Chapter Nine
And This Too Shall Pass
Christmas day passed too quickly for most of the crew. Their next mission led them to an outpost on the planet Argen 3 in the next quadrant. The Captain sent instructions to have all pilots stand ready for flight training as the Enterprise circled in orbit.
"Spock. I don't want any surprises this time. There is a small colony working in the mines, but three of the scientists have requested medical attention."
"Yes, Captain, all personnel are accounted for on the outpost, sir."
Mr. Spock and the Captain conferred together adding and subtracting new and experience officers for the landing party. Drs. Joanna and Leonard McCoy would accompany them along with Mr. Sulu as science officer, Dr. Benjamin Clark, a new graduate physicist and the Captain and several security officers. Mr. Spock would remain on board in command.
"Spock, contact the proper personnel and have them meet me in the transporter room with their equipment. Mr. Sulu, come follow me."
"Aye, Captain," Sulu responded. Another officer took his place as navigator.
While the Captain waited for the landing party to arrive he contacted Lt. Commander Sedgewick and told him to run the pilots flight tests as he saw needed. "Just remind them this is an exercise and not to blow each other up."
Lt. Commander Sedgewick laughed and said, "They are more than ready for some training in real fighter planes instead of simulators, Sir."
"Carry on, Commander."
"Aye, sir."
Kirk and all of the landing party gathered on the surface of the planet. There was a pleasant blue sky, but the air was humid. They walked across an open field to the outpost buildings and were greeted by several officers.
"Captain Kirk of the USS Enterprise, you must be Lt. Benson?"
"No, Captain, I am Lt. Aaron Faulkner, Lt. Benson is not feeling well. We have two other members in our sick bay and we are unable to find out the source of their illness."
"I'm Dr. Leonard McCoy and this is Dr. Joanna McCoy my daughter, we'd like to take a look at your crewmen."
"This way. Captain, would you care for some refreshments, we were just sitting down for a meal."
Kirk answered, "No thank you Lieutenant, but I'd like permission for my two science officers to look around outside and take some readings."
"Go ahead, I think you'll find the climate here is enjoyable, although a little tropical. Just be careful of the blue flowers on those plants over there. They are blossoming now and are quite toxic to humans. Use proper covers on your hands when taking specimens."
Kirk said, "Be careful, Sulu and Clark."
"Yes, Captain," they answered.
The doctors found their three patients in the small sick bay. They ran their assessment scanner and asked them a series of questions. Kirk walked in and waited at the door.
"Bones, what do you think?"
"I have to run one more test, but we think they have Dengue Fever."
"Dengue Fever, what is that?"
"It's a virus that is transmitted by mosquitoes in the tropics. There is no antibiotics, we just treat the symptoms. Right now they are about three days into the virus, it should run it's course in about four to five days. It's very painful and can become worse."
"Are we at risk of contacting it?"
"If we are bit by an insect carrying it, yes. I suggest you let Sulu and Clark to be aware of insect bites. I'll have our answer in about ten minutes."
"Okay, Bones, I'll let Lt. Faulkner know. Why wouldn't they have experienced this before and know what they are dealing with?"
"I don't know, Jim, could be a climate change, a more damp year, it's a guess."
"Okay, carry on."
Kirk walked back to join the other scientists eating their noon meal.
"Captain, have the doctors come up with anything?"
"He's not sure yet, but they are looking at Dengue Fever. It's transmitted by mosquito bites. Has anyone ever had these symptoms before?"
"No, sir. We did our best to treat their symptoms. Is it contagious?"
"We'll wait for the doctor and he'll answer your questions. Right now, I want to bring my team in."
He flipped open his communicator and said, "Kirk to Sulu, come in."
"Yes, Captain."
"Sulu can you two come into the outpost and bring the security guards, too."
"Yes, sir."
Dr. McCoy came into the room and spoke with the Captain and Lt. Faulkner, "We just got our diagnosis and it's Dengue Fever. Dr. Joanna is giving them a pain reliever, and a mixture of elderberry and papaya leaf extract. All we can do is treat the symptoms. We will leave the written instructions with the mixture as an aid for you. It's transmitted by mosquito and other insect bites. I'm surprised no on has had it before."
