Serious as a heart attack
I'm looking in my almanac

"I really admir' you."

Sulu looked up from the holo game on his lap. "What?"

Chekov wrung his hands together, watching Sulu carefully. "You." He started again, leaning back. "I admir' you."

Looking slightly amused, Sulu set his game to the side. "Really? Why is that?" He shifted his position, pulling his legs onto his bed and crossing them.

"You are strong indiwidual." Chekov stated with resolve.

"I see." Sulu was silent a moment, studying the Russian as closely as he was being studied. Then, without warning, he started to laugh.

"Vhat?" Chekov sat up straighter, his eyebrows furrowing together. "Vhat is it?"

Holding up a hand, Sulu shook his head. "Nothing, Pavel." At the look of confusion he elaborated. "Just seems like some unconstituted appraisal."

"Nyet." Chekov set his hands on his knees. "I am being completely serious." He stood, taking a step towards Sulu's cot. "You are admirable person." He hesitated, hands clasping behind his back now as he fidgeted. "And I am glad zat I am your," Chekov paused again, unable to find the correct word.

"Friend?" Sulu offered. "Teammate? Partner?" He got up also, setting a hand on Chekov's upper arm. "Lover?"

Chekov made a good show of turning bright red and turning away. "P- possibly." Moving uneasily, he bit his lip. "Da." He finally replied, glancing back up. "Zat vould be ze vord.

"In all seriousness of course." Chekov added hurriedly.

"Yes, yes." Sulu laughed. "Of course."

I gotta find out all the things
And find out where she got her wings

It was a rare occurrence for both Sulu and Chekov to join a landing party, especially when Kirk, Spock, and McCoy were already going down. Then again, it was an even more rare for Chekov to all but beg to go along.

But on the other hand he had been on edge for the past week, snapping over petty things and sulking for no reason.

Kirk agreed to the demand posed as a request and Chekov was sent with them down into the colonization.

There had been no distress calls, no bad reports. It was a standard check, making sure that everything was still running smoothly.

And, the only reason they were sending so many down at once was to get the check over with as soon as possible. They were required to stay for a whole day, but at least after that day they could move on, being that nobody attacked or people started dieing.

Sulu took in his surrounding once they materialized on the surface, once again amazed at how hard colonists tried to make their new home as Earth-like as possible. There was a forest to one side of their spot, buildings to the other.

"Okay men," Kirk said. "You know what you are to do." And with that everyone was dismissed.

Chekov took off almost instantly, leaving a curious and slightly worried Sulu behind.

They had been deemed a team and it was already close to dusk on this planet, to the Asian that meant they should stick together. Chekov obviously did not share the same thought.

Following after, Sulu made a mental note of their original position; they were to meet back there in an hour for a quick update. Then they would resign to the colonies' leaders' home for dinner.

He turned another corner, barely catching sight of the Russian as he rounded another corner three buildings down. Sulu could swear he heard a child's laugh.

Sulu quickened his pace, anxiety starting to gnaw at him. He made it around the same corner to see Chekov standing at the tree line.

"Pavel-" He cut off, taking in what he was seeing. Chekov was standing there all right, but he had an odd look to him and there was a small bundle in his arms.

Then the small bundle grew an arm and giggled.

Before Sulu could even try to formulate something even partially intelligent, Chekov bared his teeth, made a weird, rather animalistic, hiss and disappeared among the trees.

Sulu's mind was spinning. Did his partner just hiss at him, and- and did he have pointed teeth?

Taking off after the brunet, Sulu attempted to not think for a few moments.

A muffled wail met his ears and Sulu picked the pace, still decidedly not thinking.

He came across a clearing where he saw Chekov standing there, clutching the bundle and murmuring into it softly.

"Shush, nimbini, shush." He murmured, rocking the thing in his arms. "No need to vorry." He laughed quietly, a hand reaching up to poke into the blanket he held.

A soft giggle was heard and Sulu approached Chekov as quietly as he could. " . . . Pavel?"

