STF

Sacred Heart Hospital - The Sheep Won't Count Themselves

Posted April 24, 2023, 11:59 p.m. by Lieutenant Commander Sharah Fayth (Chief Star Fleet Medical Officer) (Jennifer Ward)

Posted by Lieutenant Commander Sharah Fayth (Chief Star Fleet Medical Officer) in Sacred Heart Hospital - The Sheep Won’t Count Themselves

Posted by General Calvin Harris (Command General- Colonial Customs and Defence Authority) in Sacred Heart Hospital - The Sheep Won’t Count Themselves

Posted by Lieutenant Commander Sharah Fayth (Chief Star Fleet Medical Officer) in Sacred Heart Hospital - The Sheep Won’t Count Themselves
Posted by… suppressed (44) by the Post Ghost! 👻
Living was not the issue. Sleeping was.

Even though Molly had gone through years of extensive therapy to deal with the aftermath of the many difficult situations she had faced on the job, she still found herself tangled in the distant screams, in the helpless feelings, and worst of all, in the agony she had felt. Sleeping didn’t come easy.

Still, for the past few years things had gotten better but in the wake of the Syndicate’s attack and the subsequent taking down of Ashley Newton, Molly found herself back with her old sleeping difficulties.

For the better part of the previous month, with Lucas and Calvin in the hospital, and the investigation that followed, Molly had not slept but rather passed out from exhaustion whenever her body gave in. When her life had become calmer, things were different. Some nights she would sleep the whole night, others she’d sleep for a few hours before waking up sweating in the early hours of the morning with a scream wedged in her throat. Visions of her mangled right hand would cause her to wake up in terrible pain, or the lifeless stares of Ryan, Calvin, or Lucas would haunt her until she finally woke up in the morning. There was no telling what would come and when.

A few years prior, when the first nightmares had started, sleeping medication had become a habit. A routine to be filled every night, when all Molly wanted was to fall asleep, but sleep didn’t come. After years of use, it had become more than that. A ritual that could not be broken. A requirement for a full night’s sleep. One of those practices that Molly could stop whenever she wanted. Or so she told herself every night as she downed yet another pill, or gave herself another hypo, whichever version she happened to have at the time. And yet, now that she needed them the most, they seemed to have stopped working, at least in her usual dosage. So she doubled it.

For the first week it worked perfectly. No more nightmares, no more pain, no more agony, just peaceful dreamless sleep. The second week brought a few restless nights here and there. By the third week, the nightmares were back. So Molly tripled the normal dose, and her peaceful nights returned.

At first, Molly didn’t think anything of the sporadic bouts of dizziness she started feeling during the day. Then, she found herself passed out on the living room floor, being awaken by a very concerned Calvin. Molly shook it off as lack of food. Later that week, she fainted again, this time in HHI’s elevator, having regained consciousness to a panicked young security officer who tried desperately to wake her up. It took only a few minutes for the news to reach Lucas, as he greeted her worriedly when Molly arrived at Sacred Heart to visit him that evening. Once again, she shook it off to a long working day. That night, Molly ended up passing out on the chair next to Lucas’s biobed and never made it home.

The issue finally became impossible to ignore when, a few days later, on her way to her daily visit to her uncle, Molly collapsed on the sidewalk right outside of the main entrance to Sacred Heart Hospital.

As passersby rushed to help what was now one of the most recognizable faces in the Colony, a young Trill hurried into the hospital’s main hall. Running to the Service counter, the panicked young man nearly yelled. “Molly Holloway just passed out by the front doors! I don’t know what happened, she just dropped! Please get some help!!!”

Molly Holloway, CEO Holloway Heavy Industries

The woman at the desk hit a call button that sent a page over the hospital intercom for a team to report to the lobby. She picked up a comm and called up to the security ward. The man said it was Molly Holloway and given the circumstances she wasn’t going to take chances on guessing if she’d been attacked.

The first person to respond was Jal’na. She’d been near by and didn’t pause to wait but was out the door quickly, finding the woman passed out on the ground. She knelt by her head and checked her for injuries, her body curled over, blocking her from view. The Klingon PT having the same cautionary thought that the admin at the desk had. The rest of the team arrived and finding no apparent injuries they stabilized her head, incase of injury, and lifted her onto a stretcher and moved her into the hospital.

In the security ward Yavia had taken the call and moved down to Lucas Holloway’s room and knocked on the door and motioned to Fayth to come out. In the hallway a very silent telepathic conversation commenced. Fayth moved away and grabbed Shrine and left. She stopped outside the door, “Agent Massik,” she moved over next to him, speaking quietly. “Molly Holloway collapsed outside the hospital. I don’t know anything more, but we’re going down. Thought you should know, just in case.”

Dr Fayth and Nurse Shrine were in the lobby meeting the stretcher as the team brought her in and moved her to the ER. “Ger her hooked up to the biobed. I want x-rays of her head and neck. Check her for wounds. Shrine get me a full blood panel, tell the labs to it’s priority.” She turned to the woman, “Molly? Molly can you hear me. It’s Dr Fayth.”

Fayth, SFCMO

External scans and x-rays would show no signs of new injuries or broken bones. Holloway seemed unscathed with the exception of a bruise forming just below her right eye, where her cheekbone had come into contact with the hard pavement when she fell. Blood work on the other hand would show traces of common chemicals usually found in sedative medication. These were in higher concentrations than what would be considered normal for those that took them as prescribed.

“Shrine get that blood work to the lab. I want to know what she has been taking, how long she’s been taking this stuff and what dosages.” Fayth grabbed a dermal regenerator, set it to low and began working on the bruise below her eye.

As would be expected from regenerating a simple bruise, it quickly started to fade and didn’t take long before it was completely gone.

“Molly? Molly can you hear me. It’s Dr Fayth.”

