Big thanks to Kimberleah for reviewing this story! Always puts a smile on my face! Hoping y'all are liking it so far.
As always:
~~~~~~~-indicates POV change or passage of time
/-indicates mind meld
Chapter 5: Talks over Tea
Nova ran her fingers through her long black hair, pacing the room. She knew she shouldn't have lost her temper like that. But McCoy didn't understand. Of course, he never would if she had anything to say about it. She walked in front of a full length mirror, and gazed at her reflection. She ran her fingers through her hair again, more slowly, feeling the silky texture. She brought her hands together, her own hands smooth. Nova's lips parted, and she traced her fingers over them, noting that they were much softer than her hands. She yawned, her eyes feeling heavy. A curious sensation. She looked into her eyes, noting the color changes that everyone else could see. Leaning toward the mirror, she noticed that, barely there, beneath the blue and brown, was a cosmic swirl of purple. Her eyes were still changing. She closed them, and held herself.
A physical form.
In all her existence, she never knew that she would ever have a physical form. A form that she could use to feel, to experience texture and touch. And she never thought that physically feeling something would create new emotions in her, new longings that she did not even know were possible. Smiling, she turned her attention to her own eyes. For a moment, the blue within her eyes forced an image of McCoy to the front of her mind, looking hurt and angry. She sighed, and turned her back on the reflection. She knew she had to apologize to McCoy. She had felt his hurt, and his frustration at her. He trusted her, and she knew that. He would never question her outright if she said something was true. But the truth of her fate, of what she had done on the planet below, would cause him distress. She looked over her shoulder, and brushed her hair behind a pointed ear, "Leonard can not know."
McCoy stalked into sickbay, picking up medical charts as he went. Christine looked up from her files.
"Doctor McCoy, what are you doing back?"
"I'm relievin' Doctor Galen," McCoy said briskly.
"She's finishing up with Ensign Crowley," she said, standing up, "I thought you were going to be helping-"
"It's already done, Chris," McCoy stated shortly.
Christine tilted her head, her face one of surprise. McCoy turned away from her, and picked up a nearby PADD. He heard her walk toward him.
"What happened?" Christine asked, "Tell me what's going on, Leonard."
"Did I hear correctly?" Diane strode into the room, staring in disbelief, "You're already back, Doctor McCoy?"
"That's right," he drawled, "Now you can go get some sleep."
Diane raised an eyebrow and ruffled her own brown bangs with a grin, "Now…You know I can't do that, McCoy. You promised me details. I intend to get them."
"Not now," McCoy said curtly.
Diane put down her medical charts and stared, "What is wrong, McCoy? You're acting really-"
"I have made it clear that I am here to relieve you, Doctor Galen. Are you gonna follow mah orders or not?" he asked sharply.
Diane and Christine exchanged a significant look.
Focusing on the doctor, Diane glared, "You aren't relieving anyone of anything, McCoy."
"Excuse me?" McCoy turned to face her defiantly.
"You know better: you leave your baggage at the door. Our jobs are emotional enough without us bringing in extra baggage in. You can either return to your quarters and calm yourself, or-" her voice softened, "You can tell us what has got you in such a state."
"Is it that entity? The one you brought on board?" Christine asked tentatively.
He sighed, pinching the bridge of his nose, "Look, there was a little misunderstanding. Our guest asked that I leave, and I obliged her. Simple as that."
"Is it?" asked Christine, an eye brow raised in disbelief, "Len, just tell us what happened. Start from the beginning. I've known you a long time, and I can tell when you need a good ear to listen to you rant."
He sighed again, took his hand from his face, and launched into the whole story, gesticulating as he did so. He described the orbs of light and how Nova came to exist, how she took on pieces of appearance from himself and Spock via contact, how she was able to learn to speak and her telepathic abilities. And, of course, how she had been angry with him. The two women exchanged another look
"What I don't understand," said Christine, "Is why you agreed to let her inside your head? You don't like mind melds, and this seems to be far more intimate."
"This is different. She's a new species, and there may be things she can only communicate in this way. Besides, the minds don't merge completely," McCoy said, waving a hand dismissively.
"That's not true, McCoy," Diane pointed out, "You said it yourself; you started to fall deeper into her mind. You began to lose yourself, and you didn't fight it. She's the one who pushed you back and kept you in your own head. Now, I know it wasn't your intention, but her lack of control, being a new being and all, combined with your lack of control and distaste for mind melds…well, it seems to me that you put unnecessary strain on her mind. When you lost control, she had to fight for both of you to keep it."