Kirk asked, "Have you had an unusual wet year?"
"Yes, Captain, the last two years especially. We've noticed more mosquitoes near the ponds and creeks."
"I'd like to give everyone a general check up while we're here," Dr. McCoy said.
"Yes, I'll call everyone in."
The Captain took a cup of coffee with his crew to another table. The lieutenant called in his officers and they filed in. The last person was a tall, slender, beautiful blond officer dressed in overalls for mining. Even under the dirt and smudges on her face, the visiting crew were amazed at her beauty.
Kirk looked around at his officers and softly said, "Close your mouths, gentlemen, it's not polite to stare."
After a short time all of the crew were checked over by the doctors. Dr. McCoy stared at the beautiful woman before him. He said, "I'm Dr. Leonard McCoy, and your name?"
"I'm Dr. Elizabeth Johnson."
McCoy smiled and asked, "Doctor of what, rocks?" he teased.
She did not find it funny and answered, "As a matter of fact, I am. I don't expect you elitist to understand the importance of discovering how each planet was formed."
McCoy could hear his daughter softly snicker behind him. He responded, "I'm sorry, I did not mean to offend you."
"Perhaps, just go on about your business, Doctor, I have things to do."
"Yes, I'll get right on it." He ran his device over her several times and asked Joanna to double check. She glanced at him and walked away from the patient. Dr. McCoy examined her stomach and asked if she had any unusual symptoms.
"None, sir."
"I'll be right back, doctor, you can sit up and I'll return in a minute."
He and Joanna talked about what they had found and knew the diagnosis was true and there was no cure at this point.
Joanna said, "Dad she had to have known something wasn't right. She's very thin and she has to be in pain."
He quietly said, "Yes, she may have suspected, and she knew Starfleet would have pulled her right out of here. Joanna, make sure no one comes in, while I talk with her."
"Okay, Dad."
McCoy walked in and stood next to the table, "Dr. Johnson, I…"
"Dr. McCoy, I already know what you're going to say. I have acute cancer and it's through all of my organs. The tumors can not be removed and it is terminal, even with all of the hocus pocus you have in your little black bag, it is too late."
"Dr. Johnson, if you knew you were sick, why didn't you call Starfleet and asked to be transferred to a hospital?"
"I wanted to finish my work, and not be cooped up in a hospital."
"We may have been able to save you months ago, there are organ transplants and treatments that would have helped you."
She shook her head and said, "All I ask is that you keep this from my fellow officers. There is nothing that can be done."
He hesitated and said, "Alright, as you see fit. I will leave pain medication for when it becomes too difficult to work. You have my condolences, Doctor, I wish we had better news."
She jumped off of the table and left with her medication. Joanna entered the room and said, "She's one tough cookie."
"Yes, and it was so unnecessary."
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Captain Kirk was speaking to Lt. Faulkner, "Are there anymore supplies you need than what we brought with us.?"
"No, sir and thank you for the movies, they should keep us entertained for quite a while."
"You're welcome. Doctors are we finished here?"
"Yes, Captain."
Kirk led his group outside. Joanna ran to the edge of the woods to look at a small river. She loved listening to the sounds of the water bubbling over the rocks and stones.
Kirk called to her, "Dr. Joanna, anytime you're ready, Mr. Scott is waiting."
She turned and called back, "Oh, sorry, sir, I got distracted."
He smiled at his future daughter in-law and wondered what it was going to be like to have a daughter.
"Okay, Mr. Scott, beam us aboard."
The entire group beamed up, taking their equipment with samples with them. Kirk would have liked to have stayed and enjoyed the weather, but he had some pilots flying around in space he needed to check on.
McCoy said in the Transporter Room, "Jim, I'll give you a report later, but Dr. Johnson has a terminal illness, and she didn't want her fellow crew members to know."
"You're kidding, Bones. Isn't there anything we can do to help?"
"No, we just left her some pain meds for later. I'll make a note that any passing ship should stop and check on the crews health."
