Disclaimer: Star Trek is not mine.

Life time

Spock entered the sickbay, his hands at their usual position behind his back as he watched the doctor drew blood from a heavily sedated, tied on the bed Khan.

"Considering the success of my experiment with the dead tribble and possibly, that of Jim, I'm not gonna pass up this opportunity," Bones answered defensively as his actions might seem illogical to the Vulcan.

"You are drawing blood to make different types of serum?"

"Hell yeah. If Khan's blood can really revive an already necrotic tissue then imagine what it could do to a live one!"

Spock nodded his head, his face remained impassive as a thought that occurred to him before recurred once again. Speaking slowly, he inquired, "Can you use Khan's blood to make a serum for a specific purpose, doctor?"

Bones grunted his agreement, busy with his hands as he injected at another site on the sedated man's arm, drawing more blood and automatically putting it in a canister that would prevent it from clotting.

"Can you make a serum that will make someone's life extend to decades more?" Spock questioned nonchalantly, hands still behind his back.

Bones lifted his head to glance at the taller Vulcan. Dropping his gaze back down to his work, he tried to fish. "Your type already live far longer than the rest of us which by the way is damn unfair so why would you need a genetically enhanced serum to add more years to your cold, overbearing li—"

"It's not for me," Spock interrupted.

"It's for Lieutenant Uhura then," Bones supplied.

"Yes," the affirmation was clipped.

"I'll be damned," Bones muttered under his breath, louder he added, "Why is that, Spock? Afraid to be left alone for the remainder of your life?"

It was inevitable that Spock would outlive Nyota and the probability was rather high that he would see that look in her eyes similar to the ones that his mother, captain Pike and then Jim, just days ago, had as they succumbed to their death. He did not relish seeing the look in Nyota's eyes and the effort that it would take to suppress the emotions that would definitely follow. If such a state could be delayed then it was logical to inquire regarding it.

Spock inclined his head, still contemplating the best possible way to answer the doctor's question without admitting all.

After a moment, when the pause stretched far longer than normal, Bones relented, "Forget it," he muttered.

"The serum?" Spock asked, a slight edge of panic lacing his voice, thankfully Doctor McCoy didn't seem to pick it up.

"Not that. Your answer to whether you are afraid or not—the answer is obvious anyway."

"Then you will try to make the serum."

"Already on it."

"Thank you, doctor," Spock said and turned to leave.

"Spock."

The Vulcan pivoted around and faced the doctor once more. "Yes?"

"When Uhura's family and friends are dead and all she have left is you...do you think she won't get lonely?"

"I will leave the choice to her," answered Spock, revealing that he had already contemplated that part. "I will just have to convince her that I will endeavor to be by her side always."

And since Vulcans do not lie, Bones quipped, "Then she will be reassured, I think." He then went back to his work and dismissed the commander.

—o0o—

~11 5 13 AF P~