Looking around Lorna again found that she was alone; it had been months since she'd last been on a late shift but it really did just feel like yesterday that she had been in the exact same situation. She was going to have a word with McCoy about it, and on that note, her attention was diverted to his office. She chose to ignore the little twinge in her stomach at the prospect of him being in there, peering round the door frame she also chose to ignore the feeling of disappointment she felt when she saw that he wasn't.

"Fine, have it your way." She said to no one, going to the first bed she began to a run a full system diagnostic. "Body temperature, pulse rate, respiration, blood pressure…" It didn't take long for the computer to carry out the analysis so Lorna stepped over to the next bed and began the same task. "To sit in solemn silence in a dull, dark dock, in a pestilential prison, with a life-long lock, awaiting the sensation of a short, sharp shock, from a cheap and chippy chopper on a big black block!"

Lorna stepped over to the third bed.

"To sit in solemn silence in a dull, dark dock, in a pestilential prison, with a life-long lock, awaiting the sensation of a short, sharp shock, from a cheap and chippy chopper on a big black block!"

Bed four.

"A dull, dark dock, a life-long lock, a short, sharp shock, a big black block! To sit in solemn silence in a pestilential prison, and awaiting the sensation from a cheap and chippy chopper on a big black block!"

Looking around she decided on her next task, seeing that one of the Dermal Regenerators had been left out next to bed four she picked it up to return it, as she walked over to the cabinets she found herself holding it as if it was a microphone.

"Good evening Ladies and Gentleman, it's great to be here!" Lorna smiled and waved out to the intimate audience in front of her. "Did you hear about the kidnapping at school? It's okay. He woke up." Lorna took a small bow in front of her applauding audience. "Please, you're too kind! Why couldn't the leopard play hide and seek? Because he was always spotted." Holding her hands up she blushed at the raucous cheers from the crowd. "Stop! Really! You've been great, really. I've been Lorna Heiland, Goodnight!"

Waving she walked off the imaginary stage and towards to the replicator. "Coffee, white one sugar… and a Red Velvet Cupcake." Seeing the cake appear in front of her Lorna grinned. "Hello there pretty thing."

Walking back to one of the beds she carefully sat herself down in the middle and crossed her legs, setting the coffee and cupcake down in front of her. For the next twenty minutes she carefully, methodically took a sip of coffee and then a bite of cake, being extremely careful to ensure that her cream cheese to sponge ratio was spot on with every bite. This was something she took very seriously. Licking her lips she patted her stomach and sighed, she maybe could have done with doing more exercise? After another twenty minutes of feeling guilty she jumped off the bed, grabbing a tricorder she set it down on the far side of the bay and programmed it to emit a beeping sound at ever decreasing intervals. Doing the same on the other side of the bay Lorna jumped up and down, stretching out her limbs and preparing herself for… exercise! The first beep sounded and off she went, running as fast as she could.

"Oh good God no!" She grunted out as she barely made it to the other side before the first beep sounded, stopping and sprinting off back on herself she instantly regretted her decision to workout. She managed to do six laps before she got a stitch in her side and had to walk it off, all the while the two tricorders beeping away at her. Shutting them off dejectedly she put them back, feeling out of breath and depressed.

A few hours after numerous conversations with herself (Should she grow her hair? Was Massimo Maroska going to ask her to Prom just before she threw up on him? Why did she have to get her foot stuck on her chair leg when she'd been in the mess last week and fall flat on her face? Why did she find it funny to the point of tears to whisper McCoy's name and then look away?) and whilst sat filling out reports Lorna heard the main door open and watched as a young Crewman staggered in who had clearly seen better days, hurrying over Lorna took him by the elbow and guided him over to one of the beds.

"Hey Doc." She could tell by his tone he was in pain.

"Take a seat Crewman Ky'que." Lorna instructed.

"You remember my name?" He replied, looking at her surprised.

"How could I forget, you managed to get yourself in here on the second day of our mission!" Lorna answered sweetly as she pulled together her instruments, taking his burnt arm she slowly began to run the Dermal Regenerator over and over.

"How's your evening going?" The young Crewman asked as he watched Lorna do her work.

"Quiet, I ate a cupcake." Wincing at the memory Crewman Ky'que laughed at her.

