Disclaimer: I don't own Star Trek
Leonard McCoy had been called a lot of things in his lifetime. Asshole, emotionally stunted, workaholic. Most of those, admittedly, had been spewed at him by his bitch of an ex-wife, so he took it with a grain of salt, but he knew that she wasn't completely blowing smoke.
And he had been all right with being the pessimistic ass who didn't know what fun was.
Until Jim. Until he had joined Starfleet and found the family he had never even known he had wanted.
He loved his parents, and his daughter was the light of his life, but before Starfleet, he truly hadn't known what family really was.
People who stood by him, who helped him when he was too stubborn to ask, who offered him a shoulder or an ear when he was too pigheaded to admit that he needed it.
The Enterprise had given him a second chance, and he would never do anything to jeopardize that.
Which was why he was grudgingly playing along with Komack and/or Garovick's crazy decree – he didn't care which Admiral ordered it, it was crazy no matter what. He wasn't a teacher. He didn't do compassionate, or patient. He did efficient, and competent. He wasn't suited to the lifestyle of passing on knowledge to the next generation.
Honestly, half of these idiotic Medical Cadets couldn't operate their way out of a paper bag. Why the hell did they want to become doctors anyway?
He did take some pride in the fact that he had made at least one Cadet cry each day since he had started this teaching gig. If he had to be miserable, he would make damn sure that everyone else was as well. And Komack and Garovick could go screw themselves.
The only upside he could see was the other doctor they had helping out. McCoy had met her on his first day teaching; apparently, she had just recently finished her Residency within the last couple of years, but she was quickly making a name for herself in the medical field. After Nero and the Narada, Starfleet had offered her a position at their hospital, with a part-time teaching role to help fill out the badly depleted collection of instructors at the Academy.
Her name was April, and she was just a couple of years younger than McCoy himself. The grouchy doctor found himself enjoying the period of time before the day officially began, when he and April would commiserate over some real coffee – Columbian brew, April sure knew how to pick her drink, and had even splurged to get the real coffee machine installed in the staff room, just so she wouldn't have to deal with replicated crap.
As it turned out, April wasn't too fond of teaching herself. As she told McCoy, she'd much rather actually be doing, but this had been an opportunity she couldn't pass up.
The offer had also come on the heels of a bad breakup, which April admitted may have been a deciding factor in her decision to uproot her life to take a job she hadn't been completely sure she had wanted.
One week into this thrice cursed teaching gig, and McCoy already couldn't wait to get back into space – and that in itself said a lot for his state of mind. If he was actually looking forward to being trapped on a tin can once more, what did that say about his ability to teach?
April glanced up from her spot across the room, and smiled slightly. "What did the coffee ever do to you?"
McCoy looked over, startled. "Huh?" he asked, ever so eloquently.
April shook her head. "You're scowling into your cup like it just sold you down the road for a bag of magic beans. I promise you it's real coffee."
McCoy shook himself off. "Sorry. It's good, I'm just not a morning person."
April snorted. "You mean you're not a people person."
McCoy shrugged. "Tomato, tomahto."
April felt herself smiling almost against her will. No matter how abrasive he was, it was hard not to like the prickly man. He was brutally honest and didn't believe in bullshit. He was also kind and compassionate, not that he ever showed it. She was pretty good at reading people, so he couldn't hide from her.
"Bet you can't wait to get back into space then, huh," April took a seat at Leonard's table and sipped from her own mug.
McCoy didn't even try to hide the shiver. "Space is disease and danger wrapped in darkness and silence. Goddamn tin can," he growled.
April shook her head. "If you hate space so much, why the hell did you join Starfleet?"
McCoy scowled. "Didn't have anywhere else to go. My ex-wife basically claimed the entire state of Georgia in the divorce, and I had nothing else to do." April raised an eyebrow, and McCoy shrugged. "So what's your excuse?"
April sighed. "Technically I haven't joined yet, but I'm hopeful. After I finished my Residency, I was offered a position as a civilian contractor on a starbase. Starfleet hired me, but I wouldn't have to officially enlist. I thought it would be a good way to get some experience and also build a resume for when I applied to the Academy." She shrugged sheepishly. "I wanted to get some practice in before I joined. I thought I'd be of more use if I actually knew what I was doing."
