By His Side - Part 4

Posted on Saturday, 13 June 2020 - 9:11am by Commander Soral & Lieutenant JG Maximus Mackenzie & Lieutenant Alex Kingsley

Mission: Operation: Iktomi
Location: USS Standing Bear | Sickbay
Timeline: 2393 - MD 04

{ON:}

Mac and Alex sat in the recovery by Soral's bedside. The surgery had been long and they'd almost lost him a few times. The guilt was eating at Max. It should have been him.

He sighed and placed a hand on Alex's shoulder. "Can I get you something?"

It had gotten so quiet, save for the sounds of the monitors, that the question startled her. Lost in her own thoughts until his hand snapped her back to reality. “What? Oh... no, I’m fine. You should get something to eat though, you look exhausted. If you want to get some sleep I can call you as soon as he wakes up.”

He sighed. "You need food too. You haven't eaten." He paused. "He's going to be okay."

"I'm not leaving him," she said with a finality that made it clear she was in no mood to either argue or concede. Her grip on Soral's hand tightened, as she studied the monitors religiously.

"I'll go bring you something. What would you like?"

"Something with a high chocolate content," she decided, not sure even that would help any. But everyone always said chocolate could cure all ills. "Thank you."

He gave a nod. He hurried out.

The monitors continued their soothing trill. Slowly Soral supressed his urge to open his eyes. This healing meditation was a necessity. He could hear Alex but he had to fight to heal his body.

Max was gone for twenty minute. He came back with a tray, a sandwich, some fries, and chocolate brownies still warm. He also brought some water. "Any change?"

As he entered, Alex stood, taking the tray. "Sorry, I should've went," she apologised, realising that letting someone fetch food when they had some freshly healed broken ribs was not the best idea in the world. Sliding over a table she set the tray down between them. At his question she shook his head, "no. You weren't gone long though. Eat some of these, please."

He smiled. "I'm alright." He looked over at Soral. "He's in a healing trance. Vulcans go into those when their hurt they focus all their abilities on helping the body heal."

She gave a small nod as she broke off a corner of the brownie. "I know it's being stupid to worry... I just can't help it..." she admitted.

"It's not stupid. He's your husband." He smiled at her a little. "The good new is if you're angry at him you may get a chance to smack him."

He saw the look on her face. "Sorry that came out wrong. It's just when Vulcans come out of the healing meditation the usual practice is to slap them...it helps them fully come to consciousness."

"I'm not hitting him! Besides, I'm not angry at him. As I recall, that was you -"

As if on cue Soral gasped. His body seized violently. His eyes wild.

Mackenzie stepped over. "Soral!"

Soral's eyes looked over at him. "H...hit me."

Alex gripped Soral's hand tightly, worry in her eyes as she looked over at Max, "do it! You said it would help him -"

Max took a breath and began slapping Soral. One, two, three, four and on the fifth Soral grabbed his hand. "You took too much pleasure in that."

Max sighed. "You bet I did." He huffed and left. Not so much cause he wanted to but he didn't want his friend to see the tears in his eyes."

Soral turned to Alex, his hand tightening on hers. "Are you alright?"

“I am now,” she promised, leaning in to gently kiss him. “You scared us all. Please don’t ever do that to me again.”

He drew so much power from that kiss, the touch of her hand. "I heard you. You gave me strength."

“You did?” She breathed, a small smile playing on her lips.

Soral pulled her hand to his lips and kissed he inner wrist. "I did. I was trying to block you from feeling my pain as much as possible but you were with me. I could feel you. Alexandra I love you more then anything. I hope that you know this."

“I know,” she promised, running her fingers through his hair. “Do you need anything? Water, medicine? I could sneak in Bones?”

"Just you." He said. He was weak. It was obvious. "Everyone else alright?"

“Everyone else has been patched up,” she assured him, “you all earned some bruises and then some. I still don’t understand what happened.”

"Power surge...massive. Tactical systems." He swallowed hard. "I saw it only at the last second." He hadn't even had time to warn anyone.

“Ssssh,” she urged, seeing how weak he was. “It’s okay. Your best friend is a little mad at you for saving his life again but I have a feeling he will forgive you once he sees you back on your feet. Which will not be until Doctor Rose says so.”

"I should be alright soon." He said. "I just need a day..." it was an understatement. He looked at her. "You need rest." He reached up and cupped her cheek.

“I will rest when you do, deal?”

He smiled. "I wish these beds were bigger." He allowed himself a smile.

She grinned, shaking her head as she sat on the edge of her seat, still holding tightly onto one hand. "I don't think you'd get much rest. Now...close your eyes, think happy thoughts and sleep."

"I liked your story." He said.

It took her a second to realise what he was referring to. "Oh... that. Which part. The brave commander or the million puppies?" she teased.

"The many children." He squeezed her hand.

"Oh..." she said, grinning. "I did say that, didn't I?"

He smiled. "As long as they look like you." His eyes began to close.

She smiled as she brushed his hair back from his face and kissed his forehead, “sleep. I’ll be here when you wake up.”

He looked at her, "You need to rest too." He tapped his forehead. "Can you do that again."

“Such a demanding patient...” She rolled her eyes as she grinned, planting another kiss on his forehead.

Slowly, and feeling quite satisfied, Soral drifted into sleep.

Watching him for a long moment, Alex shifted the seat so she could curl up on it, her hand resting on the edge of the bed as she kept her hold on Soral's hand. Satisfied he was going to be okay she allowed her eyes to drift closed and within seconds was sound asleep. As close to being at his side as she could be.

{OFF:}