McCoy looked pained. Christine said hurriedly, "You didn't do it on purpose. But, from everything you've told us, this being-"
"Nova," McCoy supplied.
"Nova," Christine amended, "She seems to induce a recklessness in you that is usually only reserved for medical emergencies. I've known you to disregard safety regulations on away missions to save a dying person on an unknown planet. I've seen you take surgical risks most doctors wouldn't dare because the chance of success wasn't likely. But you have always chided Captain Kirk and Spock for their recklessness." She placed a hand on his shoulder, "So, why is it that Nova appears before you as a glowing orb and the first thing you do is reach out to touch her? She was a completely unknown entity. For all you know, she could have killed you. And, when she knew she was losing control this morning, you continuously reached for her, despite her attempts to keep you at bay. She has consistently tried to keep you safe. And you keep being so damn foolhardy. It's no wonder she was upset with you, Len."
McCoy glared, "Where the hell did you learn to be so…infuriating?"
"The word you're looking for is 'right', Doctor," said Christine with a grin, "And I learned from the best. You owe her an apology."
McCoy continued to glare, but Christine could see the pride beneath it. He sighed.
"Ah know that you're right," he said, his Georgian accent coming through, "Ah do owe her an apology."
"You do," agreed Diane, "But she owes you one, too."
McCoy shook his head, but Diane continued, "Look, from what you've said, I don't think she's telling us everything she knows. There are some things that she is keeping from you. She isn't a perfect being, McCoy. She has her secrets."
"Don't we all?" McCoy shrugged, "I dunno. As long as those secrets aren't a threat to us, can I really be upset with her for keeping things to herself? She doesn't own me any answers or explanations. She doesn't own any of us any answers about her existence before."
Christine smiled warmly, "I agree wholeheartedly, Len. Are you going to apologize to her?"
"I'm gonna give her some time. Ah don't wanna crowd her," he said, picking up some charts.
"Then I am going to bed," yawned Diane, stretching, "But be sure that you don't let yourself get too wrapped up in her being, McCoy. I wouldn't want her to charm you too much."
"You are relieved, Doctor Galen," McCoy said, giving her a pointed stare, "Get some sleep."
She winked at him, "I'll see you tonight to relieve you."
Diane strode out of sickbay, and McCoy turned to Christine, eyes bright, "Now. Let's get Scotty in here for that damn physical."
"You mean to tell me," Admiral Komack said, "That you brought alien life aboard the Enterprise without knowing the dangers that life form may possess?"
The admiral glared at Kirk through the screen, and Kirk replied, "Our CMO was reluctant to leave her. We witnessed new life appear before our very eyes. I didn't think it wise to leave that life form without offering help."
"You are to return this life form to the surface immediately."
"I ask that you reconsider," Kirk said, "The Federation could learn a lot from her. She's our only source of communication with the entities below. She could be the key to learning about a whole new civilization."
The admiral continued to glare, inhaled deeply, then exhaled, "I will have to discuss this with the council. The Enterprise will hold her position until you hear from us again. Komack out."
The screen went blank. Kirk rolled his eyes. Sometimes dealing with those stuffy admirals was a bigger pain than handling a hostile Klingon. Those paper pushers had forgotten what it was like to be an explorer. The captain strode from the conference room to the Bridge. Upon his arrival, Spock left the captain's chair and resumed his position at the science station.
"Status report, Mr. Spock. Any activity down on the planet's surface?"
"More anomalies of the same energy that appeared whenever an orb was present, nothing more. The orbs appear to inhabit the entire planet, some in clusters, others wandering in less concentrated areas. We have been attempting to communicate."
"Uhura?" Kirk prompted.
"Captain, we have been sending out a message on all frequencies. Mr. Spock even modified them to match the hum of a scanner, which he said they respond to while on the planet's surface. So far, no response. There is no indication that they here us at all," Uhura shook her head.
"Understood, Lieutenant," Kirk jerked his head toward the turbo lift, "You've been at it all morning. Go take a breather."
Uhura smiled, "Thank you, sir. I'll return shortly."
Uhura entered the turbo lift, and the doors shut. Kirk hit the comm button.
"Kirk to McCoy."
"McCoy here," the doctor answered.
