Chapter Six
The walk to sickbay was quicker than Jamie remembered. Maybe it was because she hadn't been there in over a month except for her check-ups with Dr. M'Benga.
The double doors slid open and revealed the organized efficiency of the medbay. Jamie scanned the room for McCoy but after five minutes was forced to concede defeat.
"Captain? Do you need assistance?"
She turned and saw one of McCoy's nurses holding a tray of instruments and watching her with kind, dark eyes.
"Um...yeah. I was looking for Dr. McCoy. Have you seen him?"
She pointed to his office where the privacy filters had been engaged, the windows opaque. It was a depressing sight from the normally involved physician.
Jamie walked over to the office with a nervous smile and pressed the chime to be let in. The doors opened and she stepped into a heartbreaking scene. McCoy was at his desk, shoulders hunched and a pile of PADDs surrounding him. His complexion was pale and he had dark circles around his eyes which made his resemblance to a panda frightening. He clearly had not been sleeping well and if his ill fitting uniform was any indication, he'd not been eating properly either. The smell of stale coffee was strong and when he looked up she could see pain in his brown eyes. It intensified Jamie's guilt tenfold.
Once it registered who was in his office, McCoy jumped up, tricorder in hand with concern etched in his features.
"Jamie, what's wrong? Are you ok?" He asked hesitantly. McCoy's eyes trailed to her hands and his mouth set in a grim line.
Well, at least it'd give her a chance to talk to him even though she knew he'd chew her out for not being more careful.
"I had a little run in with a punching bag." She smiled and, as expected, McCoy growled and pulled her to his office couch.
He began to unwrap her hands carefully, his hands gentle. "Looks more like the bag ran into you! Did you even wear gloves?" As soon as he started, he quickly cut himself off with a sigh and looked up in trepidation.
"I...I'm sorry, Captain. That was unprofessional of me." Before McCoy could move away, Jamie stopped him with a hand on his arm.
"It's ok, Bones."
His eyes darted to meet hers and Jamie could see the uncertainty. She took a deep breath and steeled herself to get this out in the open.
"Look, what happened wasn't your fault. I'm sorry I took it out on you and I know that you were doing your job. I know that after I...died you almost lost your license and that you couldn't risk it again." She could feel her eyes stinging with tears and cursed her wayward hormones again but gripped McCoy harder.
"You're my best friend and the one person I truly trust with keeping me alive and kicking even when I do stupid stuff."
"Oh, Jamie..."
Kirk threw up a hand. "No, hear me out. You were right and I was wrong. We're like the mom and dad of the Enterprise. I'm the fun dad who protects us and you're the mom who takes care of us and calls us on our bullshit. And as parents of the ship we need to present a united front and work through our issues." She smiled at McCoy who had started sputtering at her analogy.
"The...the mom! I'm the mom!"
She smiled wider. "Yes, Bones. You kiss our boo-boos and make us better."
He snorts and rolls his eyes but she can see the tension in his frame leave. "C'mere kid." And pulls her into a gruff embrace. It feels like the best thing in the world and Jamie holds tight.
"I'm sorry, Jim. I've been looking for a way out for you since this whole mess started but I just can't see one." His voice was rough with emotion.
"I know. It's ok."
Pulling back she smirked. "Besides, you can teach me how to be a mom."
"Unbelievable!" But he pulled her back into a hug. "You'll make a great mother, with or without my help."
Commander Spock had been on edge since this morning. His control was weakening by being around the Captain and her ways. He needed to exert better suppression of the primal instincts he inherited from his father. He remembered a story his mother once told him of when she was pregnant with him. How Sarek had taken to shadowing her every move and, as a human, it infuriated her but she understood his alien tendencies towards possessiveness and he loved his mate who was giving him the gift of a son they both wanted.
He felt guilt at the way he had reacted but anger that Jamie had lied to him. He knew there had been a male in her bathroom while she was not appropriately clothed. It was unacceptable. She was carrying his child. He had heard rumors of her promiscuous ways at the academy and had a strong concern that she would find another male to couple with while carrying his offspring, possibly to raise the child in his place.
It was unacceptable. She still resented the pregnancy. Her often sickly appearance was proof she was not consuming enough nutrients. And then the self-inflicted injuries he saw this morning further indicated his need for intervention.
Nyota did not evoke these difficult emotions in him. He wondered why it was that this situation could not have happened with her. Kaiidth. What is, is. And as a result intervention may be necessary. Her history of self sacrifice and risky behavior was not an indicator of a suitable guardian. He resolved to meditate on this matter this evening to determine a solution. He had several options available to him and he needed to arrive at the best one.
