life's blood

[warpfairy]

They're not near Cardassian Union space.

But then, they're not near Federation space either. This ship has as much right to be in this system as they do.

It makes Isabella nervous, anyway, and she's just about to suggest leaving and coming back another time, when the Prometheus is hailed.

They're armed. She can't warp inside a solar system.

She answers the hail.

"Hello, Federation vessel," says one of the three visible Cardassians in bad but intelligible English. "What're you doing out here alone?"

Isabella swallows. "This is the deep space survey vessel Prometheus," she begins.

The computer lets her know that they're charging weapons.

"We have no hostile intention," she says.

Comments

[dream_me_up]

That... also helps, actually.

[warpfairy]

Isabella would only be able to tell if he told her. Or if she were mid-telepathy with him, which she is not.

[dream_me_up]

But not from the part where he hugs her tightly and pets her hair and cries some more?

[warpfairy]

Suggestive but inconclusive.

The hugging helps, now that anything can help, now that she isn't stuck firmly in a position of imperturbability.

[dream_me_up]

He can tell that the hugging helps. It's good that the hugging helps. It helps him that the hugging helps. He'd say something to that effect, but - talking while crying is hard. So he just hugs her some more.

[warpfairy]

Helpful hugs. Necessary crying.

[dream_me_up]

Yes. Both of those.

[warpfairy]

"You were okay?" she asks softly, after her tears have largely subsided. "I didn't know if you were okay. Was it all right - or - are you only crying over me -"

[dream_me_up]

"...It's complicated," he murmurs.

[warpfairy]

Squeeze.

[dream_me_up]

Snuggle.

"I liked him," he sighs. "But it was still - I wasn't there because I wanted to be. It makes a difference."

[warpfairy]

"Mmm."

Squeeze.

Vulcans are stronger than humans, even diluted. She can hold him very snug when she's of a mind.

[dream_me_up]

He cuddles up and relaxes in her arms.

[warpfairy]

Snuggles.

[dream_me_up]

Yes. Snuggles.

"I love you," he murmurs.

[warpfairy]

"I was so afraid for you," she murmurs.

[dream_me_up]

"Yeah. I was afraid for you too," he says. "I'm not used to that."

[warpfairy]

She tucks her head in against his damp shoulder again.

[dream_me_up]

He wraps his arms around her and kisses the top of her head.

[warpfairy]

Snuggle. Sigh.

[dream_me_up]

Sniffle. Snuggle.

[warpfairy]

Isabella's not really crying anymore. She wasn't having emotions during the worst of the ordeal; there isn't that much to work through.

Her hand meanders faceward.

[dream_me_up]

Lalita smiles and nuzzles his face into her hand.

[warpfairy]

She takes that as permission; they've somewhat streamlined the process of asking in recent months.

Reach -

[dream_me_up]

He loves her so much. It hurts to, right now, but he accepts that; he would rather it hurt right now than otherwise. It makes more sense this way.