Forwarded by the ASC-VSO Posted: 15 Feb 2004 19:01:33 GMT In: alt.startrek.creative From: linkys@aol.comspamfree (TLin) Title: In The Moment Author: T'Lin ( LinkyS@aol.com ) Series: ENT, Young Lovers Series Rating: PG-13 Code: S/Cu Parts: 1 Summary: Hoshi provides a little TLC, when Beth is injured. Author's Note: This story is part of my "Young Lovers Series", and takes place shortly after ENTERPRISE enters the Delphic Expanse. It is a sequel to "On Safer Ground", "Playground Of The Mind", and "Better Living Through Reckless Experimentation", and a prequel to "Live For Today". Archiving: FFF, ASC*, BLTS, EntSTComm and my own web page -- http://www.geocities.com/tlin_s/ -- all others, please ask first. Written for Round XIII of the Femme Fuh-Q Fest. For more great f/f stories, covering all five TREK series (and some great crossovers) visit http://www.geocities.com/femme_fuhq_fest/ Disclaimer: Paramount/Viacom own the Star Trek universe, I only play there. I intend no copyright infringement with my use of these characters, nor do I make any money off of my efforts. This original work of fanfiction is the property of T'Lin, © 31 January, 2004. Feedback always appreciated. *** IN THE MOMENT by T'Lin -- 0401.31 Passage into the Delphic Expanse was proving to be difficult. The 'spacial anomalies' seemed to vary in intensity, and so far, there had been no rhyme or reason to when and where they would appear. Unfortunately, they were also nearly undetectable, until the last moment before contact. Travis had his hands full, just trying to keep us on course, and in one piece. The damage to the ship, although extensive, was not un-repairable ... luckily, the same could be said for the crew. Nevertheless, tensions were growing; everyone feared it was only a matter of time before the ship was crippled, or someone died. But the crew of ENTERPRISE had a mission to propel them beyond their fears ... one that Hoshi reminded herself of every morning when she woke, wishing she had remained on Earth. That would have been the easy choice, when the Captain gave it to them ... but not necessarily the safe one. If ENTERPRISE was not successful, everyone on Earth could pay the ultimate price. *That* was the mantra Hoshi concentrated on each morning, as she prepared to do her part in making this mission a success. And when that didn't work, she sought out Beth ... her strength in times of doubt. *** The past three hours had been more difficult than most with one anomaly after another; reports were coming in from all parts of the ship about objects moving from one side of the room to the other. The order went out to all hands to tie everything down, if at all possible. Regardless, damage was done to both ship and crew. Hoshi sat at her station, monitoring communications, when the call came out that someone was in need of medical attention in the cargo bay. Phlox replied that he was in the middle of a procedure, asking what the nature of the emergency was. The crewman on the other end said that Crewman Cutler had been injured by flying cargo ... her injuries were not life-threatening, but she needed assistance getting to the sickbay. In an instant, Hoshi relayed the problem to the Captain, and requested permission to leave the bridge and provide aide to Cutler. With a nod, Archer approved, and Hoshi told Phlox that she would assist Beth to sickbay. The ship shook while she was in the lift; as the lights flickered, she bit her tongue, trying not to cry out in fear. But they never went out, and after an inimitably long time, the doors opened. She rushed down the corridor, nearly running into the closed door of the Cargo Bay. She punched in the code, rushing in even before the doors opened fully. The bay was a mess. Crates and containers tossed all about; half a dozen crewmen scattered about, trying to tie everything down. It only took Hoshi a second to find Beth, sitting against one wall. Beth's eyes were closed, but the tranquility of sleep was not on her face. She was undoubtedly in pain; her arm was obviously broken, for it lay against her body in an unnatural position. Hoshi knelt beside her, whispering, "Oh, sweety," then seeing Beth's eyes open, she continued, "let me get something to use as a sling, then I'll get you to sickbay." Beth smiled weakly, as she said, "You mean I have to move again? Too bad, I was just getting comfortable here." She tried to chuckle, but stopped at once, closing her eyes against the pain of the slight movement. Hoshi cringed, knowing that there would be a great deal more pain, trying to get her to sickbay. But it couldn't be helped. A quick survey of the room produced some packing materiels ... a roll of shrink-wrap would do. Returning to where Beth sat, she said, "I want to bind your arm against your body, so it won't move as we walk. Can you scoot away from the wall," she asked, knowing it could be less jarring for an injured person to move themselves if at all possible, than to be moved, "or would you like some help?" "I can do it," Beth replied with resignation. She had already gotten herself away from the fallen crates, and leaning against the wall; this small movement would be a piece of cake in comparison. With great determination, she pulled herself away from the wall. When there was enough room for Hoshi to work, she stopped, and said with eyes closed, "Give me a minute." "Of course," Hoshi replied, remembering how it felt to move with a broken leg, when she was a child. Hoshi watched as some of the tension left Beth's face, then she said, "I'm sorry ... this is going to hurt, but I have to immobilize your arm." She continued to talk softly, as she explained, "I'm