Disclaimer: TT-TT
Episode 9: A Lesson in Madness.
Every precaution was taken when they reached the colony on Lexin Prime. Everyone and everything that had any contact with anything on the planet was thoroughly sterilized. McCoy reveled in the light tingling feeling in the back of his mind while he and Spock worked on a vaccine for the Lexin Flu (as they had begun to call it). It took three days to isolate the variance and another two to find something to counter act it.
Jim found that he had to remind the couple to eat a decent meal every now and again. To his surprise, McCoy had developed the nasty habit of drinking nothing but a cup of soup for breakfast and spending the entire day in the lab or sickbay working on the flu strain. Once or twice he had even ordered McCoy to bed when he discovered he had forgone sleep just to do more research.
"You know Bones, sometimes you are positively Vulcan." Kirk shook his head at him.
"Ri tor viltah nash-veh." Bones replied while looking into a microscope. Jim gave him a befuddled look then turned to Spock, gesturing to McCoy.
"Do not insult me." The Vulcan translated. McCoy looked up and rubbed his eyes.
"I did it again didn't I…?" He groaned.
"Indeed." Spock adjusted the settings on his own device.
"Okay…" Bones sighed. "I'm gonna lay down for a few minutes." He patted Jim's shoulder as he limped out of the room.
"He still speaks Vulcan?" Kirk questioned in amazement.
"Subconsciously, and only when he is extremely tired." Spock stated simply.
"He's not using a cane anymore." Kirk observed.
"He is not." The Vulcan replied shortly.
"You think he still needs it?" Jim asked curiously. This caused the other man to pause and straighten himself.
"I believe the doctor is fully capable of—"
"That's not what I asked you Spock." Kirk raised an eyebrow with a smirk. It was kind of cute the way Spock tried to protect his lover.
"I do not think he needs assistance walking." The hybrid lowered his face to the scope once more. "However, I believe his leg would heal faster if he didn't put so much stress on it."
"Right.. well, how's it going with the flu?" James queried.
"Spock!" Bones exclaimed, hobbling back into the lab, out of breath.
"Damnit Bones, did you run back here?" The Captain grabbed a chair for him to sit in.
"Nem—" He started but caught himself. "Thanks Jim." He sat down next to Spock and began excitedly talking to him. Unfortunately, Kirk was unable to understand a word of it…
After about ten minutes of Vulcan debate, maths, and computer inputs, Bones clapped Spock on the back, a grin on his face.
"I take it you've found a vaccine?" Jim asked, handing both of them a cup of coffee. The Vulcan took both cups and set them on the table.
"Affirmative." Spock answered. "If you wouldn't mind escorting Dr. McCoy back to his quarters, I'll finish up testing." Bones glanced at Spock who gave him a stern look.
"Shall we?" Kirk held his arm out to help him up. Bones grumbled but accepted the help.
Xxxxxxx
After the colony and the crew had been vaccinated against the Lexin Flu strain, the Enterprise headed out once more to explore the galaxy. Bones didn't leave his quarters for three days. Partly due to the fact that he was beyond exhausted, and partly due to the fact that any time he woke up he and Spock celebrated their accomplishment.
It wasn't long before McCoy was walking without a limp. He still couldn't run very well and standing for extended periods still bothered his leg but he was on the mend and finally he felt like it. He had gone back to his regular work load as CMO and was rather enjoying his days.
It was the nights that still got to him.
It was on one of these quiet nights that he stirred, hearing muffled voices. Groggy, he opened his eyes to see Spock and Jim standing in front of him. They seemed to be arguing about something but he couldn't discern what it was. The Captain suddenly pulled a knife and stabbed the Vulcan in the neck before he could react. Kirk turned to Bones. McCoy looked down at himself. He was bleeding from a gash in his stomach. He looked back up to see himself grinning like a madman back down at him.
McCoy gasped, his eyes shooting open and franticly looking around the room. Spock's face was close to his, wide awake watching him.
"Jesus, Spock!" He gasped again, throwing himself back into his pillow. He lay there panting, shivering in a cold sweat.
"You had that dream again." Spock said quietly.
"Yeah…" McCoy tried to focus on catching his breath, bringing a shaky hand up to wipe the sweat off his forehead. "Shit…" He sighed heavily.
"Who was it this time?" Spock asked while getting up to get him some water.
