Mess Hall
9:00 PM
"Doctor McCoy?"
McCoy looked up. After the Naming Celebration had wound down, he had decided to make a quick trip
to sickbay before returning to his quarters. After speaking briefly to Lieutenant Hulcaira, who was in charge
during Beta shift, he had headed to his office to fill out a quick report. After a few minutes he had heard
a soft voice speaking to Hulcaira but engrossed in his work, hadn't stopped writing.
Now as he finally looked up, he saw L'Naym standing in the office entrance, gazing at him solemnly.
"Doctor, may I speak to you for a moment?" she asked quietly.
"Sure. Great party by the way."
"Thank you." She took a breath. "Doctor, I wanted to apologize for the way I acted towards you while
I was in the Mothering."
"Shylea, I've studied Nlian medical history. I know what Nlian mothers are like while they're giving birth."
He smiled kindly, "But if it makes you feel better, apology accepted."
She smiled slightly and a tension went out of her. "I also wanted to thank you for your care and to give
you something. I wanted to give it to you privately because it probably would have embarrassed you
if I had done it in front of everyone."
She stepped forward and handed him a small box. Upon opening it, McCoy found a small glowing
white stone attached to a pendant.
"The Ylora stone is very rare and highly treasured on Nlia," L'Naym said softly. "They are regarded as
symbols of honor and only given to someone whom you esteem highly. There are many types of gifts.
Gifts of friendship, gifts of love, gifts of esteem and gifts of gratitude. This is a gift of both esteem and gratitude."
McCoy stared at the pendant, obviously moved. "It's…beautiful. Thank you."
L'Naym stepped closer. "Doctor, as a Healer you are a Second Parent to both my lifemate and myself.
And you are a Second Parent to my son. You acted as midwife. You brought him into the world.
Your hands were the first to touch him. Your arms were the first to hold him, even before mine."
She reached out and enfolded the doctor in a gently hug. "As your hands were the first to touch my child,
so my hands touch you in gratitude now." After the hug she stepped back and quietly walked away.
McCoy stared down at the pendant for a few moments, then quietly slipped it around his neck.
"Hey, Bones," came another quiet voice.
McCoy looked up to see Kirk leaning against the doorway with an amused look on his face.
"When Shylea told me she needed to see you I came along for moral support in case you were still
cranky about her little sickbay coup."
His eyes went to the pendant. "Never thought you'd be the jewelry type, but it looks good on you."
"Not another word, Jim. Not. One More. Word."