Epilogue - Stardate 2262.091
Time passed and things returned to normal aboard the Enterprise - or as close to normal as things ever managed to get during a deep space mission. McCoy and Spock both healed in their own ways. At first, they met fairly often to share a meal or tea and talk. Sharing tea and food continued, but gradually their talks turned to things other than Minara II. Instead of being something they remembered daily, it became more of an occasional thought popping up. It wasn't that either of them forgot, it was simply that other incidents and interactions with other races drew their focus to the present.
Around half a year had gone by when McCoy and Spock accompanied Scott to the planned spot in the crew's quarters where they were going to create a new clinic. McCoy was asking Spock about the possibility of a mini-lab when there was a call for Scott over the intercom. When he stepped out of the room, Scott heard an odd noise, turned and the door leading to the clinic space was gone.
The odd noise created a very different reaction inside the room. Spock and McCoy both froze at the sound they both remember all too well and none too fondly. Taking a deep breath, McCoy turned and found himself instinctively hugging the young woman who grabbed him. He knew the Vians were in the room, but he ignored them and gave Gem his full attention.
"Gem - I'm so glad to see you. You look so well."
She did look well. McCoy had no way of knowing how the lifespan or aging ran in Gem's people, but she looked far more mature than his last sight of her. Of course, much of that change might have had to do with the confidence that practically radiated off of her now.
Releasing McCoy, she turned and gave Spock an equally enthusiastic hug. Already knowing from experience that touching her was a far different experience to touching humans or even other Vulcans, Spock didn't flinch away. In fact, he gave her a brief hug in return. He continued from where the doctor had left off.
"Indeed, we are both pleased to see you again. We did not think we would ever know what became of you or your people."
It was still questionable how much of spoken words that Gem understood, but she obviously caught Spock's meaning as she turned her head and gave the Vians a glare that did McCoy proud.
The Vians then chose, unwisely, to raise their objections. Lal gestured toward Gem.
"She and all of her people show the same lack of respect and ingratitude to us."
Spock and McCoy exchanged a glance. Some of the crew might have been of the opinion that the First Officer and the CMO were unable to agree on anything. They were wrong - the one thing that Spock and McCoy fully agreed on was their opinion of the Vians. McCoy's voice had a near Artic chill behind the words.
"Gem and her people are empathic. Do you really think that they would have approved of torture and death as a requirement for survival?"
Spock's voice was no warmer.
"Which did you expend more energy on? The running of your great experiment or the moving of Gem's people?"
Thann was scowling as he spoke.
"The great experiment could not be compromised."
The loud snort from McCoy seemed to startle the Vians, but it brought a smile to Gem's face.
"Your so-called test of worthiness? You proved Gem was more worthy than you simply by the fact that you required that kind of test. Why should she feel grateful to you? You put her through hell and never even let her know why. Why would her people be grateful? They know what you did to an innocent young woman for no other reason than you wanted to play God."
McCoy paused and then narrowed his eyes.
"Or is that the problem? Is the real reason that you're upset is because Gem and her people didn't fall down on their knees and worship you? Do you really know how empathy works? You can stand there and lie about your motives all day long, but she and the ones like her? They know better. They can feel what your intentions really were."
A shiver went down McCoy's back - the kind that his grandmother would refer to as someone walking over your grave. A quick glance over to Spock showed a slight frown was forming on his face, but before he could question it, he heard a thud and Gem darted between them, heading out of the door.
Again ignoring the Vians, the two men followed Gem out into the corridor to find her taking hold of Kirk's hand, which was bloody. McCoy couldn't figure out why Kirk had apparently punched the bulkhead, but he was distracted by watching Gem work. The hesitancy that she had previously shown before healing was gone. She winced as the injuries transferred to her, but her movements had all been strong and sure.
Once the injuries taken onto her own hand were gone, Gem smiled and laid her hand over Kirk's heart before using her free hand to gesture toward Spock and McCoy. Still in awe over how she had repaired his hand, Kirk realized that the woman had also picked up how worried he'd been about his friends as well.
Thann moved to the door to speak, but didn't step into the corridor.
"We must leave."
