Leonard McCoy
Leonard is just getting ready to leave his quarters for breakfast when he gets the call.
"Bridge to Dr. McCoy." He frowns. What could possibly be going on that he needs to know about at this hour?
"McCoy here."
"Dr. McCoy, you're receiving an incoming video transmission."
"Thanks. I'll take it down here." A video transmission. That can only mean one thing: Joanna is finally getting into contact. It's been four months since the first transmission. Four months of nothing, even at Christmas. He was starting to think that this had been an exercise in futility, but now it's paying off. He settles behind his computer and, ordering the device to turn on, waits.
The screen comes to life, and a familiar sight greets his eyes. That of his daughter's face. From what he can tell, she's in her dorm room, and she's… scowling. That's not good.
"Hello, Joanna."
"Hi, Dad." She narrows her eyes at the screen. "You look okay to me."
"You look okay to me too."
"No, I mean that I thought you were dying." And now he's frowning too.
"Why did you think that?"
"Because you kept sending me messages. It's not like you."
"Well-"
"Are you having a midlife crisis?"
"Not that I'm aware of." Has he really been that bad of a father that she just assumes something is wrong when he expresses that he wants to be in more contact with her? "Is there some reason that I can't message you?"
"Dad, you don't message. Not unless it's my birthday or Christmas."
"Well, I'm trying to change that."
"Why? You haven't bothered in the last fifteen years. What's so special about now?" He opens his mouth to defend himself (he tried when she was younger, only to get Jocelyn nine times out of ten and be told that Joanna was busy or didn't want to speak to him) but thinks better of it. Amelia said not to be defensive. So, what does he say?
"I've just been sorting out my priorities." She chuckles, but there's not much humor behind it.
"I'm surprised that I made the list."
"Of course, you did. You've always been a priority."
"A pretty low one. Did Mom put you up to this?"
"Your mom doesn't put me up to anything anymore." It's been years since he even spoke to Jocelyn. But she's a big part of Joanna's life, and he wants to know about that even if it means learning about his ex-wife. "How is your mom, by the way?"
"She's not really your problem since you divorced her." That's not how it went, but to say that would be to defend himself, and once again, he can't do it.
"Then how's school?"
"School is school. Nothing new."
"What about your friends?"
"Are we just going to play twenty questions?"
"Well then, what do you want to talk about?" Joanna sighs.
"I don't know. I just had to see for myself if you were dying or not. You're not, right?"
"I'm not."
"Then I guess I'll go now."
"Joanna, wait." What was that other piece of Amelia's advice? Apologize. "I know I haven't been the best father to you. I'm not great at communication. It's my fault that things are the way that they are, and I'm sorry. I have a lot of regrets about that."
"So now you're apologizing? There has to be something wrong."
"Nothing is-"
"Kirk to McCoy." Impeccable timing.
"Hold that thought." He presses the button for the comm. "McCoy here. What is it?"
"Bones, you'd better come up here. We've got a situation." He considers telling Jim that he's in the middle of something, but he can't. That's his commanding officer and this might be an emergency.
"I'm leaving now. McCoy out." He looks back at the computer screen. Joanna is wearing a knowing look. "Joanna, I'm sorry-"
"Don't be. You're married to your job. I get it."
"I'll call later tonight." She offers him a wry smile.
"Yeah, well, excuse me if I'm not exactly holding my breath."
"Joanna-" It's too late. The screen goes dark. She's gone. With a groan, he stands. This day is off to a bang-up start. Now to go see what the captain wants.
If he was expecting the day to get any better, that notion is brushed to the side as soon as he steps foot on the bridge. There's a palpable tension in the air. Jim is in deep discussion with Spock and barely looks up as he enters.
"What's this all about, Jim?" The captain sighs.
"We're receiving a distress signal coming from a botanical vessel located on the edge of the Neutral Zone."
"What's a botanical vessel doing out this far?"
"We don't know. All that they said is that they've come under Romulan attack. Mr. Sulu-"
"Aye, Captain?"
