Hatfield & McCoy

She transferred after the Nero event. They were understaffed and overwhelmed. For weeks they kept their heads down, working every hour and every minute. There was no time for introductions, small talk or getting to know each other. It was assess, treat, and discharge. Over and over again. Even with the years' of experience between them neither had ever known anything like it. The loss was staggering. Most injuries the surviving crew had received had been quick to treat, some had intensive recovery programmes ahead of them.

One day Greta Hatfield had literally collapsed down the wall near one of the beds, sat leaning against it, legs splayed out in front of her. She was mentally and physically exhausted. She closed her eyes for a moment, she could sense the heavy fog of sleep seeping in. Opening her eyes she gave her cheeks a slap in the vain attempt to wake up.

"Doctor Hatfield? Do you want a cup of coffee?" Greta looked up at the angelic face of Christine Chapel.

"Only if you're making yourself one Christine." Christine nodded and smiled and went in search of a fresh brew. Greta peeled herself off the floor and stretched, lifting her arms above her head as if trying to touch the ceiling. She saw the CMO making his way over, she dropped her arms instinctively and straightened her back. He didn't seem to register her proximity as he strode past her and into one of the laboratories.

"Don't mind him." Christine handed her a cup of coffee as the two women stood and watched McCoy disappear from view.

"Is he always like this?" Greta asked.

"Simply put, yes. Don't let him push you around though. Take it from me, he'll respect you more if you stand up for yourself." Greta thanked Christine for the advice and the coffee. She still had work to do and nobody was going to do it for her.

Greta was treating a patient with acupressure when she noticed Doctor McCoy watching her.

"Doctor? What was your name?" He approached her as he spoke.

"Hatfield Sir." He paused a moment.

"You're kidding?"

"Don't worry Doctor, the irony isn't lost on me either."

"Doctor Hatfield may I have a word?"

"Yes."

"What the hell do you think you were doing?"

"Doctor?"

"Don't play coy with me, what the hell were you playing at?"

"I was treating my patient Doctor, could you be more specific with your outrage." Greta was becoming increasingly frustrated.

"You know damned well what I'm talking about, that form of treatment is not normal procedure." McCoy raised his voice an octave.

"I'm aware of that, I chose the best course of action for the patient."

"Well, it was a highly singular decision."

"I disagree, is there anything else Doctor McCoy?" Greta made it apparent that she believed the conversation was drawing to a close.

"You're very sure of yourself aren't you?"

"Yes, as I'm sure you are too."

"Next time you go against protocol, run it by me first. Is that clear?"

"Crystal Doctor McCoy." Greta clenched her jaw together to stop her from saying anything else. She walked away, not wanting the red mist that was filling her head resulting in her saying something she would regret. She could tell McCoy wasn't happy with her response but there was nothing else he could say in that moment. Christine approached McCoy having observed the altercation.

"Everything alright Doctor McCoy?"

"The God's are laughing at me Christine, they're laughing. It's as if the history books are toying with me."

"I don't understand Doctor?"

"You will Chapel, if I'm right you soon will."

"Well that'll do it Ensign, please watch where you're going in the future."

"Yes Doctor, thank you."

"Alright, off with you." Greta finished up writing her notes on the PADD in her hand, it had been a quiet day which had meant in between treating minor injuries, she had been able to catch up on her paperwork and speak with the Nurses about some new ways of stocking the medicines and equipment.

"Doctor Hatfield." Greta had to stop herself from grimacing and rolling her eyes upon hearing the CMO's voice call her name. It seemed he only took the time to speak to Greta when he wanted to berate and patronise her. It had been two months since they had started their mission and things had begun to settle down.

"Yes Doctor McCoy."

"A word please." With that he turned and went back into his office. I guess he wants me to follow him? Greta pulled off her white coat as she walked in to McCoy's office, letting it rest in her lap as she took a seat. It had the advantage of hiding her hands which were clenched together so tightly her knuckles had gone white.

"Do you mind explaining why I can't find anything in my own damned Medical Bay?" Greta returned his steely gaze.

"That's a slight exaggeration isn't it Doctor?"

