Exam Room 1: Chapter 2 McCoy, Uhura, Spock
Fandom: Star Trek 2009
Title: Exam Room 1 / Part 2 of 2
Characters/pairings: McCoy, Uhura, Spock, Spock/Uhura
Rating: PG-13
Words: 1284
Disclaimer: I don't own ST09
Author's note: I want to start examining Dr. McCoy's character and his actions in regards to treating both patients and friends. Thanks so much to my new beta Kimbari for helping me with Chapter 2. Awesome suggests and helping me keep it ST!! Also, thank you for reviewing. I love to know if what I'm writing is conveyed to the reader.
Summary: McCoy must see Uhura and an awkward situation ensues. Now Spock enters. McCoy must surpass being just a doctor and offer some hard learned advice.
Part 2: Cure
0700 hours and McCoy sipped his black coffee in an empty medical bay as he reviewed the ship's medical log. If only the rest of the day could be this peaceful, he mused knowing that quiet mornings on a starship seldom remained so for long. He closed his eyes and inhaling the burnt, earthy smell of his morning drink was drawn back to warm, distant memories.
“Way down south in Mississippi there's a spot that ever calls, where amongst the hills enfolded
stand old alma mater's halls...”
A cough awakened him from his day-dream. “Doctor, I hope I'm not interrupting you.”
“Not all Spock.” McCoy swiveled in his chair. “Morning has broken,” he laughed and then raised his cup. “Want to join me? Gets the heart pumping.” He took a sip and muttered, “If you have one.”
Spock leaned forward and smelled the dark liquid, stepped back with a look of disdain. “Vulcans have an aversion to Earth coffee.”
McCoy smiled and took another deep swig, “Your loss!”
“I would like to consult with you on a matter that has recently come to my attention... in regards to Lieutenant Uhura.”
My god, did the hobgoblin sound flustered? Although, McCoy had often wondered how deep the 'deep' emotions ran with the Enterprise's first officer, he did know the alien could feel. Hell, he was half-human and when Nero destroyed his home world he'd seen both anger and revenge in full force. Maybe Uhura was in love with ol' pointy-ears for more than, well, his handsomely pointed-ears.
“All right. But what Lieutenant Uhura and I spoke about yesterday is confidential. You know I can't give you her lab results,.” McCoy stated, standing and meeting Spock at eye level
“I am aware of that doctor. I am requesting that Uhura and I meet you at 1900 hours at your quarters to receive the results together. I do not wish our presence in the medical bay to arouse any undue concern or ... suspicion.”
“Well, sure. That's not a problem.”
“I also wished to relay to you that in order to avoid any further personal distress from Uhura, I will be terminating my relationship with her as soon as possible.”
McCoy snarled and grabbed the younger man's shoulder, “Are you out of your Vulcan mind?”
A few of the medical staff had now entered sick bay and looked at the two men. McCoy pushed Spock into the closest exam room and the door swished close behind them. “That woman is head over heels for you!”
Spock tensed his brow, “You are mistaken doctor, Uhura has not engaged in any form of gymnastics on my behalf.”
McCoy sighed and shook his head. “No, you fool, that's an earth expression!” Growing frustrated with the Vulcan's obtuse mind for Earth colloquialisms, he pointed a finger directly into his chest. “Now look you green-blooded hobgoblin, the girl is in love with you! You don't just go and break-up with her after, well, an accident. How thick are you?!”
Spock nearly looked shocked, if that were possible. “Doctor,” he paused as if considering his words very carefully. “I am responsible for Uhura's distress. I take full responsibly for my actions and if I do not remove myself from her ... company, I can not guarantee that this situation will not arise again. Therefore, it is only logical that I - ”
“Stop, stop, stop!” McCoy had heard enough. Obviously, brave cowardice wasn't exclusive to humans. “Number one, it takes two to tango.”
The Vulcan looked confused.
“It takes two adults to make a baby.” McCoy exclaimed. “You were both consenting and you were both irresponsible for not using adequate birth-control, so you're both to blame.”
Was it possible for a Vulcan to blush?
“Number two, you don't extricate yourself from a relationship just to avoid future heart-break... I mean distress. Hell, that's what a marriage... Damn it!” McCoy winced, “I mean a romantic relationship between humans is all about. If you don't have the downs, then you don't have the ups... I'm trying to say if things are never bad, then how do you know if they're ever good?”
“I do understand some Earth-isms, doctor.”
“Well, you apparently don't understand Eearth relationships!”
Spock looked away, hands clasped tightly behind his back. “Yes, I am still learning about human relationships.”
“Well, then...” McCoy ended his tirade and leaned back against the exam table, arms folded over his chest.
“I only wish to treat Nyota with respect and honor,” Spock finally replied.
McCoy looked at the first officer Hell, he was just a kid. A couple years older than Kirk, but just as naïve in so many ways. “Then you have to communicate. You have to be honest with her. Listen to her fears and share yours, too. You run away from her Spock, then you better just keep running 'cause they don't make 'em better than Nyota Uhura.”
“You are correct in your assessment, Doctor McCoy.”
The doctor figured that was as close as Spock might ever come to saying he loved Uhura. McCoy didn't have telepathy, but some things a man didn't have to tell another man and yet, the conveyance was just as clear.
Spock pressed his lips together tightly as if in contemplation. Then turning to McCoy, his voice once again calm and pleasant. “Thank you. Our conversation has been very enlightening.”
“I'm here anytime you need an ear...” He rolled his eyes, “Any time you are in emotional distress and need someone to listen to you. Well, I'm here and you can talk to me. Not literally an 'ear'.”
The Vulcan smiled very slightly and McCoy had then feeling that Spock was more familiar with Eearth colloquialisms than he let on.
