flawless_hufflepuff gave me the idea for this!

In this one you take Salia's place, taking place after the Kirk chapters "Get Off". Never done a branch off with a side character of my own before. So, forgive me if it's a bit out of sorts.

You shot up from your bed, breathing hard as sweat made your new clothes stick to your thin body. Even after being freed from that horrid ship three weeks ago, you still had nightmares of the wardens coming in and threating to beat you and your brother. You took a deep breath to calm down as you laid back down. Marci made cute sleeping noises as he rested in the bed above you. You let out a long breath as a few tears escaped out the corner of your eyes.

Despite being constantly reminded of your safety aboard the Enterprise and how you and your brother will never have to endure such conditions again, you still felt apprehensive about being here. Especially with the captain and your savior off the ship for some mandatory meeting of some sort.

But at least Chekov was here.

Pavel was one person you knew to trust. The doctor too, but he wasn't one for silly or meaningless conversations. Plus, he was old enough to be your father. You and Pavel were somewhat closer in age, though he was older. But he didn't treat you like a little child, which you appreciated more than you could say.

After your tears dried you sat up and looked around. It was still "night time", or so your bedside screen said, so you figured it would be safe enough to walk around and visit the arboretum. You found that being around real plants and smelling clean earth made you feel much better about your new situation. Sometimes Pavel would be there, pretending he wasn't watching you, keeping an eye on you like the captain asked him to. Though part of you hoped he was there because he wanted to, not because he was ordered.

You took a deep breath and smiled as you entered the plant heavy room. Every color imaginable dotted the room, mist sprays giving the place an early morning foggy look. You felt right at home. Perhaps after some time and you were allowed to go back to Earth, you would be able to make a garden of your own. With Marci, of course. You'd invite Chekov over and he could tell you all about his travels while you worked outside.

You walked around with a pleased smile on your face as you examined and learned more about each plant. The mist sprays would turn on and off periodically so you weren't aware how sopping wet you were. You were just happy to have your mind elsewhere for the time being. That being said you didn't hear the door to the room slid open and the sound of someone entering.

"(Y/n)! There you are. We were looking everywhere for you."

You turned with a jump and wide eyes as you came face to face with Chekov. You blushed, looking down sheepishly. You listened as he alerted the others who were searching that he found you.

"I'm sorry. I couldn't go back to sleep."

You felt a hand on your arm and a sudden intake of breath, causing you to look up. Chekov looked worried as both hands reached up to rub your arm lightly.

"You are freezing. Let's get you out of here and into some dryer clothes."

You nodded, annoyed that he probably was ordered to take care of you again. "Thank you but I'd like to say here please."

Chekov paused. "But you are drenched from the spray and your lips are nearly blue."

You shrugged, lifting your chin slightly. "I'm sure the captain can give you something else to worry over as I continue to enjoy myself away from a room full of night mares. Thank you, Chekov but I can take care of myself." You turned back to the flowers, your face red with masked shame. You didn't mean to come off so rude. As nice as it was to be looked over and cared for, you didn't want to be a charity case.

But he didn't leave. "(Y/n), please. You're shivering."

Sure enough, you were. Another spray of mist filled the area and you felt your teeth begin to chatter. Before you could protest you felt his arms come around your shoulders as he brought you closer to him. With your shoulder tucked gently under his arm and your head nearly on his shoulder he carefully lead you out of the room and to somewhere warm.

You bit the side of your cheek so you could talk without chattering. "How did you guys know I was gone."

You missed the blush that appeared on Chekov's face but you could hear the shyness in his voice. "I was coming by to check on you. And Marci. And maybe ask if you wanted to join me for breakfast."

You suddenly shivered, but not from the cold. "Oh. Thanks, I guess. Sorry to scare you."

Chekov chuckled as he held you closer. "It's alright. I'm just glad you're ok."

He stopped you in front of an area bathroom. He opened a hidden door in the wall and pulled out the smallest uniform he could find. He smiled and cleared his throat as he handed it to you.

"Here, we keep these around the ship in case of emergencies. I'll wait out here."

You took them and quickly changed. You were surprised at how comfortable the uniform was. You stepped back into the hall and let out a little laugh. Chekov turned and smiled.

