Title: A sweet ray of sunshine that loved yellow
Fandom: Star Trek
Part: 1/7
Rating: PG
Main Characters: Doctor 'Bones' McCoy, Nyota Uhura, Jim Kirk, Spock
Disclaimer: Unfortunately I do not own the characters, except the O.C.
The United Federation of Planet's flagship, USS Enterprise was on a diplomatic mission of extended urgency and importance to a newly discovered planet called Keto Major. A mission that was of strategic importance to the Federation's current and bloody war against the Klingon Empire.
The landing party was made up of the Enterprise's finest. The Captain James Kirk, First Officer/Science Officer Spock, ship's surgeon McCoy, Chief Engineer Scott and Communications officer Uhura. All were dressed in formal uniforms or as DR McCoy colourfully stated 'damned candy ass money suits'. This joviality eased the tension and the group laughed (except Spock) before they beamed down for a meeting with the newly established government of the planet.
About an hour had passed and McCoy and Scotty were noticeably fidgety, fortunately none of the government delegation seemed to pay them much notice. As more time passed they fidgeted more, like school boys at assembly.
'Fleet would not be impressed with their flag ship's Chief Surgeon and Chief Engineer if they heard about this' Kirk mused. He was snapped from his train of thought when the Prime Minister suggested an hour's adjournment for lunch. Kirk smiled and nodded his approval as that would give him a chance to talk to Scotty and Bones about their respective behaviours of the last three hours.
"I would like to acquaint myself with the depositories of knowledge on this particular area of Keto Major." Spock said after the government delegates had departed.
"Some people call that a library, Spock." McCoy said drily as he bounced on his feet. It was good to be able to move around after three hours of being seated on chairs that were not that comfortable.
"So they do, Bones." Kirk said as he nodded his approval to Spock.
Scotty declared his intentions to get a bite to eat and Kirk waved him ahead as he pulled Bones aside. Jim was going to enjoy some local cuisine in a quaint nearby café but he had a gut feeling making him hesitant as Uhura peeled off from the other Enterprise officers gently tossing off an explanation with her melodic alto. She was going to visit the market stalls she had seen on their way from the beam in point.
Jim asked Bones to stay with her. Something about this whole planet still felt a little off though he couldn't pin point what exactly. It wasn't because he saw Uhura as weak that he wanted Bones to stay with her, she was anything but. No, he had one of his famous Kirk gut feelings, unfortunately even Spock had to admit that they were 'amazingly accurate'.
Arriving at the café he was vaguely amused by the archaic style vaguely reminiscent of the 1960's United States as he donned a smooth smile at the pretty although four-eyed waitress and ordered an item from the menu that sounded from the description to be like an American style hamburger. Some of the things that the waitress described sounded similar to vegetables, though he couldn't be too sure and after that one experience on Centaurus VI….
Placing the menu back on the table he eyed the duo walking off towards the markets; they took a right and were out of sight. She'll be fine, Bones won't let anything happen. And she's competent in basic hand to hand training. Scotty came over from a nearby table, pulled up a chair and Jim told him what he'd ordered and he called the waitress over and got the same but without the unidentified greenish sauce.
Jim struck up a conversation with Scotty about the childlike fidgety antics of himself and Bones at the morning's meeting with the Government party. "Starfleet officers, especially those from the Enterprise and under my command should be above such childish actions! I hope that for the remainder of this mission you shall remember that Mr. Scott?" he said sternly but with the hint of a smile on his lips. In honest truth he was bored as much as they were.
Scotty apologized in his way and agreed not to sit opposite the doctor or to condone nor reproduce any of his antics during the rest of the mission. Then the meals arrived and conversation lessoned to jibbing between friends without ranks around mouthfuls of 'burgers'. Kirk kept any eye on the street outside looking to the corner that his colleagues and friends had walked around a few minutes ago. The niggling feeling that something was off still present.
Doctor McCoy had talked to Nyota Uhura and half lied about why he had opted to go to the markets with her over lunch with Jim. He simply said he was after something specific and conveniently failed to mention the order that Jim had given him to 'stick to her like glue'.
