Fic: Hiding Little Drops of Red (3/8)
Fandom: Star Trek: Reboot (Into Darkness)
Rating: PG
Pairings: Kirk/Spock/McCoy
Summary: McCoy discovers he has xenopolycythemia and decides not to inform his two lovers. He's a doctor, he's not supposed to tell them about things he can't fix.
Hiding Little Drops of Red
McCoy stood in the bathroom. The small light above the sink was his only source of illumination. Jim and Spock were still asleep in the next room and he didn’t want to wake them. They were never supposed to see him like this, so…weak. He was the doctor he was the one who was supposed to heal the sick and treat the injured. He wasn’t used to being so helpless. Still the serum was helping to manage his symptoms at least for a while. But the thinners that helped keep his blood flow up and reduce the chances of forming clots also had the side effect of giving him terrible nosebleeds. McCoy tossed the now red soaked towel into the sink and grabbed another one as the flow of blood continued.
While the effects were severe they were worth it if the serum could help him make it back to Earth in time. He had been keeping records of his blood cell counts and oxygen levels to add to the data pool for the study on the serum, and his numbers had remained quite steady so far. That meant there would still be time to be with Joanna before the worst of it set in. McCoy shuddered as he remembered the last months of his own father’s life. Watching that vibrant, bright, strong man fade away as his body was ravaged by the disease; crying because of the pain that the drugs couldn’t take away. McCoy sitting helpless by his bedside simply waiting for the end with a shell of the man he had once known. His daughter wasn’t allowed to go through that.
When the nosebleed had finally stopped McCoy washed his face, gathered up the cloths, and tossed them down the laundry chute. Then he made sure the sink was completely clean before heading back into the bedroom.
Jim and Spock were just where he had left them, tangled in each other’s arms. McCoy stood there just watching them sleep, taking in the way Spock’s hair always got mussed by the pillows. The way Jim was hogging the covers just like he always did. McCoy knew this would be the last time he would see them like this. It was sheer dumb luck that he had woken up right before the nosebleed started. If he hadn’t they would have seen him and he would have had to explain about something he couldn’t fix. McCoy put his hand on the wall to steady himself as a wave of dizziness suddenly passed over him. Yeah it wasn’t just the nosebleeds it was the other symptoms too, and Jim and Spock weren’t stupid they would eventually figure out that something was wrong. He had to leave, he couldn’t be selfish anymore. McCoy leaned down tracing the point of one of Spock’s ears and kissing Jim lightly on his cheek. Then he turned away from them, hesitating just by the door, but didn’t turn back as he left the room.
***
Jim and Spock sat on the bed in their quarters hoping that any moment now the door would swish open and McCoy would come through. They had woken up alone that morning and hadn’t been informed about an emergency in sickbay that would have called McCoy away early. Still, they hoped all day that they would hear news that there was a proper reason for his absence; it never came. They knew something was off with McCoy. He no longer came to visit them on the bridge. At breakfast he talked to them very little and ate practically nothing. Their dinners together had dwindled down to nothing, McCoy always giving the excuse that he had to work late. But at the end of the day, no matter how late it was, he always came back to their quarters, to their bed. Now they were alone.
“He’s not coming is he?” Jim asked, his voice hollow.
Instead of answering Spock drew his arms around Jim, resting his head on Jim’s shoulder in his own desire for support.
“I don’t understand, Spock, what did we do?”
Jim knew being an annoying ass in sickbay during his recovery a few weeks ago probably hadn’t been the best idea. But he had never been a good patient, was that really worth breaking up over?
“Perhaps Leonard is concerned about the end of our mission and acting illogically,” Spock suggested.
“What does he have to be worried about? Command will never break up him and Christine. They’re the best pair of doctors in the fleet.”
“Indeed. However, that does not guarantee that they will remain on the Enterprise, or that we will for that matter.”
“I know, but we’ve been submitting our reports highlighting the teamwork and bonds that the crew has built over the years. How important that all is and that we should remain intact if at all possible. We’ve talked about this, Spock. We won’t be split up without a fight.”
“Yes, we have discussed it, Jim, we have made plans for ourselves, but due to our heavy and often conflicting schedules we have not talked to Leonard about any of this.” Spock reached over and picked up a picture on the small table beside the bed. It showed a young girl with her hair in pigtails and a bright smile on her face. “It may be that he does not wish to re-enlist for another mission at all.”
“We talked about it when we were off duty…” Jim trailed off as he realized that they talked about over chess while Bones watched them. Well actually Bones usually fell asleep halfway through the game. Jim had just assumed he was bored, but if it was something else. If he had felt left out, that he wasn’t important enough to be included in such plans then no wonder he wanted out of their relationship.
“We have to talk to him.”
Jim made to get off the bed, but Spock grabbed his arm to stop him.
“Jim, wait! We should not approach Leonard so quickly.”
