Ad Astra :: Star Trek Fanfiction Archive ^{Beam me up, Scotty.}

Let Me Help

 

Lila O'Donnell paced the bridge of the Broken Hand uneasily, casting an occasional concerned glance at Selleck, who was currently manning the helm. She couldn't put her finger on it, but the Vulcan just hadn't been himself lately. Lila saw her crew as family, and she knew they agreed. They all cared about each other. She decided she had to say something. She approached the helm.

"Are you all right?"

"Yes, I am fine."

"How sweet," she thought, "pretending nothing's wrong to make me feel better."

But of course she didn't buy it, and she wasn't going to let him get away with it, either.

"Liar. What do you think I am? Stupid? You haven't been yourself for days. Now what gives?"

"You are not stupid."

"So you admit you haven't been yourself lately?"

"Yes, but this is neither the time nor the place to discuss it."

"Of course. Well, tonight is movie night, but I don't think I'll show. Too tired."

"Understood."

Lila never missed movie night, so Selleck easily discerned the true meaning behind the words.

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A few hours later, Lila heard a quiet knock at the door of her cabin.

"Come in."

Selleck entered, and the door slid quickly shut again behind him. Lila rose from her chair, rearranging her loosely belted dressing gown, and touched a control panel on the wall. There was a soft click as the door locked.

"Would you agree this is a far more appropriate time and place for private discussion?"

"It is."

"So why don't you tell me what's wrong then?"

There were several moments of silence, then slowly, haltingly, Selleck explained about his problem, as Lila listened patiently.

"From our position we would not be able to reach Vulcan in time, even at this vessel's maximum speed. I said nothing because I knew the facts would only cause you to worry."

"Well, back on Earth, we have a saying - Where there's a will there's a way."

"I appreciate the thought, but--"

Lila put up a hand, cutting him off mid-sentence.

"Shhhh. Let me help."

She stroked his cheek, then kissed him tenderly. He hesitated a moment, then kissed her back. Her dressing gown fell to the floor as he took her in his arms. The morning found Selleck extremely moved that Lila was willing to engage in the tryst, casting aside her moral principles in order to save his life.