Hope

by Starsinger

M'Benga is making a bold decision about Kirk, and needs everybody's help. Don't own them.

"Dr. M'Benga," Scotty's voice sounded over, "Mr. Spock has Khan. They're beaming into Transporter Room 3 as we speak."

M'Benga nodded to his team as they took off for the Transporter Room, "Is he alive?"

"Spock said tha' he is," Scotty replied.

M'Benga breathed a sigh of relief as he approached McCoy, "Captain." McCoy refused to look at him, "Leonard, look at me." Leonard looked at him. "Does Jim have family? Other than the kids?" Leonard nodded his head. "I need them to meet me in Zurich. The hospital in San Francisco took heavy damage and they're directing us to other hospitals. I may be able to save Jim, but I need permission from the family to do so."

Leonard nodded his head before staring at his communicator. Gloria, fortunately, was nearby as she called Frank, "Frank, something's happened to Jim. We need you and the kids to come to the Fleet hospital in Zurich."

"We'll be there," Frank replied.

It was a good thing that Khan had Spock there. McCoy flew across Sickbay toward the augment. Spock caught him by the arms in a vice. "Jim is DEAD because of him!" McCoy shouted.

Spock looked him straight in the eyes, "I know. I was there when Jim died, but M'Benga believes that Khan's blood can bring Jim back. If he didn't think so, Khan would be dead."

"Why would you care?" McCoy asked.

Spock sighed, "Because Jim was my friend."

"Alright, the shuttle is here. I'm headed down there with Jim's tube," M'Benga was telling a nurse. "Make sure the rest of the wounded get where they're headed. Starfleet will know where to find me." McCoy watched as M'Benga grabbed a cooler and directed the tube out the doors. McCoy, Spock and Chekov followed him with Uhura came close behind them. The got to the shuttle and M'Benga turned around, "I'll keep you posted," he told them.

McCoy spent the rest of the day clearing out first his and then Jim's quarters of all their personal effects. If M'Benga wasn't successful, Frank would want his stuff, and Penny and Peter's toys and clothes needed to get down to them. A yeoman came through with a cart to help transport everything off the ship. McCoy packed a small suitcase for himself before putting on his dress uniform. He'd already been informed that he would face the Admiralty when he transported down.

It was grueling. They went over every aspect of what happened. Three hours of questioning and McCoy was looking fatigued. The final question took him by surprise, "How is Dr. Kirk?"

Leonard looked up at Admiral Archer, "I don't know, Admiral. I haven't heard anything from Dr. M'Benga since he left the Enterprise eight hours ago."

Archer sighed, "Go see your daughter and check up on the doctor. We'll meet again in the morning."

McCoy walked out the gates of Starfleet Command and for the first time saw the devastation of Khan's attack. He swallowed. So many were dead and dying. He needed to see Jo. He contacted Frank and discovered that everyone was waiting for him in Zurich. He caught the next shuttle to Zurich and in minutes arrived at his destination.

The hospital was eerily quiet as he walked to the ICU. Everyone went about the duties silently, as if the terrible devastation in San Francisco had silenced the whole place. He found Frank, Jo, Penny, Peter, Hannah and Christine waiting for him. Jo ran over to him and threw her arms around his waist, sobbing. "How is he?" McCoy asked, picking Jo up.

"He's alive," Frank said. "His heart started beating an hour ago."

McCoy breathed a sigh of relief. He knew Jim had a long way to go. He just hoped he had the will to get there.