"Captain's log- diplomatic relationship successfully reestablished on planet's surface. The landing party will beam up momentarily-"
"Spock to Kirk." A different channel of the communicator buzzed.
"Kirk here." The Captain stood outside the diplomat's tent on the rocky planet with his team, gazing up at the lovely purple sky.
"Captain, your life readings are altered. Yourself and both security officers seem to be in the early stages of a fever. I would recommend you limit your contact with crewmembers upon your return to the ship and report immediately to sick bay."
The security members stared curiously at their Captain, awaiting further instructions.
"Huh...well thank you for the heads up. We'll do that. Let them know to expect us. Kirk out." He considered that maybe they'd picked up a cold, but he didn't anticipate anything serious. He told himself stopping by sickbay was a minor inconvenience before a delicious meal.
Spock began making additional calls, starting by alerting the transporter room to remove any nonessential personnel. "Spock to sick bay."
"Sick bay, Vida here."
He recognized the voice before she'd said her name, and remembered it was McCoy's day off. "The Captain and his landing party will be heading your way momentarily. Our scanners indicate that they may be in the early stages of an infection of some kind."
"Noted. We will take precautions. Anything else?"
"That is all." He hesitated, part of him craving to reconnect with his mate. Now is not the right time, nor the proper context. "Spock out."
As Spock warned, Kirk and his men appeared in sick bay, flushed. The doctor put each of them on a table, for vitals observation, and handed each a tablet to answer symptom questionnaires. One of the men began sweating profusely. Another quickly dozed off. This prompted her to contact the transporter room to have the one crew member present join them, so that the room could be disinfected and restaffed accordingly. As soon as he arrived, she shut the doors leading into hallways.
"You think it's something infectious?" Chapel asked, making an uncomfortable expression.
"Unfortunately, I do. Don't administer any drugs yet...Just get them some water and cool rags for now. I'm going to contact the bridge again." She dismissed the Nurse. "Vida to bridge."
"Spock here."
"It is likely an overreaction on my part, but for the sake of preventing an outbreak of an unknown viral fever, please announce that all non-emergency medical visits have been postponed for the day."
"A logical precaution. I will alert the crew."
His announcement boomed over the speakers as Vida took to examining her patient's closer. She ran the surveys through a few health surveillance programs but couldn't find a matching pathogen. It's too early. They don't have enough symptoms yet...It is possible that I too will develop symptoms in the coming hours.
"Dr. Vida...When I've been sick in the past, Dr. McCoy has administered something to lessen the fever. Are you familiar with-"
"Captain, I know I appear young by Terran standards, but I assure you I am no less capable than Dr. McCoy." What was that about? You dare not show a temper, much less with your Captain. "Apologies, sir."
"No, no I owe you an apology. I know that you're capable...I'm just feeling poorly and-"
"Because the pathogen in question, at present, alludes me, I cannot begin ameliorating symptoms unless they become dangerous. I will reduce your fever if and when it comes dangerous. For now, the temperature range can provide some information. Please attempt to understand." Are you irritable because of the fever or because of your hormones? If you're going to be here all day, perhaps you could find out. No, you have other tests to conduct. That can wait.
The blood smear from Kirk appeared, at first, to reveal nothing. She attempted three kinds of staining techniques, to no avail. In the silence of the lab, she recognized her own increasing temperature. That, and her frustration, led her to discard her lab coat and pull up her hair. Think V...you had epidemiology courses...microbiology...For a moment she popped her gloves just to hear the noise, before the idea came to her. She found a spring needle and pricked her own finger. Perhaps the difference in blood chemistry will have an effect. Quickly, but carefully, she toggled the knob on the microscope until it was on its most intense setting. Come on. Come on! Finally, she caught a glimpse of something moving. Gotcha! It was a polyhedral virus. Shit.
"Would somebody care to tell me why sickbay's locked up tight? And why our Captain is laid up in bed, hm?" McCoy stomped onto the bridge.
Spock exhaled, preparing to deal with his friend's temper. "When the landing party returned, they were experiencing a fever. I sent them directly to sickbay where they are now being cared for by Dr. Vida."
"A fever? So she's quarantining them? Which fever?"
"I do not know. She noted that-"
"McCoy to sickbay!" He grumbled into his communicator.
