Chapter Sixteen: The Philosophy of Montgomery Scott
All in all everybody swallowed the lie.
The only interest they seemed to have was how serious was the condition and how badly was Kirk faring. The only hope of many was that Kirk would die and they could celebrate. An enemy's death was greatly desired in the clockwork mechanicals of the Empire.
One person, however, seemed to refuse to swallow the lie.
"Now tell me the truth," Uhura silkily said to McCoy as they sat in the eating bay, the woman lying attractively on the table. "Kirk is not really sick? He's also not on board is he?"
"What makes you say that?" McCoy asked.
"If you have James T Kirk up there then a Klingon was my great Grandmother. I haven't heard some lurid tale of some new girl on board's first 'meeting' with the Captain . I haven't heard of any 'company' being sneaked into his room either, for that matter."
"The Captain is a very sick man," McCoy said and didn't feel like it was completely a lie.
"Honey. That wouldn't stop him. That man likes sex almost as much as I do."
"Uhura," McCoy smiled. "Not one human being alive since Caligula liked sex as much has James T Kirk."
Uhura leaned in even closer. "That's what you think. Speaking of which…" She offered a lustily greedy smile and took one of McCoy's hands in her smooth one. "It's about time you put those Doctor's hands to more noble pursuits. How about you come up to my quarters when your work with Kirk is through. Which shouldn't take too long since the man isn't here."
McCoy shook his head in amusement.
"If you can you can convince Spock to come along that would be fine too. You good-looking men seem attached to the hip most of the time these days. The more the merrier."
This made the offer a little more interesting. McCoy looked down and contemplated it. It would at least offer a reason to be around the First Officer in a more intimate manner. Still there was no way he believed that the Vulcan would agree to it and part of the Southerner felt too old-fashioned to be completely comfortable with the idea.
"I'm sorry but it has to be a no," McCoy said gently kissing Uhura's hand and placing it on her knee.
"What a shame," the woman said, offering another alluring smile and a wink before she slid from the table and searched for more willing company.
McCoy shook his head and headed away from the area and back to Sickbay. His thoughts were returning to Spock when he saw the man turning down a corridor and walking towards him.
"Doctor," the Vulcan nodded and started to walk back in the direction he had come from. "I went to the Sickbay but you were not there."
"I had to eat. Funny but I have a funny way of collapsing when I don't do that for days."
"I understand what you are saying but your sarcasm is not needed. I do not feel comfortable that the Sickbay was left unguarded. I do not appreciate that the Captain has not taken into consideration that we cannot keep this secret without at least letting a select few carry the burden with us."
McCoy, surprised by the irritation evident in the words, looked at Spock and wondered how he could have missed the signs of fatigue on the other man's face. The only explanation could be that he was too eager and hungry for the man's company that he had been ignorant. He cursed himself to have been so selfish.
The human knew he had avoided many of the situations he thought would have been caused by Kirk's pretend sickness by the fact that not many cared about the Captain's health. He had failed to realize, however, that it would not deter the eyes that were looking to replace the empty seat that represented so much power.
"I think you should go to your room and have a rest, Spock. You're right. Kirk shouldn't have left you with so much responsibility."
Spock stopped. "Do not get me wrong. I am pleased that he has entrusted me with his secret but I never wanted the Captaincy."
"You don't have to defend yourself," McCoy stated. "You can't be expected to do everything."
Spock looked down at the floor.
"That is my professional opinion."
Spock raised his head. He looked into the Doctor's eyes, and though he was suddenly quite shy, McCoy held the intimidating gaze.
"I will take into consideration your diagnosis, Doctor."
"I guess that's the best I can accept?"
Spock turned around and kept walking.
"Put your own needs on hold huh? I thought so," McCoy mumbled and followed.
When they reached the Sickbay and put in the pass code both men were shocked to find that the room was not empty.
Rifling through a box under a shelf but turning to look at them, was Montgomery Scott. He raised a hand and waved it.
"Guid eenin!" he exclaimed cheerfully.
"Land O'Goshen!" McCoy exclaimed in response. "And who will I find in my workplace next?"
"Aw now Doctor," Scott said. "Don't be upset. Kirk gave me permission to be here."
McCoy folded his arms. He looked at Spock and then both of them stepped into the Sickbay.
The Doctor waited until he spoke, not wanting to risk being heard. "I forgot you know about this little act too. How come it feels like Spock and I have had to carry this whole charade by ourselves?"
Scott shook his head. "Well it's the least you can do seeing as though neither of you have the most responsibilities."
Spock stepped forward. "I am dying to know your logic in that assumption."
"Well I'm the most important man on board this beautiful ship at the moment am I not?" Scott stood.
"I find that highly doubtful," McCoy replied.
"Even our missing Captain would say so! Well think about it for a moment," Scott smiled. "Do you think that the Captain really cares about any life onboard this ship? The Enterprise is the closest woman Kirk has ever came close to loving, is it not? I'm her physician. I know how to heal her and keep her living. That outranks even you, Doctor. I don't think you'd argue that Kirk cares one ounce for the human life onboard this ship?"
"You've got me there," McCoy nodded. "Now that that debate is finished…"
He turned to Spock and raised an inquisitive eyebrow, "Unless you have something to add?"
"No Doctor," Spock nodded. "I see that the Engineer's statement is 100 correct."
"Good now I can ask what the hell are you doing in my Sickbay without my permission and how did you get in?"
Scotty smiled. "I am the keeper and caretaker of this ship as I just stated. Don't you think that I could find a way into your area quite easily?"
McCoy frowned. "I'd be lying if I said the thought hadn't crossed my mind."
The statement was rewarded with another confident grin. "Well I didn't have to go all under handed and sneaky like that yet. Kirk gave me the information this time and specific orders to make damn sure that you all are… Shall we say up to snuff?"
"I'm sure you could see that the plan is going well just from the talk and reactions of the crew," Spock stated. "You did not need to enter the Sickbay especially since Kirk, as you well know it, is not here."
Scott shook his head. "I cannae pull one past you can I? I remember a few months ago that I shared a glass of Scottish ale with the fine Doctor here. I was looking around to see if I could find any more."
"I gave up on that stardates ago."
"Old habits die hard," Scott said.
"Almost as hard as Engineers that sneak into my Sickbay," McCoy said coolly.
"Well you cannae blame a man for trying!" Scott said obviously offended.
"Please leave," Spock stated. "I have a problem of a personal nature to discuss with the Doctor."
Scott stared at the Vulcan whose face was as stony as ever.
"Personal huh," Scott said. "From you? That may be worth it to stay around for."
"Get out!" McCoy said. "I still have some Patient Doctor confidentiality ethic here, at least while Kirk's off the ship. Unless you really want to stick around because in that case I got a new cartful of different poisons to test out for the Empire and I would just be tickled pink if you would love to be my guinea pig!"
Scott frowned. He stomped towards them and gave them a look of pure malice as he left.
"So what's wrong Spock?" McCoy asked, trying to hide the curiosity he was feeling.
"Nothing is wrong Doctor," the Vulcan stated.
"What? You mean you were lying? Look what Kirk has done to you."
"No," Spock stated. "Well not exactly. You see I had a personal problem with being in the same room as Montgomery Scott but it seems like you healed me from my ailment."
McCoy felt the smile come to his face and did not have any desire to hide it.
"Now Doctor I will take your earlier advice and go to my room and rest," Spock nodded and turned to leave.
"If you need my help…"
"I will ask for it," Spock said.