A thick silence loomed over the crew as the preparations were made. After a little bit of work Chekov and Spock, working as one, were able to locate the ailing ship. Relations were tense on the Bones and Jim front, the two had barely spoken since the explosive confrontation on the bridge where a flawed decision was made. Send a sick man onboard to aid sick people. Freaking brilliant. Jim was still mentally kicking himself for his weakness, for giving into Bones' desperate pleas to once again feel useful. In fact Jim had taken every measure in avoiding his ill lover. Pathetic and petty, but in Jim's eyes justified.
Four were to beam aboard: himself, Bones (much to everyone's disapproval), Spock and Sulu. The heart of the ship. The ones who, if they were unlucky enough to fall in the course of the rescue would devastate the crew to an unimaginable extent. Each and ever member of the bridge had a stake in the rescue mission, Uhura and Chekov would suffer catastrophic loses if either of their lovers did not return safely home and into their embraces once again.
A small congregation had formed in the transport room. Worry thick in the air as goodbyes were said. Chekov and Sulu had moved to the farthest corner of the cramped room in an attempt to gain privacy. The older Asian stood with the young Russian wrapped around him like a coat. He ran his hands in a circular motion up and down Pavel's back as he whispered what he hoped were soothing words. Sulu pulls away, gazing in the tear filled eyes. This mission was different, they all felt it.
"I'll be back." It was a statement, there was no doubt in his voice. He would do everything in his power to return home. Hikaru would never leave his young love alone in this world to fend for himself. It was once said that 'dying was easy, living, living is hard.' But Hikaru know who ever uttered this phrase had never felt the way about someone that he did for the ensign. Dying would be hard, to know he would never again look into Chekov's eyes and see unending devotion. Living, living has never been easier.
With the eyes of his captain and colleagues on him, he pull Pavel in for an earth-shattering kiss. He was no longer afraid, afraid that he would not be coming home. Afraid that his relationship with a man was unacceptable to his parents, his friends, and his culture. The only thing that would bring him fear would be leaving the Russian angel in front of him, who had accepted him for everything he was and wasn't.
"I don't think we can top that." Nyota turned smiling warmly toward Spock. Their intimacy had rarely been publicly displayed. And now would be no different.
"I believe it would be illogical to try." Her heart clenched. She sacrified a lot in choosing a Vulcan partner. She missed simply having someone hold her hand or offer her a goofy grin. Neither of which she received from the first officer. But the heart wants what the heart wants. But what about Spock's heart? What is it the his wanted? Companionship? Stimulating conversation? Did he really love her? Was he capable of such a strong emotion in reference to her?
He leans toward her and extends his fingers in a brief Vulcan kiss before returning his hands to the usual position behind his back and pivoting away from her and taking his position on the pad. Waiting patiently for his fellow members of the away team.
Looking around at his loyal crew, Jim felt pride and an eerie sense of impending doom. The question of who would return hung in the air. Would he be able to keep them safe, one person coming to mind more than the others? Bones stood merely 6 feet from him but for all the cold air between them it could have been 6 miles. Little by little the captain inches closer to the CMO, slipping his fingers between the sick man's and giving a tight squeeze to the doctor's clammy hand.
"You ready?" His shaky voice betrayed this calm and cool façade.