"Warp factor two." He idly wonders if Amelia is experiencing vertigo wherever she is, but there's a more pressing issue.
"Do we know the name of this vessel?"
"The U.S.S. Archer." Wait-
"Did you say the Archer?"
"That is correct, Doctor." Spock responds, not looking up from his instruments.
"Do you know it, Bones?"
"That's Dr. Fairchild's father's ship."
"Counselor Fairchild's father is the captain of the Archer? Are you sure?"
"The ship's commanding officer's name is Collin Fairchild, Captain." Spock offers. "Knowing that, one can safely make the assumption that Dr. McCoy is correct." He considers calling Spock out on his choice of wording, but he has a more important issue at hand.
"Permission to return to sickbay and inform Counselor Fairchild of the situation."
"Permission denied."
"Jim, don't you think she deserves-"
"Bones, we don't know what we're getting into, and I need my crew to all be completely present, not worried about what might have happened."
"She's a professional-"
"But she's also a person. Would you be able to do your job affectively if you were worried about your parents?" He takes a step back, stunned. Jim doesn't know about his father, but it's still a blow. He wasn't thinking clearly all of those years ago and look where it got him. Apparently, the captain has read something in his expression because he offers him a small smile. "You're thinking like her partner right now instead of this ship's chief medical officer. It's understandable, but we don't have time for it at present. Now, can you be objective, or do I need to order you to return to sickbay?" Swallowing hard, he tells him,
"I can do my job."
"Good."
"Captain, we're approaching the Archer." It comes from Sulu. Jim looks away.
"Take us out of warp, Mr. Sulu. Shields up." As soon as he says it, the ship shudders.
"They're firing on us." He's not sure who makes that brilliant observation, but he knows it's the captain who tells them,
"Red alert. Battle stations." The claxons sound and the alert goes out. "Uhura, try hailing them."
"Yes sir." Another hit, this time hard enough to make the lights blink. "No response, Captain."
"Arm photon torpedoes. We can't let them destroy that ship." A few tense seconds pass, then- "Fire." The view screen is on, so he can see the moment that the torpedoes make impact. The Romulans return fire and it's powerful enough to send half of the bridge crew sprawling, him only just managing to catch himself.
On the battle rages. Rationally, Leonard knows that it's only been minutes, but as the ship is battered, it feels like hours. He gives up on staying upright under his own strength and grasps the railing to keep from falling over. The lights go out completely only for the backups to come on as they go on auxiliary power. Finally, the Romulan vessel seems to have had enough.
"They're retreating." Jim settles back into his chair, sweat standing out on his forehead. "Damage report."
"Severe damage to engineering. Casualties reported on decks six through eleven."
"Scan the Archer for survivors."
"I'm picking up just two life signs captain. One of them is growing weaker."
"Receiving video transmission from the Archer."
"Onscreen." The viewscreen flickers to life. The static is so severe that he almost can't see the graying man standing in what appears to be the smoking remains of a bridge.
"Enterprise, this is Captain Collin Fairchild of the U.S.S. Archer. We request immediate assistance." Collin looks away to something offscreen, then turns back to them. "Please. I don't think Marsha can hold on for much longer."
"Archer, this is Captain James T. Kirk of the U.S.S. Enterprise. Prepare to be beamed aboard. Kirk out." The screen goes dark and Jim orders, "Bones, send a team to the transporter room. I'll have security meet them there to escort the survivors to sickbay."
"Security, Captain?" Spock inquires.
"We don't know what they were doing so close to the Neutral Zone. I'm not taking any chances. Bones-" Jim motions him over and murmurs, "Marsha. Is that-"
"Dr. Marsha Addler. Dr. Fairchild's mother." The captain nods.
"Alert her to the situation then return to sickbay."
"Yes, sir."
Amelia Fairchild
Amelia's hands shake as she stands just inside the doors to her office. Leonard's words are still ringing in her ears. 'The Archer's been attacked, Amelia. Both of your parents made it out, but no one else did, and we don't know what shape your mom is in.' She needs to be there for her parents, but she can't do that if she's visibly distraught. Taking a few deep breaths to ward against the overwhelming panic, she steps through the doors and into sickbay.
