Awkward Part 2

[Cmdr Ridire 0]

She tiptoed to the bathroom door as soon as she heard the lock click. She wanted to wait until she heard the shower running but she knew that wouldn't give her enough time. Deb had to get to Gracie before Aidan came out of the bathroom. Gracie was her only hope.

 

Three seconds later, she was the out door and down the corridor. Gracie's quarters were on the same deck but on the other side of the ship. Deb started off with a quick walk but soon found herself jogging and then running at break neck speed. Fortunately, the corridor was practically empty so only a few of her neighbors saw her racing along like the devil was on her heels.

 

She didn't slow down as she reached her destination and was a good distance down the hall before she realized she'd passed Gracie's door. Quickly backtracking, she rang the chime....rang it again....and then a third and fourth time. Drawing deep breaths, she whispered a silent prayer that Gracie would be in. But of course she would be there, she reminded herself. It was almost midnight. Where else would she be. After what seemed like an hour, but was really only a minute or two, the door slide open and Deb came face to face with her best friend on the ship. "Gracie!," she moaned, grabbing the older woman by the shoulders and moving her backward as Deb more or less forced her way inside. "You've got to help me!"

 

Grace Allen had been asleep for over an hour when the persistent chiming of her door bell interrupted what had been a very sweet dream. She'd uttered a couple of very unladylike curses as she'd crawled out of bed and made her way to the door to find Dr. Matthews standing there, as pale as a sheet, desperation of some sort clearly visible in her eyes.

 

"What's wrong," she asked, her pulse suddenly racing. "Has something happened to the Commander?"

 

Deb shook her head. "No, other than he hasn't regained any of him memory."

 

"Then why are you pounding on my door at this hour?"

 

"I wasn't pounding. I rang the chime."

 

"Four times! Clearly indicating some kind of emergency."

 

"It is an emergency," cried Deb. "Aidan's in the shower and I need to get back before he finishes."

 

"That's an emergency," growled Gracie.

 

"No, not that. I need your help." Deb's shoulders fell and she could feel the blush crawling up her neck to her cheeks. Gracie would never let her live this one down.

 

Grace folded her arms across her chest and glared at the CMO. "What?"

 

Deb offered her a weak smile. "I need to borrow a nightgown or some pajamas."

 

It took Gracie a few seconds to digest what Deb had just requested. "You don't have a nightgown or any pajamas?" she asked, clearly skeptical.

"Of course I do," replied Debbie defensively. "It's just....well....you see....it's just they aren't modest enough to wear....under the circumstances."

Gracie stared at her boss for a full 15 seconds and then bit her lip and looked down at the floor. Deb really didn't know what her friend was thinking and she didn't have time to worry about it.

 

"Please," begged Deb. "I need to get back. Do you have something I could borrow....and could you get it for me....like....right now."

To her credit, Gracie didn't laugh in Deb's face. It took all the self control she could muster, but didn't even chuckle until she was rummaging through her drawer looking for something "modest." She finally settled on a pale blue nightgown that would cover Deb well enough. It was supposed to be knee length but Gracie was a bit taller than Deb so it would probably come down to her shins. Not the most attractive nightwear but it would serve its purpose.

Deb had followed her to the bedroom door so Grace didn't have far to go to toss the gown to her. "Now will you please take yourself out of here so I can get some sleep."

 

Debbie reached over and gave her friend a quick hug. "Thanks, Gracie. I knew I could count on you."

 

Three seconds later, the CMO was running full speed back to her quarters, the borrowed nightgown draped around her neck. She knew those she passed in the corridor were looking at her strangely. It was quite obvious her scarf was actually an old fashioned cotton nightgown. But she couldn't have cared less what they thought. All she wanted to do was get back to her quarters before Aidan came out of the bathroom.

 

She didn't quite make it. He was standing in the bedroom as she entered their quarters. Quickly tucking the nightgown behind a cushion on the sofa, she stepped to the bedroom door. "Did you find everything you needed?" she asked, her voice a bit breathless. "And is it all right for me to come in?"

He glances up at the door and speaks up "Yeah, I did. And yes you can come in." He had noticed a spare blanket in the closet earlier which he goes to retrieve. As he hears the door slide open he steps to the right side of the bed and picks up the pillow laying there.

 

"What are you doing?" Deb knew perfectly well what he was doing. A part of her was grateful he was doing it but another part of her was screaming a silent protest. She glanced quickly to the bed....the bed she'd never slept in without her husband. If Aidan was off ship, she always retreated to the couch. Not once had she slept in that bed without him. And she wasn't about to start now.

 

"You take the bed," she quietly ordered, striding toward him. She pulled the pillow out of his hand. He let go immediately and just stood there, clearly surprised. "You're the one who is injured," she said, tossing the pillow back on the bed. "You need your rest. I'll take the couch." She walked away but only took a couple of steps before turning around. She offered him a shaky smile that didn't quite reach her eyes. "And I'll have no argument from you either," she said. "I'm the doctor and in this case, I know best.