"The hell it is, Doctor Hatfield if you're going to take it upon yourself to change everything around here at least have the decency of letting your CMO know."

"I did Doctor, I sent you a comm about it a week ago." McCoy continued to look at her with disdain. Picking up one his PADD's he swept through the pages.

"Well, I would appreciate you speaking to me about these things from now on."

"Of course, is there anything else?"

"No." Greta just nodded and left his office. Bloody jumped up, no good… Greta continued to mumble to herself for the remainder of her shift. She tried her best not to let him get to her, for the most part it was fine. She did her job, he did his. Apart from signing off on treatments every now and again they kept themselves too busy to aggravate one another. She didn't hate him, she didn't hate anybody. That was too strong a word. But from the moment she had got there she had experienced a level of belligerent behaviour that she believed really wasn't necessary. Greta had always been a calm person, she generally had a cheery disposition. She loved her job, for as long as she could remember she had wanted to be a Doctor. She had honed her bed side manner well, to the point where Nurse Chapel had commented that crew were beginning to ask for her specifically when they came in with their varied array of ailments. So, as a calm and cheery person, being around a grumpy bastard all day was taking its toll.

Her shift had ended, she was tidying up one the beds before she left when McCoy came out of his office again and shouted her name. Greta ignored him. He shouted again. She ignored him again. She wasn't a dog to be whistled at and shouted for, if he wanted to speak to her he could put in the minimal effort of walking the small distance between them she thought to herself.

"Doctor Hatfield! Did you not hear me?"

"Oh I heard you Doctor." Greta responded turning where she stood, keeping her face as serene as possible.

"Then why didn't you answer?"

"Because I've had enough of your shit McCoy, I couldn't care less, you've worn me down. Your conduct is dreadful and for the sake of my mental health I will not entertain you a moment longer."

"How dare you Hatfield!"

"How dare I? How dare you! Let me know when you've pulled that stick from your arse and I'll speak to you, until then fu…"

"That's quite enough!"

"I was leaving anyway." She started walking towards the door but stopped short and turned around. "I'm an excellent Doctor, as are you but you keep pushing me like this and I'm liable to snap."

"Is that a threat?" McCoy scoffed. She was speechless, he was the most stubborn person she had ever met. Greta let out a long breath and closed her eyes. "That's what I thought…" McCoy seemed pleased with himself, as if he'd won a small victory over her. She could feel her eyes well up, not wanting to give McCoy the satisfaction of seeing her cry she quickly turned and left.

As soon as he saw her leave he felt awful. Why had he been like that? She was a good Doctor, he couldn't fault her methods and work ethic. She'd stood her ground and he'd tried to knock it out of her, why? He could have sworn she was beginning to cry as she left. He returned to his office and poured himself a drink. Sitting in his chair, watching the amber liquid swill around the sides of the glass he swore to himself. He owed her an apology, he would apologise when she came in for her shift tomorrow morning. He tried to distract himself by getting stuck into his mountain of work. Kirk showed up sometime later, sharing a few glasses with him while they talked.

"How's things Bones?"

"Good Jim, good. Well…"

"What did you do now?"

"I haven't done anything!"

"Chapel told me things have been a bit fraught lately between you and Doctor Hatfield, you repeating history Bones?"

"Chapel should know to mind her own business!"

"Is she not a capable Doctor?"

"Yes of course, more than capable. She's just damned annoying."

"How?"

"She rearranged everything, she changed the Nurse's rosters!"

"Sounds awful, should I put her in brig?"

"Very funny Jim."

"I'm not laughing, I received the report regarding the efficiencies Doctor Hatfield implemented, and we've seen twenty percent efficiency in patient turnaround. Seems to me like she is an asset."

"Well you would think that Jim, any pretty little thing in a skirt…" McCoy took a swig of his drink, it had turned bitter.

"Now now Bones, that's beneath you and you know it. Is that what this is, you find her pretty?"

"This conversation is over Jim, you've outstayed your welcome."

"Bones, settle this. I don't want a war going on in my Medical Bay."

"It's my Medical Bay Jim!"

"Bones, I'm the Captain, I think you'll find its mine and don't ignore me. Settle this, that's an order."

