Eight

She wasn't sure what happened. One minute she had been standing in the living room of the McCoy's household, and the next she was fleeing from some unknown enemy. It had been raining out, that much she was aware of. She recalled the sky illuminating with a brilliant white light that was followed by a crackling sound that shook her to the core. It reminded her of everything that happened just as the Kelvin was ripped apart. Memories of a burning ship crashing into the blackness of space followed, along with images of Captain Kirk's face. She remembered saying how sorry she was for putting his life in danger... for being responsible for his death. But when he finally reassured her, it was Doctor McCoy's voice she heard, not Kirk's. She didn't know what hurt the most… knowing that Kirk wasn't the one who responded, or that it was someone else who saw through the ruse she'd put up.

The last thing she remembered was feeling a hand reach for hers, giving it a light squeeze in the process. She didn't know who's hand it was, but she'd returned the squeeze nonetheless. And the moment she did was when she almost immediately regretted it. The fiery bolt of pain she felt was unlike anything she had ever experienced before, even when that man put that blue liquid into the feeding tubes. The pain lasted for only a few seconds, but it was enough for her to register that it wasn't anyone she had ever come into contact with before. It only took a few seconds for her to recognize the sound of McCoy's voice in the background.

By the time she finally made a full recovery from her fever, a week passed. She was kept at the McCoy household for safe-keeping after waking up. Apparently Coulson couldn't keep a constant eye on her since he was called off to work so often. She hadn't been disturbed by that bit of news, but it hurt to know that someone she trusted cared more about his job than the person he tried taking in as his own. Then again, she should have known better than to think it was too good to be true. Coulson had been trying to give her a normal life and be there for her as a father, but she knew better than to hope he would ever take on that role permanently.

It was warm when she left the house to meet with the horses. That had become her favorite task for the morning – to go out into the pastures and forget that the world existed around her. The horses never seemed to mind whenever she was around. If anything, they were aware of her presence but they made no move to stop her from approaching. She supposed that was one of their weaknesses – to trust the people that cared about them.

Eventually, they will all abandon you, she silently reminded herself.

One of the mares suddenly looked at her, almost as if she'd heard her thoughts. Emily couldn't help but eye the horse warily as the mare reached her, nickering as if to reassure her that everything would be okay. Yet as quickly as the mare approached her, she reeled away after noticing someone else's approach. Emily picked up on their approach as well, bristling with caution as she whirled around to face the newcomer. She flinched when she realized the newcomer in question happened to be McCoy.

The kid didn't move when he realized she'd sensed his approach. For a while, neither of them said anything as they stood there in awkward silence. She suddenly found herself wondering why he'd followed her all the way out there if neither of them were going to say anything. She already knew how jealous he was of her. That was part of he reason she stopped talking to his mother or to his father. McCoy suddenly rubbed the back of his neck, looking more awkward than anything else when she narrowed her eyes at him.

"I'm uh… glad they found you when they did," he finally cut through the awkward silence. Emily rose an eyebrow in surprise, though she gave no indication that she heard him. "When they said you were sick with the fever I didn't know what to make of it."

She narrowed her eyes at his last comment. Doctor McCoy had explained to her that everyone was worried sick about her. Even Coulson hadn't left the room she was kept in until he knew for sure she was awake. She hadn't realized until then just how much of a burden she really was. The last thing she wanted was to take away what little time they had to themselves.

"You only ever seem to talk to Ma or your Pop," he suddenly added in an accusing tone.

It wasn't until he said that when she realized he was right. His mother had been much easier to talk to, even when they first met. Hannah was warm and inviting, much like Coulson had been when they first met. His father was a whole different story. He'd tried time and time again to reassure her that he wouldn't hurt her. Yet that didn't stop the familiar knot of fear from twisting in her gut whenever he approached her. She finally pursed her lips together and allowed herself a rare display of emotion.

"It isn't as if I've been given any reason to say anything," she replied with a shrug.

McCoy's brows furrowed together when he heard her voice for the first time. He'd heard her talk when she was with his mother. But she'd spoken so softly that it was impossible to tell what she sounded like. Now that he had a better idea of what she sounded like, he realized with a start that she really did have a voice.

"Whatdya mean by that?" he asked curiously.

"Like you said before: I don't know why they're focusing so hard on me," she explained with another shrug. McCoy grimaced as he realized she was throwing his words right back at him. He only just understood how cruel it had been to say something like that. Especially since she had already suffered from her own share of tragedies. "Why are you here?"

He wasn't sure how to respond when she turned his question back around on him once more. It was then that he noticed the quirk on her upper lip. He almost rolled his eyes when he realized she was making a game out of this. Yet that didn't stop him from eyeing the light dancing across those dark brown orbs.

"Guess I wanted to talk," he admitted with a shrug of his own. He kicked the ground nonchalantly, hoping she didn't catch how anxious he had been earlier. "I never really met anyone else like ya."

