Title: Cancer
Rating: PG-13(?)
Pairings – I'm not 100% sure yet, but almost definitely Chekov/Sulu and maybe some Spirk or something if I can fit it in.
A/N: I have never had this disease, or known anyone with this type of cancer, so all of my information comes from Wikipedia. If I have something wrong, don't flame, but tell me so I can fix it. This takes place a year after the movie, so Chekov is approaching the age of 19. Enjoy!
Warnings: Some language (Mostly by Bones), eventual slash (DLDR, ok?), and serious themes.
Disclaimer: I wish I owned Star Trek. 'Specially Chekov!!
Sulu was frozen in shock as the young Russian fell from his seat. Kirk, of course, sprung into action.
"Captain Kirk to Med Bay! Captain Kirk to Med Bay! Get to the bridge now; I repeat, get to the bridge NOW," he yelled into his communicator, switching quickly into authoritative mode.
Within seconds, Dr. McCoy was rushing in, Nurse Chapel not far behind him. "What happened?!" he barked. Then he saw Chekov. He took in a sharp breath and rushed over.
Sulu finally found his voice. "H-he just…p-passed out, sir." Bones nodded and easily scooped up the navigator. He grimaced at how light the younger man was. A nineteen-year-old boy of his height should not be at this weight. He carried Chekov to the med bay, leaving a still-gaping Sulu behind.
_/*\_
Bones sat at his desk, his face buried in his hands. He had brought the kid up to the sickbay to run some tests. He was not pleased with what he had found. He vaguely heard a voice at the door.
"Bones?" It was Jim's voice, "Didja find out anything?" McCoy couldn't make his mouth move. He grunted in response. Jim opened the door and came in. He looked worried now.
"What's wrong? Is the kid gonna be alright?" Jim looked at him with not-so-quiet anticipation. Bones grunted again. Jim crossed his arms and began to look more worried.
"Bones. Tell me what's up. Now. Captain's orders." He looked impatient, and Bones didn't want to cross him any further. He sighed.
"I ran a couple o' MRIs, Jim. The kid's got a tumor the size of a golf ball on his brain stem. There's no way I could remove it surgically without damaging him further," he said, his voice hitched. Jim just stared at him, eyes wide.
"Shut yer mouth, Jim. You look like a damn fish," the joke was half-hearted, and Jim didn't smile. He did shut his mouth. They sat in silence for a while before Jim spoke again, his voice hoarse and strained.
"Has he woken up yet?" he asked.
Bones shook his head. "Nah, I gave him a mild sedative. He won't be awake for a an hour or so." Jim nodded. They were silent for a while longer until Jim finally voiced the question that had been screaming in his mind since Bones told him.
"Is it…you know…" he trailed off, scared to find out the answer.
"Cancerous? I dunno. The readout hasn't printed out yet. God, I hope not. Poor kid…" Bones once again buried his face in his hands. "You know, you're going to have to tell his family."
"What?" Jim's eyes widened. "Why me? Why can't you do it?"
"You're the Captain, Jim. It's in your job description." Now it was Jim's turn to bury his face in his hands. They sat like that, silently grieving for their friend for a while. Every once and a while, Bones would look through the window to the conjoined med bay at Chekov and sigh. Soon, they heard a whirring sound.
Bones's voice was choked and quiet. "That'll be the test results. You wanna look at it or do you want me to?"
Jim was quiet for a minute. Then, "You do it." McCoy nodded solemnly. He walked over to the printer and pulled a single sheet of paper out. He looked at it for a moment then sighed and squeezed his eyes shut, letting a single tear flow down his cheek.
Jim already knew the answer, but he had to ask. If he didn't, he would still fell this lie of false hope. "What does it say?"
"Positive."
_/*\_
A/N – Well, wasn't that angsty? Sorry for the lack of Chekov. There'll be more of him next chapter. Reviews make me happy! Also – cliffy! Yay! One other thing – thnkyouthankyouthankyou for all my reviews and story watches! I feel so special!