30

Sunset

Lizzie looked up from finishing her last report. It had taken nearly four full night shifts of writing to finally finish them all, and at last they were complete. Lizzie sighed as she neatly placed the remaining reports away. She'd drop them round to Spock in the morning.

She'd readjusted to the constant clicking and whirring of the analysers. Their familiarity returning. She hadn't forgotten each of their random quirks that made them run better or worse. She'd been double and triple checking samples under her care, it was tiring, but it gave her peace of mind. And now on the fourth shift, she felt almost ready to give up her compulsive checking, satisfied that she still retained her competency.

M'Benga was swapping back to the day shift till she could get a replacement. The prospect of having to choose a new member for her team was daunting to say the least, and Lizzie wasn't sure that she'd ever be able to trust someone new. But for now no-one had broached the subject, so she was safe for a little while longer.

Lizzie traipsed through to the transfusion lab. She'd run simulations to check her ability to work under pressure. Her results had been excellent. A small niggle couldn't help but wonder how it would go in real life, it had only been a simulation after all.

But still, Lizzie reflected, you've been doing it for years, no reason to have trouble now.

And she didn't. Another shift ticked by and everything was still in perfect shape.

Come 8 o'clock she was once again stood in her office with Mike and M'Benga doing a handover. She collected the PADDS from her desk and set off across the ship for the upper decks. In the turbolift Lizzie rubbed her fingers together in anticipation, she always wanted Spock to approve her reports and hated any mistakes she made. He'd only ever sent one report back to her, but she could still feel the miserable feeling of failure it had brought, even now.

Moving down the corridor to his office, she passed many people she recognised, she smiled and said hello to a few, receiving friendly greetings in return. Things almost felt normal.

She reached the office and pressed the call button. There was no answer and the office was locked.

Weird. He's normally in by now.

She poked her head into the next office whose door slid open easily.

"Lieutenant Commander Sage?"

The commander from the botany and agricultural section looked up from her paperwork. Her eyes searching before there was a flicker of recognition.

"Lieutenant O'Neil, this is a surprise."

"Sorry to bother you Commander, but do you know where I can find Commander Spock?"

She nodded, "He'll be on the bridge, dear."

"Thank you, Commander."

Lizzie inclined her head before following the corridor to the turbolift. As she got in Lizzie called for the bridge and took in a deep breath.

At the opening of the doors the lift was filled with the lulled chatter of the bridge. Uhura was sat at her station not far from the lift door, and flashed her a smile. Lizzie sent one back as she stepped onto the bridge.

"Permission to come on the bridge, Captain?"

Kirk turned in his seat, a smile masking the hint of surprise. "Permission granted. Lieutenant, this is unusual. What can we do for you?"

She stepped further forward onto the bridge. It was only then that she noticed Kirk had his irascible shadow, Dr Leonard McCoy, practically hanging over the back of his chair, an eyebrow raised in mild interest.

"I was looking for Commander Spock?"

The Vulcan in question turned in his own chair at his name.

Kirk simply said, "Of course."

She went round the back of the bridge to reach Spock, the PADDs tucked safely in the crook of her arm.

"Commander," Lizzie inclined her head in greeting.

"Lieutenant," he returned the gesture.

"I have completed the reports that have been left in my absence, for your attention. I went to put them in your office, but evidently it's locked. Where would you like them?"

Spock raised an eyebrow, "That was unexpectedly efficient, Lieutenant."

She was mildly surprised by the answer she received, not a lot was unexpected for a Vulcan. It appeared he wasn't finished though.

"I look forward to reading them. Doctor M'Benga lacks a certain...finesse." Lizzie could have sworn there was chuckling from the centre of the bridge. "I hope your return has been satisfactory?"

"Yes. Thank you, Commander."

She was about to repeat her request of where to leave the reports, but the first officer clearly hadn't forgotten it.

"The reports can be left in the Captain's ready room. Thank you, Lieutenant."

Lizzie nodded and turned to make her way to the Captain's ready room. It was rather a mess in there. Lizzie left them in a neat pile in a spare corner of the desk. It was about the only neat thing in the entire room. She briskly walked back across the bridge to the turbolift. She called out for Deck Five, before turning back around a figure slipped between the doors as they began to close.

She narrowed her eyes slightly as he stood with her, "Cutting it a bit close aren't you, McCoy?"

He grinned, "Well darlin', I must say you're rather quiet. I nearly missed you."

Oh dear, what a shame. Lizzie really was tired after her gamma shift.

"I think the pointy eared computer missed you."

Lizzie eye rolled, "I hardly think he missed me."

