#and Dr McCoy wants to kill them

[zahri-melitor]

DC Therapists: Psychiatrists, Psychologists and Counsellors

Say you want to write about a DC superhero seeking psychological treatment or seeing a counsellor. I know, it often feels overwhelming trying to pick someone to use; it can feel like every psychologist or psychiatrist is either seen treating villains in Arkham Asylum and getting promptly killed on page, or is an outright villain. But not all of them fit into those two categories! There are more than a few characters across DC who have provided psychological treatment for various superheroes and can be trusted to keep secret identities; both those who know about various identities and those who would keep them as privileged information if approached by someone who wanted treatment. 

This is the please stop using Dinah Lance as a psychologist in stories about comics canon, she is a florist, martial artist and secret agent folks post.

Heroes who also have psychological qualifications:

Lilith Clay [Omen] and Kara Zor-L [Power Girl] (Action Comics #1051, Power Girl 2023): psychiatrist and telepathic therapist

Kent V. Nelson [Doctor Fate] (Countdown to Mystery 2007): psychiatrist

Khalid Nassour [Doctor Fate] (Superman 2018 #23-25): EMT and counsellor

Guy Gardner [Green Lantern] (Guy Gardner #14 1992): counsellor and school teacher

People who have specifically treated superheroes or know superhero identities:

Dr Claire Foster (Superman 2002, Titans 2008): either psychiatrist or psychologist

Dr Owen Slade (Flash 1987 #9-11): psychiatrist

Dr Bridget Clancy (Nightwing 1999): doctor, occasional psychiatrist

Dr Parker (The New Titans #57 1988): therapist

Dr Marion Winston (Amethyst Princess of Gemworld 1983 and 1985): child psychologist

Dr Leslie Thompkins (Batman, generally): general practitioner/primary care physician, occasional social worker

Dr Alan Huss (Batwoman 2011): therapist

Dr Simon LaGrieve (Suicide Squad 1987): psychiatrist

Dr Marnie Herrs (Suicide Squad 1987): psychotherapist

Dr Mac McCoy (Suicide Squad 1987): psychiatrist or psychologist - refers to himself as a head-shrinker

Dr Edmond Cathcart (Brave and the Bold 1955): psychiatrist

Dr Brian Bryan (Azrael 1995): psychiatrist

Dr Evelyn Rosen (Huntress 1989): therapist

People slightly outside the scope of the project who are still worth mentioning:

Dr Ryk’rr (Legionnaires 1993 & Legion of Super-Heroes 1989): a psychologist for the Legion of Super-Heroes. Slightly beyond the scope of this project, given she’s based in the 31st century, but if you’re writing stories set in the 31st century and want a therapist, she’s available!

Dr Harleen Quinzel (Harley Quinn, Batman generally): psychiatrist. I don’t think Harley reasonably fits into the categories I want, as she’s definitely disbarred as a psychiatrist and all over the shop depending on period, but Harley also does love to give unsolicited counselling advice.

If you want to add more names in I am delighted to add them.

Currently in the “this is going to take more research” pile are the following:-

Rene Carpenter (Vigilante 2005): I need to track down a version of this miniseries, and see whether she’s a beneficial character or not. Given this is Vigilante, that’s not a given.

Dr Derwood Denton (Ambush Bug): He treated Ambush Bug and then became a TV doctor and from summaries seems to occupy a similar niche to Dr Phil at best, so I suspect he falls outside the scope of what I want.

 Carl Jung and Sigmund Freud (Kid Eternity 1993): this is some Vertigo level nonsense involving dead spirits of real psychiatrists and I am going to need to read around it for more context.

[lichqueenlibrarian]

Hi! Ignore this if you don’t feel like it, but I wanted to check out some of the Star Trek tos novels. If you have any favourites/recs I’d love to hear them!!

Oooooh I love this kind of question!! This answer got really long… I tried to stay away from any information that couldn’t be found in the books’ summaries.

The Wounded Sky, and Spock’s World by Diane Duane. I love them, they rewired my brain a little bit, I still think about them months later.

The Wounded Sky has the crew of the Enterprise testing a new device, when the tests get interrupted by Klingons, things start to get weird and now the Enterprise crew have to fix the fabric of the universe itself.

Spock’s World- Vulcan is experiencing a crisis, Spock, Sarek, Amanda, and the Enterprise have to go back to the planet and hopefully help the planet’s council make a decision that could impact the whole Federation. Interspersed with moments from Vulcan’s history.

The Vulcan Academy Murders by Jean Lorrah Spock, James Kirk, and Dr McCoy arrive on Vulcan to bring a wounded crewman to Vulcan’s doctors to hopefully save his life, using a new procedure whose other patient is Spock’s mother. Accidents around the hospital prompt Spock, James Kirk, McCoy, and Sarek to investigate while Spock and Sarek try to navigate their precarious familial relationship. There’s a sequel, The IDIC Epidemic. Excellent if you like Sarek and Amanda, and wanted to see things get patched up between them and Spock.

The Price of the Phoenix by Sondra Marshak and Myrna Culbreath. This is about as notorious as Killing Time, it’s entirely bonkers and that’s the main appeal for me. It features the Romulan Commander from the TOS episode The Enterprise Incident. This one is a bit difficult to summarize without spoiling things, it’s older and the writing can be a bit opaque, but I thought it was fun.

More under the cut cos this post got out of hand.

The Joy Machine by James Gunn based on the script by Theodore Sturgeon. I just finished this one recently, and I really enjoyed it. It has that certain TOS era something and the author has a strong grasp on Kirk. It also gives Uhura some stuff to do, which I always like. It’s nice to see other members of the crew get some time. Kirk and the Enterprise are sent to the planet Timshel, previously a paradise for intellectual pursuits, the arts, a beautiful jewel of a planet which has gone dark. They haven’t accepted visitors for two years, and two agents from the Federation have been sent to investigate and haven’t been heard from since.

Uhura’s Song by Janet Kagan. A mysterious and fatal disease is plaguing the feline people of Eeiauo, the Enterprise is in orbit so their medical staff can help, but it isn’t looking good. Based on a secret shared between Uhura and an Eeiauoan diplomat, the Enterprise sets out to find a cure. Loved the aliens, Uhura and Spock get some really great moments together and separately, I would’ve loved to see this be a TOS episode or movie…

The Entropy Effect by Vonda N McIntyre. Spock has the worst time. The Enterprise is tasked with transporting a dangerous man, only for him to escape and commit murder! Spock’s got to try and find a way to fix what happened by going back in time.

The Pandora Principle by Carolyn Clowes. HOW DID IT TAKE ME THIS FAR INTO THE LIST TO REMEMBER THIS ONE!? I love this book. The Enterprise captures a derelict Romulan Bird of Prey and brings it back to Earth so Starfleet can investigate. Except it’s not so innocent as it seems, and the Enterprise has to go back to the planet Hellguard in the hopes that Spock’s protégée Saavik will remember something to prevent the Romulans’ plan from succeeding. Reading this did firmly convince me that Spock is Saavik’s parental figure, he is a girl dad.

The Final Reflection by John M Ford. Novel within a novel- the crew of the Enterprise come back from shore leave obsessed with a new book about the early days of the Federation’s relationship with the Klingon Empire, from the perspective of a Klingon Captain.

Yesterday’s Son by A.C Crispin. The Romulans attack a scientific outpost of Federation scientists studying The Guardian of Forever. Spock goes back in time to meet his son by Zarabeth. There’s a sequel for this one as well, Time for Yesterday. Really excellent Spock moments, his relationship with his son is difficult, Bones and Jim get to have a bit of fun.

I’m probably forgetting a bunch of books but this list is getting really out of hand.

[electronickingdomfox]

Star Trek TOS slash bits (Season three)

This is my personal rundown of all the slash scenes in TOS season three. I've omitted episodes when I didn't find anything remarkable in them.

-What I count: lingering touches or affectionate looks, clinginess, actions that show a strong concern/familiarity with each other, suggestive scenes...

-What I DON'T count: friendly gestures (like smiling or looking amused when someone says something funny), scenes taken out of context, physical proximity just because there's not enough space...

I'll try to illustrate some scenes when necessary, though screenshots usually don't do justice to it.

For season one analysis go here. For season two, go here.

Spectre of the Gun:

McSpirk The mind-meld scene. For Kirk, this was his first mind-meld, for McCoy the third, if you count the one with Mirror Spock. Actually, Spock also mind-melds with Scotty here, but in my opinion, the scenes with Kirk and McCoy look much more intimate. Almost like love scenes, while Scotty's seems a more clinical meld. For comparison:

The Paradise Syndrome

McSpirk At first McCoy is infuriated by Spock's decision to take care of the asteroid before rescuing Kirk, though then he submits to his very logical reasons for doing so (explained with rocks, so the doctor can get it). McCoy will spend the rest of the episode entering Spock's cabin every five minutes, to see if he's getting enough rest. While Spock works himself to exhaustion, trying to figure out a way to divert the asteroid and save Kirk (granted, he also wants to save the rest of the planet, but still...). Also, McCoy tries to comfort Spock, by telling him it wasn't his fault the ship was crippled, and that Jim would have done the same. For his part, Kirk isn't very worried about Spock and McCoy, but that's because he's being KIROOOK!! and can't even remember them.

And the Children Shall Lead

Spirk The famous turbolift scene. When Kirk feels he's losing command, he first grabs Spock in a panic, and then literally throws himself into his arms, in a half intimate, half awkward scene. It's only when Spock whispers "Jim" to him, that Kirk regains his confidence.

Spock's Brain

Spirk Kirk's anxiety when he discovers Spock's brain has been stolen. He argues with McCoy just because he can't replace a brain, and is determined to search the entire galaxy to save Spock, if needed. Later, when he hears Spock's disembodied voice, his face reflects absolute bliss:

Spock also says that he feels a distinct pleasure upon hearing his Captain's voice.

Spones McCoy doesn't hesitate for an instant to use the knowledge helmet to save Spock, even when warned about the possibility of it killing him. And Spock begs McCoy not to jeopardize his life for his sake.

McKirk This... this moment (nothing said):

Is There in Truth no Beauty?

Spirk At first, Kirk is all gallantry and pleasantries with Dr. Miranda Jones... Until he starts suspecting that she may have hurt Spock on purpose, out of jealousy. Then he turns absolutely nuts, accusing and threatening her, in the hopes that this will stir her conscience to save Spock's damaged mind. The whole scene is actually quite uncomfortable to watch.