"Vida here. I'm running diagnostics as fast as is possible, doctor. You were not meant to work today-"
"To hell with all that! I can help-"
"Not without risking further exposures. I may enact the emergency quarantine-" If this alarm is sounded, protocol requires contacting Starfleet HQ. If your hypothesis is incorrect, this will be considered a false report, and your job will likely be terminated. You'd better have answers for them. Vida closed her eyes and leaned against the wall for a moment, forming a list of possible viral suspects.
"Don't you dare!" McCoy exploded, his eyes cutting at Spock, who got the sense he knew something he didn't. "You know damn well if you go pushin' that blasted button, you'll get shut in there until everyone's cured. And if there's no cure, you'll all die!"
Death...is to be avoided at my age. As a female of reproductive age, I am the most biologically valuable member to my society. Her hand settled itself on her gut, which had begun to feel tense. A long and prosperous life is a sentient being's most-
"Dr. Vida, I must warn you that if you enact the protocol, there is no method of overriding it." Spock's voice came in- collected and smooth. It comforted her for a moment before jarring her further.
Spock. The doctor knew she was already at risk, but the idea of her friends, her lover even, being in danger was somehow more unsettling. She leapt from the lab bench to a plastic cover on the wall, revealed a button underneath, and smashed it. Alarms sounded and lights blinked.
"NO! Damn you!" McCoy howled. "Scott shut it off!"
"It's nae possible." Scotty shrugged apologetically.
"Engaging emergency quarantine protocols." The computer whooped as plastic paneling lowered to block entrances and exits. Confusion arose in the next room as the nurse and other patients looked for answers. Chaos, albeit controlled chaos, erupted throughout the ship as decks began their own mechanical isolation.
"It is a calculated risk." Spock assured the bridge. Do not allow fear to exist in your mind. It was easier said than done, knowing his wife had locked herself in a compartment with a potentially deadly virus. She made a logical choice. The needs of the many outweigh the needs of the few. Her survival now depends on her own abilities. Fortunately, she is quite skilled. "I am confident in her ability to both identify and treat this mystery ailment."
The bridge and sickbay interacted every half hour. The patients became dizzy and disoriented. Some had developed coughs and produced thick mucus. Test after test, Vivian worked to narrow down her list. When she arrived at two, she spent nearly an hour trying to distinguish them, knowing that was nearly impossible. She shared the information with the Captain, who asked if it was possible to treat both.
"While both are curable, their treatments can have negative interactions if administered simultaneously. It is also dangerous to introduce antibodies into someone's system without the disease already being present." She paced and worked to control her breathing pattern, noticing that pain again in her lower abdomen.
"How dangerous?" Kirk panted.
"Deadly."
With a nod, Kirk informed her, "I'll take one...if it kills me- then we know it's the wrong one-"
"And I can synthesize the other for the crew. OR it works, but either way," Her excitement waned. "Captain, I do not want to ask that of you." Despite her anxiety surrounding his plan, she agreed and quickly made contact with the bridge. "I have narrowed down the list of possible pathogens to Cartalian fever or Rugalan fever. Both can be deadly...but both are also curable- however- I presently have no means of distinguishing between the two viruses."
"And it'd be too dangerous to give someone the wrong antibodies."
"Dr. McCoy, I have volunteered to receive a dose of either antibody. Dr. Vida can watch me and, if I improve, she'll synthesize more of the antibody I received to give to the rest of the quarantined crew. If my condition worsens-" The Captain stopped to cough violently, "The crew will be given the other antibody. Either way we'll know."
"You can't risk yourself like that Jim!" McCoy spat.
"I see no logical alternative." Dr. Vida announced. "The Captain's bravery is appreciated and...I'll do everything in my capacity to treat him."
Spock nodded in understanding, once again appreciating his partner's logic.
When the transmission ended, she felt the growing pressure had intensified. Is that pain or is that pressure?
"Captain...If you'll excuse me a moment...when I return, I will decide which antibody to inject. Agreed?"
"Agreed."
Breathe. She instructed herself as she disappeared to the restroom. I likely have not relieved myself in a significant period of time and have developed a urinary tract infection as a result. I somehow doubt this to be a symptom of the fever itself. The darkness of her undergarment obscured any clues. Instead, she was surprised by a streak of green on the paper she'd used to clean herself. Have I began menstruating again? No, one month missed- maybe- but this. No. She resorted to a quick calming technique as she dealt with the mess. You're having a miscarriage...but you have to focus on treating the crew. You can treat yourself later. This is common. You'll be fine. For a moment, she gripped the bathroom counter and stared blankly into the sink's bowl. Get it together. There's a crew quarantined with you, depending on you. The needs of the many outweigh the needs of the few. They have a fever...you know its Cartalian or Rugalan but-RUGALAN- Rugalan fever can cause fetal demise, Cartalian fever cannot. You know what it is! There is a small collection of antibodies on board, but more will have to be produced for a treatment and a vaccine. Focus on that. However, if I am not treated, I cannot treat.
