A/N: I feel like I should apologize for this chapter? It's short and apart of a bigger idea I have following the Into Darkness storyline. This was requested by dauntlessmermaid (too long ago, I'm so sorry!), I hope you like how this came out. Thank you Kat7CA, dauntlessmermaid, LoBear28, and JustDreamAboutIt for your reviews - we've passed 60 reviews can you believe it! You guys are awesome, I'll try to make the next chapter longer, I swear!

The First Time

She Cried For Him

When she entered the room all she could see was him. She'd seen him asleep before, dozing in the quad and passing out during study sessions, but she'd never seen him like this.

He's making a strong recovery. As far as recoveries from death go.

Leonard's voice echoed in her mind as her throat constricted, making it difficult to breathe.

Walking around the bed, she was cautious. As if the slightest movement could send him back over the edge. As if with the slightest movement she could lose him forever. Taking the seat beside the bed, she waited.

The heart monitor continued to beat steadily. A low hum came from the passage outside the door where doctors and nurses alike tended to their patients and reports.

Her lips parted as if to speak; but all the words in her mind seemed light in the heavy atmosphere, a taxing on her strained heart.

"I'm sorry." Her eyes took in every inch of his face, the scratches and fading bruises, the slight coloration from Khan's blood flowing through his system. Her friend whom she'd missed dearly. The almost infallible, irritable, charming, crazy and caring creature known as Jim Kirk…had nearly been wiped out of existence.

And she'd done nothing.

"I'm…so sorry." No other words were formed as her shoulders tremored, tears rolling silently down her cheeks to drip off her chin.

She stayed by his side for as long as she could, drawing as much comfort as she could from the quiet exhales as he slept. A single knock at the door was her signal. And it came much too soon. Gathering herself, she stood and took one last look at his resting face.

"I'll see you." She spoke, her voice foreign to her own ears. Hollow, as if her very spirit had left her.

And her heart ached. Because she knew.

She knew that when they next met, everything between them would be different. His striking blue eyes would never look at her the same. He'd never smile easily at her again because he'd never trust her the same again.

But he was alive.

And that helped make everything that was to follow…bearable.