Spones McCoy seems very angry and/or worried when Spock praises Uhura's beauty after his mind-meld with Kollos (jealousy?), and quickly points out that this can't be Spock. Though he's immediately relieved when Spock replies in his usual tone, proving that Spock's still there. It's noteworthy that Kollos had showed ample signs of being controlling Spock before this moment, like making him smile. Yet McCoy only reacts once Spock/Kollos starts flirting with Uhura.

Apart from this, there's Miranda's jealousy about Spock and Kollos, since she perceives their union as far closer than what she could ever achieve. Miranda is in love with Kollos, so Spock functions as a kind of romantic rival, at least in her mind.

The Empath

McSpirk It's like... the whole episode. But there are certain scenes that stand out. First we have Kirk offering himself as test subject for the Vians, as long as they leave his friends alone. Then McCoy sedates Kirk, knowing that he'd subject himself to the torture if awake. But his plan backfires, since this leaves Spock in command, and of course he wants to sacrifice himself to protect the doctor. At one point, Gem touches Spock's shoulder, and through her empathic powers she senses something in him that makes her smile with fondness; presumably, his deep love for his friends. McCoy is determined to be the one tortured, though, so he also knocks Spock out, even if the Vians had previously said that he was the most likely to die. Afterwards, Kirk and Spock gently hold the dying McCoy, with Spock touching his face, and McCoy complimenting him for his "bedside manner". Kirk tries to convince Gem to save McCoy, by all means possible, and has to restrain his strong emotions in order to break free from the force field. It's really a lot. After all, the whole point of the episode is that Gem learns about love and self-sacrifice by observing these three particular individuals.

The Tholian Web

Spirk Spock insists on staying in Tholian space, despite the danger it poses to ship and crew, for the remote possibility that Kirk may still be alive. McCoy points out the illogic in such an action, and this is one of the main causes for their disagreement.

Spones Spock and McCoy are very tense with each other in the first part. But after seeing Kirk's last message (that pretty much amounts to saying that they complement each other) they make peace, and McCoy apologizes and acknowledges Spock as Captain. They almost get into another argument because McCoy's being affected by the spatial distortion too, but he quickly apologizes again, before collapsing in Spock's arms (and how convenient that everybody else becomes crazy and murderous, yet McCoy's reaction is fainting on Spock...)

By the end of the episode, they're toasting together and have grown fond of each other. Kirk notices the change and teases them, so they reveal how difficult was working together. However, they don't give him the satisfaction, and even deny having seen his message.

For the World is Hollow and I Have Touched the Sky

McKirk Kirk is very angsty and pained upon learning that McCoy only has one year of life left. But he's even worse once he learns that McCoy won't be spending that year with them, but with Natira. Apart from this, Kirk is pretty touchy whenever McCoy is feeling bad.

At times, Kirk and Natira almost seem like romantic rivals, in a competition for McCoy. Further expressed by their parallelisms: both Kirk and Natira are leaders of men, burdened by enormous responsibilities, and this position has forced them to lead solitary lives.

Spones Less evident, but when Spock grabs McCoy's arm to prevent him from getting up, McCoy looks at the hand and seems surprised and moved by the gesture.

McSpirk In the end, McCoy chooses to go back with Kirk and Spock, even if this means losing Natira. And he does so even before they find a cure for his illness! His situation is literally the same, so it's a choice born of free will. Besides, Natira knows that McCoy won't stop disobeying the Oracle and thinking about his friends as long as they're alive.

Plato's Stepchildren

McSpirk Similar to "The Empath", the whole plot revolves around Kirk, Spock and McCoy sacrificing themselves for each other. First, Kirk and Spock are subjected to the Platonians' humiliation because they refuse to leave McCoy behind. And when McCoy can't bear their torture anymore, he agrees to be a prisoner of the Platonians in exchange for their freedom, though Kirk talks him out of it. They're both also very concerned about Spock's wellbeing, after the Platonians force him to show emotions. And Spock can't contain his rage at having almost killed Kirk.

Wink of an Eye

Spirk When Deela monitors Kirk's actions, she notices that he's trying to communicate with Spock. And from this she concludes that humans are quite capable of affection. She's not speaking about "friendly affection" precisely, because she hopes that Kirk will show it to her too, and this makes Rael quite jealous.

That Which Survives

McKirk A bit of a silly example, but Kirk and McCoy probably didn't need to sleep so close together (and so awkwardly), with so much free terrain around.

The Mark of Gideon

Spirk In the beginning, Kirk looks at Spock with fondness and regrets that he can't accompany him down to the planet, which he describes as a paradise.

Requiem for Methuselah

McSpirk The final scene, where Spock makes Jim forget through a mind-meld, is often interpreted as pure K/S. That is, McCoy is nasty towards Spock for not feeling love; Spock proves him wrong by showing his love for Kirk; the end. But I think that this interpretation ignores certain elements in the story, and some things don't make much sense. In particular, the assumption that McCoy is simply being nasty. First, why would he insult Spock now? They don't even argue in this episode, there's no previous conflict between them to prompt this. Second, would McCoy really believe that Spock doesn't understand love, when a moment ago Spock showed a perfect understanding of Rayna's dilemma? ("The joys of love made her human, and the agonies of love destroyed her.") So, the way I see it is thus. There's a parallel between the love triangle of Kirk/Rayna/Flint (discussed right before McCoy's speech), and the triangle of Kirk/Spock/McCoy. Pretty much like Flint tried to extract emotions from Rayna, McCoy tries to extract the same from Spock. He's been doing it for the whole series, but it was also seen in this episode, when McCoy wanted to see Spock drunk, or celebrated that Spock admitted an emotion: envy. And here he's doing it again, with his speech as a revulsive for Spock to acknowledge his love and act accordingly. The difference is that, while Flint was motivated by selfish reasons, McCoy is doing it not just for Spock, but also for Kirk. His deep worry and love for Jim makes him wish he could forget. And it's this suggestion what finally sets Spock into motion. In a breach of logic, and probably Vulcan manners too, he mind-melds with Kirk to erase his pain. It's a complex scene, but all three characters are deeply intertwined in it, with each caring for the other two (well, except Kirk who's sleeping at the moment...).

The Savage Curtain

Kirk is absurdly in love with Lincoln, and he has this dreamy, goofy smile on his face every time he looks at him. Despite knowing very well that he's not the real Lincoln. Despite McCoy calling him on his bullshit... Lincoln is just THAT irresistible.

Even Spock admits that he too "experienced his charm"!

All Our Yesterdays

Spones And how! In the first part, Spock is constantly looking after McCoy and caring for him. When McCoy falls on the snow half-frozen, Spock refuses to leave him behind (despite McCoy's pleas for Spock to save himself), because they "go together, or not at all". Later, in the cave, Spock puts the doctor to bed and leans over him on several ocassions, mostly focused on his recovery, even if this prevents him from searching for Jim or an escape.

Once Spock begins to revert to his ancestors and show an interest in Zarabeth, is conflict time instead. In particular, McCoy's outburst at Zarabeth, and his accusations that she's lying and just wants to keep Spock for herself, sound like a bout of jealousy. As a matter of fact, it IS true that only Zarabeth is trapped in that world, but McCoy has no way of knowing that, and no proof that she's being dishonest. After this outburst, Spock pins McCoy to the wall in a very tense scene, while McCoy grabs his arms the whole time. And it's only then that Spock realizes what's going on with him.

In the end, when forced to choose between staying with Zarabeth, or going back with McCoy, Spock chooses the doctor. As he said in the beginning, they go together or not at all.

McKirk Much less obvious, but McCoy is constantly asking about Jim, and tells Spock to stop worrying about him and go find Jim instead.

Turnabout Intruder

Spirk Kirk (inside the body of Janice Lester) convinces Spock to perform a mind-meld on him, by saying that Spock is closer to the Captain than anyone in the universe, and that he knows his thoughts. Once he learns the truth, Spock takes Kirk by the wrist to accompany him outside the cell. Spock touches people more often than is usually believed, but here in particular is a tender gesture, not strictly necessary.

Apart from this, Dr. Coleman seems to still love Janice, no matter the body she inhabits. There's this scene where Janice (inside the body of Kirk) approaches him seductively, and places a hand on his shoulder. From the point of view of the audience, it's one of the most explicitly gay scenes in the whole series (and extra points for Shatner for choosing to play it that way; there was nothing of the sort in the script).

Summary

Spirk: 7 out of 24 episodes Spones: 5/24 McKirk: 4/24 McSpirk: 6/24

A big increase for McSpirk, in relation to previous seasons.

[writers-requiem]

Title: Confession

Pairing: Hank McCoy x Reader

Genre: Romantic fluff

TW: None.

Summary: You finally work up the courage to tell your crush how you feel.

Request: No

A/N: This takes place in my own little AU where they found and brought back Charles. Just for context. Also, things get a little spicy, but not NSFW.

Okay, let's take it back to where it started.

About two years ago, you had joined the X-Men. Yes, you, a non-mutant.

They had repeatedly tried to convince you not to, but the professor saw a great potential in you that need only manifest with the right trigger.

Regardless, you went on a myriad of missions while paired with some of the other X-Men; Cyclops, Gambit, Ice Man, Rouge, Jean Gray, Wolverine, Colossus, Shadow Cat, and most notably, our focus for this story, Beast. In other words, your crush, Dr. Hank McCoy.

Whenever it was you two on missions, you felt unbeatable, yet at the same time, exceptionally worried. Of course you were worried about your other teammates. But when it was you and Hank, your anxiety hit an all-time high. This caused you to slip up at times and even get hit yourself. That of course made Hank upset. But when you were conscious when that happened, you saw him unleash an almost primal rage on the enemy, namely the MRD soldiers that showed no remorse for what they did to you.

There were a couple times when the MRD captured you and tortured you for info on the professor and the X-Men. You didn't talk and were nearly killed for it. But who came to your rescue? Hank. Alone. No plan, no fancy displays, just bulldozing through the hoard of soldiers and guards. And when he left with you in tow, he carried you bridal style, like a cliche action hero carrying their love interest after a big rescue mission.

But the anxiety of the battlefield and getting kidnapped is easily trounced by the social anxiety you felt when it was just you and Hank in a more laid back situation. Namely when you were in his lab.

No matter how long it had been since you had first developed your crush on him, you still felt insecure about opening up. But you already knew that Charles would've read your mind to find out, but he respected your wishes and kept quiet.

Back to present day however.

You were just sitting in the lab, unsure of what to say or do since he was busy and you didn't feel like interrupting his work. Besides, even if you did want to talk, you couldn't think of what to talk about since you were always so afraid to spend any amount of time with him outside of missions. So you just played with your hair and thumbs somewhat awkwardly. That was until he spoke up.

Hank: "If you have something that you feel must be said, speak it. There's no need to be so shy with me, my friend."

