She looked drawn, Tom noted as he and Miral slipped into the room. Then again, she was seriously injured in that shuttle crash. There are some things that willpower can't overcome.
"Hey, there," he said as he kissed her cheek. "I promised Miral she could see Aunt
Kathryn for a few minutes."
Her smile couldn't quite hide the pain. "I am delighted to see both of you. Come on up
here, Pumpkin," she told Miral as she patted a spot next to her on the bed. "Gently, now,"
Tom reminded his daughter as he lifted her up. Kathryn just gave him a mock glare.
"I'm going to leave you two to visit for a little bit," he said.
"Checking up on me, Thomas?" she asked, her voice a bit more raspy than usual.
"Of course," he said lightly.
He went into the kitchen to talk to the Doctor, who had declared himself a house guest after
Kathryn left the hospital against medical advice. She hadn't objected.
"How is she?"
"Progressing, though she's still in a great deal of pain. She's not sleeping much; partly
pain, partly nightmares, It's a good thing that I don't require sleep."
"I'm not surprised by the nightmares. That was supposed to be a routine diplomatic
mission. No one expected them to be shot out of the sky by a group of fanatics."
"No," he agreed. "Fortunately, she's in no position to refuse her counselor's visits." He paused and looked back toward her room. "She's been writing messages to the families of the staff members she lost."
Tom nodded solemnly. There would be several; out of eight people, only she and her two senior aides survived. He stole a glance at the chronometer. "I should go get Miral," he said apologetically. "It's about time for her nap, and she's going to get cranky."
"Hey, Miral ..." the rest of the sentence died on his lips. He chuckled, then leaned out and quietly beckoned the Doc over. "Think I'll be staying," he whispered.
Miral was curled up in Kathryn's arms, her head resting on her godmother's shoulder.
Kathryn's cheek was resting on Miral's head … and both were sound asleep.
"That," the Doctor whispered, "may be the best medicine of all."