Nobis ✴︎ Pavel Chekov

Chapter Fifty Three - Allergies

McCoy seems a little cold towards Pavel. They're eating in the mess together with Kirk and he seems a little quitter than usual. As soon as Kirk leaves there's an awkward silence between the two of them. Pavel asks if medbay has been busy recently and McCoy gives a low grunt as a response. He swallows awkwardly, trying to finish his food a little faster.

"My head nurse hasn't shown up for three consecutive shifts. What happened between you two?"

"She admitted she loves me, the feeling isn't reciprocated."

"Why not? Sulu said you two were so happy when you were dating."

"We were until she cheated, doctor," he mutters, a bitterness starting to seep into his voice. "She can't expect me to come running back to her when she's the reason we broke up in the first place."     

"Everyone makes mistakes though, don't they? A lot of people work around it and fix their relationships."

"McCoy, she fucked another guy on multiple occasions over a few months and only stopped when I walked in on her and saw it happening with my own two eyes. I never ever want to feel as humiliated and heartbroken in front of someone I love again. Her breaking down because I moved on and she has nothing now is nothing compared to what she put me through. I offered to still be her friend, that's all I can really do. Maybe it's her you have to send to a therapist, not me. She's the one with all the issues."

The doctor leans back in his chair, a little stunned. He studies Pavel, wondering where the Russian's sudden tone came from. He nods, deciding not to push the issue. Pavel packs away the rest of his lunch and leaves, tired of constantly questioning his decisions. After his outburst he feels a little firmer in his decision to keep his distance from Irina.

Pavel finds talking to Emory therapeutic. He lays on his bed next to her, away from prying eyes and Sawyer's questions about his transporter theory. She plays with his hair and listens to the whole story about Irina and her letter. She a little surprised that Irina admitted she still loves Pavel. She looks to her own bag, knowing that the letter she wrote is in there waiting for him. One day she'll give it to him. Maybe when he's a little less shaken up.

After one more medical exam to confirm he isn't dead, Pavel is allowed to return to the bridge. He feels empowered being back at the console, back at his console. He looks out into space and feels a little refreshed. He's had a turbulent few months but he feels like things are finally starting to fall properly into place. He has Emory, he's starting to get his name out there with his warp theory and the drama with Irina seems to finally be coming to an end. The only thing he has left to deal with is meeting his parents again, who he wants to meet in person rather than by a video call. There's one other thing he has on his mind, something that he thinks he can fix after his shift.

Sawyer opens the door, a little surprised to see Pavel there. She takes a few steps back, not making eye contact with Pavel.

"Hey Sawyer, is Emory here?"

"No but she said she'll be back in an hour. She's in the botany lab."

"Thank you," he mutters, heading over towards the botany lab. He's used to Sulu being in there all the time but he didn't think Emory had any kind of interest in plants. He enters the lab quietly and watches from afar. Emory is brushing something over the leaves of one of the plants whilst Sulu takes down notes on his PADD.

"Hey," he greets, trying to figure out what is they're doing. The leaves are changing colour with every brush stroke and Emory is absorbed by it.

"I never thought some plants could be so interesting."

"Wait until you try fencing," Sulu mutters, still taking notes, yet to look up at Pavel. "What are you doing here Pavel?"

"Looking for Emory," he admits. "Sawyer sent me here."

"I'll be done soon, at least I think so."

"Half an hour maybe," Sulu mutters, passing Emory a paste to dip her brush back into. "Try that one now," he says, adding a few drops of something into the paste before she uses it.

"Can I give you two a hand?"

"We're alright, thank you," Emory smiles, looking to him briefly before applying the new paste. It starts changing colour and they grin at one another. Pavel turns away and starts sneezing, taking a few steps away from the plants. He keeps sneezing for another minute and a half and Emory and Sulu look at one another, starting to get a little concerned. Emory comes closer to check on him and Pavel's still sneezing, unable to stop.

"You must be allergic to something in here," she mutters, taking him and leading him further away from all the plants. He manages to stop for sneezing for a few seconds and Emory can see how red and weepy his eyes are. "Yeah definitely allergic," she says, bringing him out of the botany lap all together, heading towards his room. He starts sneezing again and groans in the process, nearly walking into a wall. They make it into his room and he sits down, sneezing just once more before stopping.

"Bless you," Emory says softly, Pavel smiles. His eyes are still watery to a point of being unable see properly. He wipes them on the back of his sleeve and blinks a little, finally getting his eyes back into focus. "Better?"

"Yes, I think I can see now. I'm sorry I dragged you out early."

"It's fine, Pavel. I feel like I need a break anyway. Wanna lie down for a while?"

"Yes," he mutters, standing up and taking her hand. "I was hoping you'd ask that."