Run to you

Posted on Sun Nov 25th, 2018 @ 8:59pm by Lieutenant Commander Angus Murphy

Mission: Run Afoul
Location: Patrick's quarters
Timeline: After the engineering explosion
1640 words - 3.3 OF Standard Post Measure

Though he woke up several times during the night, Patrick didn't really take conscious note of the body lying next to him until well into the morning. He barely recalled coming home and he had no memory of getting into his bed. Any drugs in his system however was now wearing off and the fog in his mind started to lift.

Patrick shifted carefully as his left side was throbbing despite his left arm being secured to his torso. It was one of the reasons he kept waking up because it was highly uncomfortable. Reaching out, he caressed Murphy's cheek. He looked so peaceful while he seemed deeply asleep. Deciding the man might need a little longer, Patrick slid out of bed and snuck out of the bedroom. Even if it caused discomfort, he figured breakfast was still a necessity so he set out to fry some eggs. He reasoned it was a simple enough action which he could perform right-handed.

"Why are you up?" Murphy asked, still bleary-eyed as he came through the doorway from the bedroom. "You should be resting. How are you feeling?"

"Restless," the younger man answered honestly while awkwardly trying to mix a few eggs together. "Uncomfortable, unbalanced, awkward...but mostly happy that you're here." Patrick smiled sadly at him. "You look terrible..."

"Thanks, that makes two of us," Murphy smirked, pointing to a seat as he walked over. "I got this. Sit. Let me cook for you." He looked at the partially whisked eggs, "This should be entertaining."

Patrick sat as ordered, a bemused smile on his face. "Are you sure?" He teased. "I'm going to need some help later...I want a shower... " He grimaced a little. "I feel so dusty. Do you know what happened?"

Murphy half-heartedly whipped some more air into the eggs. "You want me to help you with a shower?" he asked, eyebrows raising. "I've never done that for anyone before." He set the eggs aside and turned the heat on under a shallow pan. "That seems like kind of a serious relationship step." He ignored the question about what had happened down in engineering for now, but it didn't seem like an obvious ignore.

"Nothing there that you haven't seen already," Patrick chuckled, while leaning back in his chair. He didn't miss the fact that Murphy hadn't answered his question, but chose not to mention it again for now. "And I'm only asking for help... I'm not asking you to shower with me." The teasing smile returned, showing he hadn't completely lost his sense of humour.

He tipped the eggs into the pan and poked them with the end of a spoon a bit. "I get it," he smirked, turning away from the eggs and looking over to Paddy. "Yeah, whatever you need. I just want you to feel better. You should probably go talk to a doctor later and make sure there's no permanent damage."

"You being here makes me feel better," Patrick promised, "and I'll see her later, if she doesn't come to drag me back." He shivered visibly at that idea. "Which I hope she won't... Why would there be permanent damage? Surely they fixed what was wrong, which is why I'm imobilised like this? I'll be careful. We'll be careful."

The eggs started to smoke. "Well, I have to be down in engineering soon. At least a double shift, so I'm not sure when I'll be back," Murph said, poking the mixture to see if it was done; they stuck to pan terribly. "Crap. Where's your plates?"

Patrick got up and quickly retrieved two plates from a cabinet. "Double shift? Then we better eat quick and have that shower..." Disappointment flooded the younger man's face at the news. "You never told me what happened... and you are staying here right? For now?"

"I don't know yet," Murphy replied, tipping the burnt eggs onto the plates and cringing. "I mean about what happened. There's a big investigation. I think it's likely sabotage. Probably the same person that tampered with the fuel line safeties." He gave an apologetic shrug as he put the plates on the table. "I hope they're edible. And I hope you get back on your feet soon or you're going to be welcoming the replicator rations."

Cringing at the very idea, Patrick glanced down at the barely edible eggs. "Or teach you how to cook," he muttered. "I'm sorry I'm suddenly not hungry anymore..." Leaning forward a little, he kissed the engineer's cheek. "But I do appreciate this brave attempt, I really do. It's very sweet of you." He smiled. "You're welcome to my replicator at any time of course..."

