Safe With You

Posted on 28 Aug 2016 @ 6:00am by Lieutenant JG Daniella Blake & Commander Terry Walsh

3,182 words; about a 16 minute read

Mission: Click Three Times
Location: Terry's Quarters
Timeline: MD 6 || 1935 hours

It had been a long day for the Squadron Commander. He'd gotten hurt, crawled in and out of maintenance shafts and jeffries tubes, given reports to the Captain, and dealt with a host of other things that needed his attention on the Flight Deck. But now he was home and out of uniform, which felt good. He had on a white, button down shirt, but only fastening two of the middle buttons, and a pair of relaxed jeans. Sighing, he realized that this whole battle had really taken a toll on him in several aspects. But now it was late and all he wanted was something small to eat, a glass of wine to drink, and a couch to stretch out on. Fortunately, he had all three in his quarters.

Like everyone on the ship, Dani was exhausted, and to add insult to injury, the petite woman was incredibly sore from all the climbing she'd done in the Jeffries tubes. On the plus side, though, she found she wasn't nearly afraid of heights as she thought she'd been... unless she looked down. Still dressed in her bloodstained uniform, she found herself roaming the corridor of deck four with the intentions of checking on Terry. She'd mentioned that she was going to do so, and tried to keep true to her word.

The blonde haired woman found herself approaching his quarters, taking a deep breath as she did so. Her only hope was that he was feeling better, and would be able to get some sleep soon... just as she wished all of the crew would be able to at some point. Managing a small smile, she got to the door and looked up to the panel where the chime was located, wondering if she should actually bother him now or wait until the following day to see him. Her need to know he was okay won out, and she pressed the chime, waiting to be granted entry.

Terry heard the chime and stood up from the small refrigeration unit he kept his wine in. He wondered who in the world it could be, and then it hit him. Dani had said that she was going to check on him later that night. Maybe it was her. A familiar, and pretty, face would be welcome right now. "It's open!" he called out as he walked towards the door.

Upon being told to enter, Dani did just that, looking toward the big guy as he made he way toward her. "Hey. I wanted to come by and check on you. Are you still feeling okay?" she asked, feeling a bit worn and torn herself.

It was her... and she looked like he felt. "Yeah, I'm still feeling okay as far as the bone bruising and muscle problems. But I'm still exhausted. Completely. But you, you haven't even changed. Have you even been back to your quarters, yet?" he asked.

Dani shook her head. "No, I haven't. I've only just officially gotten off of duty and came straight here to see how you were doing after everything. I'll get there eventually," she said, looking down at her soiled uniform. "I bet I'm real nice to look at right now, too. Maybe I should have gone to get cleaned up a bit and change, but I would have faceplanted right into my bed if I had done that."

Terry chuckled, "Faceplanted, huh. Well I'm glad that you came by to check on me first." Then he smiled, "Dani, you're real nice to look at no matter what. Even in that bloodstained uniform." He started to lead the petite blonde to the couch so she could sit, but then paused. You know, I'm sure you still want to relax. The shower's in the bedroom over there." He pointed in the general direction of his bedroom. "If you want to get cleaned up bit, feel free. I'm not sure if there's anything in my closet that will fit you well enough, but you're welcome to look. I'll see what I can do with the emergency rations. How's that sound?"

"I think I'll take you up on that, though, I'm not sure I'm going to find anything in your closet that will be close to fitting me unless there's something in there that you've kept with you since you were twelve," Dani said with a grin. "I'll see what I can do, though, and thank you."

"Twelve!" Terry laughed. "Ohh, I needed that laugh after a day like today," he said. "And you're welcome. It's no problem." He watched as she headed off to his bedroom to clean the day off. Then he turned to the counter where he had laid the emergency rations. There wasn't much that he could do with the vacuum sealed, pre-packaged food except put it on a plate and add a bit of seasoning. He opened a couple packages of the three cheese tortellini in tomato sauce, spiced apples, peanut butter, crackers, and the small square of pound cake. Terry shook his head. But a bottle of wine would make it better...even if he didn't really have anything that would pair with emergency rations. A classic Pinot Noir would suffice. He poured a couple of glasses and set it all on the table.

It didn't take Dani long to get cleaned up... well maybe a bit longer since she didn't actually have use of the sonic shower, but she'd managed to make herself feel slightly more human. When she was done, she pulled on what looked to be an older one of Terry's t-shirts just before she ran her fingers through her hair, then looked at herself in the mirror. It was true. Compared to his size, she looked like she was dressed in a tent, but the thought made her giggle. It wasn't too bad though, and there was a lot of modesty left while wearing the over-sized garment.

