Still More Bedside Manners
Steam fills the bathroom. McCoy strips off his surgical tunic and uniform, dropping them on the floor as he steps into the shower. Hot water stings his skin. He tenses, then begins to relax. Mind wandering aimlessly, he tries to imagine what it would feel like, if the needles-on-skin sensation were amplified… What it would feel like if he were from a desert planet… When he realizes he's been standing there – just standing there, with water rushing over him unheeded – a part of him starts to make clinical observations on his probable state of mind. But he hushes it by abruptly shutting off the water, roughly running the towel over his face and hair, and stepping out into the still-steam-filled bathroom. When he's finished with his teeth, and all, he has to wipe the condensation off his skin before moving into a bedroom that seems almost chilly in comparison.
He's probably used his entire allotment of water for a week.
He makes a few last notes, before - eyes bleary - he flips off the computer and heads to bed.
Tired as he is, sleep eludes him. He tosses and turns as the bedclothes inexorably knot around him, his mind worrying – like a dog with a too-large bone - at the problem that is Spock. Whispers of 'you should have asked -, ' and 'have you thought about -' swim to the surface until, at last, freeing his legs, he manages to convince that niggling part of his brain that he's done the best he can - That tomorrow he'll do the same; and when the next day comes, he'll do the same once more…
The next morning, Doctor McCoy wakes early, gradually becoming aware that he won't be able to go back to sleep. He quickly showers again, and shaves, and goes right to Sickbay. He notes – with a certain perverse satisfaction – that his sudden arrival has startled his staff; he decides he should try to do it again soon. He stands at his desk just long enough to check the uneventful night-shift summary and down a single slug of coffee. Topping off his cup, he heads for Spock's biobed, trying to imitate Vulcan soundlessness. He slips through the curtain, and moves toward the bed.
Just for a moment, the doctor is relieved, thinking that the other is sleeping. But when Leonard places his cup on the table - as quietly as possible – Spock's eyes open. It takes them a moment to focus; and it gives Leonard the shivers to realize he is watching the Vulcan consciously pull his vision back from some invisible distant place.
Spock blinks once, slowly, then turns his head to meet the doctor's gaze. His eyes look very black.
McCoy gives him a gentle smile, then – manner deliberately businesslike - steps toward the monitor.
Spock just blinks at the ceiling a few times, then closes his eyes.
Satisfied – at least for the moment – McCoy makes his way once around the Medical Bay, scribbling a few notes; then checks in with the staff nurse before going to Rec Room One. Once there, he grabs a tray, and a decent breakfast; then looks for Jim or Uhura.
The two are seated at a large table; but it is clearing out, now, as people are headed off to work. McCoy drops his tray on the table across from Jim, and sits down, feeling a little too groggy, even for him. He realizes he forgot to drink the rest of his coffee.
"'Morning, Bones," Jim says, and he laughs at the look McCoy throws him.
"Good Morning, Doctor McCoy," Uhura says brightly; and for her, he manages a smile.
He's a few bites in before he feels much like talking. He looks up to see two pairs of eyes looking at him hopefully. He shakes his head, and has a couple more bites before facing two of the biggest optimists he's been accursed enough to meet. He puts down his fork, and looks from one to the other. "What?"
Jim and Uhura both look slightly taken aback, and they exchange a glance. Apparently Jim is elected speaker, because he says, with relentless cheer, "Late night, there, Bones?"
McCoy just shakes his head and picks up his fork. He really is groggy, and he needs a second to think. During his next two bites, he comes up with a plan - Maybe that one gulp of caffeine is finally hitting his system. He doesn't look up; but, poking at his breakfast, he mumbles, "So, Captain, can I borrow Miss Uhura for a few minutes?" He glances at Jim, then, and his look is meaningful.
Kirk doesn't appear particularly pleased at the prospect of losing her from the Bridge, but he agrees.
McCoy then fixes Uhura with his morning glare. "Got me a Vulcan down in Sickbay. Do you know what they like for breakfast? Think you can get that for me?"
