Tonight's ![[livejournal.com profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/external/lj-community.gif)
bridge2sickbay roundup
Apr. 25th, 2010 10:22 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
bluegeekThis week's theme was: Things you can hang
Prompt: Spock, McCoy, Uhura - The Past
Aftereffects
″It was not an event that the Doctor nor I engaged in purposefully, Nyota. It is not something that will reoccur. I do not understand your persistence in discussing the matter.″ Though his voice revealed nothing more than a faint curiosity, Nyota could sense faint tremors of guilt, fear, and frustration in the back of her mind.
″I know that, Spock.″ She met his gaze levelly. ″However it has been more than three months since the pollen incident, and I know that you still dwell on it.″
″It was an... affecting circumstance. It does not mean that my admiration for you is-″
Nyota cut him off. ″I know, Spock. Believe me, I know.″
Spock opened his mouth to speak again, but closed it again when Nyota continued.
″I can tell that you desire Leonard, Spock.″ Nyota tapped a finger to her temple. Before Spock can respond, she held that finger up towards him with a shushing gesture. ″And I can understand why. I can also tell that he desires you as well.″ This time, she motioned towards her eyes and her heart. ″It's okay, Spock.″
″You... would not object to the Doctor and I...″ Spock was, uncharacteristically, lost for words.
Nyota smiled at the emotions flowing into her mind from his. Flabbergasted was probably the most accurate summation of his turbulent feelings, thought there was a strong spike of heat as well. ″Not so long as you invite me, too. I do not think Leonard would object, either.″
Spock raised an eyebrow at her, sensing the truth in her words. ″Fascinating.″
***
Prompt: Kirk, Uhura - Earrings
Distractions
The earrings were made from shiny, curved bits of metal and dangled from Uhura's ears, catching the light anew whenever she turned her head.
Jim found them... immensely distracting.
″Captain?″ Uhura's voice was tinged with concern. It probably wasn't the first time she tried to catch his attention.
Jim forced himself to refocus on the staff meeting and PADD in front of him, rather than his communications officer. ″Yes, Lieutenant?″
Yeah, it was definitely the earrings.
***
Prompt: Sulu, Chekov - Umbrella
Excuses
It's an excuse, really. Hikaru knows it, he suspects Pavel knows it, and from the soft smile on Uhura's face and the sly smirk on the Captain's, he's pretty sure everyone else knows it too.
But that doesn't stop him from opening up his umbrella against the softly falling rain and wrapping an arm around Pavel's back as they walk from the shuttlepad to the conference arena for the necessary debriefings prior to shoreleave.
The umbrella isn't terribly large and holding Pavel close is best to ensure they both remain as dry as possible. His plans for their week's leave do not include nursing a cold.
And also? Pavel is warm, exuding heat even through the layers of his uniform, and in that, Hikaru finds comfort.
He's fine with excuses.
***
Prompt: Kirk, Uhura - Mirror
Links
Nyota surveyed herself one last time, patting a stray wisp of hair back into place and touching each of the dangling copper earrings hanging from her ears, setting them dancing and gleaming in the soft light. She was just about to turn away from the mirror to collect her bouquet when a figure sneaking into the dressing room caught her eye.
″What are you doing here?″ Nyota spun around and glared at Jim Kirk.
″Just wanted to make sure you weren't getting cold feet.″ He smirked, so very confidant and full of his usual good humor.
″I am not. And checking on me is not one of your duties. Nor is seeing me prior to the ceremony, for that matter.″
″Just making sure. Besides, I have something for you.″ Jim reached into a pocket and pulled out a wadded up piece of tissue paper, which he unwrapped to reveal a necklace, holding it up for her inspection. It fairly simple in design, interlocking rings curving around one another gracefully and had a single bright blue stone dangling from the chain.
″You are a link between those who've come before and those yet to be born. Today symbolizes remembrance and hope, together with celebration.″ Though the words were like those from a textbook, Jim made them sound like poetry.
Nyota's heart lifted and she turned, allowing him to fasten the necklace around her neck. She remained facing the mirror for another long minute as he exited the room, stealthy as ever, before turning around once more and taking a deep breath. Then, she took her flowers and left the room. She did not look back, partly out of tradition, but mostly because there was so much joy in looking forward.
***
Prompt: Kirk, McCoy, Joanna - Crayon Drawings
″My Space Family″
The first time Leonard open's his eyes, he meets Jim's concerned gaze just long enough to grunt out a barely audible, ″Stop worrying, kid,″ before passing out again.
