Content warning: minor references to self-harm (not glamorised or graphic).
Spock had not seemed this agitated since moments before he attacked Jim on the bridge… Leonard made sure he had the high dose tranquiliser in easy reach just in case.
"You asked to see me Doctor McCoy?" There was extra stiffness to his tone, which was not nearly enough to hide the way his eyes darted around the room impatiently before settling with a disturbing focus.
"If you could just have a seat, there's a few tests I need to run." He kept his tone calm, professional, slightly more polite than usual.
"My regular physical was only three weeks ago, I do not need any tests." Spock didn't move, stubbornly standing where he was. They both waited, glaring at each other, and he'd never thought he'd see Spock glare. Eventually Leonard picked up the scanner and headed towards where Spock was standing, only to have it knocked from his hands hard enough to crack the scanner against the floor and leave his fingers stinging. "I told you I do not need any tests."
"If you think I'm going to accept you saying that there's nothing wrong after that little display you have another thing coming!" He shouted with his most commanding doctor tone, or at least he hoped so. "I'm the doctor and if I say you need tests then sit your butt in the chair." He pointed firmly at the seat. He could have sworn Spock growled slightly. There was a feeling of danger in the air, but you didn't get into Starfleet and hang around with Jim for long without getting used to dealing with that. Though he'd never expected to feel it coming from Spock.
"Dr McCoy? I was wondering whether Commander Spock could be excused from his duties for a few days? It is not listed on my medical record due to attached stigma but I have V'Lar's Syndrome and believe his presence would be beneficial. Extended periods of time with very little to do, such as being a passenger on a star ship, can cause issues. May I also suggest that we attempt to reach New Vulcan as quickly as possible?" The message broke the staring match, though Spock didn't move he did look down, possibly trying to control himself… probably best not to push it. But if he wouldn't give any answers perhaps the other Vulcan on board would, he doubted she would have failed to notice the way Spock was behaving even if she seemed a little odd for a Vulcan herself. Was this V'Lar's Syndrome contagious? He stalked over to a console to bring it up.
"Does this have anything to do with why Spock has just broken a medical scanner and is refusing tests?" Watching Spock from the corner of his eye he saw his hands clench, but he otherwise remained still.
"Oh dear." That did not sound like someone who was unaware of matters going on. "I would prefer not to discuss someone else's condition. It is unrelated. I would recommend against standing between Spock and the door however. Is everyone okay?" Prefer not to discuss?
"Dammit, I am the Chief Medical Officer on board this ship, if there is something wrong with a member of this crew I need to know about it." Possibly not the most diplomatic way to speak to a guest but how was he supposed to treat the green-blooded hobgoblin if nobody would tell him what was wrong.
"I am fine!" The way Spock shouted it did not convince anyone. "I am fine." He repeated more calmly but it was far too late for that to carry weight.
"It is a simple and natural hormonal imbalance, details of which can be considered embarrassing but which has a small number of possible treatments, some more effective or more easily obtained than others, and at least one of them will be made available upon arrival at New Vulcan." Her tone was reasonable but they were still keeping things from him. He looked at the file the database had pulled up, it was very sparse too.
"It says here V'Lar's Syndrome results in reduced or absent pigmentation, risks of sunburn, unusual hair colour, abnormalities in brain formation and potential risk of self-harm." Very descriptive… abnormalities could mean almost anything. It also recommended messaging a doctor who was almost certainly dead for further information and had a suggestion for a care facility that was definitely destroyed… he hadn't seen much of the young woman but he doubted she needed round the clock care.
"As the medical well being of the passengers is also under your purview, and as it is a matter of my personal information and not that relating to another person, I will say that I have not deliberately injured myself in several years. Between the time I left Vulcan and eight days ago when my brother contacted me I have very seldom even considered doing so and I am confident I will not do so on board this ship. I was not lying when I said that I would find Spock's presence helpful, being able to do something to help others would be beneficial." Spock's eyes shot up at the nature of her comment, surprise and concern very visible. It was almost creepy seeing Spock like this… even though part of him had wanted Spock to let his emotions out more.
"Fine." He sighed. "I will relieve Commander Spock from his duties, and officially recommend you both do whatever it is you won't tell me about that might help. But I will be running a full physical when you return from Vulcan." The last part was directed at Spock. "And I will expect you to try and avoid damaging any more equipment." He picked up the damaged scanner with a huff. "Go on then, get out my sickbay, I need to make some calls." Spock was moving before he finished speaking… Leonard shook his head. The things you ended up dealing with in Starfleet. Now he had to work out how much to tell Kirk and Uhura in order to try and keep them from worrying without actually telling them anything that breached confidentiality. He sighed again, now if only someone could tell him something to stop him worrying too.