#mccoy had to be told to defend himself

[laney-rockin]

I love that each member of the Triumvirate is bad at something.

Bones is awful at fighting.

Kirk can't drive to save his life.

And Spock is really bad being straight.

It's so nice to have characters that have flaws.

[rei-ismyname]

For your choose violence ask game, 1 and 12, please!

Hey there, this is fun!

1. Character that everyone gets wrong. Funnily every ask has included this, but I'm not going to repeat myself. Instead I'll find a different way to vagueblog about certain of my fellow X-Men fans.

Hank McCoy, aka the Beast, specifically his tenure as Director of X-Force. One group of people simply choose to ignore the run entirely (which is valid - if you don't enjoy then ignoring it can be healthy,) and many reduce him to war crimes memes, which is also valid. I'm definitely not defending his actions at all, but I don't often see the complicity and accountability of the Quiet Council and his subordinates mentioned. Ben Percy's choice to reboot him from factory settings was one I found unsatisfying as it short circuited any kind of trial or reckoning - and everyone else's guilt has been forgotten.

There was a teeny bit of subterfuge

Firstly, every single member of the Quiet Council was there for X-Force's formation and received reports. His first act was torturing a prisoner. There's no arguing that Krakoa needed some kind of security apparatus, but they failed to provide any guidelines, zero checks and balances. They told Hank to protect Krakoa by any means necessary and handed him a morally blank check. He chose to do the things he did but he was enabled by those who knew even after he left Krakoa. They chose to keep him out in the world as a deniable asset. Again, not to diminish his culpability but the monster that was Hank McCoy had many parents. The simple fact that he wasn't very effective at protecting Krakoa should have been cause for review, even if the ethical calculus is non existent.

His team didn't have all the information but they had enough to know better and were involved in the team in the first place. 'Just following orders' should be odious to modern readers, and even Jean chose to quit while leaving the system in place rather than do anything about it. They eventually moved to a better model, but after genocides were met with light scoldings I wasn't surprised at the degree of sunk cost fallacy Beast fell into. I wish we got a serious meditation on how you can't be the director of the CIA without damaging your soul irreparably, but I think we got enough to illustrate my point. I often wondered how he felt about everything - during the first Hellfire Gala he asked Xavier if he'd disappointed him and heard 'not yet' back - I got the impression he was outsourcing his morality and it's unsurprising that he was able to reconcile it with his actions.

Solicits for X-Men #8 show the President of Terra Verde at Graymalkin to see Beast punished for his crimes. It's a shame he can't remember any of it because it was done by someone else. There's no Quiet Council or Krakoa to punish anymore, and I'm disappointed that accountability never came for any of the guilty people.

12. The unpopular character that you actually like and why more people should like them.

EXODUS, baby. Two of the big themes of Krakoa were compromise and community, and Exodus' previous publication history showed he was not well suited to either (except for that bizarre time he worked for SHIELD but I ignore that.) Up to that point he'd been an obscenely powerful religious fundamentalist and mutant supremacist but hadn't had enough page time to explore that in any depth.

Seriously, his style is out of this world.

When he arrived on Krakoa and was given a seat on the Quiet Council he was absolutely both of those things, though he proved himself committed to good governance without any agenda. By being part of an ostensibly egalitarian community for the first time he became a true believer and slowly ditched his old methods of blunt force for community-building and fiercely protecting it from outside threats. He compromised while looking fabulous.

Exodus had frequent campfire educational sessions with kids, he rewrote scripture as his theology evolved (Jesus as the Nazarene Mutant is everything to me,) he put his faith in Hope and Krakoa as a polity but moreso as a people. He tried to convince Doug to die temporarily so he could take his place in X of Swords, risking permanent death. His labelling of Wanda as The Pretender was pretty uncomfortable, but after The Trial of Magneto he invited her in to tell her own story.

Then Immortal X-Men began and the 3 event comics put him through the wringer. First was Judgement Day where he fought and killed towering death machines while simultaneously leading the psychic countersiege on the Uni-Mind. He was tested by the Progenitor with a public simulation of his old boyfriend in hell. He stuck to his code and passed, but he also bumrushed a demon to free Garrington from his grasp. Exodus objected to humans being resurrected, but he still accepted Nightcrawler's argument. When Syne the Memetaur was resurrected for the last time, he rushed to fight her but lowered his fists when she started to talk about poetry. He ended up collaborating with this cthulhu that had torched Krakoa and killed countless mutants to fight a celestial and save the world for everyone. Compromise.

After Sins of Sinister, he accepted his capacity for evil and submitted to very unpleasant measures to ensure Sinister's influence was purged. When the fight kicked off he stuck to the agreement and didn't join the fight, even at Hope's request. His breakdown after he tried to kill the very obvious bad actor Selene highlighted the flaws of Krakoa's government, and played a crucial part in transition to democracy.

Fall of X prevented that being implemented, and after thrashing a ton of sentinels he pivoted to the safety of everyone else, especially The Five. When the Krakoan diaspora ended up in the desert of the White Hot Room, he wore a midriff and stepped up for 250K scared and leaderless mutants - choosing to inspire and protect instead of his old methods - he'd come full circle. His actions after that are a whole other post, but I hope I've made my point. I don't trust religious fundamentalists, generally speaking. My kneejerk reaction to Exodus was 'fuck, he's going to ruin everything' but he avoided the hypocrisy and selfishness, the refusal to allow change that underpins my experience with IRL fundamentalism. He compromised and grew, and definitely walked the walk.

Is he unhinged? Yes, fortunately. Does he have some bizarre beliefs? Absolutely, but they weren't based on nothing and he ended up being right. When Hope was prepping to sacrifice herself to rebirth The Phoenix he begged to die in her place. He was the only adult to level with Kafka and be honest with him about the reality of the White Hot Room. More than most he committed to the promise of Krakoa and put everything into making that a reality. He's also not fooling anyone with his vow of celibacy not being related to his true love dying 900 years ago.

[lenievi]

TOS-tober day 5 (triumvirate prompts)

Favourite platonic duo?

It was a bit hard for me to decide which one to use today and which one tomorrow for the romantic duo, but after thinking about both TOS and AOS, I had to pick spones for today.

When it comes to TOS, I find McCoy and Spock's relationship the most engaging on screen. Their banter always lightens up the episodes, and their emotional & serious scenes are <3 There's just something about Kelley where he can bring the best out of both Nimoy and Shatner in the heavy scenes he shares with them, and it always elevates the scenes above others. In my opinion, anyway. (I'm just biased but serious scenes with Kelley are some of the most memorable to me for both duos.)

Their relationship is the most loud and easily noticeable and because of the respect and affection they have for each other, it's fun to watch. I understand that people interpret them in various ways, but I don't think they ever disliked each other. They hit it off from the get go and the closer they got, the closer they allowed themselves to disagree with each other because they realized that their loud disagreements are helpful to the captain. That's why, especially McCoy, often stubbornly defends a point of view that Spock just flat out calls illogical. Because he's afraid that Kirk's own logical and determined mind that is so focused on duty forgets himself. Forgets he's only human.

Away from Kirk, they don't need to argue or defend their own worldview so hard. They're not trying to convince each other of their wrongness after all.

That could actually be seen well in Beyond. Away from everyone, they got along. Away from everyone, Spock told him he cared.

Spock and McCoy are good friends who I imagine spent 100 years knowing and talking to each other. And after McCoy's death, Spock decided to leave the Federation space behind.

I've talked about their relationship extensively for three years, so yeah lol I obviously ship them in a romantic sense as well, but only in TOS.

If you're interested in knowing what I like about them, here are my tos!spones fics 🙃

[prompts]

[calliethetrekkie]

Triumvirate Prompts: Day 8

#8. Favorite TOS episode?

Two years ago, I'd have said The City on the Edge of Forever. Which don't me wrong is still an excellent episode. But now that I've had long enough to let my tastes form some more, I'm going with...

The Tholian Web is so freakin' good. We're given a desperate situation where the ship is in danger and everyone is losing their minds. Kirk is seemingly dead and unlike the other times, we don't get to see what happens to him or follow him. We're given the POV of Spock and McCoy and how they both handle the crisis, their grief over Jim's 'death', and of course how they treat each other in these circumstances. In a way, it feels like a culmination of all the build-up between the two over these many episodes.

Spock makes the surprisingly illogical decision to not leave the space while they have time in order to find Kirk. A decision that causes things to get worse. McCoy wants to get out of there for the safety of the crew. One of the times that he's more focused on the many than about Jim. Naturally this causes conflict. McCoy is argumentative at almost every chance he gets, far more than usual. Spock ignores him and pretty much attempts to isolate him in Sickbay until he magically finds a cure. They are given no time to grieve Jim or have a moment to calm themselves down, and as such it has them both lashing out at each other.

Once Spock officially declares Kirk dead, he and McCoy need to review a message that he left for them. This is where their attention can fully shift onto their loss. McCoy is angry and hurt, the space making it even worst, and all that he can do is keep lashing out at Spock because he doesn't know what else to do with the feelings that he can only now process. Spock, as you'd expect, keeps his emotions hammered down and simply wants to get it over with to both get back to focusing on the ship and to get away from McCoy. They finally play the message and...

KIRK: Bones, Spock. since you are playing this tape, we will assume that I am dead, that the tactical situation is critical, and both of you are locked in mortal combat. It means, Spock, that you have control of the ship and are probably making the most difficult decisions of your career. I can offer only one small piece of advice, for whatever it's worth. Use every scrap of knowledge and logic you have to save the ship. But temper your judgment with intuitive insight. I believe you have those qualities, but if you can't find them in yourself, seek out McCoy. Ask his advice. And if you find it sound, take it. Bones, you've heard what I've just told Spock. Help him if you can. But remember he is the Captain. His decisions must be followed without question. You might find that he is capable of human insight and human error. They are most difficult to defend, but you will find that he is deserving of the same loyalty and confidence each of you have given me. Take care.

