The hours dragged on as Bones and his Medical Team operated on Lilly's weak body. As he skillfully removed the devastated flesh from the claws of the beast, it seemed as though he was making no headway. Lilly's Vital Signs were still depressingly low despite everything they were pumping into her body.

The Electroencephalogram Monitor was reading weakly. Some areas of her brain were still completely functioning, some more than others. The rest though, were shutting off. The Monitor beeped softly, alerting the Team to the fact that Lilly had now slipped into a comatose state.

"GOD DAMN IT! I don't know what to do anymore. I've cut away all the dead tissue, it's like she doesn't want to fight." Bones growled out painfully, his heart breaking as he spoke each word.

As the last of her blood vessels were repaired, Bones set the Dermal Regenerator to go to work on her torso. The soft lavender colored light beam rained down on the lacerations on her pale body. Nurse Chapel was now putting the various Life Support systems into place. She gently slid her hand up the underside of Lilly's soft green Hospital Gown and inserted a Urinary Catheter. Gliding to the top of the Biobed, she looked sadly at Leonard.

"Leonard, we need to intubate her. Would you like me to do it?" Christine called out softly.

Turning towards her, he shook his head weakly. Taking the equipment from Christine, Bones resumed his place at the head of the bed. He gently straightened Lilly's spinal column and pulled her head into position. Expertly sliding the Intubation Blade into her throat he successfully completed the procedure in just a few moments.

Christine connected the tube to the Biobed and watched as Lilly's chest slowly rose and fell as the bed took over breathing for her. Before stepping away from the bed, Chris gently laid her cool hand on Lilly's shoulder. Squeezing slightly, she walked off.

The Dermal Regenerator shut off and Bones admired the work. Except for the memories, nothing on the surface remained of Lilly's ordeal. Clearing away all of the used equipment, he looked down sadly at Lilly's silent face.

"C'mon kiddo, I need you to fight this. I'll do everything and then some here for you Medically, but I need you to fight. I need you to want to live." Bones choked out painfully. The lump growing larger and larger in his throat was making speech near impossible.

"Computer, lower lights to 20%. Play song, Lilly's Sanctuary at 30% volume until I give a command to stop it." Tears streamed down his face as the echo of his voice was replaced with the soothing sounds of the Moonlight Sonata and a Rainstorm.

Furiously wiping the tears off his weathered face, Leonard retreated to the small cot he kept in his Officer in Sickbay to attempt resting on. He pulled the thin blanket back and collapsed onto the small mattress. Locking the door to his office, he succumbed to the grief swirling all around him.

Deep, heartbreaking sobs poured out of his throat as he released the torrent of pain and anger that had been welling up inside. Tossing and turning on the cot, he found no relief in the quiet solitude of his office. Admitting defeat, Bones rolled over to face the wall and cried into the night.

Days passed and the tears were now silently falling on his cheeks. His throat was constantly ablaze. Despite everything he was doing Lilly was still deep in her coma. After only a few hours of unrefreshing sleep, he awoke yet again. As he struggled to draw moisture into his torturously parched mouth, he started coughing furiously. Rolling off the cot located in his Office, he walked to the small Replicator and dialed up an order for water. The machine gently chimed and colorful soft yellow light swirled in the opening. The light faded away and left a glass of crystal clear water in it's wake.

Closing his eyes, his mind immediately rushed back to the memories of the first night Lilly was in her coma. Tears streamed down his face with a renewed vigor. Drawing in a shallow breath, he succumbed to the memories swirling tumultuously around his thoughts.

91 Days Later
2260.322 02:54

Opening his eyes and languidly rolling off the bed in his Quarters, Leonard stood and crossed to the closet on the far side of the room. Pulling on a white Tank top, he stared at his weathered face in the mirror. The last months had almost destroyed him. He had turned to drowning his sorrows in Whiskey. Some nights he drank with Jim, others he drank alone in the quiet isolation of his private Quarters. He had lost some weight as well. The clothes that normally clung to his lean, athletic frame now hung loosely on his bones. Sighing softly, he pulled on a pair of black slacks over his long legs.

He glanced at the Chronometer he kept on the table by his bedside. Its soft grey light displayed "02:45." Scrubbing his hands over his eyes, he focused on the closet once more, and pulled on his blue Uniform Shirt. Tugging on a fresh pair of socks, and his shoes, he made his way to Sickbay.

Seeing his friend making his way towards them, Jim sat up slightly and held a finger to his lips. "Shh, she's semi-awake. She keeps coming in and out of consciousness. I came down here to check on you but you weren't here. I have Beta shift tomorrow, so I didn't mind staying with her." He whispered softly.

Leonard turned and inspected all of the monitors. What his young friend was telling him was miraculously correct. The 91 days that Lilly had spent in a Coma had apparently done her some good. Glancing at the Chronometer its gentle lavender hued display read 02:54. Scrubbing his hands over his weary face, he gently paged Nurse Chapel.

"Chris, I really hate to wake you, but Lilly's coming-to. I have Nurse Jim down here insisting on helping, and I'd really rather not have the child that can't fly a ship to save his life helping me. I'd much prefer your lovely presence." Bones' thick Southern voice drawled out quietly.

"Of course, Leonard. Give me about 10 minutes and I'll be right there. See you soon." Chris' soft billowy voice fluttered through the Intercom.

Sure enough, 11 minutes later a freshly showered and lavender smelling Christine Chapel glided into Sickbay. She was carrying a Drink Carrier with four cups of steaming liquid in them. Her hair was pulled up into a messy bun and she was already smiling.

Reaching the ICU area, she gently worked three cups free from the carrier and handed them to their recipients. "Hot Green Tea with Lemon, Georgia Peaches and Honey for you, Leonard. Mexican Hot Chocolate for Nurse Jimmy here, and Hot Earl Grey Tea for me. The last is Vulcan Spice Tea with Vulcan Mint for Lilly." She spoke softly.

Tentatively sipping the hot tea, Leonard sighed as the hot liquid soothed his harsh voice and raw throat. As he consumed more of the beverage he could feel the dark haze that enshrouded him lifting. Setting down the cup, he placed a soft hand on Lilly's face. Her brilliant grey eyes fluttered open and shone radiantly.

"Hello Sweetheart, are you ready for the Breathing Tube to come out? Your vitals are great. I think it's time. Do you agree, Chris?" Bones' voice was abnormally softened.

Her eyes flared open and she blinked in approval. Lilly visibly relaxed and closed her eyes again. Waiting for the annoying tube to free her airways, she started recalling the things she most wanted to do when she could finally all the thoughts, the ones that kept beating out the others all had to do with her vicinity to one Leonard Horatio McCoy.