Sull was aware of things very slowly. First it was just a feeling of warmth, then by a strange perpetual ache that was not of much concern for the fog of euphoria. That's when she knew she was alive. Nothing is as good as sickbay painkillers. She groaned a little, gathering her senses. Something stirred to her left and then snorted.
"Lellee?" he whispered.
"Hmmmm, Dell?" she said, opening her eyes. His outline was fuzzy for a moment, but then she could see his face quite clearly. He looked alarmed and elated at the same time.
"You're up early," he whispered in Partian, leaning closer. "Or maybe late."
"Hmm?" She wiggled slightly under her blanket. Dell had replicated an afghan for her. She giggled.
"Everyone has finally fallen asleep. I half carried Beverly to her quarters not two hours ago." He leaned on his hand and yawned.
"But you're still here," she croaked.
"Of course." He closed his eyes for a moment.
"Why don't you go to sleep?" she asked, turning slightly.
He lifted off of his hand and looked around. Then he saw a free biobed behind him and said, "Ah." He jumped onto it and settled back.
"There's a nurse asleep, so we have to whisper," he said, his hands behind his head.
"How long have I been out?" Sull asked, scratching her nose and wincing at her sore back.
"Only two days. Beverly thought you might be out for another two or three. You only just stabilized tonight, or yesterday. We're on a fast course to Earth in case you need extensive medical attention."
"Fuck!" she said in English. Then she paused and said in Partian, "I feel alright. Why don't you go tell them they don't have to hurry?" She tried to sit up, but groaned and decided against it.
"Don't be difficult," Dell said testily. "I told you everyone is asleep. I took Beverly to bed after we heard from La Forge that they'd resolved whatever it is Engineers resolve and we could all relax."
"Wow," she said. "They are amazing, this crew…" she sighed.
"They are," he said. "I think a few of them will be angry with you." They looked at each other seriously.
"What's happened back home?" she evaded.
"Apparently you're brilliant," he said sardonically. "Your communiques were followed and eight ships arrived at Alldem shortly after you were rescued."
"Good." She smiled softly.
"They would not have been justified in seizing the moon if you had not been kidnapped." He widened his eyes. They were shiny with tears. "You didn't say goodbye to me."
Sull felt her eyes get hot. She closed them. "I'm sorry, Dell, but you would have known instantly." She opened her eyes again and looked at him. He'd been the most adorable little boy from whom she could never keep a secret.
"I would have…" He swallowed.
"There was nothing you could have done to assist me. If I had confided in you, it would have not only risked what little chance I had in succeeding; it would have tortured you."
"No," he whispered. "You are the one who was tortured, Lellee. You went with bravery to your own death. Your reasoning is totally sound, I don't dispute that. But I was so incredibly bereft. Please, if ever… confide in me before you go." He swallowed again.
Lellee sighed and with effort, lifted herself onto her side. She put her hand on her chest and said, "I promise. I'm sorry, Dell. I treated you like a boy again."
"I forgive you," he said jovially and put his hands behind his head again. "We all have to face death and mayhem sometimes, no?" Dell did not go to sleep then, however. He insisted Sull rest and then returned to his quarters to send a communique to Sull's parents that she was no longer in a coma.
At 0800 hours Dr. Crusher returned to sickbay and was astounded to find Sull awake and waiting for her. "Good morning, Doctor," she said and yawned.
"Lellee!" she nearly shouted and grabbed a tricorder. "You're awake. My goodness!" She pressed buttons furiously and the Chancellor chuckled.
"Yes, I am. I woke some hours ago."
"How do you feel?" Crusher asked, her eyes a little wild.
"My muscles are very sore, my legs feel weak, my head hurts, and I'm nauseated. But I'm hungry." She interlaced her fingers on her stomach.
"I can take care of the nausea and headache," Crusher said and she applied a hypospray to Sull's neck. She sighed with relief as her stomach settled.
"Ah, much better. Thank you."
"You'll have to keep food light for a few days," she said. "You suffered brain damage and serious burns to your heart and the muscles in your back. We performed surgery when you arrived. Follow my finger." She scanned it back and forth. "I had hoped to see you like this two days from now, so I think you're going to recover."
"Fantastic," Sull said. "Can I go back to my quarters?"
Crusher sighed and narrowed her eyes. "Maybe... in a few hours. I want to run some more tests. Then I'll leave with you some salve to apply and hyposprays."
"Thanks, Doctor. You've done amazing work."
Crusher flushed a little and smiled. "It's good to see you up. But now lie back." The Chancellor complied and Crusher asked Alyssa to help her prepare three different brain scans.
After Beverly personally escorted the Chancellor to her quarters, she sighed happily to find she could take a lunch break. She took a few turns and arrived at Dell's Quarters. He bid her enter and when she did he was sitting on the couch with a P.A.D.D. He stood up. He was in a navy blue tunic and matching slacks. His skin seemed to glow faintly and Crusher swayed, faintly.
"Beverly, you look so tired." He walked over to her and took her hands. "Come sit with me."
"Am I interrupting you?" she asked, following him.
"Oh, no. I need to take a break for lunch. I hope you'll join me." He sat her on the couch and walked to the replicator. She nodded and he programmed something distinctly Partian that Crusher didn't ask about, but enjoyed greatly in silence.
"I needed that," she said, wiping her mouth.
"I feel like I've been depriving you of sleep," he said, crossing his legs.
