A/N
Thank you for all the reviews, faves, follows and views so far! This chapter causes things to take a bit of a turn... as I said in my last A/N, the story is starting to pick up pace. Stay with me though, I promise you won't be disappointed in the end :)
Chapter Four
*One week later*
The word she had become so sick of hearing, so fed up of hearing was the word prodigy. It had been following her from an early age, and she had been hoping it would have died down a bit by this point. Apparently being a highly qualified surgeon at the age of twenty-one was something quite unusual.
As far as she was concerned, she worked to the same standard as any other doctor who shared the same level of qualification, she was just a little younger. A lot younger…
This shift had been particularly difficult, and even with her 'legendary' surgical skills, there had been one patient she had been unable to save, a young man who had been in a hover-bike accident. The head trauma had been far too severe, really he'd never stood a chance, but she tried anyway, for almost two hours, until finally reaching the conclusion that the damage was irreparable.
Forcing her emotions into their little Vulcan box in the corner of her brain, she'd carried on working, another patient needed her, they always did.
At the end of her shift she did not head home, instead to the research labs where she was coming to the end of a lengthy and highly experimental trial.
For the past four years she had been working on something that she was keeping a closely guarded secret, but she felt finally ready to reveal it, as her confidence that it could be successful had reached a peak based on recent positive results.
She picked up the two small white mice from their container. They had been the first trial. They were both doing well and had been for months.
The Tribbles had been more tricky, being larger and more complex than a mouse, however she had managed to achieve a successful result after two attempts. She didn't feel so guilty about the unfortunate demise of the first pair of Tribbles due to the fact that the current pair were breeding at a somewhat alarming rate and she thought there was at least one extra new addition each time she checked on them.
The final test subjects had been a pair of small monkeys, and these were the easiest, which relieved her as their brains were the most similar to that of a human.
Through extremely precise use of a transporter device, she had removed the Occipital lobe of the brain from one monkey when they were young, leaving the specimen blind in the same way her younger brother was blind.
Once the two subjects reached maturity she was able to clone the Occipital lobe of the other monkey and successfully transplant it into it's counterpart. Their vision became functional around two weeks after the surgery, and from her best assessment was now at almost eighty-percent functionality after having spent a few more weeks healing and grafting successfully into the brain. She anticipated that within three to six more weeks, their vision would be perfect.
Christopher and Leo would make the ideal subjects as genetically identical twins. She was nervous though. Not only were the risks of both surgeries high, the risk of it not working was higher. She calculated around a sixty percent chance of failure, or at least partial failure, but she felt it was time to reveal her findings, to offer Leo the opportunity. She felt confident that she had found a solution, should he choose to accept it.
She gathered up her data PADD containing her research findings to take with her to San Francisco to show to Leonard McCoy. She would need his assistance if this was going to be a success.
Returning home to her apartment briefly to change into casual clothes, she then boarded a shuttle to San Francisco. Emily McCoy was returning home to stay for the first time in years and Seren had booked a weekend of vacation time to spend a few days with her family, having learnt that Spock was finally back on Earth.
Jim had seemed tense when he told her, and Seren had pried maybe a little too far. Jim had explained that Spock was staying at the house, though he was sleeping in Leo's room, and that they'd talked everything through. Years of things that should have been said, finally all out in the open. Jim felt relieved, but not particularly comforted. Now he had the ball in his court, Spock had told him that he knew he had no right to expect forgiveness for his actions. Jim had told him he'd think about it.
The shuttle ride was over quickly and she made her way to the McCoy family home in the outskirts of the city, allowing herself a small smile at the 'welcome home' banner draped over the door as she pressed the bell.
"Seren! So glad you could make it, come in," said Carol as she answered the door.
"Thank you Carol, it's good to see you," she said politely as she entered the house.
There were quite a lot of people there, some she just barely recognised, others she knew well.
She noticed right away that Jim and Spock were as far from each other as physically possible whilst staying in the same room.
She headed for Spock first, having not seen him for over a year. He looked no different, apart from maybe a dozen more strands of gray starting to fleck his dark black hair.
"Seren," he said with a small smile as she approached.
"Father," she said, leaning in to hug him. He awkwardly hugged her loosely in return.
"I am relieved that you have returned safely," she said as she let go of him and stepped back.
"As am I. Jim tells me you have remained living in Chicago?
"I have. It was the logical option," she said, immediately regretting her choice of words. Though she listened to her Vulcan side, perhaps moreso than even Leo did, she did not believe logic should govern everything.
