Unicorns

Posted on Saturday, 22 May 2021 - 6:18pm by Lieutenant Alex Kingsley & Commander Soral & Lieutenant JG Maximus Mackenzie

Mission: Operation: Neu Reich
Location: USS Standing Bear | Sickbay
Timeline: MD11

A quiet calm had fallen during the past half an hour, a stark contrast to the hours before. Awakening in the near total darkness, Alex Kingsley lay still as she tried to get her bearings. Frowning, she sat up, looking around her as she tentatively slid down from the bed, her bare foot finally touching the carpeted floor.

This was not home, not her bed… running a hand through her hair she winced. She felt like she hurt all over but that didn’t matter, she just wanted to go home. Find Soral and just curl up in his arms. Yes, she’d find Soral. She had to ask him about unicorns. Again.

It felt like hours. She walked through every abandoned corridor, looked in every deserted room but he wasn’t there. Panic built, a fear that she had lost him somehow. Or been too late to save him. Finding herself in their quarters she sank down onto their bed and pulled a pillow to her. Where was he? “Soral…” she whispered.

Soral sat up in the chair by her bed and Mac beside him. He stood and was instantly at her side holding her hand. "Alexandra, I am here."

Feeling his hand in hers she wrapped her fingers around his. “Hey…” she offered with a tired smile as she opened her eyes briefly. Long enough to assure herself that her husband was indeed there. “Is Scarlet okay?”

"Yes, she's going to recover."

Mac spoke up, "How are you feeling?"

She couldn’t keep her eyes open but that didn’t detract from an unmistakable fury in her voice as a memory came back to her. “Feels like you nerve pinched me!”

Soral tried to hide a smile, he failed. "Indeed he did."

Mac rubbed the back of his neck. "Yes...well you were bleeding and going into shock and … well... I needed to get the job done so I figured you needed a nap."

“Soral, help me up -”

Soral sighed. "No... you stay down. You had a shock to your system. You must rest...besides I have good news."

“Do you have a time machine? My lab… and my hot chocolate…” she sighed.

"I shall get you another hot chocolate." He looked at Mac. "Why do you not get it Mac."

"Sure thing." He ran out quickly.

“Still mad at him,” Alex slurred as she tried to get comfortable. “Sorry … did I scare you?”

"Indeed." He brought her hand to his lips and kissed her palm. "I am glad Scarlet got you out when she did."

A smile played at her lips at his kiss. “Happened so fast. Head feels like I’ve had ten bottles of grappa…. Hm? What news?”

"What news?"

“You said you had good news,” she reminded him before following it up with a hopeful question. “Did you bring a unicorn?!”

He raised an eyebrow. "A unicorn?" He was starting to worry about her.

“Yeah,” she nodded as she let go of his hand and moved to climb out of the bed. “It's okay. I’ll find one. And food. I’m hungry. Are you? We can have dinner. Just you and me.”

He gently placed a hand on her shoulders. "You must rest. We can find Unicorns....later."

“You’re just saying that,” she accused quietly finding it impossible to fight against the weight of the hand holding her down. She sank back, realising he was not about to aide her escape. “My neck hurts. I’m gonna kill Mac.”

"Alexandra you must rest." He thought a moment. He scooped her up and sat back in the chair placing her on his lap. He wrapped his arms around her letting her head fall on his shoulder. "Better?"

“Better,” she agreed. And it was. While unorthodox, it was the safest place in the world to her mind and as she sat with him, she felt the constant lure of sleep. Yet when she slept she knew he wouldn't be there, was certain of it. Always with the different variations but with the same theme. Maybe it was all the talk of stasis, or her fear that her recovery would not be complete in time. Or maybe it was a messed up side effect of two much hot chocolate although she dismissed that idea.

So she fought the sleep, instead pointing out, "tonight was to be date night. Romantic huh?" Drowsiness slurred her words a little but he was sure he'd understand just fine.

"Absolutely." For once he was glad Mac was not back quickly. He gently stroked her back. "What would you like to do?"

"Go home, watch a movie, some more back rubs would be nice," she murmured. "Or some dancing."

"You enjoy our date nights?" Soral had a devious plan to ask some questions.

"Uh huh," she whispered. "You know I do."

