A/N: A big thanks to everyone who has continued to read and review this story; your reviews are what keep me up late at night trying to think about what should happen next in this story. And trust me, that's a good thing. :)

I'm really sorry. This chapter will be short, but I felt I needed to update quickly in order to reassure people that I'm still writing this story. I'm just taking a damn long time updating. One; I'm grounded, and I'm not even supposed to be on the computer, but nothing can stop me from my writing. Sorry mom. ;) And two, I just finished with the State science fair and have been busy with MCAS prep.

Anyhow, done with the ranting...enjoy the chapter. I will try to update another chapter shortly after this one is posted. And again, really sorry with the irregular updates.


Previously...

I stood, astonished. I fervently hoped that Spock had not noticed...those feelings. I shook my head, letting out a deep breath. "Unbelievable." I muttered under my breath. "Vulcans...purr. I never would have seen that coming."

I cleared my tray and pushed in my chair, undecided on what I should do. I had a whole ship to explore...well, not exactly. I was positive some parts of the Enterprise were off limits. Maybe I could go see Bones again. I smiled. As cranky and vulgar as the man was, there was a hidden charm that amused me to no end. "He's just lonely after his divorce." I reasoned aloud with myself. "I'm sure he'll attempt to throw me out, but I'm sure I can hold my ground."

As I exited the mess hall, I failed to notice the figure in the corner. The figure that had observed all of this occur. "You won't hold your ground for long." his deep voice sneered. "I will make sure of it. You will bow down to me, one way or the other. You will not stand up ever again."


Chapter Nine

Upon entering the med bay, I didn't see McCoy. All of the beds were empty, the lights were slightly dimmed, and there was no noise besides my own, steady breathing. Until, of course, I heard a string of curse erupt from seemingly nowhere. I blinked, turning around. "Doctor McCoy?" I called out, folding my arms against his chest. As soon as he was done cursing - probably about how I kept on bothering him - he'd surely show himself.

I was right. After a minute or two of gruff mumbling, McCoy came out of what I guess was his office with a highly irritated expression. "Miss Vaughn," he greeted me sarcastically. "Everyone's favorite mystery."

I seated myself on one of the beds, raising an eyebrow. "On the contrary, Doctor, if you know where to look, then you'll realize that I am more obvious than you think." I smiled.

"And what is that supposed to mean?" he asked.

I smiled wider. "It's up for personal interpretation."

McCoy raised his eyebrows in exasperation and huffed. "Are you sick? Injured? Fatigued?"

"Nope." I popped the 'p'. "I just thought I'd drop by and keep the Good Doctor company."

McCoy stared at me. "I don't need company."

"Well, that's a load of crap." I said loudly, jumping up from the bed. "I have stories to tell."

"Tell them to a soul who cares!" McCoy grumbled, turning around and shaking his head. He walked back into his office.

With an irritated sigh, I followed him. "Doctor," I said, standing awkwardly at the doorway. I leaned against the wall.

"Go away." he snapped. My eyes took notice of his office; for the most part, it was very clean. And there was a faint scent that tickled my nose...McCoy sat down and drew up a bottle of alcohol and poured himself a generous cup.

As his began drinking, I smirked and said, "I made Spock blush green."

The reaction was instantaneous. And priceless. McCoy choked and spat out his drink, coughing and wheezing. "Goddamit!" he cried, glaring at me with incensed eyes. "You're just as bad as Jim!"

I drew in a breath and burst out laughing. Tears leaked out of my eyes as I bent over. "I'm so sorry!" I giggled. "That was unnecessary...but it wasn't untrue."

"Spock?!" McCoy exclaimed. "Blushing? Turning green?"

"His blood is copper based, Doctor." I told him as I managed to reign in my laughter.

"I bloody well know that!" he said again. He paused, and then inquired in a softer, incredulous tone. "How'd you get him to blush?"

Ironically, I blushed. "Well...I kind of cupped his cheek."

McCoy blinked. "You did what? You cupped his goddamn cheek and he let you?!"

"I think he liked it." I told him with a smirk. "He even purred."

For the moment, it had seemed McCoy had forgotten his drink. He was staring at me with rapt attention, and after I told him Vulcans purr, an evil grin split across his face.

"Well, ain't that sweet? Guess you just gave me an opportunity to tease him some more."

"I'd rather you not, Doctor." I said. "He would surely nerve pinch over and over until I was permanently paralyzed."

"Hmph," McCoy grunted, finally turning back to his drink. "Then you wouldn't be colliding into people's lives."

My humor subsided. "It wasn't my fault." I told him quietly. "I don't know what happened. I have forgotten all that I was, except I know every one of you. Jim, Spock, Chekov, Sulu...and isn't it instinctive for a person to latch on to whatever memories, whatever...knowledge they do have, and use it in order to survive?"

McCoy glanced back at me, his eyes shaded and contemplative. I continued, "This is me, Doctor. Trying to survive in a world that, according to my knowledge, should not even exist."

"What do you mean by that?" McCoy asked after chugging his glass down. He poured another one.

"I mean, Doctor, that...I not only come from the past, but...a parallel universe as well. From a parallel Earth."

"Bullshit." McCoy replied automatically. "No such thing as time travel. And I don't believe you're from the past."

I half smiled. "Well, ain't that sweet?" I mimicked him. McCoy flashed me a deadly glare.

"The thing is, Doctor." I explained to him. "I'm not sure who I used to be. My memories are like wet tissue paper - soggy and delicate and barely usable."

"What a poetic simile." McCoy grumbled sarcastically. "Are you going to recite a sonnet next?"

I rolled my eyes. "Doctor." I grit out. "I am not a danger to anyone on board the Enterprise. I swear on my life, and that is saying something, because I don't even remember it!"

I threw up my hands into the air and let out a sigh of exasperation.

Silence followed.

"Listen." I said a little softer after a while. "I'm not asking you to trust me one hundred percent, okay? I'm not sure I trust myself that much. I'm just...I'm begging you to please not rule me out as an intruder or an enemy. I would never willingly or voluntarily hurt anyone aboard this ship. Hell, I can't really even kill a fly!"

McCoy placed his glass carefully on his desk. "Hmph." he muttered, leaning back in his chair. "Fine. I don't trust you, kid. But I suppose it ain't fair to regard you as hostile. Yet."

I let out a deep breath of relief. "Thank you." I whispered, closing my eyes and placing a hand to my head.

A/N: Yes, I am stopping this chapter at an awkward, incomplete point because I NEED TO UPDATE! The next chapter will be longer, I promise. So sorry for the late update...I seem to have a problem updating. :P Hope you guys are still reading this and hope you enjoyed this short, wimpy sized chapter.