"Could've fooled me. He even said thank you, and everyone knows thanks is illogical. Should I be jealous?"

His question at the end didn't go unnoticed by Lizzie. She yawned, "You know. I'm beginning to question who on this ship is actually mature."

Leonard chuckled as the doors to the lift opened onto her deck. "You and me both sweetheart."

"'Night, Leonard."

"'Morning, Lizzie."

Lizzie shook her head slightly with a smile as the doors closed. She went to her quarters, more than ready for sleep.


Maria bounced into Lizzie's room through their bathroom.

"Hey you!"

Lizzie looked up from her desk where she'd been trying to compose a communique to her family.

Lizzie beamed. "Hi Maria. Been busy?"

Her friend had been on alpha shift and Lizzie hadn't long been up. She pushed the PADD away from her, promising herself that she'd finish it that evening.

"Well if you count two ensigns, three lieutenants and about seven crewman then yeah, busy."

"Wow, not a bad round up, what's going on?"

"The doc thinks it might be a bout of flu."

"Oh great, that'll be round in no time then. You would have thought we'd be able to sort that out by now."

"Yeah, you would have."

Lizzie pulled a jumper over her blacks, "So, what have you got planned?"

Maria hesitated, "I thought maybe you could come to a girl's night?"

Lizzie mirrored her hesitation. Bite the bullet. It's just some women sitting together. It'll be fine.

"Sure, lead the way." Lizzie smiled at Maria, hiding her discomfort as they made their way to the door.

It wasn't long before they were hunkered down in one of the recreation rooms surrounded by a number of familiar faces. Fern and Tessa were sat facing them, Uhura was there too with a couple of women from operations. They were talking animatedly and Maria had joined them straight away, her confidence was dazzling.

Although Lizzie was friendly with them all, she wasn't particularly close to any of them. It was only really Maria, Lizzie realised, that she truly trusted. It was slightly overwhelming being in such a large group, with some people she wasn't very familiar with.

Most of the women were sipping on glasses of wine. And, now that Lizzie was back on duty, she wasn't drinking. And in reality, she rarely felt like drinking anyway, much preferring a soft drink instead, so that's how she came to be rolling some fruity mocktail in her own wineglass that Maria had coaxed out of the replicator.

She sat listening to the soft conversation batting back and forth between the women, gathering information from the across the ship. This from communications and that from sickbay and all sorts of nuggets of information were gifted by Miles from engineering.

The rumour of an impending prank still passed through the ship in hushed whispers, and from Uhura's story, it sounded like it could be taking place on the bridge any day. Although, it had been any day for weeks now, so it would most likely continue this way until either the whispers died down or the prank actually occurred.

Lizzie settled into the chatter as they flitted through topics, sometimes injecting her own comment, other times just happy to listen. The conversation flickered to work and they all made passing comments on different incidences.

"You know," one of the tactical officers spoke, "that system they took us through yesterday was an absolute disaster waiting to happen."

There was a hum of agreement from the others, Lizzie listened quietly confused, her ignorance in the matter hitting her like a brick wall.

"There were a number of transmissions picked up on sub space frequencies. Even I had a hard time trying to decipher them, their languages were advanced and it was beyond me," the linguist admitted, "but they're sending in science vessels to observe them while we head to Nivinia for that diplomatic mission."

"So it might be that we're headed back there in a few weeks anyway," Tessa suggested.

Maria snorted, "Someone give Doctor McCoy a heads up now. Diplomatic missions always end up with at least three people in sickbay."

There was a round of snickers, everyone from sickbay knew McCoy got antsier on diplomatic missions than exploratory ones, this information had been traded among the women light years ago.

"So Lizzie," Uhura turned to face her. "How is it being back?"

Lizzie felt all the gazes turn to her, causing her to shift in her seat.

"Yeah, it's been good to get back. Although if anyone asks you, M'Benga's paperwork is absolute bollocks. I only finished it yesterday. It's no wonder McCoy doesn't have an aneurysm trying to keep him on top of it."

Maria laughed most, "I've heard rumours about his legendary skill at mess making and poor report writing. But I've also seen it up close—not pretty."

Tessa and Fern nodded in agreement.

"I've picked up some of his charting slack before now. And if it wasn't for his charm and the fact that he winds McCoy up, I'm sure Chapel would have done him one by now," Fern admitted.

There was another smatter of laughter. Having successfully diverted the questioning from herself Lizzie went to the replicator, she inputted the programme before returning to her seat on the sofa. She put the bowl on the small table between the women helping herself to some of the chocolate. There was a murmur of approval as the bowl was shared around.

