Parann found herself awake before the lights brightened in anticipation to finish her book. She looked up at the screen above her bed and wondered what all the numbers and levels meant. Soon after the lights did brighten and before she continued her story she read a chapter in her bible.

McCoy walked into the medical bay with a coffee in hand. He was not surprised to see Parann reading already.

"Do you think you can pry yourself from that book long enough to say 'good morning?'" He asked with a smile and a cocked eyebrow, as he walked over to her.

"I suppose," She said with feigned reluctance. She smiled as she looked up at the doctor, a finger holding her place in the book.

"Well if all I get is an 'I suppose…'" McCoy shot back in a sardonic tone. He even pretended to turn away. However, Parann really thought the doctor was upset with her. So as he turned away, she sat up, forgetting the book and gently touched his arm,

"Please, I am sorry. Of course I will say good morning to the man who saved my life. Forgive me, I was being foolish." McCoy could see her tears from over his shoulder as she spoke. "It's just that you put me at ease, I feel safe with you. And I haven't felt that way in a long time." Setting his coffee down McCoy turned back to Parann and took her hand.

"I'll bet you haven't," She looked away in shame. With his free hand McCoy made Parann look into his eyes. She could see the compassion they held for her, "Forgive me Parann, I never meant to hurt you. What I said was in jest as well."Parann attempted to apologize for misunderstanding him, but McCoy cut her off. "Don't," he said, "It is not surprising the way you reacted with all you've been through. And though I don't know the details I do know enough. Now why don't you find out if that beauty saves that beast, or I'll never get you to rest." He watched as a smile broke out on her face and as she picked up her book she said,

"Thank you" McCoy smiled in return and went to the intercom to intercept a page.

"McCoy here." He said into the microphone.

"Your presence is requested on the bridge." Came Uhura's voice.

"I'll be up in a minute, McCoy out." As he turned to leave something Parann said came to mind, of course I will say good morning to the man who saved my life. He turned to look at her, "Parann, I need to leave, but Nurse Chapel will be here with you." The girl nodded, "And Parann, one more thing. I did not save you, God did."

McCoy entered the bridge to find Kirk talking with Scotty and Mr. Spock.

"You sent for me Jim?"

"Ah, Bones, yes I did come over here a minute." Kirk said as he motioned him over. As McCoy came closer to the group Kirk explained what they were going to do. "We have just entered Space Dock. McCoy I need you and the entire Medical team to go aboard the Gauntlet and help with returning the dead to their families. Meanwhile Scotty and I will go to Starfleet Headquarters and report what we know of Gavin. Then we will turn him over to them."

"Jim, what about Parann? I can't leave her alone." McCoy asked

"I could stay with her." Spock offered

"No, I need you here and in charge of the ship while I'm away." Kirk said as he stared into the middle distance trying to find an answer. "Could she not go with you Bones?"

"And have her relive the horrors she experienced on that ship! No! I won't do that to her!"

"All right, all right Bones, calm down it was just a suggestion, hmm." Kirk thought for a few seconds. "I suppose I could assign a security guard to watch over her." McCoy did not like the idea but before he could respond, Spock did.

"Captain, I believe the Doctor will agree with me when I say that it is to Paranns benefit if the one watching over her is someone she knows." McCoy looked over at Spock surprised that he had suggested the very thing he had been about to.

"Spock is right," McCoy said looking back at Kirk, "Due to her condition and what she's been through I think it best if the one to watch her was someone she knows."

"Well Bones who besides you is she comfortable with?" Kirk asked cocking and eyebrow.

"That would be Nurse Chapel and Spock." McCoy said gesturing with his hand while looking his captain in the eye.

"Captain may I point out that both Doctor McCoy and Nurse Chapel will be needed aboard the Gauntlet. However I will be here and as you already know I am more than willing to watch over her. And Mr. Sulu is more than capable to be in charge of the ship while you are away." It was while Kirk thought about his First Officer's suggestion that McCoy realized that Spock was really pushing to stay with Parann, McCoy thought this was slightly unusual for his Vulcan friend. At this realization McCoy also remembered three other unusual events that seemed out of place for Spock. One was when Spock had asked him to watch over Parann. Two was when Spock had told Parann he did not wish to distress her. Since when did Spock care for another's feelings? And three, three was when Spock took Parann's hand as she fell asleep just the day before. Vulcan's were known for not touching. They were touch-telepaths therefore any touch created a connection. Granted that connection was weak unless focused on, however it was considered rude by any Vulcan to touch another.

"That's why they greet others with that salute of theirs." McCoy thought. So Spock holding Parann's hand was really out of place but what made it even more uncharacteristic was that Spock had initiated the hand hold and that he had done it in a human way. The way Vulcan's showed their affection by "holding hands" was by taking the index and middle finger and pressing them together with the index and middle finger of the one you shared the affection with.

"Very well Spock, You will watch over Parann." Kirks words broke McCoy out of his reverie. The Doctor watched Spock leave with new admiration for the Vulcan.

"Something the matter Bones?" His Captain asked.

"If I didn't know any better," The Doctor mused, "I would say our Vulcan friend is in…love."

"I think you may be reading a little too much into this." Kirk responded, "And right now we have work to do."

"Right." McCoy said as he went to the intercom to notify the medical staff of their new assignment.