The words came faintly at first, and then became louder and louder. Where was she? Trying to open her eyes, the strong light made her squint, so she closed them again. In her mind, pieces of previous events flashed before her – a Jem’Hadar base, an interrogation table, a Cardassian ship… places she had been taken to against her will and forced to wake up. Where was she now? Where was she?

Fear. For a telepath like Fayth, the emotion was painfully evident. Immediately followed by hot, searing, unbearable pain, almost as if every nerve in Holloway’s body had been set on fire. It was enough to bring even those trained to handle it to their knees, let alone others unfortunate enough to experience it. Yet, as soon as it started, it stopped, as years of training kicked in, walling Molly’s mind upon itself, letting no thought or emotion through.

Fayth grabbed the side of the bed as the fear hit her and just as instantly a wave of peace and comfort flowed out of her, reaching anyone that was open to such things. Then as quickly the fear was gone. Fayth had no way to know if it was her, Molly, or a combination of both. “Molly, you’re at Sacred Heart.”

In the monitor, Holloway’s heart rate spiked, and she tried desperately to sit up. Her hand shooting out to grab the first person in front of her. Or at least that’s what she tried to do. In reality, her arm reached out slowly coming no where near anyone in the room.

Fayth grabbed her hand and lowered it back to the bed and gave it a gentle pat as she watched the monitor. “Shrine get me 8ml of Delactovine to counteract the sedative in her system.”

“Doctor Fayth?” Molly’s speech came heavily slurred but it seemed that the doctor’s words had finally made sense in her mind. She blinked, but her eyelids felt incredibly heavy. The more she tried, the more the room started to spin. “So… dizzy… Where… am I?” Molly’s last words barely had time to leave her lips before she lost consciousness again.

Molly Holloway, CEO Holloway Heavy Industries

“I’m right here Molly. You’re in Sacred Heart. You collapsed outside. Just take some deep breaths and be still.” If the woman tried to get up, she would fall and hurt herself worse. She looked at Shrine, “Let’s get her moved up to the ward. Call up and tell Yavia to prep a room.” Shrine nodded and moved out of the room, returning quickly with a nod. “Molly, just lay still, we’re going to move you. Keep taking deep breaths.” And the bed began to move. Jal’na went with them. Fayth scanned her palm on a back lift that took them up to the third floor. She waved over Agent Massik to identify Molly and then passed through the doors that locked behind them. They wheeled her into the room and in a quick smooth motion moved her to the bed. Fayth was quiet for a long moment while the biobed activated.

Molly didn’t take deep breaths but she did keep breathing. She remained in a very light daze, seemingly going in and out of consciousness. It was clear that she was trying to stay awake, but it was something she was struggling to do.

Yavia, call CCDA and tell General Harris that Molly has been admitted.‘ Sometimes telepathy was really convenient. “Molly? What is the last thing you remember?”

It took a moment for Holloway’s brain to process the question. “I was just outside… going to visit my uncle.” Her voice came in the tired slur characteristic of someone about to go back to sleep. “Then here.”

Molly Holloway, Holloway Heavy Industries

At the nurses desk Yavia picked up her comm and connected to the CCDA main number, then to Harris’ assistant. “This is Nurse Crockett from Sacred Heart, I need to speak to General Harris, about Molly Holloway.”

Fayth, SFCMO

Master Sergeant Brianna Reyes raised an eyebrow but punched the call through without a second’s pause, knowing better than to delay. If something was wrong, Raven would tell her.

A moment later, Harris picked up the call… staring into the pickup, the uniformed CCDA General looked surprised and immediately concerned. =A= Ms. Crockett, this is Calvin Harris… what’s going on with Molly?=A=

Harris, CCDA

Yavia felt for the General. He had only just gotten out of the hospital himself and was still dealing with his own recovery. Plus he was one of those patients that you couldn’t help but love. He was sweet and personable, even if at times gave Jal’na fits. And he was TK’s friend. =/\=She was found collapsed and unconscious outside the hospital. She was brought into the ER. As soon as Dr Fayth knows she is stable she will be bringing her up to the security ward.” There was the sound of clicking and clacking of keys as Yavia scanned the open file for Ms Holloway, “There are pending lab results for blood work, but that’s all I know at the moment.=/\=

Nurse Crockett

Harris looked grave but professional as he gave a curt nod. =A= Understood Ms. Crockett, I’m on my way. Please inform your Security team to expect a Point-to-Point Transport into the Main lobby in 90 seconds. Harris clear=A= With that, the CCDA Commander rose and quickly exited his office. As he neared Jersey’s desk, he said flatly. “Molly’s hurt, I’m on my way to Sacred Heart. Have Tenkiller call me in 20… until then, he’s in charge. I’ll comm you once I know more. All I know is she blacked out just outside the lobby. They have her in the Security ward. See ya in a bit Jersey.” And he was gone, Jersey rapid fire making calls behind him.

Yavia did exactly as he asked, and let Andrew’s know Harris was on his way as well. When Shrine passes by Yavia told her to tell Fayth that she has spoken to Harris ans he was on his way.

Fayth watched the monitors on the biobed, and Molly’s heart and respiration rhythms. The door to her room opened and Shrine handed Fayth the 8ml of Delactovine. Fayth held it in her hands contemplating. Waking a patient that had been sedated carried its own risks, but there was a lot of sedative in her system, and that carried higher risks. It was already affecting her heart and respiration. 8mls was a low dosage though. It wouldn’t get rid of all the sedative but it should relieve the strain of the overdose. Fayth pressed the hypo to Molly’s neck and there was a gentle pop-hiss as the medicine was administered.