At 1900 there was a chime at McCoy's quarters door. “Come in,” the doctor called.
“Doctor,” Spock nodded as he followed Uhura into McCoy's private cabin.
“Thank you for meeting us like this in your quarters.,” Uhura said as McCoy directed them to the sofa in his sitting area.
“Not a problem. Want a drink?” McCoy gestured to a bottle of scotch on a side table.
“No,” Spock replied and Uhura shook her head.
“Okay, suite yourselves,” he said as he refilled an empty glass. “Let me find your chart Uhura and then we'll have at it.”
McCoy stepped behind the partition separating the sitting area from the sleeping area. He'd been eating his dinner, a plate of Aldean spaghetti, as he'd sat on his bed and perusing several digi-magazines before the couple arrived. His medical bay might be as clean as a whistle, but his personal room was a mess and he liked it that way.
“Now let's see,” he placed the plate of food on a foot-chest. Then placing one knee on the bed, he began chucking the digi-mags on to the floor. “Georgia Outdoors, AMA Journal, Starfleet Today, Playboy. Whoa! Miss April, you're looking mighty fine.”
He paused to flip to the centerfold, nodding in appreciation. “Back to your rightful place of worship. I'll see you later,” he murmured with a wink and a smile, then slipped the issue underneath his mattress.
“PADD, PADD,” he continued to mumble as he ruffled through his sheets. “Ah-ha!”
With PADD in one hand and scotch in the other, he leaned out from behind the partition with the results, but before he could open his mouth, he realized that he was witnessing a private moment between the two young lovers. Their eyes were closed and Uhura's forehead was nuzzled against Spock's cheek, his hand stroking the back of her neck; their fingers intertwined.
He stepped back into his sleeping quarters and took a deep swig of his drink. The heat from the alcohol burned his throat, but it wasn't enough to distract him from the constricting feeling that was emanating from his heart. He'd known that kind of love once. There had been a time when he had shared that deep, sweet, devotion with his wife. There had been other women since her, but none that had loved him like that and none that he had ever loved like her. They were young and innocent and then there was residency, patients, countless hours in the O.R. and finally, the baby that wouldn't come.
Tilting his head back, he finished his drink and pushed those emotions back down before they crawled up from his heart to his eyes. He didn't want to remember anymore. “Besides...,” He looked at his empty scotch glass, “I have you and Miss April.”
“Found her chart!” He called very loudly and then entered the sitting room. The couple were separated by a good six inches. Spock had his hands laced around his knee and Uhura had hers hands gathered properly in her lap.
“100% Not pregnant.”
Uhura sighed deeply, her shoulders slumping, and then smiling. “Excellent news.”
Spock looked at her thoughtfully.
McCoy sat down across from the couple. “As your doctor, Lieutenant Uhura, I'd like to suggest your partner get a Sub-dermal NeuroAudio Pathogenesis implant.”
Spock turned his gaze to the doctor and raised an arched eyebrow.
“Oh yeah! I've heard about that. The SNAPi!” She turned to Spock, smiling. “That would be so easy.”
Spock remained silent. Apparently convincing a Vulcan male to get a contraceptive device was just as difficult as convincing a human male.
“It's not a big deal. You're injected with a microscopic device that sends out audio pulses to your nervous system telling your 'guys' not to swim.”
McCoy began to re-explain without the Earth-isms, “It tells your--”
Spock raised a hand. “Thank you, doctor. I do understand.” He turned to Uhura and she answered his silent question.
“I think it would be a's a logical solution, Spock. That way we don't have to worry about me getting my esty-patch replacement every three months.”
“And when you're ready to have children, we simply deactivate the audio wave.” McCoy added.
Spock nodded and turned back to the doctor. “It seems logical.”
“Thought you'd say that.” Then pulling out a black bag, he took out a hypospray. “You want to do it now?” He asked, holding up the hypo. “It's effective immediately.” In his experience it was better to give a man a hypo SNAPi before he had time to think about disabling his swimmers and change his mind.
“Yes, I am ready.” Spock answered and held out his arm.
Uhura laid a gentle hand on his arm. “I don't want you to feel that you have to do it now, Spock. I don't want to pressure you. It should be your decision.”
Spock looked reluctant to express too much emotion in front of McCoy. “Although your feelings are of the upmost importance in regards to issues concerning our relationship, they are not the sole influence. This is a rational decision, Nyota, not an emotional one.” Turning back to the doctor, he said, “I am ready.”
McCoy smiled to himself. Spock could say whatever he like, but stepping up to do the right thing for your woman; well, it wasn't just logic, it was pride. He might end up liking ol' pointy ears after all.
A moment later the couple was standing at his door. “Are you sure I can't interest you in that drink?”
Uhura smiled, “No thank you, doctor.”
Spock locked his hands behind his back. “You are aware that it is ill-advised to drink alone.”
“I'm a doctor, man; of course I know that! But hell, you can't teach an old dog new tricks.”
McCoy huffed and began to give more literal explanation. “Not really a dog. I've been drinking by myself a long time, but I'm not going to stop now because I'm too stubborn. Get it?”
Again, that almost-smile played at the Vulcan's lips. “I agree, doctor.”
“Goodnight, McCoy,” Uhura said, pulling at Spock's hand.
Spock quietly leaned forward, face stoic. “Woof, doctor.”
McCoy barked a laugh. Officer Spock was also apparently learning about humor in addition to romantic relationships. It was a good night for those two. Disappearing behind his quarter doors, McCoy poured himself another drink “How about it, Miss April?” he mused and retreated to his bedroom for some cold comfort.
Author's Note: Reviews, ideas, comments appreciated!