The furor that had overwhelmed the sickbay was long gone, Dr. Leonard McCoy was left alone with the corpse of his late captain and close friend. The tubes and sensors had been removed and the body had been covered, but still the seasoned doctor could not bear to stay in the same room for long. With no other patients, he had retreated into his office and buried himself in paperwork.

"How are you holding up?" Nurse Chapel asked, startling him back into reality.

He stretched and leaned back in the chair. He looked tired and worn, giving him the air of someone several years his senior.

There was a long pause before he answered with a sigh, "I'm holding up."

"That's good to hear," she said with a small, sad smile, "You're always so busy tending to everyone else, I just thought somebody ought to check in on you and make sure you're alright."

"Thank you…" he trailed off into his own thoughts.

"Do you-"

He cut her off without even realizing she had begun to speak, "What I want to know is what that blasted Vulcan is up to. There's something fishy going on and if no one else is going to get to the bottom of it, I swear I will!"

"Mr. Spock has been acting kind of strange…" she admitted, "But maybe it was as he said yesterday. Maybe he had already tried and knew Captain Kirk was dead. That would explain the announcement."

"Or he was eager to declare himself captain once Jim was out of the way - and to think I was starting to trust him..."

"It's so hard to know what he's feeling," she said with a sigh, "I honestly can't tell if he's sad or just the same as usual."

"Has he said anything more about what happened down there, on Tamarin V?"

She shook her head, "Not that I heard, but when I went up to the bridge he said essential personnel only. Maybe Uhura knows, since she's been up there the whole time and might have even been at communications while they were down on Tamarin. Anyways, I'm going to go down to the mess hall, do you want anything?"

"No," he waved her off, "I think I've got what I need for now."

"Alright…" she said somewhat skeptically, "Just don't-"

"Don't worry, I'll be fine," he gave her what he hoped was a comforting smile.

She stole a final concerned glance at him, before leaving through the main room.

Dr. McCoy turned on the direct line to the bridge, "Lieutenant Uhura, you're needed in sickbay."

To his surprise - though in retrospect it really shouldn't have been such a shock - it was Captain Spock who replied, "For what purpose do you require my communications officer? I have confirmed that she is not scheduled for a medical check up."

"It's about Jim." Dr. McCoy answered

There was a long pause before Spock said curtly, "Very well," and cut off the intercom with a click.

It was not long before the door opened with a whoosh and Dr. McCoy waved Lt. Uhura into his office.

"What's going on?" she asked.

"That's what I'd like to know," he explained with a grim smile, "Were you on duty while Jim and Mr. Spock were down on Tamarin V?"

"Yes, but we didn't hear from them until we returned from dealing with the stolen vessel, when Spock called to be transported back up. Well, that and when Scotty called down to tell them about the distress signal."

"Who answered?" Dr. McCoy cut in.

"Mr. Spock, he said they would be fine down there, but they had only just arrived."

Dr. McCoy nodded, his suspicions confirmed, though it didn't necessarily mean anything… "Has he said anything more about what happened down there?"

"No, he hasn't said much at all aside from giving orders, but he's never been particularly talkative."

"Still, he owes us an explanation."

"It is strange that he hasn't said anything about it, other than that it was a 'misunderstanding.' But if that's all you need me for, I've got to get back to the bridge. I'll tell you if I hear anything."

"Thank you," he said and she left.

Dr. McCoy sat there, alone in his office once more. He could return to the computer, he knew there was more than enough work to keep him preoccupied for months, but he hesitated. A yawn forced its way in and out of his mouth.

He would be glad to be back on earth, with distinct day and night, though he was far from happy about the circumstances. It wouldn't take them too long to get back, they weren't that far out, not for the Enterprise… And what was the Enterprise without its captain?

"Damn it Jim, why'd you have to die and leave that Vulcan First Officer of yours in charge? What happened to you down there?"

He shook his head to clear it. Talking to himself wouldn't get him anywhere. He needed some sleep, then he could continue his investigation.

"I'm a doctor, not a detective!" he said as he forced himself to his feet.

One nap later, Dr. McCoy emerged from his room. He was about to turn right onto the lift to take him back to sickbay when he noticed that the door to the captain's private chambers was wide open. His eyes narrowed in confusion, though he suspected he knew who was in there. He picked up his pace.

Sure enough, there was Mr. Spock rummaging through the captain's belongings.

"What more do you want from him?" Dr. McCoy demanded.

"I am looking for the captain's final orders," he answered with flat affect.

"Yes, I know them-" Dr. McCoy retorted. They had played the tape before, when they had thought Jim dead. It had stopped their usual quarreling then, but this time was different.

"It is not for your benefit, but for that of Starfleet Command," Mr. Spock explained.

"So after all that, all you really wanted was to get promoted?"

"I am obeying the captain's orders."

"He wouldn't want you to let him die!" Dr. McCoy said before he could stop himself.

To that, Spock had no answer.

"What happened?" Dr. McCoy nearly shouted at the Vulcan, "What was Jim to you, a friend or an obstacle?"

"Calm yourself, doctor," Spock ordered, though he sounded barely calm himself, "I advise you return to your post at once."

"You're not getting out of it that easily!"

He stood to full height, positioning himself so he towered over Dr. McCoy, "I am the captain of the U.S.S. Enterprise and that is an order."