For Author's note and Disclaimer, see chapter 1
Chapter 8
Deciding that it would be the most logical option given the circumstances and desired benefits Spock decided that the most suitable beverage for sickbay would be tea. It was hot, thereby fitting their Captain's description, it was also invigorating and therefore likely to offer some measure of comfort to the staff. While less so than coffee it contained a small measure of the caffeine the humans seemed to find so pleasurable, and he hoped it would also serve to strengthen their stamina.
He was perfectly well aware of the lower temperature in that part of the ship, and the negative effect that might have on anyone who was forced to stay there for any prolonged amount of time. Indeed, both the way down to sickbay, and the sickbay itself contained a to him almost unbearably cold temperature and it took all his self resolution not to show it. Indeed as he entered he noticed that the only staff there was McCoy and his head nurse, both dressed in quite interesting fashions.
At first he frowned over the odd attire, but he had to admit that the staff in the cold department could hardly be expected to follow ordinary dress code under the circumstances. Even so he found, with a raised eyebrow, that he was hard pressed to tell whom had taken the garments from whom. Both seemed to be dressed in the same type of clothes, and he was able to discern that nurse Chapel was indeed wearing two or more garments that he believed to belong to Doctor McCoy, whose sweater worn under the medical scrubs had a distinct feminine tone to it. Interesting….
"I have brought some invigorating tea," he stated as he put the pot down on the desk.
"Thank you Spock, that is very kind of you," nurse Chapel who had been approaching the doctor with a blanket now turned to him instead. As much as Spock found her attention, bothersome at times, he had to admit he was now intrigued. McCoy looked quite annoyed, and if he was reading the body signs correctly, indeed very cold. Fascinating how the red blood of humans left them blue around the lips when they were cold, but that was indeed a sign displayed now.
The portable breathing mask and the case of vials for the hypospray made it quite clear he had been up to the lab and was now surely feeling the effects of the cold there, which would make the blanket nurse Chapel held a very welcome item for the doctor no doubt. A most interesting development as Spock noted the bright red spots high on the doctor's cheeks, and would assume they had less to do with the cold and more with the annoyance over being ignored all of a sudden.
"It was a most reasonable request from the Captain," he stated. "As conditions here are far from ideal at the moment."
"We're cold alright, but we're managing," Chapel smiled, smoothing down an imaginary wrinkle on the blanket she was still holding and McCoy bristled where he stood by the bio bed. Judging by the whiteness of his hands, Spock would assume that the blood flow to the extremities had been at least partially cut off as the body defended itself from the cold. It stood to reason, therefore, that the man suffered from a relatively mild case of exposure. Nothing to be concerned about at all, no danger to the body but discomfort just the same. Knowing how the nurse was surprisingly devoted to the doctor, in spite of his more negative character traits, Spock strongly suspected she had been fully intent on comforting her senior in the department when he so happened to interrupt them.
In conclusion the kindest action would be to urge her to continue as she were, and give the blanket to McCoy while he poured tea for them both. This would however not quite sate his scientific curiosity in how the situation might develop.
"The Captain will be pleased to hear so," Spock inclined his head. "Do you have mugs for the beverage, or do you require some?"
"I think we have some here, I washed out the ones we used for the coffee before," putting the blanket down on the desk she started for the cabinet on the far side of the room.
"I believe those should suffice," Spock stated, surprised by the fact that McCoy had so far been quiet. He had expected a much more verbal response by now. If he was in too poor condition to argue, he had to admit it was actually worrisome.
"Here they are, will you join us Mr. Spock?" nurse Chapel gave a hopeful look as she held out the three mugs she had found.
"Thank you, I believe I will," while he had originally not intended to he had to admit that he wanted to study the situation further. A quiet McCoy was quite disquieting.
Nurse Chapel took the pot and filled the three mugs, handing him one of them with a warm smile. Picking up a second one she took it over to where McCoy stiff jointed hitched himself up on the biobed. The grimace he made as he did so did not escape Spock. "Here you go Doctor, how are you feeling?" she asked, seemingly suddenly reminded that she had meant to care for him before.
"Cold as the blue blazes," he made a grimace. "Do you mind?" he nodded to the blanket and she blushed.
"I'm sorry Doctor, I was, uh, well, you know," she gave an embarrassed shrug and turned around hurriedly to get the blanket.
"Oh, believe me, I know," he drawled dryly as she shook out the blanket and draped it over his shoulders as he wrapped his hands around the mug. "Dawgonit I hope we get some heat back here soon."
"Next time we need more, you could let me go," she chided softly and he shook his head.
"Don't even think about it, I was raised better than so thank you very much. I ain't letting you up there while I still got breath in me an' that's all there is to it."
"While I appreciate the chivalry, I have to voice my objection, it's not exactly good for your health," Chapel mused as she went back to the desk to pick up her own mug of tea. "Got any feeling in your fingers yet? toes? We need to keep an eye on that."
"All the feeling I could want and then some, hurts like the devil just about now," he growled. Sparing a special scowl for Spock whom watched him shamelessly. It was quite interesting to watch the exchange. You wouldn't think given his normal reluctance for discomfort that McCoy would be so quick to take it upon himself to spare his nurse. Even so it was very clear he was doing just that. Taking the majority of the discomfort they all suffered in sickbay upon himself to spare all the ones he was working with.
Perhaps that was why his staff actually did seem quite fond of him Spock mused. As much as he was prone to a rather snappish manner when dealing with patients and staff alike, or at least appeared to many to be prone to this behaviour he was always very concerned for the wellbeing of the staff under him.
Interesting, and something that could do with further study at the appropriate time.
"I must return to the bridge," he stated as he sat his mug down. "Doctor, I believe the Captain wants to talk to you about this vitamin solution, I think he would like to be appraised of the difficulty in accessing the lab, and if perhaps some further steps could be taken in the process?" Naturally the Captain had said no such thing as he was not even quite aware of the difficulty it possessed yet, however, it would force McCoy to tell the Captain just what they were going through to synthesize the solution. Perhaps the Captain would not be adverse to stepping in and ordering some other means of precaution, since McCoy seemed intent on taking it all upon himself. After all, had he not argued that no one should go there alone, but always in pairs and yet he refused to even take the nurse with him for safety.
Illogical, totally illogical.
Very typical for McCoy.
TBC
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