Stranded

Chapter 14

"You can't stay in your corner of the Forest waiting for others

to come to you.

You have to go to them sometimes."

A.A. Milne

Winnie-the-Pooh

Nyota closed her comm and sighed. At least they'd gotten a little ray of sunshine from Jim. The ship would be here day after tomorrow. She shook her head ruefully. In his haste to get back to Len, Jim was really pushing the engines. However she knew that Scotty was keeping a very close eyes on the dilithium crystals. The ship was his baby, maybe even more so than she was Jim's. Scotty knew every nut and bolt, every nook and cranny on the ship, and he would push her to the limit, but no further than that.

She glanced at Leonard, who was still deeply asleep. There was no need to disturb him while she did some household chores. Geoffrey had cautioned her that Len's body was under a lot of stress with the high fever, and rest was the best thing for him. It was still too early to expect any visit from Killeen, Alarik, or Doranna. The Apothecary was not even open yet. She'd tidy up the bedrooms, wash all the dishes and utensils in the dishwasher to sanitize them, and do the same with the towels. Len would want another shower today, so she'd also wipe down and sanitize the shower stall and the chair.

She also had to plan their noon day meal. There was still soup left from yesterday; it would be all the better today, and with the soup she'd serve Len a grilled cheese sandwich. She'd grill it with lots of butter for the extra calories, and make him more tea with honey. That was lunch, but Len was going to need a snack when he woke up. She decided to make biscuits and drizzle them with butter and honey in the southern tradition he'd grown up with. Len would enjoy those biscuits. Thank goodness his appetite was remaining good, which was a blessing.

She made quick work of all her chores, looked at the time, and went to the kitchen to make the biscuits. The Apothecary shop should be opening about now. She hoped Killeen would be able to pry some information from the man and that he'd come or call directly afterward. She popped the biscuits in the oven and set the timer for 15 minutes, then got out the butter and honey. She hoped Len would wake up soon so he could eat the biscuits fresh out of the oven. If he wasn't awake soon, she decided she'd wake him to eat.

The wall comm buzzed loudly and she picked it up hoping it was Killeen. Instead it was Doranna.

"Nyota, Good morning. I am calling to inquire about the good doctor? How is he this morning?"

"Good morning, Doranna. I'm afraid the doctor is no better. He did sleep well last night because I made sure to keep up with his medication every four hours for the fever and pain."

"You must be tired, Nyota," Doranna said softly. "When sleep is broken like yours was, one does not rest well."

"I'm fine, Doranna. I will nap this afternoon if I get a chance."

"I hope you will. I'm also calling to let you know that I will be bringing lunch for you and the doctor. Alarik and I agree that you have much to do just taking care of the good doctor and cooking is an additional chore. I will be doing this every day until the doctor is feeling better."

"Doranna," Nyota exclaimed, overcome. "That is so kind of you! I don't even know what to say! I was just thinking about what I'm going to cook for the doctor that wouldn't take too long and is nourishing."

"Well, think no more about it, Nyota. It is no trouble for me. I will just make a little bit more food than I would make for us. I will bring the food to you at mid-day. Is there anything else you need?"

"Not that I can think of, Doranna, but thank you." Nyota rubbed at her forehead fretfully. Was there anything she needed? Had she forgotten anything?

"If I think of anything I'll let you know at mid day."

"I will see you later, Nyota."

Nyota closed the connection and breathed a sigh of relief. Lunch and dinner were taken care of thanks to the thoughtful generosity of the dear people here. More than ever it was imperative that no Orions set foot on Sarena or in Torreon. If it was in their power, the crew of the starship Enterprise would see to that. The timer rang and she pulled the biscuits out of the oven. They looked and smelled delicious even if she did say so herself.

The wall comm buzzed again startling her. Doranna probably forgot to tell her something, she thought. "Nyota here."

"Nyota, it is I, Killeen. I have just left the Apothecary and have returned to my home. I thought if perhaps it was not too early I would come to see you."