Uhura was trying on some items of local clothing that resembled caftans. This was really boring to Bones and he informed Nyota that he was going to be nearby looking for a knick-knack for Jim's upcoming birthday. "What is it with women and clothes anyway?" he chuckled to himself.
In the corner of his eye some isles over from him, he saw an orange object. Knowing how much Jim Kirk hated the colour orange because he was allergic to the fruit Bones couldn't resist the irony and wandered over. On closer inspection he realised it was a vase and the ugliest one he had ever seen.
Can't wait to see the kid's face when he opens this. He paid for the vase and got the vendor to wrap it. One less thing for a Chief Medical Officer to waste time on he thought.
He started to chat to the vendor about some of the other interesting items he had and temporarily forgot about how Kirk had asked him to keep his eyes on Uhura. That was after all why he was skipping lunch with the boys.
Nyota bought two of the garments; one was emerald green with tiny silver stars around the waist which went to almost her ankles. The other was black with a split from the knee down and had a slightly lower neck and both looked amazing compared to the blandness of her formal attire.
Next she looked at a stall that had jewellery; the girl running the stall seemed a bit young (about 10 at a guess) and spoke very quietly. Her eyes so much like McCoy's, the colour such a captivating shade of blue. Picking up a silver bracelet to accompany the new green dress she asked the girl if she had earrings with the same intricate design. She excused herself to ask her father who was in a nearby and line of sight dodgy drinking establishment. As she was walking over there Uhura gasped at how thin she was and noted her accentuated limp.
A few minutes passed as Uhura browsed the other jewellery. The girl returned and rummaged around in a box under the table until she found the items she was after. She apologised profusely for having not found it in the first place.
"That's fine pet," Uhura said sweetly as she paid for them. It was then she noticed the very fresh bruise starting to form on the girl's wrist that she had not noticed before she had gone to converse with her father.
Uhura asked the girl what had happened in regards to the marks on both her wrists and the only thing she heard her say was; "Go! Please….. if I talk to you he'll know! I don't want to make him mad again, please"….. she had to strain her trained ears to hear.
Uhura was sure this was to make sure no one else could hear her words. She opened her mouth to respond to what she had been told when the girl suddenly tensed up. "Thank you. I hope you enjoy your purchase, please stop by again." said the girl with a noticeably fake smile and she dropped her eyes.
Why did she just say that? Uhura thought slightly confused by her rigid body language and bowed head. Then she felt a hand on her shoulder which she thought was just McCoy as he often did that to her and paid it no mind. The noises of stalls being dismantled for the day were becoming more pronounced and meant that Uhura had to use more volume each time she spoke to the girl.
The child had started packing up like Uhura wasn't even there. Caught up in her thoughts she hadn't realised that McCoy's arm was still on her shoulder and it was rather annoying and intrusive even for him. Sometimes he doesn't act the gentleman, more like the captain in his younger days.
"Really doctor I…" she stopped as she had turned and was looking at a man that was definitely not the doctor. A hand flew over her mouth and she dropped the bag with her new purchases to free her hand. The assailants other hand went around her waist and began to pull her strongly towards an alley some metres away. What alarmed Uhura was that she couldn't see the doctor and that everyone that could see her didn't even seem to raise an eyebrow at the site.
The man was wearing all dark colours, navy maybe. He had boots, the heavy duty ones with laces, they too were dark. Above one eye he had a scar which was long and old. Ratty shoulder length dark hair. He smelled horrible -like someone that needed a bath.
She tried to scream but through the hand over her mouth and the noise she couldn't even hear it herself. She tried to bite him and he pulled a dagger from his belt and held it flush against her cheek. As he had to take the hand off her mouth Uhura yelled for the doctor but only got three of the letters out before it was replaced roughly by the one that had been around her waist. The blade was back at her throat.
"Give me your money!" he growled.
Meanwhile his daughter who had been witness to this offence many times and knew what would happen knew that she to do something. This wasn't right. He had never killed but even at her age she figured it would only be a matter of time with his temper.