Emily tilted her head to one side in surprise. She'd heard stories of how kids would sometimes band together when they started school. She wondered for a moment if that was how they would be if they learned to tolerate each other. Still, that didn't stop her from worrying that he was getting too personally invested. She pushed the knot forming in her stomach to the side, knowing full-well she couldn't allow herself to get too close even if she wanted to.

"Is that a good thing or a bad thing?" she asked carefully.

"I'm not sure yet," he replied without missing a beat. Emily couldn't hide the small smirk that followed when she felt those hazel eyes boring through her once more. He looked so much like his father; the resemblance was almost uncanny. "I don't think we were ever properly introduced… I'm Leonard McCoy, but most people call me Leo."

She eyed him thoughtfully. Most kids their age didn't talk or act the way McCoy had. She knew she was an exception for that rule. Her intelligence was that of a computer – she'd heard enough engineers and scientists on the Kelvin talk about how she would go places when she was older. Though she often found herself wondering if they regretted their actions now… if they were even alive.

"Emily Coulson," she finally introduced herself.

She eyed his hand warily when he held it out. His expectant gaze told her he wanted a handshake. She hesitated for a moment before finally shaking it. The moment they made contact was when a familiar surge of warmth swept through her, this one stronger than before. Her heart nearly skipped a beat as she pulled her hand away, but not without meeting a pair of curious hazel eyes. It seemed as though McCoy had felt the pull as well, but he made no move in admitting it out loud. For a while, neither of them did anything as they looked at one another with renewed caution. But almost as quickly as that caution returned, it faded into something she didn't expect: Acceptance. For the first time since waking up on this strange planet, Emily found herself realizing that she'd made her first friend.

.

.

Coulson watched the pair curiously from a safe distance. It had been a long time since he'd seen Emily looking so carefree. He knew it was likely a game on her part – she seemed aware of the fact that he and Maria were keeping an eye on her progress. When Doctor McCoy explained to him what happened that night of the storm, he'd felt awful for leaving her in that position. He had been on duty for most of that afternoon and evening, so it was impossible to return until later on. By the time he had returned, the McCoy's were already out searching for Emily in the pouring rain and strong wind.

Fortunately it didn't take long for them to finally find her. She'd been hiding under a tree when Coulson found her, almost as if he was driven on by instinct. By the time he did find her, it was late and the rain hadn't let up. To make matters worse, she was soaked through. He was lucky Doctor McCoy had brought a second coat to keep her dry for as long as they could. But by then it was too late; she had been out for too long and she was showing obvious signs of developing a fever. It took hours for him to come to terms with the fact that they might lose her even after everything the doctor had done.

He still felt guilty for leaving her the way he had. It was only until she finally woke that he made a point to be there for her as often as possible. Agency or no agency, he couldn't just leave her the way he had. She deserved that much. Especially after hearing the rumors of a project the agency had been working on since she was brought in.

"Seems like Leo's finally breakin' out of his shell," Doctor McCoy remarked after reaching him. Coulson rose an eyebrow before following his gaze. He couldn't hide the small smile that followed when he noticed Emily's demeanor change around McCoy's son. As difficult as it was to tell, he knew something was different between them. This sudden development was something he would have to monitor closely. "Looks like I'm the only one she hasn't been able to open up with."

"Considering her father had been a doctor, I'm not surprised she's afraid," Coulson let out a sigh of frustration. Doctor McCoy gave him an odd look as realization struck him. "We finally managed to get some research on her family and their past investments. Apparently her father was the Chief Medical Officer on both the Atlantis and the Kelvin, and her mother was a science officer. He ran illegal research and experimentation on her before his operation was discovered by the late Captain Kirk."

Doctor McCoy scowled as he understood the reason behind Emily's odd behavior. It suddenly made sense as to why she shied away from him all the time. It explained why she'd been so terrified of him the first time he'd met her at the facility. And all at once, renewed anger towards the people who treated her the way they had suddenly came rushing back. His hands balled into fists as he watched his son interact with her for the first time since they moved next door.

"How the hell was he allowed to keep his license? If anyone else under my watch had done that they would've been fired on the spot," he snapped.

"The only reason we didn't press charges was because my boss came up with a deal," Coulson said through clenched teeth. He would have given anything to press charges against the Hayes' family. After everything they had done to that girl, it was the least they deserved. "So long as they maintain their story and keep to the restraining order we've set up for her protection, they don't get their asses arrested."

The doctor didn't look any happier with the idea of ignoring her parents and moving on with life. It was clear she needed clearance of some sort. The mental abuse she'd like gone through along with whatever physical trauma she endured was why she reacted the way she had around him. It was at that point when Doctor McCoy made a promise to reassure her that he wasn't a threat to her.

.

.

Another week had passed since she woke up from her fever. Within that time Hannah made a point to keep an eye on her whenever she had the chance. Though it became clear to the older woman that she didn't need to. Hannah noticed with a start that Emily and McCoy had gotten closer within those last couple of days. She still jerked away from him every now and then when they touched, but it wasn't as bad as the first month she and Coulson moved next door. Emily was well aware of her concern and grateful for it. She'd always known that the older woman wanted a second child but hadn't had that chance, so McCoy had always sufficed them. But she was beginning to notice that she was almost like a replacement for that second child.