Molly’s sedation was strong enough that the empathic doctor felt drowsy herself. She rolled her shoulders and stretched while she watched the monitors and logged into the computer terminal. She input her security clearance and pulled up Molly’s medical records. She was looking for any prescription she might have been given that would cause this, as well as dosage and prescribing doctor and to see how often they were monitoring Molly’s usage. She didn’t know if Molly had been drugged by someone else or this was accidentally self-inflicted, but she had to start somewhere. She was also looking for details about the injuries she had noticed on the scans. Finding no mention of the injuries, Sharah then did a search of all the local records for anyone having been treated for hand and neck injuries like that. Perhaps Molly had been seen anonymously. That hand injuries would have required surgery, there would be a record somewhere - but there was not.

Fayth, SFCMO

There was little mention to sedative medication in Molly’s files. There was the record of a prescription given to her on the Dresden four years prior, but it had expired and there was no record of it being renewed. However, one of the last notes on her file mentioned the request and approval for a sleeping aid, signed off by a doctor Marcus Albertson. If looked up, the name would match that of the main physician for Holloway Heavy Industries. It would seem that Molly had personally requested it and that the medication had been granted to her. The request had happened a few weeks ago, a few days after Calvin had been released from Sacred Heart.

As for her hand and neck, even though it would be apparent to a trained doctor like Sharah that they had recently been injured and received treatment, there was nothing on Molly’s file that would suggest it. In fact, it was as if they had never happened.

The contents of the hypo took a second to take in effect, but after a moment Molly took a deep breath, as if she was just waking up from a deep slumber. “Where am I?” The words came substantially less slurred than before, but it seemed that she had no recollection of had just asked the same question moments prior.

Molly Holloway, CEO Holloway Heavy Industries

“You’re at Sacred Heart, Molly.” Fayth squeezed her hand. “You passed out, but you’re going to be fine.” She spoke evenly keeping up that calming presence. Making sure Molly had time to process what she was telling her. “Right now I need you to listen to Nurse Shrine, alright. Relax and breathe slow and evenly.” Shrine came and took over, making sure Molly did slow deep breathing exercises and was responding well to the medication. Sharah wanted her heart and respiration to even out and maintain.

Fayth’s calming presence helped guiding Molly to a more relaxed state as she took in her surroundings. Yet, everything in her mind seemed like a blur and the questions were starting to pile up. Still, she nodded at Sharah’s answer and turned her attention to Shrine, allowing the nurse to help her with the exercises. Eventually, her heart and breathing stabilized into what would be considered a normal rate.

Molly Holloway, CEO Holloway Heavy Industries

“There we go Ms Holloway. Keep that up. Don’t try to get up though. But we can incline the bed a bit and see how you do if you like.” Shrine patted her hand in a very grandmotherly way. “Would you like some water or ice chips?”

“The bed is fine.” Molly said half absentmindedly as her mind was still trying to process everything around her. “Wait…” She said abruptly as she finally processed Shrine’s words. “Why should I not get up?” There was no rudeness or condescension in her words, rather genuine curiosity. She was starting to feel better, the sleepiness and grogginess slowly fading away even though the tiredness was still there. Her speech was now sounding much closer to her normal pitch and speed, even though it was not quite there yet. Holloway’s eyes suddenly widened in alarm. “I can’t stay the night… My uncle is going to be worried… and Calvin–” Molly’s words cut abruptly as thoughts rushed to the front of her mind. Her gaze looked pleadingly at Shrine. “I’ll be able to leave soon right? They can’t know I’m here! They’ll be worried sick for no reason!” The question about water completely forgotten.

Molly Holloway, CEO Holloway Heavy Industries

Shrine waited for the barrage of questions. “You should not get up because you on fall watch because you collapsed unexpectedly. As for staying that will depend on Dr. Fayth. She will be back in a few minutes. I’ll stay with you until she does.” Shrine did not mention that Harris had already arrived. Shrine didn’t know if anyone had told Lucas Holloway or not.

General Calvin Harris appeared a meter outside the main door to Sacred Heart exactly 90 seconds later. Striding in, his cane nowhere to be seen, he walked straight to the Security Ward… the guard by the door opening it immediately as he approached. “Thank you Tommy.” Calvin said politely. “Crockett called me… where’s Director Holloway?” Thomas Andrews shook his head. “I don’t know which room General, but I would check with Central…” He pointed to the large desk in the center of the Ward. “… I’m sure they can help Sir.” Harris nodded and patted the young guard on the shoulder before walking in. Reaching the desk, he said in a clear voice. “Crockett called me about Molly Holloway, can someone tell me where she is?”

General Calvin Harris, CCDA

Yavia met him at the desk. “General Harris, right this way.” It wasn’t far. They had put Molly in what had been his room. The same security protocols were in place, but before he could place a hand to the scanner, Fayth appeared in the door way.

Nurse Crockett

“She’s going to be okay.” That was the first thing Dr. Fayth said to him. “She’s groggy and her heart and lung rhythms were off, but they are stabilizing. I know you want to see her, and that’s fine. But before either of us questions her, we need to talk.” She stepped out of the way so he could go in if he wanted to see her first.

Fayth, SFCMO

Harris shook his head. “If you say she’s ok, I trust that she is.” The General motioned across the hall to a small seating area. “Please, Sharah, ask any questions you might have.” With that, Harris walked to the seating area and lowered himself onto a bench. As he did, Fayth could feel him already starting to calm.

Harris, CCDA

Sharah walked over and sat down across from Harris. She took a deep breath and as she let it out she allowed her inner calm to expand from her and fill the space, thankful for the calm efficiency of the medical staff in the ward. Her concern was clear on her face however. “Molly overdosed on sedatives, General. We have no record that she saw anyone here for such a prescription. There is a note that she asked Dr Marcus Albertson for a sleep aid. That sleep aid however wouldn’t cause these symptoms. Albertson is listed as working for HHI. Did you know Molly had requested or was taking a new medication?”