It says something that Kirk knew that these two were going to have a hard time with one another if he were ever gone. So he made sure to leave this for them. He tells Spock to turn to McCoy for that insightful, emotional advice that he can't always find within himself to take. Even if he doesn't take it, he can hear it. He tells Bones to remember that Spock is now the Captain, and he needs to follow him as he always had Kirk. But he reminds him that Spock is very much capable of the same errors that any human could make, and thus he needs him to guide him through it. It's hard to imagine the Triumvirate going on without one of them, but as much as it'll hurt, they can go on and they can work together. Kirk is asking that of his two closest friends now.

And after that? After all that anger from before? After the way that these two treated each other throughout the episode?

MCCOY: Spock, I, er, I'm sorry. It does hurt, doesn't it? SPOCK: What would you have me say, Doctor?

It's the one brief moment they get to grieve not just their Captain, but their friend. McCoy has calmed down and sincerely apologizes for snapping and blaming Spock. He gives Spock the chance to express his hurt and while they get called far too soon, Spock still lets it show just for a moment how lost he feels. After this they have one more brief blowup, one that they catch themselves on before it goes too far and apologize for. Otherwise? They know that they have a job to do, and they're going to do it.

Of course it turns out that Kirk is alive, and they save him as well as escape the Tholians. But the episode is just... so freakin' good. It's the closest we get to losing Kirk for good, and this time we allow Spock and McCoy to struggle with it and be as uncertain as they are. It's one of the episode that really shows the strength of Spock and McCoy as a duo as well as the Triumvirate as a whole. Funny enough The Empath comes before this in the production order, so they already almost lost McCoy not that long ago. Here? They have lost Jim AND have the whole ship and crew on the line. Without Kirk, how do they go on? Can they? We see here that, while it's as difficult as you'd expect, yes. They can go on and they can pull through.

But most of all, it shows how much these two need one another. The Triumvirate all need each other, but in any event, with Kirk gone, all they really have is one another. Spock needs McCoy's insight and reassurance. McCoy needs to trust Spock and be grounded back to the reality of things. Jim can't be there to quell and compromise for them now. They have to be able to work it out for themselves, and that can only be done together. Kirk trusts them to do so,a nd they prove it. I just love that so much~

...so yeah, that's my favorite XD

[kosmos2999]

Star Trek: The Animted Series 50th Anniversary Episode Review

Episode: The Infinite Vulcan

Season: 1

Episode: 7

Stardate:

Original airdate: October 20, 1973

Written by: Walter Koenig

Directed by: Hal Sutherland

Music by: Yvette Blais and Jeff Michaels

Executive producers: Lou Scheimer and Norm Prescott

Studio: Filmation Associates

Network: NBC

Series created by: Gene Roddenberry

Cast:

Captain James T. Kirk (voice by William Shatner)

Mr. Spock, Spock 2 (voice by Leonard Nimoy)

Dr. Leonard “Bones” McCoy (voice by DeForest Kelly)

Lt. Uhura, Computer Voice (voice by Nichelle Nichols)

Lt. Hikaru Sulu (voice by George Takei)

Eng. Montgomery Scott, Agmar, Dr. Stavos Keniclus 5 (voices by James Doohan)

Nurse Christine Chapel (voice by Majel Barrett)

Synopsis:

The Enterprise is engaged in an exploring mission. A newly discovered planet on the pheripheral portion of the galaxy. An away team composed of Captain Kirk, Doctor McCoy, Mister Spock and Lieutenant Sulu is assembled to being beamed down to this world full of natural beauty but full of mystery.

At the arrival, they have found a city apparently abandoned by its inhabitants. They get confusing signals on their scanners and the readings of a power source on a building in front of them. While his teammates explore the inside of the building, Sulu finds a mobile plant and gets hurt mortally by one of its thorns. Kirk, McCoy and Spock came to his rescue once they listen to his scream for help.

The doctor applies one of his antidotes, but it is useless aganist the plant's poison. Then, a group of plant-like beings suddenly appeared. Their leader, Agmar offers a cure for Sulu but McCoy refusses the help. Kirk accepts the help from the natives and just when they apply their antidote, Sulu recovers very fast.

Agmar, the Phylosian told to the crew that they had an earlier contact with humans. One that brought the an infectious bactery that killed a generation of their own, but he also helped them to survive. As they are entering thru a cave, a flock of dragon-like flying plant-lifeforms attack the Enterprise's crew and kidnap Spock.

The Phylosians got a system that makes phasers not working, then a giant human appeared and the natives made a bow to him. He identifies as Doctor Stavos Keniclus 5, the man who saved the natives from extintion. He told the team that he needs Spock for his plans and also told them to leave the planet.

Kirk orders to beam up the rest of the crew.

On the bridge, Kirk orders Lt. Uhura to investigate any data about Keniclus 5. Meanwhile, the doctor tries to find a way to defend themselves against the plant-lifeforms by using a recepie for a pesticide from his gran-grandfather's farm.

Uhura found a record of a scientist Keniciclus who left the Earth after loosing the Eugenic Wars. Kirk is surprised and trying to guess how he survived after more than 200 years.

Kirk, McCoy and Sulu return to the planet's surface but much prepeared to rescue Spock. The natives brought them to a underground compound where Spock is located.

Inside the cave compound, they encounter again with Keniciclus 5. He reveals himself as the fifth generation clone of the original Dr. Keniciclus. His plan is to imposing peace by strenght to the galaxy by invading every single planet they could. For that reason, he produced a Mr. Spock's clone, Spock 2.

As soon as they learned Keniciclus 5's plans for galactic conquest, a new wave of the dragon-like flying plant-lifeforms made an attack. This time, the team is ready to counter using McCoy's pesticide formula as a weapon.

After a successfully defeat of the flying creatures, Kirk triex to reason with Keniciclus 5 that he is unaware of the present time. That there is no need to continue wars from the past because the Federation had brought peace thru the galaxy. Then Kirk had a conversation with Spock 2 about the illogical action of imposing peace thru strenght. Some that goes against the Vulcan philosophy of infinite diversity in infinite combinations. Something that simbolize the elements of truth and beauty.

Spock 2 asserts Kirk's words and changes his mind. Meanwhile, the original Spock is dying in a chamber because of a memory drain performed by the mad scientist, Keniciclus 5. Spock 2 performs a Vulcan mind meld to help his original self to recover.

At the end, Keniciclus 5 was feeling useless after his plans failed miserably, Kirk and the original Spock convince him to use all of his knowledge and strength to help on the restoring of the Phylosian civilization with the help of Spock 2. All of them agree on that.

Fascinating Facts:

This episode was written by Walter Koenig. Due to budget restrictions, Koenig was not cast for playing the role of Lieutenant Chekov in The Animated series, but he made his collaboration by writing this episode.

The Koenig's main source for inspiration for writing the story was the fact that cloning was a very discussed subject in that time.

The mobile plant-lifeform who attackes Sulu has the name of Retlaw. It is Walter spelled backwards. The idea came from a story of a comic book series where the aliens spoke bakwards.

The first reference to the Vulcan philosophy of Infinite Diversity In Infinite Combinations (or IDIC) was made in the third season episode of The Original Series titled “Is There In Truth No Beauty?” At first, Leonard Nimoy refused the idea for a symbol because he thought Gene Roddenberry's idea for merchandising its pin.

[thegeminisage]

tng update for "elementary dear data" spoilers it's fucking garbage:

this episode is going to make me enter my television to kill dr pulaski. as noted previously, her interrupting geordi and data in the bar just to dunk on data was FUCKING AWFUL enough already but the premise of this entire episode is that she thinks data is a machine and not alive and she's gonna laugh at him when/if he fails to meet her standards

and instead of picard SHUTTING ANY OF THIS DOWN...

look. i get it. beverly was kind of annoying and Womanly and so they wanted a tough love no-nonsense bones 2.0 whose gender didn't have a bearing on her character. and it doesn't! pulaski has not uttered a single word about female and only one time has a bad guy pointed out that she has boobs. however there are a few SHARP differences between this woman and leonard mccoy

firstly, when bones is racist to spock, he's doing it as part of the little game they play. evidence that it's a game is 1. spock always fires back and often draws blood himself and 2. when spock was faced with real bigotry kirk shut it down immediately. since he doesn't tell bones to cram it, one can assume he has either correctly intuited that they're both consenting to, uh, whatever they've got going on, or he had a talk with one or both of them and got the green light. on the other hand, this lady has given data shit on the bridge in front of EVERYONE and picard gave her only the most minor of corrections. data NEVER insults her back and doesn't even always defend himself.

secondly, bones's respect for spock has always been clear. before they became more at ease with one another it was a more professional respect for a fellow coworker and after it was respect for spock's abilities, but there was always respect. bones never doubts spock's ability to do his job unless spock is having an emotion, and even then, what he will tend to cast doubts on is spock's JUDGMENT IN THE MOMENT, not his overall ability based on who he is. bones would never, for example, suggest spock wasn't loyal (like that one ensign did before kirk tore him a new one, or like multiple people suggested in the menagerie) or that he was incapable ("best first officer in the fleet"). meanwhile, pulaski asked "does it even know how to do that" the first time she told data to use the magnifier.

finally, bones is Like That about everyone and everything. he does nothing but complain like his life depends on it. on the other hand, pulaski seems to be picking on data specifically, though to be fair i am only 3 episodes in

like, this is not fond antagonism. it's not even MUTUAL antagonism. she's just fucking being horrible to him as a cheap way to invoke the old/spock energy and it is simply not it

the tragic thing is that i liked BOTH of her characters in tos and i really like her as an actress, she's got a great delivery. and i would have loved a tough love no-nonsense doctor lady whose gender didn't matter re: her character, especially after beverly. i mean let a woman complain! but so far she's had no real complaints about anyone or anything except data!!!!! i want to like her SO BAD and i just can't because she's SO HORRIBLE.

anyway, the premise of this episode is stupid. absolutely let data engage in his special interests but the idea of a holodeck person canonically becoming sentient and then using the ships' computer to endanger the entire ship is ?????

once again, why do you have a holodeck on your ship. also, why are there CHILDREN with this kind of danger...

it also sucks that data IS making all these original cool deductions and That Bitch is not even here to see it. the absolute outrage i am experiencing...