It's a madhouse. Patients are lining the walls, slumping, standing, and in some places, sitting. At the center of it all is a woman with hair the same color as hers and a pacing man. Leonard is examining her mother, a line forming between his brows. Slowly, she makes her way towards the scene.
"Captain Fairchild, if you'll just wait in my office-"
"I'm not leaving her. We've been together for thirty-six years, and I'm not abandoning her now."
"I understand, but I can't do my job without sufficient space-"
"What are you doing to her anyway?" Amelia clears her throat, making both men look up. It takes a moment, but realization dawns on her father's face. "Amelia."
"Hi, Dad."
"This is your ship?"
"It's where I'm posted, yes." She takes her father's arm. "Dad, if you'll just come with me-"
"No. I already told that doctor, I'm not leaving." Leonard shoots her a frown and mouths the words, 'do something'. She shakes her head in response but turns back to her father.
"Dad, I know Dr. McCoy very well. I'm sure he's doing all he can for Mother, but if he says he needs space, then he needs space. Neither of us are helping her by just standing here." With one final look back at her mother's prone figure, her dad follows her.
"Where are you taking me?"
"To my office. It's just through here." It's slow going, but eventually they reach the room in question. She only lets go of his arm once the doors have slid safely shut behind them. "Have a seat."
"Are you going to analyze me?"
"No. I don't do that to family." Hesitantly, she takes his hand. "It's all going to be okay, Dad. Dr. McCoy is very good."
"Are you also very good? At this… counseling thing?"
"I believe so." Sighing, he settles into the chair nearest to her desk, leaving her to take the one next to the door.
"I still think you should've been a starship captain."
"I'm better suited for psychology than for command." They sit in silence for a few moments, and then he asks,
"What's new in your life? It's been what, two years since I saw you last?"
"Three, and you're seeing what's new with me. I'm no longer at Deep Space Seven."
"When did you transfer?"
"Around a year ago."
"Before, you were seeing that guy. Nicholas, I think?"
"That's right."
"Is that still going on?"
"No. It ended almost a year ago too."
"So, you let a man force you off a space station?"
"Nicholas didn't force me off. I chose to go." He lets out a 'hmph' before asking,
"Well, are you seeing anyone now?" She fights back the urge to change the subject. She needs to keep his mind off what's going on in the next room, and if that means discussing her love life, then she can play along.
"Yes, as a matter of fact."
"Is it serious?"
"It is."
"Is it that captain? Kirk, was it?"
"James T. Kirk, and no. I'm not seeing the captain."
"Oh." Disappointment is clear in his voice. So, if she couldn't become the captain, he'd like her to at least sleep with one. "Well, whoever it is, you'd better hurry it up. You're not getting any younger and I want grandchildren." She doubts that's in the cards. Apart from so far experiencing no 'ticking biological clock' or any other urge to reproduce, Leonard already has a twenty-year-old daughter. She frowns to herself. Why does she automatically assume her future will be with him? True, she loves him, but he hasn't expressed as much to her. "Does he treat you well at least? Whoever this fellow is?"
"He does. We were friends first, and I believe that's made things easier." He scoffs.
"Your mother and I were never friends and look at us. Thirty-six years of bliss." That's not what she would call it, but she's not about to say as much. "How big is this ship?"
"There are over 400 crewmembers, if that's what you're asking. I haven't looked at the schematics in a while, so I couldn't tell you the square footage or how many meters it is."
"Do you like it here?"
"I do."
"You always did like space." Yes, well, it was all she knew.
The minutes tick by like that, him asking her questions about her life and her answering, walking a fine line between protecting her privacy and appearing defensive. Finally, after nearly an hour, there is a buzzing outside her office door.
"Enter." Perez steps inside and informs her,
"Dr. McCoy says you can see Dr. Addler now. She's awake." She's not sure who moves faster, her or her father. What she does know is that security is waiting when they arrive at her mother's bedside. Security, and Captain Kirk.