She sighed with a soft smile. He was beautiful. "Depriving is not the word I'd use. I just wasn't prepared for that whole… I don't know…"
"Yes. Unexpected disasters seem so much more draining than the ones you see coming." He stood up and offered her his hand. She took her hand and he led her back to the couch. She sat and he took a spot somewhere far away. He swung her legs into his lap and pulled off her shoes. As he rubbed her soles she groaned in pleasure and then giggled.
They sat silently for a while, just resting. Then Beverly took in a deep breath. "Dell," she began cautiously.
"Yes, mel-nen?" he asked, looking fondly into her eyes.
She giggled again. "What are your plans now?" She wiggled her toes and he squeezed them.
"I'm going to Earth. I suspect Lellee will want to go as well, defiant in her leisure as she is." He laughed. "Are you going to Earth?"
"Yes, to see my son," Beverly replied. "But as he's in session still, I was going to go home for a little while…"
"Where's home?" he asked.
"Copernicus City," she said, closing her eyes.
"A Luna girl! How romantic, Beverly."
"Hmmm," she said. "Would you…" she suddenly felt hesitant. "Would you like to visit with me? I know it's not Jamaica-"
She was cut off when Dell suddenly pulled her into his lap and kissed her intensely. She practically melted into his hot arms.
"Beverly…" he whispered into her ear. "Do you mean it?"
"Yes…" she said. Then she pulled away. "I… don't really know where you and I can go from here…"
He stared into her face for a moment. "I know what you mean," he said. "I adore you, Beverly Crusher, and I only want you to be happy."
"You are impossible," she said with a laugh. "I would like you to come home with me… for a little while."
"I would love that, mel-nen," he whispered as she nestled into his shoulder. "Then you will go; off to adventure aboard this ship, leaving me nothing to look forward to but your communiques."
She sighed happily. "I'll look forward to yours, too…" She tilted her head upward and he met her mouth with his.
They said nothing more, because lunchtime was nearly over. But Dell did manage to swiftly undress her, bend her over the couch, and satisfy her to the point of soprano notes. She arrived in sickbay with more energy than she'd had in days, though her legs did seem to wobble a bit from time to time.
After an hour, though still aglow, Dr. Crusher was troubled in sickbay. She had not alerted any of the senior officers that Chancellor Sull had awoken and been released to her quarters before lunch. No one had asked to be alerted, she tried to tell herself. But she knew it was only because they hadn't considered she would awaken before they arrived in the Terran system.
Crusher sat behind her desk pondering the situation. Everyone was on the Bridge except for Geordi, whom Crusher knew was in Engineering, and suspected was brooding.
She hit her combadge and said, "Dr. Crusher to Commander La Forge."
"La Forge here," he said. He was standing at the island in Engineering next to Data, who had come down from the Bridge by Geordi's request.
"Geordi…" Crusher began, and then hesitated.
Geordi's face felt hot suddenly and he sputtered, "What is it, Doctor?"
She took a deep breath and said, "Chancellor Sull is awake… She has returned to her quarters."
"Her quarters?" he nearly shouted. Then he was frozen. "Thanks, Beverly," he said.
Data was more frozen. Then he blinked and said, "It is remarkable that the Chancellor has recovered so well and so quickly from her injuries."
"Yeah," Geordi agreed immediately. "It seems a little appropriate." He turned away and walked to his office. He sat.
"Geordi, are you all right?" Data asked, joining him.
"I'm glad she's better," he replied, not looking at the android.
"You seem disturbed," Data said.
After a few moments Geordi nodded. "I guess I'm still a little mad at her for not telling us what she expected…." Data said nothing to this. Geordi smirked. "I guess it doesn't make sense to be mad at her. I know why she did it." He touched the back of his hand to his mouth. "I was just afraid…It's like I'm angry with her for scaring me." He smiled at Data.
Data frowned slightly. "I do not know what it is like to be angry with someone for risking their own life. However, I also wish the Chancellor had confided in me, especially as we embraced before she went aboard the Space Station."
Geordi sighed heavily. "At least you got that, Data," he said, just as heavily.
Data tilted his head. "Are you going to visit her, Geordi?"
Geordi shook his head. "Not today, Data." He looked up into Data's gold eyes. "With all of the human irrationality on board this ship, I think you might be the better visitor." He stood up. "I'll visit another day. Tell her for me?"
"I will, Geordi," Data replied. They left the office and Data returned to the Bridge to finish his shift. His thoughts occasionally wandered to his friend, the dutiful Engineer. In a small way, he wished he could contribute to the human irrationality on board this ship.
"Doctor Crusher to Bridge." Data had just taken his seat at the comm when the doctor's voice greeted them. He blinked.
"Yes, Doctor," the Captain said as he sat in his chair, flanked by Troi and Riker, Worf at tactical behind him.
"I wanted to let you know that Chancellor Sull is awake and has returned to her quarters."
The Captain closed his mouth tight, willing his face to be still. He noticed that Riker to his right grumbled under his breath and then sighed. He looked over at him. Then he said, "Thank you, Doctor" in a formal tone. Picard turned to a dark, bald female Lieutenant at the helm and told her she could drop speed. He leaned back and sighed.
"Inform Starfleet as to the Chancellor's condition," he said to Worf behind him, who complied.
Data chanced a glance at the Captain and First Officer. They seemed to "seethe," as Data understood the word. He reflected on their frustrations when the Chancellor had first been kidnapped. Then Data glanced at the Counselor, who looked concerned and watchful, but not angry. He decided to consult her on this new curious reaction he had never observed in humans before. Then he reflected that he would have the opportunity to discuss it with the person whom had initiated these powerful emotions. He looked down at the panel before him, seeing nothing unusual in the sector as they passed through it. It would be a relief to everyone, he knew, to get off of this damn ship for six weeks.