"I'm sorry, Bones. Send me the report later, I'll be on the flight deck."
The fighter planes were stored in the belly of the Enterprise. It was a short ride in the turbo lift.
He met up with Lt. Commander Sedgewick who was watching his pilots go through intricate flight patterns. He would occasionally give new instructions and the patterns would change.
Kirk asked, "How is it going, Commander?"
"Captain, this class of pilots are, gifted. I know one is your son and I'm not just saying this because he's in the group, but they are very fine tuned, they think ahead of their planes and are qualified for any defensive situation."
Kirk smiled and said, "I'm glad, I'd like to see them land if you're ready."
"Yes, I was just going to call them in."
"Commander to baby birds, return to the Big Bird."
"They all responded with an Aye."
All 24 pilots landed in the short space that were trained to land in, except for one. The last pilot had a malfunction in his braking system, he pulled up at the last second and shut down his engines. The small plane slid sideways onto the flight deck, narrowly missing the plane in front of him. He jumped out of his plane as smoke billowed out from underneath. The crash crew were there within seconds.
Kirk looked down and saw that it was Ensign 'Mick', Lucas's friend.
He said to Lt. Commander Sedgewick, "He looks like he's okay."
"Yes, sir, let's go down and see what happened."
Lt. Commander Sedgewick said to him, "Ensign, was that a landing or were you shot down?"
"I'm sorry, sir, the hydraulics failed and I couldn't stop," he answered his senior officer and cringed inside when he saw the Captain.
"Captain, I'll take a look, hopefully it won't cost too much to fix it," Mick said.
Kirk said, "Ensign, it always costs too much, don't worry, just find the problem and fix it," he smiled and added, "I'm glad you're alright, too."
"Aye, sir, and thank you, sir."
The other pilots waited for the Captain and the Lt. Commander to leave. They busied themselves doing post-flight checks and refilled all oils and fuel tanks. When the senior officers left a crew of mechanics along with Lucas and SJ walked up to Mick.
"Mick, need to check your shorts?" Lucas teased.
He grinned and said, "I thought for a moment I was a goner.
Lucas said, "Flying can be terrifying."
Mick nodded in agreement. "Sometimes it's the landings that are worse."
Lucas and SJ helped him strip the panels open to let the mechanics in to look around. Hydraulic fluid dripped from crevices far and wide.
Mick said, "Looks like, I'll be here awhile."
Lucas and SJ pushed up their sleeves and said, "We'll help, we're not busy and we want to see what failed."
They worked long into the night and finally decided to finish with fresh minds in the morning. The night shift of mechanics would finish, but would leave the panels open so Mick could inspect it in the morning.
As they walked back to the lifts Mick asked, "Hey, lover boy, when's the big day?"
Lucas said, "I can't get her to decide. I mean just pick a day, I'll show up, we'll have a party and be done."
Mick poked him in the arm, "SJ, he's just impatient for the wedding night."
SJ smiled and said, "Knock if off, Mick."
Lucas said, "Yea, or I'll tell Lt. Commander Sedgewick you were doing barrel rolls when you were out of radar range."
With his impish smile he replied, "I was just keeping up with you, Kirk."
When Lucas returned to his quarters he showered, ate and fell asleep and woke to his alarm the next morning. It would be a busy day going over the previous days flight lessons with Lt. Commander Sedgewick.
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
In sick bay there were a few complaints from crewmen with too much spare time on their hands in between missions. A few fights were broken up in recreation areas. The goodwill of Christmas was slowly wearing off.
Joanna was restocking supplies when Christine came in and asked her about the wedding. "Have you set a date, yet, Dr. Joanna?"
"No, Lucas wanted it yesterday, but we've scheduled physicals for the entire crew and we'll be very busy for the next month.
Christine said, "Talk it over with your father, I'm sure we can schedule a few days break so you can be ready and have some time for yourselves."
"I didn't want it to interfere."
"Don't worry, we'll make time."
Joanna stood up and immediately was light headed. She grabbed the counter top to steady herself.
Christine asked, "Are you okay?"
"Yes, I just stood up too fast."