You pointed to his shirt and yours. "We match."

"Yellow looks good on you."

You blushed lightly. "Thank you."

You turned to go but he grabbed your hand softly.

"I don't mean to bother but you had mentioned you had nightmares." He rubbed the back of his neck. "If you ever need someone to talk to I would be more than happy to listen."

Sudden tears pricked at the back of your eyes at his kind gesture. You blinked them back. "I'm sure when the captain said for you to look out for me he didn't mean for you to listen to my silly dreams."

Chekov's face sobered and he took a step closer. "They aren't silly dreams if you keep waking up. Marci said this wasn't the first time you woke up."

You looked away, the tears coming back. You had hoped you didn't wake up your little brother but it seems you did. Chekov reached forward and gently turned your head back so he could see your eyes.

"And the Kiepten didn't ask me to check in on you. Only to be around if you needed something. It's me who wants to know about your nightmares."

You swallowed, nodding. "Okay," you whispered, "Thank you."

Chekov smiled. "Of course. Now," he reached down and grabbed your h and, looping it in his arm as he lead you back to your room, "you don't have to tell me right away. Whenever you feel like it."

You nodded again, a light smile forming. Perhaps he really does care for you.

~

It's been a year since your rescue and you had yet to tell him about your nightmares. And they were getting worse. Right now, you were with Chekov and a few of the younger crew members under the age of twenty-one holding their own party after a successful harrowing mission. The party was coming to a close and being that as it was in Chekov's quarters you stayed to help clean up. After everyone had left and you made sure Marci was cared for, you turned to Chekov, taking his hands in yours surprising him with your actions.

"Pavel, we need to talk."

Worry flashed over his face as he nodded, leading you to his couch. You both sat, but you didn't let go of his hand. Chekov stared at you. For so long he wanted to ask you about your nightmares again but he had promised to leave that up to you. So he watched you get thin, tired eyed, and sick. He knew you weren't sleeping and in turn taking, care of yourself. But he respected your privacy.

He gave your hands a quick squeeze. "I'm listening."

You took a deep shaky breath. "I'm going to tell you everything that I remember since being taken."

Chekov stiffens. "Are you sure?"

"Yes," you whispered, "I can't hold it in any longer." You turned to him with wide eyes. "Please promise to keep this between us. Merci was saved from most of the horrors."

Chekov nodded. You looked down at his hands intertwined with yours and you spoke. You told him about the day you came home to your parents gone and a man holding Marci at gun point. You told him how you were locked up and treated like an animal for two years. You told him about what the men would do to you. You told him how hungry, cold, and scared you were. You told him how your friend came and saved them from the beatings. You told him how every night you were brought back to all those terrible, terrible nights.

In the end, you were in Chekov's arms as you sobbed, tears in his own eyes. He held you close to his chest as he rubbed your back and stroked your hair. He had thought it was bad but it ended up being worse than he could have imagined. From now he decided that you were to never sleep alone, clearly being with Marci wasn't enough.

You pulled away. "Thank you, Pavel."

He gave you a sweet smile as he moved hair out of your face and stroked tears off your cheek. "You are very welcome."

You let out a breath and blinked slowly. "Well now, now I think I can sleep." You stood, placing a hand on his shoulder. "I might just fall asleep right here."

Chekov reached up and placed his hand on yours, standing as he pulled you back. "Good, because you are staying here."

With a quick motion, he scooped you up and placed you on his bed. You tried to fight back and get off his bed but he was bigger than you and you were extremely tired. Chekov chuckled to himself as he pulled the blanket over you once you finally relaxed on to the pillows.

You looked up at him, your eyes beginning to close. "Marci-"

"Will just stay with the younger ones tonight."

You yawned. "Are you sleeping with me?"

He nodded then pointed back at the couch. "Over there. I'll be here the whole time."

You nodded as your eyes closed and you snuggled deeper. "Good, I don't want any more nightmares."

Chekov smiled sadly down at you as he reached over and stroked your hair back. "I plan on changing that." He then leaned down, placed a gentle kiss on your forehead to which you sighed, a small smile pulling at the corner of your lips.