"If you are… happy, then I am certain you are making the correct decision," he said. She nodded.
It was so odd seeing him again, especially when other than that tiny flicker of a smile, he didn't seem overly thrilled about it.
Their awkward conversation was cut off by loud cheering as Emily was led into the room by her father. Seren blinked, the young woman now almost unrecognisable from when they had been children.
Emily had always been something of an awkward child. She'd been very skinny and tall, looking almost stretched, her blonde hair always hanging in two plaits on either side of her head. She'd worn braces on her teeth the last time Seren had seen her in person at age thirteen, and she'd looked every bit as awkward as ever, but now she'd truly blossomed.
Her hair was long, hanging in soft curls around her shoulders and she had dimples in her faintly-freckled cheeks as she grinned at the room of people, her hazel eyes shining. She had certainly inherited her mother's enviable curves, and Seren felt slightly inadequate in comparison as she let her eyes take in her perfect figure.
"Oh my gosh! Thank you all so much!" she exclaimed at the room full of people all there to see her.
Even her voice sounded like beautiful music, a bright tone to it. Seren spotted her two brothers across the room near Jim, Christopher's jaw looking like he was struggling to keep it from dropping, Leo completely oblivious to just how beautiful Emily had grown up to be.
"Alright everybody, break out the drink, let's get started!" Bones ordered loudly.
"Hear hear!" Interjected Scotty from across the room. Uhura slapped his chest playfully and he grinned, kissing her on the cheek. Their fourteen year old daughter Molly was standing with them, looking like she'd rather be anywhere than there.
Seren took the opportunity to escape to the kitchen to get herself a drink, making a detour to say hello to David and Joanna McCoy on the way. She'd wait to say hello to Emily later as she was currently being swamped by people.
Several hours later and the party was dying down.
Leo was sitting on the couch listening with mild interest to Seren and Bones talking about experimental interspecies organ transplantation when the cushions dipped beside him.
"You ready to leave? I can give you a ride home," Jim offered. Leo sighed a little but then nodded. He hadn't spoken to Emily, she'd been really busy talking to everyone else, and he guessed that she'd forgotten about him.
"Yeah sure," he said, heaving himself to his feet and straightening his shirt.
"You want hand?" Jim offered and Leo reluctantly accepted, putting his hand on his father's shoulder so he could be led through the room that had become a complete hazard for Leo with all the people scattered around.
"Leo! Don't tell me you're leaving already?!" a voice drifted over to him through the room and he turned towards the source of it.
"Oh, so you do remember I exist," he said in a light, playful tone.
"'Course I do! Wow, look at you all grown up!" Emily grinned. Leo shifted awkwardly, scratching the back of his head. Jim knew he had no real confidence and hid behind a lot of humour and self-deprecating comments; and not knowing how he looked wasn't helping with that.
Before anyone could say anything Leo froze to the spot as Emily wrapped her arms around him in a friendly hug.
Oh my god. Her hair is touching my face. It smells incredible and it's so soft. Her boobs are touching me. Her actual BOOBS. Holy shit. Keep it cool. Keep. Cool. But her arms are actually around me…
"Leo, are you alright?" she asked and he opened his mouth to speak before closing it again, just nodding in response.
She didn't seem in any hurry to let go and he relaxed a little bit, wrapping his arms around her in return. She was the perfect height, a few inches shorter than him so her chin could rest on his shoulder.
He felt almost heartbroken when she pulled away, the loss of her warm body pressed against his leaving him feeling… empty.
"So how have you been?" she asked.
"Hey, I'm going to get out of here buddy, here's cab fare. Good to see you Emily," said Jim with a knowing smile as he tucked a couple of credits in Leo's jeans pocket for him.
"I don't need your money," Leo laughed, removing the credits and holding them out for Jim to take back.
"Sure you do," Jim said, pushing his hand away.
"Bye Uncle Jim! I'll be holding you to that offer of dinner next week!" Emily called after him as he walked down the driveway. Leo felt lost now that Jim wasn't beside him.
"So… how have you been?" she asked again and he cleared his throat.
"Uh… good, y'know, just studying and everything. What about you? How's the music business?" he asked and she smiled at his awkwardness.
"Shall we go and sit down?" she offered and he felt a blush creep into his cheeks. He didn't want to have to walk back through the crowded room of people.
"I uh… I should probably go…" he said lamely and she laughed.
"You are every bit as sweet as I remember you being, I wish I'd had more time to keep in contact with you and Chris," she said as she grabbed his hand and started to drag him along. He stumbled as he tried to follow wherever she was leading him, relaxing when he heard the door slide open and felt the cool night air rush up to greet him.
