Star Trek Imagines (Reader-Inserts) Part Two

Ent. Trip Tucker - Helping Hand

A/N: Mentions of depression. Please don't read if that will make you uncomfortable

Trip entered your quarters with a tray of food in his hands. "You awake?" he asked softly.

You grunted in acknowledgement from the bed, your body snuggled under the blankets.

He came over and crouched in front of the bed. "I got chef to make your favourite meal."

You looked at the tray and your stomach growled.

"You need to eat something," Trip urged. "Just a little bit."

You nodded slightly and pushed yourself to a seated position. You took the tray from Trip and placed it in your lap. As you nibbled on the food, Trip sat beside you and gently rubbed your back.

He knew how hard it was for you to do much of anything when your depression got really bad. He knew that sometimes you needed a little nudge from a loved one. And he was more than happy to do the nudging and help you out. He hated seeing you so down and he hated that even with all of the medical advances, mental illnesses were still something that people struggled with. Sure, you went to Phlox to get injections to help with your neurochemical imbalance, but the symptoms still showed up from time to time.

You leaned your shoulder against him as you ate, the feeling of his body next to yours bringing some peace to your overworked mind. When you ate as much as you could, you thanked him.

Trip kissed your temple softly. "How are you feeling?"

You shrugged. "A little more energetic with some food in me, but still... meh."

Trip stood and put the tray onto your desk. He reached out his hands. "C'mere. Why don't we shower."

You shook your head. "I don't want to."

With a soft sigh, he said, "At least come brush your teeth. And maybe wash your face. It could help you feel more refreshed."

You met his gaze. You knew he wouldn't let you just crawl back under the covers. So you stood and followed him into the bathroom. Trip leaned against the doorway as you brushed your teeth. You avoided looking into the mirror, fearing that you'd see just how exhausted you were.

"Sit," Trip said after you rinsed out your mouth. You sat on the toilet seat and Trip dampened a washcloth. He crouched down in front of you and reached up, gently moving the washcloth against your face. It was cool and refreshing. Trip wiped the cloth over your face slowly and your eyes shut.

"Does that feel okay?" he asked.

"Mhmm," you replied, the cloth moving around your mouth.

He was careful not to rub the cloth against your skin too roughly. Just enough to wipe away any oils or dirt that may be on the surface of your skin. Trip stood up and placed the cloth over the edge of the sink. "What do you feel up to doing? Do you want to go for a walk? Or would you rather stay here?"

"Can we stay here and watch a movie?" you asked, opening your eyes.

Trip smiled softly. "Sure thing. Maybe you should change into a fresh pair of pyjamas."

"Only if you're also going to be in pyjamas," you said, your lips curling into a slight smile.

He dipped his head. "Of course."

Once the two of you were comfortably in your pyjamas, Trip set up a movie for you on the computer screen, turning it to face the bed. You smiled when you realized he had put on one of your favourite childhood movies.

"You know me too well," you said as he climbed into bed with you.

"I can never know you too well," he said. He kissed the top of your head and held you close, both of you getting comfortable to watch the movie.