[SOL! Verse - ]

[nyota_uhura24]

The only way Nyota could keep from tapping her foot impatiently was to keep moving. Unfortunately, every moment spent in the diner and not the kitchen was a moment she had to exercise concerted effort not to look at the empty place where Jim should be. She hadn't seen him since Tuesday morning when she'd woken up in his arms. Spending the night was becoming a dangerous habit, but even if they got to spend all of Monday evening together it simply wasn't the same if she didn't get to fall asleep with her head on his chest and his hand in her hair. She was considering asking her father if she could spend all Monday nights at “Anna's,” but her guilt was making it difficult. She still had no idea what to do about the fact that her family could never know, but she couldn't regret a moment of it. She couldn't regret kissing him or touching him or falling asleep in his arms. She couldn't regret that when she next saw him they'd look at each other and smile and know. She couldn't regret loving him.

But Jim was already an hour late to work. She refilled a few coffee cups and collected empty plates before heading back to the kitchen, the restaurant sounding strangely quiet without Jim's guitar. Her father was hanging up the phone, a slight frown on his face. When she asked what was wrong he replied in Swahili, “Kirk isn't coming. Sounds like he's sick.” The words stopped her in her tracks, mind flashing instantly to an image of him standing in the cold without a coat, pleading with her to listen to him because he loved her. Clearly there was a horrified expression on her face, because her father was looking at her with open concern. “I'm sure he'll be all right, princess.”

“Of course. I need to... brew more coffee.” She chastised herself for overreacting, knowing that her family could never suspect just how much she cared or where it was she actually went on Monday nights. The remainder of the evening dragged on to the point that she was certain the clock must be broken, but she found time to make soup. She made a show of eating some of it, then packed the rest to take to Jim. When the diner finally closed, she made excuses that as usual went unquestioned and hurried off to the subway that would take her to the Bronx and to Jim. It was late, but she had to make sure he was all right, especially since it was her fault he'd been out in the cold to begin with. When she got there she dusted the snow off her jacket and rang the bell, hoping he wasn't asleep.

Comments

[nyota-uhura24.livejournal.com]

Her heart melted a little as he leaned into her touch, and she tried to keep from frowning when he told her it wasn't her fault. It was true that she wasn't responsible for his decisions, but he'd still spent a lot of time outside because he was with her. "I'm just sorry you're sick," she said gently, not wanting to argue. When she returned with the tea and asked him to sit up, it was obvious that it took more effort than he was letting on. She huffed a breath and replied, "Good. Then you can stop griping and let me worry about you." Shifting a little closer and handing him the tea, she tried to snuggle and support in equal measure, and though she wanted to be there for him to lean on it comforted her simply to be close to him.

[owns-the-chair.livejournal.com]

He turned his head just enough to give her a sarcastically innocent smile as he took the tea from her. "Hmmm... Nope, don't think so. You're not allowed to worry about me." But he did take her up on her silent offer to lean on her a little. Cautiously shifting closer, he rested his head on her shoulder, wincing a little as he took a sip of the tea. It was blissfully hot and soothed his raw throat. "I'm an ass when I'm sick, so I totally understand if you want to make your escape while you still can." Though he really hoped she wouldn't. Just lying here in bed with her made him feel better, and as long as she didn't get any cruel ideas about thermometers or cool showers, he was going to at least make an attempt at being a good patient.

[nyota-uhura24.livejournal.com]

She arched an eyebrow when he forbade her to worry about him. "I'd love to see you try and stop me," she replied lightly as she leaned closer to kiss his cheek. She was glad he was leaning on her and drinking the tea, but he still felt warm and his throat was obviously sore. When he offered her an escape she shook her head. "You're not getting rid of me that easily, and you're perfectly entitled to be an ass, just don't expect me not to worry about you." She layed a hand on his leg and nuzzled against him, speaking the next words softly as if that might make them less real. "...At some point I'll be expected home, but I really don't want to leave you alone." Every instinct compelled her to stay and make sure he was all right, but sleeping away from home two nights in one week was definitely suspicious.

[owns-the-chair.livejournal.com]

Smiling to himself at her insistence, he took another sip of tea, then closed his eyes and relaxed back against her. It was kind of nice to have her here and taking care of him, he could admit as much to himself, even if he'd never say it out loud. "Alright, but don't say I didn't warn you. We're only at the tea and coughing right now, just wait until I can't sleep, or get tired of lying in bed." Or if she eventually got the insane idea that he needed a doctor. Which he absolutely didn't. At all! Making a soft sound, he returned her nuzzling and nodded. "Yeah, I know. Thanks for stopping by, though. And really, I'll be just fine. At least the heater's working this time." It would have been nice to have her stay all night, but he knew they couldn't risk discovery.

