Hey! Chapter three here! Hope you enjoy it~


"I'll see you tomorrow, Bones." Lillian said, smiling, as she headed to her room.

McCoy watched her go, his face unreadable. The dinner was worth a repeat experience, yet he couldn't get the problem out of his mind. It had definitely dampened the mood- nothing like a life-threatening issue to kill the moment.

"Forget it," He sighed, going into his room. Staring at the white walls, he wished that he had something to hang up, or at least some paint to color the walls. He missed his old quarters. At least there he could relax while not working, unlike here, where he remained uptight and grouchy.

Showering, he relaxed in the water, letting the heat soak into him. All in all, he thought, the day wasn't so bad. Given time, he would get used to it, though he doubted he would like it as much as Starfleet wanted him too. His soul was still on the Enterprise, where it belonged- he only hoped he could get back to it in time before he lost it completely.

Throwing on a bathrobe, he went over to the small computer that was provided to see what his current job was. Since he had skimmed over it that morning, he missed the finer details.

After reading, he realized it was pretty much the same work required of him on the Enterprise. Every week, he had to turn in a report over events, progress, and team productivity, as well as his team's individual reports. He could also transfer team members, request others to join his team, or switch studies (He had no desire to do any of these). So long as he listened to his division leader's orders and turned in his reports, he had it relatively easy.

I wonder if I could recommend people for promotion, He wondered. Already he had seen several dedicated, hard-working researchers who deserved a break. Deciding he would provide breakfast for everyone at a later date should they continue their current work ethic (at least generated food didn't require effort to make), he changed into his sleepwear and quickly fell into a light, if not restless, sleep.

Pale skin, shallow breaths, bloodshot eyes- as he raised a shaking hand to cradle the small body to him, his heart bled in sorrow. He shouldn't be seeing this. This shouldn't be happening. She still had so much life ahead of her- her whole life- and she shouldn't be dying.

In the room next door, Trisha was sobbing. She had been doing that a lot lately- his eyes had remained dry. No matter what, he couldn't bring himself to cry… why couldn't he show compassion? This wasn't just some random patient who he was operating on. No, this was his daughter… his tiny, frail, six-month-old daughter, who was dying because he couldn't save her.

Why couldn't he cry?

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Lillian wasn't expecting to be up so early, but then again, it wasn't the first time it had happened. Ever since Janna had disappeared after being Chosen, she hadn't been sleeping well. Her best friend, gone, just like that… the sweetest, smartest, most inventive person she had ever known, gone. She couldn't get her scared, shocked look out of her mind when Janna received that letter… fists tightening, she took a breath. "Calm down." She muttered. "There's nothing you can do. You failed to hear her warning the first time- but now you can do something."

As she tugged on her white lab coat over the required blue-and-silver outfit, she had to wonder if she was right to include Doctor McCoy- Bones, she reminded herself- in her private crusade. He had struck her as a guy who would do anything to protect those he cared for and anyone who was mistreated, but first appearances had blinded her before. She had wound up in this place because of that- trusting another person to take care of her, when all they were concerned about was their personal gain. Scowling, she tugged harshly on her hair to get it into a messy side-bun and checked the time.

Thirty minutes till she had to report, the clock told her, glaring at her with red eyes. Frowning, she slowed down in her morning process, taking more time than necessary to check her files, review the previous day's work, and feed her pet tribble, Juniper. The fuzzy cream-colored animal purred as she poured in the grain- wiggling over to its breakfast, it promptly began eating. Knowing the amount would keep it satisfied for the rest of the day, Lillian left to get her own breakfast.

As she mechanically ate her oatmeal, she noticed her new boss stumble into the cafeteria, looking the worse for wear. She could tell he hadn't slept a wink- after all, she had that same exact look for a while after Janna disappeared.

Waving him over to the table she was at, she winced as he almost tripped over the chair. "I take it you had a rough night?" She asked.

