Warning: This is a general alert for those who wanted a spew warning here, claiming it might be a bad idea to drink while reading the funnier parts. So please keep in mind that drinking any kind of beverage while reading this, might be hazzard'ous to the health of your screen.

Disclaimer: I do not own Star Trek, I make no money and boy does that make it hard to afford to pay for all the letters and words I'm using… No permanent harm will come to anyone that can't be undone by a bit of Scotty magic or a well placed hypo…

Chapter 2

While Spock found the assignment strange and confusing he had to admit there was some reason behind it. The Captain had the right to ensure that Spock's decision was based on the facts, as he was certain they were. McCoy did not function aboard the ship and could never be made to function aboard the ship. He was acting by emotion only, with no logic and no reason. To study him would be futile but he would have to submit to the captain's wish.

He was also quite certain it would be a short if frustrating process. The only question was how to best do so without arousing the doctor's suspicions for the man seemed to always be short of temper and irate. With this in mind he chose to take a notice from the Captain down to sickbay himself rather than to send a yeoman. It would allow him to subtly study the man for a few minutes at the very least.

He found the doctor actually in the middle of treating a patient but could tell it was nothing dire. McCoy was merely examining the hand of a young ensign. One Spock knew had equally difficulties in finding his place aboard the ship. Too shy to interact with his cremates. He had also read the report on the injury and knew that the ensign was fully recovered and there should be no need for further treatment. To continue to treat a patient that did not require treatment was not only a waste of personal and material but an abuse of his position.

"Doctor McCoy," he kept his voice neutral and the doctor held up his hand.

"One moment Mr. Spock. I'm almost done here." He took a hypospray from the instrument tray and checked the setting before injecting the young ensign, pausing for a moment as if contemplating what he was doing. Then he gave an almost indiscernible nod. "Alright, everything looks pretty good so far, but I want you in for one last check up later, I'll make you an appointment."

"Yes sir," the young man nodded as he slid off the bio bed.

"Then get out of here and let me get back to work," McCoy offered a smile and the ensign took the opportunity to escape,

"Just one moment Spock, I'll get you the inventory list," McCoy ducked into the office and Spock frowned. Had he not been waiting for the doctor he would not have heard the conversation in the corridor.

'Don't tell me, our hypo-happy Doc?' A laughing voice carried through the doorway.

'Yeah, third time now,' the ensign replied as Spock found himself listening.

'Yeah that's our Doc alright,' a second man chuckled. 'Don't take it too hard, it's annoying, always getting jabbed with those things but at least you know he cares right?'

'I suppose so,' the ensign replied.

'It could be worse, we could have one of them doctors that won't give you the time of day even if you got your leg cut off,' the voices started moving down the corridor but Spock was able to catch the last. 'You're new aboard aren't you? We were just going to the mess. Why don't you join us?'

"Another satisfied customer," McCoy grinned as he handed Spock a PADD, accepting one from the first officer in turn. "Hmm, he couldn't have told me he wanted this before," he muttered, mostly to himself. "Guess I'd better get up there and have it over with," he was still frowning and mumbling to himself as he left the sickbay.

"Nurse, please clarify," Spock turned to nurse Chapel. "Why is Doctor McCoy treating a patient that he has himself declared fully recovered?"

"It's psychology," she mused. "At least it's doctor McCoy's brand of psychology."

"Explain," Spock's frown depended. "Doctor McCoy is not a psychologist."

"He doesn't have the hours logged to practice psychology, but he does have the degree," nurse Chapel mused. "Not to mention the insight. Mr. Spock, all he's done is giving them an opportunity. Ensign Baker is shy and withdrawn, he doesn't always eat enough so the vitamin boost Doctor McCoy gave him is good for him. There's no abuse of position there, the doctor would never do that. Hendricks and Hawkins are kind, open and friendly, they generally reach out to the new crew, but they work in a different department. However, they always take this way to the mess. Doctor McCoy hasn't asked anyone to do or say anything. All he did was give them an opportunity to casually bump into each other, while giving them something in common."