 

He frowns at her. "I am not going to take the bed over a lady...especially my wife. Besides I’m the one that is relieved of duty and you’re still on duty and therefor you need your sleep." He moves to take the pillow back from her. A faint smile appears on his lips "But I will pull rank if I have to, Do..." He shakes his head and corrects "..Deb." Taking the pillow from her he turns back to the bed to see if there was anything of his on one of the night stands that he’d need. Which is when a similar image from before floats before his eyes causing him to freeze in mid movement.

 

She was preparing her retort when Aidan suddenly stiffened. This time, she was looking right at him. She watched his face, especially his eyes, and knew, without a doubt, he was having a flashback. She started toward him then stopped, choosing to wait until the episode had passed. But Deb was determined to ask...to demand if necessary....that he share whatever he had just experienced.

 

As the image fades he shakes his head as if trying to dismiss it from his mind..or rather as if trying to shake loose the cobwebs in his mind. He very much wanted to remember the past nine years but this apparent brief snapshot thing was more then a little annoying. He glances up at Deb as he feels the back of his neck turn red in some embarrassment. All during the shower he had pondered how to answer her earlier question if she insisted on asking it again. And somehow he suspects she was not the type to let something go. And he had come up with no answer for her that wouldn’t make things far more awkward then things already were.

 

"You remembered something, didn't you." It was more of a statement than a question. She reached out and rested her hand lightly on his arm. "What was it? Please tell me."

 

He frowns slightly "More like a very brief image rather than remembering anything." He sighs and walks past her to look out at the stars for a few moments. Turning to face her he leans back against the window, "I’m not sure I should say. Things are already rather...awkward between us right now. Right now..you're kind of my only life line through my hopefully temporarily missing past."

 

"A brief image....his only life line....what does that mean?" Deb silently considered his words and their possible meanings. She quickly made a few assumptions but unless he would tell her about that "image," she wouldn't know for sure. She resisted the urge to rush up to him and grab him by the shoulders. Instead, she remained where she was. "Memories are combinations of multiple images," she said slowly, carefully choosing her words. "And all memories begin with a single image. Please tell me what you saw....even if it is a little awkward....even if it's a lot awkward. It could be extremely important."

 

He frowns slightly and regards her for a long minute. Finally he shrugs, "It was a..." He frowns for a second then continues "...it was a quite private moment between us." The frown continues as he awaits her response.

 

"Oh god," she thought to herself. "This is a lot worse than awkward!" Deb felt her cheeks burn. She couldn't look him in the eye. Heck! She couldn't look at him at all. She focused on a spot somewhere on the ceiling and took a couple of deep breaths before attempting to speak. "Thank you for telling me," she said haltingly. "It's....it's a good sign. You may not feel that way right now, but it could mean your memory is hiding just around the corner. It....it...could return anytime."

 

He sighs "I didn’t want things to be more awkward..." He keeps himself from adding "But you did insist." to that.

 

And then she said it. "Perhaps we should both sleep in here tonight....I mean....you know....just sleep....and that's because...well...if you had a single image of....well....you know....then maybe if we're both here....it could help you see....you know....more images."

 

Deb stood perfectly still too shocked to move. She couldn't believe the words that had just tumbled out of her mouth. And how many times could she say "you know" in one sentence? She forced herself to glance at him having no idea what to expect.

 

"What do you think?" she added with a slight shrug of her shoulders. Holy cow! Was that the best she could do? Shrug her shoulders and ask for his opinion! And she claimed to be a doctor!!

 

He isn’t quite sure whose face is more red..his or hers. But he stares at her for a few seconds at her suggestion. "I do have a question....could the reason be why I saw those..memories is the emotional...weight behind them? Because when I woke up in Sickbay it was like while I didn’t mentally recognize you some part of my emotions did...."

 

It took her a full minute to answer. "I'm not to sure what to make of your reaction in Sickbay," she said, her heart pounding so loudly she could barely hear her own words. "But," she swallowed hard and forced herself to meet his gaze. "I think we should both sleep in this room tonight....and just see if it helps."

 

He arches an eyebrow and considers her and what she said for a few seconds. Finally he shrugs, "As for your..suggestion. I guess it’s worth a try. If you’re sure you want to?" He chooses to not comment on the "just sleep" part of what she said, the situation was already plenty awkward. "If you trust me?"

 

Deb smiled sheepishly. "Of course I trust you," she answered quietly. And she did....even if the man was almost a total stranger. Even before she'd gotten to know Aidan Ridire, he had always been a gentleman. That was also true during their courtship.

 

"I think it's something we should try," she continued with a slight shrug. "It couldn't do any harm."