ALSO LMAO. WHEN THEY CUT TO HER TALKING TO MORIARTY. the way she is like. sooo perfectly civil to and impressed by THIS computer simulation but my god get her in a room with data and she immediately starts shitting on him. I'LL KILL HER!!!

and then it's SO STUPID that data doesnt even get to "defeat" moriarty which was the whole point of DOING a godforsaken holodeck ep. picard has to go in to have HIS moment in DATA'S episode???

in fact the final scene is with...picard and geordi so he call tell geordi not to worry about the screwup? instead of data and pulaski talking? instead of data and ANYONE talking?? the whole point was "can data solve a mystery" AND THEN HE DID BUT NO ONE SAW IT. we never got to see pulaski go oops i was wrong! or no that doesn't count i'm still right! i will MURDER. whoever wrote this episode

anyway i fucking hated it. four more to go before we watch 2.08 together............

[yessadirichards]

Sam Waterston to leave 'Law & Order' later this month after 400 episodes

NEW YORK

Sam Waterston, who has played the spiky, no-nonsense district attorney on “Law & Order” since the mid-1990s, is stepping down from his legal perch.

The last episode for Waterston's Jack McCoy will be Feb 22, NBC said. He has been in more than 400 episodes of the police drama, earning a SAG Award and Emmy and Golden Globe nominations for the role.

“The time has come for me to move on and take Jack McCoy with me," Waterston said in a statement. "There's sadness in leaving, but I'm just too curious about what's next. An actor doesn't want to let himself get too comfortable.”

Tony Goldwyn, who starred in “Scandal” and the 1990 film “Ghost,” has been cast as the new district attorney.

McCoy and the prosecutors would take up the legal case once the New York City detectives were finished investigating a crime, representing, as the narrator says, “two separate yet equally important groups.”

McCoy was a brilliant, hard-charging, angel of justice, prone to bouts of moral outrage and slicing right to the truth. “Your grief might seem a little more real had you not just admitted you cut off your wife’s head,” he once told a defendant.

Bushy-browed Waterston began his acting career as a stage actor in New York with a number of Shakespeare roles, including Lear, Hamlet, Polonius, Laertes, Prospero, Leonato, Prince Hal, Silvius, Cloten and Benedict.

That led to Waterston playing Nick Carraway in “The Great Gatsby” opposite Robert Redford, and the role of Tom Wingfield in a television production of Tennessee Williams’ “The Glass Menagerie,” starring Katharine Hepburn, for which he got his first Emmy nod.

Waterston, 83, joined “Law & Order” in season four in 1994 and stayed until the show stopped in 2010, returning for the reboot in 2022.

[respondedinkind]

Whether Khan has reached his desired goal or not, that he still has to find out, to determine based on his own expectations and what he's going to face in the near future; Because yes, he is here, he is back on board of the Enterprise, back after what has been a rather long (and definitely tiring) trial he's been facing over the course of weeks. Again and again he'd told his story, again and again he'd explained the things he's gone through, again and again he's faced humiliation not only from others doubting any of his words, from him having to relive what has happened back during his time at Section 31, but also from the security footage that was brought up as evidence to back up his claims.

Seeing himself being used as an experiment, going through cruel tests, hearing his own voice grunt and shout, sometimes scream, had taken a toll on him. Between those moments, next to the ones where people trying to defend Admiral Marcus were basically spitting on him, he'd resided in a cell, very much similar to the one he'd resided in for almost a whole year. He hadn't been allowed to go out, hadn't been allowed to do anything outside the four walls that had kept him inside... but at least he'd gotten food, medical care (albeit not needed) and had been treated rather humanely, all things considered.

And now? He's here. Captain Kirk as well as Mister Spock, and even Doctor McCoy, had spoken at the trial - all of their combined knowledge as well as the found evidence had, in the end, allowed Khan to leave with what could be considered a good-ending to a live-long story. Kirk's offer to take Khan upon the Enterprise had, surprisingly so, been accepted by court; Perhaps because they've seen what he can do, that he had designed a whole space-ship that had been two times the size and three times the speed of the Enterprise for as long as it had existed. That he had managed to make it much more efficient, riddled with improved technology humans hadn't achieved to control on such advanced levels yet.

And perhaps the fact that Khan had worked together with Captain Kirk, managed to literally fly through space with nothing on them both besides a space suit, entering the other ship and stopping Marcus from eradicating another ship's whole crew, had also greatly improved the likeness of them accepting the deal. A lot of factors to consider, a lot of good arguments to bring up - but without previously mentioned Kirk, Spock and McCoy speaking well of him, Khan's sure he still wouldn't have gotten the chance to be accepted as a living being rather than a world-ending killing machine.

Here he is, however. He's been allowed to be here. On probation, of course; In exchange for sharing his knowledge, for being of assistance wherever needed, for improving the Enterprise's systems and keeping people save should danger face them. Required to send a protocol down to earth every couple of weeks, telling what exactly he's been doing, why he's been doing it, and every single one of those protocols need to be signed by either Captain Kirk, Mister Spock or Doctor McCoy.

Next to all of that, he'd also offered to have medical professionals take a look at him; He's special, after all, his blood literally heals other people from almost every disease known to man. He's much faster, stronger, more durable than any human, his biology is similar yet different and his genes are perhaps something every doctor ever strifes to hold between their own fingers at some point of their lives. Everything is strictly confidental, obviously, since Admiral Marcus had already tried to use his interesting physique to create super soldiers made to be successful at a war against the Klingons---

---Well. As said, he's here now. More precisely so, Khan has just stepped into MedBay; Two security guards are with him, even though he's trusted, technically so. Perhaps they just want to make sure he's not going rogue from the very beginning; It's an improvement, because last time he'd been in MedBay, the Captain had asked six of those redshirts to be by his side at all times.

Now, though? As soon as they deliver him, they leave, and Khan is left behind standing in the middle of a room, facing a young woman that looks surprisingly... surprised to see him. As if she had expected something, or someone, else. He wonders what they'd told her he would be - perhaps they'd mentioned his heritage, his kin, the race he's belonging to, known to only the most important Starfleet Admirals, all files strictly forbidden to ever be looked into. For other people, said race is only just a rumor, something parents tell their children at night to make them behave and never do something stupid, because otherwise earth might be eradicated.

He knows she's waiting for him. There's no doubt about it.

"I'm exactly where they want me to be.", is what Khan decides to reply just after she's spoken; His expression is calm, collected, free of most emotions, his voice deep and sonorous, yet as even as the rest of him is. Blue eyes focus on her, linger on her own irises, take in the sight without faltering... or even blinking once, for the matter. He does not move either, just... keeps standing there.

"---And I'm positive that I am the one you expect to be here."

As disappointing as it might be to her - Khan is that precise patient she's been speaking about, looking the way he does; Less impressive than what her mind must have created when hearing about him.

@respondedinkind

First Contact {a plotted starter}

She did not join Star Fleet with visions of exploration dancing in her head. There was no real wonder what the galaxy might hold, what truths had yet to be discovered, and what civilisations Earth could learn from. Those were her mother's desires. She did not join Star Fleet to subjugate new worlds, to bring them under one authority and to share ~a euphemism as old as the idea of humankind itself~ resources for the betterment of a handful of people. That was what the Admiral worked tirelessly toward. And Star Fleet could not give her back the thing she coveted the most, the part of her that has been missing for the better part of a decade. No, she'd joined because it was expected of her; a duty and a fulfilment of a family legacy. There wasn't much she could argue about. She also had no actual intention to go into space. She would have preferred to remain on Earth, even in San Francisco. Closer to home than where she is now. The sea might be just as dark, might be just as cold but it was not a void. An endless expanse that contained so very little life. So why is she here? Aboard the Enterprise? Special project, they said, though to be honest, she isn't sure who they are. They had gotten Doctor McCoy to speak with her about the assignment and at first she might have fainted dead away. It wasn't til he opened his mouth ~same depth, timber but definitely not what she was expecting~ that the illusion is broken but she's already committed, isn't she? Chosen for her intellect, her range of skills and hobbies, and her relative obscurity. They know her parents and have seen how little contact she has with them. They have her brother's records and the name of the world he'd died on. And now they have her trapped in space, after signing her life away in triplicate, NDAs that come with prison time if they're broken. With a new patient she knows relatively little about. They tell her he is an alien species, but not what kind. They promise her she is in no danger even if the being is potentially monstrous, a destroyer of worlds. They give her a designation. Not even a name. They tell her to go along with whatever the rest of the crew is told and just how to file her reports. They tell her McCoy will be her immediate commanding officer. They tell her a lot of things, honestly, and some of it goes above and beyond her. Her shuttle docks and they show her to the lab she will be working in, an entire section more or less to herself, with labs, diagnostic and research stations, a surgical suite, and her own personal quarters. She has an official cover story as well. It takes her half as much time as the week given to her to settle in. She hears her door slide open. And that's when they bring him, the Alien. She expects some other-worldly creature. Some hulking thing with dripping mandibles and an exo-skeleton made of Rodinium. She expects an entire security detachment or twelve, with phasers set to anything other than stun. She expects... Not this. Okay so he's tall. But then, that's not a very impressive feat in comparison. Hair dark as a moonless night. Eyes that glacial hue between blue and green that's difficult to name, but that bite with a remote sort of chill. By human standards, high cheekbones, northern European skin tone, a nice mouth and.... And she takes a moment to lean to one side, trying valiantly peer around him. Then again to the other side ~he has impeccable posture and broad shoulders~ before her focus returns to his face. Except for the black uniform undershirt lacking rank or occupational colours, this...man... could be anyone. "Forgive me for maybe being out of line but..." Her hands clasp so that only her index fingers pressed together remain upright. They are tapped against her lips twice before she turns them in his direction, pointing. "I think you might be in the wrong place. I'm waiting for my new patient."