"No, no, Killeen, please come. The doctor is still asleep, but we can speak privately in the kitchen. I will be watching for you from the window. Please don't knock, it might waken Dr. McCoy."

"It will be so, Nyota. I will be there shortly."

Nyota quickly plated the biscuits, added the butter and honey, and filled a glass with juice. She covered the biscuits to keep them warm, and put everything on a tray, carrying it quietly to the small table. Leonard was still sleeping peacefully. There was no red flush on his cheeks, so the fever was still down. She'd wake Leonard after she spoke with Killeen, it would be about time for his antiviral, and he could eat his snack first when he woke up.

She went to stand by the window and very soon she saw Killeen coming up the knoll. She opened the door before he could knock, and put her fingers to her lips. He stepped in quietly nodding that he understood.

She led him to the kitchen and closed the door.

"Killeen, thank you for coming. Let me fix you some tea, and I have some fresh baked biscuits with butter and honey. We can eat while you tell me what you found out from the Apothecary. But first, please wash your hands, Killeen, Dr. McCoy is being quite strict about hand washing to avoid passing on the virus."

"Thank you, Nyota, I will do so. Dr. Mkkoy is always thinking of others' health and well being. The repast sounds very pleasant and I am quite hungry. I did not have my morning meal so I could be at the shop as soon as the Apothecary opened his doors."

Nyota put the biscuits on two plates and put the honey and butter on the table. She brewed the tea and sat down across from Killeen. She was burning with impatience, but in Torreon, good manners and tradition dictated that conversation must wait for food to be served. Then and only then the host would begin with the topic of conversation that was uppermost on their or their guest's mind.

"Please eat, Killeen and tell me what you learned from the Apothecary."

"Thank you, Nyota. These biscuits are quite delicious and will assuage my hunger. Now then, thankfully, there was no one at the shop so early, so I was able to speak plainly and clearly with the Apothecary. By the way, Nyota, his name is Egan. I do not think you knew his name."

"I did not, but please go on, Killeen."

"I told him plainly that Doctor Mkkoy is ill. I did not tell him how seriously, I just told him the symptoms of the illness. I asked him if he would suggest and prepare medication for him. Egan laughed and said couldn't the doctor give himself the same medication he had given Alarik? I explained that the doctor did not have any more of that medication, that he had used it all on Alarik, not knowing of course that he would get ill himself. Then I became very stern with Egan. I asked him, was it not his duty as an Apothecary to assist all who were ill? Was it right for him to choose who he would help, and who he would not? Was that the correct mode of behavior for a healer? I reminded him that when Dr. Mkkoy leaves Torreon, we will have to employ another physician. Would he be angry at that doctor also?"

Killeen's eyes twinkled. "I'm happy to say that he was shamed by my words. He cast his eyes down in his shame. He said I was correct, that he was not behaving as he should, that he has been angry at Dr. Mkkoy for the loss of some of his clients, but that in his heart he knows there is room for both types of healers in Torreon. He then, very meekly, gave me two medications that the doctor could take to help his symptoms."

Killeen placed two small bottles on the table. They were plain brown glass bottles with the names of the medications and the correct dosage to give the patient written in an ornate script.

Nyota looked at the bottles and then at Killeen. "This is wonderful, Killeen! I can't believe you were able to convince him to help! I know he felt resentment towards the doctor for losing some of his clients, Doranna told me so."

"It is so, Nyota, and Egan alluded to such, but I quickly put an end to that complaint. I said a true healer, one blessed with compassion, with medical knowLedge, would be happy that there was another healer available to help our ill people. He became silent with his complaints after I said that."

"I should think so," Uhura looked at Killeen admiringly.

"Yes," Killeen agreed. "I felt he needed that reminder. It was after I said those words that I asked for the medications and he quickly agreed to make the compounds. As I waited for him to mix them. I mentioned Alarik had told me about a young woman he met just prior to his illness who had asked for an Apothecary. Then, the other day at the market, Alarik had been told she had returned to the shop for further medication. Egan knows that here in Torreon, everyone knows when a stranger comes into our midst."

