Later in the day, McCoy was testing his foot that Hobbs had reset. It was still sore to move, but he could tell that it was healing. He lifted his shirt to examine his ribs. It was harder to breathe after the beating he had taken earlier and the phaser shot from three days ago, and McCoy could tell he had at least one cracked rib.

Hobbs entered the room as he was trying to peel the bandages back. "What are you doing?"

"I'm checking the burn on my side." McCoy kept his eyes on his task.

"You don't trust that I can properly clean a phaser wound and wrap it?" Hobbs asked, stepping foward.

"No offense, sweetheart, but I'm a Chief Medical Officer and I'm pretty sure I have more training than you." McCoy glanced in her direction then peeled off the last of the bandage.

"I told you not to call me sweetheart." Hobbs went to the cabinet and pulled out her medical supplies. She threw the bag at McCoy, who was surprised by the force. "And it is just like a man to throw his title around."

"I'm not throwing my title around. I'm just stating a fact." He looked through the bag to find the supplies he needed.

"A fact that was meant to make me feel inferior. I know how you Starfleet types are. 'I'm entitled to everything because I passed a few classes and got a piece paper that says so'." Hobbs huffed in frustration.

McCoy forgot his task for a moment and surveyed the woman in front of him. "How do you know so much about Starfleet?"

"Do you listen to anything besides the sound of your own voice!" She threw her hands up in annoyance. "I'm not some alien who's keeping you hostage. I'm a prisoner just like you." She turned and left him alone once again.

McCoy furrowed his brow as he comprehended her words. He thought she was working for the natives keeping him hostage, not locked up like he was. Thinking over the encounter earlier today, they had treated her like a prisoner, and he had misread the situation. It wasn't the first-time McCoy had been oblivious to something.

He was attempting to wrap his ribs after cleaning them, but he couldn't hold the bandage and wrap it around his torso at the same time. Instead, he found something that looked like gauze and placed it over his burn before using skin tape to hold it down. He pulled his shirt back down and tried to resettle himself on the cot.

A few hours passed without Hobbs returning to check on McCoy. He was enjoying the silence but the overwhelming hunger and thirst he felt kept him from a good night's sleep. Realizing she wasn't going to check in – at least not tonight – McCoy did his best to think of anything except the exasperating woman avoiding him.


Approaching the edge of the cliff above the small community where Bones was being kept, Kirk and Spock lowered themselves to the ground to avoid being detected. Kirk used a set of binoculars to examine the community below. The river split the community in two, but bridges spanned the water to allow easy access to the other side. Military figures paced the river and guarded the bridges. Kirk noticed that only guards were outside near the river, while the families were in the caves lining the walls of the canyon.

Kirk handed the binoculars to Spock to allow him to take a look. Spock scanned the canyon quickly. "It seems nonmilitary personnel are kept inside their caves during the night." Spock observed.

"They're being kept as prisoners." Kirk replied. He took back the binoculars and switched to thermal view. Scanning again, Kirk could see hundreds of people within the walls of the canyon. "How are we going to find Bones?" He questioned.

"Mr. Chekov said the signal could potentially be off by 20 meters. Dr. McCoy must be in a centralized location so they can keep an eye on him." Spock was silent for a moment then spoke again. "Captain, we do not have the firepower to execute a rescue mission at this time."

"Spock, I told you. We're only doing recon." Kirk avoided the Vulcan's gaze.

"Forgive me, Captain, but I have served with you long enough to recognize when a bad idea enters into your mind."

"What are you talking about?" Kirk shook his head.

"I am merely expressing my concern for our safety and the safety of Dr. McCoy." Spock raised an eyebrow and Kirk got the hint.

"Fine. We'll go back to the Enterprise and watch from there until we can form a rescue." Kirk stood slowly and Spock joined him.

"I believe that to be the first time you have listened to me." Spock said.