At Gem's irritated glance, Thann withdrew back inside. Kirk couldn't hold back a chuckle over who appeared to be in charge. Gem turned her attention back to Kirk, touching his face briefly. Feelings of protectiveness washed over him and, even though he didn't know how he knew it, Kirk knew she was asking him to take care of Spock and McCoy. He gave her a smile.
"I promise I will do everything I can. Not only for them, but for the rest of my crew as well."
Gem positively beamed at him and wrapped him in a quick hug. When she released him, she moved to Spock and gave him another hug as well. Spock ignored Kirk's amusement as he spoke to her.
"Seeing you again has been most gratifying. Live long and prosper - you and your people."
When she reached McCoy, Gem clung a little tighter than she had to the others. When she pulled back slightly, McCoy kissed her forehead.
"Be happy, darlin'. I'm really going to miss you."
Gem smiled and reached up to kiss his cheek before allowing her hand to rest briefly over his heart. Then, she turned and walked briskly into the room. The strange noise sounded again - neither Spock or McCoy had to look to know that meant that Gem and Vians were gone.
Kirk led the way to a conference room with Scott, McCoy and Spock following quietly. In fact, Kirk didn't speak until everyone was seated and had either coffee or tea in front of them.
"I suppose I should begin with the obvious question. What the devil did they do with you for an entire day?"
It would have been difficult to say which man looked more stunned by the question, but McCoy regained his voice first.
"A day? We weren't even with them for an hour."
Spock was consulting with one of the computer ports in the room, frown deepening as he did.
"The Captain is quite right, Doctor. From the time we stepped into the room until we stepped back out, 1.46198 days passed. I felt a moment of disorientation immediately before Gem ran from the room. From the glance you were giving me, might I presume you had a similar sensation?"
McCoy gave a slow nod.
"Something like that, yeah. Hell, no wonder you were all worked up, Jim. I couldn't figure what could have gotten you mad enough to punch the bulkhead."
Having the grace to look embarrassed about that, Kirk glanced back down at his hand.
"She's a remarkable young woman. I can see why she made such a strong impression on both of you."
Scowling down at his cup of tea, McCoy grumbled.
"She's one hell of a woman - which makes me mad even thinking about the fact that the Vians are still ordering her around."
Kirk was in for another surprise as Spock reached over and laid a hand on McCoy's arm.
"I would not be so sure about that, Leonard. Consider what happened in the room. Gem came immediately to us and examined our health. I felt the warmth from her using her powers and I am certain you did as well."
McCoy nodded his acknowledgement, but uncharacteristically remained silent, waiting for Spock to continue.
"She was not surprised to see us, so she had expected to come. You will also remember that when I mentioned that you and I had been concerned regarding the end fate of Gem and her people, she turned and glared at the Vians."
Chuckling, McCoy nodded again.
"I remember that with pleasure, but I'm not sure where you're going with this."
"Do you also recall when we first saw Gem and I advised caution. While you agreed with me that appearances can be deceiving, you did not hesitate to approach her."
The nod was slower and more thoughtful as McCoy remember what he had been feeling.
"Yeah. I said that something about her felt right to me."
Looking pleased, Spock turned to Kirk.
"At the time, I was curious as to which force was the greater - Leonard's natural desire to protect or Gem's desire to be protected. In the end, since both desires seemed genuine, I did not question it further at that time. But now that Gem is more confident, I believe that her powers of persuasion have increased as well."
It was Kirk that put together what Spock was saying first.
"In other words, you think she was the one that decided to come here and used the Vians as her transport?"
"I see no other logical explanation for the visit when I take into consideration that both of the Vians were acting in a manner that I believe you might call sulky."
After thinking that over for a minute, McCoy started to laugh. Served them right.
As his friend continued to laugh, Kirk began to snicker. Even in the short time he'd had with Gem, he'd picked up on a couple of mannerisms and expressions that he could recognize as coming from either Spock or McCoy. If she absorbed their stubborn streaks as well? The Vians had forged their own leash from steel. The irreverent thought also crossed his mind that it was a little like Spock and McCoy had had a child together. Kirk shook his head after a minute, trying to erase that particular mental image from his brain.
Giving McCoy a friendly poke, Kirk finished his coffee and rose from his chair.
"That, gentlemen, is the Vians' problem and not ours. Time to get back to work - we have a ship to run."