"Is that a bad thing Doctor Heiland?"

"Not particularly, no I suppose not now that you ask." She gave him a quick, thankful smile. When she noticed him wince and look away she decided some sort of distraction was in order. "Crewman Ky'que, if you had to be a cupcake, what flavour would you be?" Lorna administered a hypospray to ease the pain further and then continued to heal the man's arm.

"Err, I've never thought about? I guess… Lemon?" Lorna considered his answer for a moment and then nodded slowly.

"Not a bad choice." She finally commented.

"What about you?" Crewman Ky'Que found himself asking, even though the conversation was altogether too bizarre for him he found he couldn't resist Lorna's sparkling dark brown eyes.

"Oh that's easy, Blueberry." Lorna finished up and picked up his chart, tapping away quickly. "Well, you're all set, make sure you take care not to aggravate the skin for a day or two, it's still a little sensitive."

"Thanks Doc, you're the best." Lorna blushed.

"Stay safe Crewman." Giving her another look before he reluctantly left Crewman Ky'que just about heard her humming as the doors closed.

"Her name was Lola, she was a showgirl..." Lorna was swaying from side to side as she sang quietly, tidying up after herself and returning to her desk. "With yellow feathers in her hair and a dress cut down to there. She would merengue… and do the cha-cha." Setting down the PADD she focused on her shoulder shimmy. "And while she tried to be a star Tony always tended bar." Her voice was a little louder now. "Across the crowded floor, they worked from eight till four. They were young and they had each other. Who could ask for more?" Now she was in full swing, shimmying around the bay and belting the words out as loud as she could.

"At the copa, Copacabana. The hottest spot north of Havana. At the copa, Copacabana. Music and passion were always the fashion at the copa… They fell in love…" Turning as she sang the last words, deep in tone and full of passion she first caught sight of, not heard the delighted applause of Captain Kirk.

The scream that erupted from her bowels was nothing short of terrifying, for a second Kirk thought he'd actually killed her. Nobody could flinch and scream like that and not end up on a marble slab.

"You're a good singer Doctor Heiland." Kirk said laughing as Lorna tried to get her breathing under control. "I'm sorry I scared you, it was just, you were very… immersed in the performance, so to speak." Lorna closed her eyes and shook her head, this wasn't happening. She decided on pretending like nothing had happened.

"Is everything alright Captain?" She asked, suddenly concerned that he may have been there because he wasn't well.

"I err, well, my wrist is playing up." Kirk answered holding his right arm in front of him, Lorna smiled and ushered him over. "Has it been quiet?" He asked, hopping up on the bed as Lorna took hold of his wrist and started moving it round slowly.

"Yes Captain, but I never wish it to be busy." Kirk watched as she moved his hand up and down gently, when he winced Lorna nodded and let go. "Have you fallen on it recently? Carried out any repetitive exercise?" Lorna looked at him as she spoke and Kirk immediately saw why his friend had fallen for her.

"No, nothing." He answered, smiling at his own train of thought.

"Alright, well let me run a few more tests but I'm pretty sure it's just a repetitive strain, don't worry Captain, I'll still give you a lollypop!" Lorna grinned at him and carried on with her treatment.

"You're a good Doctor, Doctor Heiland. I'll admit, your bedside manner is far better than Bones'!" Lorna laughed heartedly and nodded her head.

"Well, that's not saying much Captain but I appreciate the compliment all the same." Kirk decided to be nosey.

"Honestly, I don't know how you put up with him every day?!"

"Oh he's not that bad Captain, besides, we all have our… foibles." Giving the Captain a wink as she spoke she again slowly moved his hand up and down. "Better?" She asked.

"Yes, much. Thank you Doc."

"Don't mention it, plus you got a show as well with your visit! We aim to please." Lorna gave him a wonky smile and a shrug of her shoulders, she was use to making a fool of herself in front of people by now.

