Chapter 12

After being beamed back up from the planet surface, Chekov legs gave out after taking five steps.

He landed on the ground hard and came to rest on his back, staring at the ceiling.

He could taste blood in his mouth. His fingers went down to his wounds and he raised them to see that they were covered in his own red blood. He felt his energy leaving him, coldness seeping through him, replacing what before was the warmth generated by life. He knew he was seriously injured, but he felt no pain.

Nothing.

He turned his head in the direction that he had seen movement. He saw Kirk looking horrified but at the same time barking orders at McCoy who seemed to be taking no notice but at the same time obeying.

He saw but heard nothing of the commotion taking place around him.

"Pavel." Chekov knew that voice. He turned his head and saw Sulu knelt next to him, a delicate smile playing on his lips. Chekov stared in disbelief; Sulu looked just like he did the day he died, right down to the sparkle that his eyes always held. He looked real, not the ghostly image told in stories and that everyone would have had him believe. Chekov felt tears escaping and cascading down his face.

Sulu reached out and brushed his fingers across Chekov's cheek gently. "Not long now my dear Pavel." Sulu told him.

Despite that he knew he was dying, Chekov found himself smiling.

Kirk noticed Chekov's smile and instantly pointed McCoy to it. Neither had seen such a radiant smile of such morbid beauty before. White skin, shimmering red lips and a true smile that reached right up to the Russians eyes. Kirk found it impossible to tear his eyes away from the sight before him knowing full well that what he was witnessing would stay with him until the day that he went into his box, but still his eyes would not leave Chekov. McCoy had tears of frustration streaming down his face knowing he was fighting a fight that he was going to loose.

Still Chekov did not notice them, not until he turned his head and looked at them, his smile never fading.

The anger McCoy felt at himself faded when he looked into Chekov's eyes. They were bright and alert but most importantly to him at that time, they showed no pain. The warmth they also held, he hadn't seen Chekov's eyes hold any warmth since the day Sulu died. His eyes since that fateful day had always been cold and dead. It suddenly dawned on him why Chekov was smiling. He took Chekov's hand in his own and kissed his knuckles lightly. He could think of nothing else to do.

"Bones!" Kirk nearly shouted out of desperation.

"It's over James." McCoy whispered, his eyes never leaving Chekov's.

"Pavel." Chekov turned his head back to Sulu who had taken his hand in both of his own. He could feel the warmth and strength they contained. "It's time."

Chekov turned his head back to McCoy. McCoy was now crying tears of sadness and sorrow. Kirk had moved to the doctor's side and took his hand from McCoy's. Chekov's vision started to darken around the edges as he began to slip from consciousness. Kirk gripped his hand tightly.

Chekov died with a smile on his face.

The first smile in over a year.

End.