going to wrap this around your body, pinning the arm against you, just the way it is right now. I think that will prevent any further damage when I help you stand." "Ok," Beth replied, eyes still closed, letting Hoshi know that she was listening. At Hoshi's gently touch, Beth let out a small gasp of pain, then held her breath as Hoshi continued to wrap her body in the plastic material. "OK, all done," Hoshi said, then added, "you may want to take a few breaths, now ... before I help you to your feet." Beth opened her eyes, and smiled weakly, as she said, "Hmmm ... a new form of bondage ... how kinky." Hoshi smiled, and kissed Beth on the forehead, saying, "You are incorrigible ... you know that?" "I try," Beth said with a small chuckle. With her good arm, she reached out to touch Hoshi's cheek, saying, "Looks like I'll be out of commission for a while." "Well, it's true that we won't be practicing any judo holds, or the like, for a while, but you're not completely incapacitated. Phlox will have you fixed up in no time." Hoshi kissed Beth again, then stood, offering her hand. "Come on, the sooner we get you up, the sooner Phlox can get that arm set." "I suppose you're right," Beth agreed, then took Hoshi's proffered hand. She braced her feet against Hoshi's for leverage, and at the count of three, Hoshi pulled her up. Once again, she closed her eyes against the pain, but it was not nearly as bad as she had feared. It was slow going, but before long, they had arrived in sickbay ... Phlox was nearly done with the patient he was currently working on, and soon had Beth on a biobed, and sedated. He assured Hoshi that the break was not nearly as bad as it looked, and she'd be on the mend in no time. Relieved, Hoshi returned to the bridge, and finished off her shift. *** Beth had been released from sickbay later that day; she would be unable to resume her duties for a week or so, but the arm would mend fully. Still slightly groggy from the sedative, she opted to skip dinner and go right to bed. An hour later, Hoshi arrived with dessert, and a pot of tea. Chef had made cheesecake, with the last of the fresh strawberries he had acquired when they had been home briefly, prior to this mission ... Hoshi couldn't let Beth miss out on them, for it would be a very long time before they could get any more. When she had asked for two servings, and explained that she was bringing one to Beth, Chef had given her a few extra whole berries for her patient. Beth would thank him personally in the morning. In the meantime, she propped herself up with her pillows, and planned on enjoying this special treat. "You know what I love about you?" Beth asked, as Hoshi told her about Chef's generosity, then went on to answer her own question before Hoshi had a chance, "you always know how to cheer me up. I mean, most people would insist on feeding me a little soup to make me feel better ... but not you," she smiled, "you bring me cheesecake ... and fresh strawberries!" "Better yet," Hoshi added, sitting on the edge of the bed, "I plan on feeding them to you. Just sit back, and enjoy!" and as she said this, she took one of the whole berries, dipped the end into the cheesecake, and placed it in Beth's mouth. As she bit into it, juice began to run down her chin ... Hoshi pulled the rest of the berry away, and licked the dripping juice from Beth's mouth. "Mmmm ... delicious," she murmured, as she sat back and added more cheesecake to the remains of the berry. They continued to eat the whole berries this way, taking turns with biting into them, and kissing away the juice that tried to escape. When the berries were finished, one slice of cheesecake was nearly gone ... the other, still covered in sliced berries, remained. Suddenly, Hoshi had the most wicked thought concerning that last piece of cheesecake, but looking at Beth, she realized that it would have to wait. "Remind me the next time that Chef makes cheesecake," she said, smiling, as she picked up the fork, and offered Beth a mouthful, "that there's a much more ... creative ... way of eating it ... one that I think you'll enjoy, when you're feeling up to it." "Ah, yes," Beth smiled too, as she was undoubtedly thinking of the same thing. "I'll be sure to do that." As she swallowed the bite of creamy cheesecake Hoshi gave her, she yawned. "Sorry ... must be the sedative Phlox gave me." Beth snuggled down into her bed, and closed her eyes. Hoshi put the remains of the cheesecake on the bedside table, and covered it. She then stood, and bent down and kissed Beth, saying, "Good night, love ... sweet dreams." As Hoshi made her way to her own quarters, she vowed to live 'in the moment' from now on ... no more worries about what *could* happen, or what *had* happened ... there was only *now*. *That* would be the motivation to get her through these difficult times. Not the concern over what could happen if they failed, but the realization that in order to succeed, you had to be focused 100% in the here-and-now. ~the end ... for now~ :-] T'Lin http://www.geocities.com/tlin_s/ http://www.geocities.com/femme_fuhq_fest/index.html "It is Unethical to harm a patient ... I can cause as much pain as I want to." ~~ Phlox ("Dead Stop") -- Stephen Ratliff ASC Stories Only Forwarding In the Pattern Buffer at: http//trekiverse.crosswinds.net/feed/ Yahoo! Groups Links To visit your group on the web, go to:http://groups.yahoo.com/group/ASCL/ To unsubscribe from this group, send an email to:ASCL-unsubscribe@yahoogroups.com Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to the Yahoo! Terms of Service. From ???@??? 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