"Doctor, how is our guest doing?"
"Our guest has requested some space. Nothing to worry about."
Kirk looked over at Spock, who raised an eyebrow, "You sure about that, Bones?"
"Absolutely, Captain. Any word on Starfleet's response?"
"Well," Kirk looked sheepishly at Spock, who was giving him a pointed look, "They weren't exactly…thrilled about our guest's presence on the ship, but I'm sure they'll see reason."
"Lord help us all," McCoy muttered, "Keep me posted."
"Same to you, Bones. Kirk out."
He switched off the comm. Spock spoke, "Captain, shall I check on our guest?"
Kirk gave it some serious consideration, then, "No, Mr. Spock. I think we'll trust the good doctor. But if you get a feeling of something being wrong, please don't hesitate to say so."
"Vulcans do not 'get a feeling', Captain."
Kirk smiled, "Of course they don't, Mr. Spock."
Uhura was on her way down to the rec room, when the turbo lift stopped and the doors slid open. She found herself looking at the back of a woman with long black hair, who was walking away.
"Did you want to come in?" she called.
The woman jumped, and turned, "Oh…No, thank you. I have been told to remain in my quarters. I just…required…a change of scenery?"
Uhura stepped out onto Deck 4, "Forgive me, but are you the entity from the planet?"
"I am," she said, inclining her head, "I am Nova. It is a pleasure to meet you."
"The pleasure is mine. I am Nyota Uhura," Uhura smiled. Nova smiled back and Uhura could feel her delight, "You're an emapthic telepath."
"So I am told," Nova said, stepping toward Uhura, "I am learning to keep my abilities under control. It is the reason I am confined to this deck. I just…needed…"
"Some fresh air?" Uhura supplied, "You look upset. What's wrong, sugar?"
"'Sugar'? I am not a sweet substance, Nyota."
Uhura laughed, "Oh, no! I know that. 'Sugar' is just something I call people. It's sort of like a-"
"A term of endearment," Nova finished, "Yes. Leonard uses those."
Uhura noted how Nova's eyes clouded as she spoke, changing from blue to brown, back to blue, with a purple undertone.
"Would you like to talk about it, sugar?" she asked sweetly, "Let's go get a cup of tea."
"I cannot. I am confined to Deck 4, Nyota. I must remain here."
"If you know that, then why did you call the turbo lift to this deck?" she asked, grinning slyly.
Nova pursed her lips, "I merely wanted to test the operation of the lift in case of an emergency."
"Uh-huh. Well, if you're so reluctant to leave, I'll bring us both some tea. What kind do you like?"
"I do not know," said Nova, honestly, "I have never had tea before."
"I'll figure it out, sugar. Be right back."
Uhura stepped back into the turbo lift.
When she returned with a tray, Uhura found Nova standing in the same spot, waiting for her.
"Would you like to drink this in your quarters?" Uhura asked.
Nova hesitated, "Not…particularly. I would rather not be in my quarters at the moment."
Uhura nodded, "No problem. She walked halfway down the corridor, then sat down on the floor, placing the tray beside her, "Have a seat."
"Are we permitted to sit on the floor here?" Nova asked, kneeling down.
"Technically, there is no rule that says we can't do just that," Uhura smiled at her. Nova smiled back. Uhura handed Nova a steaming cup, "Here you are. Rooibos tea, with just a dash of honey for some sweetness. Now, I'm not going to lie to you: not a lot of people like rooibos tea. They prefer chamomile. But I think that rooibos tea will be right up your alley."
Nova took a tentative sip without question, and swallowed, "Mmm… This is perhaps the most delicious thing I have had the pleasure of tasting. Rooibos, did you say?"
Uhura nodded, delighted, "You know, only myself and Christine like this. Now we'll have a third person to drink tea with."
"Christine?" asked Nova.
"She's a nurse on the Enterprise. Christine Chapel. She works in the sickbay. You may have seen her."
"Ah. Beautiful blonde woman? Intelligent, diligent, and efficient?" Nova asked.
"Sounds like her!" Uhura smiled. She took a sip of her tea, sighed, then, "Now, what seems to be on your mind, sugar?"
Nova clutched the cup tighter, rubbing her fingers along the hot edges, "I do not know where to begin."
"At the beginning, of course. Tell me how you got here."
