Prompt: Brennan - "We'll be fine, but next time it's your turn to ask me to marry you."- 'Bones'
It may have been late, but unfortunately there was still work to do which was why he was walking down Voyager's corridors with B'Elanna as they discussed possible solutions to the issue. All thoughts of engineering issues were pushed aside as they rounded a corner though. There in the corridor, Gerron lay sprawled on the deck, bruises already appearing on exposed skin.
"Gerron," Dalby exclaimed, falling to his knees beside the Bajoran.
Running footsteps made B'Elanna look in the direction they had been heading to see two figures in gold and black uniforms disappear around the corner. She was about run after them when Dalby spoke again.
"He isn't breathing."
Looking away from the now empty corridor, B'Elanna looked down to find Dalby attempting mouth to mouth on the young Bajoran.
"B'Elanna to sickbay. We've got a medical emergency on deck eight," she said quickly, ending her call with a more exact location on the deck.
"On my way," Kes replied immediately.
B'Elanna looked back down to her two fellow former Maquis, noting the bruises on Gerron's neck even as the Bajoran took a tentative breath on his own.
"Ral," Dably called out, his eyes focused on Gerron as he leaned over the still form of his friend.
At the sound of his name, Gerron's eyes fluttered open, going from unfocused to focus as he peered into Dalby's eyes. B'Elanna let out a breath she was holding as she dropped to her knees beside her fellow engineer.
Dalby was at a loss for what else to say. Asking Gerron if he was okay seemed pointless, given the situation. Still, he felt relieved just to see Gerron's eyes opened.
"Did you just kiss me?" Gerron asked, still clearly confused.
Dalby smiled. "I guess you could say I did."
"I didn't know you felt that way about me," Gerron said, a small smile coming to his face.
"Me neither, but you know what, next time you're going to have to be the one to ask me to marry you," Dalby joked, reaching to take one of Gerron's hands in his own.
"I'll keep that in mind," Gerron said, closing his eyes again.
"Gerron, keep your eyes open," B'Elanna instructed before Dalby could say anything. "Kes is on her way."
"Is that an order, ma'am?" Gerron asked even as he opened his eyes again.
"Yes."
"And you know how violent she can get when her orders aren't followed."
"If she broke my nose I don't think I'd even notice the way I feel right now," Gerron admitted.
"Kes will take care of that," Dalby assured him. "Just keep your eyes open for me," Dalby repeated, silently vowing to make whoever did this pay just as soon as he knew Gerron was going to be okay.