Previously- Kalel and Sulu had been tied to a table, wrapped in tubing. Kylor had activated the box that was in between them. Super cooled helium was pipped through the tube wrapped around Sulu while Kalel had the lava. As Kirk fought Kylor, Spock managed to release Sulu and tried to free Kalel. After Kirk knocked out Kylor all three attempted to save Kalel but to no avail. She told them to leave but Kirk remained. Kalel told Kirk how she felt before falling unconscious. Shortly after the Remus Senate went up in flames.

The Medbay.

A red haired woman was laid in a soft white bed. Her hair was spread on the pillow her head rested on. She could hear a soft slow beeping amongst the murmur of people talking. Slightly confused on why she was waking up at all, Kalel gradually opened her olive eyes.

The surroundings seemed familiar. The walls were painted a calming blue accented with chocolate coloured beams. It was an federation ship. It had to be. The air smelled clean and fresh.

"The medbay?" she thought.

Kalel tried to shuffle up her bed so she could see something other than the ceiling. She immediately regretted it. Her whole body ached. Most of it felt normal but other parts were colder than others.

"Ugh, yeah nearly cooked alive." she thought as she looked down her bandaged body.

She somehow managed to prop herself up a bit. Now Kalel could see other beds and nurses attending to other things. To her right was something she hadn't expected to see.

Jim Kirk was fast asleep in the chair beside her, his hand resting on the bed. He had been holding her hand. Seeing him again, and in one piece, brought a smile to her face.

"He's barely left your side Kal." McCoy had appeared on her left looking a little worse for ware but happy all the same.

"Not that I'm unhappy to be alive but, erm, how?" Kalel's voice was quiet and rough.

McCoy passed her a glass of water and helped her drink it before he answered her question.

"While Spock and Sulu ran for their lives, they contacted us. The genius that Montgomery Scott is managed to beam you and Jim out in time." McCoy began to wave a small machine in front of her face, checking her vitals. "Just to put into prospective how much you made me worry you should know it's the eleventh."

Kalel's eyes grew wider.

"I've been out of it for three days!"

McCoy laughed at her.

"At least you haven't missed your birthday."

She stuck her tongue out at him as she tried to sit further up. Seeing her struggle McCoy helped her get comfortable, adjusting her pillows.

"I think Jim would've been pissed if you weren't awake for your birthday." a cheeky smile appeared on his face. "Yeah he told me you two were, are, gonna have dinner. And no, I don't have an issue with it."

Kale returned the smile as something stirred to her right.

"Speak of the devil. I'll leave you to it." McCoy gently squeezed her hand before leaving.

Kirk rubbed his eyes and they opened wide, relief setting in his heart, when he saw Kalel's tired eyes looking back at him. He took her hand in his and she felt bandages. She grabbed his hands and held them higher so she could see them. Her brows furrowed.

"You grabbed at the tubes didn't you?"

He laughed, sheepishly.

"Yeah, not the smartest thing, but I had to try save you." He stoked her hand with his thumb. "You passed out before I got to answer you."

Kalel felt slightly awkward as she remembered what she had said to him. She had meant it but what about him.

Kirk seemed to know what she was thinking. He leaned over to give her a lingering kiss. Someone coughed behind them.

"This is a medbay not make out point." stated McCoy as he walked passed, PADD in hand.

They pulled apart chuckling at McCoy then turned to face each other again.

"I love you."

A single tear slid down Kalel's cheek as Kirk returned to stroking her hand.

"You're my angel, my cupid..." She realised what he was doing now.

"Hey stop poking fun. I didn't ask to be born on Valentine's day."

"A beautiful messenger sent from god." a devious yet playful smile on his face.

"You all out of cheese?"

"Yep."

They laughed again, Kalel feeling the happiest she had been for a while.

They talked for a while, sharing stories. Kirk telling her about all the times he had gotten into trouble, Kalel telling him about the fights she had gotten into. Kirk stayed with her for the rest of the day, leaving Spock, who had actually agreed to it, to deal with the Romulan senators after the explosion at the Remus Senate.

"You realise we'll be in the depths of space for Val...your birthday?" asked Kirk putting on his most charming tone and smile.

" So?" her eyebrows raised a little.

"Our little date is probably gonna have to be in one of our rooms."

"Then it can be your room," Kirk raised an eyebrow, "Hey I'm the injured one, you can cook. But are we going to be in our Star Fleet crap or casual or..."

"Kinda wanna see you in a dress."

Kalel gave a soft giggle. "I'm sure I'll find something to wear. I suppose I could ask Uhura for help. But I wanna spend the morning with Leo. I've not gotten to celebrate my birthday with him for ages."

Kirk nodded in understanding before McCoy reappeared.

"You, Jim should go to a bed to sleep. That chair will do no wonders for your back. That and she needs rest."

Kirk gave Kalel a quick peck on the cheek before going to his quarters, putting a hand on McCoy's shoulder as he went. McCoy helped Kalel get snug in her bed and it wasn't long before she nodded off in the calm medbay, her dreams filled with Kirk.

We are nearing the end now. Hopefully you folks enjoyed it.