"My God man! Take my advice for once in your life, and you'll thank me later," the Doctor was raving.
"I ensure you Doctor, I can perform my normal duties even in my present condition," I say even though I'm completely positive my statement will have no effect on Dr. McCoy.
"Listen you little hobgoblin, you have a cold, and as much I'd like to help you as your physician, I can't. But the good thing is your timing couldn't have been any better seeing as the Enterprise is scheduled for some Shore Leave. Obviously you forgotten that you can use that opportunity to get better," said McCoy looking angry, red and smug.
I escaped a sigh and said, "There is no point in arguing with you seeing as your point does have some truth in it, but my trust in you and your profession has significantly decreased with your incapability to cure this simple cold."
"There IS NO cure for the common cold!!" screamed the Doctor as I walk out of sickbay.
I can understand the Doctor's concern but I don't understand why I must go on planet to recuperate, while I can do that efficiently in my quarters. Humans will always be confusing.
I've never taken shore leave, because I've never needed recreation and relaxation, but if my person is dysfunctional as a crewman aboard the Enterprise then perhaps it is a wise decision to...
"Hello, Spock," the Captain is miraculous in his talent for diverting my thought, "Bones tells me you caught a cold," I will not attempt to confirm with him that an infection cannot be physically captured.
"Yes, Captain, I apologize for the inconvenience, and with your permission, I would like to stay aboard..."
"You'll do no such thing, I order you to come with me down to the surface. I even rented a nice apartment where we can stay, and for a change, you'll let ME take care of YOU." The Captain is smiling as he pats my shoulder. Touching always made me feel uncomfortable, except when it was Jim.
"I cannot ask you to perform such a task, on my behalf," *sniffle. The effects of the influenza is becoming apparent. This state of health is completely inappropriate in front of my Captain. I try and hide my face from those hazel eyes.
His hand turns me around and he offers me a tissue. I accept it and I ponder where he had obtained it, perhaps he planned these exact events to occur. Jim constantly surprises me with his cleverness.
"Then I volunteer my services, and it would be impolite to refuse such an offer," Jim is still smiling.
"Obviously, you've fashioned no other alternative where I can politely reject your offer?" I say flatly. I know Jim is pondering on whether I'm expressing sarcasm.
His face regains its confidence and he says, "Of course. I don't believe in no-win scenarios." I respond by lifting my eyebrow.
"Listen, pack some stuff and I'll meet you down in the transporter room" he jogs off to the turbo lift and leaves me standing in the hallway.
Before I can stop it, "a-CHOOOOO!!" This is beyond humiliating. I will not be able to mentally survive this ordeal. I begin to walk more swiftly down the corridors to my quarters.
"I just knew you'd only bring yourself," Jim was far too excited at my weakened state then I would have preferred, "and because I knew that, I brought a bag for you consisting of clothing and all your necessities," Jim says while holding two Starfleet duffel bags.
"I would like to know on what basis you have chosen..." I begin but Jim interrupts me, "all your stuff? Well, the planet Prixima 8 is a contacted planet of the federation, yet it has yet to develop space travel and it bears a strange similarity to Earth's Edo period of Japan. Therefore I had your clothing fabricated to fit the environment and your..." I stop him, "Thank you Captain, I can imagine where you attained other objects you feel are necessary to our voyage," at this point he is simply showing off his intelligence, which at the present moment I can cope without.
In the last few minutes my cold had morphed into something so extraordinary and I was definitely not prepared for such an onslaught of exertion required to rid my body of the infection. I feel so sick.
Apparently, I can no longer hide my thoughts because Jim then says. "Don't worry Spock. Scotty will beam us directly into the apartment so you can lie down right away."
I'm stumbling, I uncontrollably use Jim's arm to regain my balance as nausea takes over my head. While he is holding myself and two bags worthy of three weeks of off ship living, Jim directs me on to the transporter, "Energize."
