nyota_uhura24 | [Key Change Verse - Because Away Missions Follow Murphy's Law]

He didn't mind flying into radiation. In fact he didn't really think anything of it. If they were willing to send him the it was at least good enough for him. He enjoyed flying and rarely got to indulge, usually itninvolved away missions so long as they didn't need him running the transporters. He was glad he was able to get out if the ship too. He needed do something a little different.

His fiancé's voice came through the com and he smiled. "Loud and clear, parrot," oh yes, he'd embarass her if at all possible. It wasn't like people didn't know they were together. He'll, people had noticed already that their twosome would soon be three.

John's enthusiasm for flying was one of the many things she adored about him. His primary duty was to the transporters, of course, but she liked hearing the subtle excitement in his voice when he was flying.

The endearment earned her a few amused looks from the bridge crew, and she rolled her eyes. If he was going to tease her in public, she'd do the same. By now nearly everyone knew about their unborn child, if only because she was beginning to show. There weren't maternity uniforms, so she'd switched to pants because her swollen stomach made the skirt even more obscenely short than it had been before.

"Good, because you're going to need my help. You should be passing the first spiral of radiation in about 2 minutes. Are your instruments still working?"

He didn't care who heard. Hell, he knew most of the bridge crew anyway. It wasn't like they were all strangers. So, as per his usual self, he was few with words, but only if he had nothing to say and he certainly had much to say. His girl was giving him directions and he had every intention of making that fun.

She started to tease him back and he smirked to himself, seeing one of the others on the shuttle roll their eyes. John ignored it. On to work though. "Still live," he replied, "I"m only getting short range readings." The com channel was steady and loud. She was crystal clear and John was in a frighteningly good mood.]

John's good mood was infectious, so she laughed along with him. Plus, the morning sickness was finally subsiding. There were a lot of reasons to smile. "Just as we predicted," she replied. "And you should be passing the first spiral... now. Can you see it?"

Part of her wished she was on the shuttle with him, but neither she nor command wanted her baby anywhere near radiation, even if it was deemed low risk. "I wish I could see what you're seeing," she added fondly, knowing it was probably quite an impressive sight. "But hearing your voice is a good consolation prize."

"The rest of us can hear you, you know," Lieutenant Rodriguez chimed in.

"I'm aware," Nyota replied smoothly, not at all bothered by it.

"'Course we predicted it," he replies. He's focused on flying, even though he's listening for his fiance's voice all the while. Something about all this makes him unbelievably happy. She's on the other end of the line, he can hear her, the joy in her. She may have her mood swings, but when she's happy... he feels like everything is okay. She gives a few directions and then mentions how she wishes she could see it.

"I'll describe it in excruciating detail later, love," he says, using pet names because dammit, he wanted to. He looked down and his readings started to flicker in and out. Just as he heard Rodriguez comment. He laughed, "okay, then, audience," he smirks at his passengers. They are also making faces, "and the readings are gone. Lead the way, Uhura." He knew better than to call her by her first name in front of everyone else.

When he was like this she couldn't keep the smile off her face. Her mood was constant, for the moment, a constant state of joy and excitement. She might be surrounded by the bridge crew, but the only person on her mind was John. The pet names really should embarrass her, but instead they made her grin. "I can't wait to hear all about it, kipenzi. Especially since it'll mean I have you back in my arms." He would understand the Swahili word for darling, even if no one else did. The word was meant only for him.

Just as her name was meant only for him and a select few others; he only used it when they were alone. Laughing softly when he addressed their audience, she replied "All right, stay on this course for another three hundred meters, and then adjust course to bearing 090 mark 275. I'll tell you when.... Now. What do you see?"

Alright, they were even grossing him out. He smiles at the use of the nickname. He would die to see the bridge crews' faces. She starts to give directions and he keeps going, flying expertly without any idea of what was out there. It was exciting and he really was going to love telling this one to the baby when they were old enough to hear about mummy and daddy's adventures in space. That made him smile. He sighed and met the first course change, and then nodded to his crew in the back. "Okay, you can start the surveying equipment. We should be in range here soon," he said.

"Where to next, parrot?" he asked, this time not even consciously using the name.

It wasn't unusual for her to be more than a little sappy with him, but she was hamming up her performance for the benefit of their audience. The whole situation was almost too perfect, and she was grinning ear to ear as she heard him talking to the shuttle crew.