Nyota nodded. It was true. Any news on Torreon, whether about newcomers or about anyone or anything else, traveled at warp speed.

"I added that the young woman had mentioned to one of the market vendors that the Apothecary had given her medication for two of her friends who are ill and presently with her in our village. Again, he showed no curiosity about my information. As you know, Nyota, it is in the market that all our news is exchanged by vendors and buyers."

"So Doranna has told me."

"I asked him if the young ladies were still here in Torreon, asked if he knew whether the potions he gave the girl had proved efficacious for them. He said he thought not, for they had requested more of the medication, and he had to make it again, and was going to send it to their domicile when his helper came in to work. He grumbled that the lad was always late, and not dependable, but I did not react to this information. He is quite touchy, Egan is, temperamental and capricious in his interactions. He can never keep helpers for long."

Killeen scoffed. "And he's wonders why people preferred Dr. Mkkoy. A kinder, gentler healer than Dr. Mkkoy would be difficult to find anywhere."

"I agree with you, Killeen. All of Dr. McCoys patients feel the same. Although he can be stern when his patients act foolishly or recklessly, it's because he cares so much," Nyota told him. A parade of Jim's many injuries flashed before her eyes and Len's reactions to some of Jim's enforced stays in the Sick Bay.

"Did the Apothecary's helper come in to work, Killeen?"

A huge smile appeared on Killeen's face. "He did not. I waited to see if the lad came, but he never did. Egan became more and more angry, until finally I said that since I had no pressing engagement today, I could deliver the medications so he did not have to close the shop and lose customers."

"Killeen! That was a stroke of genius!"

"Thank you, Nyota." Killeen cast his eyes down modestly. "I was happy to do it. In spite of his surly temperament! Egan is a friend, and, he is a good man. It was no trouble for me to run the errand. He gave me the medication, the address, told me how much it cost and I went to deliver it. It took me but a few minutes. The hostel where they are staying is not far from the center of town."

Nyota held her breath. She must not appear too eager or anxious about where the Orion slaves were staying.

"That reminds me I must pay you for the doctor's medications, Killeen, which I will after you finish telling me about the health of the girls. I hope you didn't get too close to them when you gave them the potions."

"I did not, Nyota. They are staying at the hostel by the public transportation station. I asked the hostel owner to call their room to say the medication had arrived, asked him to tell the girl what she owed Egan, and I waited. The young lady came immediately, handed me the credits, I gave her the potions, she thanked me, and I left."

Nyota took a breath. "Do you think she was the same girl Alarik saw, and did she appear well to you, Killeen? Do you think the medication she took when she first arrived helped her?"

"I believe she was the same girl, Nyota. She was as Alarik described her to me and to others at the market."

"Was she wearing a medal necklace and bracelet? Alarik told the doctor about her jewelry, he thought it was unusual."

"Yes, I noticed her jewelry also. Alarik is correct, they are unusual pieces. She did look in good health to my eyes, Nyota. So I hope the potions Egan sent them will help her friends as well. I returned to the shop to give Egan his credits, then I walked home, called you and came here with the medications. It is my hope they help the doctor too."

"I hope so too, Killeen. I can't thank you enough for all you have done."

"It is little enough, Nyota. Dr. Mkkoy has done much more for me. It has been many years since I have felt this well, breathing freely, with no discomfort. My gratitude is vast. Now it is time that I take my leave. I will return this evening with your dinner."

"Thank you so much, Killeen. It's a big help to me not to have to cook dinner for the doctor. He does need a lot of care right now. Doranna and Alarik are bringing lunch for us. All of you are so kind to the doctor and myself. As soon as the doctor feels well enough, we want to plan a small celebration to honor you, our dear friends who have done so much for us, who have been so welcoming and kind while we've been here. We will be sad to leave you all."

Killeen smiled sadly. "It will indeed be a sad day for us also, Nyota. Will your friends who came with you return for a visit before you leave us?"

Nyota thought frantically for a moment. They hadn't decided or even discussed whether Jim and the others would beam down again to Torreon? How to answer Killeen's question?