Within that week, Emily had learned what it was like to be a part of a family. McCoy had become a good friend to her when she needed a shoulder to cry on. She was only just beginning to realize what it meant to have a real friend like him. Though they were still awkward around each other, he went out of his way to talk to her whenever she was feeling lonely, anxious or angry. He became almost like an anchor for her emotions, taking everything in stride despite the obvious fear of losing control.

Then there was the fact that Coulson had been staying more frequently than before. Emily wasn't the only one to notice that he would use whatever free time he had to spend with her. Maria was also a frequent visitor to their home whenever she wasn't on assignment. The brunette had grown fond of Emily, despite what she would tell anyone who asked. Maria would often show her how to properly defend herself if anyone tried hurting herself, and Emily advanced quickly with that knowledge.

"You know the boss is going to want her to join the agency," she'd said to Coulson one night. McCoy had been spending the night with them that evening, since his mother and father had been called to attend a medical conference in Atlanta that weekend. Neither of them minded spending the evening in the living room, though it gave her the chance to figure out what Maria and Coulson were talking about. "She's already got the skill-set and the mind of an agent in training."

"She'd also be easy to manipulate for someone her age," Coulson had pointed out. Emily cringed when she realized he made a valid point. She remembered what that man who'd stopped by the day before she left the facility said. His words continued lingering in the back of her mind, like a distant, haunting echo. "I'm not about to let anyone take advantage of her. They'd just eat her alive back there."

Emily frowned as she sank further into her sleeping bag. The living room itself was set up to make it look as though they were camping. Coulson had reassured them that once McCoy's parents returned from their conference, they'd go on an actual camping trip together. Emily had never gone camping before, but apparently it was a long-time tradition people on Earth loved taking part in. She supposed with summer winding down it made sense for him to want to make the most of it while he could. It also meant she and McCoy were one step closer to beginning the first year of school, and a small part of her dreaded the moment that happened.

"Is everythin' alright?" McCoy asked after noticing her solemn expression.

She shifted so that they were sitting closer. Coulson didn't like the idea of them being too close, but he didn't mind that they stayed in the same room. She wasn't sure what he was so worried about. McCoy was and only ever would be a friend to her, of that she was certain. She supposed that was why it had been easier to get along with him.

"I just heard Maria and Papa talking about that agency again," she explained once she was certain Coulson couldn't hear them. She had been calling him 'Papa' ever since they moved next door. She realized with a start that it felt good to call him that, and there was no denying the pride written across his face when she called him that. "They talk about it every now and then, but Maria thinks I would be a good agent."

McCoy's nose wrinkled at the thought of joining an agency that involved work. He'd heard them talk about it too from time to time. His own father had signed an agreement to help out whenever an extra hand was needed, though that didn't happen unless Coulson was involved. He quickly learned that there was more to his father's friends than meet's the eye, and Emily was also likely one of them.

"Why would you want to be a part of somethin' like that?" he asked warily.

Emily's brows furrowed together as she thought of how to explain her theory. She knew it would be difficult for him to understand why she wanted to join. A deep feeling in her gut kept telling her it was the right path. It was like some kind of calling, telling her to follow in Coulson's footsteps. But it also meant becoming her own person, and possibly something more.

"I've always been… different," she admitted. "You saw what I did during that storm. I'm surprised your parents were okay with me staying at your place after that." McCoy couldn't help but tilt his head to one side as he understood what she meant by that. "I think the agency might be able to help me control them. I don't want to hurt anyone I get close to. I'm worried that might happen if I lose control again."

She squeezed her eyes shut at the thought of losing control around them. It terrified her to the core to think that it was a possibility. The only reason she hadn't hurt anyone was because his father had stepped in and helped her regain control. Of course, McCoy himself had also become a bit of an anchor when it came to maintaining her emotional outbursts.

"Ma and Pa are happy to have you around," McCoy reminded her with a pointed look. "Plus I don't think your Pa would let that happen."

"What happens if I lose control while out in public?" she suddenly asked. McCoy cringed when he realized what she was implying. "What if I suffer from another panic attack when school starts? Who's gonna help me then?" When he opened his mouth to answer, no words came out. He looked more hurt that she hadn't mentioned the fact that he helped her on more than one occasion by maintaining control. She knew he wouldn't always be there to help her, and she needed to face those facts. "Let's face it, Leonard – if I lose control it'll mean the end of all of this. I'm not going to let that happen."

He couldn't help but admire the fact that she was willing to risk everything just to learn how to control her abilities. Yet that didn't stop him from worrying about what that would do to her. Instead of arguing with her 'logic', McCoy let out a tired sigh and crawled back into his sleeping bag. Emily watched him warily as he drifted off to sleep, knowing full-well that she wasn't wrong.

I don't want to hurt you, she added silently.

She held back a sigh of frustration and crawled into her own sleeping bag, though sleep didn't come easily to her that night.