"You're safe, I've got you."
Illnesses were not a common occurrence in the McCoy household. Which meant, when they struck, they struck hard. Despite being wrapped in much larger, warm arms, her entire body curled into the lap of the engineer, Joanna was shivering. Her father was away on conference, and she wanted nothing more than to curl into him and cuddleâ but that just wasnât an option at this point, so this would have to do.
âIâm scared,â she whispered, words nasally and blocked by mucus clouding up her head, and she turned to hide her face into his chest. âI want Daddy.â
As though latched onto him for the rest of her life, Joanna was content just to sit on his hip, head settled comfortably at his shoulder. Red cheeks were squished, and his movements rocked her into a nice, gentle half-sleep that had her eyes closing. Even when she spoke, they didnât lift again.
âWill you cuddle me?â She murmured lazily, taking in a deep sniffle, and then turning her head even more, with a miserable little squirm. âMake sure that Iâm warm? And that I sleep?â Her own concerns were blinding her to Tripâs own needs, selfishly hogging his body and his time and his warmth. She didnât care, as she normally wouldâve. It was just too late, and her stomach was aching for her daddy, and her fever was soaring high and making everything either too cold or too hot. Joanna could afford to let herself be a little selfish, she reckoned. âAnd then after we both sleepââ She yawned sleepily. ââwill you make hot cocoa?â [ chiefengineertrip ]
âIâll stick with you -- cuddles, keeping you warm -- Iâve gotcha kiddo.â
Trip made his way back to her bedroom as gently as he could manage -- he knew that she was being a bit of a drama queen, wanting attention because her dad wasnât here. And goddamn, he was more than okay with spoiling her rotten. He wasnât going anywhere, and by god Jo deserved to be selfish; she was like a niece to him, and Trip just couldnât help himself.
âHot cocoa sounds like a great ideaâ he replied with a smile, setting Jo down in the bed again. Trip popped out two of the pills Leonard has suggested, handing them to Jo with the water. âThisâll help get the fever down, okay? Once you take âem,y you can sleep as much as you want, sweetheart.â