"If I'd known I would have come earlier!" Kirk thought about McCoy, a man who was the very definition of a southern country Doctor, albeit one who happened to work on a Starship. He was laid back with his friends, of which Kirk knew he could count on one hand but his devotion to the health of his crew was unwavering and resolute. His plain-talking approach was mistaken by many as him being cantankerous, but Kirk knew he also had a mischievous, almost childish sense of humour, most of the time directed at Spock. So, knowing all this about his friend, he could see why he had become smitten with Lorna Heiland. She appeared intelligent and funny, clearly had an offbeat streak in her also but above all was undoubtedly devoted to her role of Doctor. "Um, you have something, on your nose?" Lorna creased her brow in confusion, bringing her hand up she wiped the tip of her nose and looked down at her fingers that were now covered in cream cheese. She'd had cream cheese on her face the entire time?!

"It's cream cheese." She told Kirk, feeling like he needed an explanation.

"Okay?" He didn't know what to say.

"I had a Red Velvet cupcake before, in fact, Crewman Ky'Que came in after that?" This was just great!

"He might not have noticed." He definitely would have noticed.

"You think? Yeah, maybe? Thanks Captain." She didn't believe that for a second.

"Don't mention it." Hopping off the bed Kirk made his way out. "Thanks again." He said, giving her a wave.

"Captain!" Turning back round he looked at Lorna expectantly.

"What kind of cupcake would you be?" She asked him.

"The best kind Doctor Heiland."

Kirk stood in front of the Captain's chair on the bridge, he'd been practicing for months his opening conversation with the Solosians, the race being very particular when it came to protocol and etiquette. One wrong move and the treaty they were looking to sign would be a distant memory. McCoy stood to the rear, watching the discussion unfold. He had to admit, he was impressed by Kirk. He'd sat for hours with Uhura ensuring his pronunciation was correct, after his previous forays into diplomacy he knew he was most likely on his third strike as far as the Federation were concerned.

McCoy heard the turbolift doors whoosh open and turned to see Lorna peering out nervously. Spotting him she scurried quickly over to his side, coming to a skidding halt on the shiny floor. Their arms pressed against one another as they listened to Kirk and McCoy couldn't help but smile, enjoying having Lorna by his side. Not moving his head but peering down and to his left all he could see was the top of her head. Blonde short hair, huge bangs and all, sat on a body that curved out above and below a pinched waist.

"What are you doing here Lorna?" He whispered.

"I needed to ask you a question." She whispered back, looking up at him and grimacing when she saw his stern face.

"And it couldn't have waited?" She thought about his question and if she was being honest it could have waited but she liked seeing him, she also liked going to the bridge so for her, it had been a win win. Now though, seeing that the Captain was obviously in the middle of something very important she wished she'd had thought it through a tad more. Seeing that she was struggling for an answer McCoy took pity on her. "Never mind, just… stand there." Lorna nodded and turned to watch the Captain, after a while her legs began to tingle.

Rolling on her heels and toes she tried to will away the sense of 'needing' to move, the Captain was still talking and it seemed to her that he was at a really important point.

Another fifteen minutes had gone by and Lorna's eyes were beginning to tire, diplomacy was mind-numbingly tedious it turns out! Little by little she took some steps back until she felt the side of a console station come to rest against the back of her thighs, it was one or two steps at the most, even McCoy didn't notice. Lorna breathed heavily, feeling better that she could rest against something. Not taking her eyes off the Captain she willed herself to stay awake and pay attention or at the very least look like she was paying attention.

'Command not recognised.'

Lorna bolted upright and instantly locked eyes with McCoy, who was staring daggers at her, turning and looking at the console behind her she saw that it was flashing red, well that wasn't good! She must have sat down?! The computer's 'reply' had sounded out across the bridge, there was no way she'd got away with it.

"Lorna?!" McCoy hissed, "What the hell did you just do?" Shaking her head her initial reaction was just to flat out deny everything.

"Nothing." She whispered back. They'd garnered the attention of the majority of the crew surrounding them, Kirk had heard the interruption but very skilfully ignored it and continued with his administrations to the Solosians. Not wanting to cause any more disturbances McCoy grabbed Lorna's arm and pulled her next to him, all the while Lorna feeling like her cheeks were on fire.

Thankfully, the talks came to an end successfully, Lorna tried to retreat but McCoy's firm grasp on her Doctor's coat stopped her.

"Oh no you don't." He hissed.

"What the hell was that?!" Kirk asked turning and eyeing everybody suspiciously.

