Chapter 2
Jim calmed down when he realized that Spock was afraid of him. He was deeply sorry to have increased his stress and his anguish.
His little head buried in McCoy's chest, his hands covering his ears; Spock was still sobbing.
"Bones, I'm sorry…I forgot that his ears are very sensitive and I didn't want to frighten him by shouting so loudly…Well…Given his reaction, I guess that he has no recollection of us." He added, sadly.
"None. And no control of his emotions, too. Jim, I'm sorry. As we are still in orbit around Gamma Hydra IV, I would like to study the virus that was responsible of our previous aging. I made that terrible error and I swear that I will find a cure or rather a solution."
"I hope so, Dr McCoy! To do this, you will receive all the help of the Sciences Department. It is out of question I lose my First Officer like this. And since you're the one responsible of his condition, YOU will also be the one who takes care of him!" He was calm in appearance but was still angry against McCoy. "For my part, I will ask Starfleet Command for more time to study this planet…One last thing, what happened to Spock must be kept a secret, I would not like that one thinks he has found the Fountain of Youth!" Jim Kirk added while exiting the room.
A few seconds later, Leonard was alone with baby Spock. The latter was staring at him with two dark eyes.
"Hey, did you hear him, Spock? I'm a Doctor, not a baby-sitter!" Leonard said while swaddling gently the naked baby in the black meditation robe. The latter was still touching his pointed ears, frowning. "I know…Your ears hurt you…an otitis, perhaps?"
oOOOo
Four days passed. Jim hadn't obtained any extra time. In fact, Commander Stocker was still aboard the Enterprise. The man had been extremely patient but was now eager to take his new post on Starbase 10. (See the episode "The deadly Years")
Jim had no other choice than leave the orbit of Gamma Hydra IV in order to drop the Commander to his Starbase.
However, this task completed, Jim would be free to return to the experimental colony in order to find a cure for Mister Spock… So once again, the Enterprise has to be used as a taxi! Jim thought angrily.
Meanwhile, in Sickbay, McCoy and Spock had settled down into a routine. Baby equipment and clothing for infants had been delivered in Sickbay where McCoy was living with Spock, night and day.
From his first observations, Spock was ten months old and was weighing 9 kilograms and 800 grams. He had four incisors in his mouth, two on the top and two on the bottom. He was still unable to walk on his two legs but was already moving at high speed on all fours, generally towards the exit!
"He's already trying to flee Sickbay and Dr McCoy" some crewmen said jokingly when other nurses said that "he is already exploring new worlds!"
These few days, all the medical staff was accustomed to see Spock seated without help on his activity mat or taking a nap in his crib, in McCoy's office. But it was a surprise to find that he reached out a few times in order to be hold in nurses' arms, since usually the First Officer was fleeing any physical contact.
Spock had not told his first words yet but a few nurses had heard some incomprehensible babbling when he was playing with stuffed animals…However, no smile has ever enlightened his face…
Dr McCoy did what he was ordered. He fed him with his milk bottles and other vegetable puree, and changed his diapers in addition to his research. This reminded him when he nursed his own daughter, his little Joanna.
Despite his wish that the misadventure of Spock remains secret, Jim knew that the news had spread throughout his ship. Sickbay, usually so calm, had known a high period of activity. And all of a sudden, lots of patients flocked to Sickbay, especially female crewmembers, hoping to see the Vulcan baby and his cute face!
Each time a 'patient' was coming in Sickbay, Leonard raised the eyes to heaven while Jim was …eaten up with jealousy?
Jim came one night in Sickbay, eager to hear McCoy's report and progress. He found him in his office, a small puree pot in one hand and a spoon in the other. Frowning in his high chair, Spock was spiting more than he was swallowing, carrots puree covering his bib and the ground around him! Feeding time did not seem easy.
"Damn Vulcan!" Leonard said with dark circles under the eyes.
"Uh…Hi, Bones! …A problem?" Jim asked.
"Yes! This damn Vulcan child refuses to eat! It is almost impossible to feed him! He seems to hate peas, carrots and all vegetable purees. He tolerates only a little amount of Vulcan fruits! I can't feed him with Vulcan soup, morning noon and night!" Leonard explained tiredly.
"Did you try milk?"
"Of course, I did. He drinks it but vomits almost immediately." Spock chose that moment to vomit and to cry loudly again, taking his head in his hands, he was shaking violently. Leonard reacted immediately by administering the content of a hypospray he kept near him. He took him out of his high chair and rocked Spock during a few minutes until he eventually calmed down. Leonard sighed, visibly upset.
"Bones, what happened? I know nothing about babies but his reaction is not normal...You said that he could suffer from otitis?"
"Well…It is not an otitis, Jim." He replied with a sigh.
Leonard McCoy felt so tired, having spent three days to watch over Spock while directing his research on the virus. He sat in his rocking chair, Spock in his arms and closed his eyes. Jim felt guilty. He regretted leaving his friend alone to care about the young child.
These last three days, Jim was absent. He was mourning a friend and his First Officer while Spock was still alive, alone and afraid!
Am I so selfish?
Why did he not call his parents in order to tell them what has happened to their son? …What if they had ordered his return on Vulcan? Jim would lose all chance to give him his adult size! He would lose him definitely!
I am so selfish! He thought sadly.
"Jim, there is nothing wrong with his ears. In fact, the scanner reveals a high brain activity just before these crises. This happens several times in the day and these crises are becoming more painful. This causes very intense migraines. I have to sedate him, making him groggy and nauseous. Well, I have to change his diapers and pajamas for the night now."
"Take the opportunity to sleep, Bones, you need it. I will come back tomorrow morning and will take Spock with me on the bridge!"
"Wow…Uhura and Janice Rand will be in heaven! Plus, all the women on this ship will finally leave Sickbay…"
To be continued...
