Watching the stars passing by at an inconceivable speed it occurred to Maggie Zacher-Hagen that the choices you make in life are not always as free from fate as she may have wished. The existence of a higher being wasn't something she gave credence to. She couldn't deny however, that the workings of the universe, the way one judgement could lead you down a path opposed to another was a question too immense to contemplate at times.
She was sat in the Lounge and Recreation area of the ship sipping on her coffee. Down time was a much sought after and enjoyable experience for Maggie, given the highly demanding work environment, respite was a mandated requirement. Maggie chose to spend the majority of her time alone, catching up with her reading, ensuring she was up to date with Starfleet navigational strategy or simply exercising.
"Do you mind?" She looked up from her PADD to see Doctor McCoy looming above her. She was sure he was aware of his imposing presence in any given situation, she suspected he enjoyed the reaction that came from most. She herself couldn't deny that it made her anxious but given her previous interactions with him she knew him well enough to know that he didn't do it with any kind of malice.
"Not at all, please." She indicated to the chair opposite her and he nodded. Taking his seat he placed his drink on the table.
"You don't fancy something stronger?" He asked, indicating to her coffee with a jut of his head.
"This is strong enough." She laughed in return.
"Well after today I needed it, that was one hell of a stunt you pulled."
"It wasn't a stunt Doctor, I was doing my job."
"Well, give me a head's up next time will you?"
"Sure, no problem." She looked at him, then returned her gaze to her PADD.
"I sure as hell don't believe they taught you to fly like that at the Academy!" McCoy arched an eyebrow.
"No, they didn't." She didn't offer any further explanation, McCoy opened his mouth to question further but seemed to stop himself. They lapsed into a comfortable silence, she reading her book, he looking out at the stars, occasionally stealing a glance at her. He admired her confidence, there was no edge to it. No pomp and ceremony, she clearly enjoyed her vocation but she wasn't trying to impress anyone. Her matter of fact approach suited him, he liked to keep things simple. He downed the rest of his drink, not wanting to disturb her from whatever she was reading he rose to his feet, he paused momentarily wondering if it was rude to leave without saying anything. He found himself struggling for words, irritated with himself he spun and left. Maggie, engrossed in her book haphazardly reached for her coffee and about to ask the Doctor a question. Not quite finding her cup she looked up, McCoy was gone. She looked around the room but there was no sign of him. See you around McCoy.
McCoy was having a terrible day, overworked and underpaid he was this close to sedating the Captain and the First Officer right there on the Bridge. He was a damned Doctor, he didn't have time for everyone's bull shit. Having just experienced the insufferable elucidations of interplanetary diplomacy from the Vulcan McCoy had strode into the corridor intent on locking himself in his office for the next 72 hours.
"Doctor McCoy, where are you to in a hurry?" Maggie had to push herself against the wall of the corridor less she be knocked off her feet by McCoy.
"None of your damned business!" He retorted, not even bothering to slow down or turn his head. Maggie, quite frankly gobsmacked stood there for a moment. Continuing on her way to the Bridge she stopped suddenly and turned on her heel. Marching towards McCoy she clenched her hands into fists stealing herself.
"Doctor!" She raised her voice enough to effectively travel the distance between them and for him to stop and turn. The one or two other crew members in the corridor knew enough of Doctor McCoy either through experience or gossip to know not to stop and hurriedly carried on their way.
"What?" He bit out.
"Don't presume to think it's acceptable to speak to me in that way." She squared up to him, bringing herself to her full height (which only brought her to his mid torso).
"What?" He repeated.
"Do I look like your Wife?" That took McCoy by surprise, he didn't know what to say. "Last time I checked we're not married so don't speak to me like you've been at work all day and I've burnt your dinner! Is that clear?" Maggie made it understood by the stern look on her face that she expected an answer.
"Crystal." He grinded out through clenched teeth.
"Good." She began to walk away.
"Who do you think you are?" He shouted down the corridor.
"I thought I made that clear Doctor!" She turned and stopped to face him again. "And clearly not your friend I can tell you that much." Maggie threw over her shoulder as she continued on her way to the Bridge.
McCoy sat next to Maggie in the Senior Officer briefing the following day, he didn't mention the altercation between the pair but the way he was trying to make small talk indicated to her that he was regretful regarding their argument. This was as much as she was going to get it seemed.
