through her mind, but he wasn't about to ask for professional sake. He nodded and then turned back around slowly in case something pulled or popped, but thankfully nothing too serious happened. Just the same stringy feeling in his thigh.

Galven: ::sits down with a bit more of a wobble:: What do you mean by that? People not wanting to hear about your personal feelings?

Bailey: The mission brought up a bunch of unwanted feelings from my past. I’m surprised I didn’t have a full on panic attack. I may be no counselor but I’ll throw the same question back at you. How are you fairing mentally?

If there was such a heavy question as he'd ever been asked, then that would definitely take the cake. Usually he would put lots of work on top of himself so he wouldn't get lost in his own thoughts, but since he was in Sickbay and sitting down with nothing to do, quite a bit of memories started flooding his brain.

Galven: You mean other than losing Ensign Steiger and not being able to carry out the specific orders we were given to eradicate the Death Fog? ::glances down and clears his throat, looks back at Sheila:: I've had better days.

Okay so they may have lost one crewmember and another got injured but that was Starfleet for you. Nothing was simple. But the doctor was glad that the rest of the team had gotten back uninjured.

Bailey: Being in Starfleet doesn’t make things easy but it makes them easier.

Galven: I am relieved that you were able to get a hold of your emotions. Was it because while we were alone down there, you saw me as your sisters?

Bailey: I’m a bit sorry I think of you that way. It means….

Sheila didn’t dare think of it. If she saw the CSO in the same way she saw her sisters which meant she would always be checking behind her that no one hurt them. This would be harder than before as she didn’t have knowledge of who was actually out to get them or even if there was such a person.

Galven: ::inquisitive expression:: I don't get why you seem to think that people don't want to hear about you. I don't mean to pry, but you're an extremely intelligent officer and doctor and yet… I just can't place my finger on it. ::lifts his hand and grasps her shoulder:: You were incredible out there, Sheila and I doubt I'd be here if it wasn't for you. Thank you.

Bailey: ::She shook off his hand:: I was able to do my job due to the fact we had a time crunch but all that made me feel suffocated. I’m glad I was able to protect you and that you're here for me to help you more but it’s people like you who don’t need to know. I’ve told those that need to know but…. Thanks for the compliment.

Sheila did not want to go around telling everyone that she worked with what had happened. She had told those whose job it was to help and those that needed to know. That was enough. Thinking about it however Sheila was starting to see German as a friend and friends should know shouldn’t they?

Ok, now that was sudden and he wasn't expecting such a harsh reaction to him telling her that she did a good job. They've been through crazier missions before which was expected if someone wanted to have a career in Starfleet.

Bailey: I’m not about to go around telling everyone I’ve not had an easy childhood.

Galven: ::lifts both his hands up, palms outward:: Ok, that's fine. Let's change the subject.

Bailey: However aren’t we supposed to be talking about you here?

Sheila was getting too intense and he wasn't in the mood for her abrasive behavior. He stood up with a noticeable wobble again and turned to face her.

Galven: If you don't like it when people ask you how you're feeling mentally Lieutenant, then don't ask them the same thing. ::raises an index finger:: We can either continue this therapy or I can come back later when you've composed yourself. Which would you prefer?

Bailey: It’s my job to ask how people are doing. ::her voice showed a slight tenseness::

Galven: ::straightens his uniform:: I think we're done here, Lieutenant. I'm sure you have plenty of other things to do, but I think it would be best for you to get some rest.

Her eyes went wide at that. She felt that no one got to come into sickbay and tell her what she should do regarding her health. Plus she knew she screwed up with this appointment. She shouldn’t have been so harsh. He didn’t deserve to have his doctor talk to him that way.

Bailey: Please stay.

He turned away and started to head for the exit, then turned sideways giving her a stern expression in his eyes.

Galven: Highly unlikely. I'll make an appointment with Dr. Foster next time. Where's that cane you talked about while we were heading back to the base?