His kind words of encouragement only made you even more nervous than before. You dared not move or speak, fearing that you would say or do something inappropriate.

But he surprises you first by standing up from his desk and then swiftly pulling you close to his chest.

Hank: "I'm not oblivious to your feelings, sweetheart."

He gently caresses your cheek and plants a soft kiss on your lips. An action that you never thought he'd do for you.

In that one moment you felt a storm of emotions take you all at once. Relief, bliss and ecstasy. Finally, after nearly two years, he noticed your feelings, acknowledged them and reciprocated them. You felt whole.

You held each other closer and kissed again. This time it was a longer, deeper, more passionate kiss.

One of his hands held you by the waist and the other on the back of your head, gently caressing it.

His tongue was pushing against yours in a one-sided struggle for dominance. His coming out on top.

Your hands however were too preoccupied feeling up his torso, starting at the waist and going up. First passing his solid six pack abs, then higher before stopping to caress and scratch his rock hard pecs that were still visible underneath his green shirt.

He instinctively and hastily removes his lab coat and pins you to the wall, one arm resting against it and above your head. While the other slid up your torso, only he went inside your shirt.

You could feel his furry hand and the razor sharp claws slid up until stopping at your middle section.

The combination of both of your moans through your kissing filled the room with a hot and heavy atmosphere. You couldn't help yourself and squeezed his pecs hungrily before having them crawl up to scratch his cheeks and mutton chops.

But eventually, you two pulled away from each other to give yourselves some air. Leaving you two gasping and panting, out of breath.

You then shared a quick peck on your lips and hugged each other.

Hank: "I love you."

Y/N: "I love you too, Hank."

End

[marvelouslytrekking]

Unbelievable

Pairing: Leonard "Bones" McCoy/Reader Summary: Written from the prompt: "I would believe that you're fine, but you have a goddamn knife sticking out of your leg, so." Word Count: 1417 Warnings: Mention of death, yelling, knife, injury, brief mention of disaster A/N: I haven't written much in forever and today I opened Google Docs to maybe try and write and I found this untitled and just sitting there. I really don't remember writing this but I guess I did so here it is! Enjoy :)

You were on a planet that had just had a major natural disaster hit their capital city. There were many casualties and you had come in to offer assistance and to bring them much needed supplies.  You were at a medical facility helping to triage people coming in with various injuries.

You had been tasked with assessments before directing the injuries to the treatment they needed. You were also helping with some of the more minor injuries if there was a lull in people coming in. While you knew your work was less exhausting than that of some of the other doctors and nurses who were doing back to back surgeries or other more intense work, you were still exhausted. You were also sure you had skipped a few breaks and honestly weren’t sure how long you had been at this posting. 

As if he had read your mind, suddenly Dr. McCoy appeared beside you. “I swear I haven’t seen you take a break all day. When was your last break?” He questioned.

“I honestly don’t remember,” You told him truthfully. 

“Well then what are you doing standing here, shoo, go take a break and come back a little refreshed.” 

You went to argue but he gave you a look that told you not to even try. You sighed and dramatically handed off the padd to another nurse before you stepped out of the school that had been turned into a makeshift hospital.  You immediately took a deep breath and realized just how long you had been cooped up in that building. You would never admit it to Bones, but you had desperately needed the break.

You had started to go for a walk. You should have probably been more exhausted than you were but you found yourself being restless. You didn’t want to get yourself lost so you were just walking around the block because you would be able to keep the school in your vision and you knew this area was one of the least affected so you wouldn’t find yourself in rubble and impassable areas. 

You had rounded the corner of the back of the building happy to be away from the chaos and be able to enjoy some quiet when you notice a man approaching. “They killed my wife! How could they let her die!” You heard him yelling. You felt bad for him, he had just gone through a tragedy and it wasn’t something that could be helped. It had seemed that he was just yelling at the world and not anyone in particular, but suddenly he was directly in your face. “How could you let them kill her!!” 

“I’m so sorry for your loss sir, but I am sure they did everything that you could.” You tried to diffuse the situation. You were trying to remember if you had seen this man when you were triaging people, but you had seen hundreds of people and at a certain point, the faces began to blend together. 

“No! You said she’d be okay, that it was just a simple injury and then we waited hours and now she’s dead. You killed her!!” 

You were trying to process what he was saying but before you could say or do anything, he was lunging at you. You hadn’t been prepared for the attack so he managed to knock you down on the stairs behind you. You were trying to push him off you when you heard the back doors opening and someone yelling. You let out a breath of relief when the commotion scared the man off and he ran off within second of the person starting to yell at him. 

“Oh my god! y/n, are you okay?!” You suddenly released the voice was that of Dr. McCoy. 

“Yeah, yeah I’m fine.” You responded. You were still a little stunned from the encounter and you began to slowly pull yourself up to a better seated position.

You watched as the doctor looked you over. You rolled your eyes, “You know, I am a nurse, when I say I am fine, I mean it,”

“ Well, I would believe that you're fine, but you have a goddamn knife sticking out of your leg, so." He responded with an annoyed look.

“What are you,” You started to respond before looking down to where his eyes were and realizing that he was right, there was a knife sticking out of your thigh. “Oh.”

“Yeah.” He sighed, “So how ‘bout we get you back inside and get you taken care of.”

“I am pretty sure this is a yellow case at best, I can take care of this myself. I am sure you have much more important things to be dealing with.” You told him. However, you did allow him to help you get up from the stairs. You made sure not to put any weight onto your left leg. 

“Well I think having my favorite nurse out of commission puts you higher on the priority list” He told you.

“Oh, and here I thought you didn’t have favorites.” You chuckled.

“Don’t tell Christine, she’ll be very upset and no one wants that.” He joked.

“Your secret is safe with me.” You smiled. 

You still wanted to protest that you could take care of yourself, but you also had to admit, you didn’t mind being taken care of by the doctor so you allowed him to lead you to a table and to patch you up. 

“What happened?” He asked gently as he began to cut the fabric of your uniform pants away from the knife blade. 

“I really don’t know. It happened so fast. He was yelling about how his wife died and then next thing I knew he was in my face saying I killed his wife and then before I could even try to respond, he had jumped me.” You explained. “I was trying to remember who his wife was. He said I told him it was a minor injury. I don’t know if I diagnosed her wrong. I mean maybe I am to blame.”

“Hey,” Bones stopped what he was doing, putting his hands on your shoulders and forcing you to look at him, “You did not kill her. You have been doing your job to the upmost degree, there is a lot that can go wrong when we are trying to take care of this many people. We can’t control everything, he was just misplacing his anger. You are not to blame.” 

“I mean, what if I am though?” You were trying to listen to what he was saying but all you could think about was how you couldn’t even remember who the women who died was. “I mean I can’t even remember looking the women over, what if I over extended myself and was too tired and missed something.”

“Listen, I know what you're going through right now, but honestly if you don’t remember her you might not have even been the one to look her over. And I promise, as your direct superior, I would not have let you stay here if I thought you were a danger to yourself or others. Nor would you let yourself get to that point.”

You knew he was right but it was so hard to believe it when you stopped to think about the life that was lost. 

“Thanks Len,” 

“Anytime. You know where to find me if you need to talk about this type of stuff.” He told you. From there he worked in mostly silence. He made sure to warn you of incoming pain and apologized when you winced anyway. 

“Alright you’re all good. Now get yourself back to the ship and rest for a while.” He instructed once you were patched up. 

“Wait, I thought this was about making sure I could get back to work?!” You protested. 

“You have already been here well over the maximum allowed for hours, and you were just stabbed. You need to get some rest. Once you have had a good 10 hours off, you can come back and work if you’re feeling up for it.” 

“But-” You tried to interject. 

“No buts. Get some sleep. That’s an order.” He said, authority behind the statement. 

“Fine, but I am not going to be happy about it.” You gumbled. 

[gaykarstaagforever]

TAS, "The Infinite Vulcan"

This episode was written by Walter Koenig, as an "oops, sorry dude" to him after he found out he wasn't allowed to be on the show, because Filmation could afford to pay 6 TOS actors, but not 7.

...And they went with Majel Barrett-Roddenberry as Nurse Chapel instead of Chekov. For some reason. That certainly had nothing whatsoever to do with her having married Gene Roddenberry in 1969, and him being heavily involved in the production of this show.

Speaking of Gene Roddenberry being a dick, he made Walter write like 12 drafts of this, because every time Gene read one he came up with a new "awesome" idea he wanted added to it. And the experience was so frustrating that Walter basically vowed to never subject himself to this kind of abuse again. So while this episode is really good and Filmation asked him to write more, he noped the whole way out of that.

Also he asked if they would PLEASE pay him like $2 to voice a character in this specific episode that the animators specifically modeled on him. They said no. Like he needed another reason to not work with these disrespectful assholes.

They're lucky he's a classy, professional guy. If it had been me, both Filmation Studios and Gene Roddenberry's car would have smelled like pee, from the beer bottles filled with my own pee I would have thrown at them. But Walter Koenig is not me, so no pee was thrown, he just turned in a really good TAS screenplay that is probably the best example of "TOS, but animated" that there is. This is absolutely one of the best TAS episodes. And those moments where it might be goofy and kinda lame, are 100% the fault of either Gene Roddenberry demanding something wacky, or the animators going "Walter, there is zero way we can draw that on this budget."

That said, they do a lot with a little, here.

The Enterprise is randomly exploring an unexplored planet, that clearly hosts some kind of non-spacefaring civilization. Because we apparently only care about the Prime Directive when Kirk happens to remember it, Kirk, Spock, McCoy and Sulu beam down and start fooling around. Sulu tries to play with a little purple plant that has spider legs, and it immediately stings him with a powerful toxin that will literally kill him in a minute.

So, going well immediately.

They don't immediately beam back to the ship, because Kirk and Bones want to use the last few moments of Sulu's life to panic about what the hell to do. Fortunately for them, some plant people show up and offer to cure Sulu. Bones wastes even more valuable seconds being racist to them, but Kirk rightly figures that if it doesn't work, Sulu is dead anyway, so he lets them inject Sulu with one of their tentacles. He is cured. McCoy is impressed that weird freak plant monsters from Space can do cures of toxins from their own planet.

Dial it back, Bones. Jesus.

The plant aliens, the Phylosians, seem like nice guys in general, and so take "our heroes" on a tour of the giant orange building they apparently all live inside. This includes a room filled with the GIANT CORPSES of the previous generation of the plant people, who all died of diseases brought to the planet by a previous human explorer.

Before Kirk can take the goddamn hint, they all get attacked by...

Well. I'll just show you.

