Chapter Fifteen: Goodbye Strangers

Moments after their discussion over his true intents, Kirk collapsed on the bridge.

Instantly knowing it was part of his plan, and slightly suspicious that Kirk did not trust McCoy wouldn't embarrass him with an insulting ailment, Spock walked slowly towards the fallen Captain.

"McCoy you're needed on the bridge," Spock calmly contacted the physician after a brief look at Kirk.

As he entered the bridge, McCoy's initial concern faded quickly as he saw what the emergency was.

"Spock the Captain needs to be taken to Sickbay immediately," McCoy rolled his eyes. "I'll need your help taking him there. He's put on a few pounds since his last examination I see."

Kirk's frozen face twitched in annoyance.

Both the Doctor and First Officer carried the unmoving form of the Captain off of the bridge and to the sickbay. McCoy was grateful that Spock was carrying the man for the most part, since the Captain was taking the act to the extreme and not risking the chance of reviving until they reached their destination.

When they reached it, both McCoy and Spock discovered Nan De Zheel waiting there patiently, an unnerving smile on his face.

"How the Hell did you get in here?" McCoy demanded.

Nan flashed him a toothy smile.

"I gave him authorization," Kirk said as he suddenly became active once more.

"I should have known."

Kirk straightened his uniform. "I will stress once more Doctor: Allow no one else in here while I'm gone. It's far too risky that they'll learn I'm no longer here."

"And where do I treat the patients who come to me who are actually sick?" McCoy snapped.

"I don't know… your quarters perhaps? Nothing much interesting probably goes on in there these days. Or I could be wrong."

He looked between McCoy and Spock and the former suddenly felt very angry and edgy. He marched over to one of the sickbay cots.

Kirk turned to Spock. "Scotty has a shuttle waiting for me and my guest. I already informed him. I had his undying word that it would be conveniently vacant when I and Nan got there."

Suddenly Kirk's voice became quiet and he whispered something to Spock.

McCoy frowned. He hated the situation the Captain was forcing him and the Vulcan into. He was concerned for Spock who would have to take the brunt of the deception on himself.

Not realizing that he was being studied, Nan came over to the Doctor and whispered conspiratorially. "You know Doctor this particular setting is not alien to me. I once was a scientist and healer myself."

"May I ask what you did to get kicked off or shall I make a guess?"

Nan opened the palms of his hands in a gesture of feigned innocence. "I did what anyone else in my shoes would have done."

"And what a million men before you have done too, I'd wager," McCoy breathed deeply.

"I assume that your Captain has done the same many times before he saved me, as well."

McCoy turned and looked at Nan. There was a certain degree of worry, and yet quiet determination, on the alien's face.

"Let's just say I wouldn't feel exactly safe if I was in your shoes and had to spend too many hours alone with Kirk."

"I do not trust your Captain."

"Very wise of you. I'm pretty sure no one on board does," McCoy smirked. "Unless you count Spock over there who would probably say something along the lines of that we can trust him on being not trustworthy."

"He is a most unusual Vulcan," Nan commented. "He is a most unusual being all around."

"And you have been deeply interested in the First Officer? Deeply watching him," McCoy asked.

"Well… I would admit I have on a purely curious and scientific level. Not at all in the same fashion that you have, my good friend," Nan smiled.

McCoy looked sharply at the other man. "You're sounding more like a spy," McCoy stated. "I warn you I am not a wealthy or powerful man. Blackmail won't do you much good. Especially when what you see is only imaginary."

"Don't worry I will not tell on you. I won't be here for much longer," Nan added. "I make it my business to notice things. That is all."

"Well then… I am just dying to know why you're confessing all this to me," the Doctor replied in a tone of pure sarcasm

Nan cast a furtive glance in Kirk's direction. "Fear for one's life makes one want to be remembered. I fear I may not survive this trip."

"You are an observant man after all," McCoy complimented.

"I am a survivor as well," Nan said coldly. "I am not an easy victim. Your Captain may discover this for himself."

"Kirk will be alright. He can take care of himself," McCoy said.

The Doctor suddenly noticed Kirk coming towards them. "Well speak of the devil."

"No. What an terrible thing to say Sawbones!" Kirk shook his head. "I'm much better looking than him."

The Captain studied Nan. "Well my friend. Do you think it's about time to return you to your rightful place?"

Nan simply nodded his head.

"Good," Kirk smiled. He looked at McCoy with squinted eyes. "And I have your word that you'll remain silent?"

"Yes."

"And I have your word that you won't embarrass me too much?"

"Yes," McCoy grumbled.

"Well that settles that then. It is time for me to bid a hasty retreat."

The Captain looked at Nan, placing an arm around his shoulders in mock friendship.

Nan smiled his usual bloody toothed grin.

Spock walked towards the Doctor as Nan and Kirk left the sickbay.

"You know I kind of feel safer with him off the Enterprise," McCoy stated.

"I think we all will. I doubt his home world will celebrate his return," Spock nodded.

"I wasn't talking about Nan," McCoy smirked.

Later, alone in his office, the first steps of Kirk's master plan in effect, McCoy had a moment to take an unusual moment of rest and contemplation. In truth, he felt calmer with Nan off the Enterprise when remembering the alien's understanding that he had feelings for Spock. He also remembered Kirk's words and they disturbed him as well. If Nan had somehow realized from the little he had seen of Spock and himself his feelings for the Vulcan, Kirk, who made it his business as well to notice and manipulate any piece of information he could, would have understood it also.

McCoy was lost.

He had never been able to hide his feelings. His emotions controlled him for better or worse. He still did not understand or know what to do with his attraction to the Vulcan and did not want to consider how the Empire would treat it in return.

Sighing, McCoy placed his head on his desk. He kept it down for a long time trying to free him self from the panic he was feeling.

When he raised his head he felt no less assured or confident.

Staring absently ahead, the man looked at the shelf across from him and realized that something was somehow different.

Grasping to the distraction, the Doctor stood and walked towards the vacant space on the shelf. Where once two vials had stood, now there was only empty space, and the seed of a question. The question was not what had stood there. McCoy had kept a very rare poison sitting innocently there its antidote waiting ready and patient beside it. The question was where it had gone.

McCoy suddenly remembered Nan's earlier words of having been a scientist. It was obvious who had taken the vials and what his intentions would be. It was Kirk's own fault he had given him access to the sickbay and had trusted him alone in the office.

Shaking his head, McCoy knew there was no possible way to warn the Captain.

In the end he knew there wasn't really any need to. The Captain could take care of himself.

It was what he was best at, after all.