Harris sighed, now was certainly not the time to hide concerns he had had for some time. “Not new Sharah, but I have had concerns of late that she was taking more than she should…” The General sighed once more, looking at the floor as his shoulders dropped. “… since I’ve been home, I’ve noticed little things.... grogginess, forgetfulness, and her sleeping rather hard at times. About three weeks ago, I questioned her on the meds ‘cause of the changes and was gently brushed me off with the ‘just a hard day’. I didn’t push the subject… now I kindly wish I had.” After a pause, he added. “As for Alberston, I believe he is a Senior Medical Officer for HHI.”

“My other concern is Molly has recently been severely injured. Her right (OOC: I think right…if that’s wrong just assume Fayth said left. Couldn’t find the info) hand has been shattered and repaired and there is nerve damage. She was also cut along the neck and close to the throat, my best guess is from something wrapped around her neck. We have no record of her or any other patient coming into the hospital to have those injuries treated. Where you aware of these injuries?”

There was a pause, a noticeably one, then the General took a deep breath. Sharah would feel the immediate mental walls of the veteran former Marine & Intel Officer snap sharply into place. Closing his eyes, Harris took one further breath and looked to Fayth. “Yes, I am aware… but unfortunately, Doctor, you are not cleared for that particular mission. Hell… I’m technically not cleared for it and don’t know even a fraction of the details. I do know it was repaired quite quickly. If there is something that needs to be fix, I’m sure Molly would appreciate it… but don’t ask her for details, cause she won’t give them.”

Sharah’s years in Star Fleet weren’t many, but they were filled with experiences that most of her fellow cadets wouldn’t even dream of. The slamming of the mental walls was enough to tell her everything she needed to know. “It’s possible it could be fixed. Eraras would be the best to ask. But if it had been repaired correctly instead that shoddy work…” Sharah paused and took a deep breath, “Instead of the rushed treatment she was given, her hand didn’t have to be like that.” Their oaths as doctors and the privacy of their patients meant more than some classified clearance level. They would have taken care of Molly. And of course Harris knew because he’d had the same briefing Tenkiller had, what Sharah was and how high her clearance actually went. Sharah had never had to use it, nor did she want to, but it was there. The damage was already done though.

“We are waiting on her blood work to come back to find out how long the sedative has been in her system. But given the recent attack on yourself and her uncle, and those injuries, and her sudden collapse, I am more than concerned.”

Fayth, SFCMO

“Understood…” Harris nodded. “… I just hope the info I could give you helps. I would get Alberston on the horn and find out just what the hell he gave her.”

Harris, CCDA

Sharah nodded, “It does. I will speak to Albertson today.” She paused before standing and unusual for her, used his first name, “Calvin, she’s very lucky she collapsed outside the hospital and we were able to give her treatment so quickly. It would have stopped her heart. She can’t leave until all remnants of the drug are out of her system, and since she’s obviously built up a tolerance, she can’t ever take it again. I’ve already logged it in her medical file. And she will have to undergo a psychiatric evaluation before I can release her.”

“If you’re ready we can go see her, or if you want to see her first I can come in a few minutes.”

Fayth, SFCMO

As Harris sighed once more, his walls came down just enough for Sharah to feel the intense concern coursing through Calvin as he looked sadly down the hall from the direction she had first come from. “If it would be OK, I would like to talk to Molly privately for a few.” His tone was sad as his eyes, the look of a man that had been through much unspoken traumas in his life. “I think… I think it would be best to talk to her one on one. I agree we need to find out just what the hell is going on and I’m certain that if Molly opens up to anyone, it would be either me or…” His voice trailed off as he stood. “Please Doctor… lead the way.”

Harris dutifully followed Fayth down the hall to Molly’s room, scanned in and stepped inside, silently thanking Sharah as he stepped past.

As the door closed, Calvin forced a smile as he walked to the BioBed… then took Molly’s hand in his. “Hey Baby… how ya feelin’?”

Harris, CCDA

“Calvin…” Molly whispered the word, a hurt expression on her face as she glanced at nurse Shrine. She sighed softly. It wasn’t the woman’s fault that he was there. Cal was her emergency contact after all, so it wasn’t unexpected that he had been the first to know the news. And knowing Cal… well… she imagined he had beamed as close to her as possible, even if he had an absolute hatred for transporters. He had always been like this, and with everything that they had been through together, and everything that had just happened recently, she couldn’t blame him.

“I’m fine, Calvin.” Molly finally said, giving the former Marine a tired smile. “Just tired… it’s been… maybe I have been overexerting myself more than I thought.” She was trying to keep the conversation casual, wanting to make it seem like there was nothing to worry about. She shook her head, her expression pleading. “I was coming in to visit Uncle Luc… he’s going to be worried if I don’t show up… but if he knows what happened… he’s going to think that I’ve been attacked and he’s going to put me under house arrest!” It was a metaphor and Cal would know it. “For as much as he hates when I tell him he shouldn’t be worried about working from the hospital, and instead should be focusing on getting better, he has no problem making sure others do what he doesn’t want to do! He’ll tell Dominique and I’ll be locked out of my office for the rest of the week and we’ll have a full security detachment around the house to protect me against some invisible threat that he thinks is out there!” Molly was visibly distressed with the idea, and the heart rate monitor reflected it, as the numbers started to increase.

Calvin gripped Molly’s hand a bit tighter, patting it with his free hand. “Molly… Baby…” His voice was very soft, a gentle… loving tone Molly had never heard from the man. “… you need to calm down for me, Love. You’re the one that’s supposed to be warning me about my blood pressure but this time, I have to address it with you.” His smile was warm, caring, and completely focused on her and only her. “Let me handle Dominique and Lucas. You need to rest. We’ll talk about everything, I promise Love, after they get some fluids in you and you’ve rested.”