Nova looked at Uhura. She couldn't say why, but the woman beside her was radiating compassion and was filled with a genuine desire to comfort her. Nova smiled, then began, telling Uhura of what happened when she made contact with McCoy and Spock, how McCoy had helped her communicate, and how Spock had helped her control her telepathic abilities. When she got to the argument, she found herself unable to speak.
"Leonard…does not understand the situation."
"I'm not really sure I do, either. Is there something that you aren't telling him?" she asked. Nova glanced sideways at her, and Uhura continued, "I'm not asking to pry. Everyone's entitled to their privacy. But if there was something that you weren't telling him that could hurt him, you may want to reevaluate your reasons for silence."
She sighed, "It is not that simple, Nyota. I do not wish for anyone to know what I have done. It is not for them to know. Do you understand?"
Uhura nodded, and placed her hand on Nova's. Uhura recoiled slightly at the rush of emotions that flooded into her, the guilt and the sadness, but she left her hand on Nova's, "I understand. But sometimes, when we have intentions of protecting someone, we end up hurting them instead."
"How is that possible?"
"Call it a human failing," she said with a sympathetic smile, "But even if you refrain from telling the truth without lying outright, some people will still feel lied to. And they wouldn't be wrong."
Nova sighed, and took a long drink of tea before saying, "I do not believe I will ever understand humans completely."
She laughed softly, "Take it from me, sugar. Us humans don't even understand us. You've got nothing to worry about."
"Thank you for your…words of comfort," said Nova, smiling at her, "They were most helpful."
"Anytime," Uhura said, and got to her feet, "I'd better be getting back to the bridge."
"Of course," Nova stood up as well, tea still in her hand, "Thank you for the tea. I will… remember what you said."
Uhura nodded, and placed a hand on her shoulder, "Whatever it is you're dealing with, just know that there are people on this ship who genuinely care about you. And it sounds like Doctor McCoy is one of them."
Uhura strode toward the turbo lift, turned back, and waved as the doors slid shut. Nova sighed, and headed back toward her quarters. She drank the last of the tea, yawning as she did so.
A few hours later, Kirk was striding through Deck 4, with Spock closely behind and to his left. Kirk stopped in front of Nova's door. He knocked and heard, "Enter," from within. The doors slid open, and he saw Nova laying on the floor, her eyes closed.
"Is this a bad time, Nova?" asked Kirk.
"No, Captain," she sat up fluidly and got to her feet. Both of the men noticed her stumble slightly as she rose, "I was just meditating."
Spock raised an eyebrow, "Indeed? You seem to be in greater control of your emotions than before."
"Thank you, Mr. Spock, I have been working on it all day. Needless to say, I am anxious to see more than one room of this ship. The sooner I have better control, the sooner I am allowed out, correct?"
"For the most part," Kirk said.
"For the most part?" she repeated, "What does that mean, Captain?"
"Because we took you onto the ship, we had to notify Starfleet of your existence. They demanded, first and foremost, that you be beamed down to the planet's surface."
"I see…"
"But I argued against it, and we are waiting to hear back from them," Kirk smiled, "So, as of right now, you'll stay right where you are."
She beamed at him, "I appreciate that, Captain. I wish to learn and experience all that I can. I have already learned so much."
Kirk turned to Spock, "Well, Spock? What's the prognosis?"
"As I am not a doctor, I could not provide one," he said simply.
"Of course you couldn't, Mr. Spock," said Kirk, a teasing hint in his voice, "My apologies. What would you think of our guest's control?"
Spock's eyes bored into hers, and she gazed back into those dark orbs without flinching, "Much better, Captain. She seems to have even taken steps to erect barriers in her mind."
"Not very strong ones," she acknowledged, "I am certain that Mr. Spock could penetrate them with little effort. Not that he would, of course. Forcing oneself into another's mind is a heinous crime on Vulcan, is it not?"
"It is," he said, "I see you have also learned much."
"Not much else to do, Mr. Spock. I may as well be useful. I have been perusing the Enterprise's library in hopes of learning all that I can, as well as meditating on and off."
"I would like to see more of your control. If I may?" Spock raised a hand toward her face.
"By all means," she acquiesced.
Spock touched the familiar points on her face, and began to extend his mind to hers, "My mind to your mind. Your thoughts to my thoughts."
Instead of being engulfed in a torrent of emotion, Spock was submerged in a mildly strong current. True, it was still overwhelming in some instances, but Spock did not have to fight as hard to remain himself.