"I'm sorry," Murphy said, frowning as he pulled the plate back and then tipped Pat's eggs onto top of his own. "Replicator food really isn't that bad, I'm telling you..." He sat down and took a big bite of the charred mixture, smiling and pretending it was good.

"Don't be sorry love. And don't worry we'll get you to make us proper food sometime, when things settle down." He smiled. "I won't ever expect you to cook three course meals, but a simple dinner will do." He nodded towards the charred eggs. "Or breakfast...."

"I could probably do like... I don't know... toast? Maybe?" Murphy suggested through a mouthful of rubbery burnt eggs.

"Toast is a good start," Patrick agreed with a smile. "Toast is a very good start." He watched the man eat, wondering how he could manage eating such dreadfully abused food. "Is there anything you need? while you stay here I mean... anything I should get arranged for you?"

Murphy thought for a moment, but ultimately shook his head. "No, I can just replicate anything I can't find or steal from you." He flashed a grin. "Kidding. I meant borrow."

"Of course, though my things might be a tight fit." He grinned back. "I'm going to the bathroom...come help me when you're done eating?"

Murphy was essentially done eating anyway, so he dumped the dirty plates into the replicator and recycled everything before meeting up with Pat in the bath.

Patrick smiled gratefully as Murphy helped him out of his clothes even though his cheeks coloured a little. As his shirt was lifted over his head, a fading bruise was showing over the left side if his ribs. Obviously, the doctors had repaired most of the damage but left enough for his body to do the final part of the healing process.

He stepped into the shower and activated it, gasping as warm water cascaded over him. "I'll just do a quick rinse, but I'll need help with getting dressed...." He bit his lip, pondering his next words. "Just shorts and a t-shirt will be fine..."

Murphy's gaze lingered a bit over Paddy's bruised parts. He still held a little guilt over the whole thing. "Oh, of course. Whatever you're comfortable in. I think it's good that you're taking it easy. No wandering up to the mess hall," he smirked. "I hear there's some enlisted crew taking over homemade meals til you're back on your feet."

"What?" Strangers in his domain? It wasn't to be avoided of course, but he didn't have to like it, did he? He deactivated the shower and stepped out into the towel that was held up. He hated feeling so helpless, but there was no way he could do this on his own. "Thank you," he murmured, resting his head on Murphy's shoulder for a moment. "For being here."

Murphy wrapped his arms gently around the man and held him for a long moment. "I'm just sorry that it happened. At a minimum, I should have been there to protect you." He kissed paddy on the forehead. "And I wish I could be here more now, but everything is very demanding right now."

"I understand." Patrick savoured the attention he was getting, while he was getting it. "I don't want you to feel guilty, you couldn't have known." He stood still as he was dried off and helped into his clothes. "I'll be here, I won't go anywhere," he promised, "just promise me you'll come back? And be careful?"

"Come on, let's get you back into bed," Murphy said, avoiding making the promise as though he were almost afraid of breaking it. "You know I'm always careful," he added, helping Pat dry off.

"I know..." He allowed himself to be guided back to bed and settled restlessly under the covers. "I just..." He sighed, drawing in a shuddering breath. "I can't lose you too... Promise me that if something does happen, that I'll be summoned?" The way he said it indicated that this was very important to him. "Give me at least that much?"

Their relationship seemed to be moving at warp 10 all of a sudden and it was jarring. Murphy gave a small smile and nodded, but everything seemed quite overwhelming. "Yeah.. alright. But nothing is going to happen. One ship can't have that much bad luck all in the course of a week. I'm going to be okay."

"Okay .." Patrick offered an uncertain smile in return. "Go... your team needs you.." He tried to offer a less concerned smile. "I'll be alright, I'll try to sleep some more so I'll be fit enough to prepare a simple dinner for us. Nothing fancy I promise.. I'll not overdo it."

Murphy pulled the blanket over Pat and kissed his forehead. "I'm not sure that's a good idea. Just stay in bed and rest. I can bring something up from the mess later."

"Okay..." Patrick closed his eyes, forcing himself to relax. "Thank you Angus.." He murmured into the blankets. "It means a lot to me... thank you."


Lieutenant Angus Murphy
Chief Engineer, USS Majestic

Patrick O'Malley
Chef
Pnpc Lhaes