<SNIP>

Fil woke up a few hours later, his leg feeling better. As he opened his eyes, he saw Lari looking at him with a big smile. “Well ‘Dr. Necktie’, How am I doing?” Fil said. “My angel always looking over me.”

Ens. Fil
Science

Jack didn’t give Naktal a chance to respond as he stood over the scientist with a scanner in hand “You will survive, come back tomorrow for a checkup and try to avoid strenuous activities for at least a fortnight.” It seemed the time Fil was asleep didn’t mellow his brusqueness”Doctor Naktal will be your primary carer for the duration of your recovery” He turned to his junior doctor “Try not to break him next time” He said as drily as ever before moving back towards his office.

Dr. Grey - CMO

Lari nodded silently, a little embarassed of the affection she was showing Fil and worried that it might be inappropriate.

“Don’t worry doctor, I’ll make sure Lari is in safe hands with me.” Fil said as he looked fondly at her. “Lari, Is Dr. Grey always this ‘friendly’?” Fil whispered to her
sarcastically.
Ens. Fil
Science

Fil gave a kiss to Lari as she got closer to her patient. “I love you Lari…” “Uh, I have no idea why I said that.” Fil said. He sounded like he was confused by saying that.
Ens. Fil
Science

Lari beamed at the young Ensign and brushed a lock of hair off his forehead. She could feel her cheeks turning bright red as she put a reassuring hand on his arm. “Don’t worry about it Fil, you’ve had a pretty rough day!” She replied as she checked his scans. “You’re all fixed up now, you just need to rest…perhaps I could take you back to your quarters?” She asked hopefully.

Ensign Naktal (Doctor)

“Yes, …yes I would like that very much. Never leave me, Lari. I need you with me.” Fil said sounding happy that she would be alone with him.
Ens. Fil
Science

Lari smiled as she gently helped Fil off the bed and supported him in case his leg was still aching. “Let’s take it slowly ok?” she said softly as they carefully made their way out of sickbay. “Lean on me if you get tired,” she added warmly then thought for a moment. “Oh, and if you call me Necktie again…there will be trouble!” she giggled, trying to lighten the mood a bit.

Ensign Naktal (Doctor)

“Who me? Would I say something like that? Fil said innocently. “Besides I have no idea who Necktie is. And what kind of trouble do you mean, ‘Necktie’? Are you gonna break my other leg?” Fil smiled as he leaned on Lari. “OWWW” Fil said. He put weight on his leg, and it still hurt a little. They both made it out of sickbay, heading towards the crews quarters. Fil kissed Lari again, on the cheek.

Ens. Fil
Science

Lari held him up as he winced with pain, “hey, take it easy Fil, I said you have to be careful with that leg!” she scolded him as she held him up. “Let’s just get you back to your quarters before you fall over?” she offered as they slowly made their way towards his room.

Ensign Naktal

“You’re the boss, ‘doctor’. You didn’t say it would hurt this much.” Fil felt helpless. As they hobbled toward his quarters, Fil put most of his weight on Lari as he couldn’t put his weight on his injured leg. “Lari, remind me never to do this again. My leg hurts so much. I’m sorry about all this happening.” Penji kissed Lari again. “You are my best friend Lari. I don’t know what I’ll do without you.”

Ens. Fil
Science

Lari smiled warmly as they approached his quarters. “Let’s just get you settled and I’ll give you another shot for the pain,” she said with a reassuring hug. As they finally arrived at the young Ensign’s quarters, Lari helped him onto the sofa and gently propped his leg up on some cushions. She was keen to have a little nosey look around his quarters but her duty came first. As she got him settled she popped open her med kit and gave him another shot of painkiller then put a couple of pillows behind him. “How does that feel Penji?” she asked warmly, hoping he was a bit more comfortable now.

She grabbed a nearby blanket it and carefully put it over him, trying not to disturb his leg. Satisfied that he was comfortable she breathed a sigh of relief as she sat next to him on the sofa. “Well, I don’t know about you but I’m starving,” she said as she kicked her boots off. “What do you fancy for dinner?” she asked, curious to see what his taste in food was like.

Ensign Naktal (Doctor)

“Well, how about Catullan pasta and meatballs?” Fil said as he tried to take off his shoes. “Uh, Lari I think I need a little help here, I can’t take off my shoes. I’m sorry I can’t do the cooking, but if you don’t mind doing the cooking, I’ll appreciate it a lot. Come here Lari sit next to me. If you want, you can look around this place and maybe find something to make us, uh… I mean me comfortable. I am feeling a lot better.” Fil put a arm around Lari’s shoulder.
“I’m just wondering how am I going to put this in my personal log? OOHHH , It hurts when I laugh. And don’t you dare say ‘So don’t laugh’.” Penji said as he was able to relax a little bit.

Ens. Fil
Science

Lari smiled warmly and dashed across to carefully take Fil’s shoes off, watching not to nudge his leg then set them neatly by the door. “Of course I don’t mind cooking, in fact I love to cook,” she said with a wink. She sat back next to him and gently stroked his hair to try and relax him. She put a pillow behind his head and made sure he was comfortable. “It’s ok Penji, you can relax now,” she spoke softly, “why don’t you just get some rest whilst I make dinner?” she suggested, sensing that he was still a bit nervous around her.

Ensign Naktal (Doctor)

“Thanks. I love you Lari. I’m so relaxed being with you.” Penji said as he tried to take a nap. “Help yourself to anything you need around my quarters in order to prepare the dinner.”
Ens. Fil
Science

Lari chuckled as she playfully put a finger on his lips. “Doctor says to sleep now…” she said with a grin as she gave him a quick kiss on the forehead.

“To make the pasta and meatballs just ask the replicator for ‘Catullan pasta # 1’ and it should be ready in a few minutes. It’s nice to have you eat dinner with me Lari. Oh, I have a bottle of wine in the small fridge, if you don’t mind.” Fil said as he kissed Lari for all she did.

Ens. Fil
Science

Lari went across to the kitchen and got out the chilled wine, pouring a glass for both of them. She smiled as she crept over and quietly set down a glass next to the now sleeping Ensign. She returned to the kitchen and ordered the ingredients for the meal. She knew that the replicator could just produce the finished product but Lari thought there was something special about cooking her own meals, somehow they were more authentic and tasted better to her. She popped some jazz on quietly in the background and smiled as she began chopping ingredients. She looked across at Fil and shook her head, it had certainly been one of the strangest days she’d had in a long time. It wasn’t like her to get emotionally involved this early on but there was something almost sweet about his innocence and nervousness.

As the dish started to come together, Lari’s stomach started to rumble so she had a quick taste to make sure it was palatable. Happy that it was good, she added a quick pinch of pepper and grabbed a couple of bowls to start serving up. Fil had been sound asleep on the sofa for an hour so Lari popped the bowls on the side and knelt down by the sofa and gently stroked his hair to wake him up. “I hope you’re hungry?” she whispered softly.

Ensign Naktal (Doctor)