Bailey: I’m not done with my assessment, therefore it is in my professional opinion that I can’t give it to you yet. I said it was highly likely that you would need one but you might not.

Sheila’s voice might have been a bit abrasive and harsh but she had a right. Of course she could have just answered that it was complicated and that she was shaken up from the mission instead of brushing it all off but it seemed her mental defenses had gotten in the way.

Galven: You really need to make up your mind. If I didn’t need a cane, then it was unnecessary for you to tell me that I needed to be in a wheelchair for 17 hours on the ride here. ::turns and approaches the door as it slides open::

Bailey: ::her voice was a lot calmer:: I’m sorry. You asked about the mission which hit a nerve. You remind me of my sisters because I had to save them as well as myself from abuse. So I’m sorry for the way I reacted.

Such a personal turn of events caused German to lower his head and turn back around, looking back up in the Elaysian’s direction. She was still sitting down on the biobed looking pretty worn out, but not as unsteady as she was before. He walked back up to her with a somber expression because he was just the same with his own sister. Saving Arlil from the Borg who were her abusers.

Galven: I can relate, but that doesn’t mean taking it out on me. What did you do while we were coming back on the Narendra?

Bailey: Other than talking to you I sat. I sat and thought. I sat and thought about how my life is messed up. How I couldn’t save you from being injured.

((Flashback - Outside Compound, Under the Dome, Vankoth II))

((Time Index: Stardate 239706.06))

As the others stealthily went towards what German hoped was a lesser known entrance into the facility, German hurried over to the clearing with his rifle drawn in case some cult member decided to turn back.

Once he was by Asoq's side, he knelt down as his attention was still surveying the area and grasped the Klingon's wrist to check a pulse, but Asoq pulled away which caused German to stumble back.

Asoq: Ah! Still alive I see. Worried you couldn't survive without me?

Galven: We thought you were dead so I came over to check. ::extends his hand for Asoq to grab, helping him up:: You're welcome.

Asoq: It takes more than a punch for these cultist traitors to be rid of me.

Before German could respond, one of the fallen cultists had raised his phaser as a last ditch effort to shoot at them which he could tell and as the Bolian fired, German swung himself in front of Asoq and aimed his rifle, then took his own shot.

The cultist fell back down, but German felt a stinging pain on his side which made him stumble a bit, but reached out to grab Asoq's shoulder to get some sort of balance.

Asoq: Really? Are you knocked off your feet that easily? Ha!

Galven: ::waves off the comment:: We need to get inside over there. You know more about the interior layout than anyone else. Will you be our guide, please?

The Klingon paused for a moment which gave German some time to get an idea on how severe his wound was as he tried to move his foot in a circular motion. The point of entry he was shot at seemed to be located on his upper thigh. He was able to pinpoint where exactly due to some unusual numbness that was causing a bit of phantom pain along with an intense amount of actual pain.

((End Flashback))

To say that he was confused about as to why Sheila thought it was her fault that German got injured would be an understatement. If he had gone with the rest of the group rather than checking to see if Asoq was alive, then he wouldn't have gotten injured.

Different reasons were forming inside his brain as to why Sheila was acting the way she was. The Denobulan only could come up with one that appeared to be the most likely outcome.

Galven: Are you mad at me? Is this your way of telling me that I didn’t perform my duties as a superior officer during the mission?

Bailey: No I’m not mad at you. I’m more mad at myself. I should have not let my emotions get the better of me.

Galven: ::tilts his head slightly:: From my standpoint, I didn't see your emotions conflict with your job.

Bailey: And you did everything you could to protect us.

Galven: I appreciate the sentiment, Sheila. ::sighs:: However, I don't know if I can say the same about if the explosion affected the atmosphere or if it somehow leaked out into space.

Bailey: On a slight other note I’m sorry about the mix up with the wheelchair/cane situation. The chair allows the leg to rest. And I’m not wrong about you needing a cane but I can’t in good conscious sign off on it without an assessment.

