Chapter 4: A Stupid Accident

Summary:

Jim says it was a 'stupid accident' on the away mission, but whatever it was-it has severe implications for Lt. Valerie Maynard.

***Several Weeks Later***

Bones was in Sickbay organizing the latest shipment of supplies they'd received. Typically one of the nurses handled it, but he was anxious and keeping himself busy was the only thing even remotely taking his mind off of the woman who was now on her first away mission. It was a diplomatic away mission, but the aliens they were meeting with had mentioned some issues with their computer systems and Jim thought it would be a great opportunity to show them Starfleet's dedication to friendly relations to assist, and would be a great opportunity for Lt. Maynard to 'get her feet wet' on her first away mission.

Even simple diplomatic missions could turn ugly, and with his budding relationship with Valerie, he felt even more nervous. They hadn't talked about what was going on between them, hadn't gone out on a date, but the looks, the banter with underlying flirtatious meanings—it had been going on for weeks and he hoped soon to get her to go for drinks with just him instead of as a group with their crew mates.

He sighed, realizing that he wasn't doing a great job of keeping his mind off of Valerie Maynard, when an announcement came over the comm. "Doctor McCoy, prepare for an injured crewmember from the away team. They're beaming up now and will come directly to sickbay," Uhura's voice piped in, after a few moments, he assumed after receiving more information, she spoke over the comm. again, "Lt. Maynard has received a head injury of some sort, Doctor." He heard how shaky her voice was. He'd learned over these weeks what close friends Valerie was with Uhura, as they had been since the Academy. No doubt the Communications Officer was worried.

McCoy's heart dropped and his mind went frantic, he began pacing about, suddenly feeling as anxious as he had back in medical school. He stopped and cursed at himself before going to the nearby table and grabbing a tricorder and preparing the medbay nearest the doorway.

His worst fears became reality when Jim Kirk walked in carrying a limp Valerie Maynard in his arms. "Bones!" he shouted.

"Jim, what the hell happened!? Get her in here!" Bones yelled back and Jim quickly lay the limp body down on the bed.

"Everything was going fine with the mission, she fixed their systems and we were being given a tour of the local gardens. It was a stupid accident—she slipped and fell and knocked her head hard on a rock jutting out.

"Lifesigns are stable, thank God. But we need to get that wound cleaned up." Nurse Greyson who McCoy hadn't even noticed had been shadowing him the entire time, assisted him as he began cleaning the wound and healing it as best he could.

Scotty came running in at just that moment. McCoy had been concerned when he first became intrigued by Valerie Maynard that Scotty might have an attachment to her. But it had become clear rather quickly that it was more a brother-sister relationship than anything romantic. And now, the big brother was worried. "What the hell happened down there, Captain? You said it was going to be an easy diplomatic mission!"

"Calm down Scotty!" Jim said as he held the Engineer back from rushing to her side. "Let Bones do his work. She's just knocked out, she slipped and fell and hit her head."

"Hit it good too. We're going to have to keep a careful eye on her for brain swelling. And there are any number of possible complications with this sort of injury."

"Way to be positive, Bones," Kirk said with a grunt as he stood, arms crossed, watching his Assistant Chief Engineer laying on the bed.

McCoy slammed his tricorder down on the table by the biobed. "Damn it, Jim, don't you think I want to be positive about this?"

Jim's eyes went wide. Bones had shared with him that he was interested in the Lieutenant, but he didn't realize this had shaken him as badly as it had. He came over and rested a hand on his best friend's shoulder. "She'll be fine, Bones. She's as stubborn as the rest of us. Too stubborn to die."