𝐎𝐍𝐄𝐒𝐇𝐎𝐓𝐒 | charlize theron

meredith; treatment

"Your explore team need to be more careful." I mutter, dipping the cotton into a bottle of antiseptic. My patient, who also doubles up as my superior, sits on the operating table awaiting my treatment and final diagnosis. "The medical ward is severely understaffed and when you all come back injured we have to prioritise people. It's not easy." 

"I apologise for our recklessness, but it got rough out there." She projects, voice unwaveringly certain. Admirable. I look at the woman in front of me, her hair out of its usual ponytail and her eyes tired. A surge of guilt washes over me as I press the antiseptic to the gash on her upper arm. She hisses and almost flinches away but I keep a firm grip on her arm. 

"Yes, I suppose there was nothing more you could do." I remove the cotton and start to dress her arm, bandaging it and moving on to the next few grazes that scattered along her hairline. A new chunk of cotton and fresh antiseptic used to brush over each, this time the flinching considerably less. I throw my gloves into the bin and sterilise any tools used on Meredith. 

The woman stayed sat, watching me work as if I was the most fascinating thing she'd witnessed all day; which wouldn't be true since alien life had been discovered. I look at her sunken eyes and dark eyebags, pity and concern for her on the forefront of my mind. "Miss Vickers you're free to leave, just don't get the arm wet for at least two days." I pull out the paper work needed to document each treatment performed on board. She hesitates. "You're also welcome to stay if that's what you'd rather."

Her body immediately relaxed as she shuffled onto a chair next to me. Allan, one of the other medical staff closed off his station for the night and wished me goodnight. I gave him a small smile and continued to fill out the double sided sheet. Once done I deposited it in the file cabinet along with the others from today. The blonde's eyes trailed after my movements. "Wanna grab a coffee?" I offer, eager to avoid the sludge provided to us in the office. 

"Yeah." Her eyes lit up a little as I held the door open for her. We walked down the corridor in a comfortable but new silence. "So, are you the head of the medical team?" Meredith inquires. I chuckle at her question but answer her quickly. 

"No Miss Vickers-"

"Meredith." She breathes out, trying to conceal the pink flush rising on her cheeks, "Please, call me Meredith." 

"Meredith." I test the name on my tongue and find I quite like the way it sounds, "No I am not, I'm just like their mother." We arrive in the cafeteria, a few of the staff who work as late as me sat on the chairs, talking. I pour two cups of the freshly made decaf coffee  and hand one to Meredith. We sit in the corner, sipping on the hot beverages as she fires off questions. Who I am, who my family is, why I decided to work here. I look at the time and find that the room is almost empty, the blonde's eyes fighting to stay open. I throw the cups into the bin and wrap my arm around her waist, luring her from the seat.

She lags by my side but I don't mind, patience a virtue I had to learn back on earth in the surgical rooms and with certain staff members. I feel the familiar tugging of exhaustion and don't allow myself to give into its relief as we stumble along the corridor. I stop and pick Meredith up, her legs wrapping around my waist, head resting in the crook of my neck.

Her breath is warm and it's hard to focus when her hands fumble with my hair slowly, lips brushing against my skin, whether intentional or not I don't know. The little  incoherent murmurs against my skin sending waves of heat through my body. Even though I'd only just met the woman.

I open the door to her room and walk to her bed, laying her down gently. I remove her shoes and place them beside her bed before moving the covers over her body. Her hair is fanned out like a halo around her head and her breathing slows completely, body falling into a deep sleep. "Night Miss Vickers, sleep well." I whisper, closing the door and engulfing her in darkness.