4. Hospital Visits

Obviously, this is in sickbay.

Hikaru sat up in the partially inclined bed in sickbay.

"Someone's here to see you," came the voice of the doctor, McCoy. Sulu figured it was probably Pavel, and when he saw a face of complete sadness and shock, he knew he was correct.

"Hey, Bear," he said. Chekov gave a shy wave.

"Hello, Karu. I brought you something." This made Hikaru smile.

"Thanks. What is it?" Pavel handed over a card.

"Everybody signed it," he said. "And me." Hikaru laughed a little and then opened it. As soon as he did, glitter fell onto him. He smiled, wondering why this had happened. But he didn't ask.

"Thank you, Pasha."

"Oh, no," said Pavel, beginning to tear up. "I really didn't think that through. I'm so sorry."

"No. It's fine."

"Okay. Well, I better get going now." Sulu closed the card and put it down on the table.

"Not without a goodbye kiss," he objected. Pavel backed up a little. "What's wrong?"

"Aren't you sick?" Hikaru giggled.

"Pavel, it was just my appendix. It's not contagious." Pavel smiled, clearly embarrassed.

"Oh." He leaned over and kissed Hikaru on the cheek. "Kisses help you heal, anyway." The man on the bed then planted a kiss right on Pavel's lips.

"They're nothing compared to you."