"Captain Fairchild, I have some questions about what you were doing so close to the Neutral Zone." Her father looks down at her mother, his face softening.
"There was a very rare species of fern on a nearby planet. Marsha needed a sample."
"I see. So, you risked, and ultimately lost, the lives of your entire crew for a fern?"
"Captain, we're a botanical vessel. Surely the Romulans knew we were no threat to them."
"And surely you know from Starfleet regulations that you were to stay away, no matter how unthreatening you might have appeared. Now you've lost your ship and your crew thanks to your foolishness." The captain turns to her mother. "Dr. Addler, were you also under the assumption that the Romulans would simply let you waltz into what they see as their space and waltz back out again?"
"I fail to see how that's any of your business, Captain." Amelia frowns. That's not going to cut it. Not with her captain.
"You fail to see…" Kirk trails off, fury evident in his voice. "I lost ten of my men today and my ship took heavy damage because we had to pull you out of the fire! Tell me, what makes your lives so much more valuable than theirs?"
"Jim!" She turns towards Leonard at the same time the captain does. "Whatever else Dr. Addler is, she's still my patient, and she's in recovery. You can ask your questions later after she's had time to rest." A muscle in Kirk's jaw jumps, but he nods.
"Alright, Bones. I'm leaving." He starts towards the door, but as he passes her by, he mutters, "Counselor, I hope you have more common sense than your parents."
"I hope so, sir."
"As for the two of you-" Leonard motions to the security officers. "-this is a sickbay, not a brig. You can wait outside the door."
"Yes, Doctor." As they walk away, her dad approaches her mother.
"How are you feeling, Dear?"
"Like an imbecile."
"You're not-"
"Alright, then like I'm sleeping with an imbecile. What were you thinking, allowing us to go so close to the Neutral Zone?"
"You said we wouldn't be noticed-"
"Well apparently, I was wrong. At least tell me my specimens were saved."
"I'm sorry, Marsha. They were mostly destroyed." Her mother groans.
"Thirty-six years of work destroyed in a matter of minutes."
"At least we have our lives."
"What good is my life without my work? And what good is yours without your ship?" Her father's face falls at those words. Time for her to step in.
"Mother-"
"Amelia, spare me your psychobabble and try to say something intelligent for once." Taking a deep breath, she tells her,
"I'm glad you're okay."
"Are you deaf or just dim? My work is gone. I am most definitely not okay!"
"Dr. Addler, if you don't calm down, I'm going to have to sedate you so you don't hurt yourself." Leonard's proclamation only provokes a scoff.
"You doctors are only satisfied when you have someone to hypospray."
"Be that as it may, my point still stands. Now, if you're incapable of resting with your family present, then I'm going to ask them to leave."
"Go ahead. Ask them." She shuts her eyes. "Surely Amelia has duties to attend to, and as for Collin… I'm sure your captain would like the opportunity to yell at him again."
"Marsha, please."
"Don't beg, Collin. It doesn't suit you. But I suppose if you insist on staying…" She turns away, intent on going back to her office, when she feels it. A hand on her arm. She looks up at Leonard.
"My office, Counselor?"
"Don't you have other patients?"
"They're all stable for the moment." He indicates the room next door and with a sigh, she heads in that direction.
The doors slide shut behind them and she leans back against the wall. He doesn't say anything, just looks at her. Finally, she breaks the silence.
"What is Dr. Addler's condition?" Coming to stand next to her, he says,
"Your mother is stable. She's suffered a collapsed lung, broken ribs, a concussion, and smoke inhalation. All that being said, she's expected to make a full recovery." That at least allows her to breathe a little easier. "Amelia-" He takes her hand. "-don't take what she said to heart. You know as well as I do that people react differently to trauma. She's upset right now-"
"She is, and I don't take it personally. I've had thirty-four years to get used to it." His forehead wrinkles at that.
"Well, I'm sure she'll be back to normal soon."
