Captain's Log
Stardate 2259.8.5.

It's been four days since Dr. McCoy and the rest of the Medical personal came up with a successful treatment
for the tree toxin. All members of the away team are recovering well. Alyen and L'Naym are scheduled to be
discharged later today.

In the meantime the Saratoga is continuing its studies of Boleen.

James T. Kirk.

Saratoga Sickbay
12:48 PM

"I'm discharging you but you're still off duty today, tomorrow and the next day," McCoy said sternly. "You're to
take it easy and I do mean easy. Nothing strenuous. After that we'll see about light duty."

"Did the Captain say how much longer we'll be studying this planet?" L'Naym asked as she dressed.

"We're not scheduled to leave until the 21st," McCoy answered. "Why?"

"I want to go back down there," L'Naym said determinedly. "I know the Captain's been ordering teams to study
those trees to learn as much as possible about them. I'm a botanist and they'll need me. As soon as I'm better
I need to get back down there."

McCoy raised an eyebrow. "So eager to get sprayed again?"

L'Naym turned her sea-green eyes on his. "Doctor, you once said that if someone falls off a horse they need
to get back in the saddle right away."

"I did, didn't I?" He shook his head. All of the other patients had expressed the same desire to get back on duty
as soon as possible. He had actually threatened to put Williams in restraints if she got up again. As for Commander
Rodriguez, he'd kept going on and on about the potential benefits of studying the trees' toxin.

They had all nearly died and yet all of them couldn't wait to get back in the saddle. He supposed it came
with the uniform.

Alyen meanwhile, had a pensive look on his face. "Doctor. Do you remember when Shylea saved Trisha?
The conversation she had with you about how a Healer was a Parent of Many?"

McCoy right away saw were this was leading and grew solemn.

"You saved both of us, so you're our parent now," Alyen's blue eyes met McCoy's hazel. "I've called you Doctor,
Superior Officer and Teacher. I now have another name for you: Second Father."

L'Naym looked at him too. "As do I, Doctor."

McCoy's heart warmed, but he had his reputation to maintain. "Don't get any ideas," he grumbled. "Now both
of you get the heck out of here. I need to check on my other kids."

"Alright, Dad," Alyen teased.