As they're running away and diving to avoid the tentacles of these things, Kirk tries to call for a beam-out, but there is a dampening field that is blocking all communicators and phasers. Spock helpfully points out that these monsters are merely plants, too. Which turns into an immediate self-own as they capture him and carry him off.

Which the Phylosians are super enthusiastic about, because that was their plan all along, as they are following the orders of their "Master."

Just as Kirk begins to physically assault one of them (not an exaggeration), their Master reveals himself:

He is Dr. Stavos Keniclius 5 (the one who supposedly looks like 1973 Walter Koenig). He is 30 ft tall, and he tells Kirk he isn't getting Spock back, but he'll let Kirk use his communicator but only so he and the rest of the crew can leave for good.

As confused as the rest of us, Kirk decides a tactical retreat isn't a bad idea and they go back to the Enterprise.

Once there, Kirk immediately begins plotting Spock's rescue. Uhura finds a record of Dr. Stavos Keniclius, who was actually one of Khan's fellow ubermensch warlords from the Eugenics Wars. He was a genius geneticist who specialized in cloning, and unlike the rest of them that got imprisoned on the Botany Bay, this guy disappeared from history.

Kirk, who mispronounces his name as 'Keniculous' the entire time, concludes that this giant No. 5 guy must be the 5th generation of a clone body the guy grew for himself, and that he's no doubt planning to do weird clone stuff with Spock. But how are they going to free him from the plant monsters, when they can't use any of their technology down on the planet? Well, no worries, Bones suddenly codeswitches into his Confederate accent and remembers how his "great-great-granddaddy" was a gardener who had some secret family recipe for super weedkiller.

So the Space doctor went from immediate xenophobic hostility, to reverting to a thick Southern accent and gleefully plotting sentient plant-men murder with poisoned gas.

I think Walter Koenig gets this show in a way the rest of us never will.

Also, don't worry, Kirk also gets to finish beating up one of these artichoke nerds:

That guy fearfully explains what happened here, how Dr. Keniclius fled to their planet, accidentally murdered nearly all of them with his Earth-viruses, but then managed to find a cure. So he is their Master now, and they have to help him clone a giant body for Spock, so he can put Spock's brain into it, like he did for himself. Because Giant Spock will be Keniclius's new giant enforcer, who will help him conquer the galaxy and force everyone to live in peace!

...Look. He has one power, and it's making giant clones of people and then transferring their brains into the giant clones. He'll no doubt work out how the hell he's going to use that to defeat the Romulan, Klingon and Starfleet armadas, once he gets a giant Spock. One thing at a time, here.

"Yeah but why would a giant Spock with Spock's brain help this giant idiot do his evil plan?"

Dr. Keniclius probably should have worked that out before he did this. Because the giant Spock does NOT help him, especially after the brain-transfer when Giant Spock sees his own little original body dying from not having a brain.

(Also this is now the second of three times in Spock's life that his brain has been removed from his body. Space is a goddamn weird place.)

Before his orginal body dies, Giant Spock puts his brain back into Regular Spock's body with a mind-meld:

Also, when he does this, Giant Spock also just...has Spock's brain, too? Still? So I guess all this did was clone Spock's brain, but back into his own original body. Because this ends with Dr. Keniclius getting sad that his stupid nonsense plan failed, and Regular Spock and Giant Spock agreeing that Keniclius and Giant Spock should stay on Phylos and work together to rebuild the Phylosian civilization.

Kirk says fine, I guess because this 5th giant clone of Keniclius isn't technically responsible for all the war-crimes original Keniclius did 200 years earlier. Plus, how the hell would they even fit a 30 ft tall half-naked Walter Koenig onto the Enterprise, let alone keep him in custody?

Thankfully Keniclius agrees to all this.

Then Kirk asks Sulu to show him a judo throw that Sulu used when they were mixing it up with the Phylosians, and this fucking happens:

If you know, you know. Because Walter Koenig certainly did. I am unwilling to accept any other explanation for why the hell this episode would still end like this after 12 drafts.

Obviously I have spent this whole post making fun of how goofy this whole mess is. And it certainly is. But it is still very good. Everyone on the bridge crew (besides perpetually-irrelevant Arex) gets good, thoughtful character beats. Sulu especially is as loose and fun as he was on TOS in the best stories from that series, and I think it's obvious that Koenig identifies most with that character if Chekov isn't there. Bones is very nearly a parody of himself, but I'm not going to complain, because he's still an effective officer and it's funny. Even Scotty and Uhura get their moments to shine (if only because someone has to do all the stuff Spock usually does when he hasn't been kidnapped by plant monsters).

There is even some good technobabble in this episode, and the Phylosians end up coming off as sympathetic, given their circumstances.

It's a goofy show, but a REASONABLY goofy one. It's fun, and just avoids getting too outlandish.

...Besides maybe the thing where there is now an eternal giant Spock running around a sentient plant planet.

But this same universe had an evil Riker clone for years, and an entire clone of the Voyager made out of sentient mud. Lose the attitude.

[brandwhorestarscream]

G1 transformers, if you fancy it: Megatron and Jazz (also Buzzsaw does not get enough love in this world).

Subject 1033 - Codename: Megatron

06-13-1987

Attending Physician: Dr. Stephen McCoy

Despite medication and two counts of "successful" reconditioning, Subject 1033 remains unpredictable and a danger to himself. Dr. Povlo claimed he was no longer harboring thoughts of suicide, but the first thing he did after being released onto the floor was try to throw himself into the machinery! It took me 9 hours of surgery to stabilize him, not to mention we don't have a replacement leg ready for him. It'll be at least 2 weeks before a replacement can be made, that's 2 weeks of our most promising Subject thus far not being able to walk!

Regardless. He is physically stable and under watch. I reccomend he be under supervision at all times. Not cameras, in person supervision. Despite his many incidents, he has shown no inclination toward violence, and his staff safety rating does not need to be re-evaluated at this time.

When his leg is replaced, 3 to 4 days of intense physical therapy should have him Floor-ready again, but someone has got to get his brain under control or I'm afraid these incidents will keep happening. That's not something we can afford. He's our most promising result so far: if he dies before we can replicate the procedure on another it will be a grave loss.

I recommend Subject be re-evaluated for psychiatric health, by someone that's not as gullible as Povlo.

End report.

Subject 1064 - Codename: Jazz

10-19-1987

Incident Report

Attending Personel: Rachel Walters - Head of Homestead, Dr. Sabrina Diaz - Subject Physician, Dr. Julian Anderson - Homestead Pediatrician

Subject 1064 was initially extracted from the Homestead on 07-04-1987 following the incident detailed in Emergency Report 43. Subject was released from hospital on 07-09-1987, and underwent a total of 4 procedures: B, E, H, and I. Subject 1064 was then-

ENOUGH with this bullshit! That thing killed 3 people-!

Miss Walters, I understand that you're upset-

Upset?! UPSET?! Damn straight I'm upset! You bring that- that monster down here and it strangles one of our counselors in front of a group of second-graders and all you can do is parrot numbers and codes like it doesn't matter-

Of course it matters, Miss Walters. That is why these reports are so important: to ensure this sort of incident does not recurr-

Ladies. The topic at hand, if you please.

Certainly. As I was saying, Subject 1064 underwent multiple successful operations and modeled excellent behavior: obedience, passiveness, and even a willingness to converse. His "melatonin factor" was noted to be highly effective, and to prevent this sort of incident from occurring again, we decided to assign Subject 1064 to the Homestead's night shift. His first 3 nights were without incident, correct?

I- yes! He- He was- the kids seemed to really like him, and his lullabies put them right to sleep, within a minute. Even the older ones. He went into each room, sang for 'em, then headed to the next one, over and over til they were all out. Then he went back to the front door to leave with... your people.

And on the 4th day?

I don't KNOW! He'd just finished putting the really little ones down for their nap, walked out to the front yard and just seemed to go crazy! By the time anyone who knew what they were doing got here, he'd choked the life outta Richie and locked himself in the belltower with three of the second-graders! It killed two security guards in broad daylight on the soccer field! Damn it, I want answers, and I don't want any more of those things down here! What if the next one goes after one of the kids?!

We have reason to believe they will not become violent towards children, Miss Walters. Was there anyt-

Well pardon me if I'm not comforted by that! Those things are dangerous-

We're off topic. Miss Walters, thank you for your testimony. You're dismissed. Closing remarks: Subject 1064 is no longer eligible for assignment outside of the Shelf without psychiatric re-evaluation. Punishment shall be determined by the disciplinary team.

Casualties: 3

End report.

Subject 1097 - Codename: Buzzsaw

11-05-1987

Attending Physician: Dr. Charles Yelavich

Subject 1097 is the first successful Subject under the Hands Free project, and is going on 5 days post-op and recovering well. Swelling has reduced nearly 70%, and his visual acuity is performing within expected parameters. Attached are today's eye exam results

Subject does seem to be experiencing moderate emotional distress, but this has been so far regulated with high-reward items, mainly drops of sugar syrup and pain relief. It is important to note that no physical or liquid food is to be administered to Subject 1097 post-discharge: he no longer possesses the necessary components to process it and must be cleaned out manually. Sugar syrup is only for use under my direct supervision.

Subject 1097's success is being partially attributed to the strategic amputations and occupational therapy pre-operation. In training him to function without dexterous limbs pre-op, he has been considerably more active, agreeable, and lively than previous subjects. I reccomend repeating his experimental treatments with future Subjects and fine tuning the process through careful trial and error. In the meantime, I will continue to work closely with Buzzsaw and train him as I see fit.

End report.

[t0ast-ghost]

“Since the Cerritos is statistically the horniest and least romantically committed crew in Starfleet, we have no married officers aboard.”

- Lower Decks S4 EP6

First off if this is referring to just their current time period then yes I’d probably agree BUT since it’s a show and I think the creators were making a clever nod towards other shows I’d like to point out some things

This’ll get long. (Spoilers for TOS, TNG, DS9, & SNW)

TOS:

Both Spock and McCoy are divorced (McCoy twice over)

Whatever was going on between Spock and Chapel ???

Kirk is apparently too committed to the enterprise (yeah definitely the ship… nobod-nothing else) to commit to any of the women that he has definitely fucked

Kirk didn’t commit to Carol Marcus and she had his son

The Shore Leave episode

Theodore Sturgeon’s letter about the Shore Leave episode

Episodes with “Paradise” in their name

Must I bring up Amok Time?