"And that would be?"

"A slightly grumpy Doctor with an annoying fondness of hyposprays…" she smiled softly.

"I see," Spock contemplated the situation briefly. "Nurse, I would like to know when ensign Baker is scheduled for his next appointment."

"Three days from now, eleven fifty, ships time," she told him and Spock nodded.

"Thank you nurse, you may resume your duties." He made sure he would be available to observe the next interaction and did so by occupying himself in the corridor. Watching as ensign Baker came out of sickbay, rubbing his arm lightly. At the same time, Hawkins and Hendricks were indeed approaching. If nothing else positive could be said about him, Doctor McCoy timed his interventions well.

"Another victim for the fastest hypo this side of the Orion," Hawkins shook his head.

"Yeah," Baker nodded slowly. "But he said this was the last time for now."

"For now meaning he's found another victim," Hendricks laughed. "When Doc gets hypo happy, no ones safe, not even the Captain…"

"Isn't that the truth," Hawkins agreed. "Come on, there's pie for dessert today, don't wanna miss out on that…"

"Absolutely not," Baker agreed and Spock had to admit only recently he would probably have been more shy and reluctant to follow them. It appeared this was one time McCoy had acted for the good of the crew. Even if said crew had not realized it.

Fascinating….

His next opportunity for study came somewhat unexpectedly. Per habit he had intended to meet the Captain for dinner in the mess, while the Captain was late he found the room unusually crowded for the time and seated himself at the same table as Sulu and Chekhov. Content to eat in silence he frowned as the two younger men started elbowing each other.

"Zey' will figure it out, I am certain," Chekhov breathed.

"I bet they don't," Sulu chuckled in turn. "Watch it, they don't have a clue."

Turning his head to see what they were talking about Spock noticed two men sitting down with their trays. He only knew them by name, both of them being attached to the geological department. Dooley as soon as he had put down his tray and seated himself reached across the table and grabbed a plate of brussels sprouts and spinach from Magnusen's tray. At the same time Magnusen reached forward to take a bowl of fruit salad from Dooley's tray.

"They really haven't figured it out," Sulu grinned.

"May I inquire as to what you are referring?" Spock asked, human behaviour was confusing.

"Oh yeah, uh," Sulu paused. "You see Mr. Spock, Dooley needs more iron, always did, but whenever Doctor Piper put it on his diet card, the two of them switched , just like that. And Magnusen needs more c vitamins and such, but he refused when doctor Piper put that on his card. Now with Doctor McCoy, they think they can pull the same thing…"

"That is illogical," Spock frowned. "If Doctor McCoy places the nutrition item that one man should eat, on the other man's diet card, he is breaching protocol…."

"He does it because they switch," Sulu hurried to explain with a slightly sheepish smile. "They think it's fun to 'beat the system' as they call it. No matter what he put on their cards they'd switch. Just to think they're smart to get away with it. It always drove Piper crazy, Doctor McCoy just beat them at their own game. Each one eats what he should and they haven't figured it out."

"Highly irregular," Spock frowned thoughtfully.

"But highly effective at the same time," Sulu beamed. "It's only vitamins and such Mr. Spock. If for once they don't switch, it can't really do any harm…"

"That is fortunate," Spock decided. It was also quite true, one dosage of extra vitamins was unlikely to do any harm.

"It's just the way Doc works," Sulu shrugged as he uncovered his desert. "Oatmeal cookies again…"

"I have fruit salad," Chekhov studied his small cup. "Trade?"

"Fruit salad is better than oatmeal…" smiling cheerfully Sulu traded dessert with his friend.

Contemplating them and their words as well their actions Spock steepled his fingers together. When he went over the last quarterly medical exams for the crew before McCoy took over there had been a note that Sulu would benefit from more fruit. It would seem that while they laughed at their unsuspecting crew mates, Sulu and Chekhov were receiving the exact same treatment. The doctor had found a way to deal with their stubborn ignorance It would seem.

Fascinating…...

TBC

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