The second, it's to see a crayon drawing hung carefully on the wall near his biobed. Three figures featured prominently, though Leonard had to read the carefully scribbled captions to identify who they are supposed to be: Joanna, Jim, and himself. His smile is weak but true, and he manages to stay awake long enough to read the title: My Space Family.
Waking up hurts less the third time. It's probably due to the warm length of his daughter's body curled up against his side and the firm grip that Jim has on Leonard's free hand, the one not wrapped protectively around his child. Leonard can feel the soft puffs of Joanna's breaths against his neck, rhythm unchanging even as Leonard presses a kiss against her forehead and then leans into the kiss pressed into his own temple from Jim.
″Let me tell you a story, Bones, about a stubborn doctor that didn't duck fast enough and caused all sorts of stress and worry to his loving daughter and partner, okay?″
Leonard smiled and closed his eyes again, but didn't fall asleep right away. Instead, he just floated on a cushion of peace, feeling soft breaths against his skin and hearing a clear, humor-laden voice speaking into his ear.
***
Prompt: Sulu, Gaila - Garland
Swordplay
″And why are you decorating the ship, again?″ Hikaru leaned against a railing in engineering as he watched Gaila, her lithe body balanced confidently on top of various pieces of equipment, hang garlands, stars, planets, and twinkling lights from every surface available.
″Not the whole ship.″ Gaila bit her lip and cocked her head to one side. ″Yet.″ She motioned for Hikaru to hand her another planet figure, this one with slowly rotating rings. ″Just Engineering deck today. I'll move on to the rest of the ship tomorrow, I think.″
″You still haven't answered my original question, you know.″
Gaila frowned at him in mock irritation. ″You don't know? What is it with human males and remembering important dates?″
″It's not just human males who suffer from this deplorable lack of memory, but all males.″ Hikaru grinned up at her and handed her another string of lights. ″Also? I resent your stereotype-based over generalization.″
″I'll bet you do.″ Gaila's smile was nearly as bright as the lights in her hand. ″It's to celebrate the one year anniversary of the start of our mission. I like the human tendency to celebrate everything possible with decorations and cheerfulness and speeches.″
″And drinking,″ Hikaru couldn't resist adding.
″And drinking,″ Gaila agreed. ″And sex, too. I especially like celebratory sex.″
Hikaru chuckled. ″I'm glad to hear that. Need any help with the rest of the decorations? I fully support celebration in all its forms.″
″I'll bet you do.″ Gaila motioned for the last of the garland. ″I am nearly done with this deck. But your services with your sword will definitely come in handy when it is time to take all the decorations down.″ Noticing Hikaru's laughter, Gaila was puzzled. ″What?″
Hikaru waved her concern away. ″Nothing, nothing. It's just that at the beginning of your last sentence I thought you were embarking on a particularly interesting euphemism.″
″Concerning servicing me with your sword?″ Gaila raised a brow. ″Well that goes without saying, doesn't it?″
***
Prompt: Author's Choice - Cross/Crucifix
Symbols of Unity
They all celebrate and mourn in their own ways.
On a ship with a crew hailing from so many different planets and with so many different cultural customs, it is inevitable that the sight of so many different methods of expressing one's grief, especially, serves to emphasize how alone they are, stuck on a ship in the middle of uncharted space, surrounded by so many people so very unlike oneself.
But it also serves to bring them together as well, to emphasize not only their differences, but their commonalities, and how they rely on one another, blending so many different customs into a generally-compatible whole.
After the ceremony to honor two ensigns lost in the most recent skirmish with the Klingons, crosses are hung alongside memory beads, and mourning scrolls are set upon the deep red fabric of banners sewn to honor the dead. Flowers from four different planets are placed in the same vase and pictures are printed on hard copy and tacked to a board in one of the rec rooms.
The crew gathers in small groups to talk and reminisce, and, of course, to share a drink. The faces change with the changing of the shifts and the process begins anew with the advent of the newly off-duty crewmembers.
Together, they honor the lost and celebrate the living.
***
Prompt: McCoy, Joanna - Swing
To the Sky
″Higher, Daddy! Higher!″ Joanna's laughing demands filled his heart and Leonard put his back into the next push, sending his daughter soaring once again.
He had so many things to do today, but his daughter's hopeful expression and pleading eyes were stronger than any to-do list. Painting the porch railing, catching up on chart reviews, and taking Jo shopping for new school clothes could wait until later. His leave was short and he was determined to fit in fun whenever and wherever he could.
″Again! Again!″ Joanna shrieked as she swung back towards him.
Leonard smiled. Who was he to refuse?