Suddenly, Holloway’s eyes widened. “Oh no… the press! They are going to run rampant with it… He’s going to know either way… Cal, can you go see him and put some sense into his head? Please… I’d rather he hears it from you…”

Molly Holloway, CEO Holloway Heavy Industries

“The press knows nothing nor will they, Molly.” Harris continued. “Let me worry about that too, OK. As I said, I’m happy to run interference all day long for you Love… but I…” He paused, looking uncomfortable. “… I need you to promise me. Promise me that you will never touch that goddamn sleeping medicine again.” He looked genuinely concerned. “You were very lucky Molly… cause the amount you were taking nearly killed you. Your…” He sighed. “… your body has built up enough of it in your system that another dose very well could kill you! So please…” His eyes were sad and frightened. “… no more sleeping pills. Burn yourself out at the gym…” He gave a half hearted snort and smirk. “… hell, wear yourself out at home…” Harris winked playfully but it was obvious his heart wasn’t in the joke and he was just trying to make her smile. “… but don’t go down this road again. I could’ve lost you Molls. Please.”

Harris, CCDA

When Cal finished speaking, Molly looked hurt and she didn’t try to hide it. On the one hand, he was being incredibly gentle, which was new territory to her, but that was quickly set aside in her mind, as without knowing anything else, she perceived it as him assuming things he was not entirely familiar with.

“What are you talking about!?” There was genuine outrage in Molly’s tone. “Those pills can’t kill me, besides, how am I supposed to do anything during the day if I can’t sleep at night? Those pills have saved me from a lot of trouble already. If Albertson gave them to me, they’re fine. We’ve been over this.” She was conveniently glossing over the fact that she had been taking higher doses than the recommended ones. “He’s been Uncle Luc’s doctor for years!” Holloway shook her head. “You don’t know what you’re talking about.” It was a conversation that both had had many times. “And until someone with actual medical qualifications tells me otherwise, I’m taking them.”

“Like the fracking hell you are!” The snap of Calvin’s voice was like the crack of a whip, his face reddening as his eyes locked with Molly’s. “If I find out that son of a bitch gave you one more pill, I’ll personally throw his ass out a goddamn airlock.” Then, as quickly as it came, Harris’ face lightened and he sighed. “Molls, look… I’m sorry. I’m just scared OK. Those damn pills are dangerous, my love. Please…”

And there was the Calvin Harris she knew. Still, she thought that he was scared of something that he had no reason to be. But they would talk about it later.

Molly sighed, squeezing Cal’s hand back, but not a lot of heart had been placed behind the action. “I’m just… tired. It’s been incredibly hard to manage the company without guidance.” She paused, shaking her head. “And yes, you can tell me all you want about how Dominique would be willing to help me, and how the departments know what to do on their own. That can all be true, but I’ve been here for over a year. It’s time to show that I can do what’s required of me.”

Molly Holloway, CEO Holloway Heavy Industries

“Molly…” Calvin sighed and gave the woman he loved a tired smile of his own. “… you are an incredibly gifted administrator, you always have been. In many ways, far better than I could ever imagine being. But…” Harris squeezed Molly’s hand once again. “… the thing you fail to recognize, my love, is your family’s company has existed… literally… longer than the Federation itself. You have a knowledge trust of management and operational support that is unmatched by likely any firm in existence today. You don’t build a company like HHI by burning out the leadership to where they die from exhaustion in just a few years… hell…” He laughed. “… even with modern healthcare, the Pope drops dead after around fifteen years! And he leads billions of Catholics!” Calvin patted her hand. “You’ve already shown what you can do Molly… now, please… foot off the gas and let your company work for you.”

Harris, CCDA

Molly huffed. He wasn’t getting it, but there was no point in continuing with the subject. It wasn’t like she was being completely truthful anyway. The real reason why she had had trouble sleeping again was not something she could disclose, even to Calvin, both because he didn’t have clearance to know it, but most of all because of the implications of what she had done. Ryan had tried to justify it, to make it sound… reasonable, almost. But she had seen the fear in the eyes of the officers in Ryan’s team. Section 31 officers, fully trained to deal with the hardest of situations, and yet… the terror in their eyes had been a testament to the truly horrible scene that happened right in front of them… and that Molly still couldn’t remember. Maybe it was for the better.

On the other hand, Ashley Newton’s reappearance had open back up many old wounds. Things that she had worked hard for years to live with. It felt like the past years’ worth of therapy had gone to waste, if a single encounter was enough to break it all up again.

She sighed. Molly knew that Ryan and Cal had spoken, and whatever the men had discussed was more than enough for Calvin to know. Now, if only she could go home, return to her job and ignore that all of this had happened.

“Look, Calvin…” Molly finally started. “We’ll discuss this later. Can you see if Doctor Fayth is available? I need to go check on Uncle Luc and I have an early morning tomorrow. I need to leave.”

Molly Holloway, CEO Holloway Heavy Industries

Calvin smirked. “Sharah is standing the other side of that door… I’ve already spoken to her, Baby.” There was a softness to his voice. “That’s why I know what I do. I just asked for a few minutes alone. Would you like me to get her?” Harris asked before quickly adding. “And if you think you’re leaving this room in the next day or so, you’re nuts.”

Harris, CCDA

Annoyance gave way to hurt, yet again. “So… you just decided not to tell me.” The sting crossed into her tone. Molly scoffed. “Great. I guess I can’t even trust you to tell me everything either.” She felt like she had made a fool of herself by arguing with him about the sleeping pills when it seemed that he had already been told they were the cause, but chose not to relay that information to her. “Just go get her, please.” Pinching the bridge of her nose in frustration, she ignored Cal’s last comment. “And let me talk to her alone. Please. I don’t need anyone else making decisions for me or casting judgement on my behalf.” Molly wanted to know exactly what was going on. Whatever it was, she could fix it on her own.

