Forget my spine, heal my Heart!

"Robin Star,"

"ROBIN!"

Robin sat up in a flash expecting to see a Borg drone before him but he regretted the action instantly as he winced in pain. Hadn't they given him pain relievers this morning?! Oh wait, he had declined taking them. Robin gritted his teeth, opening his eyes. Yes, he was in sickbay... not the bridge.

"Is there something I can do for you, Lieutenant?"

Robin looked at Vhatter as if seeing him for first time which was true but it was if he wasn't sure if he was seeing a real person or not. He let out a sigh. What was he doing? He knew this was reality, he was feeling pain wasn't he?

Robin took a closer look, ignoring the stings around his body. His back was not the only part of him that got injured, after the ride down the turbolift, there were quite a few fights to follow.

"How about getting me cleared to leave?" Robin replied coldly but immediately regretted his words. "Sorry." He apologized, his voice full of defeat as he slowly laid himself back down on the bed.

"I'm fine..." He muttered loud enough for the man to hear.

Tag: Vhatter/Any

Vladik appeared at the doorway just as the Captain saluted.

"Sir, I relinquish command"

"Sir, I relieve you"

He swallowed, watching the injured man try to maintain his dignity while in the midst of what appeared to be excruciating pain. From his vantage point, he was able to take some time and observe the new Captain. She looked fit, a bit older than him. He crossed his arms and watched her for a bit, then stepped forward and cleared his throat.

"Commander Vladik Fedorov reporting for duty, Sir." He would let her correct him if she preferred 'ma'am'. It was one of those annoying protocol matters that made him itch.

Tag Lara

"Sir, I relinquish command"

Robin knew that voice! And it was as strong as t he first time he heard the voice say ‘engage’, he had come to respect that voice, to honour it, to allow it become close and help soothe his mind when his troubles were hard. Robin sat up slowly, ignoring the pain as he watched Lester raise his arm. Still strong, but… at least he was alive.

That was all that Robin could ask for though he if could ask for more, it would be that Lester would continue to captain this ship, well and truly as he always has done. Robin’s gaze flickered to the other officer… the new captain. Wasn’t sure why but his eyes rounded into a glare at the woman and…

"Commander Vladik Fedorov reporting for duty, Sir."

The same glare focused on the new commander, why did they need a replacement! The previous XO had so much energy, so much determination to battle on no matter what obstacle entered his way. Only that he had met an obstacle he could not pass and instead gave his life to protect Bill.

Who of his friends had not died? Which of his friends had survived? He did not know and the mere thought strangled around all his veins within body, as if poisoning his will, his will to smile again, to be happy. Robin’s eyes glazed over again as he looked at Bill, his friend, his Captain.

Robin hardly even noticed the new Captain coming around to check on the patients, asking question but he noticed just after she had stopped in front of his bed. He looked at her.

"Lieutenant how are you feeling?"… "Is there anything you need?"

It took a lot to keep his breathing at a normal rate as he could feel his insides raving in anger. Robin didn’t trust himself to speak but he knew he had to, this was still a federation ship and not a barge of a junk, thanks those that had sacrificed themselves.

“Could be better.” Robin said, his voice strained to keep the negative emotions at bay. “And no thank you…” Robin couldn’t hold her gaze any longer and his eyes fell back to Bill. “Ma’am.” He added after a moment, forgetting to say it.

Tag: Any

Robin felt a needle pierce his head when the Captain addressed him as Robin, she had every right to but that didn't mean he liked it which normally he had no problem with but his trust in her was small. Robin kept his gaze on the stasis chamber.

He knew that starfleet medical could do a whole lot more to help than here but the idea of him not being here was almost as if he was dead. But all the same, if he wanted him to return one day, then he must accept the fact he was leaving. As if on a vacation... Robin almost scoffed at the thought as he remembered sharing a holodeck program with the man once.

"Whenever you get shore leave, Robin... make the most of it."

With the man's voice in his head Robin found the calm and clarity to look at the new Captain, right in the eye without hesitation, just like one should. He knew they would be going up against the Borg again, it was only logical.

