It was a slow day on the Enterprise. The main crew had been on the bridge for hours making precise and very slow maneuvers around an enormous debris field somewhere in our galaxy near no large space bodies or planets. Starfleet command's orders were precise, "Analyze the ship crash debris with the purpose of gaining information on how the crash occurred." The crew knew from the scattered bits all over that no one could have possibly survived this crash. Captain Kirk had made is clear he wanted this "grunt work" done as quickly as possible. Then Spock continued to explain that this project is as important as if we were sent here to rescue survivors.
Spock reiterated, "In the event that this wreckage was caused by a mechanical error, finding the cause would prevent future fatalities and lead to this type of ship being improved and made more safe for its' passengers."
Kirk sat down on the captain's chair in a confident composure and replied, "Yeah thanks Mr. Spock and with that please alert engineering that an excursion may be necessary to get to some of the debris that may be out of reach from the Enterprise."
"Yes Captain," Uhura's smooth voice responded. Then she quickly turned around and began typing while verbally restating Captain's orders into her communicator.
The main system's information engine for the crashed ship was in the center of the debris field and the Enterprise was too large to get through the dense collection of floating metal and wire. The Enterprise had been stagnant for four hours as a low speed, cramped transit ship sifted through the debris for clues on the ship's failure.
Kirk was getting impatient and spoke through the communicator, "Scotty any new updates from your engineering crew on the transit ship?"
"Yes captain. They are sending me everything they know. But so far, nothing of interest. Just diagnostic information that we are working through." Scotty replied with his heavy accent while trying not to lose Captain in engineering terms.
Captain sighed, "Alright Scotty. Just keep my posted."
After hours and minutes of silence and simply slow maneuvers through the debris Sulu was getting bored. Spock and Uhura were in their posts debating certain aspects of Vulcan grammar in comparison with that of human languages. They frequently shifted their conversation from Vulcan to English. Kirk had gotten restless and decided to go to engineering and see the information for himself. Other bridge workers lingered on deck, quietly checking their post alerts or taking place in conversations with the others.
Chekov was reading through the engineering diagnostic information but after not seeing anything of interest he turned to Sulu. Calling Mr. Sulu by his first name Chekov said, "Hikaru, I was wondering about normal childhood." His rolling Russian accent brought a smile to Sulu's face.
Sulu shifted his body to face Chekov and he looked at him and sat back, preparing for a long conversation. Chekov had a way with initiating meaningful conversation that Sulu had learned to analyze. First he began with the perfect moment, a quiet and dull moment in which the bridge crew were scattered and distracted. Then he turned over and looked at Sulu for a few moments, as if Sulu couldn't see, and then he caught the other man's gaze and began to speak. Chekov was always asking questions, Sulu thought, probably because he is young... but not much younger than myself. He is only curious, Sulu concluded.
"Well Pavel, I cannot speak for everyone but I had a good childhood. My parents were very big motivators for my success and they always took care of me. I wasn't a troubled kid or anything... my childhood was probably average." Sulu looked at Chekov reading his facial emotions.
Chekov looked down at his knees then suddenly up into Sulu's eyes again, "Oh okay. But Hikaru, what do you remember? What did you do that was fun as a child?"
Sulu chucked a bit then sat quietly for a moment thinking as he shifted his posture, "I do remember vividly when my father first enrolled me in fencing class. He told me fencing was distinguished and forceful."
"Did you meet good friends at fencing class, Hikaru?" Chekov was thoroughly interested.
Sulu replied, "Yes actually! I met a few of my best friends there. My greatest friend in primary school was named Henry and I met him in fencing class. He joined the class soon after I had begun."
Chekov hesitated a moment, coming to the realization that he had never had a school best friend. He was an academic genius and it was difficult for him to hide it in his naive adolescence. The other school children did not bully him, they completely ignored him, which was worse in Chekhov's opinion. "What do best friends do? How do you become a best friend?"
Sulu chuckled at the silly question but came to the sad realization that Chekov was deprived of the childhood best friend and many other childhood experiences. Sulu responded, "Well we did many things. We would practice fencing, sit together at school, and just other stuff I guess. Henry frequently stayed at my house overnight, or I would stay at his. But only on days which we wouldn't have to go to school."
Chekov smiled widely, "Oh yes Hikaru! I have heard of those... sleepovers! What do you do at these?"
Sulu was not quite smiling, "We would build forts out of blankets and pillows. Then we would eat entire bags of chips under them while making a huge mess. Stay awake while playing video games until very early in the morning. Really Pavel, you don't know this? You haven't ever had a sleepover like this?" Sulu and Chekov were so lost in their conversation they did not even see Captain enter the bridge.
Captain suddenly interrupted, "Mr. Chekov, is this true? Have you never had a sleepover like this?"
Chekov looked up at Captain's sympathetic face and shrugged, "No Captain. I have never been invited to a sleepover, ate chips until early in the morning or built a fort of blankets." Captain Kirk looked over at Sulu. They made eye contact that showed they were both sad for Chekov.
Captain reached for his communicator and spoke into it, "Captain to maintenance crew, please have surplus bedding transported to lounge deck three. Thank you."
Sulu and Chekov made eye contact. Sulu could see Chekhov's cheeks getting pink and a smile in his eyes. Captain noticed the whole bridge crew was watching him.
Spock asked, "Captain may I make a query?"
"Go ahead, Mr. Spock," Captain allowed.
Spock walked from his seat next to Uhura so that he was facing Kirk, "What is the reasoning behind your previous request of the maintenance crew?"
Uhura interrupted, "Captain, engineering has just informed us that the transit ship is back on the Enterprise with sufficient evidence. Engineering is working quickly to format the data before they relay it to Starfleet."
"Thank you Uhura. I am glad you asked Spock," Kirk smiled as he put his hand on Spock's left shoulder, "We are going to have a sleepover." The captain began to walk to door leading out of the bridge. Before the doors closed he turned around and said to his confused crew, "Alert the highest members of each branch that there will be a mandatory meeting in the lounge on deck three at 8 o' clock."
Kirk exited the bridge because it was his dinner schedule, as it was Chekhov's and Sulu's. Chekov looked at his digital watch and it read 5 o' clock. The crew members smiled and looked happy. Spock appeared to be slightly annoyed, however he always did when Kirk wanted to interrupt the normal routine for something unnecessarily fun.
"Well Pavel, I guess you'll be having your first real sleepover tonight. See you there," Sulu's hand gently held the boy's arm as he smiled. Then Sulu retreated from the bridge gracefully. Chekov sat in his place thinking for a moment while trying to cover his over excitement.
Spock approached him, "Mr. Chekov, I believe it is your dinner schedule and the end of your shift. I, and other qualified personnel, will minister to your post until your next shift tomorrow morning at 5. You are dismissed."
Chekov quickly stood up and smiled nervously, "Yes Commander Spock. Thank you." He quickly shuffled towards the bridge exit.