She had felt achy all day and had taken something for it. Now she felt feverish. Christine left the room and she sat down on the stool. She heard her father's voice coming out of his office talking with one of the other doctors. She stood up to go to his office and the room spun and she blacked out.
Dr. McCoy heard the noise and ran around the corner with Christine and found his daughter laying on the floor.
"Joanna," he sat her up and said to Christine, "She's burning up."
"I was just here doctor and she said she, felt light headed but that she had stood up too fast."
"Help me get her to a bio-bed."
The two carried her to a room and placed her on the exam table. She was running a fever of 102.
Her father called to her, "Joanna, darlin', wake up." She stirred slightly, and opened her eyes.
"Dad, I ache all over."
He pressed on her abdomen and she moaned in pain. He ran his scanner over her, and took a blood specimen. After looking under the scope, he glanced at Christine and back at his daughter.
He spoke softly to Christine and said, "She has Dengue Fever, let's start her on pain meds and can you look up the proper mix of elderberry, papaya extract, ginger and garlic."
"Yes, Doctor."
He walked back to Joanna and took her hand, "Darlin' how are you feeling?"
"Dad, do I have Dengue Fever by any chance?"
"Yes, you do. We'll treat your symptoms, but it will be a miserable few days for you. I'll keep you as comfortable as I can, okay?"
She nodded her head yes, "Dad, can you tell, Lucas?"
"Yes, I will, but if lover-boy makes a nuisance of himself, I'm booting him out."
She barely smiled and said, "Okay. Dad, what about the others from the landing crew?"
"So far, so good, we haven't heard from anyone."
She nodded her head, and fell asleep.
Christine came in with the pain injection and the herbs, too. "Doctor, I'll stay with her and keep an eye on her. We'll get the fever down."
"Thanks, Christine…I, appreciate it."
Christine smiled.
McCoy went to his office and put in a call to Ensign Kirk on the communicator.
Lucas answered, "Yes, Dr. McCoy, Kirk here."
"Lucas, Joanna has come down with Dengue Fever. She caught it while on the planet. It's a virus and it will run it's course, but she wanted you to know."
"Dr. McCoy, I'll be right there. Over."
Lucas ran from his quarters. In the elevator he checked his wrist computer. "Computer. Dengue Fever," he spoke into it.
His watch said, "A virus transmitted by insect bites usually in tropical climates. It generally runs a week, but can become more serious. Symptoms include, high fever, muscle aches and could lead to bleeding and bruising."
He ran down the hallway to sick bay and as he turned the corner Nurse Christine was coming out with a bowl of water. He grabbed her and pulled her aside to avoid knocking her over, sloshing the water down the front of both of them.
Lucas said, "Nurse, I hope that is water?"
She sternly answered, "Lucas, slow down."
"I'm sorry, I'll, I'll clean it up."
She shook her head no and said, "She's in room 2 with the doctor, you can go in."
All Lucas could see was the love of his life, listless in bed with a sheen to her face. He walked to her and looked at Dr. McCoy and said, "Joanna, it's me, Lucas." There was no reply.
Dr. McCoy said, "She's running a high temp. We're treating her with all we have, Lucas, it just has to run it's course."
"But, Doctor, how serious is it? Will she be alright."
Dr. McCoy pointed out the door. He said, "Lucas, she'll be very sick for a few days. Now if you make a pest of yourself, you're out of here, understood?"
"Aye, sir. I'll stay out of your way."
"Alright, I'll give you a job."
"Yes, sir, anything."
He called to Nurse Christine, "Christine, give Lucas the bowl of water and show him what to do, and you can get a break."
"Of course, Doctor, come on, Lucas."
She handed him the silver bowl to carry into the room.
"I want you to keep a cool cloth on her forehead, behind her knees and under her armpits. Those are fever points, and it will help to cool her down. Feel the temp of the water, now when it cools down too much, come and get more. Is that clear?"
"Yes, ma'am."
Lucas remained at Joanna's side until evening. Dr. McCoy said to him, "Lucas, go to your quarters and get some sleep. When you're off duty tomorrow, you can come back."