***
I think it's pretty safe to say I had an excellent time at B2S this week. So many fun and moving drabbles and ficlets to read and good times writing, too.
Prompt: Spock, McCoy, Uhura - The Past
Aftereffects
″It was not an event that the Doctor nor I engaged in purposefully, Nyota. It is not something that will reoccur. I do not understand your persistence in discussing the matter.″ Though his voice revealed nothing more than a faint curiosity, Nyota could sense faint tremors of guilt, fear, and frustration in the back of her mind.
″I know that, Spock.″ She met his gaze levelly. ″However it has been more than three months since the pollen incident, and I know that you still dwell on it.″
″It was an... affecting circumstance. It does not mean that my admiration for you is-″
Nyota cut him off. ″I know, Spock. Believe me, I know.″
Spock opened his mouth to speak again, but closed it again when Nyota continued.
″I can tell that you desire Leonard, Spock.″ Nyota tapped a finger to her temple. Before Spock can respond, she held that finger up towards him with a shushing gesture. ″And I can understand why. I can also tell that he desires you as well.″ This time, she motioned towards her eyes and her heart. ″It's okay, Spock.″
″You... would not object to the Doctor and I...″ Spock was, uncharacteristically, lost for words.
Nyota smiled at the emotions flowing into her mind from his. Flabbergasted was probably the most accurate summation of his turbulent feelings, thought there was a strong spike of heat as well. ″Not so long as you invite me, too. I do not think Leonard would object, either.″
Spock raised an eyebrow at her, sensing the truth in her words. ″Fascinating.″
***
Prompt: Kirk, Uhura - Earrings
Distractions
The earrings were made from shiny, curved bits of metal and dangled from Uhura's ears, catching the light anew whenever she turned her head.
Jim found them... immensely distracting.
″Captain?″ Uhura's voice was tinged with concern. It probably wasn't the first time she tried to catch his attention.
Jim forced himself to refocus on the staff meeting and PADD in front of him, rather than his communications officer. ″Yes, Lieutenant?″
Yeah, it was definitely the earrings.
***
Prompt: Sulu, Chekov - Umbrella
Excuses
It's an excuse, really. Hikaru knows it, he suspects Pavel knows it, and from the soft smile on Uhura's face and the sly smirk on the Captain's, he's pretty sure everyone else knows it too.
But that doesn't stop him from opening up his umbrella against the softly falling rain and wrapping an arm around Pavel's back as they walk from the shuttlepad to the conference arena for the necessary debriefings prior to shoreleave.
The umbrella isn't terribly large and holding Pavel close is best to ensure they both remain as dry as possible. His plans for their week's leave do not include nursing a cold.
And also? Pavel is warm, exuding heat even through the layers of his uniform, and in that, Hikaru finds comfort.
He's fine with excuses.
***
Prompt: Kirk, Uhura - Mirror
Links
Nyota surveyed herself one last time, patting a stray wisp of hair back into place and touching each of the dangling copper earrings hanging from her ears, setting them dancing and gleaming in the soft light. She was just about to turn away from the mirror to collect her bouquet when a figure sneaking into the dressing room caught her eye.
″What are you doing here?″ Nyota spun around and glared at Jim Kirk.
″Just wanted to make sure you weren't getting cold feet.″ He smirked, so very confidant and full of his usual good humor.
″I am not. And checking on me is not one of your duties. Nor is seeing me prior to the ceremony, for that matter.″
″Just making sure. Besides, I have something for you.″ Jim reached into a pocket and pulled out a wadded up piece of tissue paper, which he unwrapped to reveal a necklace, holding it up for her inspection. It fairly simple in design, interlocking rings curving around one another gracefully and had a single bright blue stone dangling from the chain.
″You are a link between those who've come before and those yet to be born. Today symbolizes remembrance and hope, together with celebration.″ Though the words were like those from a textbook, Jim made them sound like poetry.
Nyota's heart lifted and she turned, allowing him to fasten the necklace around her neck. She remained facing the mirror for another long minute as he exited the room, stealthy as ever, before turning around once more and taking a deep breath. Then, she took her flowers and left the room. She did not look back, partly out of tradition, but mostly because there was so much joy in looking forward.
***
Prompt: Kirk, McCoy, Joanna - Crayon Drawings
″My Space Family″
The first time Leonard open's his eyes, he meets Jim's concerned gaze just long enough to grunt out a barely audible, ″Stop worrying, kid,″ before passing out again.
The second, it's to see a crayon drawing hung carefully on the wall near his biobed. Three figures featured prominently, though Leonard had to read the carefully scribbled captions to identify who they are supposed to be: Joanna, Jim, and himself. His smile is weak but true, and he manages to stay awake long enough to read the title: My Space Family.