"Leonard, this is normal for Mother." She can tell the moment realization dawns on him.
"My god, Amelia." Pushing back from the wall, she starts towards the door.
"If you give it the all-clear, then I'll begin circulating through the patients, see who needs psychological treatment to deal with trauma."
"What about your trauma?"
"I've had time to process." He looks like he wants to say something, but instead he gives her hand a squeeze before following her back into sickbay.
Leonard McCoy
Ten dead. The list of names swims in front of Leonard's eyes as he attempts to concentrate on writing up their death certificates instead of giving into exhaustion. Ten lives snuffed out because of a folie a deux. That's not even mentioning the entire crew of the Archer minus Collin Fairchild and Marsha Addler. He's got a thick skin; he can take it. But what about the rest of the crew?
The buzzer outside his office comes to life and he groans. He's not in a 'people' mood. Only thirty minutes ago, he sent the last minor injury out of sickbay, and technically his shift is over, although he'll be in and out all night. He's warned Amelia of as much, so it's not her out there. Jim's been effectively banished from sickbay and Spock won't come down unless he needs to either conduct research or receive medical treatment, so that rules out the three people he would want to see. What's left is an annoyance, pure and simple. But he can't avoid it.
"Enter." The doors slide open and Collin Fairchild strides in. Straightening in his chair, he asks, "Something I can help you with, Captain?" He checked on Marsha Addler (the woman's attitude towards medical professionals hasn't improved over the hours she's been in his care and his opinion of her certainly hasn't) just before retreating to the confines of his office, so unless something has gone shockingly wrong, that can't be the issue. Collin takes a seat opposite him and announces,
"I'm just going to be blunt, Doctor. I know you're the man Amelia's seeing." So, he's here as a father. Leonard can respect that, although it's been a long time since he's heard the 'stay away from my daughter' speech. Still-
"What makes you say that?"
"I saw you touch her arm before the two of you disappeared into your office." That's on him. He's gotten so used to those casual gestures since everyone on board the ship already knows about Amelia and himself that he didn't think to curve it. Still, as far as affectionate touches go, that was pretty mild.
"Then I guess you have something you want to say to me." Collin sighs.
"I can't tell you to stay away from her. She's a grown woman, and all things considered, she could do worse than a doctor. I also can't tell you what I'll do to you if you hurt her because if you did, she'd never tell me. The truth is, I haven't seen her in three years. She's a stranger to me." The words are enough to make him want to crawl under his desk. That father/daughter relationship sounds unsettlingly familiar.
"Captain Fairchild, I'm not sure what you want me to say."
"Do you love her?" He opens his mouth and then shuts it again. That's not a conversation he's prepared to have with Amelia's father. "I'm not asking you to calculate pi to the final digit, boy. I'm just asking a simple question. Do you love her?" Ignoring the fact that he's hardly a boy…
"Alright." Resting his arms on top of the desk, he meets Collin's eyes. It turns out to be a mistake because they're the same blue as Amelia's. "I'll be honest with you, Sir. I am seeing your daughter. But I'm not going to answer that question."
"Why not?"
"Because I haven't had that conversation with her yet."
"What's holding you back?"
"Nothing. It's only been five months-"
"You either love her or you don't. It's as simple as that." If only it was cut and dry. His relationship with Amelia is more intimate than any he's had in a long time. In some ways, more so than his marriage. She's his friend, a confidant as well as a lover. He spends more nights with her than alone. When he wakes up, she's the first thing on his mind, and when he drifts off, she's his final thought. He's been in this position before, felt all these things, although this time is rawer, somehow. More vulnerable. Does he love her? Of course, he does. How could he not? But this is dangerous territory. In the past, getting that close hasn't gone well for either of them. There's a lot at stake, not the least of which is still-tender trust. He can't just go blurting out the words. Not when that might be the thing that drives her away.
"Captain Fairchild-"
"Kirk to McCoy." For the second time today, Jim's timing is perfect. He presses the button for the comm.
"McCoy here."
"Bones, what's Dr. Addler's status?"