As a doctor one could have a good sense of what their patient needed, whether that be medicine or equipment but a doctor couldn’t just jump at blind faith. Nor could they be governed by their emotions. Even in intense situations one had to be able to put their thoughts and feelings into neat little imaginary boxes and push them down.

He nodded and could understand where she was coming from given how long he's been the chief of the science department. It reminded him when he told Taelon that he would have to get the updated mission report over the Breathers' schematics when the other scientist had erased the originals.

Galven: I think what you did was right in terms of telling me to sit down. ::extends his leg out and moves it in a circular motion:: Given how long the area allowed itself to rest, it might've done better. Of course, that's all a scientist's theory. ::chuckles:: Question everything, right?

Bailey: Questions help us know what we are confused about or wondering about. Asking why opens up a whole new world.

Sheila loved questioning everything. She did it every day in her job. Every day as a kid she questioned why she wasn’t the oldest of her sisters. Why it was her job as the middle child to protect everyone. Why she even had to protect everyone. But now she questioned what was next.

Galven: Don't worry about it. ::waves off:: We sometimes get the better of ourselves and who knows what. Hey, I just had a thought…

Bailey: Yes….

Since she was thinking about her sisters whenever Sheila looked at him, he was starting to see her as his own sister. Which in turn, made him start thinking about what he considered doing while he was back at the tail end of the mission. At some point during shore leave, German would have to get in touch with Sal about how to go through an adoption process if there was one on the starbase.

She wondered what he had in mind. She only hoped it wasn’t some experiment to try and heal himself. That would be foolish. But maybe it was something that would benefit the both of them. That idea made her smile.

Galven: I was thinking whenever you get off work if you'd like to come to the holodeck with me? There's someone who I'd like you to meet.

Bailey: Oh? I get off in an hour or two. Oh hey...about that cane, I’m sure you don’t want the standard model. I know of a local shop that can hook you up with something wicked cool.

Sheila wanted Galven to have a cane that uplifted him, reminding him that he was strong. The cane she could have given him would have, in her opinion, done the opposite of that. Sheila smiled a reassuring smile.

A mildly curious, yet surprised expression caused German to get excited about a 'wicked cool' cane. He always enjoyed the more unique things in life. He returned her smile with his wide signature Denobulan grin.

Galven: You know me too well, Doctor. ::tilts his head:: Where is this local shop?

Bailey: ::handing over a PADD:: Here’s the location if you want to go check them out. With that I think we are done. I’ll sign off on your paperwork and need of the cane so you're in good hands.

Galven: ::grasps the offered PADD:: I really appreciate that and for everything you've done to help my recovery. I mean that, so thank you.

Bailey: Do you know which holodecks you want to meet at?

Sheila was looking forward to hanging out with German outside of work. She saw him as a safe person. As a sibling. But the more she looked at him the more she saw him not as one of her sisters but as her older brother. A brother that she could protect but also a brother that could protect her.

German took out his personal PADD from inside his tunic and skimmed through the different holodeck locations in the starbase. There were so many to choose from that he couldn't make up his mind. He decided to just go along with whatever came to mind in the moment when it presented itself.

Galven: I'll let you know when the time gets closer. I have to show a few new officers around in the next couple of minutes. Once I'm available, I'll give you a call. How does that sound?

Bailey: That sounds perfect. I look forward to it.

They agreed and as he was leaving the room, he turned back to shake her hand. Given how intense the situation was just a few minutes ago, things really picked up well for the better. German was thinking of Sheila as more of an even better friend than he'd began to appreciate more. Once he left Sickbay, he headed straight towards the shop that had his special cane.

With that Sheila watched Galven walk out of sickbay. She looked forward to seeing which style of cane he chose. They could be buddies with their adaptive equipment. Now that he had gone she had time to fill out her report on the appointment. Here she would note the need or rather suggestion for a follow up appointment if needed. She would still check in on how German was doing. All good doctors checked in on their patients. But overall It seemed that Sheila had acquired a new friend, family member and someone that could support her just as much as she could support them.