"Commander Burnham," Landry said, as she looked around.
"Tricorder readings are inconclusive," Burnham said, as Tilly bounced against the ground. Burnham was intrigued by the unstable, bouncy ground.
Landry faced L'Rell.
"How was there a base of operations built here?" Landry said.
"They were not," L'Rell said. "they were landed here."
"I do not believe they would fair well with a unstable ground," Landry said.
"Humans have a phrase they like to use," L'Rell said. "when there is a will, there is a way."
"How are you keeping your balance, L'Rell?" Tilly asked, with a hand placed on Burnham's shoulder.
"Klingons keep their balance," L'Rell said.
Tilly managed to wobble her way from Burnham over toward a tree across from L'Rell. Burnham looked in intrigue. The tree, unlike the ground, wasn't as bouncy to the touch. It felt firm and sturdy, nor did it wiggle when Tilly leaned against it. Burnham looked down toward the tricorder scanning the tree. The readings came back as a tree. A perfectly normal pine tree. There were pine trees all around them except for one somewhat thin but large enough to be chopped down and turned into limber for a cottage. Tilly situated herself off the tree as the group went on their path forward. Burnham was keeping her balance against the unstable ground. Tilly jumped and bounce off a distance with a squeal.
"Ensign Tilly," Landry called. "We do not squeal during a operation!"
"Ships we use don't allow Klingons to hear what is going on outside," L'Rell replied. "She can scream as loud as she like and no one would hear her."
"I stand corrected," Landry said. "This appears to be a exception."
"THIS IS SOOO COOOL!" Came Tilly's reply, as she jumped again this time landing upside down on the grass. "Look at mee!"
Burnham raised a eyebrow while L'Rell placed a hand onto her lowering her head.
"We are extremely fortunate," Burnham said.
"There are times I wish we never took over this planet," L'Rell said. "Humans are predictable."
"Indeed, we are," Burnham agreed, as L'Rell walked ahead.
"Woohooo!" Tilly cheered with a bounce.
"Be careful, Ensign," Burnham called.
"Ensigns being careful in a time of war," L'Rell said. "As if."
"You have experience with ensigns?" Burnham asked.
"More than you can imagine," L'Rell said. "most of whom I shared no romantic feelings towards."
"She loves feeling feelings," Burnham said.
"I am surprised to find a Vulcan-Human discovering love among her kind," L'Rell said.
"It was easy," Burnham said.
"Vulcans cannot lie," L'Rell said.
"I am not Vulcan," Burnham replied.
"You seem Vulcan," L'Rell said.
"You seem human," Burnham said. "Not many Klingons decide to help the federation."
"Thank you," L'Rell said.
Burnham raised a eyebrow as the Klingon rushed ahead of her. L'Rell was quite odd to the second officer. Most Klingons, from what her studies had given, would have taken that as a insult. They prided themselves over being warriors, proud, and honorable. They were once thought as worthy opponents to face on the battlefield when it came to hand to hand combat. Burnham watched L'Rell catch up behind Tilly. Tilly fell into a fit of laughter landing onto her side. Tilly's face was a shade of bright pink. L'Rell helped Tilly up to her feet. Tilly was hunched over wiping tears off her cheeks. Tilly regained her footing then resumed her way with some difficulty walking. There was a loud cracking sound from a nearby tree.
"Ensign!" Burnham called.
L'Rell shoved Tilly out of the way.
"Hey!" Tilly shouted, as she bounced out of harms way.
Tilly landed between two branches, safely, then looked down to see what was going on.
L'Rell was recovering on a biobed. Tilly stood alongside Burnham feeling down and a bit concerned. Tilly was in her off duty outfit with folded arms. The fear was radiating off the slightly taller woman. Burnham looked over in the direction of the young woman then back on the resting Klingon. The medical equipment was echoing around them. Waiting for several hours to hear if the surgery was successful. Tilly being relieved of duty during that time. Burnham, Landry, Tyler, and another security officer went down to claim the planet from the Klingons. Which was a rather easy mission. Three surviving Klingons were in the brig awaiting a decision from Starfleet on what to do with them. Lorca speculated that they would not live to see a starbase.
"Sylvia, don't blame yourself," Burnham said.
"She is paralyzed from the waist down," Tilly said. "I admit, I was having fun when I should have been paying attention."
"No one expected it," Burnham said. "the logic in your guilt is not sound." she placed a hand onto Tilly's shoulder.
"I know," Tilly said. Then she nodded. "That's it. I owe her one."
"What do you mean?" Burnham said.
"More like a debt thing," Tilly said. "I have to do something in return for her. Might be in a few hours. Next week, a few months from now, or after the war," Tilly paused looking on toward the resting Klingon. "Whenever she wants, I'll do it."
"If that is how you deal with guilt in a healthy way then I will accept it," Burnham said.
"You never owed someone?" Tilly said.
"Hardly," Burnham said.
"Not even on the Shenzhou," Tilly said. "that is hardly surprising."
"Indeed," Burnham said. The sounds of groaning came from the bed. "She is waking up," she looked toward Tilly. She let go of Tilly's shoulder. "Do you need me as company?"
"Yes," Tilly said.
Burnham reached out then took Tilly's larger hand. Tilly looked over, in surprise, toward Burnham. A smile grew on Tilly's face practically beaming back. As though she had realized just how much of a big step that Burnham was taking. Tilly's face was glowing back at Burnham, proudly, and happily. The two women came toward the waking Klingon's side. Parchi walked past them while speaking with Soval regarding a upcoming surgery. The two women stood side by side along the Klingon. L'Rell's eyes opened then adjusted to the light in the room.
"Ensign," L'Rell said. "Alive and well."
"Thanks to you," Tilly said. "Speaking of which, I owe you."
L'Rell raised a eyebrow ridge.
"She has to do something for you in return," Burnham said.
"I will consider it," L'Rell said. "Why can I not feel my legs?" The two women were silent. "I need a answer."
"Sorry for being late," Culber said, rolling down his sleeve as he came to the other side of the biobed. "Commander, Ensign," he was surprised to see them. "You don't have to be here."
"We have to," Tilly said.
"Oh," Culber said.
"What is wrong with my legs, Doctor Culber?" L'Rell asked.
"It's your spine," Culber said. "It was severed."
L'Rell looked toward Tilly.
"That I owe you situation, Ensign," L'Rell said. "after the war, I want to be alone with you and you will repay me."
"Sure!" Tilly said, with a smile.
"You do realize what I mean," L'Rell asked.
"Uh huh," Tilly said.
"You don't know what I mean," L'Rell said.
"I do know," Tilly
"What do two people alone do?" L'Rell said.
"Play games, cuddle, read, meditate, and sex to name a few," Tilly said.
L'Rell glanced over toward Burnham.
"You should tell her," L'Rell said.
"I shall," Burnham said.
"Tell me what?" Tilly asked, confused looking over toward Burnham.
"Commander Burnham report to science lab 3," came over the intercomn.
Burnham left Tilly, Hugh, and L'Rell in sick bay.