Epilogue

It was a month before they got back to Earth. It had taken a few weeks to get to the stage where they could leave the planet, a lot of the patients took time to recover, at first, still more infected arrived each day and there was no one but Chapel's little team of nurses to tend to them. Spock had attended the site of the shuttle crash and found it to be a hotbed of disease. The team who had crashed there had been taking samples from a nearby planet and the crash had dispersed the virus into the atmosphere, decontamination of the site was carried out to eliminate any further problems. Eventually though, a doctor and her team from a large settlement arrived and they were briefed and given all the equipment necessary to deal with the rest of the patients on their own. The recovering Starfleet officers were taken back on board and were able to continue their slow recovery in the comfort of their own quarters.

Leonard McCoy was relieved to be back, he knew it had taken a lot of persuading from the captain to get Starfleet to allow it, but as usual there was a catch. He wasn't in the mood for this, and he'd told Jim this in no uncertain terms, but he just smiled and said that it had been arranged by the Admiralty and there was no getting out of it. "It's just a press conference, I'll do the talking, five minutes of photos and then you're done." He promised as he watched McCoy straighten his tunic. Still, he'd felt it necessary to remind him of his disgruntlement every ten minutes right up until their shuttles touched down and they were escorted into the great hall at Starfleet Headquarters. McCoy found himself stood next to Scotty so he rolled his eyes at the engineer, assuming that of all people Scotty would be the first to agree how lame this was, but instead the man just shrugged and gave him a grin.

McCoy had only been in the great hall one time before, when recruits finished the academy they had a 'passing out' parade. It had been a long winded affair, with over seven hundred students being clapped as they appeared on stage to shake hands with the Admiralty and receive their certification and ID badges. The best bit about it had been the after party, or what McCoy's alcohol saturated brain could remember of it. This time, all he wanted was to go home and sleep for a week. He still hadn't gotten over his cough and the lasting exhaustion still tugged at his eyelids.

As he got into the hall this time, the Enterprise personnel were all shown into reserved seating at the front. Behind them were rows and rows of civilians. They didn't all look like reporters, but McCoy didn't think much of it. He chose that moment to grumble one last time at Kirk who was ushering him forward to take a seat with him in the front row. "This better not take too long." He uttered.

"Just shh and listen." Kirk replied with a smile. McCoy frowned at him, what had power done with his old roommate who'd sat at the back of his classes playing online poker, or who'd gossiped and griped all the way through the last time they'd been there.

Once everyone was seated, Commodore Paris stood up from her place amongst the Admiralty that had been seated on stage. She stood at the front and cleared her throat. "Citizens of the Federation," She addressed. "I thank you all for joining us today to celebrate as our flagship The Enterprise makes it home for some much needed rest. For over a year now they have been exploring our galaxies and have done some extraordinary things. To cover all their achievements here would take many hours, and I'm sure they must be looking forward to seeing friends and family so I do not wish to keep them too long. But I wanted to focus on an event which happened just a month ago, for when the citizens of Gharah requested their assistance with a plague our brave crew did not hesitate to act."

McCoy gave a Kirk a confused frown and Kirk just gave him that goofy grin of his back.

"Would the following officers please come on stage and receive their commendations of the highest order. Firstly I would like to commend the science officers, headed by First Officer Commander Spock for their tireless efforts to find a cure…" She began reading names off. The officers in question, all appearing as shocked as McCoy approached the stage and shook hands with the Commodore who for each in turn pinned a medal to the breast of their tunic. They were directed to shake the hand of each of the Admiralty and then to stand shoulder to shoulder on stage.

"Why didn't you tell me it was a commendation ceremony?" McCoy whispered to Kirk.

"If I had, I'm still not sure you'd come. Besides, why spoil the surprise?"

"For the nursing staff, headed by Lieutenant Christine Chapel who also worked tirelessly on the cure…" She reeled off more names. McCoy caught Chapel's eye as she headed to the stage, she blushed at him but he could tell that as embarrassed as she was about the attention, she was also excited. When the Commodore pinned her medal on and shook her hand she beamed with pride.

"For the ground team, headed by Lieutenant Doctor Geoffrey M'Benga, who risked their lives to care for the stricken and continued to work saving others when they themselves had fallen ill…." McCoy watched with sadness as the next team appeared on stage, one missing.

When the last of them had assembled with the others on the stage the Commodore turned and looked directly at McCoy. Kirk, the child that he was nudged him and winked. "And for Chief Medical Officer, Lieutenant Commander, Doctor Leonard McCoy who continued to care for the afflicted, almost until his own death by the disease, long after the rest of his team had succumbed, who I'm assured has always placed others before him. It gives me great pride to present your commendation. "

McCoy had to be nudged again before he got up and made his way to the steps to the stage, struggling and failing to contain the cough that still plagued him. When he got on stage he shook hands with the Commodore but she held his hand and wouldn't let go as she address the crowd again.

"Sadly, there is one person who couldn't be here today who deserved our gratitude as much as these fine people. Ensign Khadisha Khanom who had only a month as a Starfleet officer before giving up her life to help others. May she always be remembered for her selfless bravery. Doctor McCoy I hope you will accept this medal on her behalf." She opened his hand and pressed a small ornate box into it. He wrapped his fingers around it tightly and nodded.

"She will always be remembered." He whispered to the Commodore.

Seeing his distress she gave his arm a small squeeze and nodded back at him.

He then made his way to join the others, finding himself stood near Spock and Chapel.