"Jim…" Bones closed his eyes for a moment. He could feel his own mind still in a panic but beyond that he felt Spock's own anxiety about the situation. "I know…" He said as he took the glass and sipped on the cool liquid.
"Leonard…" Spock sighed quietly into the darkness as he sat down on the bed. Bones looked at him then noticed his eyes cast downward. He followed his gaze down to a knife in his stomach. This time when he looked up his lover was smiling wickedly at him.
His eyes snapped open and he bolted for the bathroom as his stomach lurched. He panted, wheezed, trembled as he turned the shower on and stepped in. He sank to the floor and felt the hot water stab at his skin telling him he was, indeed, awake.
"Leonard?" Spock called quietly into the bathroom.
"No." McCoy's stomach churned. "Spock, you need to leave." He could feel Spock's uneasiness grow. The feeling only reminded him of the dream. His skin prickled in discomfort making the hot water sting even more. "Go!" He shouted and after a moment of hesitance Spock left. He knew he had hurt him, more than knew, he could feel it. The surge of worry, guilt, and an unexplainable ache.
He shuddered.
Xxxxxx
"Bones." Kirk said calmly. "Can I come in?"
"I'd rather you didn't, but knowing you, you will anyway…" McCoy paced back and forth in his quarters.
"What's going on? You've confined yourself to quarters, you kicked Spock out and now you're not even letting Yeomen in to bring you food…" He sat himself down in a chair, watching his friend. A low, aggravated meow came from under his couch.
"Right… Sorry…" McCoy sat down on the couch and Commodore Pickles emerged, her tail twitching back and forth. "She doesn't like when I pace…" He explained when he noticed Kirk's expression.
"Okay…" Jim nodded slowly. "Mind telling me what's going on with you, Bones?"
"I.. I'm losing my mind Jim…" He rubbed his eyes with his fingers. "I can't tell where the dreams stop and reality begins."
"What dreams?" James asked quietly.
"What happened on that damned planet.." He took a shaky breath. "But he's here. Disguised as one of us."
"Us?"
"Me, you…" He paused and swallowed audibly. "S-spock."
"And that's why you kicked him out… and confined yourself to your quarters?" He asked gently. Bones nodded quietly and Jim sighed in the same manner. "Have you tried meditating—" McCoy groaned.
"You sound like that green blooded—"
"Love of your life?" Kirk interrupted him in kind.
"Yeah…" He sighed and rubbed the back of his neck.
"Have you tried? Meditation I mean."
"Yeah but it's pointless on my own… Every time I close my eyes I…" The doctor grimaced.
"Spock?"
"He—He feels everything I do, Jim…" He ran a hand through his hair. "I don't want to hurt him anymore than I already have."
"You mean by kicking him out..?" Kirk questioned but was met with silence. "Bones tell me you didn't assault my first officer." He said sternly.
"No, I-I sent him away before I did something stupid… but.." The CMO closed his eyes and sighed heavily with a shudder. "Shit.." He hissed, stood and paced the floor once more.
"Have you spoken to—"
"Yes." Leonard's pacing quickened. "He's sending stronger meds to sedate me…"
"Sedate you?" James sprung from his seat. "Is that really necessary?"
McCoy stood frozen, pale, staring Kirk down like a cornered mouse. The captain of the Enterprise slowly raised his hands above his head and sat back down in the chair. A few heavily pregnant moments passed before McCoy released a trembling breath.
"Maybe…" Bones answered, breathing deeply. "...Spock can figure out what's wrong if.." He swallowed hard. "If I can't fight back." Kirk was about to protest but stopped and silently mulled it over in his mind.
"Alright. Let's see if we can get to the bottom of this." He rose slowly once more, noting the step backward his friend had taken in turn, and left McCoy's quarters.
Xxxxx
The captain returned to the bridge. Upon exiting the turbolift, however he was greeted by glances from Sulu, Chekov, and Uhura, each then glancing silently at Spock. If he hadn't known any better he'd have thought that he had been caught having an affair…
Wait…
"Mister Spock." He said after clearing his throat. "How are those readings coming along?" He leered around the room of suspicious colleagues.
"Almost finished Captain." Spock announced, not bothering to look up from his work station.
"Good, then as soon as you've finished, report to Sickbay." He ordered while sitting down in his chair.
"That won't be—" He turned to Kirk and raised a quizzical eyebrow.
