The BLTS Archive - As You Lay Sleeping
by Kate Carter (starlightstables@gmail.com)

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Disclaimer: Paramount owns Star Trek, I'm just a humble teenager who
someday hopes to get to be enough of an author to earn some money.
Therefore, I really appreciate playing with Paramount's toys.

Time: Sometime between "Resolutions" and "Scorpion".

Just a little something I came up with one night when I was supposed
to be sleeping. The mark of a true writer; your very best ideas come
at midnight. Thank goodness for laptops. It'd be gone if I had to wait
till morning. Not bad for a five-minute effort, if I do say so myself!

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I entered the room to give you a report, but I stopped immediately.
You were asleep, curled up on the couch like you so often are, face
turned up towards the stars. I told myself to leave, since you were
obviously tired enough to be asleep on duty. Not that anyone will
know. I'll deliver the report later, and as far as you'll ever know,
no one saw you.

At least, I thought I'd leave. But my body decided to ignore that
instruction and, instead, placing the report on your desk, I began to
move towards you, finally stopping and standing next to where you
slept.

You looked so peaceful. All the little lines on your face caused by
your worries and cares about the ship were gone, replaced by smooth
skin. Your mouth was drawn into a small smile. Obviously, you were
having a good dream. Your hair had escaped into loose tendrils and
curled around your face. Your eyelashes seemed long and delicate. Your
cheeks were flushed pink. On the whole, you reminded me of a
butterfly, something small and fragile, but with many hues shading it.

I stood there, enthralled with just looking at you. You gave a yawn,
and shifted some. I took a step back, certain I was discovered, but
you were still asleep.

I couldn't help myself. I reached over and picked up the blanket
laying nearby, pulling it over you. Then I leaned over and gently
tucked a strand of hair behind your ear, hesitated a minute, and
gently kissed your forehead.

"Sleep well, Kathryn," I said, and left.

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The End