She's not like the others. She knew I was here. Talked to me like a person. She seems to care. I can't let him hurt her - I can't! She called out for someone, a doctor? She scanned the surrounding market area. Wait, his uniform is kinda like her….I hope this is him. Even if he was going to hurt her for this she had to help the nice lady in red.
In the alley Uhura was still fighting despite the daggers constant pressure on her throat. His gross breath hot on her face. Getting feed up with her resistance he used the dagger to rip the collar back on her formal tunic top; she was between him and the wall. He kept pushing her into it, harder and harder. Her back ached from the bricks. It was hurting her but she would not back down. But as the minutes ticked by without any one coming to her aid she grew worried.
The girl had limped as fast as she could over to the man in blue. He was calling out a name, hopefully the name of the woman in red as he was looking up and down isles of dismantling stalls. I never shoulda left her alone. Jim is gonna have my guts for garters. Where is she?
"The lady like you, red shirt, alley, help her! Quickly, he'll hurt her bad mister!" she said.
"Shit!" He gave the mystery panting girl Jim's vase and high tailed it to the alley she had pointed to as fast as his old bones would carry him.
Uhura was scratching and clawing which seemed to make him more determined. Son of a bitch! McCoy saw red.
He right hooked the monster of a man from behind who let Uhura go and faced the person that had hit him. McCoy was shorter and of lesser build, phaser less and wondered if he could handle what he'd taken on. First do no harm be damned, he attacked Uhura. This is for the Enterprise! He side stepped as the guy tried to get one back at him with a thrust of the dagger. Then McCoy kicked him in the knee and he let out a scream. Take that you slimy perverted bastard. Then he pulled his arm back at a painful angle until the dagger hit the ground with a clunk.
"Don't mess with any of StarFleet - you mess with all of us. You sick, sad bastard!" Uhura said as she straitened up. With the man still on the ground she kicked him in the ribs twice before McCoy held her back. The thing had passed out and was bleeding from the punch McCoy gave his jaw.
"Easy, I know what he did but I don't want to patch him up and if ya'll keep kickin' I may have to do just that okay? Shhh, I'm right here," and he embraced her shaking form.
Uhura told Bones about the girl and he told her that's why he had found her.
Uhura looked into his baby blues. "She knew he'd hurt her and she still saved me from that…that..we can't leave her here! He'll hurt her again. He's her father, doctor."
"Hey, you're alright now, stop them tears. Thata girl. Now I don't think she should stay with a father like him either. Right now he's out for the count but I'm worried about you too darlin'. Don't lie to me now. Are you okay?" His southern accent always asserted itself when he was emotional.
"I think so doctor. I just…you timing was my saving grace," she smiled at him as she re-buttoned her tunic top with shaking hands. "I can't stop thinking about her. What he'll do when he's conscious again. I grew up in a home like that. I know what it's like."
I had no idea, does explain why she wants to put the kid first though Bones thought. His piercing blue eyes watery in that instance.
"Now I won't lie to you, from what I've read and Spock told me about the planet and its history a 'police establishment' is non-existent. Current Government probably won't make one, lose too many voters. Politics eh? Its people like the kid who get screwed over. Crime statistics don't exist but I'll wager that they would be like Earth was in the late 1990's. Come on, I'll help you get outta here. Lean on me, you're in shock and that's no wonder. And don't argue I'm the doctor." Supporting some of her weight they left the alley. Nyota was still breathing hard, slightly shaking in McCoy's support.
"Doctor, there she is," he followed where she was pointing; sure enough the kid was packing up like nothing had happened. The marketplace was almost empty and notably quieter.
He took a few steps towards her when his communicator chirped. "Kirk to McCoy." he sighed "McCoy here Jim."
"Bones, is Uhura with you? I can't raise her on her comm?"
He looked over his shoulder to the lady in the red tunic with mascara all down her cheeks. "Yes Jim, on our way back now." Jim is gonna kill me and ask questions later.
"Better late than never Bones. Kirk out." He continued the few steps to where the girl was. "Excuse me Miss? Thank you for helping me and my friend, you were very brave."
