Unworthy - Kirsten Beyer [88]
“Or perhaps we picked up something from the Indign homeworld? They produce vast quantities of delicious fruits and vegetables, don’t they?”
“As far as I know, our efforts to establish trade with the Indign have failed. But take heart. We’ll be regrouping with the Demeter in a few weeks, and I’m sure we can find you something from their airponics bay when we do. Meantime, I must insist that you overcome your disdain for replicated fare and nourish your body appropriately. You’ve been through a trying ordeal and you will need fuel if you are to regain your full strength.”
“I promise,” Meegan said with a demure smile.
“Any other complaints?” the Doctor asked.
She paused and the Doctor could tell she was debating mentioning whatever was on her mind.
“Come now,” he encouraged her. “I’m your doctor. You can tell me anything.”
“I don’t know,” she said softly, refusing to meet his eyes.
Sensing her reluctance, the Doctor set aside his tricorder and stepped closer to give her his full attention.
“What is it?” he asked kindly.
Her large blue eyes met and held his. Quite suddenly he detected increased blood flow to her facial capillaries. Even without his scanner he could easily see that her heart rate was accelerating.
“Meegan?”
Without warning she placed her hands on either side of his face and pulled his lips to hers.
The sensation was sweet, and it sent his memory buffers spinning with many pleasurable recollections, but he was too shocked to return the gesture.
After a moment, the Doctor gently extricated himself and took an involuntary step back.
“Meegan … I …” he stammered.
“I’m sorry,” she said in anxious embarrassment. She quickly jumped down from the biobed and stepped toward the exam room door.
He moved to block her path and replied, “Please, don’t go. You have nothing to apologize for. I was just taken by surprise.”
Soft, lambent eyes held his. “I have offended you.”
“No,” he quickly corrected her. “You absolutely have not.”
“You encouraged Reg to act on his feelings, no matter what happened. I just felt like I had to do the same.”
The Doctor was stunned. “You have … feelings for me?” he asked.
“Since the first day I met you,” she admitted. “You are an amazing man. I know I’m not halfway good enough for you. Of course you prefer more worldly and experienced women. But that doesn’t make these feelings any less real or any easier for me to ignore. I understand if you can’t return them. You barely know me. But I spent months preparing for this mission, immersing myself in studies of your experience and your scholarly articles. I felt like I knew you before we’d ever met. And once we did, you were so much more than I even imagined.”
To his surprise, the Doctor was genuinely touched by her confession. Of course he’d never given her a second thought as a potential romantic partner. But as he quickly reviewed Meegan’s behavior in light of this stunning admission, he suddenly realized that he’d been as blind to her intentions as Commander Glenn was to Reg’s.
Even more surprising was the fact that though there was nothing resembling a relationship yet to speak of between them, he could not deny the potential for one. He had wisdom and experience where she had youth and passion. They shared a love of medicine, and she had already expressed an interest in music and art.
Finding himself suddenly unsure, the Doctor reached tentatively for her hand. She responded eagerly, squeezing his tenderly as her smile brightened.
“I’m glad you told me,” he said sincerely. “And I would definitely enjoy the opportunity to get to know you as well as you think you know me. Perhaps tonight we could …”
Meegan lifted her free hand to silence his lips. She then rose up and stood on tiptoes to embrace him in a hug and a soft kiss.
This time, the Doctor found himself responding in earnest as he released himself to possibility.
“Computer, where is the Doctor?” Barclay asked as he entered the sickbay to find it empty.
“The Doctor is in exam room one.”
Reg hesitated briefly. He hadn’t slept since he’d learned that Meegan had