A/N: Hi all! I'm thinking one more chapter before the finale.
Twenty
*Riker*
The relief on Wesley's face had been immediate.
I wasn't surprised that the tears had begun to flow quickly either.
He'd immediately launched himself onto the Captain, who had held him in his arms for several minutes and continued to provide reassurance while Nurse Ogawa had tidied up after herself. Upon being told she would return later to check in with Wesley and to discuss where his treatment would go from here, she made a discreet exit, though my eyes were still fixed on the broken and bleeding young man on the medbay bed.
I had to steady myself upon seeing just how bad the damage to his face was. A long strip of raw skin now sat where the restraint had been. His lips were severely blistered and stained with old blood, as the skin protecting them had been removed as well.
What really hit me hard were his eyes. Gone was the youthful spark and enthusiastic nature, replaced by a muted acknowledgement of his surroundings. He was sitting silently with Picard on the bed, gazing dully at the floor of the medbay as if it were the most interesting thing in the universe. The young man must've been exposed to some tremendous violence for such an extreme change in character. As an officer, I'd seen my fair share of violence and disturbing events. I'd even been kidnapped a few times. But to have seen and experienced it at his age? I likely would have reacted in the same way he was now.
And it had only been a few days since this ordeal had started. How much damage had it done to him?
Trying to distance myself from my thoughts, I moved slightly closer to the bed. "Did you want some water, Wes?"
I blatantly ignored the brief startle in Wesley's eyes, choosing instead to only acknowledge his quick nod. Moving to the replicator within a matter of seconds, I had to force myself not to look at him as I impatiently waited for the glass to appear. Despite my instructions to drink slowly, Wesley attempted to take large, desperate mouthfuls of water before a violent coughing fit overtook him. Pain crossed his face as he fought for air, and I realised he was likely still uncomfortable from his broken ribs, even though they had been healed the day prior. A few worrying seconds passed before he regained his breath, and I wisely decided to replicate a straw for him to use.
"Wesley?" Picard asked quietly. "Would you like me to pass on anything to your mother?"
Wesley stared blankly, as though he was searching for an answer. His jaw made a violent twitch and he furrowed his brow, clearly frustrated at himself. Picard and I looked at each other, both suddenly aware of how Wesley was having difficulty even trying to move his mouth; speaking was clearly off the table for the moment. After a quick search through Doctor Crusher's desk, I passed Wesley a holopad for him to scribble out a quick message.
My heart sunk as I handed the first message to Picard: When can I see Mom?
Picard sighed. "Remember you need to look after yourself first before you can care for her. The last that Ogawa told me, your mother was still recovering from her operation."
Wesley's eyes shimmered with tears. He took a breath and composed himself before writing a second message: Tell her I love her and that I'm okay.
Picard gave the young man's shoulder a gentle squeeze. "Would you like me to return after I visit your mother?"
The poor Captain had hardly finished his sentence before Wesley began nodding. Obviously he didn't want to be alone right now, so I decided to take a seat on the other end of the bed. "Wes, I can stay in the meantime if that would make you comfortable?"
Another nod from Wesley. He tightened his grip on the glass of water and slowly drank another mouthful, this time without a coughing fit. I had to repress a smile at this small demonstration of progress.
Picard stood from the bed and straightened his uniform. "I'll speak to Nurse Ogawa about visiting your mother when I can, Wesley. In the meantime, I want you to take some time to rest. Don't let Will keep you awake with heroic adventure stories."
I couldn't repress my grin at that comment, and Picard responded with a slight smirk of his own.
Wesley attempted to give the Captain a grateful smile, though he continued to have difficulty with controlling his facial muscles; the corners of his mouth kept twitching until, clearly annoyed and disheartened, Wesley resorted to giving a nod.
In the split second that Picard and I made eye contact upon his exit, we both gave each other the same message: This was going to take some time.
A tug on my sleeve caught my attention. I turned to find Wesley holding another message on the holopad: I heard Ogawa say you were hurt rescuing me?
My breath hitched. Of course he found out about that. My injuries had healed quicker than expected, although my formerly-broken fingers had ached a couple of times after being under the osteo-regenerator. I had taken myself off bed rest to return to semi-active duty, much to the chagrin of Ogawa, who threatened to tie me to a medbed in the brig if I exerted myself too much.
I didn't know how much to tell him, so I decided that information would stay with me for the time being. "It was worth it if it meant we could get you out."
A few tears dripped down Wesley's cheeks as he continued to write. I'm so sorry, Commander. I didn't mean for any of this - I didn't mean-
I gently removed the holo pen from Wesley's trembling hand. He gazed up at me with bleary red eyes full of unshed tears and apologies that I knew would come later.
"Ensign Crusher," I said slowly, "you have nothing you need to apologise for. You have… shown a level of bravery that I never could in such a situation."
Having known Wesley for many years, I knew instantly that he didn't believe me. I knew he would definitely be berating himself instead his head, but the fact that he still nodded was good enough for now.
Out of the corner of my eye, I noticed Jaigin continuing to loiter in the corner. The young man seemed uncomfortable, though whether it was because of Wesley's suffering or our presence in the room, I wasn't sure.
I decided to break the ice. "The crew and I are very grateful for your help, Jaigin. It won't go unappreciated."
If the young man was startled by my acknowledgement, he was excellent at concealing it. He clasped his hands together and sighed deeply, looking far older in that moment than he had in the cave. "I wish I could have done more."
Wesley took a moment to shuffle himself around to face Jaigin before raising a hand, gesturing for the other man to come over. Jaigin was momentarily puzzled, but it proved once again that simple gestures can transcend all languages and species, for he quickly crossed the room to take a seat where Picard had been minutes before.
It shocked all of us when Wesley suddenly threw his arms around Jaigin, engulfing him in a vigorous hug. His shoulders began to shake, and my eyes began to leak tears of their own as we heard his weak, strangled sobs. It was apparent to Jaigin and myself that the simple act of vocalising his distress was causing him significant pain, and yet he couldn't stop. Jaigin sat dutifully in the embrace and allowed Wesley to express the anger, despair and torment he'd cruelly been denied from vocalising.
I wasn't crying because he was crying. I cried because we could finally hear his cries.
I think I need to pay Deanna a visit after this…