He nodded. "It was too quiet. I'm used to the sound of the engines and whatnot; can't believe I'd actually miss the things. Damn it, Scotty's gotten to me again." As he struggled to prevent a yawn, she asked, "Who's Scotty?"

"The chief engineer; He's always prattling about something-or-other that the Enterprise is capable of. He's married to the ship, that's for sure. Doesn't take a genius to figure that out," He snorted. After a pause, he said, "He does have a point though. Everyone who serves aboard the Enterprise falls for it in one way or another. If I didn't know any better, I'd swear it's a living organism."

"You must really miss it," She said softly.

"Yeah. I really do," He replied, staring at his plate. Suddenly he wasn't hungry. Forcing himself to take another bite, he said, "You don't look to good yourself."

Lillian shrugged. "Woke up too early, that's all. It'll wear off by noon."

McCoy raised an eyebrow, but didn't bother responding. Lillian had her secrets, just like he had his. For all his sarcasm and apparent unfeeling exterior, he knew when not to pry into someone's personal life. Changing the subject, he asked, "How are your experiments going?"

"No results. I've already been through half my section, and nothing."

"What are you testing for, anyway?"

"The cause of mental underdevelopment in Andorians. It doesn't help that their molecular structure is different from ours- even though they are carbon-based life forms like us, their DNA is more complicated. There is twice as many pairings, and the coding is longer. Forget the rule that governs our bonding in DNA- theirs is a mess. I swear, it amazes me that they can even exist."

As she complained, McCoy allowed himself to listen to her. It provided excellent distraction from last night's nightmare- a nightmare that had resurfaced sporadically ever since Nero had attacked.

Cutting her off after a while, he said, "We need to get to the lab. Need me to get your tray?"

"No-I've got it." She said, blinking. "I'm sorry. I didn't mean to bore you."

He shook his head. "Not at all. You have some interesting insight into the whole matter." He had especially liked it when she declared the whole system of Andorian anatomy could go to hell- he had uttered that phrase many times when studying Vulcan anatomy. Spock had only made some snide comment about how it was due to its complexity that others failed to kill him the first time. McCoy reluctantly agreed. If his heart wasn't where the liver was supposed to be, his liver somewhere around the kidney area and the kidneys in front of the heart, the stab wound he had gotten two months ago would have killed him. Luckily, the only thing the villain managed to puncture was muscle, so Spock had recovered without severe damage, though he had been walking around with bandages for quite some time.

Entering the lab, he noticed that, once again, he was the last person to enter besides Lillian. Wondering just how early they got up, he said, "Let's get to work. Reports are due in three days, so you'd better get cracking."

Dutifully, they did as they were told. Getting his own sample, McCoy began running tests on finding the cause of Vulcan Repression- or, in other words, the cause of just how they were able to stay so calm and collected. Though McCoy knew that they were just excellent at meditating and controlling themselves, it was one thing to try to tell the one responsible for the initial order and another to actually hand in a gigantic stack of negative results. He was rather looking forward to bombarding someone with paperwork.

Working diligently, he stopped every hour and a half to take a quick work around the lab to see the progress of his team. Sometimes he made corrections and gave help, but mostly he walked by without a word. The only sound besides his footsteps was the whirring of machines- if he concentrated hard enough, he could pretend they were the Enterprise's engines for a few seconds.

After checking on the fifteen or so people who were in the room, he returned to his station, staring at the vial in his hands. To think he held part of the very coding that made Vulcans the way they were- it unnerved yet excited him. So much could go wrong, yet so much could go right. The possibilities were endless.

Shaking himself from his reverie, he put the vial in the machine, watching as it went to work. Within seconds the entire code was written before his eyes, and he had to scoff at the idea that, once, this was hand-written. He proceeded to continue the tests.

After mind-numbing repetition, McCoy stumbled out of the lab to catch dinner. Once again he missed lunch- perhaps he should have brought a sandwich along with him. Going to the cafeteria, he noticed Lillian fell into step beside him.