Half the crew is just in love with the ship and all their relationships fail. The one time someone tries to get married their spouse dies

TNG:

Jean Luc is happy as is … Q however

Q is the horniest motherfucker for that frenchman and I’m counting him

Riker

Beverly with the ghost

Oh yeah Jean Luc literally kills two spouses (Crusher and Sisko) he’s actively uncommitting the romantics

The show’s SECOND EPISODE is where everyone gets super horny and fucks each other

Even the “emotionless” android gets some (I cannot blame Tasha one bit, Godspeed)

That’s all I remember from this show

DS9:

JADZIA DAX MY QUEEN

Julian Bashir’s original name was Dr. Amoros. He is doctor dick.

Lwuxana Troi wants Odo so bad but that goop ain’t committing

Whatever is going on between Odo and Quark

Need I mention Garak?

Mirror universe (Kira is about to kiss herself)

Almost every character is dating each other in this show and they made it canon for several but they all fall apart (Except Rom and Leela cause they’re perfect)

The O’Brien polycule… I drew it out but it got more complicated than the O’Briens (basically Julian is best friends with Miles who is married to Keiko. Keiko was on a shuttle while pregnant with Julian and Kira when there was a crash and Julian had to transfer the child from Keiko into either him or Kira, so Kira volunteered. She ends up living with the O’Brien’s while carrying the child and bonds with both of them (to the point both she and Miles think it’s weird). Kira eventually gets with Odo who is Quark’s nemesis and Quark is crushing on Jadzia who is exes with Julian who is (somewhat unknowingly) courting Garak. Jadzia Dax becomes married to Worf but I think her and Sisko have definitely fucked. Sisko is married to Kasidy and enemies with Gul Dukat who reciprocates that but is also fixated on Kira who hates him. Did I miss something?)

Now, I bet they did not count DS9 in their statistics because it’s a station not a ship but also because they’d always win this contest

SNW:

Spock and T’Pring

Spock and Chapel

Spock and Kirk

Other Kirk and La’an

Kirk and Carol ???

(All of them fail that’s why I bring it up)

Pelia has been married to another woman (not canon but it’s gotta have happened, right?)

Whatever was going on between Una and Neera in the court episode

There’s no way Uhura’s in a relationship (they might set her up with Scotty next season but I’d like to see her and Chapel)

The others do not seem romantically committed to other people

Pike’s weird dinner parties

To be honest Lower Decks is maybe the most outright vulgar in its language but most of the time it’s a feel good show about a bunch of best friends. Their captain is married, their CMO and head security officer are in a (happy?) relationship, and third thing here.

I haven’t seen any of Voyager or Enterprise and I don’t think Discovery is that horny/romantically uncommitted

[anghraine]

My good friend @child-of-hurin tagged me in the WIP Wednesday meme! :D With eleven minutes left of the day...

S’paak was not even slightly surprised when Jessica invited her to play chess a few hours after Lenore Karidian killed Kodos. The last few days had not supplied material for restful sleep, particularly not for a human, and no one else could really absorb Jessica’s full attention when it came to strategy. Of course, S’paak didn’t consider refusing. She had no desire to refuse, and even if she had, would not have exercised it on this day of all days. Instead, she arrived at the captain’s quarters exactly on time, and as usual, they sat opposite each other and set up the boards together. S’paak tried to ignore the stark severity of Jessica’s living space, not at all what she would have expected of her, and to focus her attention on the elegant lines of the game pieces. It was difficult; the unwavering composure on Jessica’s face seemed to mirror the plain furnishings and unrelieved walls, though any connection between her facial expression and her taste in interior decorating must be very indirect. Neither of them said much until they’d already seized half of each other’s pieces. “On the bridge today,” Jessica said, then halted. S’paak lifted her eyes, startled and inquisitive. She waited, unsure as to which of the many events of the day might have caught Jess’s attention. But she generally explained herself, and S’paak did not mind waiting. “You seemed disapproving,” said Jess. S’paak could not think of anything Jess had done that she would disapprove of, and none at all on the bridge. She certainly did not make a habit of disapproving of her captain’s decisions. S’paak just shook her head. The only thing she could recall that might have inspired the kind of disapproval that Jessica might notice wasn’t Jessica’s doing at all. “I apologize for any display of emotion,” she said. “It was not intentional.”

Jessica shrugged. “I didn’t think it was. I’d like to know your opinion, though. You've got to have one. Do you think I should have done something different? I could have acted sooner, or—”

“My only disapproval was of Dr. McCoy,” said S’paak, keeping her voice very level and her face neutral. She moved a rook the requisite number of spaces, potentially drawing out some of Jessica’s more valuable pieces.

The captain’s brows rose. “Bones? For any reason—other than usual?”

“I did not see the benefit of imposing romance onto a circumstance where none could exist,” S’paak said flatly.

Jessica abruptly straightened to the stiffly correct posture that always indicated some strain of the mind. Now it was her gaze that lifted and she searched S’paak’s face, though surely nothing could be found there. Yet she seemed satisfied, perhaps even comforted; she slouched back in her chair and moved a pawn, ignoring the rook.

“Sometimes Bones sees things more clearly than I ever could,” she said, which S’paak very much doubted. Jessica’s mouth twitched, but she added in the same earnest voice, “Sometimes he’s blinded by what he wants to see, though, or what he can’t bring himself to consider.”

“I’m aware,” said S’paak.

---

I'm sleepy and it's late, so I'm not going to decide on who to tag—but feel free to consider yourself tagged if you'd like!

[aceship-sconesterprise]

In Our Favor

Part 509

McCoy

“Our Andre?” McCoy asked in surprise.

“Yes sir,” Chief Kober confirmed.

David sat back in his chair, and a stunned look crossed his face. Briefly his eyes met McCoy’s before turning to Sarek.

“Pull all we have—”

“Already on it sir,” Sarek replied, quickly typing away on a PADD.

“Do we know if this Peter Klingman was working alone?” David asked the chief.

“That is uncertain, however we are working on it as quickly as we can,” Kober replied.

“If this is about Andre, why did he target Robbie and Leah too?” Scotty asked. McCoy reached over and took hold of his husband’s hand. Scotty’s voice held the anger the prince was feeling.

“We don’t know yet,” Kober said. “We’re working as fast as we can, but it’s only been a few hours,” he spoke quickly, seeing the look on McCoy’s face.

“If Andre killed this man’s partner, perhaps he wanted to harm Andre where it would hurt him most,” Dr. Boyce began. “And as Andre doesn’t have a partner—” He looked at Anthony and Averie who both shook their heads. “—he struck the next best thing, the princess, who Andre was in charge of keeping safe.”

“That may be an angle, yes,” Kober agreed.

“We will give you any help we can,” David told Kober. “Any resources you need from Georgiares, Sarek or Phil can arrange for you.” The king nodded at his security chief, and closest advisor. “Averie and Anthony, as well, are at your service. They are part of Andre’s team and have worked closely with him.”

“I appreciate that,” Kober said.

McCoy pushed back from the table. “Do we have security on Andre? If they don’t know if this guy worked alone—”

“The rooms Leah, Robbie and Andre are in are all together. We’ve had someone stationed there since they left the ORs,” Dr. Boyce told him.

McCoy nodded slowly. “I haven’t been there yet. There wasn’t room last night- this morning I mean.”

“Len,” Scotty said softly.

“Go lad,” Alasdair said. “We can fill ye in from here after.”

Slowly McCoy stood up. “If you’ll excuse me,” he said politely to Chief Kober before nodding at the king.

“To the right,” Dr. Boyce told him as he reached the door.

“I’ll show ye love,” Scotty said from behind him. McCoy hadn’t realized his husband had followed him.

McCoy stood next to Andre’s bedside and looked down at the man. Scotty had shown him the way, then had gone on to see Robbie.

Andre lay still under a thin blanket, machines beeping quietly around him. McCoy wished he knew more so that he could understand what all the readings on the machines meant.

“Hey,” he said quietly. “They found out who did all this. You must have figured it out too, that’s why you pushed everyone out of the car.” McCoy nodded to himself. “I’m glad you did. You saved Leah and Robbie and yourself. And you all may be really hurt, but you’re alive. Father’s going to have lots of questions for you when they wake you up, but so do I. Probably all the same ones.” McCoy gave a quiet huff of a laugh. “I hope you heal fast. And I’m sorry if I’ve ever been a pain to watch over. Thank you Andre.”

McCoy laid his hand on Andre’s for a moment.

“I’m going to go see Leah now, but I’ll visit again.”

Leah looked similar, lying under her own blanket. Her face was clean, but McCoy could see the faint marks where she would still need more healing.

“I hope you wake up soon.”

There was a chair by the bedside so McCoy sat.

“This is all a big mess. It wasn’t the rebels this time. It was someone trying to get Andre. He killed someone close to them before he began working for us. Father’s mad at me for sticking up for Averie and Anthony.”

“He’s not mad at you.”

McCoy startled and turned to see the queen had joined him.

“Mother—”

“Leonard, he’s under incredible stress. I know you want to defend Averie and Anthony, but he must do what’s right until he knows for certain how and why this happened.” Eleanor moved close and rested a hand on his shoulder. “You’re both trying to do the right thing, but you can stand up for them without making it harder on your father.”

McCoy stood up and let Eleanor embrace him. A sob worked its way out of his chest.

“It’s all going to be alright,” Eleanor said, her own voice cracking.

Part 510

Scotty

"Oh Robbie, it's all just so crazy," Scotty muttered to himself, shaking his head.

He held his brother's hand tightly in his and kept his head down. For a long time, he had just sat in the room and listened to the sounds of the machines, but now he had to say what was bothering him.

"The attack wasn't about Leah. It was about Andre. Someone wanted revenge on him."

Scotty swallowed hard at the thought. Why? Why had this human done this? If he wanted revenge on Andre, why had he also harmed Robbie and Leah? There would have been so many ways to get Andre alone!

Scotty stopped his train of thought. No. He shouldn't think like that. Even if only Andre had been hurt, it would all have been terrible. But the fact that Robbie had been so badly injured – almost killed – blinded the Scotsman with anger and grief.

"I don't ken what's going to happen now, a bhràthair. The police and David's people are investigating and trying to find out if there are more people. But even without more perpetrators, it will still be hard enough for all of us. Ye all have to get well and then get back to yer everyday lives. But... how is that supposed to work?" Scotty's voice broke and he let the tears flow freely.

He heard the door to the room open tentatively and he expected to see his mother, but it was someone else who stepped behind him and hugged him from behind.

It was Leonard.

Scotty sobbed heavily at the touch. His husband was going through the same thing as him and yet he seemed so much stronger.

Leonard didn't say anything. He just held Scotty and rocked him gently back and forth.

Scotty heard that his loved one was crying too. For the first time since the accident, they both cried together, giving each other the comfort they so desperately needed.

"When will it end? When will this life finally stop torturing us like this?" Scotty finally whispered when their sobs had subsided a little.