The Russian spun around suddenly, eyes narrowed, a growl reverberating from his throat. He tensed as though to run but was distracted by a discontented cry from the blanket. His hand reached up and pushed the mess of cloth out of the way, revealing a small child. "Shush, nimbini." He clucked, rocking it again before looking back up at Sulu. "You voke ze boy." He chastised darkly, stepping forward. "No need to vake a nimbini before zis 'appens."

"Before what happens?" Sulu found himself speaking without a thought, and then flinching when he saw Chekov's smile.

"Ze Gathering." Chekov glanced down and smiled fondly at the small boy he held. "Da, zis nimbini is mine. 'E shall feel no pain, unlike ze vay zat ze ozers feed." He paused and frowned, reaching to brush something off the boy's face.

"Feed?" Sulu asked hollowly, blinking vapidly. "On what?"

Chekov looked up, slightly confused. "You are not stupid, Hikaru. Vat else vould I feed on? Do you not know ze stories?"

The Asian stepped forward, reaching out and touching Chekov's arm. "Stories?"

"Fairy stories. All children 'ear zem. Ze fairies must feed on infant's blood vunce every 'undred years." He stated this as though it was obvious, raising an eyebrow casually. He glanced down at the bundle. "And zis little boy vill be my next nimbini. My next Nobody's Child."

"Chekov." Sulu attempted to catch the man's attention. "Stop this nonsense. Give me the boy. You're obviously very sick." He reached over, trying to take the bundle.

"Nyet! I need zis nimbini! It's only one child every 'undred years! Vhy do mortals contest it so?" Chekov sighed bitterly, stepping away from Sulu and smacking the hands away. "Go avay and let me finish." He turned away from the concerned Sulu.

"Chekov, you must give me the child! You're delusional for God's sake!" Sulu stepped forward, but was halted when Chekov reached back and swatted him away. He was knocked back, not expecting such unusual strength from the other. "What is wrong with you?"

"Nozing. I just dislike zis part. I vait until zey are asleep zen . . ." Suddenly he bent down, and a soft cry was heard from the blanket.

Sulu started forward to stop him but couldn't, and found himself falling into darkness.

"-karu, Hikaru. Hikaru!"

Sulu awoke with a start, looking up at the Russian leaning over him. "Pavel? Where's the . . ."

Chekov looked concerned, reaching over to brush hair out of Sulu's face. "Vat? You fell and knocked yourself out." He extended a hand, helping the other up. "Careful."

"There was a boy, and you had pointed teeth. You kept calling him a, uh, nimbi something." Sulu was vaguely aware that he sounded delirious, but started to keep going.

"A nimbini? 'Ow do you know about a Nobody's Child? It's not somezing often talked about." Chekov examined him for a moment, reaching over to feel Sulu's cheeks and forehead. "Are you okay?"

"His blood! You drank his blood! And I tried to stop you but . . ." He blinked. "You . . . don't believe me?"

Chekov smiled reassuringly. "I zink you 'it your 'ead 'arder zan I zought. You're describing an Old Vorld fairy, not somezing found 'ere on zis planet."

Sulu blinked, faltering. "I . . . hit my head?" He reached up, and, sure enough, there was a sore spot on his forehead.

"Da. You called my name, and I turned but you 'ad already fallen and been knocked out. No fairies 'ere, Hikaru."

"Right." Sulu frowned. "Must have merely been a crazy dream." He rubbed the tender area, wincing slightly.

"Da. Let's 'ead back. Ze ozers must be vorried." Chekov wrapped an arm around Sulu's shoulders, and steered him back where they had come from.

Sulu sighed and allowed Chekov to steer him, but he glanced back at the tree line for a second and gasped.

A dark blue blanket lay on the ground, a strange dark stain encompassing the ground around it.

Shimmy shimmy quarter turn
I feel like I will never learn

"No, no, no. It's back, right, forward, left."

Chekov frowned, thoroughly confused.

"It's not that hard. Just go in a box." The hand on the small of Chekov's back shifted slightly, pressing him closer. "Come on, Pavel. This is one of the easiest dances to learn."

