Picking up the threads [back on board; Jim is losing his mind OR SO HE THINKS]

[genius_level]

There was a certain rhythm to their days on board. The routine of waking, working, eating, and sleeping... all of the million little details that made up a single day that had become so comfortable and familiar over the first months in space. Whether they were slow days or busy, good or bad, there was always that edge; that zest added by the fact

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[flying_katana]

Hikaru had been working a few late shifts this week, trading with Lt Irving so he could spend some alpha shift hours in the botany lab. Beta shift was quieter, and Hikaru found that he could monitor some of his experiments and catch up on his own reports. He knew Kirk was still in his office, probably doing the same, so standing, he nodded at the navigator and walked toward the Captain's office.

The door opened as he approached, but Kirk wasn't at his desk. A quick glance around the office and Sulu saw him crashed out on the sofa. "Oh, shit," he said under his breath. "Sorry, Captain. I'll come back tomorrow..."

[genius_level]

He was just drifting off when the door whooshed open.

"Hmm... what?" Jim blinked, eyes opening and spotting Sulu at about the time his words registered. "No, no... you're fine." He sat up, raking a hand through his hair with a wry grin. "Just taking a break from the deskwork. What's up?"

Jim motioned him over, both a little embarrassed that he'd been caught unawares and relieved that it was Sulu.

[flying_katana]

"Just wanted to go over some charts with you, Captain, but its nothing that can't wait." Sulu approached the sofa cautiously, trying not to smile at Kirk's slightly messed-up hair. "Could even wait until the next senior staff' meeting."

[genius_level]

"Come on, sit down," Jim insisted. He grinned at Sulu, shaking his head a little. The other man had been working beta shift some lately, and Jim was glad to have the opportunity to catch up with him. "We can go through the charts now. Haven't seen you in a few days, other than in passing. You want something to drink?"

He caught that look and chuckled good-naturedly. "What, do I have the sofa cushion imprinted on my face?" Jim could count on one hand the times he'd fallen asleep in here. Generally too busy and locked in to think of rest until he finished for the day (or until Spock gave him a pointed suggestion, or Bones came looking for him), he rarely spent much idle time at all in his office.