They were going to sit on the bench on the porch. He was relieved that at least he knew the environment.
"Chris has turned into such an asshole the last few months," Leo sighed and Emily giggled.
"Yeah. This billboard went up right near my college in London of him flaunting his ass in tighty-whiteys. I almost didn't recognise him all grown up at first but then I saw the pointy-ears and I'd know those ears anywhere," she said and Leo sighed, bringing his hand up to cover half of his embarrassed face as Emily laughed.
"It doesn't seem to hold him back though, not if the sounds I hear coming from his room at night are anything to go by," Leo said, rolling his eyes and making Emily giggle again.
He immediately decided it was the most beautiful sound he'd ever heard.
"He's a bit of a whore isn't he?" she said and Leo nodded. Her accent was strange… a bit of British, a bit of Southern USA and a bit of general North America. It was cute the way she'd almost fumble over some words.
"Oh yeah. A complete nightmare to live with. I might actually move back home for a while, he's driving me crazy," Leo said before quickly changing the subject. "So are you going to be living here now you're back?" he asked and she nodded, feeling foolish as she remembered he of course couldn't see her nodding.
"Yeah. I am, for a while at least, until I get everything figured out," she said and he leaned back slightly on the bench, causing it to creak a bit under his weight. She looked over him more closely. He certainly worked out, the way his well worn t-shirt was too tight across his chest and shoulders told her that much.
"I mean my boyfriend and I might be getting a place, but I don't really know just yet," she said and Leo felt his heart sink.
Boyfriend. Great. Should have acted on this stupid crush ten years ago. Nice job you big fucking idiot.
"That sounds cool," he said and she seemed to tense.
"I'm not sure. He's in the Marines, so could leave at any time… I don't like the idea of living on my own," she said and Leo felt his heart sink even further.
A military boyfriend who could probably kill me with one finger! Even better.
"He met Bones yet?" Leo asked with a snigger.
"Are you serious? The only time he'll meet any boyfriend I ever have is when he gives me away to them at my wedding! He'll kill any man that gets near me, so yeah, keep it a secret," she said and he put on his best fake smile. He'd at least be her friend, even if he couldn't be more.
"Sure, I can do that," he said, trying to hide his twitch as his head throbbed painfully. Over the last seven days the pain had changed from a steady ache into sudden, sharp jolts of searing pain that sometimes went right down his spine.
"Are you alright?" she asked and he nodded quickly.
"Yeah, I'm good, why wouldn't I be?" he asked defensively.
"I don't know, you look tired and kind of pale," she said and he silently cursed himself for not being able to tell when he was tired looking.
"I'm kind of tired," he admitted.
"It's pretty late. I think Chris and David are heading into the city if you wanted to share their cab?" she offered and he nodded quickly.
"I'm sorry I'm kinda… quiet today, I can meet you next week for… I don't know, coffee or something? When I'm less tired, and you're less… busy," he said, trailing off awkwardly.
"That'd be good," she said warmly and he did his best to suppress the somersault he wanted to do. He'd take being her friend happily, then maybe when army-boy went off on deployment somewhere he could be her shoulder to cry on…
"Great! Awesome, I… yeah… let me know when and stuff, I'll make sure I'm not doing anything else," he said. She didn't need to know that he wouldn't be doing anything else anyway.
Chris was acting a little weird. He and David had spent a couple of hours up in his room with the door closed and had both emerged acting slightly hyperactive and reckless. Leo got in the cab with them regardless.
As soon as he got out he knew right away that he wasn't outside the apartment.
"Tonight, little brother, I'm getting you laid whether you like it or not," Chris said and Leo tensed as his twin put his hands on his shoulders and pushed him forwards towards a club with a heavy bassline pouring out of the open door.
"Now now Leo, don't fight us, we'll get you what you want," David said as he helped Chris shove him towards the door.
Leo stopped fighting them, he didn't have the strength to in his aching body.
He allowed himself to be dragged into the strange place, counting twelve steps down into the underground room. A shot glass was pushed into his hands a moment later and he threw it back, vaguely interested in the sweet taste and slight burn as the liquid went down his throat.
He'd never been drunk before, much to Chris's annoyance. Leo couldn't allow himself to get intoxicated, ever. He needed to maintain his concentration as without it, he'd lose track of where he was and where other things were. Important things that hurt to walk into, like walls and doors and furniture.
