Better Judgment

Notes: I'm going to admit it. I needed to include Bones in this story simply because I love him. DeForest Kelley was such a gorgeous man and Karl Urban did him justice in the film. I tried to portray him as accurately as possible seeing as he'll be making a fair number of appearances in this story. Kirk will be too but he's a little easier to characterize. I'm nervous to include any large amounts of Spock since writing for him is a little tough. A lot of fan fiction authors don't portray him properly in my opinion and I think keeping characters in character is very important. I'm trying to be careful with Chekov but he actually doesn't have too many major or noticeable character traits in Star Trek. The episode with Irina states he is self controlled and sensible so I ran with that. Most of what he does is work or make comments about Russia which doesn't say too much of how he is or how he reacts to things. Irina's one appearance was solely about her free spirited personality clashing with Chekov's sensibilities so characterizing her is part paying heed to the episode and part winging it. Winging it may sound easy but I don't want to stray too far off the beaten path. Well here's chapter 3!

Chapter III: Pavel the Fugitive

McCoy paced in his room nervously. Should he call up Jim to request that Chekov's wish be fulfilled or ignore it? His biggest concern was how Jim would react to it. He might be pleased to help out Ensign Chekov or he might flat out deny the request as a waste of time and effort. He didn't want to disappoint Chekov but this was Jim's ship and McCoy could only challenge Jim so many times. If there was one thing Jim was severe about it was his power as captain of the Enterprise. He considered asking Spock's opinion but thought better of it. Eventually he found the courage to knock on Jim's door.

After a few minutes an obviously tired but fairly alert Jim emerged from the room in his sleeping clothes. He groggily asked what Bones wanted and was met with a reluctant clearing of the throat.

"Well… Jim, you see Chekov, he… Well he asked for something. I was ready to say no but… well, I felt it was more your place to decide what to do." Jim's face switched from tired interest to irritation due to Bones' vague reply. He coaxed him to continue as he leaned against the wall to support his tired body. "Jim, he wants to see that girl! That dark haired girl who came here with Dr. Sevrn!" The alarmed look that Bones wore spread to Jim who bit his lip as he considered his options. Bones gave Jim a look pleading him to agree to help Chekov and with a sigh of reluctance the captain said it was alright. Bones smiled warmly and told a passing security officer to go to the ward and inform Ensign Chekov of the good news.

Pavel smiled once he heard. He felt it'd do him some good to see her. He had forgotten so many things with his injury but all the times they shared were still there. Their youthful romance during their days at the academy, her time aboard the Enterprise, and the night they made love during his leave were all still engrained into his mind. Every moment they shared still lived within him. This time he was not going to let her go! They were going to get married right there on the Enterprise even if it had to be in the medical ward with an IV in his arm! He knew she wouldn't want it in fear of being a Star Fleet widow but it wouldn't be that way. He'd barter with Captain Kirk to let her stay! He didn't care what he had to do, even if he had to go ten years without another chance for leave. He felt his strength returning at the heat of his conviction. His enthusiasm wore him to want to leave the ward. In spite of the nurses attempts to restrain him he ripped out his IV, gauzed his arm, dressed, and ran out. However a nurse alerted McCoy and Pavel bumped into an angry doctor as he ran down the hall to his room.

"And just where are you going…?" McCoy was obviously ready to drag him back kicking and screaming to the ward.

"I'll be fine in my room, doctor! Honestly!" Pavel pleaded with him with a cheeky smile. He soon regretted his hasty exit as his head began to throb and his IV spot began to bleed out from under the gauze he had taped on. McCoy glared with crossed arms and a tapping foot. After a moment of Pavel smiling up at him McCoy pulled out his phaser and set it to stun. "Doctor… what are you doing?"

"It's for your own good, Chekov." As he was about to aim Pavel scrambled to his feet and ran for it. "Son of a…!" McCoy let out an angry grunt and pursued with help of medical assistants. Pavel took the lift to the fourth level, running as fast as he could. Unfortunately his head wound and bleeding began to get the best of him. He fell into a lounge dizzy and out of breath. It seemed like no medical officers had come to the fourth floor and he was able to sit comfortably at last. Grabbing a handful of napkins he put pressure on his arm to stop the bleeding. He was so tired, dizzy, and his head ached. He didn't want to stay in that ward. He hated hospitals and that ward was basically the same thing. It smelled of disinfectant, a scent he hated with a great passion. He soon realized, however, that his decision to defy the doctor could hurt his chances at seeing Irina again. He cursed his fear of hospitals.

About twenty minutes later McCoy found Pavel with his head down on the table. He was relieved to find him sleeping rather than unconscious and with the help of a medical assistant carried him to his room. In fear of another run he opted to have a nurse give him shots of pain medication whenever he needed it rather than admit him into the ward with another IV. He couldn't risk Chekov exerting himself with such an injury. He stood and observed Chekov as he slept only looking up when Kirk entered. Kirk was visibly annoyed from all of the ruckus but was glad to see the injured Chekov resting rather than running around.

"We'll begin looking for Miss Galliulin when the next shift starts. I'll ask Ensign Chekov to tell us about where he had last seen her and have Lieutenant Uhura look into her whereabouts. Bones, you're a good man… although I wouldn't advise chasing patients with a phaser in the future." He chuckled as Bones gave a dismissive huff. They exited, relieved to have Pavel sleeping peacefully and dreaming of his beloved Irina. The smile he wore was something similar to a sleeping child on Christmas Eve.

End of Chapter III -