She nods and smiles - a radiant Uhura smile - and taking her tray, stands up. As she's heading over to the unit, McCoy looks across at Jim. His tone is low and serious, and Captain Kirk is instantly alert, leaning toward him: "You can't have him back for at least those three days, Jim – I mean it. Minimum. And if you have any decency at all, you are gonna arrange it so that Uhura has some time off at the end of it, too. Meantime, I'm gonna call for her when I need her, and you're gonna let her come if she can be spared. That fair?"
Jim is nodding his complete comprehension. His eyes shift around in the vicinity of McCoy's left shoulder, and he lounges back in his chair: Uhura is returning, carrying a tray. Leonard shovels in a last couple of bites, climbs to his feet, and stacks his own tray on Jim's empty one, just as she comes up. "You don't mind, sir, do you?"
The Captain just smiles a little and shakes his head 'no.'
On the way to Sickbay, the Chief Medical Officer of the Enterprise casually mentions that he hears that the Chemistry, Botany, and Xeno-Biology Departments are collaboratively working on a new project.
The Chief Communication Officer's step is lighter as they enter the Medical Facilities.
Spock's eyes are closed, and his face has that peculiar inward-turned look when McCoy steps behind the curtain. The doctor grabs his coffee, and rolls the tray toward the foot of the bed to make way for Uhura.
She follows a step or two behind; Spock's eyes open when she nears. He blinks, and her voice is very soft. "Vesht ya'akash osasharushu ta katau asal-yem na'odu, ashayam."
Black eyes blink again, then slide from her face to Leonard's and back.
"Doctor McCoy asked me to bring you breakfast," Uhura repeats, placing the food-laden tray on the rolling tray-table at the bedside. After a moment, she steps forward, and slips her hand into the Vulcan's bandaged one. "Don't look like that," she says, with a laugh behind her words, "Ri nam-tor riyeht kloshai fasei: Ken-tor etek on nam-tor odu sasu t'nash-veh.."*
And Spock gravely answers, "Yes, this is true."
Uhura's free hand steals up to caress the other's cheek, and as she begins to bend toward him, the doctor hurriedly busies himself. A gulp or two of coffee covers her soft sigh and the sound of their kiss.
Leonard is very busy for a few minutes with monitor and padd; then, clearing his throat, he picks up his coffee cup, and sits on the rolling stool, on the left side of the bed. He appraises his patient a moment, then scoots up to where the Vulcan can see him easily. "Good Morning, Commander," he says - probably a little too loudly. He glances up at Uhura, a second, then back at Spock. "I hope you don't mind: I ran into Lieutenant Uhura at breakfast, and just brought her along. Do you think you are up for a short visit?"
Spock nods, a single movement of his chin.
McCoy is eyeing him again. He takes a sip of his coffee, then makes a face: He looks at Uhura. "Lieutenant, I hate to ask, but would you mind seeing if Nurse Chapel would make me some fresh coffee?" He hands over his cup, and as she leaves, says, "Thanks."
He turns to Spock, then. "Let's be quick. What do you need first? Water, pain meds, rest room, breakfast, a walk - what?"
Spock doesn't hesitate. "Breakfast." Then he does hesitate; and raising his eyebrow slightly, glances toward the curtain. "And company."
McCoy laughs out loud at that. "A fine, honest answer, Commander. Let me help you sit up, and I'll leave you to it." He locks the wheels on his stool, and stands; then moves around to the other side of the bed.
When Spock presses his palms flat to start to push himself up, Leonard is ready to assist him, so that he doesn't reopen his side. The doctor adjusts the bed, and Spock eases back.
McCoy rolls up the tray, puts the visitor's chair closer. "How's that? Good?"
Spock nods, and starts to push the blankets back. McCoy quickly reaches to fold them out of the way and takes the opportunity to frown a warning. "I'm giving you an hour: You be careful, you hear me?"
And Spock nods again, then turns his attention to the tray.
Dismissed, apparently, McCoy goes in search of his coffee. Quickly assessing the situation, he puts aside his own thoughts and sets Uhura free with a few careless-seeming words: "Nurse Chapel, let's go over what we have today, shall we?"
And as he moves purposefully toward his office, Chapel has no choice but to follow.
* "Ri nam-tor riyeht kloshai fasei: Ken-tor etek on nam-tor odu sasu t'nash-veh.." : "This behavior is not inappropriate: We both know that you are my man."