This story was created a year ago, from four days in bed with the stomach flu, high fevers, lack of appetite, and dreams created from the chaos. It is definitely not canon, and I'm not going to focus on how well it does or does not fit the storyline or how in character the characters are, as it is a result of a fevered wishful brain and I cannot argue with that. Just enjoy the heavily Spock story with a lot of entrances from Doctor McCoy and of course a female character that at least doesn't die before the episode ends. Loosely based on The Old Series. Inspired by Spock's comment "You forget that half of me is human" in 'Spectre of the Gun'
This story will update every Thursday.
I do not own any of these characters, just the ideas that popped in my head. As always, read, review, and be safe!
"Emotions are alien to me. I'm a scientist" – Mr. Spock
"Captain's Log 2500 Stardate year 2263, following the Enterprise's excursions around Gamma 7, told in a different place. The following details are compiled from our command's experiences in dealings with the Moldans, and a mission of great importance that had our crew escaping once again from an evil entity intent on destroying everything held close by those of our ship."
Captain Kirk, of the Starfleet command, an elite division of a highly advanced federation of space explorers determined to bring about peace and tranquility to all reachable solar systems, sat thoughtfully in the bridge, chin resting in his hand. The various gadgets and gears that ran his sailing city known as the USS Enterprise hummed and beeped amicable around him. He watched the displays before him with practiced eye. All was operating as it should be. It felt like any other normal day, and the sounds that reached his ears were not out of place. However, Starfleet liaison members were on board this particular day for a routine training lecture, and he was determined to maintain a businesslike attitude in the face of the typical intense scrutiny from the Federation.
The swish of a door opening behind him acknowledged the entrance of an unannounced arrival to the bridge and he turned slightly to see who had come. Leonard McCoy, the rugged, friendly doctor of the ship, nodded a greeting and came to stand behind his captain.
"Howdy, Jim. Just dropping down here for some excitement. Its mighty lonesome in the sick bay with no sick people to scold."
Jim Kirk smirked bemusedly, lifting his chin from his hand to glance at his friend. "Do you have a problem with that, doctor? Not wishing ill on any crew members, are you?"
McCoy glared at him. "Of course not, Jim. It is just that if I must listen to Spock give one more lecture to the new interns on humanoids, asteroids, and black holes, I am going to go completely mad. Thank goodness Starfleet is only leaving us in charge of one of them. Wonder which of the lucky chaps we will be babysitting this time around?"
Jim turned quickly again to face McCoy, a look of amusement on his tanned face.
"Well, wait a minute there, Bones! You seem to be upset by that prospect. What's the problem? We always take on a recruit when Starfleet brings them on."
McCoy shrugged noncommittally. "I'm not sure what is eating me more, Jim: The fact that Starfleet – out of all the rooms on the entire ship – chose my personal, private office for their confounded hours of never-ending lectures, or that half of the students they brought with them are completely inexperienced medical recruits and we could get stuck with any one of them for who knows how long?"
Jim tapped his chin thoughtfully but there was a kind smile in his eyes for the older gentleman.
"Jealous, are we, doctor?"
McCoy frowned at Captain Kirk. "Heck, no, Jim. It's high time the Federation had fresh blood when it comes to medical doctors and their future replacements. Things change, new advancements are made all the time. It's just that they don't know nearly as much as I do, nor have they traveled out here in this universe as much as I have, and if they think that I am going to give up my place on this ship -"
Jim reached up and patted the doctor's arm, deciding to put him out of his misery.
"Take heart, McCoy. Enterprise will not be changing or losing staff and definitely not its most distinguished, valuable medical officer."
A smile of relief crossed Leonard McCoy's face which was then replaced by a sheepish grin at his own insecurity. But before he could speak, the doors opened again, and Spock entered with a small group of young men and women wearing student insignia.
"This is the end of the tour, recruits. Scotty will take you back to the transporter room where you will all beam back to your respective Starship command school ships. Except for you." He reached out and motioned for a young woman to step away from the crowd. "You have been chosen by the United Federation of Planets, and by your professor, to complete your schooling here alongside Doctor Leonard McCoy. The others will be dispersed to ships around the federation upon approval by the professors who lead them, and according to their final grades. Pay attention, finish well. Good evening to you all." Amid scattered waves and goodbyes, Scotty walked the remaining recruits to the transporter room to disembark the Enterprise, while Jim glanced at McCoy to gauge his friend's reaction.
"Still upset about taking on fresh blood, Doctor?" Jim Kirk asked sarcastically, but with friendly intentions. McCoy cast a withering look at the amusement on his superior's face.
"Lay off, Jim."
Spock was walking toward them with a young woman at his side. She was a full head shorter than the Vulcan, appeared about twenty-five years old, with freckled skin, shimmering red hair and bright, eager green eyes.
Jim Kirk held out his hand in polite greeting. "Welcome aboard, intern. We hope you will find it pleasant aboard this ship. If at any time you do wish to leave us, do not hesitate to let the command know. The rules for all interns are six months aboard the ship, with allowance to leave at any time if this isn't a good fit for you, or for family emergencies. Any missions must be carried out at the approval and accompaniment of a higher ranking officer. My name is Captain Jim Kirk, but you can call me Jim." He laid a hand on the doctor's shoulder. "This is your medical officer and supervisor, Leonard McCoy, and of course you already know Spock, our First Officer."
