A/N: Starting in September, new chapters for this story will be posted on Tuesdays.
"When did Sarah and Phil clear you to work?" Chris asks as he enters Lilly's quarters two days later.
"Hmmm. They didn't … not exactly. Bob sneaked these files in. Though I think that was more about getting Sarah riled so they could make up rather than concern over things getting behind."
"Sarah misses nothing. If she hasn't confiscated it, she agrees you are strong enough. Therefore I won't intercede if you promise not to overdo."
"There's that bossy tone again," Lilly replies trying to sound annoyed but failing. Her smile is a clue.
"I won't take chances, you're too …" Chris pauses and thinks, no, too soon, don't scare her away. His thoughts take a melancholy turn, besides there is no possible future, she deserves more than you have to give. He switches to the point of his visit, or at least one of them. "Your brother requested a live comm link, I've schedule it for 6:00pm. I can give you ten minutes."
Lilly's brow creases and there is a tinge of worry in her tone of voice. "Is he OK?"
"Yes. As far as I know that is. He is listed as your emergency contact. We gave him a full update."
"Oh. Great. Yet another doctor micromanaging my life," Lilly grumbles before thinking. "Sorry. I didn't mean to sound ungrateful, being confined within these four walls is getting to me. Thank you, I realize live communications are limited and rare on a heavy cruiser. Your arrangement is generous. Nick is … well, being the youngest, our parents' sudden accident hit him hardest. He's very protective."
"Of which I approve."
Lilly feels warmth flood her cheeks. I love his little reminders he cares for me; their subtlety speaks more loudly than flowery words.
Chris holds out his hand which she clasps in hers. Taking a seat at the table, he continues keeping her hand firmly in his. "We'll be passing close to the Sagan nebula soon. Have you seen it?"
"No. Well, in pictures but never in person."
Chris smiles. "It is truly a marvel …" He rubs his chin, thinking, there may be just enough time. He inclines his head at the table littered with PADDs. "What are you working on?"
"Comparing Federation civil rights laws with N'Shara's. Respecting a society's unique culture, staying on the right side of the prime directive, and ensuring a basic level of civil liberties exist for every being in the Federation is a delicate balance. I'm looking for any local statutes that automatically disqualify their entry petition. That will give Bob time to plan his response and recommendations. If there is a problem, I'll draft an addendum to the initial treaty detailing the changes required in order for provisional membership to be granted."
"My science officer says the prime directive is morally indefensible," Chris remarks.
"It is. Nor could I successfully defend it in a civil court. But no one legally challenges it because the alternative is worse. Without time and its hindsight, how can we decide which is truly the correct choice, the compassionate choice? Even then does it require divine insight and wisdom to assess the complexities and definitively point to the so-called right path? Or are we taking the easy way out, by dodging the hard calls and letting the universe roll the dice? How much suffering do we avoid and how much do we only postpone and possibly create at a later date because we choose not to get involved? I wrote my doctoral thesis on President Archer's Valakian experience, the planet with the technologically advanced species falling into extinction and the Menk rising. His CMO found a cure for the disease threatening the Valakians requiring Archer's decision whether to share it or withhold it. Our current prime directive can be traced to that decision."
"As a Captain, my job is to answer those very questions on a case-by-case basis."
"I don't envy you that responsibility. And I am glad someone like you is entrusted with it."
Chris reaches over and hooks behind an ear the lock of hair that had fallen into her eyes. "Having you to talk with when those dilemmas arise would be welcome, a gift. And heighten my certainty in my choices. Bob is fortunate."
"I am continually blushing when I am with you …"
"Yeah, it's good for my ego. I very much want to kiss you right now."
Lilly meets his gaze, her lips parting slightly. "I'd very much like to be kissed by you right now."
"But we shall follow the rules, taking no chances that may make you ill. Phil reports you are expected to be released from quarantine in two days. Pencil me into your calendar. Then, once and for all, we will break your bad date karma."
Lilly casts her eyes up at him, unabashedly flirting. "Others have tried. Do you think you are up for the challenge?
His voice is soft. "Perhaps I was born for it."
She looks away. When Lilly meets his eyes again her expression is overflowing with affection; her eyes are soft with tenderness and slightly dilated, and the corners of her mouth are curled upward in a fond smile. "Are you going to tell me another bedtime story too?"
"Yes. In person. With you in my arms and in my bed," Chris informs with a dimpled smile. He blows a kiss to her as he leaves.
ooooo
"How are you feeling?" Nick asks as soon as the link unscrambles.
"Better. Good. The first few days were rough though. Isn't it two a.m. on Vega?"
"I'm on Ariel Prime. Have been for three weeks. There wasn't time to message you before leaving and … well … things are bad here. They had an outbreak of Rigelian fever. It's spreading fast and the local resources can't keep up. The entire planet is under quarantine. Otherwise I would have caught the first transport to Enterprise. Acute warp sickness shouldn't be downplayed. It can turn serious and in rare cases deadly in the blink of an eye."
"It never became as severe as you describe. And I am on a state-of-the-art starship with an excellent medical staff," Lilly assures in a soothing tone.
"Chris said the same thing. And promises to keep Enterprise's speed at warp 5 or below until you are fully recovered. He must be catching hell for that since there is no accepted clinical evidence reducing speed aids recovery after the condition manifests. Though I disagree. Your immune system continually gathers data and reacts accordingly."
"Wait, you talked to Captain Pike? Directly?"
"He called me the night it happened and has been sending daily updates. Personally. As in himself, not his Yeoman, not one of his junior officers, not his CMO, not his XO. Didn't he tell you?"
"No, he never mentioned it, well he did today, but I assumed that Dr. Boyce or Sarah sent you the message."
"Nope. You have captured the good Captain's attention. Do you realize how many favors he must have called in to arrange a live personal conversation on a quarantined planet in the middle of a crisis? I am grateful. He recognized I needed to see and hear you for myself in order to believe you will be OK." Nick flashes a knowing grin. "Why do I get the feeling you don't use his title when you two are alone?"
"Why would you assume we are ever alone? He's busy running a complicated ship with an important mission; I am a passenger."
Nick points and laughs. "There it is, your tell. You are avoiding the question by trying to change the subject. Don't try your lawyer tricks on me, I'm immune. Admit it. I can read you like a book."
"I've missed you. When does this deployment end?"
"In six months. Talk to me."
Lilly sighs. "Talking about it over subspace on his ship feels inappropriate. Chris is nice. He's funny. I like him. We met unexpectedly a few days ago, before the negotiations on N'Shara were advanced two months. The fact that Enterprise is our transport is coincidental."
"You know what they say about coincidences…"
"What?"
"They take a lot of planning," Nick deadpans.
"You are a hopeless romantic."
"Perhaps."
"How's Sam?" Lilly asks.
"There's that subject change tactic again, but I'll let you get away with it this time. He's good. Working with a hospital in Ariel's capital city rather than in the rural areas, but we manage to see one another once or twice a week. We … we are talking about getting married."
Lilly smiles and places a hand over her heart. "That is the best news. I like the two of you together. They don't come better than Sam. Or you."
"You look tired, and our allotted time is almost done. You need rest. I know it feels like that instruction is on an endlessly repeating loop, but it's important for your recovery. Hearing about what happened … it was … I was very concerned … please take care."
"I will. You do the same. Give Sam my love." As the screen goes dark, Lilly traces the fading image of her much loved brother with her fingertip and says silently, "Thank you, Chris."