The conversation branched off and Lizzie found herself paired with Uhura. Lizzie wasn't really sure where to start, she'd had joint conversations, but she'd never extensively spoken to the well put together woman sat next to her. She was saved the trouble because Uhura was already on her way to speaking.

"So, I heard that your reports are legendary, no surprise M'Benga can't keep up."

Lizzie gave a confused smile, "I don't know who told you that, but—"

"Kirk told me, who basically had it from Spock. Although, you don't need me to tell you those probably weren't his words exactly," Uhura gave a relaxed smile.

"Ah, well, I guess they must be half decent then." It gave her a sense of confidence, maybe even pride. Lizzie didn't know whether Uhura knew what she was doing or not, but she was grateful all the same. Lizzie exchanged her own kind of sentiment.

"You know, people always say 'communications', but I'm ashamed to say I have very little knowledge of what you guys do, mind giving me the run down?"

Uhura glowed at the opportunity to put her department on display, "Of course! It varies depending on where you are, but in the main..."

She was comprehensive in her run down. Lizzie admired her knowledge and understanding and the communications officer began to take a liking to Lizzie. They chattered late into the night in the company of the other women.


Lizzie swore at the read outs of the viral DNA. It was undoubtedly Ankaran flu. Where on Earth someone had been harbouring that one she had no idea.

"McCoy," Lizzie buzzed the comm.

"Yes," the Doctor ground out.

"It's Ankaran Flu. I'm sending the results over now."

She added the final points to her report as McCoy let out a very similar expletive to her own.

"Right. Thanks."

She was left in the quiet again. Lizzie was back on the day shift and she was on her own, having sent M'Benga back to sickbay to help, given the prolonged visits of the individuals Maria had mentioned the previous day. Their conditions hadn't improved, leading McCoy to send over the tests. As each result came through they all said the same thing and she pinged each result over to M'Benga and McCoy.

With the results Lizzie knew that the crew would be out of sickbay in a couple days; but it would be a rough ride. Ankaran flu presented with much more severe symptoms than the common flu viruses on Earth. All crew were vaccinated against it, so there shouldn't be an overload of cases. The presence of those in sickbay would likely be due to the vaccine's ineffectiveness in about fifteen percent of the human population,

so there was nothing she could do but wait. She cleared the samples and placed them in temporary stasis. Logging the reports she moved to tend to the remaining samples.

She checked and double checked everything. The samples, the reports, the analysers. Anything she could think of she checked. It was hard work. It took her longer to complete tasks and sometimes Lizzie struggled to keep her focus. Something she'd never had problems with before. She took a deep breath as she re-checked the final sample to have come through the lab that day.

She collapsed into her desk chair at the close of her shift, filing all the reports and organising for the next day before she left, heading for her quarters.


Whether out of habit or not, some nights McCoy would still drop round in the evening to take her to the mess. It surprised her sometimes, that despite how busy he was he'd still come and find her. Really though, Lizzie was glad for the company. Tonight he was at the door, a basket in hand. Lizzie raised her eyebrows at the old fashioned object.

"Come on."

"Where're we going, Leonard?"

"You'll see."

He took her down the winding decks until Lizzie realised they were on the holodeck. She was confused and slightly concerned about what he was doing.

"Why are we here?"

"Just wait a minute." Seemingly he had more patience tonight than some nights, which was surprising given the number of people currently admitted in sickbay.

He tapped the console to the holodeck, activating a programme.

He motioned for her to go in, so she stepped onto the deck and the countryside from her childhood home surrounded her. The tall green hills, the whispering trees and the call of farm animals. The view whipped her breath away as it had done her entire life.

She turned to McCoy who stood by her side with a smirk on his face.

"So how'd you know?"

"Know what, Darlin'?"

They started walking the stony trail that led up a tall wide hill that formed a long expanse across the horizon. As a child it had seemed like a green mountain range. As an adult it was the very same.

She gave him an exasperated look, "About this place. I take it you know it's my home?"

He shrugged, "I may have threatened Maria a little for some useful information."

Lizzie rolled her eyes, "You know you could just ask?"

"Where would be the fun in that?"

"You know, one day you'll get done for abuse of power."

"Maybe. But it's not stopped me so far."

She elbowed him gently in the side. He went to nudge her back but she jumped out of his way, running the last of the way to a gate and jumping over it with practiced ease.

She'd missed being in the country. It had been a long while. How McCoy had known how much she loved it, she'd never know. Lizzie hung on the gate as McCoy took his sweet time closing the gap. She held out her hand for the basket as he clambered over.

"Jeez, what've you got in here? Rocks?"

"Darlin' why on earth would I bring rocks to a picnic? If I wanted rocks, I'd pick 'em off the ground," he drawled easily.

