InsaneJournal

Tweak says, "I'm turning radioactive."

Christopher hadn't slept much, if it all, the past few nights and while copious amounts of coffee was helping him to function, the dark circles under his eyes gave it away. It had gotten to the point that he didn't want to close his eyes for fear of seeing Nero's face again. He could manage the nightmares though. There were stimulants he could take to function and he could limit his duties in such a way to not endanger others. After all, it wasn't the first time he'd dealt with nightmares aboard ship.

The headache, however, was new and a complication he couldn't seem to rid himself off. Nothing brought relief. However, given the number of travelers affected by things, he needed to talk to Jim.

He was still spending a few hours in the wheelchair daily to rest his back.. Of course, now that he wasn't sleeping, well, he'd gone back to the chair.
He wasn't foolish enough to push his body past the brink when he couldn't get any rest. He rolled up to Jim's quarters and buzzed at the door.

Jim didn't spend much time in his quarters, but when he did, he tended to be sleeping or self-soothing in one of the benefits of being the captain - an actual bathtub that he would never admit to using more often than not, at least not unless under duress. That particular evening, however, he hadn't yet made it either to the bathroom or to bed, and he called out "Enter!" from the sofa under the large window taking up most of the room. He stood, crossing the room to meet whomever it was calling.

"Admiral," he greeted as Pike wheeled into the room. "Ah, you look like hell."

Pike wheeled into Jim's quarters. "Eloquent as always, Kirk."

He rolled to a spot near the sofa and moved from the chair to the sofa, sinking into its comfort. The chair wasn't bad, but it took a toll after awhile. Of course, given his current state, he wasn't sure he'd be able to walk across Jim's quarters, let alone make rounds on the ship. “Apologies for intruding on your quarters, but I’m afraid this isn’t a social visit. Have you been following the conversations on the network?”

Jim nodded as he took up his spot on the sofa too. "Of course I have. And I have Yeoman Rand reporting back to me any time something comes up as well. Why? What are you most worried about?"

"The lack of a clear cause. I've never dealt with anything quite like this before in my career. Anytime there's been anything similar, there's been a clear environmental cause - something on a planet, or a leak of a gas or something on the ship or in the food. This is just… strange…"

Chris didn't want to bring up how unsettled he was by the nightmares of the Narada. "You haven't been affected, have you?"

"Yes we've checked all systems - I have the crew constantly running diagnostics but there's nothing wrong. We can't pinpoint it to any environmental changes." He frowned. "No, none of the crew have been. Only the - travelers."

Pike nodded, pressing his fingers to his eyes. It’d be easier if the pain would just ease off for a bit. “So, you’re unaware of anyone else having… flashbacks to the Narada?”

Jim pressed his lips together and shook his head. "From what I understand, anyone experiencing nightmares are having them from their own life's experiences. But no, none of the crew are having flashbacks to the Narada."

Pike let out a heavy sigh. "Good…. Good." It was bad enough Nero was plaguing his nightmares and making him relive that torture. No one else should have to endure that. He pinched the bridge of his nose. "If you need me to cover the bridge overnight, I'm happy to. Better than sleeping."

He arched an eyebrow. "With all due respect, sir, I'd rather you not cover any bridge shifts until you've been more rested. I'm sure you understand that."

Chris grimaced. He understood, if the positions were reversed he'd insist on the same. After all, he was sending any traveler that was affected to their quarters or medbay. "I do. And I'd do the same in your position. I just need something to do at night. Hell, have any paperwork you need to catch up on?"

"Has nothing helped at all?" Jim asked. "Not even a sedative? Hell, drugs? You know, the unapproved kind? Because what I want you to be doing at night is sleeping."

Chris snorted. “McCoy would have my head.” He shook his head. “I’ve tried and nothing I have has helped. It’s not the first time I’ve gone a few nights without sleep. Kicked the General out of my room so I wouldn’t accidentally hurt her.” There was no need to tell Jim he was sleeping with a phaser because the nightmares had shaken him up. It was on stun and mostly just to reassure himself.

“Besides, it’s been awhile since I dabbled in those sorts of things. Not the easiest thing to get on a ship.”

"I've got a stash. Confiscated, of course, if you want to try it. I won't even mention it to Bones."

Chris raised an eyebrow at Jim. "Why Captain… " he teased, trying to inject some humor into the situation despite the fact that he felt like shit. He shrugged. "Worth a shot though. I'm willing to try anything."

He put his hands up and shrugged. "I haven't been using it so … you can certainly have it."

There was the urge to encourage Jim to join him, but having both of them under the influence wasn't a good idea. It'd be different if they were on shore leave. "Worth a shot. The offer to do your paperwork still stands though."

"If this doesn't work, I'll be glad to push my paperwork off on you, sure." But Jim wanted this to work. He had no explanation as to what was going on, so anything that he could do, he would. Even if it didn't feel like much or enough at all.

"So, should I get high here or take it back to my quarters?" he asked, his lips attempting a smirk
"Are you planning on sharing with the general? She might enjoy it."

That comment earned another eyebrow from Chris. “I… hadn’t considered that," he admitted. "I take it you have to pass since one of us should stay in control of our faculties."

"Maybe on the next shore leave," Jim said. "We can plan that, don't you think?"

"Oh definitely," Chris said, clasping Jim on the shoulder and the mischievous smirk on his lips made him look younger and not quite so frail. "But I won't impose on your free time any more, Jim," he said as he moved himself back into the chair.

"You know I don't mind your company, sir," Jim said with a smile. Especially when he didn't have anything too exciting happening otherwise. Well, the travelers all getting sick like this was exciting, but it was a problem he couldn't fix yet, so it wasn't exciting enough.

"While I appreciate that, I also know how precious time to relax can be, " he said. "But I'm happy to give you a full report tomorrow on my adventures tonight."