"You Have to Hurt"

A sparring match?

We pummeled each other. Relentless in our attacks. The captain had warned us about fighting so we limped to our own cabins, determined to treat our wounds ourselves. Not that the bruises wouldn't give us away tomorrow.

I left you alone in the turbolift and didn't give you a second thought. Eventually you would learn. I won't let you challenge my position. You've been here longer but I have my purpose.

Every muscle ached, every bruise throbbed. I tried to cheer myself by thinking that you were in just as much pain.

That only made it worse.

***

"The Stuff That Dreams Are Made Of"

Why won't you leave me alone? Sleep is supposed to be peaceful. But not even in dreamland could you let me be.

You died last night. An event that a part of me wanted to applaud. I couldn't, though.

I had held you close against my body, trying to keep Death from taking you.

But life left you as silently as a lifting fog. My soul ached at the injustice of it. There is too much passion in you to go out so quietly. You deserve more than that. You mean so much more than that.

I woke up shaking.

***

"All I Want is You"

I've started watching you. In the mess hall, in the armory, in the gym. There's something about you. Every movement captivates me. So controlled, so precise. You never seem to falter. The idea that the fate of our race may rest with your abilities seems to be at the forefront of your mind.

So I've begun to cooperate with you. Tried to combine our knowledge, our teams. To help you bear that weight.

My mind tells me that we're rivals. MACO versus Starfleet. I'm the tactics expert; you play with your phase cannons.

My heart has decided to stop listening.

***

"Do The Walls Come Down"

We're in a race against time. You seem to be the one face of stability in a sea of uncertainity. And it's beginning to break you.

That control is fraying at the edges. I watch you snap at crewmen without discretion before you walk away. I follow you out the door, unwilling to let you collapse alone.

You enter an observation lounge. The door closes and you turn to face me, a thousand questions in your eyes.

My arms wrap around you for an answer and I almost sigh as I pull you close.

I can't believe you let me.

***

"Hold What You've Got"

Your head is resting on my shoulder and I can feel your breath tickle my neck. There's a slight tremble between us but I'm not sure if it started with me or you.

My hands can't help but caress your back. The stress you've been under is easy enough to feel in the tense muscles. And I can't help but wonder how much of that stress is my fault.

It takes a moment or two for me to realize that you're not pushing me away in disgust. And that your hands are gently pulling my head down for a kiss.

-fin-