Unrequited (Trip x OC)

Eleven

I woke up with an arm slung over me, feeling the heat radiating from another body. Their head was laying on my chest and I had my arms wrapped around them. I looked down and forgot for a second what had happened the night before.

Trip...? No. Sim. I had to keep reminding myself. I was struck again by the fact that he looked just like him. The only difference was that he didn't have the scar above his lip or on his cheek.

His eyelashes lay against his cheeks, his chest moving steadily up and down. He was still asleep.

"Sim," I whispered.

His eyelids twitched once, and his steady breathing interrupted, but then his soft snoring continued.

"Sim," I repeated, still softly but a little louder.

He stirred, and before I knew it, I could see his blue eyes clearly.

"What...?" he muttered, his voice deep and raspy.

"Sim, I wanted you to be awake before the surgery," I leaned away from him and lay on my side a couple feet away.

"Oh... right," he whispered, rolling over to lay on his back.

"Hey, just... don't be sad because it's over. Be happy because it happened," I shrugged.

He closed his eyes. "That's lame."

"Yeah, I know."

He looked over at me and we both started laughing.

There was a ring at the door. My eyes widened and I sat up.

Before I could move any more, the door opened. "Sim, Phlox is--"

My father stopped completely.

He looked at Sim lying there in just his sweatpants, then at me, then back at Sim.

He took a deep breath. "You know... maybe you're not gonna die from the transplant." He stood there rigid for a second. "Because I'm gonna kill you right here, come here you little punk!" My father made a move towards him.

Sim jumped out of bed and ran to the far end of the room where the desk was. He picked up a chair and held its legs out towards my father.

"Sir--"

"Don't pretend you have any shred of respect for me after how I've just caught you!" my father snapped.

"I'm going to die today! Sir--"

"That's no excuse! I mean, I'd expect it from you, but not from my own daughter."

I stared at the two of them, my father looking for an opening with his feet and arms spread out like he was trying to catch a chicken, while Sim looked terrified as he fought him off. I couldn't help it as a laugh bubbled up in my throat. I burst into laughter.

They both stopped and looked over at me. "Dad, you--" I wheezed, grabbing my stomach and doubling over with laughter. "The look on your face was priceless!"

They glanced at each other now, then back at me.

"I'm sorry, what?" my father stood straight now.

I shook my head. "Do you really have such little faith in me?" Sim snorted, but I ignored him and kept going. "Dad, we talked until he fell asleep. Nothing happened. Sim is like my own child." At this, Sim looked away, but I paid no attention.

My father looked over at Sim, then at the ground. "I forgot about that."

"Yeah, well. Mr. Rational. I would expect that from Sim, but not from my own father," I turned his own words back around on him.

He looked ashamed of himself. He cleared his throat. "Ahem. Well. I was just going to say. Phlox is ready for you, Sim. He's ready to begin prepping you."

Sim's expression darkened. "Can I have a moment to myself, sir?"

"Of course," my father nodded and moved towards the door.

He stepped outside and I stepped towards Sim.

"Emily, I--"

"Shhh, I know," I pulled him into a hug. He was taller than me now, but he leaned down and laid his forehead against my shoulder.

We stood there in silence, my arms around him and his around me. I don't know how long we stood there. I just know it wasn't long enough. Too soon, my father opened the door.

"Sim, it's time," he said softly.

Sim pulled away and looked at me, shaking.

"I'm scared," he stated, his voice rocky.

"I'll be there next to you the entire time," I promised, squeezing his hand.

He was still shaking, but he nodded.

I gently pulled his hand. We walked together out the door.

We would say no goodbyes today.

---

The entire ship was there for the funeral, but that didn't stop me from feeling alone.

Eventually, the crowd thinned out and just the senior officers were left standing there around me. My father laid a hand on my shoulder.

"Emily, we have duties to attend--"

"Go ahead," I whispered, my throat tight and my cheeks wet as I stared down at Sim laying in the dull gray coffin. "I'll be fine here."

My father stood there for a second more, then I felt him move away. Soon I was left standing alone in the room with only my thoughts to keep me company. Then, the door burst open and I heard Doctor Phlox. I turned to look.

"Commander Tucker, you need to get back to bed immediately. You have not recovered enough to—" he saw me standing there, my eyes red and tear trails down my face. "Well... maybe you can stand a second on your feet." He cast a worried glance at me before he closed the door and walked away.

Trip made his way over to stand next to me. I didn't move. Then all of a sudden, I turned towards him, burying my face in his chest and sobbing. He moved automatically to wrap his arms around me. We didn't speak. We just stood there as he held me.