Greta took a gulp of her coffee, she hadn't slept well and ended up starting her shift early having had enough of ambling around her quarters. She'd been in a daze walking to the Medical Bay, McCoy's words had been whirling around in her head ever since she'd left in tears the previous day. She was slightly more dishevelled than her usual self which given her character annoyed her more than it ought.

The bay was empty save two nurses who gave her a warm smile when she had arrived, she had gone to the replicator first in desperate need of caffeine. She went to place her cup on the table next to her but it was further away than she had anticipated, looking to her left she watched as the table moved further away still. Looking down her feet were no longer on the floor, the whole room was passing her by. She tried to turn her head to see what was behind her but her velocity made it impossible. Only the sound of her body striking the wall seemed to shake her out of her reverie.

All her senses seemed to switch on at once. Her ears were filled with the sound of twisting metal and shattered glass. A siren was going off. Her eyes watched as apparatus was flung in every direction, the lights darkened and a red hue took over the once bright surroundings. She could smell smoke, small fires had erupted in the cracks of the fascia's and facades. She could feel blood dripping down her forehead and the enormous steel support beam trapping her legs. Letting out a scream she pushed with all her might, she was astonished that she had actually been able to get herself free. Checking her leg's over for any signs of breaks or fractures she gingerly rose to her feet.

The huge extractor fans had kicked in and Greta watched as the smoke was sucked from the room. She grabbed an oxygen mask as the alarm went off notifying her that all the oxygen would be removed also to help put out the fires. The two nurses appeared, obviously having been thrown to the walls themselves. Greta assessed them quickly, a few cuts and bruises but nothing serious. She began shouting out orders. She knew crew were on their way, who knew what type of damage the rest of the ship had received. She pulled on her white coat that had been hanging on the wall, cleaning her hands she began to treat the crew members that had already arrived. She hadn't noticed McCoy was there until she nearly bumped into him moving a patient. A quick nod and they both continued on with their respective responsibilities.

An hour later and McCoy stepped out of surgery, surveying the carnage he noted that the majority of patients were settled and resting. His eyes fell upon Doctor Hatfield, from the look of her she must have been in the bay when the attack happened. Her brunette hair had fallen out of its band and fell down her back to her middle, her face was covered in blood and grime. She was suturing a crewman's arm and had her side to him. McCoy's eyes went wide however when he noticed that in the spot where Greta stood, there was a pool of blood that looked like it was emanating from Greta herself.

"Doctor Hatfield, are you injured?" He turned her to face him by pulling at her shoulder, she looked at him with clear cerulean eyes but her skin was the colour of cinders.

"I'm fine Doctor." She blinked lazily. Before she could protest McCoy ran his fingers through her hair and over her scalp, he turned her head to check her ears, eyes and nose. Greta didn't protest, she was too tired to which only alarmed McCoy further knowing her disposition. McCoy continued to assess her, his hands carefully running along her arms and shoulders. He pulled her white coat to one side to look at her stomach. Even after all his years of experience he couldn't help the look of dismay that appeared over his face.

"My God!" Greta's eyebrows furrowed in confusion, she looked down to her side. A metal rod, maybe only an inch thick in diameter was protruding from her side. She looked back up to McCoy's face, a freight train of agony hit her instantaneously. Her vision narrowed, she was vaguely aware of being lowered to the ground as her knees buckled and a pressure put on her stomach.

"Doctor Hatfield, stay with me. Talk to me damn it." She tried to speak, she could feel her lips moving but no sound came out. "Doctor Hatfield, come on Hatfield!" A hand was on her cheek, she willed herself to stay alert.

"McCoy?" Her voice didn't sound like her own, it sounded like she was a million miles away and was listening to an echo from some distant mountain.

"Yes it's McCoy, Doctor, don't worry, I'll have you fixed up in no time." He was lying she could tell, he was worried. She'd watched him with enough patients to know that he was lying. As McCoy administered a sedative, a tear fell down her cheek.

If you're reading my other story (Seeing Clearly Now), don't worry I won't neglect it but this plot bunny would not leave my head! This is angsty, you've been warned... LLAP ;-) XOXO