McCoy smiled. "Good thinking."
April nodded. "Anyway, that position ended up rolling over a couple months longer than expected. It was supposed to end right around the same time Nero attacked last year, and I couldn't get a transport back to Earth until several months after the fact."
McCoy winced at the reminder of that whole clusterfuck.
April observed him carefully, knowing that he had been a part of the group that had stopped the Narada. "Sorry," she apologized. "I know it must have been tough, dealing with all that."
McCoy shrugged. "I won't say it was nothing, because I definitely spent the entire mission thinking we were all going to die." April snorted, and McCoy smiled slightly. "Now, I'm just focusing on the positives. I've got good friends, my daughter, and I'm doing what I love. Yeah, I wish I could do it on solid ground, but hey, nothing's perfect."
April nodded, smiling. "I guess that's right. And if you love the job, it doesn't really matter where you are."
McCoy inclined his head in agreement. "Yeah. So, how'd you get into medicine, anyway? Your records are pretty impressive."
April raised an eyebrow. "You looked me up?"
McCoy looked sheepish. "I like to know who I'm working with."
April shook her head, amused. "Thanks, I think." McCoy just looked at her expectantly, and April sighed. "I've always been interested in medicine, ever since I was a kid. It was just something I knew I wanted to do."
McCoy nodded slowly. "I can understand that. My dad was diagnosed with a terminal disease when I was a kid. I decided to become a doctor because I wanted to fix him. I guess it just stuck with me through the years."
April could see the pain in Leonard's eyes as he thought about his father. "I'm sorry." She bit her lip. "Did you ever find a cure?"
McCoy shook his head. "Unfortunately not. My mother and I made a decision to take him off life support a few months before I enlisted. He was in so much pain, we just couldn't condone making him go on like that."
April sighed. "I'm sorry. I know how horrible it is, to lose a loved one."
McCoy looked at her shrewdly, but didn't press, seeing how April appeared to have regretted saying that. He wondered at her secrecy, but didn't want to make her uncomfortable.
Instead, he carried his mug to the sink, and washed it out. "It's nearly time for class, we should get going," he said instead.
April stood up quickly, relieved that he hadn't pushed for more information, and followed him out of the lounge.
XXX
It was nearly one o'clock by the time April and McCoy managed to leave in order to take their lunch break, and by mutual agreement, they decided to head to the cafeteria together.
They were in the process of discussing their surprise that they had made it through an entire morning without having to yell at a single Cadet, when McCoy noticed his Captain and best friend making his way down a nearby path. "Jim!" he called out, raising a hand in greeting.
Jim looked up from the PADD he had been focused on, and nodded a greeting, accompanied by an easy smile. He faltered slightly when he noticed McCoy's companion, shock temporarily overwriting any other emotion on his face, before he schooled his expression back into something similar to neutrality.
He didn't think he could get away with ignoring Bones, not when the man was clearly inviting him to join him and his colleague. With a silent sigh, he turned his PADD off and hesitantly made his way over to the two doctors.
"Bones," he greeted.
McCoy frowned momentarily, seeing the strain that Jim was trying very hard to hide. He looked over to April, meaning to introduce her, but he was stunned into silence when April just blew passed him and launched herself at his best friend.
Jim only hesitated for a moment before he was hugging her back.
April was nearly sobbing as she clutched him tightly. "JT! Oh my god, I can't believe you're here! I missed you so much!"
Jim rubbed her back soothingly. "I missed you, too," he replied quietly.
April pushed herself away and slapped him lightly on the arm. "I can't believe you didn't tell me! I had to see your picture on the news with everyone else. Why didn't you tell me?"
Jim shrugged sheepishly. "It never came up?"
April slapped him again, glaring.
Jim shook his head slightly. "Sorry?" he attempted.
McCoy felt completely out of the loop. "Someone want to tell me what the hell is going on, and how you two know each other?"
Jim bit his lip, glancing at the doctor. "We met when we were teenagers."
April rolled her eyes. "So eloquent, JT."
Jim tried to hide his flinch. "Bones, can you give us a minute?"
McCoy looked between the two, feeling more confused by the second. As long as he had known Jim – which had really only been about four years, if he was honest with himself – he had never heard anyone call him 'JT'. What the hell?
