Title: Gone Too Soon
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Summary: The crew of the USS Enterprise say goodbye to one of their own.
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Disclaimer: I don't own Star Trek.
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Russia, Earth
June 18, 2265
Jim and Bones stood stoically side by side. Sulu and Scotty stood to their left, slight behind. Spock had his arm around the crying Nyota. The sun was shining and they could all hear the birds chirping. It was a beautiful day on the Chekov property.
The fresh grave before them was a stark reminder of the fact that dangers didn't just lie in deep space, but also close to home. Their five-year mission had ended nearly one year before and they'd all been reassigned to other duties while the Enterprise underwent a major overhaul.
"So…senseless," Bones muttered as he stared at the headstone.
Pavel Andreievich Chekov
2241-2265
Beloved Son and Friend
Gone Too Soon
"This shouldn't have happened," Jim said as he knelt down.
"I just…we were going to meet tomorrow for drinks," Sulu whispered to himself.
Chekov and Sulu were working with the crew upgrading the navigation controls when an accident occurred.
"It happened…so fast," Sulu went on. "I…he was trying to help."
Jim felt a hand on his shoulder. He looked up into the blue eyes of Andrei Chekov, Pavel's father. He stood and shook the man's hand.
"Pavel loved the Enterprise, and he loved all of you," he said in his thick accent. "You had all become his family, as much as his mother and I."
Nyota wiped her tears and stepped in front of everyone. She cleared her throat and began to sing.
Like a comet
Blazing 'cross the evening sky
Gone too soon
Like a rainbow
Fading in the twinkling of an eye
Gone too soon
Bones gently reached out and touched the headstone with the tips of his fingers. He took a deep breath and spoke softly, Nyota's voice carrying over his.
"Gonna miss ya, kid. Godspeed."
Shiny and sparkly
And splendidly bright
Here one day
Gone one night
Like the loss of sunlight
On a cloudy afternoon
Gone too soon
Sulu reached into his pocket and pulled out a worn Starfleet patch. He placed it gently on the top of the headstone.
"I'll see you in the beyond, my friend," he whispered, then turned and began walking away slowly.
Like a castle
Built upon a sandy beach
Gone too soon
Like a perfect flower
That is just beyond you reach
Gone too soon
Born to amuse, to inspire, to delight
Here one day
Gone one night
Jim gave Andrei a gentle hug before turning to face the grave. Next to the Starfleet patch, Jim placed a gold ribbon.
"We'll meet again, someday, Lt. Chekov," he said quietly, acknowledging the posthumous promotion of the exemplary young officer.
Jim gave one last nod to Andrei and headed back to the Chekov farm house.
Like a sunset
Dying with the rising of the moon
Gone too soon
Nyota's words echoed through the clearing as the sun dipped below the horizon.
Scotty knelt down and placed two things against the headstone; a bottle of Jameson Irish whiskey and an Eagle's Knot talisman.
"I know ya prefer that Russian stuff, but…" he trailed off. "The talisman is for protection, wisdom and spirit. I'll miss ya forever, laddie."
Gone too soon.
Scotty walked away, leaving only Nyota and Spock. He pulled her into his arms again as she began to cry softly. The tears dripped unabashed down her cheeks.
"Shh, Nyota, I am here," Spock said gently.
"I'm so…I can't even describe it," she said brokenly. "I'm just devastated. He should still be here!"
"Yes, he should," Spock agreed. "We will never be the same without him."
The two stood together for a few more moments as darkness began to fall and the moon rose above, lending an otherworldly glow to the pasture where Pavel Chekov would spend eternity.
Nyota pulled away and headed off in the direction of their crewmates, leaving Spock alone.
The tall Vulcan knelt down and brushed a finger over the name. "Dos vedanya, Pavel."
He stood then and followed Nyota. The future beckoned, but he knew; they all knew it wasn't as bright as it had been just days before. They'd lost one of their own, and they would carry the hurt and pain with them wherever they went.
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**In memory of the very bright and gifted Anton Yelchin. I was so very sad to heard of his tragic passing at such a young age. He will be missed.
**Song lyrics by Michael Jackson