Saratoga Medical Bay
10:30 PM
"You should get some rest," McCoy said quietly.
Alpha shift had long since ended and Nurse Minil and Crewmen Vlaxa had arrived to replace the Medical staff,
but both Belzoni and Alyen had remained at sickbay to help in any way they could during this entire incredible,
painful situation.
"Are you going to be resting, Doctor?" Alyen asked.
McCoy snorted. "I doubt that any of the Senior staff will be doing much of that tonight."
Alyen knew that was definitely true. Every Department on both the Saratoga and the Enterprise was working
around the clock studying the anomaly and trying to find a safe way for the Enterprise to return home.
McCoy had insisted that his staff take a break to eat, although he himself had remained in Medbay.
While in the Mess Hall, Alyen had briefly reunited with his lifemate. She'd been excused from regular
duty after Alpha Shift, but had spent the time since trying to encourage and/or help other crewmates
in whatever way she could. In fact, he'd arrived to find her singing a Cheering Song to three crewmembers
in an attempt to lift their spirits. When he left the Mess Hall he'd brought back a plate for the doctor,
which the CMO had accepted with quiet thanks.
Although it was late at night, all of the Senior staff were still up, with the exception of Akari and Arex;
Jim had ordered them to take breaks because he'd wanted whoever was at Helm or Navigation to be fully
rested with all reflexes sharp.
Lieutenant Akari.
Alyen shuddered when he thought about what could have happened if it weren't for their Helmsman.
He would have to thank him personally for moving the Saraotga out of danger earlier when the anomaly
had first expanded.
Since then, both the Saratoga and the Enterprise had moved back even further, but as unpredictable as
that thing was, he knew he'd be on edge until they were well away from here.
The Enterprise staff had returned to their ship after a few hours on board the Saratoga, but they hadn't
gone alone; several engineers, including Commander Filars, had accompanied them to assist in repairs.
As tense as the mood had been onboard the Saratoga with the Enterprise crew, Alyen wondered how
difficult it would be for the Saratogans on board the massive Flagship.
And if any other of the Enterprise crew now knew the truth.
While the other Dr McCoy had been onboard, both doctors had worked together, exchanging data,
theories and studying the physical effects of the anomaly. Probes launched from both ships containing
biological samples had indicated that while 'entanglement' affected machines, it didn't seem to affect
biological matter. Nobody from the Enterprise seemed to have suffered from their trip through it.
And Ambassador Spock had never seemed to suffer ill effects from his trip though a similar anomaly.
At some point though, the Enterprise CMO had asked McCoy for comparative scans of the Captain's DNA.
Although McCoy had been willing he had naturally wanted to know why. This had led to a conversation
about some of the events of the other Enterprise's reality.
Alyen hadn't been eavesdropping, but since he was right there in the room running data, he couldn't help
but hear the conversation. From what both McCoy's discussed, it was obvious that the other Captain Kirk
had had quite a different life from his Soul Brother in more ways than one.
And then the other McCoy had said something that had made him freeze.
"Looks like your Jim's had it pretty easy."
Alyen had stiffened. He'd gripped the test tube he was holding so tightly he was surprised it didn't break
and felt unfamiliar anger sweep through him.
Easy. This other McCoy had thought that Jim's life had been easy!?
He'd managed to keep himself from confronting the other doctor, but his CMO had had no such constraints.
He had been furious.
"Easy!? Don't think that my Jim's life has been all peaches and cream! Because it sure has hell hasn't!"
He had turned to Alyen and none to gently handed him another PADD. "Go help Belzoni run this data through.
Dr McCoy and I are going to have a little conversation."
Wordlessly Alyen had taken the PADD and gone to the other room.
When, shortly afterwards the two doctors had come out as well, he had been able to tell from the slightly pale
expression on the Enterprise McCoy's face that the conversation had shocked and upset him.
Both your Jim and mine have had very different lives, Doctor, he had thought.
McCoy's tired voice brought his thoughts back to the present.
"I'll be staying near Medbay tonight in case anything new turns up. I'll catch a nap later." He frowned
slightly. "I'd better set up a cot for Jim, because I know that there's no way he'll be going to his quarters tonight."
Alyen was certain of that as well. He knew his Soul Brother. "I'll help."
The two of them got a cot from storage and made their way with it toward the Ready Room to set it up.
Alyen had commed Shylea and when they arrived she was waiting for them. While the two men set up
the cot she placed a small vase of keolla flowers on the desk. The flowers gave off a sweet smell that helped
one to relax. After the cot was set up she put a pillow and blanket on it.
McCoy pulled out his comm. "Jim, there's a cot set up in your Ready Room. I expect you to use it at some point."
'Thanks, Bones," came the reply.
McCoy put away his comm. and stifled a yawn.
L'Naym looked at him with concern. Would you like me to make you a herbal drink, Doctor?" she asked.
McCoy shook his head. "Thanks but no. I'll grab something from the Mess Hall." He gave her an appraising look.
"It's getting late, you should turn in." Pregnant Nlians needed plenty of rest.
He turned to Alyen. "You too." Pregnant females rested better with their lifemates nearby; their Bond soothed
not only the mother but the unborn child as well.
"Are you sure there's nothing else we can help with, Doctor?" Alyen asked softly.
"Go. You guys have been helping take care f others all day. Go take care of yourselves for awhile, while it's still
relatively quiet."