Smoke rose over San Francisco as the chaos of rubble and destruction spread in the aftermath of the mysterious starship, now known to be the USS Vengeance, crashing in such a busy area. Chris was sick at heart at the scope of the tragedy as he watched the breaking news coverage and the death toll rose every hour. The Enterprise was safe and now in space dock and he expected Jen to come by and brief him as soon as she could. He couldn't wait to find out how she'd managed to get out of that free fall and find out just what went wrong in the hunt for Harrison, or Khan.
"You don't respect the chair!" He'd told her just a couple days ago after the Nibiru incident. "Sooner or later, you're going to get yourself and everyone under your command killed."
It hadn't seemed to register with her, as she'd immediately tried to argue, so he'd gone straight to the point and told her he was taking it from her. The defiance had quickly turned to shock and hurt, but he'd steeled himself and explained why they'd made the decision.
Jen had left his office looking like a kicked puppy, despite her rigidly straight shoulders and blank face and he'd hated himself for causing that, much as she'd needed the reality check.
He hadn't met anyone quite as brilliant-or maddening-as Jenna T. Kirk. There were times in her academy years when he wondered just why he'd gone on that Midwest recruiting trip. Then she'd turn around and proceed to completely baffle and amaze her instructors with her out-of-the-box thinking and revolutionary approaches and he'd sit back and watch with a smug grin on his face as she explained the reasoning behind her unorthodox tactics.
"Acting Captain Spock to see you, Admiral," an aide informed him, interrupting his thoughts.
"Acting Captain Spock?" He thought, worry for Jen returning in full force.
"Let him in," he said shortly.
The Vulcan entered, looking as impeccable as usual, other than some green bruises on his face.
"Good to see you alive, Spock," Chris greeted him. "What in the heck happened up there and where is Kirk?"
His blunt question caused the Commander to visibly wince. Spock schooled his features and quickly answered.
"The Captain is currently in a coma after sustaining severe radiation poisoning while realigning the warp core."
Oh. So that was how she'd saved the ship. Going into the warp core...
Radiation poisoning...Possibly lethal…...
"Is she...going to live?" He asked slowly, trying not to imagine what that would have done to her.
"It is unknown at this point. I confess I find it difficult to find reason for optimism, but Dr. McCoy is doggedly determined to not give up."
Spock looked away from him and Chris could tell he was leaving out some important information.
"Spock, I know Vulcans don't lie, but they do tell half truths. There's something you're not saying. Spill it."
Spock looked even more pained, but finally spoke.
"The Captain's exposure was fatal. It was only due to a discovery by the doctor that Khan's blood has powerful regenerative properties that she is not still deceased."
"What?" Chris was really confused now as this new news hit home. "You're telling me he brought her back from the dead-with a blood transfusion?"
"Yes."
Chris laid back against the biobed, thoughts whirling. He'd heard some crazy stuff in his time, but this sounded outright absurd. Injecting a dead body with augment blood that brought it back to life was shady at best, borderline unethical, and could possible end McCoy's career. Given how loyal he was to his friend and captain, it didn't surprise Chris much that he'd go to such lengths for her. Hearing it from Spock made it impossible to discount, given how scrupulously truthful he was.
"You're sure she was dead?"
"I witnessed the life leave her, Admiral. Her vital signs were gone."
Spock's statement finally sunk in and Chris swallowed hard thinking of the resilient, brilliant bundle of energy that was Jenna Kirk being cold and lifeless. No, he couldn't face that thought yet.
"I need to know what led up to that," he said grimly. "Tell me what led Marcus to threaten his own people."
"Very well, Admiral."
By the time he'd finished, Chris was angrier than he'd been in years. Furious with Marcus for his betrayal, furious with himself for not having seen the signs, and furious with Section 31 for trying to manipulate and exploit genetically advanced people.
As the monitors grew more and more urgent with his increasing wrath, Phil came in and told him sternly no more visitors for the day since his current agitation was not good for his health.
"If this happens again, I'm banning all visitors and taking your PADD away for a week," he told Chris sternly.
"You wouldn't dare!" He replied somewhat petulantly, to which Admiral Surgeon General Phillip Boyce leveled him a Look on par with any death glare he'd given out himself. With the intense blue stare and imposing eyebrows, it had an astounding effect.
"Watch Me," Phil said coolly and Chris conceded defeat. Never mess with your CMO in his domain was a rule he'd learned to abide by, from many years of serving together. But oh, Jenna... She'd been up there facing off against both Khan and Marcus, saving her ship, and dying a horribly painful death while he'd been grousing about being in the hospital. He slumped back in his bed and covered his face with his hands.