"Alright everybody dismissed. Bones, a word." The Captain gestured towards the Doctor, exhaling loudly Maggie gave his arm a nudge with her own.
"Stop being such a child." She admonished. He cocked his eyebrow at her quizzically, enjoying the brief physical contact.
"I can read you like a book McCoy."
"War and Peace?"
"Not quite, perhaps the Klingon version." She replied.
"What is it Jim?" Bones asked when everybody else had left.
"You and the Lieutenant seem to be on friendly terms." Bones knew what he was up to and wasn't about to play into his hands that easily.
"Lieutenant…?"
"Oh come on, you know who I'm talking about! Lieutenant Zacher-Hagen, she's a very attractive woman Bones and one hell of a Navigator…"
"Jim, I won't say this again. I'm not your chew toy to be played with. Go bother somebody else."
"You're no fun Bones!"
"You'd do well to remember that Jim."
"Tell me about yourself Doctor." Maggie sipped her drink, watching intently as McCoy squirmed upon hearing her question. They were sat at their usual table in the Recreation room.
"Not much to tell, I'm a simple country Doctor."
"Practicing medicine on the Federation's Flagship?"
"It wasn't my first choice, believe me!"
"Where did you grow up?"
"Atlanta, Georgia. If we're going to continue with this line of questioning there's two things we need to do. First and foremost I need another drink, second you can't keep calling me Doctor. The name's Leonard."
"Okay Leonard, I'm Maggie. Nice to meet you." She extended her hand for him to shake, although he pleasantly surprised her when he held it gently and placed a kiss on the back of her hand.
"It's the Southern Gentleman in me." He glibly replied, noting her raised eyebrows.
"You sure it's not the Bourbon?" She laughed.
"Jury's out on that one. Maggie, is that short for Margaret?" McCoy was settling in to the easy way in which they were talking.
"If only it were! Magdalene I'm afraid." Maggie grimaced. "Married?" she continued to question.
"Divorced. You?" She shook her head. "I can't believe you've haven't had a string of eligible bachelors knocking at your door."
"Children?" Maggie ignored the last comment.
"One, a Daughter. Joanna." She noticed his eyes seemed to glass over at the mention of his Daughter's name.
"You must miss her."
"I do." McCoy downed the rest of his drink. Maggie wanted to change the subject, realising suddenly that their conversation had gone from light to heavy considerably fast.
"What does the 'H' stand for?" Her drink was empty but she was happy to play with the condensation that had appeared on the outside of the glass.
"Horatio." He answered plainly.
"Does that make Kirk Hamlet?" Maggie smiled at him.
"Well, he's as mad as he was that's for certain."
"Dress it up how you want Leonard, I can tell your're good friends. You're his conscience."
"How do you figure that?" He didn't want to admit that she was closer to the truth than maybe he even realised.
"I've heard you on the Bridge together, you're his conscience, the counterpoint to Commander Spock's logic." He couldn't help but stare at her.
"You sure you didn't study Psychology at the Academy?" Maggie laughed and shook her head. "I can't place you accent, where did you grow up?"
"Oh everywhere and anywhere, my parent's moved a lot."
"What did they do?"
"They were artists, humanitarians."
"That surprises me, I would have sworn you came from a long line of military heroes." McCoy was genuinely shocked. Maggie just shook her head and placed her glass on the table.
"Well, I need to get off, it was good talking with you Leonard." Maggie got up and smiled at him, McCoy also got to his feet and pulled at his uniform. "I'd like to see a picture of your Daughter, next time of course." For a second Maggie worried that she had sounded too forward or was being presumptuous in some way.
"I'd like that too." McCoy smiled. They bid each other good night and went their separate ways. Both lay in bed later that day, unsure as to what to feel about the other. There was no denying there was an attraction, but neither knew if the attraction between them was reciprocated. Both were grateful for a friendly ear but if they were being honest with themselves, they hoped for more. Relationships were hard enough as it was, never mind being stuck in a tin can millions of light-years away from home.
Thus ends the prequal! Hope you're still enjoying this, as I mentioned before my previous stories were very heavy and intense and at first I wasn't sure if I would enjoy writing something light as much as those but this is like a nice warm blanket (for me anyway)! So, enjoy the blanket, plenty of room for everyone! Especially McCoy! LLAP X :-)