Though he definitely didn't want to leave, the doctor nodded slowly. "Do you want me to grab you something to eat, April?" he asked, looking at the young woman.
April smiled. "Thanks. A sandwich would be great. I'll see you in a few minutes, all right?"
McCoy nodded again, and left the two alone.
Jim waited a few moments, before he led April off the path to a nearby bench. "So, I guess I never officially introduced myself, did I." April smiled softly, and Jim smirked. "Jim Kirk. Nice to meet you."
April took the hand he offered, and shook it firmly. "Nice to meet you, Captain Kirk."
Jim shook his head. "Seriously? Please don't get all official on me. Besides, you're not technically in Starfleet, so you're not required to be formal."
April chuckled. "Not yet." Jim raised an eyebrow, and April shrugged. "I've been taking a few classes here and there, with the goal of enlisting eventually. When I finally get my shit in order."
Jim laughed lightly. "Well, I know that Starfleet will love to have you. They clearly are trying to entice you already, otherwise they wouldn't have offered you a teaching role in the first place."
April frowned. "Did you know that I was here before now?"
Jim looked down, grimacing. "I may have heard something."
April shook her head. "You're still keeping an eye on all of us, aren't you."
It wasn't a question, so Jim didn't reply.
After another moment, April sighed. "I should get something to eat before I have to get back to class. I'll see you later, maybe?"
Jim nodded quickly, and the two stood up. "Dinner tomorrow night?"
"Sounds great," April smiled. "Comm. me later, and we'll set it up."
Jim inclined his head. "I'll see you then."
April gave him one last hug before she headed towards the cafeteria, and Jim quickly made his way towards the Cochrane building; he had to get to a meeting with Komack that he was only mostly dreading. If he ran, he could still make it on time.
XXX
Pavel shifted nervously as he hurried to keep up with Jim's long strides. "Are you sure I should be coming?" he asked for the third time.
Jim glanced over and smiled. "Of course," he assured the teenager. "I want you to meet April. She was your sister's best friend."
Pavel nodded soberly. When Jim had explained whom he was meeting for dinner, and invited Pavel along, the Navigations officer had been very nervous, but a little excited. He wanted to know as much about his sister as possible, and this was another person who had known her. Jim had shared a lot of stories over the years, but Pavel looked forward to another perspective.
The restaurant Jim had chosen was off campus, to give them a little privacy; he and Pavel were several minutes early, so they were the first ones there.
Pavel frowned in confusion as they sat down at the table the waiter led them to. "Why did you say there were four of us? I thought we were only meeting Doctor Vanderbilt."
Jim's gaze was focused on the door, waiting for their companions to join them. "I also invited another friend. His name's Kevin, he's about your age. I think you'll like him."
Pavel bit his lip. "Was he also there?"
Jim tore his gaze away from the door for a moment to look at the younger man. "Yeah," he smiled. "He's a Cadet now. I thought he'd want to come tonight."
He was distracted by the restaurant door opening, as April walked in. Jim raised a hand to get her attention, and smiling, April quickly headed towards him.
When she reached the table, Jim and Pavel stood up. April gave Jim a quick kiss on the cheek before she turned questioningly to the teenager.
"April, this is Pavel Chekov, my senior Navigations officer."
April swallowed harshly, studying the younger man's face, noting the similarities to the best friend she had lost over a decade earlier. "Anya," she whispered, tears building up as she tried vainly to hold them in.
Jim nodded soberly. "He's Anya's brother. Pavel, this is April."
Pavel waited for April to make a move, which she did a moment later. Clearing her throat, April stepped forward jerkily. "I'm sorry, I know I must be freaking you out. It's just…" she bit her lip. "Do you mind if I hug you?"
Pavel glanced at Jim briefly, before he nodded. April moved closer, and wrapped her arms around his thin frame. After a moment of awkwardness, Pavel moved his arms as well, and wrapped them hesitantly around the older woman's waist.
They pulled apart a few moments later, and April sniffed. "Sorry. I know this must be really weird for you. You just look a lot like your sister. She was amazing."
Pavel nodded, as the three of them sat down. April chuckled. "She wanted to join Starfleet as well, you know."
Pavel nodded again. "Jim told me."