He knew of what experiences the Captain spoke of but there was another. He had spent a lot of his time in the Academy researching the Borg, he even took the advance course for it where many failed but he had succeeded... just barely.

"Captain Lester, I’m sure is very proud of you, as am I.”

Robin blinked, not out of surprise but from attempting to hide the small tears of pride within his eyes. He glanced at the chamber once more, he knew for a fact that Lester wouldn't want him to remain miserable.

He glanced at the Captain and nodded, he need not speak any words, his eyes said it all. She needed him, he would give what was needed.

Tag: Any

"How about getting me cleared to leave? Sorry. I'm fine..."

Vhatter looked down at Robin. The man was definitely not fine. "You'll get cleared when--"

"Lieutenant how are you feeling? Is there anything you need?"

Vhatter raised a ridged eyebrow. What? Was she going to practice medicine now?

“Starfleet medical will take very good care of him and the others that are being transferred off the ship due to their injuries.”

"Because we clearly can't do the job," Vhatter thought.

“Don’t hesitate to let me know if you need anything Lieutenant.”

"He'll need a urinal later...want to do that." Vhatter's was glad no one could hear his thoughts.

“anything they need they get”

"You'll be the first we call," he mused.

“Shall we?”

"Yep... don't even acknowledge the little people, especially the one who is standing right next to you." He kept his thoughts to himself, though, and merely nodded to her when she walked off. He looked down at Robin as she neared the door, "this is going to be a long voyage," he said.

Tag Any

Robin watched the stasis chamber glitter into nothingness. His mind reeled over all the close times he had with the Captain. He remembered a conversation once, the two were stranded on a desert planet, awaiting rescue. Robin was injured (surprise much?) and the Captain helped him, kept him awake and most importantly, alive.

"Come on Robin..." Lester whispered urgently to the young pilot as he saw the man's eyelids flutter. He quickly took a look at the wound on the man's lower chest, not good at all. The Captain thought quickly as he looked more closely at the wound, he had done the best he could to clean the wound but it was still badly contaminated thanks to those beasts.

Lester glanced at the water canteen, the last few drops. His mind watered at the sight, maybe in his mouth but his tongue and throat were completely dry, just like the grainy sand on this scorched planet. He knew Robin yearned for the same moisture but... Had he done all that he could?

"Robin..." Lester said gently as he took off the cloth that covered his wound completely and laid it down on the smooth side of a nearby rock. He used his other hand to rest a hand on Robin's forehead, hoping the warmth would reopen the man's eyes, just for that one second longer so he could listen.

Lester was rewarded with the sight of the man's eyes that always seemed so confident, fierce and of course, reckless. Lester lifted his hand.

"You told me once you that you weren't "too smooth" with the sciences," Lester saw Robin's lips curled into a small grin, it was enough to keep Lester's heart keep working with the words he needed Robin to hear.

"Let me remind you Robin, that a star is only as good as the universe and the surrounding space allows it to be, a nearby dark hole would not allow it to be good, in fact it would not even be there... and therefore it has no light."

Lester spoke slowly and softly hoping each letter oozed in just the right amount of space into his ears.

"However there is one thing that keeps that light going, just for another second, a day, a year... and that is the inner light!"

"And I, Captain William Lester... order you to show that inner light!"

"Give me your best shot, Robin."

Lester watched Robin, he could see his inner turmoil but he could also see a flicker, a flicker of light within. Robin's mouth smiled faintly before opening up, the fire within roaring to life.

"You still owe me for that drink."

Lester laughed as he clapped the man on the shoulder, "I promise you'll get it, once we're both out of here."


Robin watched the last glitters of the man that was his friend, and almost like a brother.

We'll get that drink when you come back Robin promised.

"looking forward to seeing what you can do,"

Robin looked at the Commander and managed a small grin in return. The Commander will see soon how bright this star could shine. Robin looked up at the medic and smiled.

"Yep..." Robin laid himself back down on the bed, resting his head on his folded arms behind him.

"It will be."

Tag: Any