Dr. Vida exited the bathroom and slipped down the hall to her exam room. This isn't me. This is a patient. Patient is a Vulcan female, first pregnancy, Rugalan infection- induced abortion. She talked herself through the process, collecting something to strengthen the contractions, a pain medication, a cervical softener, and an antianxiety drug.
Finally, she returned to the room with Kirk, "Change of plans." She carefully set the medications on the counter then got out her communicator once more: "Vida to McCoy." Her voice shook.
"V! How are y'all holdin' up?" McCoy nervously palmed his communicator.
"I am confident now in identifying the pathogen as Rugalan fever."
"Which antibody did you give to Kirk?!"
"Neither."
"Then how-"
"Rugalan fever produces one symptom that Cartalian fever does not." Maintaining her composure was easier before she began speaking to such a close friend.
McCoy bit his lip and racked his brain before his face went slack. "V, you don't mean..."
"I have already gathered the appropriate pharmaceuticals and will administer them once I have sufficient antibodies to treat the quarantined patients."
"Vivian, you need help! If I come in through the airlock-"
"That is an unnecessary risk for additional exposure. I will not allow it. I assure you; I can manage, doctor."
"I don't like this! I...As soon as those doses are ready- I'm coming through! You'd better pass those needles off to the nurses, you hear me?"
"Understood."
"V...Spock's here and maybe-"
"I do not have time for additional conversation. You may keep him abreast of my updates. I will make contact when there's further news. Vida out." Breath. She returned to the sink and began to scrub, preparing to go to her lab station.
"Dr. Vida?" Kirk wiped the sweat from his forehead and sat up, seemingly relieved. "You mean we're gonna make it after all?" A weak smile crossed his face, "You're brilliant, you know that? Just like that husband of yours. How'd you figure it out?"
She winced and rolled her head around her neck. "As I informed Dr. McCoy, there's one distinction between the two fevers."
"Do tell."
"A Rugalan fever infection in a pregnant woman often results in spontaneous abortion, particularly in the first trimester."
His smile fell, "What?...Are you PREGNANT?"
"Was, Captain." She corrected without looking up from her microscope. Good, yes, focus on the microorganisms.
"Dr. Vida...Vivian...I...What can I do? How can I help?"
Don't patronize me. "You're going to help me administer vaccines to crew members. The faster they are distributed, the sooner I can be seen by Dr. McCoy."
When McCoy shut the communicator, he noticed Spock standing closer to him than he had been before. While he said nothing, his eyebrow was raised in curiosity. If the doctor squinted, he could almost read a level of concern in the Commander's facial expression.
"Uh...hey Spock," He nodded to the corner in an effort to pull him to the side.
"You expressed concern for Dr. Vida. Have her symptoms increased in severity?"
He sighed, "Yeah...you could say that...Spock did you catch that bit about distinguishing the two fevers?"
"I heard the statement made, but I am unfamiliar with the distinguishing symptom."
McCoy hesitated, deciding between expressing sympathy for his friend or keeping it in a clinical context the Vulcan would understand. "You know how infections activate the immune system? Well sometimes it...it goes into an overdrive-it attacks other cells-foreign cells...So uh...for some pathogens-like Rugalan fever...if a woman contracts it...it can uh...result in pregnancy loss..."
Spock followed along with the science, only cocking his head slightly with the last statement. "...To clarify...Dr. Vida is...experiencing a miscarriage?"
He pressed his lips together tightly in a line, a knot forming in his stomach. "Yes...but she assured me that she is still capable of treating afflicted crew...When the antibodies are distributed, I guarantee I'll be the first across the barrier to make sure she's taken care of."
"Elaborate." When Spock's eyes zeroed in on a particular point of a panel, McCoy took that to mean he was retreating into academia to spare him from having to process the information on a personal level.
