Christine felt like she was on fire. She didn't feel good, but she had a job to do and a shift to complete. Hearing the doors open, Christine quickly turned and grabbed onto the closest biobed, a wave of dizziness hitting her.
"You do not look good," La'an stated, coming up next to her and placing a hand on her back.
"Thanks." Facing La'an, Christine had to blink a few times as the bright lights started to get to her.
Feeling La'an wrap an arm around her waist, Christine allowed La'an to lead her to the far biobed.
"I want you to lay down for a minute, please." Helping Christine ease down onto the biobed, La'an pursed her lips together. She didn't know what to do, and sickbay was empty apart from them. Christine didn't look well, and La'an didn't want to leave her alone.
Finding a medical tricorder, La'an scanned Christine and read the readout. "You have a twenty-four hour bug, I think."
"Let me look." Taking the tricorder, Christine squinted at the screen and agreed with La'an. "There's a vial in the containment unit that will fix it within a few minutes. If you give me a minute, I'll get up and get it once the dizziness passes."
"Christine, please, stay down. I can get a vial. What colour am I looking for?" La'an replied, gently pushing Christine back onto the biobed.
"It's electric green. There should be two in the front of the tray; we only need one." Covering her eyes, Christine took a deep breath in and sighed. She felt exhausted, and she didn't know if she was able to finish her shift.
"I have the vial and a hypospray. I'm going to give it to you now, is that okay?" La'an asked, knowing permission was important.
"Shoot," Christine replied. Feeling the sharp sting against her neck, she winced and waited for it to work.
"You should be good soon, I think." Resting her hand on Christine's forearm, she gently moved her thumb in arcs, comforting her.
"You'd make a good nurse," Christine said, moving her hands from her eyes so she could see La'an.
"I'm not very good with people."
"You're better than you give yourself credit for." Sitting up, Christine stretched and grabbed the side of the bed as a small wave of dizziness hit her. "I maybe shouldn't have moved so quickly."
"Take it easy." Making sure Christine was okay, La'an placed a hand on her upper arm, helping steady her.
"I forgot to ask; why did you come to sickbay? Did you need something?"
"I actually came to speak to you. I was after some medical tips just in case something else goes wrong on an away mission like it did on the comet," La'an replied, subconsciously beginning to stroke Christine's upper arm.
"I can make you a list and go over it with you at some point," Christine replied. "I'm still not feeling too great, and I'm probably not going to be of much help today."
"It can wait until you feel better. Is anyone else meant to be coming on shift? You need to go to your quarters and rest. Head of Security orders," La'an said, doing her best to look stern.
"You're cute when you make that face. Nurse McHugh should be here soon. Her shift should start in a few minutes."
"When she gets here, I'm taking you to bed."
"Oh, are you now," Christine smirked, raising an eyebrow. "That would be fun."
"You know what I meant," La'an replied, feeling her ears burn.
Hearing the doors open, La'an slowly exhaled as the other nurse walked in and smiled at them.
"Okay, come with me. Time to get you into bed." Helping Christine off the bed, La'an made sure she was steady on her feet. Exchanging a quick word with Nurse McHugh, La'an led them out of sickbay.
"How're you feeling now?" La'an asked, her hand lightly brushing Christine's.
"A fair bit better. I feel exhausted," Christine replied, stopping outside of the turbolift.
"That is why you're going to rest," La'an replied, stepping into the turbolift and taking them to the deck Christine's quarters were on.
"Well, you did say you were taking me to bed," Christine winked, enjoying the blush that rose on La'an's face.
"Maybe, if you're lucky," La'an shot back, smiling when Christine smiled.
Stopping outside of Christine's quarters, Christine opened the door and went inside, La'an following.
"Are you on or off duty?" Christine asked.
"Off duty until tomorrow. Now, bed."
Playfully rolling her eyes, Christine kicked off her shoes and unzipped her uniform, letting it fall to the ground.
Standing there stunned, La'an gulped and watched as Christine went into the bathroom, emerging moments later dressed in pyjama shorts and a shirt.
"Can you lay with me for a bit, if that's okay?" Christine asked, not wanting La'an to leave.
"I can." Taking her shoes off and pulling off her overshirt, La'an reached out and held Christine's hand.
Leading them over to the bed, La'an was surprised when Christine pulled down the covers and slid in, patting the spot next to her.
Climbing into bed, La'an laid on her back and was surprised when Christine cuddled into her side, her head resting on her shoulder.
"Is this okay?" Christine asked, wrapping an arm across La'an stomach.
"It is." Pulling Christine a little closer, La'an felt herself relax for the first time in a while.
"Thank you for today."
"It's more than okay. Being sick isn't pleasant, and you honestly didn't look that great."
"And how do I look now?" Christine asked, looking at La'an.
Shifting slightly, La'an gently stroked the side of Christine's face. "You look beautiful and tired."
Unable to keep the blush off her face, Christine buried her head in the crook of La'an's neck and held her a little tighter. She wasn't used to people calling her beautiful, and when La'an said those words, Christine felt like she would explode from pure happiness.
Feeling La'an's cheek rest against her forehead, Christine inhaled and slowly exhaled. She could feel the warmth of La'an and the blankets seeping into her skin, and it was making her sleepy.
"Thank you for taking care of me," Christine whispered, closing her eyes.
"Any time," La'an replied softly.
Gently caressing Christine's back, La'an could tell she was falling asleep. La'an could feel even breaths against her skin, and the arm across her stomach relaxed.
La'an didn't want to move, she didn't want to disturb Christine, and she felt content with Christine in her arms. She felt a sense of intimacy between them, and she didn't realise how much she had been craving it until this moment.
Pressing a soft kiss to Christine's forehead, La'an pulled the blankets higher and closed her eyes. She wanted this moment to never end.