[strafethesesinners]

Sergeant Heath McCoy

Quick summary: After his older brother Cooper’s disappearance in 2007, when Heath was just 13, their parents vowed to make up for their perceived mistakes which they believed led to Cooper’s “deviance.” They put intense pressure on Heath to be perfect, wanting him to become their replacement oldest son. As a consequence, Heath excelled at both academics and sports, mainly football, and became a strict rule follower and perfectionist. He joined the army (branch tbd) after high school and reached the rank of sergeant before leaving and joining the Drug Enforcement Agency. While his parents were proud of him, they didn’t know that Heath had an ulterior motive for his career choice. Heath had worshipped his older brother and was devastated when he left without saying goodbye. Their parents had told him Cooper had become addicted to drugs and had fallen in with bad people and turned violent and therefore they felt it wasn’t safe for him to be around the rest of the family anymore. Heath never knew the truth, but he was determined to find Cooper somehow, and eventually is able to track him down through his position at the DEA.

Small snippet below the cut, a little bit after Heath and Cooper reunite:

Cooper sat in the tiny holding cell in the Hope County sheriff’s department, minding sifting through the options for his future. It didn’t look good. He already wouldn’t be allowed to post bail since he was such a flight risk, and he wasn’t sure how long it would take to get a lawyer and a trial date and all that. He had money but since all of it was made illegally, Cooper wasn’t sure if it would be seized or if he would be allowed to use any of it to pay for a good defender. The more he thought about it, the more Cooper kicked himself for not looking into these things ahead of time, because, as he was now realizing, it was more or less inevitable that he would be caught. Cooper leaned forward with his head in his hands as the bleakness of his outlook started to suffocate him.

“Cooper.”

He looked up. Heath stood outside the cell, a few feet away as if worried Cooper might reach through the bars and strangle him, which in fairness, Cooper felt like he might do just that. Out of every scenario Cooper had pictured for his future, he never imagined his own little brother arresting him.

“What?” he said gruffly, glaring at Heath who met his gaze steadily with a look on his face almost identical to the one their dad used to wear when he was disappointed.

“Look, I know you’re not happy about this,” Heath said, “but it’s for the best.”

“Oh yeah?” Cooper scoffed.

“Yes, this way I know exactly where you are….and I know you’ll be safe.”

“Safe? As soon as Silas—as soon as my old gang finds out where I’m at they’ll send someone to kill me. I stole a bunch o’ shit from ‘em, they ain’t lettin’ that go.”

“I won’t let that happen.”

“What, you gonna come with me?”

“No,” Heath said calmly, though with a hint of irritation in his voice, “but I have some pull, I can make sure you’re well guarded.”

“Oh yeah, tell everyone I’m the brother of a DEA agent, that's a good idea.”

“Cooper, you broke the law!” Heath snapped suddenly, “this is happening because of the choices you made.”

“Guess I shoulda joined the army like you huh?” Cooper couldn’t keep the contempt from his tone, “Or get some stupid nine to five job or somethin?” he shook his head, folding his arms, “I’d rather fuckin’ kill myself.”

“Well you’ve had one here for the last year haven’t you?” Heath said with exasperation, “was it really that bad?”

Cooper went quiet while he pondered this.

“No…..no I guess it weren’t too bad,” he said after a while, “but I wouldn’t wanna do it forever.” He sighed and gave Heath a small smile. “I’m sorry, I know you’re just doin’ your job.”

Heath returned the smile hesitantly, but there was a sadness in his hazel eyes.

“I’m sorry too, Cooper,” he said, “but I really am trying to help you.”

Cooper’s anger flared again but this time he swallowed it back down.

“Well, if you really wanted to help,” he growled out, “you could let me go.”

“Are you serious?” Heath said, incredulous, “I’d lose my job, and end up in jail too!”

“Naw, you wouldn’t,” Cooper said, grinning, “cause I’d take you with me.”

“You’re crazy.”

“We could totally do it!” Cooper said excitedly, standing up, “whaddya say?”

“Cooper, I can’t just leave my family like that.”

“If you’re worried about Mom and Dad—“

“Not Mom and Dad,” Heath said impatiently, “I’m married. I have a kid.”

“What?” Cooper gasped, the shock knocking him back to his seat.

“Yup,” said Heath, he took his phone from his pocket and showed Cooper the lock screen photo. A beaming Hispanic woman with long dark hair held a chubby toddler on her lap. “That’s my wife, Annie, and our son: Tristan Cooper McCoy.”

Cooper stared at the photo. His brain felt like it was buffering; trying to process this overload of new information. He was an uncle.

“You….you named him after me?” Cooper felt tears rising in the back of his eyes as his heart filled with a bittersweet ache.

“Well, after her father first and then yeah, after you,” Heath smiled, “dad wasn’t too happy about that.”

Cooper tried to smile back but his lip trembled as a few tears started to run down his cheeks as quickly as he could wipe them away.

“Sorry,” he said with a sniffle, “he um, he looks like you.”

“Yeah a bit,” Heath said, looking fondly at his phone once before returning it to his pocket. “He’s a handful.”

“So were you.”

They both laughed this time, although Cooper felt so guilty it was like a physical pain in his chest.

“Heath,” he started to say, “I—“

“McCoy!”

Both brothers looked around as the federal marshal, Cameron Burke, entered the room.

“We’re heading out to arrest that Joseph Seed,” Burke spoke to Heath, ignoring Cooper completely, “would you be up for an assist? Local team could use an extra hand since uh….they’re short one officer.” He spared a quick glance Cooper’s way.

“Yeah, I guess I could…” Heath said with a shrug.

“Don’t,” Cooper said, suddenly worried, “please.”

Heath hesitated, looking between his brother and the marshal.

“I should go, Cooper,” he said, “I’m sure it’ll be fine.”

“Heath, listen to me, this Joseph guy….his followers, there’s a lot more goin’ on there than it looks like.”

Heath frowned, “like what?”

“I don’t exactly but they got guns n’ shit, I just think you should wait. Take some more people with you.”

“Sheriff says you’re sleeping with one of them,” Burke interrupted, “Joseph’s brother right? John?”

Cooper flushed as Heath raised his eyebrows at him, “is that true?”

“I, um,” Cooper fumbled for the right words, “ok yes I am but—“

“You’re just trying to protect your boyfriend,” Burke said snorting, “come on, Sergeant, let’s go.”

“No I’m tryin’ to protect my brother,” Cooper snapped.

Heath blinked at him.

“That ship sailed a long time ago, Cooper,” he said sadly, but with a bitter edge to his voice, “I’ll be fine. We’ll figure out what to do with you when we get back.”

And Cooper watched Heath walk away with the marshal, a horrible sense of dread washing over him, and feeling, for the second time in his life, the acute fear that he might never see his little brother again.

[high-functioning-lokipath]

Star Trek - Leonard "Bones" McCoy x reader - Southern Charm - Words: 3,556

A/N: While I did write this with TOS in mind, I do believe it is fairly AOS compliant as well. Enjoy!

"Lieutenant Commander Y/N L/N, Chief Medical Officer of the Starship Serenity."

"Welcome aboard the Enterprise, Doctor L/N. I'm Captain James T. Kirk. This is my first officer, Commander Spock and our CMO, Doctor McCoy. We're looking forward to having you as the first trainee in the Starship Exchange Training program."

"Pleasure to meet you all. And I'm looking forward to it as well," You replied, stepping off the transporter pad. You gave the Captain a handshake, the First Officer a Vulcan salute and then turned to the grumpy looking CMO.

"How old are you?" He demanded to know.

"Old enough," You assured him, crossing your arms. "Why do you ask?"

"Just don't see many youngsters like you with that rank," He trailed off, leaving the statement open ended.

"Well, I happen to be an outlier. Or haven't you heard of that, Doctor? Besides, I'm not that young," You replied, curtly. You didn't often become confrontational this quickly but questions on your age and suspicions on how you got your rank were a sore spot for you.

"Just because I have to train you doesn't mean I have to like it," McCoy grumbled.

"I never asked you to." You quickly grabbed your bag that was transported with you and walked to the doors. Just before you stepped out to the hallway, you turned back around. "Captain, Commander, have a good evening. I am looking forward to working with you two over the next few weeks. Don't worry, I know where my quarters are. Doctor, I will see you at 6."

As you unpacked your bag, you thought over what happened in the transporter room. You had really been looking forward to this training and you had heard many great things about the Doctor. Of course, you had also heard he was a bit of a grump, but you hadn't thought it was this bad! You decided to stay in your room for the rest of that evening, as it was already late when you arrived, and try for a fresh start in the morning.

"Are you out of your mind? I'm a doctor, not an assassin!"

"I was simply saying, Doctor McCoy, that Starfleet medical personnel are completely untrained in self defense techniques! We are trained to save lives, not take them. That I completely agree with. But we must also be trained how to defend and disable. Defend ourselves, disable our opponents. Otherwise we may become a hindrance to any away missions we get assigned on!"

"Look, even if you're right, and you're not, when would we have the time to train?" He yelled. "Have you ever been to medical school? Do you know how stressful that is?"

"Of course I went to med school! I happened to graduate top of my class! And I remember very clearly how stressful it is! But they need to make it work! Even another month would be enough for most!"

"Another month?" He screeched. He raked his fingers through his hair and rubbed his forehead. "Look, I have plenty of training to defend myself in the field. Let's just agree to disagree and get this over with."

"Alright, Doctor," You sighed. The first 2 weeks of training slowly passed with the only change in attitude being on your side. You'd gotten to disliking the Doctor as much as he disliked you. Every day you trained was near constant arguing and insulting.

Unbeknownst to you, Kirk had started taking bets from the senior crew members on when in the final week you two would get together. Whoever won would get 3 days vacation. The current bets on Kirk's paper were:

Uhura: As she steps on the transporter to leave Thursday

Scotty: Monday

Chekov: End of shift Tuesday

Sulu: Beginning of shift Wednesday

Spock: At precisely 07:35 in the evening Friday

Kirk looked oddly at Spock when he submitted his estimate. "Spock, you do realize she is scheduled to leave Thursday afternoon."

"Yes, Jim."