"Keep on this course for another 2000 meters, then you'll have to adjust to avoid another of the radiation spirals. When I tell you, slow to quarter impulse and switch to bearing 080 mark 162. You'll be nearing the center of the phenomenon, so keep an eye on radiation." This was an important research opportunity, but not worth John or anyone else getting radiation poisoning.

No, radiation poisoning was not on his list of things. They were already near a phenomenon and that in and of itself was dangerous. They had no idea what it would do. Drawing closer and listening for Uhura's cues, the away crew got to work, bringing in readings and taking notes. He did his job, watching the view and being sure to be careful with how he flew. He had no idea what they were up against.

"It's bloody gorgeous out here," he said, in awe of the colors radiating in front of them.

She continued to give him directions, enjoying the sound of his voice. Sometimes she thought it was good that they didn't work together on a daily basis, that they had a little distance, but the pregnancy hormones made her more apt to want him beside her all the time. And it really was nice to see him in his element, and to be able to help him professionally.

"What does it look like?" she asked, unable to resist the excitement of the moment.

This was probably one of the more exciting things he's gotten to do in a while. He was enjoying himself immensely. She asks what he's seeing and just the sound of the excitement in her voice has him wanting to get back to her already, while simultaneously stay out here in the beauty of it.

"Colors. Pure color. Like a painting... no, just paint mixed together and backlit," he sighs as he watches it. There's a bright light in front of him, he's gazing, mesmerized until he notices that its not swirling or changing like the rest of he phenomenon. He hears a call from one of the crew behind him. "What?" he yells back at them. Something on the readings were going haywire. There was some loud discussing, which was more like yelling at each other trying to get an idea of what was going on. "I'm not sure I can outrun it... I need directions ba--" a blast of static, and radio silence.

If such a thing were possible, her smile grew even more brilliant as he described the beautiful phenomenon he was witnessing. "I wish I was there with you," she whispered, wondering absently if it would have been so terrible to go on an away mission while she was pregnant. Of course it wouldn't be a smart thing to do, and she wouldn't take that risk, but she wanted so much to be beside him right now.

And then the moment shattered. She could hear the commotion happening in the shuttle but couldn't sort it out. "John? JOHN?! Can you hear me? Switch to bearing - " There was a burst of static, and then nothing. "JOHN?!? What happened?" Nothing.

Her fingers flew across the controls in a panic as she tried to figure out what was going on. "I've lost contact with the shuttle, and sensors aren't picking up anything but radiation." Her heart was in her throat, making the words sound small and forced. He was talking about outrunning something, but she had no idea what. She knew only that she couldn't lose him.

"Someone find out what the hell is going on!" Kirk said.

Only the knowledge that these moments were crucial kept her from panicking completely. She had to find a way to get John back.

It took at least fifteen minutes for the Enterprise to have any idea what was happening and when they did, it was only static and readings jumping off the charts. Whatever had happened, it was big. On John's side of it, he watched the blast from the phenomenon radiate in all directions outwards, bathing them in blinding light an then, with everything in the ship dead, it sucked back in to it's own center. It was building again in the distance and John know that they wouldn't survive another blast. Whatever it was, it did it in waves, like the tides.

He managed to get the ship running, though limping would be a better description for it. He didn't have time to look at himself or behind him, but it felt like his body was searing. His skin was hot, burning and something stung. He knew it was a radiation-like blast but he had no idea what the result would be.

"Enterprise..." his voice was weak through the signal, more static... "Injured... prepare medbay... keep Uhura the fuck away from me." He didn't trust the state of himself, the radiation... he wouldn't risk her or the baby.

The fifteen minutes of radio silence felt like at least 15 hours. Nyota couldn't remember the last time she'd felt so panicked, so terrified, and even focusing on her duties did nothing to dim the fear that had taken hold of her. The rest of the bridge crew were professional, but cast worried glances in her direction as time continued to pass with no word.

Finally she heard his voice over the com, and she sighed in relief even as his comment about being injured sent a fresh wave of panic through her. "John!" she cried, not caring that there were a few tears trickling out of the corners of her eyes. "What happened?" She glanced at Chekov, who shook his head. "We can't get a transporter lock on you. We should be able to as soon as you get exit the phenomemon. Are you going to make it out without assistance?"

