Work Text:
Una found him in the cargo bay, a lonely figure silhouetted by the starscape. The galaxy flew by, reflecting bright blue streaks upon the inky floor; the usual black shine had been dulled by the scorches of battle.
Number One held her side gingerly and made her way towards the Captain and the caskets. The bay had been transformed into the final resting place for seven people, seven of their crew.
Pike stood stiffly next to one of the caskets, a hand placed on top and adjusting the federation flag. He'd changed into a fresh uniform and cleaned off the blood and grime, but he still had that haunted look about him - this battle had left its mark somewhere it couldn't be washed away.
He didn't notice her approach, not until she was at the first casket, which proved just how battle-weary the Captain was. They'd lost good people, and she hadn't been there to help ease that burden. It was why she was there now, with her stitches still fresh and without the approval of her medical team. There were some things more important than wounds of the flesh.
"Are you okay?" Her soft query resonated around the empty bay, it was enough to startle Pike out of his reverie.
The Captain flicked his eyes up and zeroed in on her wounded side, seeing how she was still supporting herself. A heavy frown pulled at his brow, and he shook his head a little.
"I should be asking you that, how the hell did you get M'Benga to release you?"
Una barely held back a smirk. "I never spill my secrets."
Pike scoffed and threw her an unimpressed look. Una held the stare without wavering. Chris looked like he wanted to push the point further but he'd learnt from experience, his first officer was as stubborn as a mule. The Captain released a long exhale and looked skyward in resignation.
Una chalked up the win and she made a note of just how little resistance her friend had shown. His heart wasn't in it.
He finally met her gaze and just about managed to hold it, he reached out a hand to tentatively grip her arm. His eyes held that sad shine, he looked vulnerable. "Just promise me that you aren't putting yourself in danger."
Una leaned into the touch, and her eyes flicked to the row of flags behind him. "I'm going to be okay Chris, I just needed to pay my respects."
Pike studied her for a moment longer before stepping aside. She brushed past him and went to each of the caskets, in turn, taking her time with each person and saying her goodbyes. The whole time Chris stayed beside the last casket, gazing down at the dead crewman. Una had read the reports, she could guess just who that crewman was.
"You made the right choices-" Una corrected herself immediately. "You made the only choice that ensured everyone else lived."
He didn't usually stew over decisions so long, but then again he didn't usually have to make them without her there. Nor did he usually have to deal with a vision of the future screwing with his every move.
Pike's shoulders loosened as the tension eased from his frame, and his eyes brightened a little like he was accepting the losses. "I wish it made this easier."
"No, you don't."
If it ever got easier then he wouldn't be Christopher Pike.
He inclined his head, a sad smile slipping in place. "You're right, I don't."
Una wanted to reach out and comfort him, so much so that she forgot about the hole in her side. Number One gasped in pain and doubled over, Pike was there in a flash, sliding her arm around his shoulder with practised ease.
This shouldn't be their default, but they lived dangerous lives.
"Right, that's it, back to medical." He began to steer the both of them towards the doors.
Una dragged her heels and pulled him to a stop. "No, I'm fine Chris. I just need to lie down for a while."
He was not convinced in the slightest, as betrayed by his sceptical eye roll. "You're literally being held together by string."
Una hated medical almost as much as Chris did, especially after a battle. Their resources were better used on others.
"They've got enough on their hands."
Pike grinned and steered her forward a few more steps. "Doctor M'Benga is more than capable of managing resources Una."
Time to pull out the big guns.
"It's too loud."
That line pulled Pike up short. It wasn't a divergent tactic, but an honest plea from a friend. Una was not a fan of people and having to lay there all day, on show and vulnerable for all the crew to see. It was not pleasant in the slightest.
The Captain had heard the vulnerability in her voice, and all her other anxieties remained unsaid. He sighed and glanced down at her side one more time before meeting her gaze again. "Okay, ground rules."
"What?"
"1, you let me take you back to my quarters where I know someone will make sure you don't bleed out. 2."
"Chris I don't need babysitting."
He ignored her interruption and carried right on. "2, we check your bandages hourly and any sign of deterioration equals sickbay. 3, you take any painkillers I give you. 4, you don't lift a finger to do any work and you stay on the sofa. 5, you drink and eat anything I provide without complaint."
Una was damned if she wasn't going to make this work for her. "Pancakes?"
Chris laughed, amused at her gall. "This isn't a negotiation Una, accept the terms or sickbay it is."
Number One considered her options, neither were as good as being released to her own quarters but at least with Chris, she would have peace and quiet. She could also wrangle her way into getting some good food...
"Deal." She replied brightly.
Pike blinked rapidly, he had not expected that to fly without complaint. He gestured with his arm and the pair struggled off towards the door. She really needed a top-up of painkillers soon, this archaic medicine was grim stuff.
When the pair exited the cargo bay, Una muttered her pancake request again, with a helping of strawberries and whipped cream of course.
Despite his warning about no stipulations, the Captain didn't stand a chance against the wounded woman leaning against him. He would get her anything within his power, just to see that rare smile turn his way.