"She's stable, but still very weak."
"Can she be moved?" He frowns.
"I wouldn't recommend it."
"Well, I need you to get her on her feet. We've received a message from the Federation. The U.S.S. Venture is on an intercept course with us. Admiral Bunker is on board. They're coming to escort Dr. Addler back to Earth." Why is an admiral giving a personal escort to a botanist? A glance over at Collin reveals that the captain is just as puzzled as he is.
"How long until they intercept us?"
"Two hours." He sighs. It'll be tight, but if he gives her a stimulant and she goes directly to the Venture's sickbay, then it's possible.
"I'll have her ready. McCoy out." Standing, he starts towards the door.
"Doctor, one more thing?"
"Yes?" Collin's staring at him, effectively pinning him into place.
"Whatever it is you feel for my daughter, be it love, affection, or simply lust, be open with her about it. Don't make her guess what your intentions are. She deserves more than that."
"I'll keep that in mind." Maybe he should come clean with Amelia. Just tell her and let the chips fall where they might. But for right now, he has a patient.
Amelia Fairchild
The sound of shouting issuing from sickbay alerts Amelia that there's a problem even before the comm comes to life with the words,
"McCoy to Fairchild."
"Fairchild here. It sounds like you've got a situation on your hands."
"Well, it's about to be on your hands too. It's your parents." She thought those voices sounded alarmingly familiar.
"I'm on my way. Fairchild out." She stands and, taking a deep breath, steps out of her office.
The sickbay is mostly empty. Except for the three beds in the ICU, all the patients have left. In the ICU, however? She counts six people. The two other patients, her mother and father, Christine, and Leonard. The latter two seem to be trying to calm down her parents who, from the looks of things, are having a knock-down, drag-out fight.
"Don't be ridiculous, Marsha."
"I'm not the one who's yelling in the middle of a sickbay, Collin."
"You're not leaving me."
"I assure you, I am. Our relationship is over." Frowning, Amelia approaches. No one has noticed her yet.
"We spent thirty-six years together-"
"Much to my regret, you are correct." Her dad's cheeks are flushed, gray speckled blond hair standing on end where he's mussed it.
"Why do you always have to do that? Make everyone else feel like they're a burden to you?"
"I don't make anyone feel anything. If you think you are a burden, then it's because you probably are."
"Dr. Addler-" Christine tries, but her mother isn't listening.
"Collin, you have always been unremarkable. I have no reason to waste anymore of my time-"
"So, I was just a waste of time?"
"I believe I just said that."
"What about our daughter?"
"She's the biproduct of a sexual relationship. Nothing more."
"Alright, that's enough." Leonard's nearly shouting. "This is a sickbay, not a boxing ring. You can tear into each other in private, but not here. Captain Fairchild, in my office. Dr. Addler, go to Dr. Fairchild's." At that, her parents finally notice her.
"Amelia-" Her father starts. Offering him what she hopes is a reassuring smile, she takes her mother's arm.
"This way, Mother." To her surprise, the older woman allows herself to be led away. Once they're inside the office doors, she tells her, "You should sit. Dr. McCoy-"
"You mean the man you're sleeping with?" She's careful to keep her expression neutral, not to give anything away. "Don't do that. Don't put on that mask. I already know the answer. It's in the way his eyes follow you when you leave a room and how you watch him when you think no one is looking."
"We can talk about my romantic relationship, or you can tell me what's going on with yours."
"You really must be deaf or dim. I'm leaving your father."
"Why is that?"
"Because there's no longer any reason for me to stay. The Venture will be arriving within the hour and after that, I'll be gone."
"He could go with you." She scoffs.
"You assume that I'd want him to." There's not much Amelia can say to that. It just doesn't make sense. There's always been an inequality in her parents' partnership. Her father has been the more invested party while her mother seemed to simply exist as part of a couple. And now even that is ending. That's not the only thing around here that isn't making sense. Why would the Federation send an admiral to collect a botanist? They wouldn't. That's the simple answer. And why would a botanist be near the Neutral Zone? Unless…
"You were working for the Federation, weren't you?"