"I don't know. I really don't know," replied Leonard quietly and Scotty slowly got up to stand next to him.

"All I know is that I'm going to do everything I can to find out if there are any more people who pose a threat." Leonard's voice became firmer.

Scotty nodded slowly. His eyes reflected determination.

"A-aye. And I'll help ye."

They had already accomplished so much on their own. But this time, they would team up with David's people and the proper authorities.

When the two returned to the conference room, they were surprised to see several familiar faces.

"Hey, Scottish boy. Prince. How you doing?"

Aporal, Jaylah and Keenser stood close to Granddad and Francine. Sarek and David had been joined by Jim and Spock.

"And, most importantly, how are the others?" asked Jim.

"According to... the circumstances," said Scotty. "What... what are ye doing here?"

Jaylah stepped over to him and hugged both him and Leonard.

"We're here to help. Tell us what we can do."

[smlk-0920]

About: X-Men First Class DR

About Me

Name: Samuel Koskinen Age: 23 Mutation/Ability: Hemokinesis (Blood manipulation) Backstory: After an incident in my hometown when I was 18 I had been outcasted and hunted so I went on the run. I eventually established myself in a small cabin on the outskirts of a small town across the country. I built ok relationships with the community but still kept to myself mostly out of fear of hurting anyone and having to go on the run again. This is eventually where I first shift and later on Charles and Erik find me.

Relationships

Note: People may have different personalities than in original media(s). Also, relationships may change since when I am shifting in I have yet to meet most of these people. This is just how I've scripted them so far.

Charles Xavier: Charles is the first person I out a lot of trust into in a while. He is someone I look up to, I wish I could have faith that mutants could live amongst regular people without fear, but it's an idea I can't 100% get behind. I feel less dangerous when he's around as he can help control my ability/self.

Erik Lehnsherr: Erik and I have an interesting relationship; kind of love hate relationship. We can see eye to eye on some subjects and ideas but also can get on each other's nerves a lot. We have respect for each other though.

Raven Darkholme: Raven and I are not super close at first. We would still consider each other friends, just not as close as others. We get closer once we move to the mansion.

Hank McCoy: Hank is one of my closer friends. I can be found in the lab or hanging around him when he's working on something. We sometimes try different tests with my mutation. I can get a bit defensive of him when someone picks on him for his mutation.

Alex Summers: Alex and I is another complicated relationship. I scripted that we start frenemies to friends to possible significant others. We'll see about that last part, but we do eventually get a bit closer. Close to the point where we both become important to each other and learning how to trust ourselves with our own mutations. We watch each other's backs on missions.

Sean Cassidy: Sean and I are an unlikely friendship, kind of black cat and golden retriever like. When I first meet everyone, I am a bit closed off, but Sean is persistent. He eventually breaks my walls a bit and gets me to tag along on his shenanigans every once in a while.

Angel Salvadore: Angel and I aren't close. We respect each other and can work together but other than group hangouts we don't spend a lot of one-on-one time together.

Armando Munoz: Armando and I are just chill. We find things to talk about between music and hobbies. Sometimes in group settings we communicate through our faces in reaction to whatever was happening.

Shifting Progress

I have not fully shifted to this DR yet but have mini shifted and have had a memory form this DR

Mini Shift: I did not record or remember what date this occurred. I start out in my own cabin I had personally designed and truly love making me feel extremely connected to this DR. I had woken up to sunshine coming in through my windows and heard birds chirping. It was slightly chilly and had pulled my blanket closer to me. Similar to my other mini shift though I was super tired and wanted a couple more minutes of sleep since I didn't have anything I needed to be up for yet and went back to sleep.

Memory: This technically happens a bit later in my Dr from when I first shift so depending on how you would describe a DR memory this might not count for you but it does for me. I do not know when in my DR this memory happens, whether it’s during or after Cuba. I was on a mission with Alex and some other people. When I finished dealing with someone I turned around and saw Alex fighting someone. He finished fighting one guy before another person came up behind him. I saw them attack Alex and I yelled trying to warm him but also ended up using my power to kill them pretty much. I rushed over as the fighting around us died down. Someone yelled over to me asking if he was fine. Alex was on the ground with his eyes closed as I reached him. I was worried before he started whispering to which I got closer to hear him better, he told me that what I did was kind of hot and I sighed in relief knowing he was ok. I shouted out to whoever had asked that he was perfectly fine and started to help him up.

[tigereyes45]

spones

I assume this is for the Ship questions game. (If not then just send me another anon letting me know.) Also I'm answering for TOS Spones. Let me know if you want me to do AOS later.

SEND ME A SHIP and I’ll tell you:

Who said “I love you” first

Bones said, "I love you." directly first. I headcanon that Spock realizes his feelings for McCoy first, but he doesn't say the words "I love you". Instead he says it in other ways, such as, "I am more efficient on the job when I know that you're safe."

Who would have the other’s picture as their phone background?

McCoy. He would have a picture of his daughter as his lock screen but Spock would be his homescreen. It would be one he took, when he thought Spock wouldn't notice. The vulcan has the faintest smile on his face as he's bent over a microscope working on something. Neither of them mention the fact that Spock only start smiling when McCoy pulled out the phone.

Who leaves notes written in fog on the bathroom mirror?

Bones. Spock doesn't see a point to it. He'll always read the messages but then he disinfects and wipes down his mirror.

Who buys the other cheesy gifts?

They both do. Spock would argue his gifts aren't cheesy, they're practical, and the ones that aren't he gave because he knew Dr. McCoy would want them. Which is not cheesy, but the point of gift giving. However Bones would just own up to it. He likes seeing Spock's reactions, even if strangers can't spy the small differences in his expressions, Bones can.

Who initiated the first kiss?

McCoy. No doubt in my mind, McCoy would initiate the first 'human' kiss. (Spock went in to hug McCoy in canon before and McCoy held his hand and shook it instead. So Spock absolutely initiated the first 'Vulcan' kiss.)

Who kisses the other awake in the morning?

McCoy. It's typically a forehead, or cheek kiss. Sometimes if Spock is sleeping in, McCoy will kiss him on one of his ears to get a reaction.

Who starts tickle fights?

Neither. They don't really do tickle fights, and I feel like if they did, McCoy would start it, and lose it.

Who asks who if they can join the other in the shower?

Spock would ask to join, but only after McCoy has invited him in a few times before in the past. There would need to be a precedent of it for Spock to feel comfortable enough to ask.

Who surprises the other in the middle of the day at work with lunch?

They both do this, but Spock does it most often. He has McCoy's schedule memorized and checks in an hour after his lunch should have been. If Bones hasn't had lunch by then, Spock uses the sickbay's replicator to make them food and eats with him.

Who was nervous and shy on the first date?

McCoy. This man has a ton of southern charm but none of it helps him against Spock's vulcan stoicism. He was absolutely worried that Spock wasn't having a good time. (Which inevitably would lead to him picking a fight just to get a reaction out of Spock.)

Who kills/takes out the spiders?

Spock takes them out. McCoy isn't scared of spiders, and will take them out if he's the only one around. Spock doesn't like the idea of killing spiders, so they always take them out.

Who loudly proclaims their love when they’re drunk?

Bones. He gets loud, and very proud. He would brag about Spcok's accomplishments to anyone who tried to say anything slightly negative about the vulcan, while drunk (or sober). Spock gets more possessive when he's drunk.

Original post here. Send me a ship to answer these questions about.

[electronickingdomfox]

"Uhura's Song" review

Novel from 1985, by Janet Kagan. I have mixed feelings about this book. For starters, if you're looking for a story focused on Uhura, this isn't it. She plays an important role in the very first chapters, but then she goes to the background, and doesn't have more protagonism than, say, Chekov.

Anyway, misleading title and cover aside, there are good things about it. The culture of the Sivaoans (some kind of anthropomorphic cats) is well fleshed and described in detail. Little by little, we learn a lot about this people: their social structure and rites of passage, the importance they place on names and oral tradition, their linguistic quirks, taboos and legends, etc. By the last third of the novel, when the crew goes on a quest along the main Sivaoan characters, we've come to understand and care about them. So yeah, as an exploration of an alien culture, it's alright.

But on the other hand, there's an incredible amount of filler in this novel. It's about twice as long as the average TOS novel of this era, but a great chunk of it is just pages and pages of the Enterprise crew doing cute things and playing with cats. With little development in-between. The narrative has a tendency to overindulge in the most insignificant events. Sometimes, after several pages of this, I'd stop and think "Are they really STILL talking about that!? It wasn't so interesting to begin with!" Granted, the main mystery is engaging enough to keep going: I wanted to know what had happened between the Sivaoans and their distant relatives thousands of years ago; and I wanted to know how they'd find the cure for the plague that's at the core of the mission, and what had songs to do with it. Those things kept me going... but with a lot of struggle to wade through the fluff.

Another problem is the guest character, Dr. Evan Wilson, who's not just a doctor, she's a... (insert anything you can think of here). No, really, whatever you can do, be sure she can do it ten times better: she beats Sulu at fencing and Spock at computers, she's a better engineer than Scotty, she's the best friend of everyone and is impossible not to love her (including the Sivaoans), she will develop a new vaccine and then kill a dangerous beast with a spear in the same breath, all the time being "super funny". Even when she's not present, other characters' conversations tend to gravitate towards her and comment on how awesome she is. (For those that get "The Simpsons" references: she's a Poochie, literally). But it's not just that she's a blatant Mary Sue; after all, a Mary Sue may fulfill an important role in a story, provide the plot or be the key to solve a conflict. The main problem with Dr. Wilson is that I see no reason why she needs to be in the story to begin with. She just steals McCoy's role as chief medical officer, and doesn't offer anything that couldn't have been done by other character (like Uhura, for example). There's some mystery about her identity, but its resolution doesn't explain why she's important for the story either.

To summarize, this novel has an interesting premise, but would have been much better without Dr. Wilson, and cutting corners on the fluff. If you want to read an actual Uhura story, go get "The Tears of the Singers" instead... Unless you absolutely need lots of cats, I don't know.

Spoilers under the cut:

The Eeiauoans (some sort of cat people) are being ravaged by the worst outbreak so far of a deadly disease: ADF syndrome. Sick Eeiauoans start losing all their fur, bend in pain, and in the final stages, enter a coma and die. At first thought to be exclusive to this race, the disease starts propagating among humans, and Chapel is one of the first to fall sick. So while McCoy battles the disease planetside, Uhura tries to find a solution in the Enterprise. She's good friends with Sunfall, an Eeiauoan dancer, and suspects there are clues about a cure, hidden in the ancient songs that Sunfall passed to her.