/
"Nova?" he said.
"Yes, Mr. Spock?" came the reply, no longer a booming voice, but a steady controlled tone.
"Fascinating," he said softly. Your control is remarkably accurate after a few hours."
"I appreciate the compliment, Mr. Spock."
"I am curious as to one question."
"Indeed?"
"Why is Doctor McCoy not with you?"
Spock noted the immediate change. The light within her mind fluctuated, and he felt a wave of remorse and guilt.
"We had a minor disagreement."
"I see. May I enquire as to what?" Spock asked.
A quick flash of a frustrated McCoy stared at Spock before Nova quickly took the memory and tucked it behind her walls, "I have no comment on the matter."
"Very well."
"You are not going to try to find out what I am keeping from you?"
"As you said before, for a Vulcan to pry farther than permitted is a grievous offense. At any time, I would terminate the meld if you became uneasy."
Spock instructed her on how to increase fortification of her mind herself against outside forces. She absorbed it all eagerly.
/
As Spock withdrew from the meld, Kirk spoke, "Well?"
"She is stable, Captain. By my estimate, she should have sufficient control by tomorrow, easily."
"I thought you said it would take her years," said Kirk.
"Years for discipline. I can balance a stack of books in my hand without much practice. But the minute outside stimuli are added, the books become more difficult to hold. Then, imagine adding a book every thirty seconds. Eventually, without practice and discipline, those books will fall. It is only logical."
"While I have temporary control, I do not have the discipline to maintain it constantly. And that is something that can only be gained through years of practice, Captain," supplied Nova.
"Well, that's better than nothing," said the Captain.
"Could I, possibly, explore the ship now, Captain?" she asked.
Kirk pursed his lips together, then smiled, "I don't see why not. Just be sure not to get in the way. The crew have a ship to run."
"Of course, Captain!" she exclaimed delightedly, and Kirk felt the gratitude wash over him before she reigned it back in.
"We're off to the science labs to see Lieutenant Shulter's analysis on the plant life of your planet. Would you care to join us?" Kirk offered.
"Yes, sir!"
"Come on, then," he said, jerking his head toward the door.
Nova stepped forward, then the world lurched, and she stumbled, catching herself with her hands before she hit the floor.
"Are you alright?" asked Kirk, kneeling in front of her.
Nova shook her head hard, "I am alright, Captain. Just dizzy for a moment."
"Perhaps you should remain here," Spock suggested.
"No. I am fine. Please do not make me stay. I will be alright."
Spock raised an eyebrow, and Kirk exchanged a meaningful look with his first officer.
"Doctor McCoy would be most displeased if something happened to you," said Spock, "Are you sure that you can-?"
"Doctor McCoy certified me healthy enough to leave sickbay. I am fine, gentlemen. And we are wasting time," she stood up straight and smiled.
Kirk sighed and said reluctantly, "The first sign of another dizzy spell, and you return to your quarters, am I clear?"
"Yes, Captain."
Kirk gave her another reluctant look before smiling, and heading out of her quarters. She followed the captain, walking side by side with Spock toward the science labs.
McCoy was analyzing the data he had obtained from Nova's first visit in sickbay. Her blood had changed from human-like to something alien. It was as if she was still in a metamorphic state. McCoy rubbed his eyes and glanced up at the clock. It had been hours since he had left Nova alone. Did she eat anything else? Was she attempting to sleep? McCoy stood up and paced his office, thinking. If Nova was still changing her form, her humanoid body could weaken. If that happened without her knowledge, she could exhaust herself. There was something gnawing in the back of his mind, a sense of unease about Nova.
"Doctor McCoy?" Christine poked her head in, "Doctor, we have a dislocated shoulder for you. It's Chekov."
"Of course it is," McCoy rolled his eyes, "Probably training with Sulu. Well, let's go, Nurse Chapel. That shoulder won't shift into place itself."
He strode from his office and into sickbay, coming face to face with Chekov, "Well, Mr. Chekov, what have we gotten ourselves into?"
"Sulu was showing me new fighting techniques. He caught me off-guard. It was an aczedent."
"Try to be a little more careful, Chekov," McCoy scolded with a grin as he pressed a hypo into the ensigns shoulder, "That should help with the pain. Now, Nurse Chapel and myself are just gonna pop this shoulder back in place. You shouldn't feel too much, just a slight pressure. Alright?"
