Nobis ✴︎ Pavel Chekov

Chapter Twenty One - Initium

       

It's cold when Emory wakes up. Her living hot water bottle isn't by her side and she feels pretty alone. She checks the bathroom and the kitchen but he's not there. There's no note and his PADD and bag aren't around. She sends him a message asking where he is but doesn't get a reply. She goes back into the kitchen to but Alec is there. He looks serious, something Emory doesn't think she's seen before.

"What happened? What did you do?"

"What do you mean? I just woke up and Pavel wasn't there..."

"He left here in tears Emory. He said something about having to talk to Kirk and told me to tell you he'd gone. He wouldn't even tell me what was happening. I don't know what is going on but is really riled up about it..."

Emory nods, starting to feel a little dizzy. "I... Where can I find him? It's hard to explain, I'll message you once I find him, I just... I need to explain to him in person."

Alec sighs and shrugs, having no clue where his roommate could be. Emory just apologises quietly and leaves, picking up pace as soon as she's out the door. Alec messages Pavel and tells him what happened but doesn't get any reply. He doesn't expect one.

Emory checks almost everywhere. She has one place let to check and that's engineering. She messages Kirk but he doesn't reply either and she can only hope that that's where they are. Her feet hit the cold pavement quickly as she fastens her pace. She feels a little lightheaded entering engineering and can only look around helplessly. She starts wandering in amongst the rumbling and scrap metals, getting a glance or two as she walks past. She's lacking the normal attire for the engineering department and it makes her stand out a little more than she'd like to. She asks someone if they've seen Pavel Chekov or James Kirk and he points her towards a gap between two large tanks. She thanks him and slips through the gap, looking around at the small hallway. She follows it for a while, peering into a room branching off to the right. She can hear soft voices, one of which sounds like Kirk.

Pavel seems shocked only for a split second before turning away from Emory angrily. He didn't want to be found, hence why he'd retreated to the darkest part of engineering. Kirk was shown in by Scotty, who knew Pavel only hid in the room when he was stressed. Kirk looks up at Emory and comes over to her, gently directing her back into the start of the corridor. 

"You didn't tell him?"

"How could I? I was trying to wait for a better time but I knew it'd ruin him and I just..."

"You couldn't. I get that but he shouldn't have found out through me. He would have been a lot better off hearing this from you."

She nods, a little teary. "Should I go in and talk to him? Or should I give him some time?"

"Time won't fix him, not at this stage anyway. Go in and talk to him, he needs you."

Pavel is expecting Emory to come in. He doesn't flinch when she sits beside him. She leans back against the wall and sighs.

"Pav..."

"Don't, Emory. Just... don't."

"I was going to tell you. I was but I fell asleep with you this morning and I didn't think-"

"I already knew. One part of me knew it wasn't true but I just didn't want to believe it. I always had a feeling this was going to happen."

"I didn't want to lose you over my own insecurities. I had this plan, I was going to get myself onto the Enterprise as a cleaner or something even, get a vaccine for Melvarrian Mud Fleas or..."

"We have four days. What then?"

"I don't know... I don't know Pavel."

"I'll be in deep space. What if I don't make it back? What if these are the last four days I ever get with you?"

"Don't say that..."

"It's true Emory! I could die before I see you again. I could die and then what?"

"I don't know," she says honestly. "I have no idea what to do. I messed up, Pavel but I just couldn't bear to lose you because I got scared as soon as I had someone in my life worth keeping. I've screwed you over so badly Pavel. I'm so sorry."

Pavel face softens a little and he sighs. He leans back again the wall and rubs his hands over his face.

"We have four days," he says softly. "But..."

"But?"

"If we're sitting here... We're just wasting it, aren't we?"

A faint smile appears on her face and he takes her hand.

"We have to make this amazing."