"How'd it go?" she asked.

"Same. No result. You?"

"Nothing. I'm starting to think they want to bore us," She said. Yawning, Lillian gave a half-hearted wave to another researcher who passed them in the hall. "Can you tell me more of your starship over dinner? I'll need to know all there is to know for when I win our bet."

"Don't get cocky just yet," He growled. "It's only been two days since I've been here."

She grinned. "Two days or two weeks, it doesn't matter. I'm going to win."

Grumbling, he followed her into the cafeteria. Selecting steak and beans, he inhaled the aroma before joining Lillian at the table they had occupied the day before. "So, what do you want to know?"

"Everything. What's the Captain like? The first officer? Who's your best friend? How many people serve aboard it?" Her eyes were bright and eager, reminding him of a child at a zoo. She confused him- at times, she could be serious and focused, at others, childish and naïve. Leaning back in his chair, he knew it was going to be a long conversation.

"There are about 450 people aboard, though Jim- the Captain- would know the exact number. I know there are 89 people in medical alone, though that number fluctuates depending on the new members assigned to the station…"

She listened as he went on, his stories and descriptions fascinating her. Life aboard a starship was like a dream to her- pretty to imagine, but near impossible to reach.

It was near midnight when they finally stopped, realizing the time and yawning. "Where's your room?" McCoy asked, drowsy. He didn't want her to walk through the hallways at night- wait a minute. Why was he so concerned about that anyway?

"Building B-6," She said. "Right next door to yours."

"Hm. That's convenient. Mind if I walk you back, dear lady?" It didn't matter what the real initiative was, anyway- he had decided he liked spending time with her.

She grinned. "Not at all, kind sir."

They stepped outside, McCoy noticing that the planet's two moons lit up the night adequately enough for them to see. Firefly-like insects darted about, flashing among the coarse grass and pale, tightly closed flowers that inhabited the planet. Somewhere an owl hooted; a mouse squeaked in the bushes, darting for cover. It reminded him of the Academy gardens; sometimes he would take a stroll to clear his mind, or to find a new sleeping area when Jim had brought a bed partner back with him.

As they walked to Lillian's room, he asked, "So, this whole thing about the Choosing- who issues the command?"

The young intern frowned. "No one really knows. His name is Professor Hunter, but no one's ever seen him. He works in the Testing and Replications Lab part time, and is Commander Gordo's personal assistant the other. His lab is supposedly the most advanced, and only the best researchers work there. The 'Choosing' is supposedly the permission to join him, but… they are never seen again. No one even knows who his assistants are... Or where they are now."

This made him think. "Perhaps they're in a different building?"

"No- the only buildings with living quarters are A-6, B-6, and C-6; A is for team leaders, B for the helpers, and C for the Division leaders. I know everyone in my building, and none of them work for Hunter."

"Where is his lab?"

"Don't know. I think it's either under the facilities or connected to Gordo's wing, but I'm not for sure." Laughing a little, she said, "It's not as if I have blueprints for this place."

McCoy wished the Enterprise was still in orbit. He could have easily called up to the ship, requesting that the scanners be used to detect underground stations- but the Enterprise and her crew were light-years away, heading to an unknown planet. Frustration boiled within him- never before had he felt so useless, so unequipped. He hadn't realized how much he had relied on his medical staff and Kirk to get the things he needed, but now he did. He wasn't just stranded- he was inept as well.

"I wish I could help you more, but right now, I can't." He said at last as her building came into view. "Right now, all I can hope for is that none of us will get chosen any time soon, and that I will be able to get on my superior's good side to find out what the hell is going on here."

She smiled, a tinge of sadness in the gesture. "I realize that. Thank you for helping, though- I feel more confident with you."

Slightly struck by her comment, yet a little smug, he replied, "I'll do the best I can."

They stopped in front of her door. Smiling, she said, "Good night, Bones. See you tomorrow."