"It's not UNCOMMON this early- infection, injury, hell sometimes cells just don't divide quite right. Provided she opens that barrier soon so I can get my hands on her, she should be fine...physiologically anyway. Most of the time it's bleeding and cramping, but it works itself out. Sometimes, a physician will perform a d&c procedure which is just removal of uterine contents- just in case you know- preventing infection and all that. Some pain pills, some antibiotics, maybe a blood transfusion. It depends. I don't know what I'm working with yet, but she'll be good. She's a tough lady. Shouldn't hurt anything long term either...other than...I mean she's a Vulcan but...Everyone reacts differently. Some women shrug it off quick and others will go through a process of grief."
He nodded, processing the monologue. "I was unaware of...of the pregnancy."
"She didn't know either, really. I mean she suspected but...I don't think she'd confirmed anything anyway."
"I see...Dr. McCoy...I entrust her to your care-"
"Of course Spock! 'Goes without saying."
It only took an hour or so for Vivian to successfully synthesize a treatment, at which point she too sweated with fever. Nurse Chapel worked with the patients in sickbay, the only other individuals close enough to now have active infections. If they could be treated quickly, they could move to help vaccinate the next closest crew members. Then they could help with the next set and so on until the ship was no longer quarantined. Once the bridge is vaccinated, Spock would be safe to come- stop. He is not a physician and is therefore unnecessary.
"Dr. Vida," Nurse Chapel knocked on the window, her own face flushed. "One patient is now experiencing tremors. I'm afraid he may have a febrile seizure coming on."
"I believe I have a compound ready. I will administer it first," She swallowed hard as pain shot through her lower back, "To Kirk. Provided it appears functional and safe, I will then take it myself and move on to treating the patients in sick bay."
Her hands trembled and her head pounded, but the worst symptom was the intensifying cramps. "Captain," She unceremoniously stood and wiped her forehead with the back of her hand. Change gloves. Fill syringe. Sterilize arm.
His vitals were erratic on the screen over him, and he dozed in and out of consciousness. Fortunately, he'd long-since tossed away his shirt to manage the heat. She delivered the injection into his upper arm, then sat beside him on the bed to wait. Come on. Come on. Slowly, his vitals stabilized. Thank the Creator.
"Captain? Kirk, can you hear me?" She pat his cheek, "JIM."
The eyes fluttered open with a deep exhale. "Hm?"
The physician laughed, but the movement produced more pain. "How do you feel?" She began to measure him with a tricorder. No ill effects.
"It worked?"
"Nurse!" Vivian returned to her station and loaded five other vials, mentally calculating dosage by BMI from memory of the other patients. She finally unlocked the door and passed them to the nurse. It was as if the two women were in a mirror. Each wiped their own arm, bit the syringe cap off, and administered their own dose. A few moments later, Vivian felt her fever lighten and her headache diminish. Unfortunately, the cramping continued. You were naive to think it would stop. There is no reversal to what is already in motion.
She returned to her bench, working furiously to synthesize a vaccine from the treatment. Kirk and Chapel cheered at the success of the treatment in the other room.
"Captain to bridge."
"JIM!" McCoy leapt, "You're alright!"
"Dr. Vida cracked the code, so to speak. We've treated those afflicted in sick bay. We'll move on to vaccines soon. Kirk out."
The bridge erupted into applause, both in awe and relief. The man in the Captain's chair merely shifted in his seat.
McCoy returned to his corner and took out his communicator, "McCoy to Kirk."
"Bones?"
"Jim, how's V doin'?"
Vulcan ears easily picked up the whisper. Spock's eyebrow raised at attention.
He peered back around the corner. She was on her stool but seemed to be shifting around on it to stretch, while taking meditation breaths. "She's working on the vaccine, but...I can tell she's in pain."
"The treatment didn't help any?"
"I don't know, Bones-"
"Has she taken anything else?"
"She set up some medications on the counter, but she hasn't taken-"
"Which ones?!"
He squinted to try to read from the other room, "That pain one you use- I can't pronounce it. I can't read the next, then myso-misopo-"
"Misoprostol?"
"Yeah, that sounds right."
"She's gonna try to treat herself Jim!"
"I don't understand your concern. Isn't that her specialty-"
"Still! If she's at all woozy or feverish- I don't like it! Just...hold her off until I get there alright?"
Another hour or so later, the vaccine was finished. As Chapel assisted loading the syringes, Dr. Vida stepped to the counter to swallow a couple pills. Quickly, she discarded the bottles into drawers before anyone could ask questions. Nurse Chapel eventually appeared in the doorway going into the bridge with the tray, which Dr. McCoy helped her quickly distribute.