The newcomer nodded politely. "Thank you for your kindness, gentlemen, I feel most welcome aboard your vessel. I hope to make the Federation proud in my continued studies under Doctor McCoy. Spock has been most educating, and I do believe I have full comprehension of the ship and its workings, courtesy of my professor and the preparatory course at the Academy."
Leonard McCoy chuckled and held out his hand to her. "Sounds like you are off to a good start. Welcome aboard, kid. What's your name?"
She gave him an uncertain but polite smile and shook the hands that were offered to her timidly but firmly. "Thank you, sir. My name is Rony. I am from Earth, North America, central Michigan state. I hope I shall not bring dishonor to this mission by my ignorance. I wish to discover all I can to perhaps someday help my fellow species advance."
McCoy clapped Spock's shoulder. "Lookie there, Spock. Finally, we have another scientific mind on board that speaks English, instead of dictionary."
Spock raised a single eyebrow and half turned his shoulders, hands clasped behind him, to look at the physician, a slight confusion quirking his lips. "I fail to understand the excitement, Doctor. I speak English as well as you humans do. Dictionaries might be filled with words, but they cannot speak. That is highly illogical, Doctor, too even suggest an idea in that context."
Leonard rolled his eyes. "Spock, sometimes I would like to strangle you. There is an internal desire to be understood when speaking to someone that is decidedly human, and you and your Vulcan mind cannot seem to understand that in the least! I enjoy having the gleam of understanding light up my listener's eyes when I speak to them, not the blank stare of someone who doesn't understand excitement and joy and inspiration at new discoveries."
Spock tilted his head slightly to the side. "Why be excited, Doctor. Each new discovery is merely the fulfillment of a lifetime of searching for something that always was. You haven't created anything new, merely found it. And strangling me would merely cease my existence, it would not bring any further enhancement to your feelings."
McCoy groaned, pinching the bridge of his nose with two fingers. "Spock, why do I bother? You wouldn't understand excitement or eager thrill of discovery if it smacked you in the head."
Kirk stood with his arms crossed, amused by the typical banter between the two men. He chuckled and glanced at their newcomer, suddenly realizing that the intern was watching closely as the two officers argued. There was a gentle and reserved stillness about her demeanor, although a concerned gleam was growing in her eyes at the banter between McCoy and Spock. This expression had caught Kirk's attention and he frowned. She genuinely looked afraid that the two men would come to blows.
Holding up his hands, he interrupted the quarreling members of his team.
"Easy, men. We don't have time to sort out all the problems of the Vulcan mind versus the human mind today. Rony. Why don't you go get settled in your quarters, and we will reconvene tomorrow morning at say, 0900? I will request that Uhura accompany you to your quarters and bring your accompanying luggage as well."
"Thank you, Captain." She curtsied slightly. "I am quite tired. Whom shall I report to, tomorrow?"
Captain Kirk nodded once in approval. "Spock will come for you at 0845. He will escort you to McCoy's office, where you will assist in learning our cataloging skills at first, and after that, you will begin studies with Doctor McCoy, for the six-month internship. If you have any questions, or needs, consult Uhura and she will assist you."
Rony nodded in return. "Thank you, Captain. Gentlemen," she slightly curtsied toward Leonard McCoy and Spock, and with a backward glance at the Vulcan and the doctor, she followed gentle Uhura from the bridge.
McCoy watched her go then turned to Kirk as soon as the door closed. "Hey, what did you go send her off for?"
Kirk held up his hands again in a placating motion. "I was watching her while you two were disagreeing, and she looked a little nervous with all the arguing between you two. She genuinely looked afraid of you both, and I didn't want her to have that feeling as a first impression of our ship. Don't forget McCoy, she's human but she's also female. A little respect from you two, please." Kirk patted both men's shoulders, then walked back to his place at the bridge leaving McCoy and Spock looking at each other in minor consternation.
The next morning, Leonard McCoy sat at his office desk, waiting for Rony to appear for her first day of internship. She was right on time, knocking on the office door promptly at 0900.
"I hope I am not too early, Mr. McCoy." She spoke politely, but the experienced physician could detect a nervous strain in her voice. He smiled kindly in an attempt to calm her unease. He didn't want her to think that he was an arguing, complaining person. In time she would come to understand the banter between he and Spock was out of frustration, but that the two men always had each other's back despite their annoyances.
"Not at all, Rony. Pull up a chair at that desk over there. I have listed out some files that need updated. Need new entries, new cataloging, new labels, things like that. If you wouldn't mind working on that first, and then I will check your work before you put them away. That would be a great first start."
"Yes, sir." Rony moved quickly to begin her task, and Leonard furtively watched her work, noting how efficiently she was completing the tasks that he had provided for her. She was actually very good, and focused. He was pleased with what he was seeing and was beginning to think that maybe having an assistant for the next six months wouldn't be such a bad thing after all. The long days of sitting at the desk filling out reports was quite dull for the doctor, as the only time he had any kind of companionship was only if someone was sick in the bay. And then, they weren't usually good company to him or themselves.
The intercom buzzed, interrupting his thoughts, and he flipped the switch to open the communication.
"McCoy here. What's happening out there, Kirk?"