Chris and Lilly met suddenly, their chemistry sparked, their physical attraction bloomed, their emotional connection was natural and familiar; and they spent the night in each other's arms. They were resigned to a short time together, a couple of weeks; a benevolent universe gifted six.
Letting his first officer escort the Ambassador's delegation from the shuttle bay, Chris casually hangs back until he and Lilly are walking side by side. She leans in and whispers, "I didn't know Enterprise was our transport. Everything happened so fast this afternoon. These negotiations were unexpectedly pushed up two months. There wasn't time to … I won't say anything …"
He shushes her and answers quietly, "It's fine. I'm pleased, astonished to be certain, but very pleased."
"I don't expect that you, that we will … I understand things will be different on your ship."
Chris wants to smile at her and assure her nothing has changed but is not yet ready to share her and their secret with a wider audience. "We'll talk later, after I get them settled and the formalities are complete."
ooooo
Phil Boyce, Enterprise's current Chief Medical Officer, strides into the ready room, already speaking as the doors swish closed, as is his modus operandi. "So much for the two extra weeks of leave, such is the life for a dedicated Starfleet crew. By the way, Una tells me you didn't return to the ship last night."
"Is that really something you want to broadcast in the hallway?" Chris asks in an annoyed tone.
The CMO grins, "Maybe. Depends on if it's a really good story, such as you rescued a damsel in distress or serenaded a beautiful senorita under her bedroom window,"
"Seriously? You watch too many movies." Chris interjects.
Phil continues without pause, "or if the night had a happy ending. Ships do thrive on well-meaning gossip." He scrutinizes the Captain with his experienced, well-trained eye. Little escapes his notice. "Yep, I'd wager your night had a happy ending."
"Do you have a medical reason for being here?"
"No, nothing to report. Mainly, I'm here to amuse myself."
"If you need more to do, I can arrange for Number One to perform a Level A inspection of all Sickbays," Chris replies with an innocent expression.
"My mood is too good to be ruined by empty threats. Bob and Sarah are on board. We have a milk run for at least the next six weeks. And my night had a happy ending too, actual three happy endings." Phil responds jovially. Off the ship its CMO is frequently in the company of an attractive man or woman. On board he has a long-standing beneficial arrangement with several good friends.
"Your prowess is legendary," Chris deadpans. "Perhaps you can go spread sunshine elsewhere so I can finish these requisitions before dinner."
"As you wish." Phil leaves with a self-satisfied smile, thinking, there is a one-hundred-and-eighty-degree difference between the tense and bone-weary Captain of yesterday and the relaxed one of today.
ooooo
Lilly begs off dinner with the Ambassador and his wife, in need of time to sort through the breathtaking past twenty-four hours. She checks her watch and thinks, not even a whole day since we met. In her experience those events that barrel unexpectedly into your life in a flash, blow away all your carefully laid plans, and change your existence irrevocably are typically heart-wrenching.
And this could be if I let it continue. The most likely outcome is an amazing few weeks and then loss and heart break. Use this interruption as a second chance to back away. It must be a sign.
But if it's a sign, is it a sign to stop or to continue?
Exasperated with her indecision, Lilly decides to distract herself with unpacking and work.
ooooo
Robert April, former Captain of Enterprise, hands Phil a drink. Sarah, Bob's wife and former CMO of Enterprise jumps right to the point, as is her way. "How's our boy? He can't make dinner by the way, some problem with the warp reactor."
"We've had several back-to-back, nail biting missions. Ten of the crew were lost on the last one. He could use some leave."
Sarah sighs and shakes her head. "Human males really can be morons at times. A vacation isn't the answer. Neither is a momentary distraction, no matter how attractive. He needs something beyond ship and crew, rather someone beyond ship and crew. Someone who will shower him with love, attention, and devotion. Someone who will be there when all of this," she waves her hand around the room, "is done."
"There's my tactful, subtle wife." Bob teases with a hint of sarcasm.
"You're the diplomat in the family, dear, not I." Sarah retorts. "Chris thrives on deep connections. And he has that with his crew. But there is more to Chris than Captain Pike. And a string of casual relationships isn't his style."
Phil cocks an eyebrow. "I assume you already picked out a contender and have a plan?"
"Of course! If I waited for the two of you to hatch one, we'd all be old, well, older and greyer."