"Alexandra, may I ask you a question?"

"Always," she yawned.

"Do you know that I love you more then my own life?"

"You are so melodramatic," she sighed as leaned into him. "I know. Love you too."

He allowed himself a smile. "I know that. The children love you as well." He wondered if she would reveal her true feelings. He always felt that she held something back from him.

"K..." she murmured, suspecting he was not just making idle conversation but unsure where he was heading. "You miss them."

"In honesty? I do. Do you resent me?" He paused, perhaps a little afraid to hear the answer.

Her brow furrowed in confusion. "Why would I resent you?"

"For the large family? For putting you in a position to be a mother when you didn't want to be?"

“You didn’t know about them,” she said softly, pressing a fingertip to his lips. “Don’t be silly. They need their dad…”

"What about N'vek and Seleya?" He kissed her tip.

“You were just trying to help. You have big heart, oh husband of mine,” Alex grinned.

"I should have consulted you more." He hugged her close. "I'm sorry I didn't."

She smiled, saying nothing for a long time as she just listened to the sound of his heartbeat and was lulled by the steady rise and fall of his chest. “I’m sorry I’m not ready,” she said quietly. For so many things. To be a mother, to be the wife he needed right now. Or ever, if T’Paris was being truthful.

"You have nothing to apologize for."

Just then the door opened and Mac came back. "Hot chocolate supreme for Alex!"

Alex peered around Soral. “This doesn’t make us even,” she warned him. “Soral can teach me the nerve pinch. And then, when you least expect it…” she trailed off as she yawned, cuddling back into Soral. Mac would get the jist of it.

Soral looked up at Mac who was smiling. He held out his hand and Mac popped a hot chocolate in it. He held it to Alex. "Here, drink this. Mac was just leaving."

Grinning Mac shrugged. "Sounds good!."

“He isn’t even a tiny bit scared of me,” Alex sighed as she sipped the drink while Mac retreated. It seemed to warm her right into her very bones. Maybe he was kind of forgiven… After a few sips she conceded defeat. "If I promise to be good and stay right here, will you please check on my lab? Please?"

"The lab is being looked after by Hamura. He's sent teams to fix it but I do have an errand. If you will permit I will return shortly."

“Take your time, I’m here until the doctor says otherwise,” she assured him.

Soral helped her back to bed and headed out. It didn't take long for him to get the item and as he replicated it in the ships stores he realized it was worth every credit. He allowed himself a smile as he picked up the item and then schooled his features. He placed it in the box and carried it to sickbay. He waited until Alex woke up.

In his absence she had dozed off, stirring as he returned. Too curious not to know about his ‘errand’. “You weren’t gone long.”

He held up a large box. "No, it did not take long. He temporarily set the box aside and helped her sit up. After tucking the covers around her he placed the box on her lap. "I believe I have found it."

"It?" she repeated curiously as she studied the box. Lifting it, she frowned as she tried to guess what was inside from the weight. Whatever 'it' was, it wasn't heavy considering the size of the box. Setting it down she pried open the lid, her frown turning to delight. "I love it!"

Soral had replicated the famous unicorn in the form of a stuffed animal. "I have found your unicorn."

“It’s adorable, thank you!” She grinned as she hugged him. “This was your errand?”

"Indeed." He said. "You wanted to find a unicorn, there were no real ones that I knew of so I found the next best thing."

"You sure did," she agreed. "You didn't have to you know. Not sure bumping my head means gifts are required, but I love her and you can't take back a gift, it's a Martian law."

He cupped her cheek. "I would give you the sky and stars if I could."

“They wouldn’t fit on the bed though,” she teased.

He leaned down and kissed her forehead. "Indeed. Now rest."

“Could you find her a spot where Bones won’t be tempted to eat her?” She asked him. “If Dr Rose agrees I still plan to be home for date night.”

"I will stay here until you are released or duty requires that I go." He said holding her hand.

“You’ll be bored,” she warned as she lay back. “Maybe read a book … it’s less weird than watching your wife sleep?”

"I often watch you sleep. You have this...smile when you sleep that is almost divine in nature."

“That doesn’t sound creepy at all,” she laughed as she closed her eyes.

Soral blushed green. He said nothing but let her sleep.

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