Thus, Uhura starts working with Spock to analyze the songs. Some of them seem to allude to a different origin for the Eeiauoans, as if they were colonists or exiles from another planet. And Uhura believes the cure is to be found in their planet of origin; one of the songs mentions similar symptoms as ADF, but unfortunately, the part about the cure was cut out. Speculating about some astronomical references in the songs, they narrow down the search to a certain quadrant. But the Eeiauoans refuse to help, or even acknowledge this extra-planetary origin, as if they were hiding something. Finally one of them, desperate about her sickness, confesses that the planet's name is Sivao, which helps Spock and Uhura to pinpoint the place. And considering how difficult was this search, and how vague the references in the songs, they solve this part of the problem with relative ease.

McCoy is left with the medical team in the planet, so Dr. Wilson takes his place in the Enterprise. Once in Sivao, Kirk, Wilson, Spock, Uhura and Chekov beam down to contact the aliens. They're very similar to the Eeiauoans, suggesting a common ancestry, though their language is a bit different. And unlike the Eeiauoans, they still live as nomadic tribes. They're amicable enough at first, but as soon as Kirk mentions the Eeiauoans and the plague, they become really hostile, and refuse to talk about the subject. Just as happened with their relatives, the Sivaoans don't even recognize the existence of the others. Nonetheless, the crew stays with them for several days, in the hope that they reveal something eventually. Uhura trades songs with the local bard, Chekov builds shelters and plays with the kids, Wilson befriends Brightspot (the local chief's young daughter) and Jinx (a kind of outcast among her people). They also discover that the Sivaoans have perfect pitch when singing, and perfect memory of events, so they don't need books. But although some Sivaoans seem to be itching to help them, they still can't acknowledge the existence of the Eeiauoans. Besides, a description of ADF syndrome doesn't ring any bells with the town's doctor.

Meanwhile in Eeiauo, McCoy has contracted ADF too, but a new treatment developed by Wilson before her departure can slow down the symptoms, though it's not a cure. (And there's a big mood whiplash here, since Kirk and co. are having so much fun with the cats, while McCoy is having the shittiest time of his life...).

In the Sivaoan village, the crew finally gets one of the natives to speak, even if she can only confess it to the tricorder: two thousand years ago, their civilization split between a technologically-advanced one, and a tribal one; but technology and urban dwelling brought disease and the extinction of several species, so that part of the Sivaoans was forced to leave the planet, and establish a colony in Eeiauo. The two branches have tried to ignore each other ever since, out of guilt. However, if the crew wishes to learn more, they'll have to undergo a rite of passage to be considered real adults for the Sivaoans. So the crew, together with Brightspot and Jinx (who was ostracized for having failed the rite several times) go out on a quest. They need to traverse a dangerous part of forest to the nearest village.

For the following days, the crew fights against wild animals with primitive weapons, survive a fall into the river, and must take care of Chekov, who has fallen suddenly ill with ADF. It turns out that Chekov was specially sensitive to the disease, and he will die even before reaching the next village. Then Uhura decides to sing again the song about the cure, but this time varying the pitch, in case that makes Brightspot and Jinx recognize it. Effectively, one of the variations matches a Sivaoan song about some mild chidren disease. This way, they find out that this minor disease in Sivao, has evolved into the lethal ADF among other populations. Chekov caught the disease because he was playing a lot with the cat kids. Once they know this, Jinx quickly concocts a cure with local plants, and Chekov starts recovering.

After finishing the quest, the crew is able to confront the local chieftain as adults, and several Sivaoans choose to go with them to Eeiauo, to help with the cure (among them, Brightspot and Jinx). Everyone is cured and vaccinated, and it's time for Dr. Wilson to depart. Spock, who had grown increasingly suspicious about Wilson, starts investigating her records. And he discovers she's not the real Dr. Wilson, but some kind of "space pirate" or benevolent trickster, who goes around impersonating other people and helping here and there... Okaaay. In her last message, Wilson challenges Spock to keep searching for her across the galaxy (but I'm pretty sure Spock will have forgotten everything by the next novel).

Spirk Meter: 2/10*. There's the usual mind-link between Kirk and Spock, so the latter is certain that the Captain's alive after falling into a river. Kirk is often amused by Spock's idiosyncracies. And one night, he wakes up from a nightmare, to find Spock's "reassuring form" next to the fire. Also, Kirk teases Spock saying that "some of my best friends are devious- isn't that right, Mr. Spock?" However, there's only timid examples like these. Compared with other novels, there's not much more.

A bit of McKirk as well. McCoy is reaaally happy to have Kirk back in the end. And Kirk comes to a sleeping, sick McCoy (who's cuddling with the cat kids; you know, the ones that carried the infection... WHY!?), and wakes him gently to tell him everything about their adventure.

*A 10 in this scale is the most obvious spirk moments in TOS. Think of the back massage, "You make me believe in miracles", or "Amok Time" for example.

Tagged: @agenderlessrat

[thesconesyard]

Where the West Begins

26. Vaquero

“Honey behaving over there?” McCoy asked. He and Robbie were riding into town. Scotty and the others were getting ready to brand the young cattle and that was one task McCoy avoided as best he could.

“Aye, she’s a sweet horse.”

“That she is,” McCoy agreed. He himself was riding Pepper, knowing that a spirited horse like her was a bit much for a newcomer like Robbie.

Robbie had been on the ranch for nearly a month. He got on well with everyone, as alike to his brother in that as anything. He was helpful and happy. Scotty too was extra jolly since Robbie had arrived. McCoy would be happy he had written that letter for the rest of his life.

“You sure you don’t want to help with the branding?” McCoy asked with a sly grin on his face.

Robbie tried to hide a grimace. McCoy had noted a few times when Robbie had not appeared to enjoy the work on the ranch. But McCoy couldn’t blame him. Coming so far from another country, to a land very unlike where he was from, to work he’d never thought of doing before; to McCoy it made sense if the man was uncomfortable at times.

“Do ye?” Robbie asked in turn.

“No thank you,” McCoy laughed. “I know Monty says that Spock is a wonder with the animals, but I just can’t bear to hear them cry out.”

“But patients cry out,” Robbie said.

“Not to me,” McCoy said quietly. “Not anymore.”

“Ye fixed up Pavel last week; why not still practice?” Robbie asked.

McCoy sighed softly. “Helping on the ranch is enough,” he replied quietly.

“Oh.” Realization crossed Robbie’s face. “That’s something I shouldn’t ask isn’t it?”

McCoy gave a slight nod. He liked his partner’s brother very much, but he wasn’t comfortable enough to spill his own story.

The first stop in town was the post office.

“Hello Dr. McCoy,” the clerk greeted him. “Everyone’s letters?”

“Yes sir,” McCoy smiled back.

“Give me just a moment,” the clerk said, and he disappeared into a back room.

McCoy stepped over to read notices on the wall and Robbie followed.

“Never know who might try to show up on the ranch,” McCoy chuckled humorlessly.

“Here you are doctor.” The clerk returned with a small pile tied with brown string. “You know for a moment I thought you were Mr. Scott sir,” the clerk said to Robbie. “He’s not been in for a while.”

“I am Mr. Scott,” Robbie grinned. “Just not the one ye know. I’m his brother.”

“Oh! Well! How about that!” said the clerk. He was an older man and adjusted his glasses to peer at Robbie more closely. “Well you look just like him. Have a good day gentlemen!”

“Thanks. You too,” McCoy said. He and Robbie left the office.

“This is a nice wee town,” said Robbie as they stopped on the walk outside the post office. McCoy tucked the letters into a pocket, then looked up and down the street.

“It really is,” McCoy agreed. “I’ve got to get some things from Dr. M’Benga and then what say we stop for a drink at Gaila’s? Kill some more time so they can really be done with the branding?”

“Lead the way!” Robbie smiled.

“This is more like it!” Robbie said as they settled at a table in Gaila’s saloon. McCoy smiled and took a sip from his drink.

Robbie looked at him nervously. “I- I don’t think I’m cut out for life on a ranch like all of ye.”

“Some people aren’t,” McCoy said evenly, waiting to see what Robbie was going to say.

“And I don’t want to hurt Monty— I don’t want him to think I’m leaving him.”

“What are you thinking?” McCoy asked. He set his glass down and looked at the Scotsman.

Robbie sighed. “I worked in stores back home. I didn’t work in fields or barns or with cattle like ye. There was a sign in yer post office there looking for help.”

“So you’d stay here?”

“Aye, but would Monty be hurt? I think he wants me to stay there.”

McCoy sat back and thought. “I think he would understand,” he said slowly. “Would you prefer to live here in town?”

“Maybe,” Robbie shrugged. “It’s still so small compared to Aberdeen, but I feel so little on the ranch.”

McCoy nodded. “Then you’ll have to be honest with him.”

“Aye,” Robbie agreed quietly.

[indeedcaptain]

Spirktober 2023, day 2: Running

I'm doing these all out of order, I know, but I'm having a grand old time. Wahoo!!

Also, if anyone is seeing these and wants to request stuff alongside the Spirktober prompts, just let me know :)

Also posted on AO3 here.

☆ ☆ ☆

As a general rule, Spock knew many things. He knew the planet they were on (Aldux II), the language of the intelligent lifeforms that had lived on the planet since the beginning of their history (called D’xian, with a case system suspiciously similar to Russian), and how long they had been on the planet for (16.8 hours). He knew that his stride length was 62.25 inches. He knew that he was fond of this number, as it was also Lieutenant Uhura’s height. He knew that he had been running for 2.4 hours.

He knew that his last two security officers had fallen away 528 strides ago, and that one of them --- Ensign Karros, who smiled at him illogically at least twice an hour and was a vicious student of Suus Mahna --- had gasped, “Keep going,” at him even as she staggered to her knees, clutching her chest. He knew that his footfalls were the only ones he could hear, that his heartbeat was thrumming uncomfortably in his side, and that the small package of antibiotics in a pouch slung across his chest was the most valuable material on the planet at this moment. He knew that it there was a one in ten chance that the ion storm swirling in the atmosphere over his head would create conditions nonconducive to life, specifically his, at some point during this trek, but he also knew that he was the only member of the crew who could conceivably cover the significant distance between hospitals faster than the storm would dissipate naturally.

He did not know how the other hospital was faring. He did not know if his captain was still alive. He did not know if Dr. McCoy was still with him, or if he would be available to synthesize the antibiotic quickly enough to distribute to the crew of the Enterprise and what remained of the D’xian population. 