"So why-"

"I have my reasons."

"Logical, I'm sure."

"Quite. Now if you'll excuse me, I'm needed in engineering."

"Ok, Spock. But don't get your hopes high about any vacation!"

Monday: Scotty's Day

You got up early and headed down to the rec room to get breakfast. Usually you had breakfast in your room but this morning, oddly enough, Scotty had invited you to join him for breakfast. Once you entered the rec room you mentally groaned. Of course McCoy would be there!

"Good morning, Scotty," You greeted, walking up to his table which was unfortunately right next to Kirk, Spock, and McCoy's table.

"Aye! And an even lovelier morning with you here, lassie!" You blushed slightly, surprised at the engineer's comment.

"Oh please!" You scoffed. You were about to walk away to the replicators to get your food when Spock cleared his throat.

"I believe Mister Scott is correct, Doctor. Your hair and makeup accentuate your natural beauty quite well."

"Spock!" You, Kirk and McCoy gasped at the same time.

"Look here," You finally said, gathering your composure. "I appreciate a compliment here and there but really! I'm going to go get my breakfast and I don't want to hear one more peep out of any of you when I return! Understand?" They all nodded and stuck to their word, not another compliment for the rest of the day.

Tuesday - Chekov's Day

Your shift had gone fairly well. Training with Doctor McCoy was finally becoming almost bearable and there hadn't been any major disasters. "Doctor, was there anything else you needed me for today?" You asked, stepping into the open doorway of his office.

"No, you can go if you'd like," He sighed, not lifting his eyes from his PADD.

"Is something troubling you, Doctor?"

"Just a lot of paperwork, darlin'," He said absently. You blushed brightly and he quickly tried to correct himself. "I mean, Doctor. Sorry." He finally looked at you, face as red as yours. You nodded and attempted to make a hasty exit but you ran into a gold blur.

"Oh! Ezcuze me!" Chekov quickly said, helping you up. "I'm wery sorry! Are you hurt?"

"Only my pride, Pavel," You replied, dusting yourself off.

"What in blazes happened out here?" McCoy yelled, stomping out.

"Oh nothing, Doctor," You assured him.

"Well watch where you're going next time!" He ordered. With that he marched back to his office and closed the doors. You sighed and wished Chekov goodnight before leaving.

"No vacation," Chekov mumbled softly before leaving Medbay too.

Wednesday - Sulu's Day

You walked into Medbay to start your shift only to find Sulu already there. "What are you doing here so early?" You asked. "Your check-up isn't for another 45 minutes."

"I wanted to make sure I got here on time. You know how it is on the bridge sometimes," He chuckled. You nodded and chuckled lightly. You checked the schedule on the PADD and noticed the Ensign before him had cancelled.

"Well, Sulu, you just managed to get an early appointment. Step on up!" You had him sit on the nearest biobed and grabbed your Tricorder. As you started running over the usual check-up points, Dr. McCoy walked in.

"You're here early," He commented. Sulu nodded and you explained what happened. "Alright. Y/N, I'm going to leave you to it. I have a headache this morning and I think I'll just sit in my office for a bit with the lights down." You looked at him a little better, noticing how exhausted he looked. His hair was a mess and there were dark bags under his eyes. He may be a pain but he was still human and you felt for him.

"Did you need me to get you anything, Doctor?" You asked. He shook his head but groaned at the movement. "Just comm me if you need anything." He made a noise of agreement and you went on with Sulu's checkup.

Thursday - Uhura's Day

"Good morning, Y/N," Uhura greeted you in the turbolift on your way to Medbay.

"Good morning, Uhura," You replied abit sadly.

"You alright, sweetheart?"

"I'm going to miss you all. I love my ship and my crew, don't get me wrong, but," You trailed off, unsure of how to explain yourself.

"You don't feel like family there?" She filled in. You nodded slightly. "Oh honey, I understand. Don't feel bad, alright? Who knows! Maybe you'll get a transfer one day even!"

"That would be nice I guess," You admitted. The doors swooshed open and as you stepped out, Dr. McCoy walked by.

"Doctor L/N," He said, sounding somewhat frustrated. "I need you to gather all the anti-toxin hypos we have."

"Of course. Is everything alright?"

"Spock just told me we're going on a mission tomorrow. He should have told me at least 2 days ago. The new colony on Oliza 6 sent out a distress call about 1 week ago saying that something was wrong. They said some of the younger people were having strange reactions to some of the foods."

"That's odd. Isn't the food on a planet usually tested first?"

"Yes but apparently they forgot to test on the younger adults. Blasted regulations. Test one adult you've tested them all." At this point you had nodded a silent goodbye to Uhura and started walking with Doctor McCoy down the hall. "Let's see if we can't find out what's on that planet and run some tests of our own. Might save some time."

"Doctor?" You said, somewhat hesitantly.

"Yes?"

"I do have to go back to my ship this afternoon. I," you paused. McCoy had finally started to be nice with you and now you had to go. You didn't want to upset him again on your last day. "I'll help as much as I can on the tests of course, Doctor, but I-"

"No, no," He said with a sigh. "I didn't realize it was Thursday." He smiled slightly and put his hand on your shoulder. "If you tell anyone what I'm about to say, I'll have to kill you," He joked. "Your work has been excellent. Your skill set is beyond your years and please don't take that wrong. You've impressed me." You blushed at his praise. "Of course, I still don't agree with the extra combat training," He added. You rolled your eyes and he chuckled. "But I guess you're not so bad."

"Well thank you, Doctor. I, uh, I guess I'll get the hypos for you now."

"Oh, um, yes, thank you," he replied somewhat awkwardly. The rest of your shift went about the same. You and the Doctor awkwardly dancing around each other. Eventually, though, the time came for you to finish packing, and leave the Enterprise.

As you headed to the transporter room, Uhura came running up to you with a small package in her hands. "What's this?" You asked.

"Oh, just a little going away present that a few of us put together for you."

"That's really sweet of you. Thanks so-"

"Bridge to Lt. Uhura," The Captain's voice rang through her comm.

"Duty calls!" She exclaimed. "Keep in touch!"

"Will do!" You replied, heading off to the transporters. Once you got there though, you saw Scotty talking to the Captain through the comm. He seemed upset about something.

"But Captain! I-"

"Scotty, we need to help that colony. There's no time."

"Aye, Captain. Scott out," He sighed. "I cannae believe 'at."

"What's wrong?"

"Oh, lassie. I'm so sorry! The Captain just got an emergency message from Oliza 6. We're heading there straight away."

"So I'll be staying another night?"

"At least." Your brows furrowed in thought. While you did want to get back to your ship to start your transfer application, a few more days here was not all that bad.

"Ok," You replied. Scotty seemed surprised. "I'll just take this back to my room and then head to Medbay. They'll probably need me handy."

"Aye. I'll let the Captain and Doctor know." You nodded in reply and headed off. When you returned to Medbay, you could have sworn you saw a look of relief on McCoy's face.

"Doctor L/N," McCoy said. "I'm putting you in charge of Medbay for the time being." Your eyebrows raised in surprise. "Jim's put me on the landing party and you technically are the next ranking medical officer on this ship."

"Well, thank you, I guess," You said. "Have you made any progress on the tests?"

"I believe so," He pulled up some test results on his PADD and showed them to you. "The hobgoblin ended up helping me but he was actually of some use." He looked around furtively. "Don't tell him I said so though."

"I promise," you said seriously. You stared at each other for a moment before you both broke out into a fit of laughter.

"Really though, the fruits on Oliza 6 seem to be causing a buildup of adrenaline in their systems causing aggression, anxiety and heart problems."

"Hm, interesting."

"That's what the hobgoblin said," McCoy grunted. You chuckled and he finished explaining their plan to administer hypos to everyone. The comm suddenly whistled.

"Bridge to Dr. McCoy," Uhura said.

"Yes, Lieutenant?" He replied.

"The Captain is preparing to beam down now and would like you to meet him in the transporter room."

"Alright, I'm on my way." You followed the Doctor as he gathered a few last minute items from his office. When he grabbed his phaser from his desk you couldn't help yourself.

"Doctor, that phaser is last year's model. Didn't you get your new one?"

"Oh, must not've. I'll ask Scotty for one." He grabbed his communicator and flipped it open. "McCoy to Scott."

"Scott here. Whaddya need, Doctor?"

"L/N said my phaser is old. Got a new one for me?"

"Sure do, Doc. I'll have her all polished up for ya when ya get to the transporters. Just remember, this one's a wee bit more powerful than the last. She's got a bit of a kick!"

"Don't worry, Scotty, I'm sure I can handle it. McCoy out." You looked worriedly at him because, knowing his views on defense training and based on what he said, this new phaser would throw him for a loop.

"Doctor, perhaps you should just stay with your old pha-"

"Doctor L/N," He said stiffly. "I do not want to hear anything more about training. I am perfectly capable of defending myself. Please do not worry yourself. Now if you'll excuse me, I have a mission to attend to. Do you think you'll be able to handle Medbay while I'm gone?"

"Of course, Doctor McCoy," You snapped. You heard the Medbay doors swoosh closed and sighed, leaning on he's desk in his office. You closed the office doors and locked them, needing a moment to gather yourself. "Gah! That man is so annoying!" You yelled to yourself. "If he doesn't get himself killed on this mission-" you left your threat unfinished. "Oh! I could just kiss him," You seethed. "I mean, kick." You paused, mid-pace, and shook your head vigorously. Your brain had apparently taken a left turn without telling you. "Did I seriously just-and now I'm talking to myself. Ok, Y/N, get yourself together. You'll figure it out later." You finished your little pep talk and headed back out.

The first few hours were fine. One or two clumsy engineers with a few cuts and bruises. A sniffle here and a headache there. It was actually somewhat relaxing. You decided to be a little helpful and got some paperwork done for Dr. McCoy. As you sat in his office tapping away on your PADD, you found yourself lost in thought. You hoped he wouldn't be upset that you did some extra work for him. "That's not what I asked you to do, Doctor!" You mocked under your breath. Chuckling slightly you continued your quiet monologue, "Oh wouldn't he be upset if I ran a report on him. He definitely is overworked. He'd come in here, yelling and screaming in that adorable southern accent of his, and he would proba-" You interrupted yourself again. Staring off for a second, realizing what you just said. "Adorable? Good grief. I'm either unconscious or demented."