"Where's Vida?" McCoy demanded.
"I...I don't know...She sent us out with doses to give-wait-I saw Kirk in the hall. He said she was going back to her suite."
"Not a bad idea, she's got the better equipment. Let's head that way." He nodded at Spock.
Spock's hands were folded in a contemplative position, and he looked up in a manner that suggested the issue not be pushed. I must remain to command the Enterprise...Vivian is a logical woman- a Vulcan- she will understand. I am not a physician. I am of no use to her there. The most help I can provide is maintaining the homeostasis and safety of this vessel. He shook his head once, then turned to return to his duties.
"What do you mean? You're not coming?!"
"Dr. McCoy I am presently in command of this Starship and cannot abandon the bridge at this time." Spock's skin tightened with tension.
"You know as well as I do any commanding officer is capable of taking over-" His voice raised, beginning to collect the attention of the bridge's crew.
"In normal circumstances. Our Captain is recovering from an infectious disease which crippled a portion of our crew. We are operating under less than ideal conditions. I mean no offense to Mr. Scott, however I am not declining the Captain's responsibilities at this time."
"She's your WIFE-"
"Doctor." His voice became harsher and slightly raised, "This matter is not one for further discussion."
McCoy scowled and took his leave alone as Spock took his seat in the Captain's chair.
"I did not know you vere married, Commander," Chekov remarked.
"Ensign, if you have time to make personal inquiries, perhaps I should increase your workload." Spock spat, uncharacteristically.
"Dr. Vida?" McCoy rapped on the outside of the exam room door. "It's me, Leonard. Can I come in?" He knocked harder, "Vivian?" When he heard no answer, he keyed in the override codes. Inside the room, he found a surgical tray set up and an exam table prepped. "Oh jeez..." A Starfleet dress was crumpled in the floor, and specks of green on the floor led to the bathroom. "V!"
The woman sat on the toilet, leaning onto the nearby counter. She'd already changed into a patient's gown. Her head bobbed like someone falling asleep and her whole body vibrated. "Bones," She mumbled, nearly incoherently.
"What'd you do?" He grumbled, moving over her with a tricorder. Her vitals were all over the place, indicative of blood loss and possible shock. When she almost slumped forward onto him, he changed his tone. "Hey, hey there, V? How you doin' sweetheart?" He shined a light in her eyes, alarmed by the lack of response and the pallor of her skin.
"I...I just..." She groaned.
"Shhh, shhh, shhh, I gotcha."
"I took...the bottles are in s-sick bay...I..." Her eyes rolled around without rhyme or reason. "Where...where's Spock?"
"Bones?" Kirk also used the override codes to enter the room. "Dr. V-oh boy..."
"Jim! Help me get her up there." McCoy got under one arm and Kirk under the other to move the patient to the table.
Once on the table, she writhed and cringed, "You...you aren't Spock...I...where?" With the little bit of focus she had, she tried to reach out to him, to send a plea of energy in his direction. She received nothing in return.
"She's gonna need a transfusion-"
"I have...it-the blood...I saved some in case...it's there..." Swallowing hard, she moved a shaky arm in the direction of her lab.
Kirk instinctively went to find out, and quickly stumbled upon a green bag hanging in a fridge. "I've got it." When he returned, the doctor was placing an IV in the arm of his colleague.
"V, I'm gonna give you some fluids, ok? Some blood too." He then moved to situate her legs and set up drapes. "Where's Chapel?"
"I think she's still administering vaccines-"
"Dammit! Alright well I'm outta options, so you go scrub in Captain."
"What?!" The patient attempted to sit up.
"Don't worry, he's staying on that side-" Kirk followed instructions and stood, awaiting something further at the head of the table.
"Not...modesty...competence." She tensed up and got quiet again.
McCoy chuckled, "Yeah well about that..." He went to scrub in before kicking a stool into position. "Just breathe..." He encouraged as he gently pressed on her lower abdomen, resulting in a howl from his patient. "Sorry, sorry!"
As she began to gag, her Captain grabbed the emesis basin for her to wretch into. Without much thought he moved to brush her hair away from her face. He was accustomed to being around injured crewmen, but this was different for many reasons. For one, he almost never dealt with 'women's issues'. He was also closer to this patient than he was other crewmates. It was strange to him to see a Vulcan react in such a volatile manner, and if that was any indication of severity, he was quite concerned. Moreover, this was his best friend's wife- SPOCK's wife. He also felt a twinge of guilt- her being aboard his ship resulted in her infection, which resulted in this new problem.