Something in his equation changed, something he needed a moment to solve for… Kirk gave him that moment.
"By your leave, Captain." Spock handed him a PADD.
"Keep me updated and let me know if you need anything…" Spock nodded once in understanding then briskly walked to the turbolift.
Jim watched as his crew exchanged concerned looks. A part of him wondered what they thought in amusement, another part of him reminded him that it didn't matter, yet another chastised him because while it didn't matter to him, McCoy didn't need the added stress. He rubbed his face with one hand and eyed Uhura, whose back was turned to him.
Perhaps he should tell them…
Xxxxxx
When had his ship become a gossip tabloid? James rubbed his temples and prayed for a Klingon bird of prey to uncloak in front of him just to get his mind off of the mess of rumors he had just learned about. Not only had people suspected him of having an affair with Bones, but with Spock as well. To make matters worse, others believed them to be in some secret ménage à trios relationship… He explained that Spock and Bones were simply and only his friends. That any rumors of relations of the amorous kind between them were ludicrous. Bones and Spock would feel the same way of course, they were completely faithful to one another.
Kirk, however, was not surprised at the concern the bridge crew expressed for their friends' well being. They all were aware of the drastic measures the doctor had taken and worried at first that he was sick, perhaps stricken by the flu they believed they had vanquished. Once that had been ruled out, it was to be expected that they wanted to know the truth behind the self imprisonment.
But it wasn't Kirk's place to say… It was a bit too personal for the couple, at least for now. So he promised to explain once Bones gave him his approval.
While Jim sat in his Captain's chair, staring out into the vast unknown, it happened. Spock and a small security detail entered the bridge. Spock scanned the area and pointed to a young yeoman. The woman looked up from the station she had been hovering over and blanched as the detail flanked her expertly. She tried to run but was grabbed roughly by the people in red. She cried out and struggled against her captors.
"Spock, what the hell is—" The Captain rose from his seat, surprised at the arrest but fell silent at the dark expression written across his friend's features.
The Vulcan deftly closed the space between himself and the yeoman, nimbly setting three fingers against her face. She cried out once more in pain and seemed as if she were slowly melting away. After a few more groans while she fought to keep her disguise, it finally fell, revealing a woman covered in glistening scales, gills flaring just behind and under a round hollow ear.
"Captain." Spock pivoted so he could address his commanding officer but still keep her in his sights. "The source of Dr. McCoy's illness."
"Source?" Kirk questioned, joining the small group as the woman struggled.
"Indeed. She has been feeding telepathic impulses to the doctor for some time now. If I'm not mistaken, since we left Lexin Prime." Spock announced. "If you recall, Leonard said his assailant's telepathic ability was rudimentary, I believe it may simply be that their telepathy isn't as direct as Vulcan's so I was unable to detect when it was being used." He explained.
"But.. why?" Kirk asked in bewilderment. "We helped the people of Lexin Prime. Why target Bones?"
"He killed my sister!" She screeched and lunged forward but was still held fast.
"What?" James questioned incredulously.
"The impostor that attempted to assassinate Delegate Ka'll." The First Officer elaborated.
"I'll break his mind for taking her away from me!" She gave a primal growl and stopped her flailing then smirked.
"Leonard." Spock looked, vaguely in the direction of Sick Bay then stumbled forward, holding his head. Sulu caught him and steadied the taller man, Kirk sufficiently knocked the woman unconscious with a right hook then ordered the men holding her to throw her in the brig.
"Spock?" The captain touched his shoulder. "How's Bones?"
"Captain." Uhura interrupted, pressing the device to her ear. "You're needed in Sick Bay… it's…" Her lip quivered but Kirk didn't wait for her to finish. He and his first officer rushed to the turbolift and were gone before Sulu could even resume is post.
Xxxxxxx
"There's nothing you can do?" Jim asked quietly. M'Benga shook his head.
"I'm sorry Captain…" He said with a small sigh. "I wish there were but…"
"Once the prisoner is awake I want you to preform a full physical. Find out how her telepathy works, maybe she can reverse the effects." Kirk commanded and the doctor nodded. "I know it's a long shot but…" He looked to biobed McCoy laid upon. Spock sat next to him, his fingertips pressed against their counterparts on the opposite hand in concentration.
"I'll do everything in my power." The doctor patted the olive green fabric adorning the Captain's shoulder.
"I know you will." He nodded and left Sick Bay.