Molly Holloway, CEO Holloway Heavy Industries

Calvin left Molly’s side with an air of defeat, sighing heavily and walking to the door. Stepping through the threshold, the General looked to Sharah with sadness in his eyes. “She’s your’s Doc… I think I just made it worse. I’ll… I’ll be here when you get done.” Without another word, Harris walked to the sitting area to wait, pulling out his TextComm and reviewing a message he’d just received with another heaving sigh.

General Calvin Harris, CCDA

Molly watched Cal leave, sadness settling in on the hurt. She knew that he hadn’t mean it, but it felt like he had purposely hid from her not only the fact that he had spoken to Fayth but also whatever she had relayed to her. She sighed.

Sharah patted Calvin on the shoulder as he walked past. It wasn’t difficult to tell from the emotions coming out if Molly’s room that things were not going well. It was hard for them to each be on the flip side of things. Sharah stepped through the door waving at Shrine and giving Yavia a nod to check on Calvin in a bit.

Sharah scanned in and then walked over to the bed. “Molly.”

Fayth, SFCMO

Laying back on the biobed, Molly closed her eyes for just a moment, trying to settle the swirl of sadness, hurt, and confusion that seemed to emanate from her. When she heard her name, she opened her eyes, finding herself staring at the person she wanted to talk to.

“Doctor Fayth.” Molly said in way of greeting, trying to sit up on the biobed only for the dizziness to return. Laying back down, she offered Sharah the best smile she could muster, which given the circumstances, was not the most cheerful one. “I’m so sorry to take up your time like this… I know you have more important things to do, so I’ll make it quick. Calvin mentioned he spoke to you but he didn’t manage to tell me a lot of details about what was going on… do you mind filling me in? I’m feeling a lot better now and I have a busy day tomorrow so the quicker I get back home, the better.” Her tone was quieter than usual but had her usual clip and had lost the slur it had held when she had first come into the hospital.

Molly Holloway, CEO Holloway Heavy Industries

Sharah looked at her a long quiet moment. “Please do not do that, Ms Holloway. You are equally important to every other patient in this hospital. I have nothing more important to do than see to your care.” Sharah pulled over a chair and sat. She gave the woman a very long appraising stare, seeing more than what the woman wanted. There was compassion there but steel as well. “Ms Holloway, Molly, you ODed on sleeping medication. You collapsed outside the hospital. Your lucky, had you been anywhere else, we wouldn’t have gotten to you fast enough to counteract the medication and prevent it from stopping your heart. You won’t be going anywhere for a few days.”

Fayth, SFCMO

Molly seemed stunned at the revelation, her eyes wide. One wouldn’t have to be a telepath to see the internal gears at work. So that was why Cal had been so concerned. To her, sleeping medication was just… that. Something that helped her silence the nightmares that flashed before her eyes when she closed them. The only real danger being taking it with alcohol, which Molly didn’t have to worry about since she didn’t drink. And yet she was being told that she could have died.

“I…” Her gaze returned to Sharah’s. “How? I’ve been taking them for years and nothing ever happened.” She seemed genuinely confused, but the doctor would be able to feel that there was still some resistance to the idea. She was not doubting Fayth’s knowledge though, rather trying to understand. Over the past few weeks Calvin had expressed his concern about her medication and the amount she had been taking, they had even butted heads over it a few times and it was a sore subject between them, but Molly had never perceived it to be this dangerous.

“The type of medication you were taking is a dual action. A low dose tranquilizer to act immediately to relax you and make you sleepy, the other a controlled release sedative to keep you asleep. When on these types of medications you should be seen regularly by a doctor. Thi is because eventually your body can build a tolerance. Dosages have to be carefully monitored because anything that can put you to sleep slows your bodily functions and stop your heart. You have been taking more than the maximum safe dosage.”

“Dr. Fayth… I feel fine.” Molly said in a pleading tone. “Can’t I just be prescribed something else and go home?” During the day, Holloway didn’t have a lot of trouble staying away from the darker places her mind would take her. The work day, the visits to her uncle, and the evenings spent with Cal constituted a distracting enough routine that she didn’t find the time to mull over what had happened a month prior. It was at night that her brain found the time and presented to her unwillingly a myriad of different scenarios, some real, some not, but each more horrifying than the last. If she stayed at the hospital, her routine and the daily distractions would be gone. If she stayed at the hospital, her uncle would find out, and would likely tell Albertson to refuse to prescribe her anything else. If she stayed at the hospital, the nightmares would return, and she was terrified.

Molly Holloway, CEO Holloway Heavy Industries

Fayth sighed. “No I can not. Until I know all the medication is out of your system, I am keeping you for observation. And because you ODed on a medication, that you took it outside of the recommended dosing you have to undergo a psychological evaluation. After those things happen, then we can look at when you could be discharged.”

Fayth, SFCMO

And because you ODed on a medication, that you took it outside of the recommended dosing you have to undergo a psychological evaluation. The words rang on Molly’s head for a moment. A psychological evaluation? Because of the medication’s dosage? Molly had never mentioned how much medication she had taken. Was Sharah assuming that’s what had happened? Regardless of the truth of the doctor’s statement (which was, in fact, correct), Molly was too proud to admit her own mistakes, especially when she still firmly believed she had done the right thing.

“Doctor Fayth… with all due respect…” Molly started in what she hoped would come out as a calm and collected tone. “I don’t see why I would require a psychological evaluation. Unless you’re suggesting I have a problem with addiction and that I will end up here again? Because I can assure you… I don’t have a problem. In fact, I can stop taking the medication whenever I want. I just prefer not to do so.”