"What was what?" McCoy asked.

"The command error Bones." Kirk looked at him exasperated.

"It was me Captain, I apologise profusely for the distraction…" Lorna wanted a black hole to open up there and then and suck her into oblivion, she was mortified.

"What were you trying to do?" Kirk asked.

"I err, well, funny you should ask that Captain." Her laugh was a little too loud and a little too hysterical. "You know, since I was little…" McCoy cleared his throat and Lorna looked at him, very subtly he shook his head. "It was a mistake…" She didn't know what else to say, Kirk seemed to be able to tell because his shoulders relaxed and he decided to take it easy on her.

"Well, no harm done." As Kirk turned to Spock McCoy swiftly escorted Lorna to the turbolift, where once inside Lorna covered her face with her hands.

"I can't believe I did that!" She said though muffled fingers.

"What were you trying to do Lorna? Initiate a self-destruct with your ass?!" She would have laughed if she'd had known for sure McCoy wouldn't have fired her on the spot for it.

"I find it hard to stand for long periods in one spot." She tried defending herself but even to her own ears she sounded pathetic. "I was going to leave, but then I was worried my boots would squeak on the floor! Do your boots squeak?"

"Really? That's what you're going with?" McCoy asked disbelievingly.

"It's the truth, my legs feel… tingly? I'll go and apologise again to the Captain." That was a good idea.

"No goddamnit," Apparently it wasn't. "I don't think it's a good idea for you to be on the bridge Lorna, ever. No, just leave it be."

"Do you think so?" She still wasn't sure.

"I know so." He could tell that she felt awful and realised that him giving her a hard time wasn't really of any benefit, softening his hard edges he changed his tone and demeanour. "Anyway, what did you want to ask me?" Lorna was grateful to McCoy for not raking her over the coals. She looked at him blankly. "You've forgot haven't you?"

"Maybe I have, maybe I haven't? What's it to you Buster?" She hoped that deploying her 1930's private eye accent would distract him but when he simply crossed his arms in front of him and raised his eyebrow she knew it hadn't worked.

"Nice try." He muttered to her.

"It was wasn't it?" She'd decided to double down.

"You are the strangest woman I've ever met, for one of the most competent Doctors I've ever encountered, you, Heiland, are cuckoo." His compliment didn't go unnoticed by her but she didn't say anything, knowing it would make him feel uncomfortable.

"I don't think I'm cuckoo." Lorna replied after a pause.

"Of course you don't." As the turbolift came to a stop McCoy ushered Lorna out and the pair made their way down the corridor.

"I think I'm pretty run of the mill." She really did.

"Of course you do." McCoy smiled.

"With respect Doctor McCoy, you're the unusual one." Her legs were going double speed in comparison to his.

"Me?!" McCoy's hand went to his chest in disbelief.

"Well, yes."

"And how the hell am I the 'unusual one'?" They'd stopped walking now and were now facing one another in the corridor.

"Well, you talk to yourself." Lorna leant towards him conspiratorially.

"The hell I do!" His hands were on his hips, Lorna started panicking.

"You do! And, you eat your lunch clockwise." Lorna grinned at him.

"What?" His face scrunched up in utter confusion but at the same time his mind was racing; did he eat his lunch clockwise?

"You eat your lunch clockwise! You start at the top of the plate and make your way round!" They were both smiling at one another now, knowing they were pulling each other's leg.

"You're making that up." McCoy said, narrowing his eyes at her and wagging his finger in front of her face.

"Swear to God." She answered, holding her hand up like a Girl Scout.

"Really?" Did he do that?

"Really," Lorna confirmed. "See, you're absolutely bat shit crazy." He was looking at her pretty intensely, so much so that she found herself swallowing hard and not being able to look at him in the eye. Oh boy! She was in trouble. She didn't know what else to say so she carried on walking.

"Speaking of lunch, have you eaten?" He asked as he jogged up beside her once more.

"No."

"Do you want to…?"

"Yes." She cut him off.

"I'll try not to eat clockwise." McCoy said quietly.

"I didn't say I had a problem with it, I like the fact that you're just as weird as me." Lorna laughed.

"I wouldn't go that far."

The End