When she was done, she made her way back out into the main area and smiled at him. "I'm still exhausted, but I feel a little better. I am, however, keeping this shirt now. I've staked my claim on it."

"You are now? Well, who am I to argue with the woman who took away my pain." He smiled at her. "The shirt's all your's Dani. Though, I wish I could've had something better than emergency rations for your first dinner here. I just hope the Pinot Noir makes up for it." He gestured to the table where he had put everything out.

"I'm sure it will be fine, though, I have to admit, I'm not even really that hungry," she said softly. After all she'd seen... all she'd done... her appetite was non-existent. "You go ahead, though."

"I honestly can't say that I blame you. Emergency rations and all. But a big guy like me has gotta have something. Thanks. Go ahead and have a seat on the couch, though, if you want." He picked up his plate and glass of wine and moved it to the coffee table. "If you don't want a glass, I can put it in the fridge. Keep it cool, but not cold."

"That would be good," Dani said as she made her way over to the couch to curl up on it. Truth be told, she was exhausted. The day had taken it's toll on her, and all she wanted to do was be off of her feet for a while. "If I drank anything now, I'd be stumbling around drunk, though I'd forget about the day for a while."

Terry went to put the extra glass of wine in the fridge. "You have a low tolerance for alcohol, don't you?" he asked, making his way back to the couch and sitting down next to Dani. He retrieved his plate from the coffee table and took a bite of the tortellini.

"I do. It's rare that I drink. Maybe it's time I start building up a higher tolerance for it," she said, smiled over at him.

Terry swallowed a bite of the spiced apples, which were surprisingly good, and put the plate down. He turned and saw her smiling up at him. "Would you like a glass, then?" he asked, smiling back.

"I would, but I'll get it. You eat." With that, she was on her feet to go retrieve it.

He chuckled a bit. She was sweet. She was the one that had been running around the ship helping people. She was the one who showed up still in uniform and looking exhausted. And now she was the one who was getting her own glass of wine. He picked up his glass of red wine and waited for his dinner companion to return.

The little woman returned a moment later and settled back down to tuck her legs beneath herself. "When is the last time the crew has gotten any kind of downtime?"

Once she sat down, he took a sip, swished, and swallowed. "Downtime? Well, I'd say the first couple days of shore leave back on New Risa. But that was it. That whole virus thing happened next. Real downtime? Without any interruptions? I have no idea," he said, putting his glass back down and picking up his plate. "Why do you ask?"

"Because after everything that's happened... people are going to need it. Doctor Abrams left shortly before I did, and I've never seen such a large man look so... defeated," she replied.

"Ohh, yeah, they are. Everyone will," he said. "And I hope it's one of those uninterrupted ones, too. We could all use one of those. All of this has affected everyone, including the medical staff. If not you all more than many others." He took another bite of apples, realizing that he wasn't bothering with anything else other than the apples and tortellini. "What do you hope for our next downtime? Planet? Starbase? Or just stay aboard ship?"

"I'd be okay with staying aboard the ship as long as no one snuck up behind us with the intentions of killing everyone," Dani replied. "That would be okay with me. How about you?" She looked over to him as she took a sip of her wine.

"I have to be honest, I've had my fill of planets for a while as far as downtime," he said. "I wouldn't mind a starbase or just being here." He took a drink of his wine and looked back at her. "There's plenty of stuff to do aboard ship. A lot of people don't realize that, but there is." He reached down for his glass and took another drink. "How is it? The wine? Do you like it?"

"I do like it, but I'm pretty sure I'm just going to stick to the one glass, though. How was your day after I left you?" she asked, taking another sip of her wine.

"Stopping at one is probably a good idea. What with your low tolerance and all. But after you left, I was able to get a little bit of rest. Until some form of power came back on and the Captain called a staff meeting, that is. After that, it was back in the shafts and tubes to the Flight Deck, getting a basic rundown, and then back behind the bulkheads to Engineering. After that, it was back the Flight Deck and busy, busy. It never seemed to stop until I got back here an hour ago."

Terry sat forward and put his plate on the coffee table. He noticed that he had finished the spiced apples and over half of the tortellini. He picked up the pound cake, took a quick bite, and put it back. He grabbed his wine glass and sat back, swallowing the bite of cake. "Based on your attire when you showed up here, I'd bet you were kept pretty busy after you left me."

"It was pretty nonstop since I got tossed out of bed last night. That's how it's been for everyone in medical. If it wasn't for the fact that I felt like I was going to be sick with every breath I take from sheer exhaustion, I'd still be down there," the petite woman said. "I plan to sleep for a few hours and get back to work, though. I know they need all hands right now."