Waking up hurts less the third time. It's probably due to the warm length of his daughter's body curled up against his side and the firm grip that Jim has on Leonard's free hand, the one not wrapped protectively around his child. Leonard can feel the soft puffs of Joanna's breaths against his neck, rhythm unchanging even as Leonard presses a kiss against her forehead and then leans into the kiss pressed into his own temple from Jim.
″Let me tell you a story, Bones, about a stubborn doctor that didn't duck fast enough and caused all sorts of stress and worry to his loving daughter and partner, okay?″
Leonard smiled and closed his eyes again, but didn't fall asleep right away. Instead, he just floated on a cushion of peace, feeling soft breaths against his skin and hearing a clear, humor-laden voice speaking into his ear.
***
Prompt: Sulu, Gaila - Garland
Swordplay
″And why are you decorating the ship, again?″ Hikaru leaned against a railing in engineering as he watched Gaila, her lithe body balanced confidently on top of various pieces of equipment, hang garlands, stars, planets, and twinkling lights from every surface available.
″Not the whole ship.″ Gaila bit her lip and cocked her head to one side. ″Yet.″ She motioned for Hikaru to hand her another planet figure, this one with slowly rotating rings. ″Just Engineering deck today. I'll move on to the rest of the ship tomorrow, I think.″
″You still haven't answered my original question, you know.″
Gaila frowned at him in mock irritation. ″You don't know? What is it with human males and remembering important dates?″
″It's not just human males who suffer from this deplorable lack of memory, but all males.″ Hikaru grinned up at her and handed her another string of lights. ″Also? I resent your stereotype-based over generalization.″
″I'll bet you do.″ Gaila's smile was nearly as bright as the lights in her hand. ″It's to celebrate the one year anniversary of the start of our mission. I like the human tendency to celebrate everything possible with decorations and cheerfulness and speeches.″
″And drinking,″ Hikaru couldn't resist adding.
″And drinking,″ Gaila agreed. ″And sex, too. I especially like celebratory sex.″
Hikaru chuckled. ″I'm glad to hear that. Need any help with the rest of the decorations? I fully support celebration in all its forms.″
″I'll bet you do.″ Gaila motioned for the last of the garland. ″I am nearly done with this deck. But your services with your sword will definitely come in handy when it is time to take all the decorations down.″ Noticing Hikaru's laughter, Gaila was puzzled. ″What?″
Hikaru waved her concern away. ″Nothing, nothing. It's just that at the beginning of your last sentence I thought you were embarking on a particularly interesting euphemism.″
″Concerning servicing me with your sword?″ Gaila raised a brow. ″Well that goes without saying, doesn't it?″
***
Prompt: Author's Choice - Cross/Crucifix
Symbols of Unity
They all celebrate and mourn in their own ways.
On a ship with a crew hailing from so many different planets and with so many different cultural customs, it is inevitable that the sight of so many different methods of expressing one's grief, especially, serves to emphasize how alone they are, stuck on a ship in the middle of uncharted space, surrounded by so many people so very unlike oneself.
But it also serves to bring them together as well, to emphasize not only their differences, but their commonalities, and how they rely on one another, blending so many different customs into a generally-compatible whole.
After the ceremony to honor two ensigns lost in the most recent skirmish with the Klingons, crosses are hung alongside memory beads, and mourning scrolls are set upon the deep red fabric of banners sewn to honor the dead. Flowers from four different planets are placed in the same vase and pictures are printed on hard copy and tacked to a board in one of the rec rooms.
The crew gathers in small groups to talk and reminisce, and, of course, to share a drink. The faces change with the changing of the shifts and the process begins anew with the advent of the newly off-duty crewmembers.
Together, they honor the lost and celebrate the living.
***
Prompt: McCoy, Joanna - Swing
To the Sky
″Higher, Daddy! Higher!″ Joanna's laughing demands filled his heart and Leonard put his back into the next push, sending his daughter soaring once again.
He had so many things to do today, but his daughter's hopeful expression and pleading eyes were stronger than any to-do list. Painting the porch railing, catching up on chart reviews, and taking Jo shopping for new school clothes could wait until later. His leave was short and he was determined to fit in fun whenever and wherever he could.
″Again! Again!″ Joanna shrieked as she swung back towards him.
Leonard smiled. Who was he to refuse?
***
I think it's pretty safe to say I had an excellent time at B2S this week. So many fun and moving drabbles and ficlets to read and good times writing, too.