Lizzie looked at him curiously, "A picnic? You're taking me on a picnic?"

"You're full o' questions tonight ain't you."

Lizzie shrugged. She was always full of questions and he well knew it.

"Fine. Keep your secrets."

He smiled as he grabbed the basket back from her grasp. She rolled her eyes at him as she reached for his free hand pulling him further up the hill.

"Slow down. What's the rush?"

They rounded the top of the hill from the now dirt track.

Lizzie breathed out heavily before drawing in the fresh air as she allowed the encompassing view to absorb her. It was calming. Refreshing.

"This. This is the rush."

Leonard looked out over the rolling green hills dotted with bushes of gauze with little yellow flowers. He could see the tiny rows of houses below and patches of trees. Beyond that was the sea, wide and green, extending from the sandy mouth of the bay. The sun was heading to the west, readying for a spectacular sunset.

Lizzie stood, the wind whispering through her hair. She looked at McCoy and he was watching her. She smiled a genuine, heartfelt smile. Raising her arm she pointed to the base of a hill.

"There's the village," she moved her hand slightly, "which makes that my house."

It was one of many cottages that was little more than a smudge from their distance. He noticed how she said house rather than home. Lizzie was waiting for McCoy to say something but he didn't. "Everything okay?"

He looked at her, "Yeah, it's just, when you said you were from a small town, you weren't kidding."

She laughed, "Yup. Pretty much."

They turned from the edge and pulled out a picnic blanket, laying it between them.

"So, how'd you get these anyway?"

"Scotty owed me a favour."

Lizzie grinned as she sat down, "Everyone seems to owe you favours Doctor McCoy."

"In fact, I think the only person who doesn't is you," he laughed back.

"Well, I think you've probably earned a few," Lizzie joked.

McCoy didn't laugh this time, "You know you don't owe me anything?"

His seriousness was almost disconcerting. "Len, I only meant—"

"Lizzie I know what you meant, I just did my job."

"Yeah but without your job, things could be pretty different."

"They could, but they aren't."

"Exactly, and now I'm hungry. So shall we?"

She gestured to the basket, diverting his attention. He pulled out the food and they tucked in. Both having been busy all day, they ate their fill. Their quiet conversation carried on the breeze, their laughs filling the valley. When they finished Lizzie lay flat on her back staring at the sky.

"You know, you shouldn't lie down straight after eating."

She rolled her eyes, "I'm well aware of our physiology, McCoy. We're not going to die. Lie down."

Above them the clouds were being slowly carried across the sky by the light breeze, the whisps twisting and turning into familiar shapes. The world was at her finger tips and it felt so real, like she was really there.

"You should show me your home. Next time I mean."

"Really? You'd wanna see Georgia?" He twisted his head to look at her.

Lizzie smiled at him, "Sure. I mean you've gotten to see one of my favourite places. Seems only fair that I should get to see yours."

"Yeah. I 'spose it is."

They both lay grinning at the sky.

"Y'know I always used to think they made the pictures in the clouds stuff up for holovids."

"So did I. But it's not, not really."

They stayed staring up into the sky, pointing out the myriad of different shapes to each other.

The sun began to sink behind the hills. Lizzie sat up, getting to her feet and heading back to the edge of the hill which fell away to a steep drop. She watched the glowing colours of the sun as they began to slowly fade from orange to pinks and dark purples. She was filled with the slightly heady sensation of standing up too quickly.

McCoy sat watching her silhouette against the sky from the blanket, before abandoning the picnic and coming to stand at the edge with her. Tentatively he placed an arm around her waist. She didn't flinch or move away or gasp at the contact. Instead she leaned into it, entwining her fingers with his. Both their hands dry and slightly worn, a testament to their professions.

In that moment they both knew beyond doubt there was something there. Something warm and trusting and more than friendship. They adjusted, looking into each other's eyes.

"Do you want...this?" McCoy's hazel eyes were wide with worry.

Searching him Lizzie found herself saying, "If you mean you, then...yes I think I do."

Brown eyes softened as they met green wrapped in flaming circles. He dipped his head ever so slightly, his lips capturing hers in a gentle kiss. Its tenderness was warming and Lizzie found herself safe in his arms. They pulled back slightly. Making eye contact again.

Lizzie nearly whispered, "Take it slow?"

McCoy mirrored her quiet tone, slightly gravelly, "Course, darlin'."

They rested their foreheads together in contented quiet. The sun was disappearing behind the hill, leaving a mass of colours in its wake. The rustle of leaves and the call of birds filled the air. The picnic basket sat long forgotten behind them.