I own nothing of Star Trek or any other series that might pop up. This is an AU, with an added daughter for McCoy.
Jordan McCoy was not your average 15 year old by any stretch of the imagination. Early in her life her parents recognized her differences, especially next to her twin sister Joanna. By two she was speaking if full sentences and reading. By three she had the basics of math and writing down and often corrected her parents in spelling. She understood concepts and ideas that most adults had trouble even formulating let alone fathoming. As she kept skipping ahead grades and leaving her sister further and further behind her parents worried that she would grow bored with her current life. When she took apart and rebuilt the car engine when she was five it was obvious that something needed to be done.
It was probably one of the few things the husband and wife had agreed upon during their entire marriage. Together they looked for different schools and institutes that could provide their daughter with the education and challenges she obviously needed. So when the Institute on Albatross V contacted them they felt a great weight lift from their shoulders. While Leonard was not keen to the idea of one of his daughters leaving earth to go live on another planet, Jocelyn was thrilled that someone else could handle her 'gifted' child. Though she did love both of her children, the Georgian house-wife/social butterfly just couldn't handle having a child that smart. While Leonard could and often did handle Jordan, his long hours at the hospital didn't allow for much time spent with his family, let alone the one daughter only he seemed to understand.
After looking over the programs offered and long discussions the two parents finally came to an agreement that this would be in the best interest of their genius daughter. Upon sitting her down to share with her their thoughts and decisions, as well as let her come to her own, (there was no way Leonard would force his daughter to go) they had all agreed that this program had the best to offer. The fact that they were offering the child a scholarship also didn't hurt.
At the tender age of seven Jordan McCoy said goodbye to her sister, her parents and her home.
It had not bothered the child much, as she loved adventure and learning new things. Even upon the discovery that she was indeed the youngest child there by several years, it had not frightened her. Classes had kept her busy as well as various projects. She made sure to write and call home often, one of the stipulations her father had given her upon her enrollment She had endured the loneliness with the knowledge of her family back home.
However as time went by she started noticing the strain in her parents' relationship. They no longer talked to her together over the video links. Often Joanna would be spending time with their grandparents or friends instead of at home. When her paternal grandfather died it really spiraled out of control. Her father had less time for her calls, and he seemed more upset and grouchy when they did speak. Her mother started to miss their appointed times or simply cut the calls short. Many of her letters went unanswered and she hadn't seen or spoken to her twin in months.
Then one day Joanna finally contacted her, telling her twin the horrible news. Their parents had gotten divorced. Their mother and Joanna would get the house and all the money. Their father had left Georgia all together and JoJo had no idea where he went. Jordan managed to calm her sister down while she used another computer to locate their father. What she had found startled her. Dr. Leonard McCoy, Aviophobic extraordinaire had just joined Starfleet.
While both girls marveled at the idea of it they came to an agreement. Joanna would keep Jordan up on their mother, while Jordan would keep tabs on their father and send her sister updates.
For three years Jordan kept up her end of the bargain. Joanna did so less and less every month until Jordan only heard from her once a year. Her father had sent her messages now and again, as did her mother, but like her sister they too seemed to forget about her as time went on.
She tried hard not to let it hurt her, telling herself again and again that they were busy with their lives and it was hard to keep up with someone that didn't live close by, or even on the same planet.
Of course it didn't help that the other kids at the institute liked to rub in the fact that her parents never came to visit, nor sent for her to go home. Many had chosen her as a target due to her age and their jealousy over her achievements. Afterall how many of them can boast that they designed some of the latest transport ships and even helped design a few of the Federation star ships? In fact she had been in the design team for the USS Enterprise.
When the Futuristic Romulan starship had attacked Earth and the Enterprise had been the one ship to save them all it took a lot for her not to smile proudly, especially once she learned her father had been a member of the crew. Granted she had nearly hyperventilated when she had found that out; worried that he would be among the dead. Luckily her fears were laid to waste when she saw the transmission showing the command crew returning to earth with a heroes' welcome. Though the pain in her heart at seeing Joanna greeting their father and his enthusiastic response almost killed her joy then and there.
Good thing she had Dart to help cheer her up. She had no idea why anyone had tried transporting a beagle the way it had been done, but she thanked god daily that she had picked up his signature and pulled him back into his natural form. Since he was a 'science experiment' she got to keep him.
She did make sure to write her father and let him know she was glad he made it through ok and that she was proud of him. For a while she didn't think he would respond, but he actually called her through a vid-link. Given the rarity of that she didn't care about skipping her class to speak to him. She couldn't keep the pure joy from her face as they spoke and she told him various things about her life at the Institute and how she had finished her undergrad and was halfway through her masters in engineering and weapon design. He told her a bit about his life and his friend Jim Kirk, as well as his upcoming assignment as the CMO of the Enterprise. Sadly she never got a chance to tell him about her part in creating the great ship, but she simply enjoyed the fact he took time to speak to her, especially since he would not get the chance for some time while on his next mission.
For the next three years she lived with messages from her father every month or so, the rare message from her sister and no contact with her mother. She finished her masters and had at least one doctorate and planned for another one. Even with her new status as a doctor, she still never quite fit in with any group. In all it was a lonely existence, one she sometimes regretted.
It was especially hard when her birthday rolled around and no one bothered to call or even send a tiny message wishing her a good day. Sure some of the professors and staff gave her well wishes, but she didn't really have any friends her age or otherwise and even then it wasn't them she wanted to hear from.
"Well Dart," she sighed heavily as she looked down at the beagle lounging on his bed. "Looks like it's just you and me again."
The only response she got was a pair of raised eyebrows and the typical doggy eyes. Snorting to herself she stood stretching stiff muscles. "Well I for one don't want to spend it writing another paper on Sub dimensional Spatial Anomalies. Let's you and me go for a walk?"
At the magic word Dart bolted from his bed and stood by the door, leash already in his mouth.
"I see that you're ok with this idea," she remarked dryly, stuffing her feet into her hiking boots and grabbing a light jacket. Fall had come to Albatross and reminded her greatly of the South. It didn't get too cold just yet, but enough to cause a chill.
Walking the clean paths of the academy she took Dart past the dormitories and teacher housing, down towards the lake and the labs. She liked coming to this area as it helped to calm her nerves and gave her the chance to simply not think. Instead she listened to the birds, enjoyed the cool wind on her face contrasting the heat of the sun, and generally experienced the benefits of nature.
Dart liked this spot because the ducks and geese as well as other rare birds brought from various planets tended to flock to this area, giving him something to chase. Jordan knew she shouldn't let him, the biology department head had lectured her something fierce last time. But that little part of her that enjoyed causing mischief just couldn't find it to reprimand the poor dog. Besides, it offered a chance for all the animals to exercise. A benefit all around in her humble opinion.
Sure enough Dart sensed his quarry and with a great bound took off after the Andorian Geese, barking up a storm. Jordan didn't bother to call him back. He'd never catch one of them anyway. The leash didn't extend that far.
Chuckling at the dog's antics she just stood letting him get his fill of 'hunting'. A few other pedestrians enjoying their own strolls or reading by the lake sent her looks of fond exasperation. After all who could get mad at such a cute animal?
The peace didn't last long as a rather loud explosion shook the lab building behind her. Stumbling she turned to find out what happened when a beam of greenish light hit her dead on. The pain was incredible. All around her she thought she could hear screams and shouts of alarm, but the loudest of all was her own.