Title: Cancer

Rating: PG-13(?)

Pairings – I'm not 100% sure yet, but almost definitely Chekov/Sulu and maybe some Spirk or something if I can fit it in.

A/N: I have never had this disease, or known anyone with this type of cancer, so all of my information comes from Wikipedia. If I have something wrong, don't flame, but tell me so I can fix it. This takes place a year after the movie, so Chekov is approaching the age of 19. Enjoy!

Warnings: Some language (Mostly by Bones), eventual slash (DLDR, ok?), and serious themes.

Disclaimer: I wish I owned Star Trek. 'Specially Chekov!!

It started on Monday. Everyone noticed how weird Ensign Chekov was acting almost immediately. The whiz kid was tired, groggy, and unfocused all of the time, He looked as if he was losing weight, and he was short-tempered and irritable, which was very unusual for the happy, optimistic navigator. Most of the crew dismissed it as crazy teenage hormones, but not Hikaru Sulu.

Pavel had been Sulu's best friend on the Enterprise from day one, and he could tell that whatever was going on wasn't normal for the young Russian. By lunchtime on Wednesday, things had only gotten worse, and Sulu was very worried.

"Hey, kid, you gotta eat something" Bones insisted for third day in a row.

"I'm not hungry," Pavel retorted with an exasperated edge to his voice.

Sulu had to do something. He knew that something was very, very wrong with Pavel. Suddenly, an idea struck him.

"Excuse me, Dr. McCoy?" Sulu said, getting the physician's attention.

McCoy reluctantly turned his gaze from Chekov to look at the pilot.

"I was wondering if you could take a quick look at this bruise on my back later," Sulu lied, attempting to sound as casual as possible.

"Er…sure, Sulu. Come by right after lunch." McCoy seemed confused as to why Sulu would want a simple bruise to be examined, but it was his duty as a doctor to make sure that all of the crew members were healthy.

After they put away their trays, Sulu followed the doctor to the med bay, where Bones turned around to face the pilot with a hard look on his face.

"This ain't about any bruise, is it, boy?" McCoy said, raising an eyebrow.

Sulu fought a grin. There was no keeping anything from the intuitive doctor. "I'm worried about P-…Ensign Chekov, sir. He's not himself."

"Damn right he isn't!" McCoy said. "I've tried to examine him a thousand times, but he insists he's fine. Stubborn ass."

Sulu frowned. "Well, you're doctor for a reason, aren't you? Tell him to get his ass in the med bay so you can check him out!"

"I would, believe me, but if he doesn't want to come, then I can't make him. Sorry, Hikaru." Bones sighed. Even though the doctor would never admit it, Sulu could tell that he was worried for the ensign too.

Sulu tried his very best to stay out of is friend's business. It was getting harder and harder to do, as the younger helmsman was eating even less, and Pavel had all but stopped talking to everyone. It was as if the happy-go-lucky navigator they had once known was gone, leaving an empty shell in his place.

About a week after Sulu went to Dr. McCoy, the crew was on its way to a planet for a small Federation diplomacy project. Sulu looked over at Chekov. Pavel had circular bags under his usually bright brown eyes, and you could see his ribs through his Starfleet uniform. His eyebrows were scrunched together, and one of his hands was rubbing his temple while the other punched in coordinates for the trip. Sulu discreetly looked over and saw something strange.

"Pavel," he whispered, trying to get his attention.

Chekov grunted in reply.

Sulu hesitated, and then he whispered, "You're punching in the coordinates wrong." Hikaru couldn't believe it himself, even while he said it. In the year they had been assigned to the Enterprise, Chekov had never put in any incorrect coordinates, much less completely screwed them up like he was doing now.

A blush began to creep across Pavel's tired face as he widened his eyes and said, "Oh. Oops. I'm sorry, Hikaru. I hawe a headache and I guess zat was distracting me." As if to enforce his point, he winced, as what Sulu perceived was another wave of pain overtook him.

"A headache? Should you go to the Medical Bay?" Sulu asked, becoming more worried.

"No, I'm-" But he was cut off short as he fell out of his seat, unconscious.

_/*\_

A/N: Feedback is love! Please review with whatever, even constructive criticism. If you review, you will get cookies and a hug from Chekov!