[nyota-uhura24.livejournal.com]

She sighed contentedly and began tracing idle patterns on his leg when he relaxed against her. "I think I can handle it, Jim. I have five younger siblings who are all extremely obnoxious when they get sick, and I've looked after every one of them. If you can't sleep I'll sing you a lullaby, and if you get tired of lying in bed... I'll find ways to make you want to stay." The words were punctuated with a hint of mischief and a kiss to his hair. Even though she hated the circumstances and was concerned about his health, cuddling with him still made the world seem like a brighter place. "You're welcome... I really want to stay," she said softly, taking his hand and tangling their fingers together.

[owns-the-chair.livejournal.com]

Despite his fever and general sluggishness, the hand on his leg and the not so subtle implied meaning of her words made him think some decidedly unchaste thoughts. Tilting his head upwards a little, he pressed a few hot, open-mouthed kisses to her neck and up to her ear where he whispered hoarsely. "You're really very cruel to talk about things like that when I'm in no condition to take you up on them. Keep going and I'll end up ridiculously aroused with no energy to take care of it, or you." With a last little peck just under her ear, he turned his head back to rest against her shoulder, smirking a little to himself. If she kept saying things like that, there was no reason why he should be the only one getting frustrated. "I'd like it if you did, but... I'm not really functional enough to come up with a believable excuse right now."

[nyota-uhura24.livejournal.com]

Her breath hitched when he kissed his way up her neck, stomach clenching with the beginnings of desire. "Which is why such distractions will only be used as a last resort if you decide to be particularly difficult. You need to rest, Jim," she chastized, though there was a hint of breathiness in her voice. Her mind wandered to all of the incredible things he'd introduced her to on Monday night, but she was well aware that he was too ill to do any of them now. Sighing a little, she replied, "The only real excuse I can give for staying away from home is that I'm at a friends house, but I can only say that so many times before it sounds suspicious... Maybe I'll come up with something, but let's not worry about it right now." Even though it was a necessary part of their relationship, she didn't want to spend all their time talking about ways to avoid being found out. "Do you think you can sleep a little?"

[owns-the-chair.livejournal.com]

"And that's supposed be entice me to behave?" he asked teasingly, though he wasn't backing up his words with actions. This new brand of teasing banter between them was enjoyable, and it helped him think of something besides his misery. But he really was too exhausted to follow through on it in any way, and it wouldn't be fair to either of them to pretend he was. "I'll enjoy you as long as I've got you here. I know you can't stay, don't worry about it." Taking another few sips of tea, he did just that; enjoyed having her with him and let himself melt against her, her caresses on his leg making his existence almost tolerable. "I'd rather stay like this with you, though don't get insulted if I doze off..."

[nyota-uhura24.livejournal.com]

"Maybe it's not," she replied innocently, eyes twinkling with mirth. She could still feel the ghost of a blush on her cheeks, but she liked being able to talk about this without stammering or excessive embarrassment. She very much wished they could do more than talk about it, but that obviously wasn't an option until he was better. As he relaxed further against her she inhaled deeply and snuggled against him. "You should sleep, Jim yangu," she murmured, barely realizing she'd added the Swahili possessive. I want you to get better, and to do that you need rest. I'll stay as long as I can." Pressing another kiss to his head, she asked, "Is there anything else you need?"

[owns-the-chair.livejournal.com]

He chuckled quietly at her reply and reached out to set his cup on the nightstand. "Mmm. Then I'll be sure to behave as badly as I know how." On the return trip, his hand found it's way up under her shirt to cup her breast and fondle it tenderly as he snuggled a little closer. In reality, it was a far from sexual touch, and it was becoming increasingly hard to keep his eyes open. "Nope, just need you," he mumbled drowsily, tangling their legs together and making idle circles with his thumb on her skin. "Wake me before you go?" Giving in, he let his eyes drift shut and his breathing even out. It was so very good to have her hold him like this, to feel safe and protected and loved. Breathing out an almost inaudible "Love you," he hoped she'd still be there when he woke up so he could enjoy her company just a little longer.

[nyota-uhura24.livejournal.com]

"Do you know how to behave any other way?" she teased, smiling fondly at him. When his hand slipped under her shirt her breath caught, the blush on her cheeks deepening when he caressed her breast. He tangled their limbs together and relaxed against her, and though it was easy to melt against him her heart was racing a little. She took a deep breath and tried to relax in spite of the touch that still felt so intimate even though they were just snuggling. "I'll wake you," she whispered, heart fluttering a little when he said he only needed her. "I love you too, Jim. Naku penda hazina," she murmured, gently caressing his hair and thinking that he really was a treasure to her. Even if he wouldn't appreciate the sentiment, she wanted to take care of him when he was sick or hurting. Her eyes closed, but she didn't want to sleep so much as she wanted to just enjoy how safe and warm and happy she felt tangled up with him like this. She tried her utmost not to think about the fact that she couldn't stay here forever.