"I'm sure they do," said Terry. "But I'd bet they need all hands alert and knowing what they're doing. Especially in Medical. You should try to get more than just a few hours, Dani. I'd guess that even Dr. Abrams is going to try to get more than just a few hours."

Dani looked thoughtful. "He might, but I need to get back as soon as I can. We're short staffed because of everything that happened. I'll be okay, though."

"I can understand that," said Terry. Then he took his free hand and patted her on the top of her head. "You just make sure that you take care of yourself. Wouldn't you want to back and get a clean uniform, though? Showing up in Sickbay wearing that would be interesting to explain."

"I'll grab a clean one before I go back in," she said, finishing off her glass of wine. That's be more than enough to help her relax so she'd be able to sleep. Never in all of her life had she been so eager to sleep before, either. When he put his hand on her head, she grabbed it and pressed a kiss to the back of his knuckles. "I promise we'll do something as soon as we're able to. With everything that's been going on lately, it's a wonder anyone has time to breathe."

Terry grinned as she kissed the back of his hand and held it. "I know, Dani. We're all going to be busy...some in just a few hours." He looked down at her and smiled. "And for someone who's going to be getting back to Sickbay and patients soon, you need a good sleep. You already know where the bed is. Take it. You'll need to be at the top of your game and a couch won't get you there in a few hours. I'll stay out here."

"You want me to stay?" Dani asked, unable to hide her shock.

Terry chuckled. "The offer is there if you feel you're unable to make it back to your quarters after that glass of wine, Miss Low Tolerance. I'd hate to find you on the floor of a corridor somewhere in the morning. Unless you want an escort back there. Then I'd be happy to walk you."

"I don't mind staying, or sleeping on the couch. I hardly move once I'm comfortable. You sleep in your bed. I absolutely insist that you do. That way... I won't wake you up when I have to leave," she said, offering him a smile.

Terry smiled back. "I won't argue with you, Dani. If you insist, I'll take the couch. But I still think you'd sleep better on the bed for what little time you'd be getting." He leaned down and kissed her forehead.

Dani smiled again and shifted around until she was snuggled against him, then curled her little body inside the shirt she had on. "Once I fall asleep, you can move me wherever you want me."

Terry had moved his left arm up when Dani started moving. As she got settled and pulled into the shirt, he let it fall back around her shoulders. "Deal," he said, and started softly singing a song very familiar to him in his best Irish accent.

"You're trying to put me to sleep, aren't you?" she asked softly as her eyes drifted closed. As tired as she was, it wasn't going to take much before she was down for the count. Instead of expecting a response, she focused on his singing, wondering if he'd ever actually done that for anyone else before her.

Terry grinned at her question, but continued singing. In a way, he would have loved to keep on talking, but she needed sleep and he knew it. He had every intention of moving her to the bed once she fell asleep. After all, she said that she hardly moved once she was comfortable. And he hoped she felt comfortable.

Like him, she wanted to keep talking also, but the day she'd have just wouldn't allow it. Dani was beyond exhausted and needed to sleep every second she could get. Sadly, the young woman had a feeling her time in Medical wasn't over. Not by a long shot. Pushing that thought from her mind, she focused on Terry's singing and it wasn't long before her breathing evened out just before sleep claimed her.

Terry could feel her breathing slow and even out since she was laying against him. He waited a few minutes to make sure she was sound asleep before stirring. Then he slowly shifted, moving her over to his arms, and stood. Terry carried Dani to his bedroom and gently put her down. He went to the other side, turned down the covers, and moved her to that side. Then he grabbed an extra blanket and pillow and went back out to the couch.

Terry got everything sorted and laid down. He turned this way and that for a few minutes. He stretched out and hit his feet on the arm of the couch. He sighed heavily and rolled to one side, drawing his feet up. It wasn't comfortable for the huge man and it wasn't getting any easier. He sat up and thought about the extra space on the other side of the bed. He wasn't sure if Dani would appreciate it, especially since he'd already told her that he would stay on the couch. Deciding that his shoulders were broad enough to bear whatever the spider monkey had, Terry got up and went to the bedroom. But not before putting on some pajama pants. Terry then crawled into bed and pulled the covers up. He then rolled over, facing the edge of the bed.

It didn't take long before the sleeping woman gravitated toward the large man, likely knowing he'd protect her in the event that anything were to happen. She didn't wake up, though, but rather snuggled into him and continued to sleep. Despite the days events, not a single bad thought or dream passed through her mind, and that was likely in part to her feeling safe while she slept.

Terry had just started to doze when he felt someone snuggling up against him. When he felt Dani snuggling. He smiled and took a deep breath, maneuvering so that the both of them would be comfortable. He was glad that he came in and hoped that she would rest well. Terry snuggled down under the covers and let sleep take him.

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