Chapter Text
Jaylah stepped as soft as she could down the hallway. Just as softly she tapped a knuckle against a door. Even without being answered she was planning to enter. Neither she nor Chekov turned the other way away in the night, though she visited his room more often than he did hers.
“In.”
The word was barely a whisper as the door opened. Jaylah slipped inside as quick as she could and turned to close the door. She heard a small noise and frowned. It wasn’t the door, she was as careful as always.
“What?” Chekov whispered as she paused.
Jaylah shook her head and crossed to the bed. He already had the covers pulled aside for her to sit beside him. Without a word she wrapped her arms around him and buried her face in the crook of his neck. Without warning tears began to stream down her face.
“Jaylah? What is it?”
She shook her head against him, but couldn’t find words and noiseless sobs wracked her body.
After a while her tears lessened and she drew a deep breath.
“What was that?” Chekov asked gently. He stroked a hand across the back of her head.
“Everything!” she declared. “Today! I was so happy Herndorff’s men came to help, but so worried about you. They said Khan sent someone after us. I didn’t know if you’d be safe or make it.”
“Of course I would!” Chekov boasted. “I couldn’t let you get all the glory.” He smiled and finally Jaylah’s lips began to turn up.
“It’s been a long day, a long few weeks,” he said softly. “It’s been hard on everyone. It’s ok.”
Jaylah squeezed her arms around him, then let go and sat up shoulder to shoulder with him as she wiped at her eyes.
“Will we be alright now?”
Chekov spat out a word Jaylah didn’t recognize.
“We’d better be,” he said next.
The rain had passed over after a day or two, and the ranch began to settle into its old ways. Keenser and Sulu, Montgomery Scotty and Leonard all moved back from the house to their cabins. Guns were only seen at the afternoon shooting practice, and even that didn’t feel as needed anymore.
Jaylah stood at the pasture watching the horses.
“How ‘bout a lesson?”
Jaylah startled and looked over to see James T. walking up.
“A lesson?”
“Yep. Why don’t you go saddle up and I’ll show you what I mean.”
Jaylah stared at him for a moment longer. “Ok,” she nodded. She climbed up and over the fence and went to catch Trébol. James T. had been teaching her many things about running a ranch and she wondered what he could be showing her today.
In a short while she followed as James T. led her and his horse to the east pasture. He opened the gate and after closing it, swung in his saddle.
“Now what?” Jaylah asked.
James T. grinned. “Now we learn about roping moving cattle.”
“But—! I’m not that good yet! I haven’t even tried moving targets on foot!” Jaylah protested.
James T. grinned all the more. “I know you’ll do great. You always do.” He handed her a length of rope.