He took his seat primly at the conference table next to Nyota for their meeting. Spock took note of his captain's appearance. She arrived with the doctor and their proximity suggested they had overcome their differences. Nyota reached under the table and squeezed his fingers in an ozh'esta. The gesture was grounding.
The captain stood at the front of the table and pulled up a holographic representation of the planet New Berlin. The affected areas were red to green indicating the severity of the damage caused by the quakes.
"As most of you should know by now, we've been reassigned to provide much needed assistance to one of our Earth colonies. New Berlin has been experiencing severe earthquakes as a result of their tectonic stabilizers malfunctioning. Currently, the USS Hood is providing assistance and repairs but they are being sent on another mission so it will fall to us to finish the job Captain Vasquez has started. We are currently on our way to Starbase 12 to collect relief supplies as well as medical and rebuilding materials."
Kirk nodded to Spock to continue and sat.
"The Hood has been in orbit a total of 3 days and the situation is still considered unstable. Aftershocks are a continuous risk, especially in the Southern Hemisphere located here." He pointed to the bright red area on the globe.
"The crew will be divided into teams to provide ample assistance. Currently, preparation is key. I have divided tasks among department heads in anticipation of our arrival to New Berlin after our stop at Starbase 512."
Spock pick up his PADD and quickly typed in something which cause everyone's PADDs to chime.
"Lt. Sulu and Ensign Chekov will oversee clearing cargo bays one and two. Cargo One will be food and medical supplies while two will be rebuilding and excavating equipment. Dr. McCoy and Mr. Scott will be converting cargo bay three into a makeshift medical bay that will serve more immediate patients. Dr. Marcus and I will be focusing on stabilizing the abnormal tectonic shifts while Lt. Uhura will monitor communications from all and keeping us informed."
Spock nodded to Kirk signaling that he was done and she stood back up slightly frowning.
"All right, people. It shouldn't take longer than two days to be fully prepared at the Starbase. The base commander, Mr. Leighton has been informed and is waiting for us. We should be there in an hour. Once we're set then we divide up into teams. Search and rescue, rebuilding, repair and relief. Any questions?"
No-one had any.
"Dismissed."
Spock could see his lack of including the captain in the assignments did not please her but she did not say anything. Perhaps that was a good sign.
It wasn't long before they were docking at the Starbase. Spock stood next to Kirk and McCoy and he noticed she seemed...flushed, perhaps even excited. It was strange to see this.
The airlock opened and on the other side were two men. One was a tall, dark-haired man with a faint scar running down the side of his face. The other was a young blonde man with freckles dotting his nose and green eyes.
The dark-haired male's face split into a large grin showing white teeth.
"Captain Kirk, I never thought I'd see the day."
Spock observed the captain flush slightly darker and smile brightly. It was an aesthetically pleasing feature except that it was directed at the dark haired man.
"Commander Thomas Leighton, I'd like you to meet some of my staff. This is Commander Spock, my first officer and Lt. Commander McCoy, my ship's chief medical officer."
It seemed to take Leighton a significant amount of time to turn his attention away from Kirk.
"Pleased to meet you gentlemen, though I wish it was under better circumstances." He nodded to Spock and shook McCoy's hand.
"This is my second, Lt. Commander Mark Davis. He'll be handling the majority of the transfers so he's your man."
The young blond looked unsure of himself around Spock but quickly straightened and gestured towards the hallway. A chime sounded and Leighton stepped away to answer. Spock wasn't able to hear what was said but it looked to be important as he came back frowning.
"I'm afraid one of our experiments is at a tricky stage. If you'll excuse me..." He turned to the captain with a smile. "I would enjoy it if you joined me for dinner this evening...to catch up?"
Spock waited and didn't hear her answer but it must have been in the affirmative because the commander's excitement was palpable.
"If you'll follow me, I'll show you to the storage bays." Spock followed Davis while the captain and doctor walked behind. It was difficult to ignore their whispered conversation. Most would not hear but Spock heard every word.
"Isn't he the one who..."
"Yes, Bones but I said no. I couldn't marry him and let him turn down his scholarship for me."
"Looks like he's still interested."
Spock's hands clenched behind his back and he could feel his jaw tighten with anger. Kirk sighed.
"I doubt it, Bones. He's different. I won't say I'm not interested because it is flattering but it's a bad time for me."
Spock relaxed a fraction.
"Dammit, Jamie. It's never a good time. Just give it a chance. You both have a history together."
Another sigh from Kirk. What history did they have?
"Playing matchmaker?"
"No, I'm just tired of seeing you unhappy."
Spock felt a flare of anger at the doctor. Kirk should not be left alone with Leighton. She may not realize it but she was vulnerable due to the hormones from carrying his child. Spock justified his reasoning as protecting his captain and offspring and resolved to find out just what history the two had in common.
