After Dinner

[Nicolas Lepage 0]

Simon was sitting at the desk in his office. He had meant to read some reports but at the moment he was simply staring at the bulkhead in front of him. He had no idea what time it was. All he knew was that he should be in bed sleeping. Outside in sickbay the lights were dimmed to allow patients to sleep.

Simon, however, knew he’d not be able to sleep tonight. Too much had happened during the day. Too many bad things. Funny enough it had started and ended with fights with Kes. In between he had argued with other women. He sighed. It definitely hadn’t been his day.

 

He was still wondering what exactly had gone wrong between Kes and him today. Seeing her again for the first time after such a long time had hurt. He hated to admit it but he was still, had always been, in love with her. Now she had walked back into his life just as if nothing had happened. She didn’t care a bit about how he felt.

 

When they had met for dinner only a few hours ago things had started out well enough. Granted, Kes had been mad for some reason but wouldn’t talk about it. So they had had dinner and talked about good old times. He didn’t remember, now, at what point things had started to go wrong. They had ended up shouting at each other, each blaming the other for the failure of their relationship. He let his head drop on his desk and closed his eyes briefly.

 

The image of Captain Jalil standing in front of his desk appeared before Simon’s eyes. He moaned and looked up quickly to make sure she wasn’t really there. The last thing he needed now was another fight with this impertinent woman. Fortunately his office was still empty. Simon considered drinking a whiskey or two but dismissed the thought. Not sleeping and being drunk probably would get him into trouble.

 

He picked up a PADD from his desk and started to read. After only a few seconds he gave up the attempt. Simon tossed the PADD back on his desk a bit too violently and it fell down off the other side. He got up, frustrated and mad at the universe in general. When he stooped down to pick up the PADD his back made an ominous sound and straightening hurt. Putting the PADD on his desk he leaned on it with his hands and stretched his back. Pain shot through the lower part of it and he decided to just go to his quarters and lie down. He hoped that by the time his shift started he would have slept a bit and feel better.