The rest of the shift went fairly well and you heard that the landing party was making good progress too. Finally you turned everything over to the night shift doctor and went to your quarters to get some rest before your shift began again in the morning. Your sleep that night was restless, though, and when your alarm went off you didn't think you had slept a wink.

Friday - Spock's Day

"Good morning, Doctor L/N," one of the nurses greeted you as you walked into Medbay.

"Good morning," You replied tiredly. "Anything on the schedule?" You asked as you got a cup of coffee from the replicator.

"No. Just a couple of vaccines that the nurses can take care of."

"Good. I'll be in the office if you need me then."

"Are you alright, Doctor?"

"Fine. Just couldn't sleep last night."

"Oh, I understand. I'm worried about Dr. McCoy too. As I understand, the reaction the youths are having is fairly viol-"

"I am not worried about the good doctor!" You yelled, angrily. "Just in case you didn't notice, he's not exactly my type. And even if he was, that is no concern of yours, nurse!"

"Permission to speak freely, Doctor?" She asked with a slight smirk.

"Of course," You replied, rubbing your forehead. "I'm not the dang Captain." She giggled lightly before replying.

"That's exactly what McCoy would say. No go get some rest. We'll hold down the fort, Doctor." With that she walked off to get a few things prepped for the day. As you walked into the office and sat down, you thought about her observation.

"Well butter my butt and call me a biscuit."

A few hours later, after a short nap and another cup of coffee, you were reorganizing the supply room when Scotty called through on the comm. "Doctor L/N! We're gonna need a team down here immediately! The captain and Dr. McCoy were injured and we're beaming them aboard right now!"

"Ok, Scotty, we'll be right there, how serious is it?" You replied. Chills had run up your spine when he said Dr. McCoy had been injured but you kept yourself focused.

"The Captain's not too bad. I think he said a broken arm. Doctor McCoy though. He's in pretty rough shape."

"Alright. L/N out," You signed off. You started to grab emergency supplies and sent the emergency team down to the transporter room. Just like Scotty said, McCoy was in critical condition by the time you saw him. He was completely unconscious, had multiple broken ribs, a broken right arm, a fractured left leg, and a concussion. After about 3 hours in surgery, he was finally patched up. You looked at the chronometer and saw it was about 3 in the afternoon. Deciding that you needed to talk to him as soon as he woke, you opted to sit guard on a chair next to his bed.

"Doctor L/N?" A nurse called out. You opened your eyes with a start. Looking at the chronometer again you realized another 4 hours had passed.

"Has he woken up?" The nurse nodded. "Well why didn't you wake me?" You whisper yelled, not wanting to wake him now.

"For the same reason you're whispering now. He didn't want to wake you." You shook your head and looked back at him sleeping on the biobed. "His vitals are good and he will likely make a full recovery in about a week."

"Oh no! This doctor is getting a prescription for some real R&R for at least a month. He's been far too overworked." You immediately grabbed the PADD with his chart information and put him on medical leave for a month. The nurse smiled at you and shook her head.

"You know, you're technically off duty now. You can head back to your quarters."

"I think I'll stay here a bit longer," You said slowly, a blush rising to your cheeks.

"I thought so," She nodded. You settled back down in the chair and got a bit more paperwork done on your PADD. Looking at the chronometer again you saw it just turned to 7:33pm. You heard a groan from the bed and saw the Doctor waking up.

"Well hello there, darlin'," He smirked.

"Hello, Dr. McCoy," You smiled.

"Oh for Pete's sake, would you please just call me Leonard!"

"I'll consider it," You grinned. You stared at him for a moment, realizing again just how scared you had been.

"You alright, Y/N?"

"I was just so scared, Leonard," You admitted. "I wasn't sure if I'd ever be able to tell you-" you stopped mid-sentence, nervous to continue.

"Tell me what?" You decided to chance it so you bent over and gave him a quick kiss. Standing up quickly, you looked away embarrassed. "Well, I'm not sure I understood. Can I hear that again?" He smirked. You smiled and leaned forward again for another kiss. You vaguely heard the doors open but neither you nor Leonard paid attention.

"So, any plans for your 3 days vacation, Spock?"

[objection-argumentative]

Opposing Counsel

Isla-22

@teamsladsandgents​

Rafael was very proud to watch his only daughter graduate from Hudson University Law School. He was ecstatic when she graduated top of her class and is valet Victorian. However, nothing could prepare him for the situation Rafael found himself in now. He and the squad had found compelling evidence against Albert Beck for being the pattern 17 rapist. Beck was in the box talking to you and the new guy Carisi when he said the magic words. "I want a lawyer, Now!" you look at each other and leave the room, waiting for his lawyer to arrive. Rafael was pissed at how smug Beck was with the rapes; Rafael was out for blood. Isla walked into the squad room in a black skirt suit, hair tied in a ponytail with a briefcase in hand.

"Isla, what are you doing here? Is everything ok?" you ask, worried that something has happened to her on her first day as a lawyer. "Princesa, what a nice surprise! how was your first day?" Rafael kissed her cheek, but before she could answer, Sonny came towards you. "Hey Doll, I'm gonna be a while tonight. Go home ill see you there" he moves in for a peck which makes your husbands eye twitch and nostrils flare. "Detectives, counsellor. Can you please lead me to my client Albert Beck? We need to have a chat." Your blood ran cold with shock; Rafael was livid."Isla Barba, you can not be serious in defending this scumbag." "Innocent until proven guilty, Daddy." all three of you were stunned. Neither you nor your husband was happy that all of your children were defence lawyers. None of the boys would take on a case from manhattan SVU as they didn't want to piss off you or their dad. Isla had a big brass ego and the balls to match to go head to head with her father. "Right this way, counsellor," A new detective pulled your daughter away and into the box. Both yourself and your husband watched from behind the glass to make sure she was ok.

"Y/N, what the hell is going on. Why has she taken on this case?" Rafael pleaded with you. "I have no idea. Even the boys told her to never accept a case from our unit, and she agreed something is definitely wrong." Isla comes out of the box and lets a detective know that they are ready for the ADA. You and Rafael enter the box and try to negotiate a plea deal, but Beck didn't want it.

every night of the trail, Rafael would come home to you in a sort of broken state that he was up against his daughter, and she was winning. " Do you think that she was forced to take this case? No way she would go against me like this. She is my Princesa." In Carisi apartment, every night, he would hold Isla as she cried into his arms. "Sonny, my dad hates me. I had to take the case, or Buchanan would fire me,"  Sonny rubbed soothing circles into her back as she cried. "Doll, he is your dad. He loves you. He just is confused as to why your up against him." Isla cried herself to sleep every night of the trial.

*Jury Delivery*

" The charge of Rape we find the defendant Albert Beck not guilty" "The charge of statutory rape we find the defendant Albert Beck not guilty" "The charge of petit larceny we find the defendant Albert Beck Guilty." the full room broke out in either their cries of sorrows or their celebratory cheers. Rafael and the squad are devastated for the victims. You see Isla shake Beck's hand and congratulate him. You all leave the courthouse. Isla walks over to you and the squad. "Daddy, wanna go for a drink?" "Later, Isla." Rafael walked away into the crowd. You pulled her into an embrace, and she pushes you away and walks in the opposite direction to her father.

*Later that Night* You and your husband were sat in awkward silence in Isla and Sonny's apartment when there was a knock on the door, and Sonny jumped up to answer it.

"Well, Barba, you proved yourself to me, But your job is never safe. You will always be up against your daddy." John Buchanan boomed out in his usual prick voice. "John, why are you doing this?" Isla pleaded with tears in her eyes while Buchanan laughed. "Barba, with you going up against your father, It will destroy him, and that will be great for the company and me. Finally, Rafael Barba, a shell of a man." Rafael got up, stalked around to the arrogant prick and punched him right in the mouth. "John, I quit. Nobody hurts my dad." the lawyer got up and left the apartment angry. "Daddy, I'm sorry" Isla hugged your husband. "Princesa, so I'm I, I didn't hear you out today" He brought her into his chest and rubbed her back. "I will call Jack McCoy in the morning Princesa; There will be a Job waiting for you Monday." "Thank you, Daddy." You look at your husband and your daughter with a smile. You know that everything will be good from now on.

[slate-skylar]

Slate had come over when he'd felt Cress's eyes land on him; something about the hair on the back of his neck standing up, telling him he was being watched, but not just by the Gamemakers and the other tributes. Cress could handle herself, and that was why he'd watched for a few moments, hearing their words from beyond the edge of the mat, arms crossed over his chest. He felt a mix of pride and anger; pride in Cress, her strength, and anger at Ezra, who dared to provoke her. Ezra couldn't know the extra weight Cress carried right now, but he was a Career, he had his full asshole core on display, and Slate wanted to see her take him down.

But something shifted -- I told you to stop -- Cress tumbling more fiercely, savagely, her hands wrapping around his throat, and he continued to stand there, knowing she could more than hold her own in this fight, not caring to step in himself. She didn't need him. But then Ezra's hand was on her back, and Slate could see that he was whispering something; his thumb moving along her spine; he sprung into action then, because she could defend herself, she could hold her own, but she didn't have to.

He jumped onto the mat, and things had slowed, Ezra no longer fighting back and a Peacekeeper's watchful eyes close by; but he crouched down, fully Slate Flint, the boy from the Seam, protecting himself and his own. "Get your fucking hands off her, McCoy," he hissed, and his hand landed on top of Ezra's, grabbing his fingers and pulling them back, taking advantage of the element of surprise to wrench his hand free from Cress's back. That was the offense, after all.