"I'm a Starfleet botanist-"
"Yes, but it's more than that. Traveling from place to place. You needed a cover. Botany and a family did the job nicely, and now that your cover's blown, you don't need either." For a few moments, she thinks that nothing is going to happen. Her mother isn't going to give anything away. Then a brittle smile settles over the older woman's face.
"Well done, Amelia. I always knew you had more of me in you than you had of your father."
"So, you never loved him?"
"Oh, don't be such a child. Love has nothing to do with it. I had a job to do, and I did it well. Much like you." It's perfect, really. No one thinks twice about botanists visiting different worlds, and a woman with a family isn't likely to be conducting espionage. Still…
"Didn't having a child slow you down?" Her mother sighs.
"Around a year into our affair, Collin began to grow restless. He wanted something more. So, I did what I had to do. After that, he was secured for as long as I needed him." It's a brilliant plan. She couldn't have come up with a better one.
"I don't know what to say to you, Mother. I just hope you're happy with your choices." Her mother starts towards the door, only to stop and turn back to her.
"You haven't asked."
"Asked what?"
"If I ever loved you."
"I assumed that if you did, you would've said as much, and you never have."
"A word of advice from a mother to her daughter: don't assume so much." The doors to her office slide open and her mother steps out. Will she ever see her again, she wonders? It doesn't seem likely. Settling into the chair behind her desk, she closes her eyes. In a matter of seconds, everything she took for granted about her childhood was turned inside out. It leaves an unsettling gap in her world view that she's not sure how to fill.
Ultimately, the buzzing is what brings her out of her contemplation. Technically, the workday is done. Has been for hours, but with Leonard's plans to work late, she hadn't bothered to leave her office. That's probably her father. If it is, he'll be in need of comfort. She can't be distressed in front of him so, with a sigh, she tells the person,
"Enter." The doors slide open, revealing- "Leonard."
"Amelia." He just stands there, the doors sliding shut behind him, not saying anything. His expression is difficult to read, but she thinks she catches a hint of something in his eyes. Something like… understanding.
"You overheard."
"Just what I had already put together myself."
"I suppose it's fairly obvious to anyone with basic deductive reasoning skills." Slowly, he approaches her desk, like he's trying not to scare off a wounded animal.
"Amelia…" He sighs. "…you're not okay."
"I'm not." Her hands tremble as she spreads them in front of her. "Everything I thought I knew about myself was a lie. I mean-" It occurs to her that she's speaking more rapidly than normal, but she's powerless to slow down. "-who conceives a child just to gain control of another person? That's completely twisted."
"It is." He's standing next to her now, leaning against her desk. "But not everything you know about yourself is a lie." Looking up at him, meeting his blue eyes, she tells him,
"She says I'm like her, Leonard, and I'm inclined to agree."
"Well, I'm not. You're honest and warm-" She frowns at that. "-once you get to know someone. And you're not manipulative." Pushing a strand of hair behind her ear, he tells her, "I was more than willing to start a relationship with you while I was still your patient, but you wouldn't allow it because you didn't want to risk taking advantage of me. That's the opposite of what your mother did to your father."
It would be so easy just to tell him right now. Tell him what he means to her, that she loves him. But she can't. Not after today with the words, 'Love has nothing to do with it' still ringing in her ears. So instead, she goes with,
"Thank you. For talking through it with me."
"Anytime."
Leonard McCoy
It's late. Twenty-three hundred hours, to be precise. If he falls asleep right now, Leonard can still get a full eight hours before he has to get up at zero seven hundred hours to prepare for work. That's the wisest course of action. Still, as he returns to his quarters, he finds himself passing over his bed for his computer. He shouldn't do this. He's not certain of what the time is in the part of the world where Joanna is, but it's been fifteen hours since he spoke to her, so she's probably asleep. Still, he did say he'd call her tonight.