April felt some of the sadness fall away, just watching Anya's brother. She doubted he realized how much like her he was, not that she really wanted to compare the two. But she couldn't help it; the way Pavel bit his lip was just like whenever Anya had felt nervous. When he nodded his head, his blond curls bounced the same way Anya's had whenever she was so excited about something.
She was about to speak, when they were interrupted by a young man wearing Cadet reds.
Jim greeted the stranger warmly, before turning to introduce him to everyone. "April, I'm sure you remember Kevin?"
April gasped, one hand flying to her mouth. "Kev?" she whispered, disbelievingly.
Kevin nodded sheepishly. "JT invited me to dinner tonight. I'm sorry I'm still in uniform, my last class only just got out, and I had to run to get here on time."
Jim shrugged. "It's fine. Kevin, this is Pavel Chekov, one of my best friends and senior Navigations officer on the Enterprise. Pavel is Anya's younger brother."
Kevin's eyes widened slightly, as he remembered the teenager who had always tried to make things seem not so bad, when the world was crumbling down around them.
Jim smiled softly. "Pavel, Kevin is specializing in Navigations. He's graduating with the current class."
Pavel beamed. "Da? It is the best specialization, right?"
Jim snorted. "Agree to disagree. Anyway, let's eat. I'm starving."
They all agreed, and sat down, pulling menus towards them.
The evening passed amicably, as Kevin and April got reacquainted, and Kevin and Pavel immediately hit it off, bonding over their shared field and similar experiences, being near the same age and thus much younger than the rest of their class.
When they headed back to the Academy at the end of the night, they all promised to keep in touch, before they separated to their respective housing units.
XXX
McCoy looked up at the hesitant knock, and, confused, he headed towards the door to his apartment to see who was calling so early. He had only just been about to wake up Joanna, and he didn't have to be at the medical building for another hour and a half.
Seeing Jim standing on the other side of the door wasn't quite as surprising as the expression the Captain was wearing. Though he tried to hide it, McCoy could see a hint of fear and trepidation behind his bright blue gaze.
Even though something was definitely wrong, Jim attempted a smile. "Hey, Bones. Can I come in?"
McCoy nodded quickly, and stepped back to let his friend enter.
Jim immediately made his way to the couch and collapsed with a weary sigh.
Frowning, McCoy followed him, taking a seat next to the younger man. "What's going on, Jim? You look like shit."
Jim groaned, leaning back into the sofa, offhandedly admiring how comfortable it was. "I had a meeting with Komack the other day."
McCoy growled. "You want me to hold him down for you?" He was only partly joking.
"Sure," Jim replied seriously, rubbing a hand across his face.
McCoy was immediately on guard. Despite his reputation as a Captain who frequently questioned authority, Jim was usually very careful to appear calm and courteous about his superiors. He rarely even joked about things like this.
"What did he want?" the doctor asked.
Jim let out another sigh and sat up slightly. When he looked at McCoy, his expression was world-weary, only further worrying the older man. "The design team is working to improve the newest model of warp core, with the goal of implementation within the next few years. Komack wants me to go out there and consult on it, since they're still using my original concept as the base for the new core. They want me to work with them on the new design."
McCoy frowned. "So how is that bad?"
Jim bit his lip as his gaze slid away, focusing on the far wall. "The team is set up in Riverside."
McCoy blinked slowly, trying to place the name. After a few moments, he remembered the town he had ended up at before he had gotten on that shuttle to San Francisco, four years ago; Jim had only mentioned his hometown a couple of times over the years, and never anything too deep. All McCoy knew for a fact was that Jim had grown up in a small town in Iowa – Riverside – and he had left when he was fourteen. Jim had told him that his mother hadn't been around, and he and his stepfather hadn't gotten along. Jim had called him a bastard, the one and only time he had mentioned the man. McCoy strongly suspected abuse, but he refused to push, knowing that if Jim wanted him to know, he would tell him.
Jim glanced over at his friend, and smiled slightly. It was nice to have someone like that in his life; someone who was probably bursting with questions, but wouldn't ask, because he didn't want Jim to be upset. Someone who actually cared about his feelings, above their own. It may have taken him a couple of decades, but he had finally found a family.
McCoy sighed. "How long will you be there?"
