All is Well
"Uhura? What are you doing here?"
Nurse Chapel turned and met her in the doorway.
"Christine!" she was relieved to see her preferred Nurse. She was always nervous, venturing down to Sickbay.
"Are you alright?" Chapel took Uhura's arms and led her immediately to the nearest bed. Uhura sat politely on the edge, and folded her hands in her lap. Chapel dropped her arms.
"I have a bit of a headache… I'm sure it's nothing."
Although the nurse wanted to agree, she was required to be thorough. She hated the dark fear that crept into Uhura's eyes, every time she received a diagnosis. It was spreading already, as Chapel's breath hitched between her lips.
"You're probably right," she smiled, resting a hand on Uhura's shoulder, "But let's be sure."
She was quiet in collecting the necessary readings, waving her scanner behind Uhura's head.
"It's nothing, isn't it?" Uhura did her best to sit still, as the mechanical noises echoed behind her.
"We get a lot of people in for headaches," Chapel's voice was soothing, "Especially when we're below Warp Speed for so long… they have to change the pressure in the cabins, to compensate."
"Oh," she nodded.
"I can get you a Hypo, if you want one. For the pain." She set down the whirring scanner, "I'm sure you want to get back to work."
There was a pause, while both considered what to say next. Neither wanted to show their concern, because it was overwhelming; it would only weaken the other.
"That would be fine, thank you."
"I'll be right back," she smiled, "I promise."
Chapel waited until Uhura nodded, before stepping into the office to retrieve her medicine.
"Here," she said, "We'll have you fixed up in a moment."
Uhura watched the Hypo, with nervous eyes, as Chapel pressed it against her arm.
Chapel was quiet, and paused after the injection. The air settled between them, and Uhura shut her eyes.
"All better?" Chapel asked, reaching again for the other woman's arm.
Uhura tapped her forehead, while her soft breaths tried to form words. Chapel leaned in, until she could hear them and count them, and understand them in their own desperate language.
"It may take some time to settle in," Chapel said slowly.
The officer moved one hand to each temple, pressing them there. Chapel's hands followed, urgently, but maintaining gentle and professional precision.
"Are you feeling better?" the nurse repeated, conducting the rhythm on Uhura's temples. Her nails rested just below Uhura's hairline, waiting.
The silence drew her hands down, until they were cupped protectively around Uhura's cheeks.
Chapel leaned in, to place a careful kiss on her forehead. Uhura's eyes followed Chapel's; both shut and reopened simultaneously.
"I'm feeling much better," hummed Uhura, "Thank you."
"I'd do the same for any of my patients," Chapel said, mostly to herself.
All is well
For tonight,
Darkness fell
Into the dawn of love's light.