"Don't let it go to your head." Kirk sighed as he started back toward the rendezvous point. They took off for the safe point where Chekov had beamed them down to the surface. Kirk was hoping Bones was surviving his injuries and keeping his temper in check, but, most of all, Kirk was hoping to return Bones to the Enterprise before it was too late.


Early the next morning, Hobbs was tying her long hair in her usual braid down her back. She was slightly less angry at her annoying patient, but his attitude almost made her want the guards to kill him: almost. Honestly, she had enjoyed his company, beside his reluctance to let her help him and his maddening nickname, he was at least someone to talk to, even if she was yelling.

Deciding she had ignored him enough, Hobbs entered the main room of her prison to find McCoy still passed out on his cot. She predicted his ankle would be nearly healed enough to allow him to walk again; he would need to be in order to get away.

Going to the cabinet of food, she picked out some things to begin making breakfast. Working as quietly as possible, Hobbs tried not to wake McCoy. She was turning the meat when she heard him move on his cot. Hobbs looked over to see McCoy trying to sit up and position himself to face her. His head rested against the wall and he eyed her from his spot across the room.

Without a word, Hobbs put the food on the plate and walked it over to him. She set it on the stool before speaking. "You need to eat something."

McCoy glanced at the plate of food, then returned to leaning his head against the wall. "No, thanks."

"As your doctor, I advise you to eat something," she turned around to get a cup of water from the basin, "but as the unfortunate person currently charged with caring for you, go ahead, be a stubborn ass." Hobbs crossed her arms.

"You're not my doctor." McCoy grumbled, turning his face away.

"Oh really? Because, as I remember it, I am treating your wounds and caring for you. Kind of like a doctor." Hobbs tilted her head, waiting for a reply.

McCoy huffed in frustration. "Why are you so irritating?" He faced her now.

"I could ask you the same question, doctor," emphasizing the last word, Hobbs stood her ground. McCoy's eyes hardened at her comment.

She rolled her eyes and faced away from him for a second to gain her composure. When she was sure she could talk to him without losing her temper, Hobbs faced him again. "You are right. I am not technically a doctor, but I was in the middle of my internship before I ended up here." McCoy seemed to want to question her, but she cut him off. "But, I have years of medical training, same as you, yet, you don't see me as a doctor. Just because I'm not a CMO does not mean I am any less qualified than you."

McCoy held onto his defiant expression, but it slowly faded from his face. "You're right." McCoy said softly.

"I'm sorry. What was that?" Hobbs smirked at him.

"I said you were right. Dammit girl, you never let up." McCoy responded.

"Only because I know you can handle it," smiled Hobbs. She was about to turn back to the makeshift kitchen, when she saw him wince. "You okay?"

"Never better, Doctor Hobbs." He answered through gritted teeth, his eyes shut tight.

Hobbs reached out to feel his forehead. His skin was cold to the touch and covered in a sheen of sweat. She then felt his pulse which was beating rapidly in his chest. Suddenly it dawned on her.

"Dammit, McCoy! You're going into to shock." Pulling up his shirt, Hobbs removed the gauze pad to check the burn on his side – the flesh red and swollen, oozing clear liquid. Forcing one of his eyelids open, she saw that his eye was dry, red, and irritated. "You're dehydrated."

"Some doctor you are," he scoffed, "you ignored your only patient for twelve hours." His body began to slump against the wall, telling her he was going to pass out.

"Hey, wake up, jackass. I need you to drink this." Hobbs placed the cup of water to his lips and made him drink.

"That won't be enough." McCoy reminded her tiredly, slowly sinking to the cot.

"I know that, idiot, but it's a start." She noticed him going deeper into sleep. "Come on. Stay with me, Leonard. You're not this weak. Prove me wrong."

Hobbs guided his head to the pillow as he passed out completely. "Sleep easy, Leonard." But he was lost to the conscious world.


A/N: So my OC FINALLY has a name! Sorry to keep you guys in the dark :) Let me know what you think