Regardless on if it was the easiest or not, Chekov didn't see the need to learn it. Sure, there was a fancy meeting that next night in which the crew of the Enterprise was set to the task of 'entertaining' their guests. And sure, that usually meant music and dance, but that doesn't not mean Chekov had to take part in the dancing. He could just fraternize with the lovely guests like he usually did.

But no. Sulu insisted that he learn at least one dance, which led them to be in the middle of Rec Room 3 pressed together and trying to find rhythm. Or, rather, Chekov was trying to find the rhythm.

"I'm trying." He whined, looking up at Sulu. His momentary lapse of concentration on his feet caused him to step on the Asian's.

They broke apart then, Sulu half-hopping, half-stumbling backward. "Damn."

Chekov winced, taking a step forward. "Sorry. Didn't mean too." He touched Sulu's shoulder lightly.

Sulu waved it off. "It's fine, it's fine. Let's just do this without our boots on." He smiled easily, sitting down in the nearest chair.

Following suit, Chekov sat and removed his boots, frowning over the movements in his mind again. "Forwar'-"

"No, it's back, right, forward, left." Sulu reiterated, stressing the forwards and backwards orders. "Watch." Sulu stood and moved to a spot just a small distance from Chekov.

"Back-" He started, stepping forward, but was cut off.

"You vent forwar'!" Chekov stood also, frustrated and confused. "You've been saying back," The Russian took a step back. "Right." He stepped to the right. "Forwar'." A movement forward. "Left!" He stepped to the left, crossing his arms over his chest.

Sulu smiled, dropping his arms and spreading his hands. "I apologize. I'm merely in the habit of leading a dance, not following." An idea struck him. "Show me how I explained it again."

Chekov sighed and rolled his eyes, walking to Sulu and taking his hands. "You kep' saying back, right, forwar', left." As he spoke the movements, he followed them, keeping his irritated expression the entire time.

"Good. Now all we have to do is figure how to keep you annoyed the entire party and you should be in good hands." Sulu laughed, releasing the Russian and stepping back.

"Vait, vhat?" Chekov looked down at his feet. "But-But I can only follow!"

"So?"

How can I check lost and found

[ST: V]

Chekov cried out, digging his fingers into the gritty soil beneath him. His back arched sharply, forcing his chest up against Sulu's harshly.

Sulu hissed, closing his eyes momentarily. The sound of his communicator barely registered and when it did, he didn't even try to respond to it. "Paging us." He gasped, without losing rhythm.

Jerking, Chekov reached out and threaded his fingers through Sulu's hair. "Don' care." His accent came through thickly, making the words slur together slightly. Pulling Sulu's face to his own, Chekov kissed him thoroughly.

"Hnn," Sulu's movement's faltered now that his attentions were divided. He moved his arms so he was resting on his elbows and gave a hard thrust.

"Nnuh, ah." Chekov's voice rose and his mouth broke away from the other man's, his concentration no longer able hold anything but the pleasure.

"Sulu. Hikaru Sulu. Come in, Sulu."

Sulu chuckled a bit. "Persistent bunch." He brushed his lips against Chekov's cheek, nipping it lightly.

Chekov tightened his grip on Sulu's hair and pulled. "Just 'urry!" He gasped heavily, cracking open one eye, barely able to find words in the hazy lust that consumed his mind. "Concentrate!"

Wincing at the abuse, Sulu picked up to pace. "Should say that to you."

"Chekov. Pavel Chekov. Come in, Chekov."

With the pressure of his lower body suddenly skyrocketing, Chekov couldn't make a suitable reply. He writhed, and moaned, pressing as fully against the other as he could. "Rodi-" His head twitched back, the top pressing against the ground. "Hi- Hikaru."

Sulu gasped, bending over the Russian so his forehead could press against Chekov's shoulder. He pulled out of the man, releasing onto the soil. "Pavel . . . ."

Chekov's body jolted once more before he finished, soiling not only his jacket but Sulu's as well.

"Sulu. Chekov. Please come in. Don't tell me you forgot your comm too."

Sulu grinned, still out-of-breath and red-faced. "Should we answer them?" He wrapped his arms around the smaller man and sat up. The hands that held his hair in such a terrible grip slid from his head in a tired manner.

"Hah, ve 'ave to ewentually." Chekov gripped the front of Sulu's jacket loosely, trying his best to control his breathing. "Zey're probably taking us off shore leave." He rested his forehead against Sulu's chest. "Ve can act like ve're lost and 'ope ze trans is out of order."

"That'll work." Sulu smiled, picked the comm up and replied.


When I'm too busy getting down

"I would like to start this off by saying Sulu, you were wonderful out there, you preformed your duties wonderfully."

Chekov looked sourly at the table before him. Listening to his Captain but not wanting too. He knew what was coming.

"Thank you, sir." Sulu was sitting beside him, head dipping in a small polite bow.

Something brushed Chekov's hand then slid against his palm. He glanced down, watching as Sulu's hand clasped his.

Seemed the other knew too.

"As for you, Ensign." Kirk said his rank with such bite that Chekov actually flinched back. "I am very disappointed with your conduct." A fist thumped the table. "You went against a direct order to hold fire."

"Yes, sir. Sorry, sir." Chekov's gaze snapped back up, this time looking Kirk in the face. He tried to sound, or maybe look, sincere but he had always had trouble keeping his real feelings from his eyes.

Kirk 'tsk'd. "Ah, but a simple apology will not be a significant punishment for such an action." He leaned back, looking contemplative. "No. I have something else in mind."

Chekov's hand was squeezed and he sat up a little straighter.

"Taking into consideration your previous record, or lack there of, and the manner you have, up until now, done your job, I have reached what I believe to be a suitable punishment."

Chekov tensed, gripping Sulu's hand tightly.

Kirk paused longer, letting the tension build. "You will be on probation for the next two months, during which you will not be allowed to perform your normal duties on the bridge. And instead you will be working with your inferior officers."

Sulu jerked into a standing position, Kirk following suit. "That is not fair!" He cried. "Because of his action he saved the ship! If he had not fired, then we could have very well been destroyed!"

"Do you dare question my authority?" Kirk fired back. "I suggest you stand down, Lieutenant!"

"But-!"

"Hikaru." Chekov pulled at the hand that was still in his grasp, which until this moment Kirk had been unaware of. "I vill take my penalty. I must learn to listen to ze Captain. For ze people vho saw me today do as I did and zen I vent vithout reprimand, ze Captain authority vould be in jeopardy." He gritted his teeth, trying with some success, to control his temper. "Ze Captain, must be obeyed."

Sulu was looking at him with astonishment. "But Pavel-"

"It is not vour position to say vhat is expectable and vhat is not." Chekov said firmly, looking directly at the Asian. "Now, if I may, I vill take my leave." He released Sulu's hand, dipped his head to the Captain and left.

When he reached his room he headed straight for the bathroom. What he needed now was a nice long shower to relieve the tension building in his body.

Stripping quickly, Chekov stepped into the shower and hit the appropriate buttons to turn it on. The water hit him on the top of his head, the heat shocking him.

Slowly Chekov got used to it, and let it ease him.

He sighed, and as he went to grab the shampoo, the shower door slid open.

"Vhat?" Chekov turned in time to see Sulu drop to his knees. "Hikaru?"

Hands landed first on his legs, sliding upward to brush his thighs and then further to hold his hips. Lips met his body next, just above his belly button.

"Hikaru!" He dropped his own hands to the Asian's still clothed shoulders. "Vou are ruining vour Uniform!" He squirmed, face flushing and body reacting to the intimate touches.

"He shouldn't have done that!" Sulu said, kissing Chekov's hip. "It was uncalled for and-"

Chekov's hands slid to Sulu's face, tipping his chin up. "Hikaru. It matters not." He smiled. "Now, why not you come up 'ere and give me proper kiss?"

Sulu looked up at Chekov, his expression torn. Slowly, he stood. "Okay." He wrapped his arms around Chekov's waist and pressed their foreheads together. "One of these days you'll get the recognition you deserve."

"Da, da." Chekov rubbed his nose against Sulu's lightly, feeling better. "Now, about my kiss. . ."