Jim shrugged, making an effort to reel in his turbulent emotions. "A week or so." He let out a mirthless chuckle. "I don't know why I'm making such a big deal out of this. It's not like I've got anything to worry about, going back there. Frank died years ago, and Winona's still out in the black. There's nothing waiting for me around every corner if I go back."
McCoy reached out and rested a hand on Jim's arm. "You've got every reason to hate this," he assured the younger man. When Jim raised an eyebrow, McCoy shook his head. "Memories can be just as debilitating as a kick to the head."
Jim snorted. "Eloquent."
McCoy would have found some humor in the situation if he hadn't known that there was a good chance Jim was comparing the similarities to both situations. "You want some company?"
Jim bit his lip. He wanted more than anything to say yes, but he knew that if he did, McCoy would drop everything and come with him. And that would only get him on Komack's shit list, for skipping out on an entire week's worth of classes that he had to teach.
So he put on his best reassuring smile, and shook his head. "You've got obligations here," he said. "I'll be all right."
McCoy nodded, not buying it for a second. "You comm. me any time, and just say the word, I'll be on the next shuttle."
This time, the smile was genuine. "Thanks Bones." Jim stood up. "I need to talk to Chris, but I'll catch up with you later. I leave tomorrow, so we'll do dinner tonight."
McCoy nodded, standing as well. "You, me, and Jo?" He hoped he didn't sound as excited as he thought he did. Though he enjoyed the company of the other members of Jim's command crew – as much as he tried to deny it – he always preferred it when it was just him and Jim, alone. He felt like Jim was more easily able to relax with just the two of them, and he liked seeing Jim relaxed almost as much as he hated it, because it was in those moments when he truly saw just how much weight his best friend carried around all the time.
Jim smiled. "Sounds great. We'll take her out in the city somewhere, all right? My treat."
McCoy snorted. "As long as you show me your wallet before we leave. Cretin. How many times have I heard that, only to have you realize that you 'forgot' your wallet once we get to the bar?"
Jim smirked, but it was just a shadow of his usual banter. "I promise, Bones. I'll pay."
McCoy nodded doubtfully. "You get going. I've got to wake Jo, or I'll never get to class on time." He huffed, crossing his arms. "Never again, I swear. I'm not a teacher. These idiots are going to kill someone, and I don't have the patience to hold their hand while they do it."
Jim sighed, reaching out and lightly touching McCoy's shoulder for comfort. "I'm sorry, Bones. I know this isn't what you wanted for your shore leave. I wish I could change it."
McCoy shook his head quickly, completely serious now. "It's not your fault, Jim. I know Komack didn't give us a choice. You do enough for all of us, and I know you burden all of the blame whenever that asshole decides to dole it out. Don't make anything worse for yourself, all right?"
Jim sighed, but nodded dutifully. "I won't. Why do you think I agreed to take this consulting gig with no fuss?"
McCoy nodded, and watched as Jim gave him a last farewell before he left the older man's apartment.
The close of the door sounded very final and very worrying to the doctor. "Shit," he muttered, before making his way towards his daughter's room.
XXX
Chris was understandably upset when Jim told him about Komack's latest demand, and was more than willing to go share his anger with the Admiral, but Jim pleaded with him not to. He didn't want someone else to fight his battles, and he didn't want to make things worse.
Even though he understood, that didn't mean Chris had to like it, but he made Jim promise to keep in touch regularly, and comm. him if he needed anything.
Jim agreed, and left the Admiral's office. Chris just buried his head in his hands and wished he could take away all the suffering that kid had been subjected to.
It was a few minutes later that Jon and Richard entered, taking seats immediately as they observed their younger colleague.
After a moment of silence, Chris looked up, his eyes weary. "That asshole is going to do permanent damage one of these days, if we don't stop him."
Jon shrugged helplessly. "We're working on it, Chris, you know that."
Richard sighed. "The biggest problem we have right now is that Marcus seems to be backing Komack as well."
Chris raised an eyebrow. "I thought he was pretty neutral?"
"Officially? Yes. But you know how much goes on behind the scenes." Archer rolled his eyes. "Marcus is very careful to make it look like he's not taking any sides, but I've got contacts. Marcus and Komack have been seen together unofficially several times. I think Komack might be planning something."