She didn't know what to make of him saying to keep her away from him, but she'd be damned if she was going to listen. The moment he was on board she was going to sprint to medical.

There was nothing else. It was just John in the ship, one dead in the back, two still alive. And then John. He was the one who would bring them back. He flew the ship close enough, making it to the Enterprise before he felt like he was losing consciouness too. No, he had to get the shuttle in, landed. He would.

And he did. It was a rocky landing and the send they were in, all he could do was open the shuttle door, and collapse in his chair. Immediately there was medical crew getting them on stretchers and back to med bay. John had the consciousness briefly to look up at the nurse checking his vitals to say, "Keep her away... the baby..." and the nurse nodded. She understood. He'd kill her if she didn't keep Nyota back.

He was covered in blisters and burns welting up on his skin. He felt like he'd been baked, joints stiff, everything painfully stuck as it was. His back hurt where he was on the stretcher, his body wanting to jump out of it's skin. He was losing consciousness again.

He didn't answer her, and she turned in a panic to the rest of the bridge crew. They'd picked up his shuttle on long range sensors, but transporters couldn't get a lock. When it became evident that he was heading for the shuttle bay Nyota stood up and fled the bridge. No one said a word of protest, but she wouldn't have listened even if they had. She had to get to John. She had to make sure he was all right.

When she tried to run into sickbay, Ensign Sanchez caught her by the arms. He was trying to explain something to her, but there was blood rushing in her ears and the words were hard to hear. "John. I need to get to John!" she screamed, struggling against the man's grip, but he held her back. Tears streamed down her cheeks as a nurse came to help Sanchez keep her away.

Finally the word "radiation" got through to her, and she sank to the ground, holding her stomach protectively. "Please... please tell me he's all right," she whispered.

No one answered her. Not directly. They didn't know enough about what was going on to be sure that it was something they could fix. They had no idea the severity of it. Radiation burns were bad enough, but... no, they wouldn't give a direct answer.

And it wasn't until two hours later that John came to. They had put him in a medically induced coma, being sure they could survey the damage without having to hurt him further. Most of the topical burns they could heal with a dermal regenerator. Some of the deeper burns would have to heal on their own. He looked like he'd been roasted over a fire and he felt just as good. Once they had done a full scan on him, they made sure they there wasn't anything lingering. The blasts had been unlasting. It was just a quick flash of radiation, intense, but so much stranger than what they were used to. He'd be okay, but it would take some time for everything to feel like it was as it should be.

His first question was to see if Uhura was alright and that she'd stayed away. They did keep her away from him, somehow. But now, they answered his unsaid question and he let out sigh of relief when they said she could come see him now. The danger to her or the baby had passed.

"Please... please tell me what's going on," she choked out, not caring that she was begging and crying in front of people she barely knew. Nothing mattered but John and her baby, and if she lost John she'd be raising their child alone. Their baby would only hear stories about his father. The thought sent a wave of nausea through her, one that stopped the tears flowing down her cheeks. It was too painful to keep thinking about, especially when John had grown up not knowing his own father, but she couldn't stop thinking about it.

Ensign Sanchez and Nurse Roberts had no answers to give her. All they could do was wait, and try to convince her to come with them for a cup of tea, but she shook her head and mutely sunk down to the floor, leaning against the wall. Roberts went to fetch her the tea anyway, and brought Gaila along when she came back. Nyota clung to the other woman and tried to pretend she wasn't breaking into pieces. The stress couldn't be good for the baby, but she didn't know how to calm the panic. Her hormones certainly weren't helping; they drove logic out the window.

It seemed like years before they let her in to see him, and she ran to his side, gasping when she saw the burns, wanting to touch him but afraid of causing him more pain. "John... Oh, God. Tell me you're going to be all right."

She rushed in to his side, stopping short of collapsing on him. John, who had spent his time awake looking around and hoping for answers, now looked as though he already knew it all. She looked at him, fear and worry in her eyes. He couldn't reach for her because he was in pain, less since the meds kicked in, but it was there. He looked up at her, still healing, still looking like hell, yet his expression was that same mask of indifference.

"Nothing worse than usual," he mused, an evenness in his tone that shouldn't have been there. "I just have to rest longer than I would given any other burn. You alright? You feel okay? I'm sure we gave you a bit of a fright, love."