 

He nods slightly "Well then, I'm game. I'll go wait in the main room while you're changing." He puts the pillow back on the bed and then moves over to the closet to put the spare blanket away. "Hopefully I will get my memory back, I wish. I'd like to know how lucky I am if nothing else.' With that he, steps towards the door leading to the main room.

 

He thought he was lucky....but why? Lucky to have her as a wife....that must be it. She blushed slightly at the compliment, an odd mix of emotions rushing through her. She was pleased that he felt lucky. She was also terrified he wouldn't regain his memory. But if he didn't, it seemed he liked her so there was always the hope they could pick up the pieces and put their relationship back together again. As far as tonight was concerned, she was nervous as well as relieved he'd finally agreed they should both sleep in the bedroom. It would be strange sharing a bed with him and nothing more but she held out hope the arrangement might trigger a few lost memories. Even one would be a start.

 

Deb watched him leave the room and then she remembered. Her mouth fell into an elongated O and she quickly rushed to the door. He'd just stepped into the main room when she pushed by him and casually walked over to the couch. He was looking at her strangely as she grabbed the nightgown she'd tucked behind one of the pillows. She couldn't bring herself to look at him as she nonchalantly tossed it over her shoulder and strolled back toward the bedroom. "Sorry, I forgot something."

 

She didn't say anything else until she'd taken a couple of steps inside the bedroom. Then she called over her shoulder. "I'll only be a few minutes. Just make yourself at home." Make yourself at home? Deb slapped her forehead as she entered the bathroom. How stupid was that!

 

He frowns and stares back at the bedroom door for a few seconds. During that time he resolves to ask her why she apparently keeps nightgowns stuffed in the couch in the main room of their quarters. He coughs slightly as a thought occurs to him. He shakes his head as if to dismiss the thought as he walks over to one of the chairs and sits down. Hopefully she will only be a few minutes as he can feel sleep trying to claim him.

 

Ten minutes later, Deb was staring at her reflection in the bathroom mirror. Her expression was one of shock, dismay and fury. The fury was directed at a certain chief nurse who Deb thought was a good friend. The nightgown Gracie had given her was indeed modest. It was also....ugly....no, not ugly...it was horrific. She was mortified at the thought of Aidan seeing her in it. She was tempted to comm her 'friend' and lay into her at the that very moment. But then, Aidan might hear her. The tongue lashing would have to wait until tomorrow.

 

She slowly opened the bathroom door and peeked into the room. It was empty. She hurried to the bed, ripped back the cover and jumped in, pulling the sheet up to her nose. "It's safe to come in," she called to Aidan, her voice louder than usual. She had to make sure he heard her. There was no way she was getting out of the bed until morning. Even then, she had to be the first up so she could change out of the dreadful nightgown before he saw her. She rolled onto her side and closed her eyes hoping Aidan would be in soon.

 

Aidan steps into the bedroom a minute after Deb called for him. He arches an eyebrow at her having the blanket pulled all the way up to her chin. Idly he wonders if she's like does that normally. He walks over to the bed and pulls back the covers enough so that he can slip under them. Adjusting the covers he settles back against the pillow and sighs tiredly. He glances at her and quietly asks "Just out of curiosity..how do we normally sleep?"

 

"How do we normally sleep?" The question echoed about inside her brain. "I'm not sure I understand what you mean?" she asked reluctantly, knowing all the while she probably did. She just couldn't bring herself to answer him.

 

He shrugs slightly, "You don’t have to answer it. But I was just curious as to how we normally sleep. Meaning if I have my half of the bed and you have yours or something else." He shrugs again "I’m trying to jog my memory I guess."

 

"Something else." The words came out as little more than a whisper. This had always been such a special time....the end of the day.....when they came together in body and soul and then held each other close as sleep carried them into a new day. Deb felt an indescribable sense of loss rear up and nearly consume her. He had to come back to her....there was no alternative....he had to come back. And, in that moment, she knew she would do whatever it took to make that happen.

 

She rolled over and faced him. "We sort of....shared the middle," she said softly while wondering what, if anything, would happen next.

He frowns slightly as he watches a flurry of emotions race through her eyes, emotions that he's not sure how to describe. It was a bit odd to him that he finds himself wishing for the return of his memory not just for his sake but also for hers. As it stands at the moment she's barely more then a stranger to him. And yet....

 

He starts to reach a hand towards hers but he catches himself and finally lets the hand fall away. Softly he murmurs, "Thank you for answering the question. And...I quite intend to get my memory back..for both our sakes."

 

"On that point," she replied quietly, "we both agree." She felt like she should say something else but she had no idea what that might be. The only thing that came to mind was quite simple and probably for the best. She smiled slightly, closed her eyes and whispered, "Good night, Aidan. Sleep well."

 

He settles back against the pillow and softly murmurs "Good night as well, Deb." He listens to her fall asleep for a few minutes before he turns over on side and watches her quietly. He frowns slightly at the thought of what he's going to do if his memories...especially his memories of her..don't come back. Eventually he falls asleep himself.