Lucas had forgotten about his duty shift, he was already hours late for today's shift. "No, I'll stay, sir. I've gotten some water down her and I want to stay."
McCoy said, "Alright, just clear it with the officer of the day."
"Yes, sir, I will."
Lucas waited until the doctor left the room. He called Lieutenant Commander Sedgewick on his communicator. "Ensign Kirk to Lt. Commander Sedgewick."
A pause and then, "Well, Ensign, are you on duty, or have you decided you needed some time off?"
"Sir, I'm sorry, I did not contact you. I was called to sick bay, my fiancé is very ill, and I would like to ask for permission to take a few days off. I'm sorry I would have done this in person, but it all happened very quickly, sir."
"Ensign, is she going to be okay?"
"Dr. McCoy assures me it will be a rough few days. Is it alright if I stay until, she's a little better, sir?"
"Yes, Ensign, you'll be of no use to me."
"Yes, sir and again, I apologize for not calling you sooner."
"That is all, Ensign"
"Yes, sir, out."
Lucas returned to Joanna's side and tried to get her to drink some water.
Miriam came on duty and helped Christine to change her gown. Christine called Lucas back into the room.
"Lucas, have you eaten this evening?"
"No, I'll get something later, Christine, thanks."
Christine looked at Miriam and said, "I'll bring him something and I'll make sure Dr. McCoy eats, too."
Miriam checked Joanna's temperature and made sure she was comfortable.
Joanna stirred a little and Lucas said, "Hello, Jo, wake up, sleepy head."
She turned toward his voice and said, "Lucas, what are you doing?"
"I'm taking care of you, sad isn't it?" he teased. "How are you feeling?"
"My bones ache all through me, and I'm shivering. I can't stand the dreams I'm having, keep me awake."
Miriam said, "Joanna, it's almost time for some pain relief. Hang in there, okay?"
"Thanks, Miriam."
Lucas kept changing Joanna's cool cloth's on her body. He tried keeping her awake by talking about their future. "Joanna, have you thought about a date, yet?"
"Lucas, you're a sweet heart, but I can't think about that right now."
"I'm, sorry, I'm just trying to keep you awake."
"I'm so cold," she shivered.
He pulled the sheet and light blanket up closer to her chin and rested his head on the bed next to her. "We'll get through this, my Georgia Peach."
She smiled and closed her eyes and fell asleep. Sometime during the night Lucas laid down in the bed across from her and fell asleep. Miriam kept an eye on Joanna, but at 0500 she paged Dr. McCoy.
"Doctor, her fever has spiked to 103.1."
"I'll be right there."
Several nurses, and Drs. McCoy and McKenzie were in her room. Lucas woke up to voices.
"What's going on? Is she okay?" He rubbed his eyes and tried not to get in the way.
One of the nurses took him aside and said, "Her fever has gone up, don't worry and just stay back here."
"Yes, ma'am."
Dr. McCoy lifted the sheet and examined her arms and legs, she was beginning to show bruising and a rash all over her. She moaned when they moved her.
Dr. M'Benga said, "Leonard, she's hemorrhaging." He pointed to her bleeding nose.
"Yes, I see it." The nurses dabbed at the blood and her father gave her a strong pain injection. "There's not much more we can do, but keep an eye on her blood pressure and temperature. I'll stay with her. Thank you everyone. Let's just hope she pulls out of this quick."
Dr. M'Benga patted his friend on the shoulder, "I'm across the hall, Leonard."
"I know, thanks."
Lucas quietly walked up to Dr. McCoy. His blue eyes were wide and bright. "She is going to pull through this, isn't she?"
"Yes, Lucas, but she's in a lot of pain. I don't suppose I could send you to your quarters to rest, could I?"
"Not anymore than you would go, sir."
McCoy smiled and said, "Take a seat, son, it's going to be a long few days, but this too shall pass."
The days were long and tiring. Many of the doctors and nurses took turns being on call. They respected Dr. McCoy and had come to love and respect his daughter. They were want for nothing, all the comforts were brought to them by their colleagues.
Throughout the days, Captain Kirk would come by to check on her situation. He was impressed with the medical team as they circled around to support Dr. McCoy. SJ and Mick hung outside her room, waiting to hear any news.