The young girl looked up at him. Her eyes so much a reflection of his. "I'm not brave," she sad sombrely "Now he'll hurt me. But I couldn't let him hurt the lady; your friend was nice to me. She didn't pretend I wasn't there. It made a nice change."
Bones thought about what she had told him. "You can't stay here alone and from what I've seen so far it isn't safe," and he held out his large hand. The girl took a moment and hesitantly put her tiny one in it.
"Where are we going? Am I in trouble?" Fear evident in her voice.
Good Lord, what did he do to this kid? I believe in stranger danger but this is unbelievable."You are far from in trouble, miss. We-" he motioned to Uhura who was walking a few paces ahead "- would like to thank you properly for your assistance. Is that okay?" he knelt down to her level with a crack of his aging knees. Damn, her eyes are like Joanna's.
"Alright mister, just please don't hurt me okay?" she cast her eyes to Uhura.
Bones wanted to sigh but held it inside."I, we, won't hurt ya, promise. Come on," They caught up to Uhura and trekked back to the Government buildings. Why can't I think of anything to say? Normally everyone is telling me to shut up. I wonder how Uhura is deep down, that must have freaked her right out.
During the walk back the girl got one of Uhura's hands and one of the doctors. Maybe if I stay quiet they will forget me and I can go away with them. They are not from here, the clothes are wrong. I wonder where they are from? Anywhere is better than here. Just stay quiet and keep smiling.
The trio rounded the corner Jim had watched Uhura and Bones disappear around when he had been in the café with Scotty. All the other officer's eyes went straight to the girl and she began to worry even more.
Who are they? Why are they staring at me, and who is the one that's coming over?
Who is she? "Uhura, Bones. Who is this?" he asked as the girl hid behind Bones. The question took Bones by surprise to and he takes a few seconds to decide how best to answer.
Uhura walked closer and Jim eyes her, "What happened to you? Bones?"
Scotty takes Uhura aside and talks to her as Spock joins the group around the girl. That one has funny ears and he's green, he looks funny. I hope he isn't mean.
"Well….Jim this is wait I don't know her name." Bones said after a pause.
"Doctor, you don't know her name and she is hiding behind you?" Spock inquired.
"It's a long story Spock. I'll ask her then I'll tell you'se the whole story okay? Go and see if Uhura is okay so ya don't freak her out more," and he turned and knelt before her.
Spock went and listened to Uhura tell her side of the story, tears and all. Scotty was noticeably enraged. Spock asked her a few questions after she told him that Leonard got the monster and Scotty said "He's damned lucky it was the doc and not me!"
Through a gentle approach McCoy had gotten the girl to tell him her name was Lily. She got agitated every time Jim asked her something and wouldn't answer him. Bones asked her to stay there for a moment so he could talk to the Captain and she hesitantly agreed.
Captain? That doesn't sound good. I know there talking about me.
Spock came over to Jim and Bones, Lily wandered over to Uhura, the nice lady in red. Scotty was still at her side, also in red but with pants like the doctor's. "I believe owe you a thanks young lady," She looked at him. What a funny voice.
"Are you okay? I got to your friend as fast as I could." Uhura pulled her into a hug and whispered "Thank you." Lily smiled. Scotty walked to the gathering of Jim, Bones and Spock and let Uhura and Lily have a moment.
"I told you Jim, she told me where Uhura was even though she knew she'd cop it from him later. She is very brave and I and possibly Uhura from the look of them over there won't leave her to take it".
Kirk sighed; as much as he loathed the next words he would say he was the Captain. "We can talk to the Government but we all know that they most likely won't do a thing….. What about StarFleet? What are you going to do Bones, just ignore the Prime Directive? Damn it Bones!"
"Captain, she did help save Uhura. I think we should at least try," Scotty threw his opinion in.
"I agree with Scotty, come on Jim, we both know you've bent the rules from time to time. Kobyashi Maru anyone?" Bones shot back at Jim.