But tonight he didn't care. He'd spent years waiting for the day Emily McCoy would walk back into his life after having been a voice on an occasional comm. for such a long time, and she had a boyfriend. A boyfriend.
"Another?" Chris offered and Leo nodded, accepting the now larger glass and starting to force the liquid down as quickly as it would go.
"Oh damn, he drinks like you," David laughed and pressed another full glass into Leo's hands.
"Well keep him going, I'm going to go find him a woman," Chris said determinedly, leaving Leo and David at the bar as he went on the prowl.
Leonard McCoy blinked hard as he went over the image for what must have been the thousandth time that week. He just couldn't wrap his head around it, couldn't and wouldn't accept it.
He was grateful for the knock at his office door and let in his visitor, who he'd been expecting but not for another thirty minutes.
"You're early," he said.
"I was excited," said Seren as she settled into the seat on the other side of his desk, a PADD clutched in her hands.
"You've figured it out, haven't you? A way to fix him," Bones said. He could tell just by looking at her, by the way although her face was stubbornly neutral, her blue eyes were practically grinning.
"Yes," she responded simply, handing over the PADD.
Bones read the entire document thoroughly. It took him almost twenty minutes, she waited patiently and silently, watching the way his face would change slightly, sometimes an eyebrow would raise, sometimes his lips would press together.
"The risks are… significant," he said and she nodded. "But I think it's completely possible. I think it's worth trying."
"I am aware and I agree."
"But… shit. Seren, I have to tell somebody. I have to tell him and I just can't." Bones sighed deeply and ran his hands through his hair.
"What? What can't you tell him?" she asked, confused.
"Leo was in here last week with a headache. I took a look at him and… I… well. See for yourself," he said as he pulled up the scan results again on his PADD, handing it over the desk to her.
She read it, eyes darting back and fore rapidly, widening slightly as she reached the end of the report and the attached images.
"How… how long have you known?" she whispered.
"That scan was six days ago," he said, his voice sounded… hollow.
"Oh god… he's… he's got no chance," she said, shaking her head as her blue eyes brimmed with tears.
"About eight percent, actually," McCoy corrected. "And that's if we start treatment within the next two weeks. I've been trying to work up the nerve to tell Jim, but with everything going on with Spock it's been the last thing he needed."
"Don't tell Jim. We'll only tell Leo, then he can decide if he wants Jim to know or not," Seren said. Her voice was slightly higher than usual as she let the first few tears escape her eyes.
The last time she'd cried she had been six years old. Jim and Spock had sat the three of them down and explained that the reason Jim had been so ill was because they'd tried to have another baby and something had gone wrong, and there wouldn't be a little brother or sister for them.
"Darlin', c'mere," said Bones, getting to his feet and walking around the desk.
He held her close as she sobbed into his shoulder.
"Between the two of us, we'll find a way to get him better. He's come through so much, I'm sure he can-"
"Do you not see it?! The size of… it's a miracle he can still even walk around and function and… god. He's going to die, isn't he?" she whispered. Bones pulled back enough for her to see his face was also wet with tears he couldn't hold back.
"He might. But I know him, he'll fight it until the very end, he won't give up and roll over and let it win, he's got the strength in him to fight and to fight well," he said firmly and Seren felt herself nod.
She snatched up the PADD again, her eyes locking onto the scan image of her younger brother's brain, focusing on the large white mass that shouldn't be there.
The cancer.
The tumour that was killing him. Silent until this point where the pressure on his brain was causing him enough discomfort to notice it.
"We… need to tell him," she said quietly and Bones nodded, wiping his face on the back of his hand.
"We can't keep this from Jim, or Christopher either, or even Spock. They all have a right to know," he said and she swallowed the lump in her throat.
They needed to know because he wouldn't last long.
"I'll call everyone, tell them to get down here as soon as they can," she said quietly.
Her emotions were entirely out of her control as tears streamed silently down her face.
Her little brother, who'd fought through being born three months early, with part of his brain missing, a hole in his heart, further complications and infections and a heart rhythm problem in his early teens. Her little brother who was the most genuinely wonderful, positive person she knew, who never let anything stand in his way, who shone so bright with his infectious smile and loveable, cheeky nature.
And she could lose him.
They could all lose him.
A/N
A few people had guessed in the reviews that I was heading in this general direction, well, you were right. I'm evil. I know. I'm sorry. Prepare for bucketloads of angst, but as I said before, please stay with me, this story wont be ALL angst.
What do we all think is going to happen? (I'm always curious to see who can read my mind haha)