Molly Holloway, CEO Holloway Heavy Industries

Fayth stared at her with that look all doctors get when you say something and purposely ‘misunderstand’ to distract them. “Your problem is not addiction. This medication is not addictive. No Miss Holloway, I am suggesting you have a problem that is preventing you from sleeping. Which is why you kept upping your dose on your own instead of talking to a doctor about your dose. Which means you are in need of an evaluation.” She glanced at the time. “That’s good you can quit, because of 3 hours ago, you did.”

Fayth, SFCMO

Molly glared at Fayth, and for a moment it seemed like she had no comeback available. She huffed, crossing her arms in front of her chest, before mindlessly stretching her right hand, almost as if she was trying to relieve some sort of pressure. Her gaze shifted away from the doctor momentarily and she mulled over the situation. For an instant, Molly Holloway looked more like a petulant five year old than the adult in charge of one of the largest companies in the sector. It was clear that she wasn’t used to being told ‘no’.

Finally, Molly’s light brown eyes settled on Sharah once more. “Fine.” There was a air of finality to her words. She wasn’t exactly in a position to argue. After all, she could be deemed unfit for her job with the stroke of a pen, and unlike the last time, this was a conundrum she was sure her uncle wouldn’t help bailing her out from. “I already see someone on a regular basis back in San Francisco. I’m sure they could do the evaluation. I’m sure their contact is on my file.” It wasn’t a secret that Molly had been part of the Intelligence community in the past. In fact, it had been something touted by most business media outlets when she had first joined HHI. “Unless of course, you have someone in mind who just so happens to have enough clearance?”

Molly Holloway, CEO Holloway Heavy Industries

“I do have someone in mind.” Sharah would call Tandra down. She’d have to have Tandra run through the CCDA background check, but that shouldn’t take long, she hoped. She would ask Harris to expedite it so they could go ahead and figure out how best to help Molly. “I’ll make the arrangements for that. In the meantime, you should increase your water intake to help flush your system. You’ve been labeled a fall risk for the moment. If you get up on your own, your bed will alarm. It’s a safety precaution until we know the drug is out of your system. We’ll get you up in about an hour and see how you do. After your eval we can discuss a new medication, if you need it.”

Fayth, SFCMO

Molly nodded and sighed. Her own stubbornness made her no stranger to being confined to her biobed, but at least an alarm was better than a force field. “Thank you, doctor.” Fayth would be able to feel the annoyance she was feeling, but deep down there was a hint of gratitude, which justified the reluctance in her words. “The alarm won’t be necessary, but I understand.”

Sharah smiled, “The alarm isn’t to restrict you, but for precaution. What if you sat up in the bed too fast and fainted? You could fall out of the bed, even with the railings.”

“Oh…” The surprise was obvious in Molly’s tone, even if she had managed to suppress most of the actual feeling. She nodded in understanding. “Of course… thank you.” The final words were more hesitant, trying to hide the gratitude behind them.

After another pause, Molly asked in a tentative tone, almost as if she was afraid to bother Sharah. “Also… would it be possible for someone to check on Calvin? He should be around… he probably hasn’t eaten anything since lunch and… from my experience whenever I have some medical issue he’s too stubborn to eat. Just want to make sure he’s okay. Also…” Molly took a deep breath and rubbed her eyes for a moment. “Is it possible for someone to let my uncle know that I’m okay? I was on my way to visit him and by this time he’s probably worried sick. If that would be okay, that is. I know you and your staff have more important things to do than run my errands…”

Molly Holloway, CEO Holloway Heavy Industries

Sharah just gave her a look. “It is not problem. That is what we are here for.” ‘Ilena would you check on Harris, make sure he is okay. Molly is worried about him.‘ There was a quick affirmative. Sharah’s gaze refocused, “Would you prefer General Harris to talk to your uncle? I am happy to, but if you would prefer that I can pass on the request. When you are able to get up safely I think we might manage to let you go see him for a bit. He’s just across the hall after all.”

Molly smiled. “It’s fine either way…” She knew how her uncle was going to react to the news anyway. Or at least she thought she knew. Whoever the messenger turned out to be wouldn’t make much of a difference. “Which ever is less troublesome for you.” She sighed softly and closed her eyes for a moment before refocusing her gaze on Sharah. “Thank you again, doctor. I’d appreciate it if I could visit him whenever it would be okay. In the meantime I’ll wait for the psychological evaluation.” Her head hurt just thinking about it. “The faster it will be done, the better.”

Molly Holloway, CEO Holloway Heavy Industries

“I’ll set it up right away.” Fayth left the room and called up to counseling and requested Lt Mika come down.

Out of the room Ilena went looking for Harris. Poor man had been through a lot and now this.

Fayth and Ilena

Harris was still banging away on his TextComm when at the sound of Ilena approaching, the General’s eyes snapped up to meet hers. Standing about two meters to his left, her arms crossed and starring out the window, was HHI’s COO… Dominique Bruner. She too turned to face Ilena then with nothing more than a nod to Calvin, she stepped away to give the nurse & General some privacy. Harris stood quickly, too quickly for his condition, and without a second thought… snapped out his collapsable cane. Finally steady, he looked at Ilena through tear-reddened eyes. “How is she?”

Harris, CCDA

“Well to put it honestly, but not very professionally, she’s pi$$ed. She’s tottering back and forth between minimalizing it with an apology and arguing with Dr Fayth. Dr. Fayth isn’t budging.” Ilena placed a hand on his shoulder. “She asked us to check on you, make sure you were okay.” She guided him back to the chair and sat with him.

Calvin was visibly shaken as he walked back to the chair and settled gently back where he was seated. Methodically folding his cane as he talked, Harris’ eyes returned to Ilena’s. He was very shaken. “How long does Sharah think she’ll be down? If she fell, I don’t know how good of an idea it is for her to be on her feet too soon.”