"There is no need for sarcasm Doctor. Though it is a hard decision ultimately we have to complete this mission successfully for the good of the Federation," Spock said.
McCoy's face was adorned with a frown. "I'll not be a part of anything on this planet! What he's done to her that I know of - and I am sure there is more- is illegal! Damn it Jim! She's what 10? How can you live with yourself if we leave her! You too Spock!" His voice was gaining volume and starting to attract the attention of the two man security team a few metres away.
"Okay, okay Bones. You beam her up and document any bruises or injuries. Scotty get a security team to beam down and pick up her father. I'll go into the conference with Spock. Uhura can stay with us, I'd like to keep an eye on her and you'll have your hands full Bones," Kirk ordered. StarFleet will be mad as hell about this. Damn it Bones, she's just a child and I can't stand by knowing what will happen to her.
Kirk, Spock and Uhura walked back into the Government conference room. McCoy talked to Lily while Scotty called two more redshirts down and when they materialised it scared Lily.
You banana brain! She's never seen a transporter let alone used one. "Lily, I'm a doctor. My name is Leonard McCoy but you can call me Bones. We are going to go up to the Enterprise. It's a ship in space, it's my home." He paused to let her soak in what he'd said so far.
" I am going to give you a check-up, okay? Nothing to worry about," Was that for her or me? "Hold my hand and close your eyes. That's it. Hold my hand and when we get there I'll show you the whole ship".
Lily shuddered and McCoy picked up on it straight away.
"I know It's a lot to take in but you're really brave and doing great," he gave her hand a squeeze. He comm-ed the transporter chief and the next thing Lily knew he told her to open her eyes and she was in a strange room.
"This is the transporter room but we'd better get to sick bay as I don't know how long the Captain will be,"
Lily shivered at that name, captain, but followed Bones around the strange new environment. When they reached the sick bay so many people had stared at her. They know that I don't belong here, they can see I don't deserve this.
"Welcome to my domain. Take a seat on the bed. Okay, before we start I want you to know that if you feel scared at any time I'll stop okay?" Upon he nervous nod he continued.
"I need to use this camera to take photos to use as evidence," she seemed to be confused by the last word and donned a lost look.
"Um, to show what happened to you? Does that make sense?" she nodded. "Okay, let me look at those wrists…..".
Snap, snap went the camera. And so an hour later the exam was over. Only once had she asked him to stop and at that point he introduced her to Christine who took over.
"No signs of sexual abuse doctor," Bones sighed in relief, at least that hadn't happened.
"X-rays showed multiple fractures on the legs and arms. Jesus Chris, who does that to a kid?" She put her hand on his shoulder. "I don't know - evil people. She is very underweight for her age too."
Tell me about it, she's like a leaf. "Put in a portable drip please and tell her that I'll be right back."
Nurse Christine Chapel nodded and set about carrying out the Doctor's request. McCoy closed the door to his office before he contacted Jim. "McCoy to Kirk."
"Kirk here, what is it Bones?"
"Good and bad news Jim. More breaks and fractures than even you have but there was no sexual abuse evident. How are things down there going?" Bones asked.
"You were right. Government won't help us or her. Likely to return her to her father's care." He heard Bones curse politics. "Spock is going to search for records of her family now. Do you now her last name? Then he can talk to 'Fleet". But we both know what they'll say – no interference.
"I will ask her Jim. She did very well. She's a brave kid."
"I know that Bones. Risked her safety for a stranger. Kirk Out".
McCoy exited his office and walked over to the bio bed where Lily had a portable drip hooked up to her arm. "Sorry about that but you need it to be strong. Let's go for a walk around. I need to ask you another question if that's okay?"
"Okay Bones. Christine is really nice," Lily said as he gently lifted her off the bio bed careful not to pull the IV from her arm.
He smiled. Around you she is, me hah! He guided her from sickbay towards the rec room. I can play Uno or something while we go over family. So he set about teaching Lily to play Uno. Chekov joined them and as he was closer to her age they seemed to get along very well indeed. Hell, maybe she fancies him? There's only a decade or about that age difference between them.
End of Chapter one.
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