John spoke with the same even tone he almost always used. Nyota shook her head in exasperation when he asked after her health. A sense of relief that he was talking to her warred with uncertainty - she still didn't know his condition. "John, don't do that... I'm fine." She didn't sound fine, but the only thing wrong with her was emotional. He was the one covered in burns.

"They say the burns will heal? What about the radiation?" She knew it was safe for her and the baby to be here beside him, but she still didn't know if he was really all right. Her hand hovered over him, and then settled on very lightly touching his hair, just to reestablish contact, just to feel closer to him.

He didn't answer that scolding. He wanted to know how she was and he'd ask when he felt like it. "Have you been checked out? I want to be sure you really are alright. Stress can be a horrible trigger, love," he said, this time a little more stern. She wouldn't listen to him. He needed to know she was okay.

She started with more questions and he just gazed as her softly. She brushed her hand against his hair. He bit back a hiss of pain. Everything still hurt. He didn't want her to pull away. "Burns'll heal, parrot," he said with a weak smile. He couldn't say for the radiation yet. They just didn't know. They wouldn't know. Not until it starts to show signs later.

"John, I'm fine," she insisted. "Nurse Roberts has been with me the entire time. I'm fine... except that I almost lost you." Silently she cursed the quaver in her voice; she didn't mind him seeing her weaknesses, but right now she ought to be strong for him. Worrying about her when he was covered in burns was ridiculous.

The grimace that passed across his face was brief, but she pulled her hand away and sat down in a chair beside him, moving as close as she could without actually touching him. The last thing she wanted to do was cause him more pain. "...And the radiation?" It made her chest ache to think that he was lying right there beside her and still might not be safe.

"You didn't almost lose me. I'm alright, okay?" he said as reassuringly as possible. She wasn't realizing how important it was to him that she was alright. That the baby was alright. She was worried and the stress on her body wasn't good. She moved, catching his face as she touched him and then sat beside him. He sighed, his chest hurting like the inside of his lungs were burned... they very well may have been.

"It's alright," he said, almost smiling, "we're fine, alright? I'm here, I'm talking, I'm healing. Nothing to fear." He wasn't lying to her, but he wasn't telling her everything. Not in the slightest.

"Damnit, John. Do you think I don't know when you're not telling me everything?" This was exactly the wrong way to act. She should be calm for John. Calm for her baby. But even though he was right in front of her she felt like he might slip through her fingers at any time.

Taking a deep breath to calm herself, she continued. "Roberts looked me over. I know the stress isn't good, but the baby and I are both fine. Please just let me worry about you for a little while." His perpetually calm demeanor was one of the many things about him she'd grown to love, but right now it was frustrating her.

She didn't respond to any of it. She was frustrated with him and he wasn't going to give into her right now. With a careful breath, he waited for her to finish, staring up at her and when she seemed nearly done he nodded. "I'm glad you are alright... and the baby," his voice was smooth, but he continued, "I think it's best if you go rest. Come back tomorrow morning, I'll look and feel a lot better by then and you'll feel better about it, too, love."

His words made her visibly deflate. She sighed and scrubbed a hand over her face, trying to force her own emotions down so she could just be supportive. "I'm sorry for freaking out, John, but I want to stay here with you. If you're tired we don't have to talk. I just... I want to be with you right now." The thought of letting him out of her sight was almost physically painful.

"Nyota," he began to protest, but she seemed certain that she wasn't going anywhere. He sighed. It hurt when he did, but the reaction had happened anyway. Looking over at her, he knew taht she didn't mean to be upset or stressed with him. She needed something that she couldn't define. He was so used to being there to smooth over the troubles but when he was the one that was the trouble... they just hadn't dealt with that yet.

And he was tired, so arguing with her wasn't going to be able to go on long. "You'll need to sleep at some point. I'm not letting you worry yourself sick," his voice was stern that time, though far from harsh.

It was a relief that he didn't argue, both because she wanted to stay and because an argument obviously wasn't what he needed right now. When he said she'd need to sleep eventually she sighed. Sleep wasn't going to come easy when he was in this condition, especially if she returned to her quarters alone. Maybe she could nap at his bedside instead, though she doubted he would approve of that idea.