“Well right now we ate judging by how well she can communicate. If she is slurred or confused then that indicates either too much of the sedative is in her system, or a different problem. But based on how she is carrying on, that won’t be an issue. One thing that will help is letting her walk around. Gets the blood and oxygen moving. But we will be right with her. If she can’t stand or walk on her own, she’ll go back to bed,” Ilena explained.

“Dr. Fayth said she can try to get up in an hour and walk around her room. If she does well, we will let her go across the hall to visit Mr Holloway. That seemed very important to her. Dr Fayth is ordering a psych evaluation and then she will come talk to you.”

The General’s eyebrows scrunched. “Wait a minute! A psych eval?! What does a psych eval have to do with…” Harris cut himself off, taking a deep breath, he apologized. “I’m sorry Ilena, I know most of this is questions for Sharah. Did… did Molly say anything else?”

Ilena patted his arm gently. “A psych eval is standard when an overdose happens when the patient is self administering the medication. It doesn’t mean anything is wrong, or UT might uncover something.”

“Molly asked us to tell Lucas she was okay and would see him later. Molly left it up to us who tells him. If we tell him, that is all we can say. If you tell him, you can decide how much and how to tell him.”

Fayth and Ilena

“Once I know more…” Calvin began. “… I’ll go speak to her Uncle. I’ve gotten him as up to speed as I can via TextCom, but I’ll go speak to him in person after Sharah & I talk.” He seemed unfocused, his mind clearly in the room with Molly more than with him but he was trying.

Ilena nodded, “Can I bring you anything, General?” Ilena asked gently. He was a much beloved figure now and she hated seeing him so worried.

The General gave the smallest and briefest of nods, softly saying. “Water.... please” His voice was barely above a whisper as he stared at the floor in front of him.

Mika responded quickly to Fayth’s page. It took her a few minutes to arrive to Sharah’s location from the psych wing. When she did, she asked, “I was paged?”

~ Mika

After speaking with Mika, Sharah made her way over to Calvin and Ilena. She handed him a chilled bottle of water and took a seat. “How are you holding up, General?”

Fayth, SFCMO

Sharah would feel the panic and concern radiating from Harris like a beacon. It was clear that he had been crying recently and didn’t really give a damn if anyone knew that he had. “Scared…” Came the voice-cracked response. “… thankful she was here and not at home. I…” His voice caught. “… I wouldn’t have found her… for hours.” The thought of what might have been absolutely terrified the veteran Marine. He took a drink and said softly. “I… I don’t know… I don’t know what I’d do if… I lost her.” The ghosts of Harris’ past floated through his mind. A beautiful redheaded teen in a cheerleader uniform… a dark haired woman in Security yellow… two nondescript caskets. The pain coming from Calvin in that moment as the images of a teenage girl weeping, laying atop one of the caskets sobbing… beating on the lid… were like a physical force. Tangible and unrelenting. Harris’ shoulders slumped forward, the collapsable cane clattering to the floor as the weight of what had happened hit Harris full force… and he leaned forward, his elbows on his knees, as his body was racked with near uncontrollable sobs.

Harris, CCDA

Sharah ached, her chest felt like a hot knife was tearing into it. His pain swirled cruelly through and put of him. Sharah took a deep breath and reached for a well of calm and comfort and with a slow exhale she let it swirl out from her as an offering for anyone who needed it. “I am very glad she was here too, Calvin. And we are going to take care of her and make sure she is okay. I promise. Whether she wants us to or not.” She patted his hand and continued to offer up that calm. “What can I do for you? What questions do you have?”

Fayth, SFCMO

“I…” Harris began with a soft gasp. “… I just want to know… if… if she’ll be alright.” The calm Fayth radiated took a lot of strength to bring the man down from the incredible fear he was experiencing. Then… there were flashes coming to Fayth, terrible images of Molly’s broken body… a terrifying rage boiling up from within the man in a vision that seemed a lifetime ago then the icy, deathly calm one could only associate with a trained killer. A transporter buffer glowed before the thunder of old earth firearms roared in a deafening chorus of violence as Harris and his team destroyed every living thing on a starship. Cold, lethal retribution for a crime likely buried behind a wall of Black Clearance secret records. Then the image of the same ship disappearing in a blinding flash as a nuclear explosion wiped from existence any evidence of the ship from history. Then, without warning, the feeling of soul-shattering helplessness crashed over the General… the fear was that, unlike before… he lacked the power to fix this, right this, to bring justice to the villain that dared to hurt the woman he loved.

A moment later, Harris’ eyes snapped to Fayth, the hollowness and emptiness in his eyes was unsettling. “I’ve never…” His tone gentle. “… never felt like this… before, Sharah. I… I can’t fix this… I can’t protect her. What do I do? How do… how do I stop feeling so helpless?” Tears streamed down a face that looked suddenly older. It was very clear that the man before her was broken… and in desperate need for an answer to a fear he’d never before faced.

Harris, CCDA

Sharah inhaled deeply and held it before letting it out slowly. Her soul ached for this man. “She’s going to be okay, Calvin. Her heart rate and respiration are stable. We aren’t going to give her anything else until we know why this happened, and we aren’t going to let her go home until we know she will be fine when she does.” Sharah reached over and held his hand in both of hers for just a moment. “The demons that live inside us are the hardest to battle.” Sharah met his gaze, she spoke from personal experience. “Sit with her, hold her hand, and be patient. Don’t accept the rouse that she’s fine. She may not be ready to say what is wrong. Listen, pay attention to even the smallest body language. It will be the hardest battle because it requires you to be still and wait, but you’ll know what to do when she’s ready.”

Fayth, SFCMO

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