"Will you all stand and join with me to applaud, for these brave beings who have saved a world from devastating consequences. Your Admiralty salute you."

At that the crowd erupted, everyone standing and clapping enthusiastically. McCoy scanned through the crowd, Kirk was where he left him, on the front row, face split in a grin, Scotty beside him and Uhura who was smiling proudly at her man. Chekov let out a whoop and Sulu who was beside him leaned over to him to tell him a joke which made them both laugh. He then looked to the crowd, clutching the medal box in his hand as he looked for someone who might be Khadisha's family. He might take Kirk with him to see them, he thought, as he was unsure that presenting this box and offering his condolences would be something he could manage without his heart breaking. He thought he found them, a large group, mother, father, brothers and sisters, the mixture of pride and sadness on the mother's face made him sure of it. He gave her a smile and she smiled back through her tears.

But then, off to the right, something else caught his eye. A little dark haired girl in a blue dress stood on her chair, waving frantically at him. The solemn smile he had been wearing disappeared and he actually laughed and gave a little wave back. Beside the girl, his own mother stood, one arm wrapped protectively round her to keep her steady on the chair.

"Is that Jo?" Chapel asked, leaning over to whisper at him.

"God, she's gotten so big!" He said in awe.

They posed a moment for pictures and then began to leave the stage in single file. As the last on, McCoy was the last off but as soon as his feet left the steps there was a shout from the crowd. "Daddy!" And little Jo McCoy bolted out of the crowd into her father's arms. McCoy swept her off her feet and swung her round once before settling her on his hip, arms wrapped around her tightly. Her little fingers reached out and played with the medal on her chest. "Nana says you got it for being brave. I want to be brave when I grow up." She said proudly.

McCoy kissed her on the top of her head, as his mother approached. "What are you talking about, you're already the bravest girl I know? But I know another girl who is very brave too and I have to go and speak to her mom for a minute okay?" She nodded solemnly and he put her down. Giving his mother a quick hug and kiss he let go of Jo's hand. "I'll be right back, I promise. Here," he snagged Kirk's arm as he walked passed, the man had managed to get champagne from somewhere and had three glasses balanced in his hands. "This is my best friend Jim." He told his daughter, "Jim has heard all about you. Why don't you tell Jim about the birthday present I got you?"

He moved away from them, listening to Jo tell Jim enthusiastically about her new horse which she'd named Starlight and how she was starting to get riding lessons. He moved through the crowd, mostly of Starfleet crew who all patted him on the back and gave their congratulations, but seeing the determination set on his face, no one tried to keep him or involve him in their conversation. He found Khanom's family towards the back of the room. Commodore Paris was talking with them quietly but excused herself when McCoy approached.

He gave them a grim smile, he'd had to break bad news to people before, as a trauma surgeon in Atlanta he'd had to do it on a regular occasion and he'd always known what to say, but not this time. With all eyes on him he felt completely lost. "I've been trying for a month to work out what to say," he began, deciding that his usual honesty was the only way forward. "The truth is, I still don't know. I didn't know Khadisha as well as I would have liked, but I do know she was brave and selfless and full of compassion. In her last days she became responsible for hundreds of lives and because of her those people are still alive today. She should never have had to sacrifice herself and for that I am so sorry." He found himself getting choked up at the words which started a small coughing fit that he struggled to get under control. Once it subsided he found he had nothing else to say, he handed over the small ornate box, opening it up so that the gold medal was displayed nestled in purple silk.

Khanom's mother stood before him crying and smiling but it was her father who took the box from him, his hand lingering on the doctor's for just a moment. "When you gave her the job on the Enterprise, it was the happiest day of her life." He said. "All she'd ever wanted to do was to go into space and to help people. You helped her achieve that and I'm sure, even knowing how it would end, she would not do anything differently. Thank you for being there for her at the end."

"I'm proud to have served with her." McCoy said genuinely.

"Is that your little girl over there?" Asked Khadisha's mother, wiping the tears from her eyes and indicating Jo. The little group had been joined by Uhura and Spock and Jo was chatting away animatedly to the Vulcan who looked to be struggling to understand her logic.

"Yep," McCoy said proudly.

"Then go be with her." Khadisha's mother urged. "Make the most of every minute."

McCoy nodded, "You know, I think I'll do just that." He shook hands with Khadisha's family and left them, striding back over to the small group of his closest friends and family. Jo was deep in a story about her pet bunny that was making Uhura and Kirk laugh as he came up behind her and picked her up again making her squeal. He set her back on his hip and took the glass of champagne that Kirk offered.

"Is the brave girl's mom okay?" Jo asked. McCoy looked at her, surprised that the small girl clearly had a deeper understanding than he'd expected.

"I think she will be." He said in return, he looked around at them and saw that Doctor M'Benga was now talking with them. Jo saw them too and gave a little wave. Khadisha's mother and youngest sister waved back.

"Now then Monkey, are you as bored of this place as I am? Shall we all go get pizza?"

"Yeah!" Jo and Jim cheered in unison making everyone else laugh. As the small group headed for the door McCoy found himself next to his captain. "Thank you." He said quietly.

"Yeah, well," Kirk replied with a shrug, "It has been brought to my attention that you deserve it. It has similarly been brought to my attention that I can be a bit of an ass. So I'm hoping to surround myself with people who will call me on it from time to time, what do you think? Up to the challenge?"

Leonard McCoy smiled and with his spare, non-child-carrying arm pulled him into a hug. "Buy me a pizza and I'll think about it," he grinned.