Thasmin - Love Is Always Wise

Chapter 17: The trauma

//POV Jack\\

I get out of the sickbay, and I hear Yaz's screams. I stay outside, waiting for the Doc, and she arrives a few seconds after.

JACK: What the hell just happened?!

DOC: Don't worry, it's not against you, she even screamed when I touched her hand to put her the ring back. And besides, you're a man, the one who raped her was a man too, it's a trauma that usually happens.

JACK: Do you really believe in what you're saying?

DOC: No of course not! I'm worried to death! She doesn't even cope with a single touch, what am I supposed to do?

JACK: Wait and support her, she lived three weeks of hell, give her time, she needs to recover.

DOC (giggling): Jack, always the voice of wisdom.

JACK: I'm here for you, at your service, Doc.

We laugh a little, to think about something else, but it's a forced laugh. The Doc whispers she's going to rest in her room and I reassure her saying I stay to look after Yaz, I hope she won't scream this time.

\\POV's ending//

Jack looks into the sickbay and sees Yaz's got her eyes opened. He gently knocks the door, to let her know he's here and not to frighten her, which startles her a little. She looks at Jack, first a bit afraid, and then she calms down.

JACK: Yaz, can I get in? Do you mind if I come next to you?

YAZ (unsure): I ... I don't know ... Where's the Doc?

JACK: She thought you were sleeping, she went to sleep too, I told her I'll look after you, if you don't mind ...

YAZ: Okay, come in ...

Jack enters the sickbay and sits next to Yaz's bed. He looks at her, and then looks at Ryan, still knocked out. Yaz seems very uncomfortable and none of them is talking for a few minutes until Jack takes the floor, worried and concerned.

JACK: Yaz, are you okay? I know it's been very hard, but you're safe now, you know you are don't you?

YAZ: I know, but I can't help it ... I feel so bad and filthy and ashamed ... And I feel also guilty about my reaction, I rejected the Doc, I didn't want to, all I want is to be between her arms, but a single touch reminds me the horrors I went through ... It reminds me his face, his sadist smile before doing it ... Oh my god, it's so hard ... I keep seeing it, every seconds ...

JACK: Hey, hey, calm down, we're all here with you ... You must be patient, it will take some time but you'll get better, you'll see ... Do you think you can cope with a friendly hug?

YAZ: Yes, I think I need one ...

Jack's gently cuddling Yaz, and even if at the beginning she starts to be afraid and to freeze, she finally calms down and she lets go everything. She cries in Jack's arms for a moment before being interrupted by Jenny.

JENNY: I'm sorry, I just wanted to come and see how you're doing. Your sister is sleeping

YAZ: I think I'm fine, thanks ... Can I ask you something, both of you?

JACK/JENNY: Yes, of course.

YAZ: I want to see his body, the Master's body, I want to see his dead cold body.

JACK: Will it really help?

YAZ: I want to, please ... It's just a way for me to feel better, to be sure he's dead and gone, to know he won't come back.