"Yeah. See you tomorrow," He replied, watching as she entered her room. Glancing in, he noticed she, at least, had some color- a red comforter, a cage that held something he couldn't quite see, several portraits on the walls. He nodded at her as the door closed.

Sighing, he turned to go to his own room. The night suddenly didn't seem as friendly as it had before.

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"Spock to Captain Kirk."

The Vulcan's voice cut through the quiet of his room as he stared at the wall. They had reached Theron at approximately two o'clock in the morning Earth time and had to wait for the President to call them. Unable to go back to sleep, he had been in this state ever since, stuck somewhere between wakefulness and slumber.

Drowzily, he stumbled over to the intercom. "Kirk here. Did President Sopthern call?"

"Yes, sir. We are to meet with him in three hours."

"Noted. Kirk out." After ending communications, he pushed another button. "Kirk to sickbay."

"Chapel here, sir." The blonde nurse had recently joined McCoy's entourage, and as of yet had to deal with any major catastrophe. For now, she had been stuck with menial tasks. Yawning, Kirk said, "With McCoy temporarily reassigned, who has taken his place?"

There was a pause; then she replied, "Lieutenant Alandria Stephenson, sir."

"Patch her through to me."

The nurse complied, and soon a female voice came over. "Stephenson."

"Lieutenant, do you have anything that will stimulate me? I'm afraid I didn't get much sleep last night."

There was a pause. "I have some pills that will work, sir. They will work within the half hour- if I recall, they last for about twelve hours. If you need, I can provide a stronger dosage."

That made him wince; he had experience with 'stronger dosages' before, and he had been awake for three days straight. It probably had to deal with McCoy's personal revenge after that whole drink-swapping ordeal, but he wasn't ready to risk it. "I'll take the pills. Have them ready by the time I get to sickbay."

Stumbling to his closet, he pulled out his uniform and donned it, taking a second to admire himself in the mirror. Even if the current CMO was temporary, it was better to make a good impression while he had the time.

Leaving his room, Kirk made his way down to sickbay, stifling his yawns. He really was looking forward to those pills. If he wasn't going to embarrass himself, he needed them.

The new chief medical officer was waiting. At first, all Kirk saw of her was another potential fling- she was attractive. Her long, wavy chocolate hair reached to her thighs, her blue eyes the only bit of Earth sky in space. Her slim figure also proved to be the exact height as him- and her face was perfectly smooth. He was moonstruck.

Until she began speaking.

"Here are your pills, Captain. I'd advise you to take one now, so that you will be alert throughout the formalities with the President. Take another during lunch so that you can ensure your exhaustion does not show itself in any way. When you return, I firmly recommend that you relook your night shift schedule. Staying up for three days straight is not a healthy way to command, even for someone like you."

Frowning, Kirk thought, her beauty hides her thorns. "Doctor, may I ask how potent these things are? I don't want to make a fool of myself."

She raised her eyebrows. "I ensure you that, if you do show your true nature, it will be entirely your fault."

He grinned cheekily. So she did have some humor. "And what, pray, is my true nature?"

She was spared an answer when a cadet reported for his physical. Nodding briskly, Doctor Stephenson ushered him to another room. "Captain, I believe you are wanted on the bridge." She called before following her patient in. Kirk sighed. It wasn't often that he was beaten at his own game, but then again, he never backed down from a challenge. Swallowing the pill she had given him, he made a face- the taste was nasty.

After spending the rest of his time struggling into his dress uniform, complaining to anyone who would listen about said uniform, and deciding on a landing party (Spock, Uhura, and Scotty, all of whom were experts in the areas they were ordered to investigate), he finally found himself in the transporter room, ready to beam down onto a planet where everything could go right, or everything could go wrong.

"Energize."

As he felt his body being rearranged, one final thought crossed his mind- I hope I'm right.


So, what'd you think? Push that pretty green button below to let me know~......wow, I totally didn't mean to rhyme, but oh well xD