Slow Way Home
Chapter 26

[Day 33 of 45]

Spock had time before his shift and he slid out of his wife's grip. She was sleeping peacefully for the moment. But she'd had three nightmares in the night. Night before that she'd had four nightmares that woke her up.

He needed to know how to help her. His own dreams were far less frequent than hers even with the backlash of his planet.

So he dressed then left the room. He walked the corridors going to the Infirmary and was not surprised to find Dr. McCoy was already in. Dr. McCoy worked even more than Jim did and she worked twice as much as she should.

"Dr. McCoy, may I have a word," Spock asked.

"Whatever it is… can it wait," Dr. McCoy asked gruffly.

"It's about Jim," he stated and Dr. McCoy stopped before ushering Spock into a private office.

"What did she do this time?" Dr. McCoy asked.

"She has been experiencing nightmares and… I am at a loss at how to help her with them. I am aware you have a psychology degree as well as a medical one so if you have any advice…" Spock was cut off by a groan.

"God Damn it. Should have expected this. She always has nightmares after anything. She represses a lot which leaves things in her subconscious to haunt her. She always wants to protect those around her without spending time on herself. This leaves her no time to sort through her own thoughts. My advice is get her to sit down and force her to talk," Dr. McCoy told him and Spock listened.

"She has nightmares regularly?" Spock asked and the Doctor nodded.

"Every time she gets hurt helping somebody she has nightmares about what could have been if she hadn't succeeded," Dr. McCoy informed him.

"So, just get her to talk?" Spock asked and Dr. McCoy rolled his eyes.

"Sounds simple but this is Jim we're talking about. Her and talking aren't exactly known together. She rarely talks about anything when it comes to her," Dr. McCoy told him. "Now, out, some of us have work to do." With that Spock was all but shoved out of the infirmary.

Spock began walking towards his quarters once more when his mother walked toward him.

"Spock, I need to ask you a question," his mother called and he stopped so he could face her. "What should I get the twins for Christmas?"

Pausing, he considered that because he only knew a bit about his children.

"George is much more logical and cerebral. He would prefer advanced reading material while… Mandy would prefer physical things," Spock told his mother. He'd almost called his daughter Amanda but chose not to while speaking with his mother – his daughter's namesake.

"So, figure what you would have liked when you were about eight and find out what Tibby would have liked when she was younger?" she asked and he nodded. "Okay. That I can do." With that she bowed her head. "Now, I should go speak with T'Pau, she's still searching for whoever is responsible for keeping you and Tibby apart." He nodded and watched as she walked away.

~Slow Way Home~

Christopher Pike was lying in his bed with a Padd. in his hands when the attached Comm. went off. He straightened up so he looked more in control before answering it.

"Pike here," he said only to realize there were two faces staring at him. "Does your mother know you two are talking to me?"

"Nope," young Mandy stated with a smile and a mischievous glint in her eyes. "Neither do our teachers for that matter. We miss you, Chris. When are you and Mommy coming back?"

"Soon," Pike told the girl. "Around Christmas." Mandy squealed.

"How is your health?" Jory asked and Pike wanted to swear. The boy was too concerned.

"Better than yesterday but I'm on a slow road to recovery," Pike admitted since they would catch him in a lie otherwise. "Now… where are your teachers?"

"Dealing with a fight," Mandy said with a shrug. "Two older boys started fighting over the same girl or something. Why would they do that?" Mandy cocked her head to the side and Pike didn't really know what to say. Those two were so smart and knew so much… but they were also barely considered older than toddlers at four-years-old. There was so much that they didn't understand. They cringed and hid their faces when adults kissed around them meaning they were still innocent.

"It's something older people do," he said vaguely and they both rolled their eyes. "Now tell me what you want to do for Christmas."

~Slow Way Home~

Bones was working still, doing his rounds while thinking about Jim. A lot of people were still in the infirmary as their resources were limited. They hadn't been prepared for a quick observation mission – not a battle.

Most that were there were mostly recovered from major injuries but were still under observation in case something else went wrong.

He was distracted and heading toward his office when hands moved to cover his eyes.

"Guess who," the familiar voice of Gaila stated.

"Hmm… Spock," he said sarcastically and she pulled away so he could turn to face her. Her hands had gone to her hips.

"That's not funny," she said and he gave her a look.

"Hi, Gaila," he said before kissing her chastely. She returned it before looking at him.

"You need to get more sleep. You look worse than your patients," she told him and he gave her a look. "No offense to them but seriously. Have you seen yourself?"

"Not a lot of time for naps," he told her and she shook her head before ushering him to his desk chair where she began to massage his shoulders.

"You and Jim… you are both running yourselves into the ground," Gaila told him as she hit a tight muscle already and began to work it. His eyes closed because it hurt but it was a good hurt. "What am I going to do with you?"

"Lecture me then forgive me," he muttered and she stopped then he heard a chuckle.

"Most likely," she stated. After a bit he pulled away and stood up.

"Thank you," he stated, kissing her chastely.

"You're welcome," she stated before moving to step away. However, she swayed as she stepped, hand going to her head and he had to grab her.

"Gaila?" he asked concerned steadying her.

"Note to self – not eating the gunk they call breakfast then napping during lunch causes dizzy spells," she stated with a grin and he gave her a look because he was concerned.

"Are you okay?" he asked.

"Yeah, just need to get something to eat," she told him before kissing his cheek. Before he could respond she left the infirmary and he so wanted to be pissed off. He was more worried though because the woman he was falling in love with almost took a swan dive right in front of him. Now he had one more thing to worry about.