@cress-meadowforge

What are you going to do? Cress had heard men ask that before. Their leering, their teeth and tongues and hands. Here, in this context, it was as though Ezra had peered into her heart and pulled forth her greatest fear, her deepest grief: that Slate would fight in the arena while she watch, helpless, from a screen. It had been that knowledge -- the impending, inevitable nature of it -- that had sparked her desperation, the scramble to draw together ranks around him, to lay bare before the rebels of the Tower and beg for their help. It was what kept her up at night, pacing Twelve. And it was what filled her with panic -- bone-deep, blood cold. The kind that Slate had encountered when he invoked Cressida, when he opened a half-healed wound she thought long closed. And now, Ezra had pressed his fingers against it. He was cleaving into scar tissue, tearing her in two. "Fuck you," her claws sank further, like they had on the leather couch, when Miller had looked at her so cruelly, so cold. "How dare you."

What are you going to do? Cress hit the mat, and it jostled something loose. An anger, which had been packed down, tucked tightly away, as was polite. As was expected of her. But this was a threat: against her, against Slate, against their family. What could she do? He was right. They would be in there, and she would be stuck. Trapped, always. A bird in a cage, forced to watch as the Capitol took and took and took. "I told you to stop--" They spilled across the floor, and instead of scrambling free, Cress lunged, coiling her hands around his throat, vying to get above him, to stake her seat.

[starfleetbotanist]

For @hlabounty96

Jaylah had known family. She'd had it once, with her mother and father. And she had it again now, thanks to James T and Montgomery Scotty and the rest. But it was different. Could she really rely on them the way they said she could?

She found out on the day of the first big command program obstacle course. She had been doing what she had to, had discussed the logistics of it with James T for weeks beforehand.

Everything was going smoothly, until one of the other students purposefully jerked the fallen branch they were having to run over when she was almost at the edge, causing her to topple. She'd spun, gripping the branch briefly, and managed to kick the other student before she fell into the ravine. The last thing she remembered was a shout over the intercom, summoning medics.

She awoke to voices. As her eyes adjusted, she realized she was in Starfleet Medical. The gown covering her was soft, the blanket even softer- hadn't she heard James T complain that they were scratchy? Her head buzzed with medication, and she let her head roll to the source of the voices.

Doctor Bones was standing at the entrance to the curtains surrounding her bed, speaking lowly but firmly. His broad shoulders filled the small opening purposefully.

"I don't care if the Dean of Students or the Almighty Himself sent you, you're not getting in there."

"Sir, this is a matter of Academy discipline."

"This is a matter of health, damnit, and she's my patient. Until I say, you aren't even gonna lay an eye on her. Why don't you go talk to that little snot that did this to her?"

"We did, and now we need her statement. To attack another student like she did--"

"Oh, Hell no, you take that back. I saw the footage, she was knocked off that branch! I wish her foot'd connected a little lower, and you can quote me on that. Now go get your heads out of your asses and your story right, and I'll let you know when she's ready for visitors. Go on, get!"

Realizing they weren't going to get anywhere with him, the two officers- Jaylah heard two sets of footsteps- turned and left. She watched as Doctor Bones huffed, bouncing twice on the balls of his feet before turning to her.

"Ah, you're up?" He asked, moving to her side. He checked her vitals on the biobed monitor before holding out his hand to her. "May I?"

She slowly placed her hand in his, watching as practiced fingers manually checked her pulse.

"You protected me."

It was a simple statement, but he looked to her with a raised eyebrow.

"Of course I did, darlin'," he told her. "You're my patient. And like Jim says, we're family. That's what we do."

She studied him for a moment, a strange warmth filling her chest.

"Thank you," she said at last.

"Anytime, sweetheart. You just rest now, and I'll make sure they don't come back until you're good and ready."

She nodded, and watched as he left to stalk the medbay much like the lions at the zoo that she had gone to with Scotty and Sulu.

The medicine finally lulled her back to sleep, bringing with it a memory. Her father, poised in that same protective way, pacing their little home, watching and ready to defend her against Krall's men.

When she awoke again, James T was sitting by her head, and Montgomery Scotty was talking to Doctor Bones.

"We checked her out, and there was no permanent injury," the doctor was saying. "With a little more rest she should be right as rain."

"Jaylah?" James T asked. "You awake?"

"I am," she nodded, her eyes moving from McCoy to Kirk. "What happened?"

"Your test was sabotaged," he explained. "Apparently the other cadet was jealous of your connection to us."

"The little punk's lucky you weren't hurt worse," Doctor Bones said, accepting as she offered him her wrist again. "How are you feeling now?"

"Sore," she said. "But less sore. A little dizzy."

"You'll feel more like yourself once the brain fog clears. That medicine'll do it to you. Jim here always feels like he's been beat over the head with a buzzard gut and drug through Hell backwards."

"I don't know what is a buzzard, Doctor Bones."

"It's a bird," Kirk explained, giving McCoy a look of resignation at yet another southern metaphor. Scotty handed her a glass of ice chips, and she took a few to let melt in her mouth. It felt better.

"Did those men come back?" She asked once they were melted. "To talk to me? Or are their heads still in their asses?"

Kirk and Scotty both broke into laughter at that, and McCoy grinned.

"They sent a note to both your PADD and mine saying that, upon further investigation, the truth of the incident became clear and they would no longer be needing your statement."

Jaylah nodded, allowing herself to smile.

"Good. You scared them off. You are a good and fierce father."

She was surprised to see his eyes soften at that, and more surprised when he gave her shoulder a light squeeze.

"Yeah, well, Joanna will tell you the same thing," he shrugged. "I'll introduce you."

"Letting all your kids meet, Bones?"

"Shut up, Jim," he replied without any heat.

Jaylah found herself relaxing, listening to their banter. She had a family again. And it wasn't so different, after all.

[itsstrange]

Quirky Ways

Relationship: Karl Urban x Reader

A/N: The reason I wrote this small fic was because it’s based on true events and the way it played reminded me of Laz Alonso’s ocd, LOL. So..whatever you are about to read is something that actually happened to me a few days ago. No Joke.

And Yes! It was still safe to eat. Mom.

Summary: Reader is in a convention promoting The Boys with the cast, when she does something that surprises a co-star but also makes Karl remember why exactly he fell for her.

Words: 1.8K

Warnings: (None) Fluff, cute, humor, germ phobia, ocd mentioned,

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Enjoy!! ✨💕

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“The Boys ladies and gentlemen!” The host yells into the microphone, the crowd cheers as you all climbed off the stage,

Once back stage, everybody took a group photo before heading off to take individual photos. Once that was out of the way everyone began doing short interviews before heading off to their next destination, which was either more interviews or in your case, finally meeting fans. After a long day of multiple interviews with multiple reporters, and multiple photo shoots, you were finally getting to the end of the day. It wasn’t that you didn’t enjoy it, hell, you wouldn’t be who you are right now if it wasn’t for your amazing fans, but there are times where it can be exhausting. You’ve been doing conventions for a few years now, but even then, your energy will be consumed by the end of the day. Leaving you passed out on your hotel room with drool, possibly, falling out of your mouth.

Although on the bright side, you will admit; feeling completely drained out will give you the best nights sleep of all time.

You, along with Karl and Laz, made your way down the hallway where you would be doing auto ops. You were excited, just like any other day when it comes to meeting your fans. As you were walking side by side with your handler, Karl and Laz were right behind you, talking amongst themselves about god knows what. Most likely making plans for later on in the evening and trying to figure out which bar would be best to go to for drinks. You could have cared less, considering they always know which bar has the best service with the best drinks. As long as they have a joint picked by the end of the day, then your all settled.

While walking down the hall, your handler goes on about having to answer a few fan questions after the auto session before calling it a day. You nod your head and continue to walk down the hall, however, as you were about to walk through a door you recognized a nearby trash can by the wall. It was filled to the brim, but right on top was the familiar medium size carton box of Oreos. Just as you were about to go through the door, you reach out for the box, slightly bumping into Laz from your sudden movement.

“What are you doing?” The man asks, switching his gaze from you to the trash bin,

Quicker than lightening, Laz’s face turns to disgust when he sees you picking the box from the trash.

“No, do not!” Laz says in disgust as he tries shoving you away from the trash bin,

“I put them there,” You argue back and quickly grip the box of cookies before walking through the door,

“That’s disgusting!”

“I put them there!”

“Doesn’t matter if you put them there! They were in the trash!” A small smile tugs on your lips as you walk down the room,

“I had just put them there, besides they are in a box,” You glance at him from your shoulder as you open the carton,

Laz shakes his head, disgust still written on his face. Karl however, was only watching the two of you bicker with a smile on his face and slightly shaking his head. It was nothing new he hadn’t known from you, when you did surprise him however, he would only stare at you with a small smile slowing appearing on his lips until he tugs you closer towards his chest and plants a loving kiss on your head.

“Kid,” Laz warns you when he hears you opening the wrapper next,

A soft chuckle escapes from you. You just love messing around with Laz, he was like your older brother. He loved you and always made sure you were doing okay, and when you weren’t having the best days he would make sure to brighten your day as much as he can and as much as you allowed him to. What you loved the most about the man was he had the same humor as you, both of you enjoyed pranking one another or your co-stars. Like the time you and him teamed up on Jack, filling the poor guys trailer with glue traps all over the floor. He was honestly the best partner in crime you could have asked for.

“Y/n don’t-,” His words die in his mouth when you turn around, looking at him straight in the eyes you shove a full Oreo cookie in your mouth,

Laz’s face twists into a sour expression, making you grin around the cookie. He covers his mouth with a fist, still staring at you with such disgust and disbelief. In all his three years that he has known you, he has never been truly surprised by your weirdness, until now. Before turning back around you look over at Karl who was only staring at you with such amusement and a small smile. You grin at him, teeth full of chocolate and earning a soft scoff along with a shake of his head.

“Ma man, control your girl please,” Laz darts his gaze to his friend as he pats his shoulder,

Karl only shakes his head again, “You and I both know not to mess with her and her cookies mate,”

You softly chuckle at both men as you continue to stuff your mouth, grinning wider when you hear Alonso’s comments about how unsanitary the trash is and how he didn’t know you were dumpster diver. However, Laz’s ridiculous comments wasn’t the only reason why you had a wide smile on your face. The second reason was due to what Laz had said not too long ago.

