Why Do You Keep Ending Up Like This?

Posted on Wed May 1st, 2019 @ 9:07am by Commander Alexis Agrax (*) & Chief Petty Officer Nathan Kline

Mission: Cosmos
Location: USS Cassiopeia
Timeline: Pre Cosmos
1436 words - 2.9 OF Standard Post Measure

The ship was dark but the crew was working away now that they were back in there own universe and no longer stuck in the void to regain power and to get them back to the nearest Starbase under the escort of the USS Gemini. Alexis was sat in a dark and dingy corridor bloodied and bruised still from the fight that had occurred with Liam. She was lucky that the man had realised who he was for a second allowing her a chance to knock him out but it didn’t leave her feeling any better.

Nathan was conflicted. He was in love with Lexie, he had been for years. He hadn’t seen her and needed to make sure that she was ok. However, he had a duty to his ship and the members of the crew to help get the ship up and running and get them the hell out of there. Unable to keep the Betazoid off his mind he found himself wandering through the ship until he found her in a corridor. She was battered and bloodied and worse for wear and what hit him was that this was becoming a common occurrence. “Lex, are you ok?” He asked lowering down next to her.

The woman looked at him and blinked she hadn’t realised it was him sneaking up on her at all. She had heard his thoughts but hadn’t placed it as being the man who had saved her from herself at all. “It is becoming quite common isn’t it?” She agreed not answering his question.

“I am not one to judge,” Nathan replied with his usual smirk. He knew she couldn’t answer the question. They had talked a lot lately about anything and everything and he knew that despite her brave face she wasn’t ok. That was fine with him he wouldn’t push her. He just wanted her to remember that she wasn’t alone. “Wanna talk about it?”

“I like a good fight.” Alexis mused softly as she looked at bloodied knuckles in the semi-darkness before she shook her head. “No, but I know you saw them dragged Liam off to the Brig. I think the whole ship either saw the fight or saw the result of it.” It wasn’t hard on a ship that small to hide much.

Nathan nodded. He hadn’t believed the news when he heard it but when his eyes fell on the man that was at one time his friend he couldn’t deny it. “I know, babe.” He replied placing a gentle kiss on her temple being sure not to hurt her. “You don’t have to talk to me.” He said softly with no malice or hurt on his part. “We can just sit here.” He settled back against the bulkhead and was content to just sit with her.

The man was far too sweet and the kiss just proved it as she noticed him trying to find somewhere that might be unbruised. “Sitting here would be nice for a few moments.” She confirmed laying her head on his shoulder as she tried to just focus on him and not the pain that was coursing through her. “I don’t think I have ever been so beaten up since I’ve come to this ship.”

“You do look pretty awful, babe.” He teased. He loved being close to her and he loved the trust she had in him even if he didn’t consciously know that at this moment. The protector within him wanted to scoop her up in his arms and carry her to sickbay, but the man who loved her and knew her understood that it needed to happen on her own time. “It will be ok, I promise.”

“I feel probably as awful as I look.” She mused softly as she let her eyes close for a moment. “What have you been up too?” She wondered not really knowing where anyone was which was pretty bad for an executive officer.

“I was working to get the internal sensors back online so we can have a better idea of the damage.” He started resting his head on hers and allowing his eyes to close. He was exhausted. “Next on the list is external sensors. Might be good to know what is out there.”

“Aren’t we under the protection of USS Gemini?” Had she been wrong at listening to the ship-wide announcement? “You can go do that Nate if you want to.” The woman said not wanting him to feel pressured to stay with her.

“Nah, I got kicked out.” He smiled losing his battle with the urge to place another kiss softly against her skin. “We are under their protection but that doesn’t mean I like my sensors being off” he smiled his eyes stilled closed. “Besides, I needed to see you.”

The woman smiled a little at the affection he had for his sensors. She couldn’t help but adore him more at that moment. “You and your sensors.” The woman laughed before it turned into a cough.

“Alright tough guy.” Nathan started at her cough before rising to his feet being sure not to jar her too much. “It is the sickbay for you.” Sliding his arms around her he gently picked her up with ease and moved towards the way he had come. He hadn’t missed her comment about the sensors. He wanted to say that she was one of the few things that mattered more but she didn’t need that emotional weight right now.

“It’s not every day your missing in action husband tries to kill you and your lover has to take your stubborn ass to sickbay.” She whispered against his neck as she felt the emotions in his mind. She wished she could turn it all off but it was hard at that moment.

“That is a good thing.” Nathan started in a teasing tone. “I would have to work on my back muscles.” He grinned as he pretended she was heavy when she was far from it. There was one working lift and they were soon on it. “I like that you called me ‘lover’.” He said softly.

“You’re fitter than most men.” She grinned her eyes closed against the bright line of the turbolift. “It means so much more than that in Betazed.” She breathed.

“I know, babe,” Nathan said softly. He adjusted her slightly so that she was able to tuck herself against him to hide from the light. “I may not be a betazoid but I know how you feel about me.” He nuzzled against her softly.

“Things are so messed up and they were so right.” The woman said wincing at the pain that she was now letting on was there. “I hope so.” She whispered. “Because I do love you.” She said sleepily.

Nathan could feel it in her not only her physical pain but the emotional pain from the return of a man she thought was gone. “I promise you, no matter what, it will be ok however it ends up.” He brushed his lips across her forehead. “ I love you, Lexie. Always no matter what.”

“Ugh, deities are so messed up.” She whispered against his neck. She never openly mentioned her religious inclinations often but she felt it was right to say that when they’ve gone and thrown things up in the air when she had just been happily settling down and considering changing her life for the better.

Nathan didn’t have a response as they moved through the darkened ship. “Grandma always said life is a test of perseverance.” He smiled as the voice vibrated softly. They arrived at sickbay he easily set her on the nearest empty biobed. Placing a kiss on her forehead he stepped away to let them work.

“That is why your Grandmother is awesome.” She whispered trying to focus. Alexis knew there would be time for talking more later as he disappeared from view and people started working on working out what had happened vs the priority of the injuries.

Nathan wanted to stay but the ship needed. She was safe and getting taken care of. Reluctantly he turned and headed back the way they had come in and headed back to the sensor control room. They would have time to talk, later.

OFF::

Commander Alexis Agrax
Chief Of Security
USS Cosmos
(PNPC Gregnol)

Chief Petty Officer Nathan Kline
Sensor Specialist
USS Cosmos
(PNPC Belikov)