(A.N Disclaimer i don't own any of this, unfortunately. This is NOT a slash. There are time it may look, sound or art like a slash. But it's NOT)

Peace of Mind

The metal pipe came out of nowhere, colliding solidly with the back of Chekov's head, sending him sprawling to the ground.

"Vat?" Chekov gasped as a kick made firm contact with his exposed chest. Chekov heard his ribs break. His breaths coming in shallow gasps as the constant barrage of kicks and punches caused Chekov to cry out in pain.

The commotion woke Captain Kirk. Hearing Chekov's cries of pain, he hurried out of his room, but found only Chekov, laying on the floor bruised and bleeding, the assailant nowhere in sight.

Kirk moved to Chekov's side, hearing the gasping, rattling breaths, Kirk stood and moved the nearest intercom.

"Kirk to Sickbay. Kirk to Sickbay, come in Bones."

"Jim? That you? What the hell are you doing up this late" McCoy questioned.

"Bones, I need a medical team to my quarters now."

"What happened, Jim? Are you alright?"

"It's not me, Chekov's been beaten outside my room."

"On our way, Out," and the intercom went dead.

Kirk turned back to the unconscious Ensign. "Chekov, can you hear me?" Kirk got no reply.

The sound of running feet alerted him to McCoy's presence. Kirk smiled in gratitude that the doctor made the trip so quickly. McCoy kneeled beside Chekov and pulled out the scanner, Kirk's smile quickly faded as McCoy began listing the injuries. "Five broken ribs, one puncturing the left lung. His right humerus is broken is two places. His right collar bone is fractured. A hairline crack in his skull and a second degree concussion. He's in pretty bad shape, Jim. We need to get him down to Sickbay immediately."

The medical team moved Chekov onto the gurney and wheeled him to Sickbay. McCoy turned to Kirk, "Did you see who did it?" he asked.

"If I did, do you think he would still be on my ship?" the captain threatened.

McCoy knew not to take the jibe personally. "He'll be ok, Jim."

Kirk just nodded. Knowing he wouldn't get anymore sleep that night, Kirk asked, "Think I could come with you? I just want to make sure he's ok."

McCoy smiled knowingly, "Sure, Jim."

Kirk sat waiting for Chekov to wake. McCoy had set all the broken bones, given him a sedative and left him to wake from it in his own time.

Chekov twitched, stirring slightly as the sedative began to ware off.

"Chekov?" he asked, moving forward, reaching for the intercom to call McCoy.

Chekov groaned, turning his head so he could look at Kirk. "Keptain?"

"Yeah, you feeling better?" Kirk asked, taking his hand off the intercom.

Chekov groaned, "Hurt's."

"I'll get McCoy to give you something for the pain." Kirk again reached for the intercom, "Kirk to Doctor McCoy. You there, Bones?"

"Jim?" McCoy's sleep filled voice came through the intercom. "What is it?"

"Thought you were still at your desk?"

"I am."

Kirk smirked, "Sure. Well, Chekov's awake and in a bit of pain. You got anything that'll help?"

"Sure, be there in a second. McCoy out." Kirk turned the intercom off and moved back to sit next to Chekov.

They sat in silence for a minute before McCoy arrived.

"How you feeling, Chekov?" he asked.

"Fine." Chekov replied, lying through his teeth and both officers knew it.

"How are you really feeling?" McCoy asked.

"Arm, chest and head hurts." Chekov mumbled.

"I'll give you something for the pain." McCoy said, and pressed the hypo to Chekov's neck. "That feel better?"

"Thank you, doctor." Chekov smiled the tension and pain leaving his face quickly, then turning back to Kirk, he asked, "What are you doing here, Keptain?"

"Looking after you." Kirk said.

Chekov looked at him, eyes disbelieving, "Vhy are you here, Keptain?"

Kirk sighed, "I need to ask you what happened and who attacked you."

"He came at me from behind, hit the back of my head with something metal. I fell to the floor and he started kicking me as I lay there."

Kirk insisted "Who's 'he'?"

"I don't know, I never saw his face,"

"Then how do you know it's a he?"

"I got a close encounter with his boots and pants,"

"Did he say anything to you?"

"No, he said nothing. He just hit me until I fell unconscious."

McCoy looked shocked, 'how could someone do something like that?'

"Was there any distinguishing about the man? Anything at all?"

"I…I don't think so, I…can't remember." Chekov said his voice tinged with regret and sadness.

"I'm…sorry for what happened to you, Chekov."

"It vas not your fault, Keptain." Chekov said.

"I should have come out sooner. Then you wouldn't have been injured…this shouldn't happen on my ship."

"Keptain!" Chekov interrupted, "None of this is your fault." Chekov tried to sit up, the pain that shot through his chest forced a gasp passed his lips.