Sometimes he thought that continually running into the boundary of his knowledge about the universe would eventually kill him. His mind would revolt at the illogical things he had to do to survive, or he would learn something on some planet that would destabilize the foundations of his life, and he would lay down and curl up and go to sleep forever. He knew, however, that today would not be that day. He was not content to give up when he, stronger and faster and more durable than his human crewmates, was the last man standing, to borrow a human phrase. If McCoy was not available, he would synthesize the antibiotic himself. He knew that, although he was not a doctor, he knew enough about chemistry to do it. He knew that he would rather run until his heart stopped than die without knowing what had happened to the captain. 

So he ran.

☆ ☆ ☆

Spock knew, by the time the hospital building appeared in his vision, that he had destroyed the soles of his feet. Starfleet standard-issue boots were many valuable things: they were waterproof, rubber-soled, useful for climbing and standing and walking. He doubted that the Fabrication and the Material Construction team had ever tested the boots as he had today. He had run for 5.2 hours; his lungs ached, his heart pounded unsteadily, and he had turned off all sensation from his feet after the third hour. He did not want to think about the state of his skin and bones. Even Vulcan skin blistered eventually.

He slowed to a walk as he approached the building and called, as loudly as his chest could manage, “Dr. McCoy!” 

Relief. Illogical, irrational, overwhelming relief flooded him as McCoy stuck his head out of a second-story window and looked down at him. 

“Spock?” Disbelief dripped from the single syllable. “How the hell did you get here?”

Wrong question, thought Spock. He lifted the pouch that had bounced against his chest for the better part of the day. “I have the antibiotic.” 

“How did you get here?” McCoy said again, and then he vanished from the window. Spock finally, finally came to a halt, standing outside what he estimated was the front door. 

McCoy cracked it open and stuck his tricorder through. “You’re not infected, are you?” 

“I do not believe so, doctor.” But the tricorder whirred and dinged, and when McCoy read the screen he opened the door fully. Spock handed the pouch to McCoy and had to use more mental effort than average to exert enough control to keep his hands from shaking. 

McCoy took the pouch and flipped open the top flap, confirming that the three little glass bottles inside were whole. He looked up at Spock with none of his usual animosity. “I thought the ion storm made their transporters and ours useless.” 

“It did, doctor. I brought the antibiotic.” The numbness that Spock had intentionally blanketed over his feet was spreading up his calves. This change in sensation was concerning, but likely not life-threatening. 

“The other hospital was eighty kilometers from here,” McCoy said suspiciously, but he led Spock deeper into the cool building. The circulating air felt pleasant against his skin, and as they walked his heart rate started to slow.

“I am aware of the distance. Had it been closer, I would have arrived sooner.” 

They entered a laboratory. This planet, unlike many of the others they had visited on their exploratory mission, was scientifically advanced. The D’xians were curious by nature, and becoming a scientist was both a professional and a social achievement. Spock found himself unwilling to consider the possibilities of what would have happened if they had been struck by the same virus on a planet without a fully functioning biological laboratory. If there hadn’t been a virus, if there hadn’t been an ion storm that blocked Mr. Scott from simply beaming Spock from one hospital to another, if it had been anyone but the captain who lay gasping on a hospital bed… it was not logical to consider alternative outcomes. This was the future that had happened. 

They set to replicating the success of the other hospital’s scientists immediately. Despite their frequent arguments, Spock thought that he and McCoy made reasonably efficient labmates. McCoy talked to himself too much, and talked to Spock more than he preferred, but he knew what he was doing and he was the only other person, besides himself, that Spock trusted to keep the captain safe. 

His entire lower body was numb, and his hands shook, but he assisted McCoy until McCoy slapped one of the machines happily and hoisted the first replicated dose of the antibiotic up into the air. “Got it,” he said grimly, and marched immediately from the room. Spock followed. 

The room that McCoy led him to had only one occupant. He lay quietly in a narrow hospital bed, the only movement the shallow rise and fall of his chest beneath a threadbare blanket. This hospital’s equipment was different than that of the Enterprise, and Spock found himself discomfited by the difference in noises from this hospital’s machines. 

McCoy loaded the antibiotic into a hypo and drove the needle into the captain’s neck. Without the captain’s customary wince and complaint, the action seemed like one-half of a duet: incomplete. They waited in silence for fifteen seconds. Thirty seconds. 

Fifty-three seconds after the hypo pierced the captain’s skin, his eyes opened. His eyes---their color muted in the dim light of the room---landed on McCoy. “Hey, Bones,” Captain Kirk said softly. “Why don’t you ever buy me dinner first?” 

“Jesus, Jim,” McCoy said, and laughed with relief. “Give a man a break. Didn’t want you to choke to death on a pill you couldn’t swallow.” The captain smiled at the doctor, and then his eyes flicked to Spock. 

“Mr. Spock,” he said, voice thick with hushed delight. “I thought you were up north. Is the storm over, then?” He sat up, flexing his hands. His hands were brown, the backs tanned and dusted with freckles. It never ceased to amaze Spock that the captain was covered in freckles despite his infrequent exposure to any sun. 

“Spock?” The captain’s voice was concerned. Spock realized that he had been staring at the captain’s hands for approximately nine seconds, that he could not remember what he was supposed to be saying, and that the numbness had spread to his neck. He looked down and assured himself that his body was still connected to his head. 

He cleared his throat. “No, captain. The storm continues.” 

The captain and Dr. McCoy continued to stare at him, some emotion he couldn’t identify rising on both of their faces. Perhaps they hadn’t heard him. “The storm…” he said again, but he forgot what he was saying. 

He felt liquid on his upper lip, and raised a hand to it. His fingers came away green. 

“Mr. Spock!” The captain stood abruptly and moved towards him.

“Why don’t you sit, Spock?” Dr. McCoy approached him, hands outstretched. 

Sitting seemed like a logical idea. To maximize efficiency, he collapsed instead. 

☆ ☆ ☆

The healing trance ended as suddenly as it began. Spock opened his eyes to see both the familiar tiled ceiling of the Enterprise’s own Medbay and the captain and the doctor hovering nearby. 

“Captain,” Spock said. His throat was dry. It came out as more of a croak.  

“What the hell were you thinking? Eighty kilometers?” Spock’s eyes found the captain’s. 

“The needs of the many outweigh the needs of the one, captain,” he said. His captain rubbed one hand over his face in a familiar and exasperated gesture. “I estimated that it would not be significantly more taxing than running through the Forge.” 

“And did you estimate your footwear, and the atmosphere, and differences in gravity?” 

“Naturally,” Spock said. “I used all data available to me.” He did not add that he had never run for five straight hours through the Forge, and that it was actually easier for him to run in dry heat than in the cool and damp humidity of Aldux II, or what he was considering to mean ‘significant’ in this situation. He had survived. The captain did not need to know.

The captain sat heavily into the chair next to Spock’s bed, placed one hand on Spock’s forearm, and squeezed. Through the contact Spock was deluged with his emotions, as forceful as a hurricane: anger, concern, pride, affection, warmth, and Spock was gratified to learn that his captain was impressed by his display of athleticism. 

“I estimated the odds of your survival based on my action or inaction, captain,” Spock said quietly. Across the room, Dr. McCoy began loudly clattering materials on the medical cart by the door. Through his captain’s hand, he felt the other man’s affection and concern pulse up his arm like a heartbeat. 

“Yes, Mr. Spock,” Jim said quietly. “I thought you might have. Would it change your behavior at all if I asked you to be more careful in the future?” 

“I am careful, captain,” Spock said, affronted. Careful with you, he thought. 

Spock knew many things. Despite the illogic of it, despite his best attempts to meditate it away, he knew this: that he would protect his captain, even at his own expense, until his katra was returned to the stars. 

[t0ast-ghost]

S3 episode 4 (And The Children Shall Lead) I'll explain what happened to episode 3 under the cut of this post.

Start here:

- The three of them beaming down together is a good start

- Guys they're not dead!… they’re just sleepy

- Kirk is not amused

- As much as I want to believe Kirk would be good with children, it’s proven (canonically) he is not

- “I am getting a feeling of anxiety in this place.” This reminds me of a good omens line. If ya know, ya know.

- I love nurse chapel. The medical department being good with kids is heartwarming

- Is this a Peter Pan situation? (edit: nope)

- So why are the kids chanting and summoning an entity? Let's not have to call the exorcist.

- “Have Dr. McCoy report to my quarters.” Yeah…?

- We get to watch Sulu press buttons and turn dials :)

- Uhura’s double take

- “You’re losing control of yourself, sir.” “Not yet.” Scotty then proceeds to fight two guys and get knocked out

- “The enemy from within!” Previous episode mention

- That’s horrific. The children controlling their parents caused them to die on Triacus. Star Trek can write some pretty fucked up shit actually. But it doesn't deal with the consequences.

- McCoy’s opinion is outnumbered two to one again so he just storms out

- They just beamed those two redshirts out into space…

- “Friendly angel come to me.”

- Kirk and Spock share a look like, ‘what the fuck is going on’

- Spell that makes you see knives in space

- Poor Uhura. No one wants to see their own death, but amazing acting

- “Captain, why are we bothering starfleet?” Spock too? Kirk you gotta go find McCoy, maybe he’ll be talking some sense

- So why haven’t I seen anyone talk about this?

- “My Vulcan friend.” Yep Kirk. Reassert your friendship.

- Spock grabs Kirk’s arm to reassure him

- WOAH! He jumped to killing kids way too fast (worst case scenario stun or hypo them! Jesus)

- Kirk has had to remind himself that it’s not okay to punch a child a few too many times in this episode (I can see it in his eyes)

- He’s playing the video of all the kids playing with their parents on Triacus and they’re smiling but I’m expecting Kirk to just say ‘and now.. your parents are dead.’ - omg they really did just switch suddenly to their DEAD PARENTS. No remorse.

- This episode is fucking devastating

- Bones is going to come back from wherever the fuck he is and just, 'Jim, I specifically told you not to traumatize these kids.'

- The ‘angel’ dying is fucking horrifying

Now everything’s fine and dandy. Not like the entire bridge just went through major mind fuck of an ordeal or anything

Masterpost

Episode written by Edward J. Lakso

So I didn't actually watch episode 3, I watched around 15 minutes and then said, 'I really just don’t want to watch this episode. So I won’t.'

Only thoughts from this episode that I'm gonna mention are:

- The reason that they didn't let Spock point out the pine trees is because he would have said their scientific name

- “Typical human reaction to an idyllic natural setting.” McCoy says this with so little bite towards Spock, like he’s actually having a conversation with him and explaining what it is. AHH

- They could have easily left McCoy on the planet to search for Jim while Spock goes to divert the asteroid. If being alone was the issue they could've beamed down a security officer/team

Other than that... there's nothing. Sorry Margaret Armen.