Once she laid back again, she began asking for her husband. Her doctor, instead, busied himself with an exam- being careful to detail his actions and ask for permission. This was technically against Starfleet protocol, which required a female member of medical staff to serve as a chaperone if a male physician was practicing gynecology. Then again, this was an emergency, and their staff was limited.
"Hey V, how about some anesthesia now, ok? When you wake up-"
"No," She shook her head adamantly. "I...I need him...I just...where is he?"
Kirk looked to McCoy who shook his head. Instead, Kirk moved to take her hand, "Hey, you're not on your own here. I'm here."
"You're not-" Her voice broke with a cry as the other doctor moved. The vitals monitors beeped with urgency.
"That's it." McCoy stood and threw up his hands, "Dr. Vida, you know as well as I do that pain causes shock and shock can kill! Furthermore, if you so much as twitch- I'm gonna puncture somethin'! I can put you out now, or I can let you pass out on your own, but I'd much prefer the first one."
Her eyes watered, but she still shook her head, "I...he...I'm so sorry...I don't want...they'll be mad...I-"
"Who could possibly be angry with you? You've acted heroically today," Kirk feigned a smile.
McCoy bit the inside of his lip and groaned, "I think she's worried about Sarek- hell maybe even Spock. Jim, the pressure they put on this girl-"
"Spock," She whimpered.
The man in the Captain's chair sat up straighter, hearing his name. He looked around; no one was calling him and no one else seemed to hear anything. After rationalizing that it came from his mental link to his partner, he hesitated, unsure of whether more information would be more or less distracting. For a moment, he allowed himself to reach into the connection. His face tensed as he realized there weren't worded rational thoughts to be had, just incoherence and confusion, pain and panic. Almost immediately, he pulled himself out of it as to remain unaffected. Nonetheless, he had been affected. He was now afflicted with concern over her condition and guilt regarding his absence. There was also a degree of confusion as she had seemed distant in the previous days. Why now?
After another few moments, he picked up the small headset. "Spock to McCoy," He whispered.
Vivian relaxed at the sound of the voice.
Kirk sighed with relief and grabbed his friend's communicator, "Spock this is Kirk. McCoy's scrubbed in, he can't-"
"Bring it here!" McCoy ordered.
"Doctor, what updates can you provide?"
"Oh! So NOW you want to know? Well, you'd better get your green ass over here mister!"
"Doctor-"
"I'm about to start a procedure to stop bleeding and prevent infection. She'll need fluids, a transfusion, and a couple days rest-"
"Transfusion-"
"Yes! She's lost a hell of a lot of blood, and she might be in shock, but I've got it under control now- no thanks to you! She's in pain and she's frightened-"
"You're attempting a surgical procedure without first sedating a patient-"
"Who're you to lecture me on medicine?! She won't let me put her out because she's set on seeing YOU!"
Kirk moved the device away so the doctor could cool off. "She's uh, she's been asking for you Spock."
A pang stirred in Spock's chest. "Captain, you of all people should understand my obligation to the bridge."
"Please," She winced, tears beginning to roll off her face. Spock heard her. He shut his eyes and breathed calmly, trying to send her peaceful energy.
"That's enough!" McCoy span the stopper on the IV, incorporating a new variety of drug. The patient's body seemed to relax, but her eyes still shut tightly, and her head moved. "Damn Vulcan metabolism...she'll burn through all of this in no time. V? V, relax." He did some mental math and grabbed a mask to put over her airway. She wouldn't keep still. "If you'd just stop fighting the medicine- it'll be over soon- I promise. You're gonna be alright. Let me help you, ok?"
Her sobs echoed through the mask, twisting the knife in her partner's gut.
Finally, giving up, the doctor plunged a syringe into her neck. "There!" The insertion provoked a groan and full body tension that immediately melted. She relaxed into the bed, her face went lax, and her head lolled to the side. "She's out...FINALLY." He sighed.
Spock didn't need to be told, as he'd felt her tension suddenly disappear. "Perhaps she can rest now."
The doctor fumed, "Listen BUDDY, I'm going to wrap up here and then I'm going to move her to her suite for observation. I swear, if you're not there before she wakes up, I'll shove my foot SO far up your-"
Kirk cleared his throat. "I'll stay with her until you clear me to return to duty. Then Spock and I can switch, alright?"
"Thank you...Jim..."