‘Your girl.’

What made your heart flip in your chest was how Karl didn’t even deny the label. It has only been four months into your relationship and the thought of you being his girl was honestly the best feeling you and any other girl out there can possibly have. It’s close to saying the words, but without mentioning, at least that’s how you felt and saw it. Not that you haven’t said those three words yet.

You two have been friends for a few years now, but those feelings grew as time passed and only got stronger. Neither of you had told one another, too afraid about what the other would say or feel about it, so the both of you kept amongst yourselves. Until one day at a wrap party, where you both had a few drinks in your system and feeling bold enough to finally reveal to each other. Which then resulted in you both waking up in each other’s arms, nude.

“Okay, we have another 30 minutes before you all have to start,” Julie, your handler says as she checks her phone,

“Perfect!” Laz claps his hands together, “Gonna hit the can real quick,”

With that, Laz begins to walk down the opposite side of the hallway towards the men’s restroom. His own handler and bodyguard following right behind him. Leaning against the wall as you wait for him to come back, you continue to eat you cookies.

“Hey Julie, you think you can find me some milk around here?” You ask just as you shove another Oreo into your mouth,

She nods her head as she looks down at her phone, “Once your settled out there I’ll make a quick run,”

You nod at her with a smile, reaching into your carton for another cookie just as a firm hand settles on your hip. A small peck on your cheek makes your smile widen, along with a small wave of goosebumps to run down your cheek and the side of your neck. Looking over your shoulder you immediately lock eyes with Hazel ones.

“Cookie?” You ask around a mouthful and shaking the small carton in your hand,

Karl only smiles at you as he kindly declines the offer. You look back down at the carton to pull out another cookie, but the feeling of eyes lingering makes you glance over your shoulder once again.

“What?” You ask when you see Karl looking at you with a small smile,

He shakes his head and places a strand of hair behind your ear, “Just remembering why exactly I fell for you,”

You smile with a blush and turn around to face him.

“Oh yeah? And what was the reason?” You wrap an arm around his neck while he wraps both arms around your waist,

“You and all your quirky ways,” A chuckle escapes from you,

“You can still back out if it get too weird for you,”

“Trust me darling, I wouldn’t want it any other way. You’re perfect the way you are,”

And he meant it. He honest to god meant it. Your entire personality, humor and heart of gold was unique. The moment you shared your true side with him, he right away knew you two would become great friends, but as the years passed his feelings for you only developed along the way. Till the point where he wasn’t able to hold them in anymore and just had to let you know. He wasn’t going to lie, if it wasn’t for the alcohol in his system he would have never thought of telling you how he truly felt. So till his day, he thanks Heinz for taking the wheel.

You stare into his Hazel eyes with a smile forming on your lips. With your free hand, you gently guide him down until your lips latch.

“I love you too,” You say once you breaking the kiss,

Karl smile softly at you, gently rubbing his thumb on your cheek before bending down to peck your lips once again.

“Alright, Grungie, Oskie ya ready?” Laz’s voice coming down the hallway makes you both to look up,

The random, yet odd, name makes Karl raise his brow. Giving the other man the famous Bones McCoy stare.

You furrow your brows at the nickname, smile tugging at your lips, “Did you just call me Grungie?”

“Yep. Fits you well from what I just witnessed,” You chuckle at him,

“And Oskie?” You question the name as you nod your head towards Karl, who still had an arm wrapped around you,

“Well he is your partner, only makes sense for him to be Oskie,” Laz defends himself as he walks away from you two,

Both you and Karl look at each other before softly chuckling.

“Guess where Sesame Street characters now,” You say as you toss the empty carton into a nearby trash bin,

Karl shrugs, “At least he paired us with the appropriate characters. Besides, if I can handle your weirdness in the real world, I’m sure I’ll be able to in the cartoon verse,”

You smirk at him, “Sure about that Oskie?”

He smiles at you and reaches out towards your hip, bringing you against his chest.

“Absolutely,” With that he bends down towards your lips, pecking them softly before pulling away from you and letting go through the door first,

While in the process of signing fan art, and other amazing things, your handler places a small bottle of milk in front of you with a miniature Grundgetta hugging the neck of the bottle and a small note written in black ink that read:

To: My Grungie

From: Your Oskie

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- Hope you enjoyed this!! Because I enjoyed writing it! 💙💙✨

- If you have any questions or request lmk!! My inbox is Aways Open! 📨

-Turn on post Notifications 🔔for more updates!!

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[thesconesyard]

A Home with a Hearth

Day 23- Proposal: nerves, candles, tasty meal

The room had erupted in applause. McCoy and Scotty joined in. They had gotten cleaned up and gone into town for dinner. A young couple next to them had just gotten engaged.

Scotty smiled across the table at McCoy.

“You know love,” he began, “you’ve never told me how you did it.”

“Did what?” McCoy asked, picking up his drink.

“Proposed.”

“You were there Monty,” McCoy laughed. “I seem to recall you asking at the same time.”

Scotty grinned at the memory.

“No, I meant the first time. With your ex. How did you ask her?”

McCoy frowned. “Oh.” He sat his drink back down and looked at one of the candles on the table. “We went to a place like this. Candles, quiet music. Expensive meal that wasn’t worth the price.”

“You asked her in the restaurant?” Scotty asked.

“No. We went for a walk on the riverfront after.” McCoy’s eyes refocused from the past. “Now don’t judge me for being cliché, but it was Valentines.”

“I wouldn’t expect any less from you,” Scotty chuckled.

“I was young,” McCoy defended himself. “They had all these lights strung across the river walk. Whites and pinks. And at the far end was a gazebo.”

McCoy paused. The memory wasn’t pleasant anymore. Things had ended so badly between him and Jocelyn. He looked again at Scotty who was waiting so patiently for him to finish the tale.

“We reached the gazebo, I went down on one knee and that was it. Damn grateful to finally have had that box out of my pocket. It had been jabbing my leg all night.

“She said yes. We got married the next summer and it was good for a while. And then it wasn’t.”

Scotty reached across and took hold of McCoy’s hand.

“Then I went to the stars and met you and it’s been good again ever since.”

Scotty squeezed his hand and McCoy squeezed back.

“Would you do it again if ye had the chance? If you could go back?” Scotty asked.

“With Joce?” McCoy sighed. “I suppose yes. It all brought me to where I am, where we are now.”

Scotty nodded and they sat in comfortable silence until their meal came.

“Did you ever have a chance?” McCoy asked when they were home again and undressing for bed.

“For what mo ghràdh?” Scotty was muffled pulling his shirt over his head.

“To propose to anyone? Before me.” McCoy pulled the covers back and sat.

“No. There was a lass I fancied as a lad, but I was always too busy taking things apart or putting them together. Then I joined Starfleet. It was the same at the academy.” Scotty joined McCoy on the bed. “Always too busy and then Archer shipped me off to Delta Vega. Don’t think Keenser would have appreciated it.”

They laughed together and Scotty pulled the covers back up.

“Never really thought the opportunity would come up. I was content to have the ship as my lady love. Then some blasted doctor walked into my life and—”

“Hey!” McCoy pretended to pout.

“Let me finish lad,” Scotty laughed. “Then some blasted doctor walked into my life and showed me there was more than just the ship.” He was silent a moment before continuing. “And I wouldn't change a damn thing about any of it.”

“I wouldn’t either,” McCoy said. He pulled Scotty closer. “Love you Monty.”

“Love you too Len.”

[emily-strange]

Leonard McCoy Top 10

Here’s my top 10 moments for our grumpy doctor!

They are in season order and obviously contains spoilers for TOS.

1. “Miri” - S01E09

In the episode McCoy is attacked for touching a broken bike by what they later find out is a young adult with the mental age of a child. The poor boy cries over his broken bike and asks if someone will fix it. Being the caring and wonderful doctor he is, he doesn’t care that he was just tackled to the ground and answers with a soft and delicate “Of course, somebody will fix it” before the boy dies 😭

2. “Shore Leave” - S01E16

After shamelessly flirting with Tonya Barrows, she leaves to put on (an utterly ridiculous) dress and hat combo. She tells our doctor not to peak where he replies with my absolute favourite line “My dear girl, I’m a doctor. When I peak, it’s in the line of duty.” 🥵

3. “Space Seed” - S01E22

Leonard McCoy has always had his ‘screw you’ look down to a T. Even when held at knife point he faced it with pointed indifference.

4. “This Side of Paradise” - S01E25

Anytime McCoy’s accent gets thicker I tingle haha and when he’s annoyed at basically being told he can’t be a doctor anymore due to the planets good health, he gets very testy. This man’s a doctor, not a farmer!

5. “I, Mudd” - S02E08

DeForest Kelley dancing and playing air-violin to absolute silence. Not sure that man could do anything badly.

6. “Friday’s Child” - S02E11

This is just a really good episode in general for McCoy. He faces punishment and death if he dares to touch the pregnant wife of a tribe leader but refuses to not treat her injuries. Even after being slapped repeatedly he delivers the baby and even gives an amazing pep talk during labor.

7. “The Trouble with Tribbles” - S02E15

Such a lighthearted episode and McCoy’s delight for the Tribbles is the cutest thing. He won’t have a mean word said about them! Even though he doesn’t understand them...

8. “Bread and Circuses” - S02E25

We’ve all seen the GIFs of McCoy “defending himself” to the best of his ability but I also love the moments when he’s alone with Spock. Their relationship is one of frustration for them both and I enjoy it when McCoy schools Spock on how he is feeling.

Oh, and arms 🤯😍

9. “For the world is hollow and I have touched the sky” - S03E08

McCoy finally getting the attention he deserves! One look at him and Natira is in love. I can’t blame her 😍

10. “The Empath” - S03E12

This is said to be DeForest Kelley’s favourite episode. McCoy shows his love and respect for his friends by sacrificing himself so they can live. It’s brave and selfless and I might cry just a little bit every time....😢

Whatta your favourite moments?? 🙂