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

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

They'd been studying the phenomenon with long-range scanners for the past several days, but while the Enterprise was too large to move through the outer radiation spirals, a shuttlecraft should be able to slip inside and take data readings at close range. Unfortunately, the radiation given off by the phenomenon would interfere with navigation, so Nyota was going to help John navigate remotely. She was happy to do her duty, and it wasn't often that they got to work so closely together, so she was looking forward to it. It always made her slightly nervous when he left the ship, but they didn't anticipate any problems. The radiation was trouble for instruments, but not a problem for humans. Besides, she'd be on the com with him the entire time.

As the shuttlecraft pulled away from the Enterprise she hailed him. "Uhura to shuttlecraft. John, can you hear me?"

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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."

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

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