Among The Stars

Part 9

Scotty was worried, Maggie's shift ended two hours ago and she still hadn't come home. He flipped open his com, "Doctor McCoy have you seen Maggie? She hasn't come home yet and I'm getting slightly worried." McCoy responded to his query, "Well hello to you too! Last I heard she went to her office with Jim, he looked like he was in a bad way. She hasn't left her office since." Scotty responded, "Thank ye most kindly" and snapped his com shut. He quickly made his way to Maggie's office. He rang several times, but the door wasn't opening. He walked across the medbay and barked at McCoy, "Oi! Blockhead! Did it cross your thick southern skull to check on my wee lass?! Open the damned door before I break it down!" McCoy looked up in surprise at the engineer, he rarely became angry and rarer still to threaten to break his beloved ship. He slowly stood up, palms out, "Alright Mr. Scott, I'll use my medical override to open her office door." They went back across medbay, where Len punched in his code. The door slid open to reveal Maggie sound asleep, her face blotchy, and puffy from hours of crying.

Scotty had eyes only for his beloved as he whispered, "Thank ye lad" and walked quietly over to Maggie. McCoy shook his head as he left the two alone. Scotty sat down on the floor next to Maggie's couch, and softly stroked her face as he whispered, "Maggie, love, wake up." Maggie opened her eyes, and as soon as she saw Monty tears began to fill her eyes again, "Oh Monty! It's Chris, it's awful." She began to quietly sob again. Monty kissed her forehead, and picked her up. She automatically put her arms around his neck and buried her face in the side of it. He quickly walked through medbay then back to their room. He placed her gently on the bed, went to go get her a pair of pajamas. "Lassie, do you think ye can change into your comfy clothes?" Maggie gave a gentle nod as Monty gave her a gentle kiss on the lips. He went to the main area, lit a lavender candle, and got matzo ball soup with chicken from the replicator. Maggie shuffled out to the kitchen area, and gave Monty a watery smile. He stretched out his hand and said, "Come love, eat some soup then we'll talk" She took it, and refused to let it go throughout the meal. After she was finished, she gave a quiet thank you as Monty brought the dishes back to the replicator.

 
They went to their sitting area in Maggie's quarters, and as soon as they were seated, Monty grabbed Maggie so she was seated in his lap, her head on his shoulder. "Alright, love, I'm here," Monty stated quietly, "Talk when you are ready." They sat in silence for a while longer, until Maggie began to speak. She started with, "Monty you cannot tell anyone else yet, Jim told me in confidence but it deals with Chris." Monty snorted and said, "Of course love! Ye can trust me!" Maggie nodded, smiled and said, "I know, call it the counselor training." She gave him a chaste kiss before she told him the story of Chris and the accident. Maggie didn't understand how but more tears leaked out of her eyes. Monty shook his head in sorrow, and said, "Oh dearest, I cannot imagine how hard that is for ye love. I dunna know what to do or say but I am here for ye." Maggie nodded and said "I know and I love you all the more for it." They sat there for a couple hours more, Monty holding Maggie and running his hand comfortingly through her hair, with the occasional kiss on the head. They eventually went back to the bedroom, and laid down. Monty being the big spoon as they drifted off to sleep.