On the fifth day, the Captain motioned for his son to come out in the hall. "Lucas, you look like a 'saduration eskit' on a good day. When she wakes up and takes a look at you, you'll scare her. Why don't you go shave and clean up a bit."
"Dad, I can't leave her. She's been so sick," his blue eyes glistened.
"Son, just go grab a quick shower and uniform shirt, okay. I'll come and get you if anything changes."
"I'll just use the shower in the next room, I'll be right back." Within minutes he returned with a wet head, and clean shirt.
His father smiled and said, "You smell better, at least."
Lucas smiled and returned to Joanna's side. By early evening Joanna's fever broke. A sigh of relief went throughout the room. She was soaked in sweat, pale and weary.
Dr. McCoy said to her, "Well, darlin' you had us on our toes around the clock. You're going to be fine."
"Hey, Dad, I've never felt better," she replied and they all laughed.
Lucas held her hand and the room cleared to give them privacy. "Jo, you had me so scared."
"It was just a virus, Lucas."
He shook his head and said, "I'll let the doctors fill you in." He laid his head on her bed. They talked briefly and Lucas fell asleep.
Shortly after Dr. McCoy returned to her room and saw Lucas leaning on her bed, asleep.
"This is not a hotel."
"Dad, he's exhausted."
"I, know, he never left your side, Joanna, but we'll have to move him."
Dr. McCoy called in two orderlies, "Gentlemen, move him to the other bed."
They gently laid him on the bed and pulled the curtain to separate the two patients.
Lucas slept soundly through the night. By morning, Joanna was still weak, but she was starting to increase her fluids. He kissed her forehead and said, "I have to go on duty, but I'll come by later, okay."
She nodded and said, "Don't worry, I'll be fine."
"I know." He kissed her again and said, "Keep me in your heart."
"You're always there, Lucas."
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
After a few days in sick bay, Joanna was allowed to recover in her quarters. She and Lucas talked more about their wedding. Lucas had stopped by after his shift and brought her a small bouquet of flowers.
"Thanks, Lucas, they are very cute."
"Let's sit for a bit."
She was wrapped up in a warm robe and he made her tea and toast as they talked.
"Lucas, I know you want to get married real quick, but we have physicals scheduled, but the other reason," she hesitated, "is…"
He looked at her questioningly, "Yes?"
"I'd like my mom to be there."
"Jo, why didn't you say so? You should have told me that."
"It's just that it would make it over a year away, and to be honest, I'm not sure I want to wait that long," and she whispered, "or could wait that long."
"What's that? I'm not sure I heard you correctly. Did you say something about, not waiting or something?" he teased.
She hit his shoulder, "No, I did not say, not waiting, I said, I didn't know if I could wait that long."
Lucas grinned.
"Lucas, I mean it, it's not funny."
"I don't know what you're talking about, maybe you could extrapolate on that idea a bit." He leaned in as if to listen, but turned his head and started kissing her neck.
"Lucas," she moaned, "stop, or I'll make you leave."
"I'm waiting…," he laughed, and kissed her nose, her forehead and her lips.
"Lucas, what should we do?"
He cleared his throat and said as if announcing a proclamation, "Hear ye, hear ye, I, Lucas James Kirk suggest that we live together until a proper time when the marriage between said self and fiancé Joanna M. McCoy can be arranged with the presence of Ms. Joanna's mother."
"Sorry, isn't going to happen," she answered.
He frowned and announced again, "An addendum to the previous announcement, we arrange for Ms. Joanna's mother to witness the wedding via trans-planetarium video," he looked quickly at her and said in a whisper, "is that doable?"
She thought for a moment and said, "I hereby declare that a suitable solution has been agreed upon for the wedding of Lucas and Joanna."
Lucas pulled her close and kissed her. "I am so ready, my lady, and you?"
"More than ready? I'll talk to Dad and see what the schedule looks like."
"I want you back on your feet, too."
"Yes, that's important, too."
"I better go," he pointed to his heart and then to her, "until we meet again," he laughed.
