30x300 by –yannik–
DAY THIRTY
>>
Tom entered Captain's Ready Room.
"Please, sit down, Ensign."
But he couldn't move. The stars behind the viewport caught him up. Running free. Free at last.
"Ensign? Tom?" she repeated.
"Yes Ma'am!" he snapped out finally, and forced himself to let go of that sight.
"You made it. You served your thirty days in solitary."
"Yes Ma'am!"
"I knew you'd make it. You asked me to let you out sooner, but I knew you'd make it. I took that risk, and you proved me right with your strength and courage. I want you to know I admire that."
He knew what she meant. He wasn't strong, he wasn't brave! He wanted to shout it out in her face, but… Don't spoil the impression, Paris. She wants you to believe, she believes that. You must cling to that, there's nothing else left.
"Due to the circumstances, however" she gazed down to her monitor, to avoid his eyes, to hide emotions, "I need to temporarily reduce your position on the ship. You'll be serving gamma shift on the Bridge. Take your time to recover. Ensign Culhane will keep his duties as Chief Conn for time being. Do you have anything to add?"
Tom gritted his teeth.
"I don't need..." he stopped aprubtly. But she understood.
"Doc requests more help in Sickbay. If you're up to it."
>>
The End.
NOTE: thank you to all who read. Big Thank You to those who reviewed. Enormous THANK YOU to Terri ;). I hope you all return to read my other stories (this one continues in "After Thirty Days"). And if – by any chance – someone would read it in the future – please, review it too. Getting reviews is always a pleasure.
-yannik-