something to do (Pavel Chekov)

8

"Eadie? Eadie?! Come back Eadie, come back."

"Pav?" She says weakly, sitting up and frowning.

"Eadie," he says, finishing the sentence in a string of Russian. He brushes the hair from her eyes and smiles at her, running his fingers tenderly along the side of her face. "You're okay. You're okay now. Just go slowly."

"Pav," she mutters, finding his hand and squeezing it. "What happened to me? I don't remember anything."

"They took you. They took you for four days. They brought you back unconscious and took me for a while. Not long. Just long enough to learn not to push anyone who comes into the cell. I've been waiting for you to wake up. Are you okay? Are you hurt?"

"I don't think so. Are you? What did they do to you?"

"Beat me pretty badly. I'm fine. I'm just so relieved. I'm so relieved you're okay."

She sits up with his help and gives him an exhausted smile. He helps her up and onto the bench. He wipes the corner of his eyes quickly and she can't imagine how hard four days alone would be. She leans against him and he wraps an arm around her and keeps her warm.

He rests his head against hers and she smiles. "You're back. I was so worried. I'm so glad you're back. I'm so glad Eadie."

She takes his hand and squeezes it gently and lets out a soft laugh. He's smiling hopelessly at her and she asks why he's smiling so much.

"I've never been so relieved or happy to see someone in my life. I'm so glad to see you Eadie. I keep saying it but I honestly am."

She gives him a soft smile and rests her forehead on his. He's smiling too and his hand gently cups the bottom of her cheek.

"I know you've never kissed a girl before but... Has a girl ever kissed you?" He shakes his head ever so slightly and she presses her lips softly against his cheek. "Was that.... Was that okay?"

"It's the best thing that's happened to me since getting here, maybe since before then... Does that count as okay?"

She giggles and he takes his hand off her face. Her soft smile gives his whole body a warm glow. They're both tired and need to rest. She tells him to get some sleep and he nods, laying his head in her lap and looking up at her. His bright blue eyes light up the whole room and he tells her a soft goodnight before closing them.

They wake up to food being placed into the box and sit up, rubbing their eyes. They don't have any way to measure the time but it feels like they haven't slept long. There are two loaves in the box and Pavel passes one to Eadie, sitting up next to her and yawning before taking a bite.

"I wonder how long we've been here," Eadie mutters, a mouthful of bread muffling her words a little.

"Well, it's hard to measure considering we don't know how long a day is on this planet. Judging by how much we've been fed my estimate is about thirty-three days."

"A month? We've only been here a month?"

"It feels like a lifetime," he admits. "But a month isn't long. Starfleet are probably still trying to organise something. I don't even know how we got here, how they're supposed to find us. We need to be patient."

"We have been patient for a whole month," she mutters, dusting the bread crumbs from her t-shirt. "I know we need to be patient but it's just hard. I'm glad I have you company. Some clean clothes would be nice though. I might try and wash out my undershirt and see if it makes me feel any better."

"I just want white chocolate," he says, sighing.

She gives him a soft smile and takes her jacket to shake off the crumbs. She asks him to turn around so she can take her shirt off and he does, considering washing his own. He takes his own jacket off and hums to himself, waiting for confirmation that he can turn back around. Eadie comes over and takes his shirt too, muttering about washing them together and he thanks her. She rinses them with water and squeezes them out, hoping they'll dry soon.

Pavel and Eadie start stretching and add some new stretches to their routine to shake things up. Eadie asks for Pavel's help with a few gymnastic type moves like a backbend and he holds her back for her while she reaches back and flicks her legs over.

"Maybe with your help, I'll be able to do that by myself."

"Think I should try the same thing? I don't know how flexible my back is but..."

She grins in encouragement and shows him where to position his legs and hands. He follows his hands back slowly and she supports his back. He gets close to the ground and his foot slips, bring him down and bringing her down on top of him.

They both start apologising simultaneously. For a few seconds they stop and then burst into giggles. Pavel has a grin and lies back, putting his hand softly on her back. She rests her head on his chest and smiles.

"Are you okay though? You didn't hurt yourself, right?"

"I am more than fine."

He looks at her and brushes the loose hair from her face with his free hand. She tells him they might have to find some other kind of exercise for him instead and he nods. Their gaze is locked for a few more seconds before they get up, blushing a little.

Eadie tries a few more gymnastics style moves and Pavel just watches without trying himself. She gets tired easily and blames the lack of food. Good food and showering seems to be the only thing she can really think about anymore. Pavel just craves more sugar and some shampoo. His hair is disgusting and though he rinses it with water occasionally, it doesn't really help.

They sit down while they recover and Eadie comes up with a new question.

"What's something super basic you can't do? I was thinking of this before. I can't cook, right. As in, at all. I literally can't make toast without burning it. I burn anything I try and make or I undercook it or something always goes wrong. It's kind of funny. I was thinking about it before."

"I can't ride a bicycle."

"You're kidding? You've never tried?"

"My cousin was going to teach me after my final exam. I refused to go to their house after what happened so I never learnt. I always told myself I'd learn one day."

"I'll teach you. When we get out of here. I promise. Maybe on shore leave or something. I can teach you how to ride a bike. It's not all that hard."

"I'd like that. I could teach you to cook, as well. Something other than showers and food to look forward to, hm?"

"And beds. Don't forget beds."

Pavel smiles, he hasn't forgotten.