"I will. Later," she said gently, wanting to reach out for him but holding back. "Why don't you close your eyes and see if you can rest?"

"You know I'll make sure someone kicks you out of here," he threatened, even with a small smirk. She wouldn't leave. He was going to be upset if she didn't go back to her quarters and sleep at some point. He wasn't really sure he had a choice though. Not looking and feeling like he did at the moment.

She asked if he could try and rest and he blankly stared for a moment before giving a short nod. "I will..." though he didn't exactly relax or shut his eyes even with saying he would. He was worried about her.

Rolling her eyes at the threat, she managed a small smile in return. "In this condition? I think not," she replied lightly, resettling in the chair so she was more comfortable. "But I promise to go back and rest later, all right? For the baby." If it was just her own health she had to worry about she would've refused to be pried from his side, but the baby had to come first.

Despite his words he didn't look particularly relaxed, but maybe she could help with that. "Just rest, John. I promise the baby and I will be just fine." Leaning a little closer, she started to hum softly.

She gave him a more sure promise that time and he was satisfied. He couldn't force her, but she understood that it was important, of course she did. When she leaned in, shifting and setting herself closer to him, the soft hum of her voice carrying a gentle tune, he felt himself relax. The pain that still lingered seemed less at the sound of her voice. That was something they had always shared. Music was something that had brought them together and he had every intention on carrying that on in their lives.

He shut his eyes finally. He wished he could touch her but he knew it would be pointless and painful. So he settled with listening. "Thank you..." he murmured.

Relief flooded her as he finally closed his eyes. Her mind flashed back to the first real conversation they'd had, recalling how they'd bonded over music. He hummed and she sang. From then on it was always an important part of their relationship and one of the key ways they communicated with one another. "You're welcome," she whispered back.

Eventually she started to sing softly, wrapping a Swahili lullaby around them. The words were about finding a place to feel safe, a place that felt like home. For her, that place was at his side. She couldn't bear the thought of anything happening to him.

He did find himself able to relax. His body gave in, her presence and voice a simple reminder of all he needed near him. He would heal and he'd be fine. He had to be. Otherwise there would be a child without a father and that was not something he was willing to risk. He had to keep on living, to raise their baby, to be exactly what he never had.

And so he slept and hoped to God she got some rest.

She couldn't help but feel relieved when he drifted off to sleep, and for a long time she just watched him, wavering between concern and relief. He seemed to be recovering, but there was no real way for her to know, and though she was tempted to seek out Chrissy and see if she would tell her, that was a violation and she knew it.

Eventually the day's stress started to catch up with her, and she settled back in her chair and let her eyes drift closed. Before long she drifted into a fitful but dreamless sleep.

He woke slowly because when you were feeling this stiff and in pain, you weren't going to sleep for long without feeling like things were strange. He couldn't shift in the bed, even if he wanted to, because it hurt, but he did risk a glance to the side and exhaled as he saw Nyota. She was asleep and he scowled as much as he could.

"Nyota," he said her name softly, throat dry, "Nyota, you need to go. Now."

John's voice filtered through the haze of fitful sleep, and her eyes slowly blinked open. For a few seconds she tried to process what he'd said, then sighed and rubbed the sleep from her eyes. "I must have dozed off... How are you feeling?" She knew he was worried about her, but she wanted to at least ask how he was before she went back to her room.

"Worse," he said, honest. He knew she wasn't going to like that, but it wasn't that he felt like he was getting worse, but the healing process was at a point that generally felt worse than before. "I'm stiff. There's nothing you can do," he clarified quickly. There wasn't anything she could do for him but worry and that wasn't going to stop him from trying to kick her out. "Please," his tone softer, "please, go rest. Please."

Her throat when dry when he said he felt worse, but the clarification eased her worry a little. She knew it wouldn't be an easy healing process, but she still hated seeing him in pain. When he begged her to go her eyes dropped to her lap for a moment. "Okay," she whispered. The last thing she wanted to do was cause him more distress. "Okay. I'll be back when I wake up." She stood, feeling an unusual pain in her back that was probably just the result of her growing stomach. "I love you."

[Key Change Verse - Because Away Missions Follow Murphy's Law]

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

KICK ME PLEASE FOR BEING RETARDED

No kicking bc ILU

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject