Chapter Two
New Eden - Recovery
Saru took a deep breath and absentmindedly straightened his back as he walked into sickbay one. Although Doctor Pollard had reassured him over the com channel that their interim captain was going to be all right he felt the need to see for himself. He set a brisk pace across the room and curiously halted mid-step as he was about to pass the medical board displaying an overview of the patients currently admitted. Someone had brought up the injuries of Captain Pike on it and left it there. Saru was not well educated in medicine, it was not his field, but he shuddered at the red-marked area covering a large proportion of the captain's right side. The XO suddenly froze as he felt a hand on his arm and carefully turned around only to come face to face with the shorter dark-haired doctor. Tracy Pollard nodded at him, indicating for him to follow her over to a small office.
As the Kelpian, who was the last to enter, had walked in the elegant glass doors closed behind him. Tracy went over to the desk and sat down behind it. She gave him an admonishing look and, for a moment, he felt threatened by it. 'Don't be ridiculous,' he reasoned, she will do you no harm.
"Commander Saru," Tracy began slowly as she clasped her hands in front of her. "I understand that it was Captain Pike's decision to travel planet-side and I know you have no power to stop him, he's the senior officer but-"
Saru began to see where this was going and opened his mouth to answer but the doctor beat him to the chase.
"The protocol also states that when the danger to a high-ranking officer is considered too high the officer is to stand down."
Saru shook his head sadly and crossed his arms over his chest. "Captain Pike knew the risks involved in this mission and the overall mission he's currently leading. Also you should bear in mind, doctor, that none of us thought that investigating the distress call would be cause for any concern."
"What I am trying to say, although I'm obviously not being very successful, Saru,-" Pollard began seriously, "-is that since Captain Pike came onboard two weeks ago the crew have started to loosen up, people are smiling, people are starting to have faith in the leadership onboard again. "I don't want him to end up here, I fear that one day I might not be able to save him. While the Discovery is a good ship she's not a class one battlecruiser nor Constitution class. Discovery is not as big, not as fast, and she's certainly not equipped with state of the art infirmary since she's not supposed to travel across the galaxies the way the Enterprise is."
"Discovery is a newer ship," Saru said simply. "I take pride in her and I think that the people here, the crew, is ready to give a hundred and ten percent should it come to that in a battle. I think we already have."
A moment of silence passed between them until Saru finally managed to pop the question he'd dreaded ever since he walked into the room. "How is the captain?"
The doctor sighed but a rueful smile appeared on her lips. "He's going to make a full recovery," she replied.
Saru nodded with relief.
"He won't be returning to command this vessel for at least a week though," she cautioned seriously. "The phaser burn, or actually the explosion caused by the overload of the weapon was directed toward the captain's chest. There are several subdermal bleeds, the tissue has been scorched by the heat and several ribs are either cracked or entirely broken. Now, he's lucky none of them punctured his lung."
Saru swallowed.
"I've set the ribs back into position but I can't heal them completely with my instruments. There are still things that needs to be taken care of by the human body itself despite all the medical advancements that we've made thorough the century," she explained.
"Bones can be healed in a week with several treatments in sequence," Saru recalled from his limited basic field training.
Pollard nodded. "Yes, the period of healing has been cut severely compared to a hundred years ago but there is no real quick fix to this," she said. "He needs a lot of rest at the moment. He woke up briefly before and was lucid enough but I've pumped him full of heavy painkillers just to make sure the pain won't wake him up prematurely from his healing sleep."
"I see, Saru said as he gazed out through the doors of the office, his eyes finally coming to rest on the sleeping form of Captain Pike. Apart from a paleness, that seemed unnatural to the man, Pike looked well enough to wander the ship but the Kelpian had learned a long time ago that looks could be deceiving.
"I'm sorry, Saru," Tracy said regretfully, her voice softer. "I'm afraid you can't talk to him right now."
At that the XO said nothing. "How's Ensign Tilly?" he asked solemnly, hoping that the vibrant young woman was on the mend.
"Her time on the bridge certainly don't help her recovery," she reprimanded seriously but then lightened up a bit. "Michael promised me she'd help Tilly back to her quarters. I gave her a once over and prescribed some painkillers, there isn't anything else I can do for her at the moment."
"Does she know that Captain Pike has been admitted?" he asked curiously.
Tracy nodded. "Yes, the poor woman looked devastated as she spotted him. I had to reassure her that he would be okay, it took some time repeating before it sank in, she kept saying that he was dying."
A worried frown creased the Kelpian's otherwise unexpressive forehead.
"I am sure it's the stress of her own injury, she received quite a blow to her head. I'll have her check in with me in the morning," the doctor added.
"Thanks, I appreciate that, doctor," he said softly and turned to leave.
OOOOOO
Christopher Pike was drowning, his lungs seemed desperate for air and his mind screamed at him to move faster. With forceful swimming strokes he fought to reach the surface but it seemed that the surface was still too far away. A searing white pain exploded in his side and he gulped for air as his eyes snapped open. Several alarms blared next to him and within seconds several medically trained professionals rushed to his side. He groaned inwardly as he was finally able to orient himself, and realized that he was lying flat on a biobed in sickbay.
"Captain," a firm voice called as he felt a petite hand coming to rest on his shoulder. "Captain, please calm down, it's just a nightmare. You're in sickbay and we have you, try not to worry."
"Not comforting, Doctor Pollard," he managed hoarsely yet somehow he managed an amused lopsided grin.
She marveled at him for a moment. 'Was the man trying to lighten the mood despite the discomfort he must be in?' Tracy shook her head and loaded a hypo into his neck to reduce the pain he was experiencing. "Vivid nightmares is not ideal for recuperation, captain," the doctor replied softly yet her undertone was stern and serious.
He gasped as he shifted position slightly. "I'll try to remember that the next time," he assured her and glanced around the dimly lit room.
"Its two am captain," the doctor replied as if she was reading his mind. "You should try to go back to sleep."
"How about I'll go back to my quarters?" he asked hopefully.
"Out of question, sir," came the quick reply. "Your injury was severe and needs supervision. I am afraid you'll have to stay here for at least a day or two."
Pike rolled his eyes but didn't comment, instead he chose to change the subject. "How's Burnham and Owosekun?" he asked.
"They're fine, captain, there's no cause for concern. You were the only casualty," the doctor replied and then added. "The crew is concerned for your well-being."
He took a moment to study the woman before him and smirked slightly, his dimples appearing. "Something more you want to tell me?" he asked carefully. "I don't mind."
Doctor Pollard took a deep breath and hesitated for a moment. She crossed her arms over her chest and fixed him with an admonishing look only medical officers seemed to be able to give him. "Sir, it was a foolish thing to do," she said. "Like I said before, you're lucky to be alive."
OOOOOO
Ensign Sylvia Tilly sat on her bed and stared at the display before her, not fully grasping the extent of what she'd just heard. "No, no," she whispered in confusion and repeated her question. "Computer give me the location of May Ahearn."
"Ahearn, May Theresa. Born April thirtieth 2236, deceased June ninth 2252," the computer repeated.
Startled she glanced up as the door to her quarters opened and sighed with relief as it was only her roommate.
"You're looking much better," Michael said with a smile.
Sylvia nodded. "Yeah, I feel fine now. I was just about to go to work," she replied.
"Don't forget to check in with Doctor Pollard first," Burnham stated and then added softly. "There is no rush, take your time, Saru has rescheduled so you don't need to take your station for at least a day. Maybe you should use that time to wind down, read a good book?"
"Actually, I woke up around two am and I didn't know what to do and I really didn't want to wake you so I-" she trailed off and smirked uncertainly. "I found your book on the shelf and I got intrigued. I read a few chapters. I really hope you don't mind. I know it means a lot to you but I promise I didn't damage-"
Michael found herself smiling at the rapidly speaking woman before her. Tilly was like the little sister she'd never had. "You're my friend, Sylvia," she replied softly and reached out to place a hand on her shoulder to give it a reassuring squeeze. "You can read it as many times as you want."
Tilly smiled and nodded her thanks. "I guess I'll better go down to sickbay," she reasoned.
OOOOOO
Pike sighed and he drummed his fingers against the bed as he remembered how much he hated extended sickbay visits. He felt vulnerable and, at this point even as a complete stranger. He was not surrounded by the people he knew and had come to respect and trust, he was not even on his ship.
Ironically he had asked the crew of the Discovery to trust him, to have faith in him, perhaps it was time that he tried to do the same. His specialist, Commander Burnham and Lieutenant Owosekun had followed his orders exemplary on the planet, they'd respected General order one even though he himself had screwed up and placed them in a tricky situation. Pike swallowed and stared out the small window across the bay watching the stars, he had to thank them when he saw them the next time. When he was lucid that was because he'd actually heard from the doctor that they'd been to see him in sickbay when he was unconscious, eagerly awaiting news about his recovery and he'd received that with mixed emotions. He was grateful that they cared for him but he didn't want to be vulnerable, sick or injured in front of his officers or the rest of the crew for that matter.
The captain straightened where he sat, took a deep breath and almost hitched on it as it ignited a raging fire down his right side, he unconsciously put a protective hand over the wounded area and took a much shallower breath. Satisfied that he hadn't set off any alarms that would call Doctor Pollard to his bedside he carefully swung his legs over the edge of the bed just in time to see Ensign Sylvia Tilly and his XO Saru walk into the room together.
The both looked at him with concern and Saru quickly walked up to him with the ensign not too far behind. "Captain," he cautioned as he kindly placed a stabilizing hand on his superior officer's shoulder. "Sir, while you do look much better I'm not sure it's good for you to leave your bed."
"I hope I'm not interrupting some sort out sickbay break-out here," Tracy Pollard spoke up as she appeared behind them. She fixed the injured captain with a stern look.
Pike responded by giving her one of his charming smiles, the look on his face very innocent.
While the doctor seemed unfazed by it Tilly couldn't help but to feel butterflies in her stomach. The man was so dashing and also considerate and caring for others. The injury had made her realize that he was also human, like the rest of them. It wasn't like she dreamt about undressing him, that was so totally forbidden, but she had to admit that she enjoyed seeing him in the lose fitting gown he was currently wearing, it showed his muscular arms and was hinting his muscled torso. 'No, no,' she admonished herself. 'You can't hit on the captain, silly Tilly.'
"Do you need help to lie down again?" Pollard asked not the least amused.
"Doctor, this is ridiculous," the captain protested.
"There is nothing ridiculous about it, sir," Tracy replied. "The fact remains, you're recuperating from a severe injury and, as long as you do, you're my responsibility and that applies for junior officers to captains alike."
Out of the corner of his eyes he thought he'd seen Saru smile as the doctor admonished him. Pike narrowed his eyes at the Kelpian who quickly put on a neutral face.
"How are you doing, Ensign Tilly?" Pollard asked kindly as she glanced over her shoulder. "Any headache?"
Sylvia fought to tear her gaze from the captain and put on a sweet smile. "No, I am fine, Doctor Pollard. I was asked to check in with you so that I could be reinstated."
"That's unfair," Pike said softly, the tone of his voice teasing and the look on his face mildly jealous.
Tracy shook her head. "Listen to me very carefully, and I mean both of you," she cautioned and pointed a finger first at Tilly, then at Pike. "Thirty-four-hours ago you were brought into my care from the shuttle bay. A terrified Ensign Rose had found you unconscious and bleeding from a head wound. You were unresponsive and your brain was slowly swelling inside your skull. Your recovery has been quite remarkable considering the fact that instead of resting you escaped and ended up on the bridge-"
"She escaped?" the captain pouted in disbelief with a blink at the somewhat blushing ensign.
"A few hours later Captain Pike appeared on my doorstep," Pollard said and turned to face Pike. "The only thing that kept you upright was Burnham and Owosekun. "He had a severe phaser burn in his side which he got by playing hero on the planet, rescuing a child. It took my team several hours just to stabilize your condition, Captain."
Pike looked away somewhat ashamed. He knew his condition had been dire but he hadn't known it had been quite that bad. Although the doctor had said that he was lucky to be alive.
"As a doctor it's my duty to care for you and, maybe, if you consider me as a liaison or even a friend to you then you'd see that I take my job very seriously. I'm not keeping you here to be mean, sir, and I'm not saying you should take it easy, Ensign Tilly, because it is in my power to do so. I simply wish for you to have a speedy recovery and to be well."
"Point taken, doctor. I am sorry," Pike said sincerely. "I'll be a good patient."
Tracy gave him a smile and nodded in appreciation. "Thank you, captain. And after today's treatment we might begin to talk about your release."
Saru decided that was the cue to gently lock his long fingers around his superior officer's ankles and place his legs back onto the bed. At that Pike said nothing, he just nodded in appreciation.
"Come with me, Ensign Tilly," Pollard said. "Commander Saru, I must caution you not to tire the captain. Keep the debriefing short."
"I understand, doctor," the Kelpian returned as he watched Pike close his eyes, faint lines of pain creasing his forehead.
OOOOOO
To be continued
A/N: Thanks for your lovely feedback, without you this would have been a one-chapter story.