Unfinished Business

Chapter 26 : Advice From a Friend

May, 2273

McCoy slid into the seat across from him and began to eat his breakfast. Spock had never seen the appeal in grits, he supposed that particular food must be one that you acquired a taste for in childhood. He was continually surprised to find it on the breakfast menu with great regularity. He continued with his own breakfast, sure that McCoy would have some interesting conversational banter to contribute as soon as he had made some headway into his breakfast. Unfortunately, what he had to say was not especially appealing.

"Spock, you've stalled long enough. You need to report to sick bay for your mandatory quarterly physical. You should have reported the day you came aboard. I made allowances for what we were going through at the time, but you just don't have any more time. I need to turn in my quarterly reports soon, and if there's no physical for you in there, I going to have to explain why. I expect you in sick bay today."

Spock almost grimaced. He was only too aware that McCoy was not going to be satisfied with what he found. "Is there a preferred time, doctor?"

"Whenever it's most convenient for you. I don't have much of a schedule today."

"Would 1130 suffice?"

"Excellent. I'll be expecting you then."

"I will inform my mid-day relief to report to the bridge early, then." Spock rose and carried his tray and dishes to the busing station, and proceeded to the bridge, making the stated arrangements as soon as he arrived.

The morning passed completely uneventfully, except for the fact that Uhura was missing from her station. Apparently she was buried in paperwork, readying herself for the quarterly reviews that would take place over the next few weeks. Her replacement was proficient enough, but wholly unsatisfactory. When his relief appeared, he was actually glad to leave the bridge.

When he reached sick bay, McCoy came out of his office and waved him into one of the private examining rooms. Closing the door, he motioned to the biobed, and Spock arranged himself there. McCoy's face turned to the tell-tales on the wall, watching as Spock's system was evaluated. "Hm, you are most definitely underweight. And your muscle mass has decreased by almost 10 %. This is not good Spock. You are run-down, too, deficient is several minerals. I'm going to give you a supplement to take. It almost looks like you've been operating on the edge of starvation for some time." He turned to look at the man on the biobed. "Did they starve you at that monastery?"

"Not to that extent, no, doctor." He was extremely uncomfortable now.

"What, did they have some sort of computed minimal daily nutritional requirements formula and feed you strictly off that? I know some of the religious organizations on Earth have done things like that in the past."

"That is much closer to the actuality, yes."

"Well, I can tell you that it was not sufficient for you. You need to eat more, every meal, and take these supplements. And you need to start working out, but slowly, because you don't want to work off weight faster than you can put it on."

Spock actually sighed. "I have begun to do both of those things already, doctor. I am aware that I am not in optimal condition."

McCoy watched him, seeing that his friend was truly concerned about his own health. "Well, I'll just monitor you once a week for the next month, to be sure you're progressing. At the end of that time, if you don't show any improvement, I'll offer some suggestions. How does that sit with you?"

"That is acceptable."

And then McCoy sat down on the rolling stool that was beside the biobed and looked straight into his friend's face. "Spock, you do know that you are among friends here, don't you?"

"I have come to understand that, yes."

"And friends look out for each other. In many ways. How are you recovering from what they did to you at Gol? Not just physically, but mentally and emotionally. I don't think that was the right place for you at all."

"Your insights are correct. That was not the right place, nor the right discipline for me. I am finding it much easier to remove than it was to gain. I believe that I am finding my equilibrium again, although slowly."

"And emotionally - how are you doing in that area? And don't tell me that you don't have any, because I know better."

When he did not reply immediately, McCoy frowned, but then Spock gave another deep sigh and began to speak. "My emotions are still in turmoil. When I reached Gol, I was in a profound state of shock, and nothing that happened there did anything to heal that. It was just pushed down and hidden from me. Since I have been back on the Enterprise, I have started to process those emotions, and to slowly understand them. My thinking is much more orderly now, and I find that I can handle most of what occurs without resorting to suppressing what I am feeling."

"Some of your hormone levels are out of whack still. Hopefully, correcting your deficiencies will help that. Are you able to meditate?"

"Most evenings, yes. If I find that I cannot, I go to the observatory and watch the stars. I do find this soothing."

"And how are you sleeping?"

"Barely sufficiently. I will confess to difficulty in this area. I feel that my inability to meditate properly is partially at fault there."

"And there wouldn't be any other reason?"

"What reason might that be, doctor?" Although he was certain that he knew what McCoy was referring to.

Now it was McCoy's turn to sigh. "Listen to me, you hobgoblin. I know what you've been through. I was there at the beginning, remember? Have you made any progress with Uhura at all?"

Spock pursed his lips and his brows drew together. He really did not want to discuss this at all. However, he knew that McCoy's intentions were good. "I do remember, doctor. There is some progress. We are speaking to each other. However, she is still in much pain, and I am the cause. I have determined that it will be necessary to proceed very slowly, and I feel that I must begin to court her over from the beginning, if I have any hope of succeeding at all." He could not bring himself to say anything further.

McCoy nodded, understanding. "If at any time, you want to talk, you know where to find me. And I do mean that Spock."

Spock looked directly at McCoy. "Thank you. It means much to me to have someone who understands what I am going through. I am finding that I must be much more open than I was previously in order to regain what I have lost. Perhaps I was never as open as was actually beneficial to me. I am trying to learn."

"That's good. And now perhaps it is time to head for the mess hall and fill you up with extra nutrients. My stomach is telling me that it must be lunchtime."

"I am agreeable." And the two men rose, and headed for the mess hall, walking side by side in companionable silence.