Chekov nodded, anxiously. Christine grabbed Chekov and steadied the trunk of his body, and McCoy bent Chekov's arm at a ninety degree angle. Slowly, he began to rotate it. Chekov winced, and bit his lip.
"Come on…" McCoy continued to rotate, feeling the head of the shoulder brush against the pocket. With a quick pop, the shoulder was back in place. Chekov breathed a sigh of relief. McCoy tested Chekov's range of motion than issued the ensign a sling.
"Now, you come back here before turning in for the night if you find the pain to be uncomfortably high. But," he injected the ensign with another hypo, "You should be good as new in two days."
"Zat wasn't so bad. Thank you, Doctor McCoy. I weel be getting back to work, now."
"You keep that arm in that sling, Ensign. I mean it. Don't think I won't pull you from duty," McCoy said sharply.
Chekov smiled and left sickbay. Suddenly, the comm buzzed, "Kirk to McCoy."
McCoy strode over and pressed the comm button, "McCoy here."
"McCoy, I need you here outside of the science labs. Someone's collapsed."
"On my way, Jim," McCoy grabbed a handheld communicator, and said, "Nurse, prepare to receive patient."
"Yes, Doctor," responded Christine, already prepping equipment.
McCoy grabbed his medical kit, and headed out of sickbay, "McCoy to Captain. What's the status?"
"Unresponsive," came the Captain's voice, "Spock is trying to get her to wake up."
McCoy felt his stomach twist, that gnawing feeling intensified, and he quickened his pace, "Is she breathing?"
McCoy heard Spock say something, and Kirk spoke, "Yes, but very shallow. She's completely out, Bones."
McCoy entered the turbo lift, "Which crewman?"
Kirk hesitated, "Bones…"
"Which crewman?" McCoy repeated, the knot in his gut tightening.
McCoy heard Kirk sigh before saying, "Nova, Bones."
And, when the turbo lift doors opened, McCoy flew down the corridor, "Be there in two minutes, McCoy out."
"Captain, she is totally unresponsive," Spock held her wrist, "Heart beat is not steady. Breathing is shallow."
"Nova, can you hear me?" Kirk called, kneeling on her other side.
She remained motionless.
"Jim!"
Kirk turned to see McCoy sprinting toward them. Quickly, he stepped out of the doctor's way. Spock, too, stepped back. McCoy knelt down beside her, and peeled back an eyelid. He shined a light into her eye, and cursed softly, "Reaction is sluggish. Nova, can you hear me?"
When there was no response, McCoy checked her pulse, "Thready pulse. Shallow breathing. This is total exhaustion." He pulled out a hypo, and pushed it against her skin. It hissed, and he pulled out his scanner, "What happened, Jim?"
"She said she was feeling dizzy. But she insisted she was fine. I don't know what happened."
"Her body is still changing. It's no wonder she's unresponsive; she's exhausted," he flipped open his communicator, "McCoy to sickbay. I need two orderlies down here with a stretcher, stat."
"Acknowledged," said Christine.
McCoy placed a hand on Nova's forehead. No indication a fever. McCoy could feel her emotions beneath the surface. There was confusion, a foggyness in her mind. That had to be the exhaustion.
"Darlin', Ah'm gonna need ya t'wake up now," he said softly, that thick Georgian accent bleeding through, "Ah can't help ya if ya don't help me."
Placing a hand on her neck, he began to caress her cheek with his thumb, trying to lend her his strength, "Come on, Nova. Open those eyes."
McCoy felt a soft brush of acknowledgement against his mind, "That's right, Nova. Come on back. Just open your eyes."
Her eyes twitched, and opened a fraction of a millimeter. Her lips parted slightly, and McCoy could hear the questioning "Leonard?" without hearing it at all.
"Shhh, darlin'. You're alright. You're exhausted. Things may seem a bit fuzzy. I'm gonna take you to sickbay, and we will give you some fluids, and something to sedate you. It's gonna make you feel a little out of sorts, but it's normal, alright?"
She swallowed, and nodded so slightly. Her eyes began to close again, just as the two orderlies came in. McCoy glanced at Spock, who knelt down to help the doctor ease Nova onto the stretcher.
"Let's get her to sickbay," McCoy said.
McCoy stayed beside Nova, directing the stretcher, hoping that it was exhaustion, and nothing more. His hand remained in contact with her as he guided them to sickbay.