Kirk put a hand on Chekov's shoulder, pushing him back into the bed. Chekov shouted in pain and fell back into the bed, holding his shoulder.

"Chekov? What is it?" Kirk asked leaning forward.

"Jim, he has a fractured collar bone." McCoy reminded quietly.

"Oh, Chekov, I'm sorry!"

"Keptain," Chekov said wearily, "I'm ok, I'll be fine."

Kirk nodded, knowing Chekov was trying to make him feel better. The guilt that he had hurt Chekov was almost overwhelming. Kirk's eyes glazed over, pain and regret written on his face.

"Keptain!" Chekov demanded, something in his voice made Kirk look up at him, the determination and conviction in Chekov's eyes made Kirk buckle, "None of this is your fault," Chekov continued, his voice slow and deliberate but not patronizing, "You could have done nothing to stop this man. I am just thankful that you did get there ven you did. If you hadn't voken and come out, I could have been laying there for hours. So I am grateful. Thank you, Keptain."

A small smile played at the corners of Kirk's mouth. The first hopeful thought of the short day passed through his head, 'maybe I did help him.'

As if he was reading Kirk's mind, Chekov smiled at his Captain. The smile trusting and innocent despite everything that had happened.

"You're amazing." Kirk whispered.

"Vhat?" Chekov asked, cheeks flushing at the complement.

"You're amazing," Kirk repeated louder, "Most people would have broken down by now, but you, you haven't."

"Yet." Chekov whispered so quietly that only Kirk heard.

"What?"

"I'll be outside if you need anything else." McCoy interrupted, making a quick exit.

As soon as McCoy was out of the door, Chekov slumped slightly. "I said 'yet'."

"I heard what you said, I just wondered why…" realization dawned on Kirk, his face clouding with pity.

"I should have thought before I said anything…" Kirk quickly tried to amend.

Chekov laughed sadly, "Keptain Kirk, thinking before he speaks?" Chekov sighed, "You see me as I vant you to see me. As the person that does not break, but I know I vill." Chekov suddenly realized what he'd said. "Sorry, I should not have said anything."

Slightly stunned Kirk said, "I'm…I'm glad you told me, I should have known this would affect you the same as everyone else if not more. It's just, you never show that anything's getting to you."

Chekov's smile seemed forced, "That doesn't mean that it doesn't. All that means it I am a good actor."

Kirk stopped and stood, "Don't you think you should be having this conversation with someone like Sulu, not me."

Chekov looked ashamed, he averted his eyes, looking at his hands, "You're right, I am sorry."

Kirk smiled reassuringly, "You have nothing to be sorry for."

Kirk left the room, and walked up to McCoy, "He should be alright, right?" he asked again.

"Yes, physically, he should be fine."

Kirk missed the meaning behind the words, "Good, I should be going. Care for a game of chess?"

McCoy sighed, knowing he had to be less subtle with the captain, "Sure Jim, I'll play." by his mind was turning over ways to get Kirk to understand Chekov would need someone to take to, and the captain would be the best candidate.

Kirk turned and was about to leave when he realized he'd left his communicator in Chekov's room. "Just a sec, Bones. Left my communicator with Chekov, I'll go get it."

"Quietly, don't wake him."

Kirk just nodded and slowly walked back into Chekov's room.

The first thing that alerted him to something being wrong was the choking sobs coming from Chekov's bed. As he got closer, he realized Chekov had curled into a ball and was quietly sobbing under the sheets.

"Chekov?" he asked tentatively placing a hand on Chekov's shaking shoulder.

Chekov jumped, turning to face Kirk with fear in his eyes, to late did Kirk remember Chekov's attacker had come up from behind. The tear streaked face looking back at him almost broke his heart.

"Chekov…"

Kirk reached forward and pulled the young Ensign into a tight hug. Cradling the boy as he sobbed into Kirk's shoulder. And that was how McCoy found them, ten minutes later, except now Chekov's sobs were further apart and quieter. Kirk turned his head at the sound of the door but Chekov didn't register the sound, seeing McCoy was still waiting for him, he gave an apologetic smile.

McCoy just nodded, smiled and left.

It took another twenty minutes for Chekov to fall asleep. As Kirk lay him down, he noticed how young Chekov really looked. Chekov constantly reminded everyone who called him young that he was only three months away from his eighteenth birthday. But right now, he didn't look a day over fifteen.

"Sleep well, Ensign…Chekov." Kirk quietly left Chekov to his dreams, hoping they wouldn't turn to nightmares.

As Kirk left the room, he took one last look at Chekov as the doors closed, he looked so peaceful. And Kirk left.

If he had stayed a second longer, he would have seen the shadows move, a human shape closing in on the sleeping Ensign.

(A.N - This is my first Star Trek fic. Any problems, "Review".