"Yes, she does." Bob adds. "A member of my staff."
"Have the two of you started a match-making business in your retirement?"
Bob shrugs. "We dabble."
Phil rubs his chin as he considers. "You're not wrong. But … it's hard enough for two members of Starfleet to make a go of it, and you're suggesting a civilian? Few would be willing to tolerate the long months, or even years of separation."
"That's true. But I believe Lilly will look past the challenges to the man," Sarah explains. "Will you help us?"
"Help you?" Phil asks suspiciously.
"Yes, help us create situations so they can discover one another. And then nudge nature along its course," Sarah affirms.
Bon chuckles, "You know Sarah leaves nothing to chance. We had planned to start tonight, but neither could come to dinner."
Phil nods. "Yes, I'm in."
ooooo
Evening turned to night which turned to morning. After going back and forth and back again, Lilly emerges from the shower resolute. I end it now. That's best for both of us.
The door chimes and standing on the other side is a tired looking but happy Chris. "May I?" He asks.
"Oh, yes, of course, come in." Lilly says as she stands aside. She cinches the belt of her robe tighter and places her hand over its gapping front. Then looks skyward and shakes her head in amusement. It's not like he hasn't already seen you naked … and in several provocative positions.
"I'm sorry it's taken a while …" He starts.
"I understand you're a busy guy," she interrupts. "Do you want to sit?"
"I do," he hesitates, "but I have a briefing in five minutes. Sorry again." He walks to her, leans down, and delivers a chaste kiss. "Good morning."
"Good morning."
Gathering the wet hair from her shoulders, he pushes it back. "Kissing you is a good way start the day."
"Chris maybe we should …"
"Dinner tonight?"
"I don't know …"
He flashes a brilliant smile.
OK, Lilly thinks, resistance to that smile is futile. "Yes."
Chris wraps his arm around her waist and pulls her close. He pushes the robe off her right shoulder and kisses the spot where her neck and shoulder meet. Then whispers in her ear, "And this time it's going to be all about you."
Straightening, he grins and says, "See you later."
ooooo
Lilly feels dizzy halfway through Chris' stunningly passionate kiss. She grasps his shoulders tighter, digging in her fingertips in an effort to stay upright. When the nausea starts rising, she jerks her head back separating their lips, and braces her hands against his chest pushing him away. She feels cold but is sweating. A few deep breaths only hasten her queasiness. Slapping her hand over her mouth, she squeaks, "I'm sorry," and flees.
She spends the next twenty minutes curled on the floor, retching into a wastebasket, eyes watering, with Chris kneeling beside her, holding her hair back.
Between heaving she says, "This is so embarrassing." Heave. "And I am not …" Heave. "an attractive crier." Heave. "My nose gets red." Heave. "My eyes get puffy." Heave.
"Maybe don't talk?" Chris suggests trying to be helpful.
The retching fades into dry heaves. Afterward she collapses against the wall.
"OK?"
Lilly nods almost imperceptibly which communicates her exhaustion and distress louder than words.
"Let's get you off the floor. Put your arms around my neck." Chris instructs. She obeys and he easily sweeps her up and onto the bed.
"I'll be right back." When he returns, Chris sits beside Lilly and hands her a cup of mint tea and a damp cloth.
"Thanks. I'm sorry." Lilly murmurs.
Chris smiles at her fondly and kisses the top of her head. "I won't take it personally." But his expression is concerned. "You're very pale." He gently touches her forehead and the sides of her face with the back of his hand. "No fever. Have you felt ill today?"
Lilly shakes her head. "No, not at all. I was fine until that moment."
"I see." He looks thoughtful. "Have you traveled at high warp before? Above warp 6.5?"
"No."
He smooths her hair back as she sips the tea. "Better?"
"A little."
Chris reaches over to the intercom and calls Sickbay. "This is the Captain. I need a medic, deck 3, VIP quarters, number 12." He turns back to Lilly. "I think I know what's wrong. We went to warp 7 halfway through that kiss."
"How can you know that?"
"The ship shuddered in a very specific way. I'm pretty familiar with all her nuances. High warp can trigger a response like seasickness. The good news is it's treatable."
"And the bad news?"
"You're going to be miserable for a couple of days while you acclimate."