McCoy was at Star Base 1 holding a photograph of James T. Kirk. His eyes were full of sorrow not the fondness and mix of emotions that would normally be on the doctor's face when Kirk was around. He had his luggage packed, prepared, for the assignment to the USS Enterprise. He couldn't believe how much he missed the young boy. He might not even be a young man by now! Kirk would be thirty-one by now. He heard a rapid knocking from the temporary door to his temporary quarters.
"You don't have to knock, Mr Sulu!" McCoy said.
Sulu walked in.
"We should have doors that open when requested rather than opening automatically," Sulu said. "Would save everyone the trouble giving them privacy."
McCoy put the photograph into the luggage then zipped it up.
"We all know that kind of system is contrary to the policy on intelligent doors." McCoy said,grabbing the handles of his luggage.
"But bare with me, shouldn't people have permission to enter someone's quarters?" Suku asked.
McCoy paused, thinking about it.
"Well . . ." McCoy said. "I can guess where it matters when people come in when you are sleeping and attempt to kill you."
"Exactly my point," Sulu said, as McCoy came to the door. "Do you know who our captain is?"
"Of course I do," McCoy said. "Gary Michell."
"And the first officer?" Sulu asked.
"No, not really," McCoy raised an eyebrow. "You came just to tell me who the first officer is."
"It is best I tell you before you get on." Sulu said, as they walked out of the quarters.
"Well, he can't be that bad." McCoy said.
"It is Commander Spock." Sulu said.
McCoy came to a stop reeling in the word that was like a punch to the chest. A word that reminded him that for six years of his life, his best friend, living and reckless, bold and optimistic, had ran out of a career and a future. A man who could have been commanding a starship by now. The name reminded the doctor just how dark the universe was without the annoying speaking lantern in his way. McCoy didn't realize he had fallen to his knees coaxing himself until Sulu helped the man up and allowed him to cry onto his shoulder. Sulu hadn't known former cadet Kirk, really, just the boy who flirted with the girls and got into some fights with the male cadets. Even though he had been a hand to hand combat assistant, he hardly knew the kid. Asides from his wicked hand to hand combat skills.
But fortunately?
Sulu had gone to know McCoy really well after the day the cadet went missing.
The cadet was the doctor's whole world.