This is probably the last chapter, I may add another chapter or an epilogue.
"Well I like this ship. You know, it is exciting." Scotty exclaimed, breaking the tension on the bridge, everyone seemed to wake from their daze as if realising all that had just occurred had been real.
It was quickly established that Kirk had been made first officer by pike and the crew were to be ready for battle, and the rest of the bridge crew returned to their stations to make it happen. However Chekov, feeling fear and guilt fill him, felt trapped where he stood and did not move. He needed to get out of the bridge but couldn't move as fear held him tight. Kirk had almost been killed by Spock and it was all his fault because of what had happened in the transporter room. Looking round the room he caught the eye of his friend, concern evident in her eyes. She looked to Kirk as he asked her to take Scotty to get a change of clothes and a towel. Her response surprised Chekov as she started to walk towards her friend.
"I am an engineer, not a maid." She said smiling at McCoy. "If you will excuse me I need to have a conversation with your Navigator." As she finished the statement she grabbed hold of Chekov's arm and pulled him towards the door. When they were outside the bridge she directed him onto the observation deck which, unsurprisingly was empty and dark, as no one had time to use it. Dawson just hugged her younger friend and let him cry out all his anger and fear and guilt on her shoulder.
Once the tears had slowed Dawson let Chekov out of the hug. He felt the tears had released some of his guilt and fear, however he still didn't feel any better.
"Do you want to talk about it?" Dawson asked him, the honest answer was he did want to get it all out and tell someone but looking at the young Engineer made him reconsider. She had the weight of the world, or the ship at least, on her shoulders and never asked for any help. He did not want to add his pain as a burden.
"No, I am fine. Thank you. For being there" He lied but faked a smile to try and persuade her otherwise.
"You are not Chek. You can't just ignore what happened on the bridge because when you go back there Spock will still not be there and you will still blame yourself. Nothing will have changed and you can't keep on working yourself like you do and expect it to just get better." Chekov stared out the window as she said this, trying not to catch her eye. She cupped his chin and turned his head so he could look her in the eye. "Look at me Chek. I want to help you"
"And so do I Mr. Chekov." Said a new voice in the room causing the two youngsters to turn around suddenly to be met with Spock walking towards them out of the shadows. "I came to apologise to both of you. I ignored your needs and you were the people I took for granted the most. I performed dishonourably and betrayed your trust, I am sorry."
"Captain… Commander, sorry, I completely forgive you and will convey your apologies to the rest of my team. You had your own problems. But I need your help now if you would be able to give it." Dawson said and looked into Chekov's eyes trying to convey some kind of apology for what she was about to tell the Vulcan. "You see, my friend blames himself for what happened on Vulcan and that you become emotionally compromised. Because he manned the transporter, my friend thinks it was his fault it failed to bring your mother on to the ship. What should I tell him, in order to reassure my friend?" This caused Chekov to look away from the engineer.
"That is vexing." Spock commented. "I would tell your friend that he performed admirably and it was through no fault of his that my mother was taken from me. The only people I blame are the Romulins who launched the attack on my planet leading to its destruction and, furthermore, my mother's death." Spock concluded. This news started to lighten Chekov's heart, as if a weight had been lifted form it. For the first time since the accident he felt a genuine smile form on his face. This also lit up Dawson's face immensely.
"Thank you Commander." He smiled, trying to hold in his happiness.
Noticing Spock's father at the door, Dawson said "We will leave you in peace commander. Know with confidence that we both forgive you." She told him as both her and Chekov left, smiles plastered on their faces.
When they got out into the corridor they started to laugh excitedly and in a surprising turn of events, Dawson grabbed the young navigator and pulled him in for a deep kiss. This made them both feel a little shocked about what had happened until the navigator pulled her in for another, more sustained kiss. As they pulled apart they found they were both still smiling and looked at each other.
"We need to go to battle stations" Dawson reminded him as the announcement by Kirk was recalled. She started to walk back to engineering and Chekov to the bridge until he stopped her by running back and planting another kiss on her beautiful face.
"Be safe" he told her as he ran back to the bridge, his fun and bouncy self back.
Thank you for reading!
Hope you didn't find it horrible, please review :D