"Section 31?" Chris was surprised. Not many knew that Marcus was the Admiral in charge of the shadier branch of Starfleet, but if Jon thought that Komack was using subtlety and being subversive, then it had to be related to Intelligence and Section 31.
Jon bit his lip and glanced at the door behind them. Understanding, Chris immediately set the privacy alarms, so that no one could interrupt them.
Turning back, Jon met Chris' alarmed gaze with his own worried one. "We've got no proof, Chris, you have to understand that."
Chris shook his head. "Just tell me what you know."
Richard rested a hand on Jon's arm, cautioning him. When he spoke, his voice carried a heavy weight that told both Admirals how concerned he was. "The communications go both ways. Marcus and Komack have been in contact with each other an increasing amount over the last year. Before Nero, they spoke, but it was usually more formal, and they didn't interact much outside of the job."
"So something changed after Nero," Chris mused, rubbing a hand across his face.
Jon nodded. "Within the last year, their interactions have increased tenfold. What strikes me as odd is that from what we've determined, it was Marcus who initiated the increase in communication."
Chris frowned. Marcus was higher than Komack, in terms of official duties. It would make more sense for someone lower down – Komack – to be reaching out to his superior for something, rather than the other way around. "So what does Marcus want?" He looked between Jon and Richard. "I'm assuming he wants something, and for him to go to Komack, it has to be something Komack has."
Richard shrugged. "Your guess is as good as ours. But we're assuming it's something relating to Section 31."
"Something had to start this," Chris thought out loud, trying to imagine any likely scenario that would lead to this.
"But what?" Jon asked reasonably. When no answer was forthcoming, he shook his head. "We'll keep digging, but in the meantime, Jim and the Enterprise need to play ball. I don't want them getting hurt over this, and something tells me Komack has a plan for them. I'm just as certain that I won't like it."
Chris nodded. "I'm positive that Jim has his own suspicions. He won't say anything, but I'm betting that's because he doesn't want to risk anyone catching wind of it. It would be easy enough for Komack, or Marcus, to plant some sort of evidence to get us discredited or brought up on charges, if he felt like we were jeopardizing his plans."
"Damn it, you're probably right," Jon growled. He really hated this, but saw no other option. He wouldn't let Komack or Marcus get away with doing something illegal, if that's what they were planning, and he was pretty sure they were. Whatever they were talking about, it was most likely something that went against Starfleet's ideals, or it was going to end up hurting a lot of people. Possibly both.
Chris sighed. "Keep me informed. I need to go take care of something."
He stood up with a barely noticeable wince, reminding Jon and Richard of the injuries he had suffered on the Narada a year ago. Thanks to Doctor McCoy's skills and the wonders of modern medicine, he was able to walk again, but he still got stiff when he was sitting for a long time, and when it rained, he had to use a cane.
Jon raised an eyebrow as Chris took down the privacy alarms. "Does that something include catching up with a cantankerous doctor and making sure he's watching over his best friend?"
Chris smiled slightly and nodded. "I'm sure Jim's already told him, but I just want to make sure he understands the situation."
Richard smiled as well. "Go on then. We'll talk later. Tell Doctor McCoy that if he has no plans this weekend, a shuttle can be made available."
Chris smirked, understanding what the Admiral was saying. A shuttle would be ready for the Enterprise command crew at their leisure, if and when they decided to head out to Iowa to check on their Captain and friend. It would have the bonus of them not having to go through the commercial depot, and Chris was positive that they would take him up on the offer. Jim's command crew was smart, and he knew that they would know something was wrong, even if they didn't know what it was.
With a nod of agreement, Chris left his office, and headed towards the medical building.
McCoy, of course, knew exactly what was going on, and thanked the Admiral for the shuttle, promising to take him up on that, if he could find a sitter for his daughter. Since that seemed to be the only thing holding the doctor up, Chris offered to watch her for the weekend.
McCoy was a little hesitant, but promised to consider it. He did, however, want to see how Chris interacted with Joanna first. He wouldn't leave her alone with the man, no matter how much he trusted him, without knowing if Joanna was comfortable.
Chris agreed, and suggested dinner sometime in the next couple of days.
McCoy nodded his approval, before he gave the Admiral a curt dismissal, having to get back to 'coddling infants', as he called it.
Chris was a smart man. He beat a hasty retreat before the hypos started coming out. Jim had taught him well.
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