I own nothing of Star Trek or any other series that might pop up. This is an AU, with an added daughter for McCoy.
Bones paced his office for the fifth time that hour. He had already dealt with the various patients he had that morning, looked over his reports and reorganized the supply closet twice. Nurse Chapel had finally threatened to sedate him if he didn't leave the sickbay alone. So he was relegated to his office. He supposed he could have gone to the bridge, but he didn't think any of them would appreciate him hovering and asking for their ETA again.
Glancing at the clock he sighed heavily, flopping into his chair in defeat. Two hours. They had another two hours before they finally reached Starbase 7. He didn't think he could hold on that long. Then again he didn't know if he could handle seeing his daughter in person after so many years. What would he say to her? How could he deal with being the father of a toddler again? Well semi-toddler.
He did know he wasn't going to let anyone else take her. Starfleet be damned if they thought he'd allow someone else to raise her this time around. She certainly wasn't going back to that institute. And he knew Jocelyn wouldn't want anything to do with her, now that she had a new husband and Joanna to follow in her image. After all she had already pushed Jordan to the side once. Not that he had done much better, but at least he had kept in contact with his daughter.
Of course he had to consider her needs.
School was at the top of the to do list. From what he's learned so far she doesn't remember anything from the past twelve years, which meant she would need to learn things all over again. But really, the Enterprise had the top scientific and mathematical minds in the Universe. Having someone tutor her here and there wouldn't be an issue. Hell she'd likely learn more, especially with some of the planets she'd be able to visit. Granted a lot would have to be self-study, but she had done that long before the institute, and if he remembered correctly she had done a lot of that there as well. She and Scotty would probably get along like two peas in a pod given their love of all things engine related. Of course if he did allow her anywhere near the Scot, he'd have to remember to have someone responsible around as a chaperone. Lord only knew what experiments those two would come up with.
She could room with him. Granted he and Jim were in a serious relationship, but they had yet to take it to the next level, as such both had their own rooms still. And since he is the CMO his room came with an extra room that was supposed to serve as an office. He could easily have it converted into a room for her.
Basic necessities like food and toiletries wouldn't be an issue, though clothes might. Not too many three-year-olds lived on starships. He knew the Space station had a few shops that various cargo ships and transport vessels stopped at when there. And often the personnel there had their families with them, given the length of their duty tours. So he could probably get her some outfits there. He would also need to pick her up a few toys. Even when growing up the first time she liked stuffed animals and other childish items.
Speaking of animals, he'd also have to accommodate for Dart. He didn't see Jordan allowing the dog to stay behind, no matter what he said. And she had most certainly inherited the McCoy stubbornness.
The only problems with having her on the Enterprise were: one, she would be the only child and two, it was not the safest ship to be on for anyone. Especially when one considered how many enemies Jim had accrued over the past few years not to mention his natural penchant for attracting trouble. Having her on board during a crisis could cause him to lose focus on his job. Then again as a professional he wouldn't let that happen. He couldn't let that happen. Too many lives depended on him.
And in a few hours his daughter would once again depend on him. Could he handle that? Did he even want to?
Yes. Yes he could and not too surprisingly he really wanted to be a father again. The way he should have been to both of his girls when they were younger.
No one would question that he loved his daughters, but he hadn't quite been there like he should have. Granted his absence in Joanna's life had more to do with the divorce settlement than choice, but that had no affect on his relationship with Jordan. Now he finally had a chance to make up for what he had missed out on, and he'd be a damn fool not to take it. And McCoys did NOT breed fools.
"Hey," Jim's voice broke him from his musings. "I figured you'd be on the bridge by now, hounding us to 'hurry the hell up'." His lover grinned jovially as he leaned against the doorframe.
"I would but I have the strangest feeling Spock would utilize his Vulcan neck pinch on me if I tried," snorted Bones. "Unlike some people, he's not afraid of hyposprays."
Jim ignored the taunt. "Just spoke to Admiral Pike. He's going to meet us with Jordan at the docking station. I've also arranged for a few days stay so we can allow for some shore leave and give you a chance to get what you need for Jordan to come stay with us."
"And how do you know Starfleet is going to let her," Bones challenged, even though he was thinking along the same lines. "They don't generally allow children on starships, especially their Flagship."
"I've done my homework Bones," Jim rolled his eyes in fond exasperation. "Starfleet LOVES your little girl. Hell, they'd adopt her if they could, but Pike's already warned them that you won't let her out of your sight after this fiasco."
"Damn straight I won't," the doctor growled.
"Regardless they're going to do what's best for her and still allow them to keep tabs on her. What better way to do that than to have her on a Federation starship," the younger man let the words sink in. "I will say this though. After looking over her files and information on her, she and Scotty will NOT be allowed alone together. I don't need them coming up with god knows what kind of experiments."
Bones barked in laughter. "I had already thought of that. We just have to make sure we find someone able to say no to both of them."
"I'm sure it won't be too hard," Jim waved him off.
"Say that after you've faced one of Jordan's puppy-dog looks."