"Computer on." The screen flickers to life. "Begin video transmission. Recipient: Joanna McCoy." She's the only 'Joanna McCoy' in his contacts list, so that should narrow it down enough. He expects to get a notification that the recipient he has chosen is away from her device and when this recording is finished, he may leave a message. Instead, a dimly lit room comes into view, and more importantly, a pajama clad Joanna.
"Hi, Dad."
"Hello." He's not sure what to say, except- "I know it's late, but I said I'd call."
"It's not the latest I've ever stayed up, although usually it's studying." So, she waited for him. He can't point that out, though. It might bring their tentative truce to an end.
"I remember those days. You'll have a lot more of them once you're practicing, especially in the beginning."
"I know. You were barely home. That is, while you still lived with us." He doesn't have a good follow up to that, and apparently neither does she. That is if the awkward silence is anything to judge by. Finally, she tells him, "I guess I'll go now-"
"Joanna, wait." How does he do this? "What's it going to take to make things better between us? Whatever it is, I'll do it." She sighs.
"Dad, I'm not mad at you. I don't want you to think that. It's just… I don't know anything about you. Not really."
"Alright." He leans back in his chair. "What do you want to know?"
"Let's start with the divorce."
"Pulling out the tough ones already?" He thinks he catches the vaguest hint of a smirk at that.
"Were you even upset when Mom got custody?"
"More than you could imagine. Looking back, I should've fought harder for you, but I thought we were already putting you through enough without me making waves."
"Do you wish things had worked out with Mom?" This is dangerous territory. How does he tread lightly while still telling her the truth?
"Not anymore. We did one good thing together, and that was have you. Other than that, it wasn't meant to be."
"Has there been anyone since her?"
"A few. Nobody quite like-" No. That's too much information.
"Like whom?" He doesn't answer and, crossing her arms, she tells him, "You wanted honesty, Dad. So be honest."
"Do you really want to hear about my love life?"
"You mean you have one?"
"I'm forty-three, not dead."
"So, nobody quite like whom, Dad?" Here it goes.
"Nobody quite like Amelia."
"Amelia." She nods. "You wrote about her in your letters. I thought there was something going on there."
"Guess I wasn't as subtle as I thought."
"So how long has it been?"
"Five months." Five months, one week, three days… not that he's keeping count.
"What's she like?"
"She's a psychologist." Joanna's nose wrinkles at that.
"You're dating a shrink?"
"What if I am? What's with the face?"
"Nothing. There just must not be a lot of options out in space."
"Hey!" She snickers, and he can't help but smile. "Her being a shrink makes her a good listener."
"Are you in love with her?"
"Did you miss the part where it's only been five months?"
"It's a yes or no question, Dad." He sighs.
"You're the second person to tell me that today."
"Well?" She's not going to let this go, is she?
"Well…" Oh, hell. He might as well admit it. "Yes." Joanna cackles triumphantly. "But what about you? Anyone I should know about?"
"Don't get ahead of yourself, old man. We're not there yet."
"So, you get to interrogate me, but I can't ask a simple question?" She nods.
"I think I'll just enjoy watching you squirm for now. Maybe next time you'll get an answer." Next time. As in this isn't just her trying to get him off her case. "Don't look so happy. I don't know when that will be. I'm pretty busy here."
"Are you taking care of yourself? It's just as important to rest as it is to get a good grade."
"Like you ever did that."
"So, learn from my mistakes." Speaking of… "What time is it where you are?"
"Two thirty."
"Joanna!" He can't scold her. She's an adult. "You need to get to sleep."
"Yeah, I'm aware. You're not the only medical professional in the family, you know." With a yawn, she tells him, "Goodnight, Dad."
"Goodnight, Joanna. I'll talk to you later?"
"Sure." The screen goes dark, and he orders the computer to turn off. He should feel like an idiot, sitting there alone, grinning. But he can't help it. Just for a little while, he had his daughter back. Okay, so the conversation was a little uncomfortable, but it was a step in the right direction. He stands and begins changing out of his uniform. He can't wait to tell Amelia about this tomorrow. And maybe also… no. That'll have to wait.