“Why not?! We have to tell him were sorry and the sooner the better.”
“Jim, this has obviously been building for some time. Leonard has limited much of his contact with us in recent weeks and only now has apparently broken ties entirely. If we act immediately he may think we are being insincere. That we only want to fix the situation right now and not deal with any underlying issues. It would be best if we give all of us time to ‘cool off’ as you say so that we may approach this rationally.”
Jim had to admit he had a point. When Jim thought back on it he realized that Bones had been acting strangely not just with them, but with others too. Reports from him had started to come in late; people were complaining that he was more surly than usual. Whatever was going on with Bones it was affecting everything about his life both personal and professional. Spock was right cornering Bones right this minute to work it all out really wasn’t the best idea.
Jim sighed as he sat back down on the bed. As much as it hurt to do so they’d give Bones some space and some time to himself. They would think carefully about how to approach him, show him how much they loved him, and that they didn’t mean to leave him out of their lives. Then everything would be all right again Jim was sure of it.
Rating: PG
Pairings: Kirk/Spock/McCoy
Summary: McCoy discovers he has xenopolycythemia and decides not to inform his two lovers. He's a doctor, he's not supposed to tell them about things he can't fix.
Hiding Little Drops of Red
McCoy stood in the bathroom. The small light above the sink was his only source of illumination. Jim and Spock were still asleep in the next room and he didn’t want to wake them. They were never supposed to see him like this, so…weak. He was the doctor he was the one who was supposed to heal the sick and treat the injured. He wasn’t used to being so helpless. Still the serum was helping to manage his symptoms at least for a while. But the thinners that helped keep his blood flow up and reduce the chances of forming clots also had the side effect of giving him terrible nosebleeds. McCoy tossed the now red soaked towel into the sink and grabbed another one as the flow of blood continued.
While the effects were severe they were worth it if the serum could help him make it back to Earth in time. He had been keeping records of his blood cell counts and oxygen levels to add to the data pool for the study on the serum, and his numbers had remained quite steady so far. That meant there would still be time to be with Joanna before the worst of it set in. McCoy shuddered as he remembered the last months of his own father’s life. Watching that vibrant, bright, strong man fade away as his body was ravaged by the disease; crying because of the pain that the drugs couldn’t take away. McCoy sitting helpless by his bedside simply waiting for the end with a shell of the man he had once known. His daughter wasn’t allowed to go through that.
When the nosebleed had finally stopped McCoy washed his face, gathered up the cloths, and tossed them down the laundry chute. Then he made sure the sink was completely clean before heading back into the bedroom.
Jim and Spock were just where he had left them, tangled in each other’s arms. McCoy stood there just watching them sleep, taking in the way Spock’s hair always got mussed by the pillows. The way Jim was hogging the covers just like he always did. McCoy knew this would be the last time he would see them like this. It was sheer dumb luck that he had woken up right before the nosebleed started. If he hadn’t they would have seen him and he would have had to explain about something he couldn’t fix. McCoy put his hand on the wall to steady himself as a wave of dizziness suddenly passed over him. Yeah it wasn’t just the nosebleeds it was the other symptoms too, and Jim and Spock weren’t stupid they would eventually figure out that something was wrong. He had to leave, he couldn’t be selfish anymore. McCoy leaned down tracing the point of one of Spock’s ears and kissing Jim lightly on his cheek. Then he turned away from them, hesitating just by the door, but didn’t turn back as he left the room.
***
Jim and Spock sat on the bed in their quarters hoping that any moment now the door would swish open and McCoy would come through. They had woken up alone that morning and hadn’t been informed about an emergency in sickbay that would have called McCoy away early. Still, they hoped all day that they would hear news that there was a proper reason for his absence; it never came. They knew something was off with McCoy. He no longer came to visit them on the bridge. At breakfast he talked to them very little and ate practically nothing. Their dinners together had dwindled down to nothing, McCoy always giving the excuse that he had to work late. But at the end of the day, no matter how late it was, he always came back to their quarters, to their bed. Now they were alone.
“He’s not coming is he?” Jim asked, his voice hollow.
Instead of answering Spock drew his arms around Jim, resting his head on Jim’s shoulder in his own desire for support.
“I don’t understand, Spock, what did we do?”
Jim knew being an annoying ass in sickbay during his recovery a few weeks ago probably hadn’t been the best idea. But he had never been a good patient, was that really worth breaking up over?
“Perhaps Leonard is concerned about the end of our mission and acting illogically,” Spock suggested.
“What does he have to be worried about? Command will never break up him and Christine. They’re the best pair of doctors in the fleet.”
“Indeed. However, that does not guarantee that they will remain on the Enterprise, or that we will for that matter.”
“I know, but we’ve been submitting our reports highlighting the teamwork and bonds that the crew has built over the years. How important that all is and that we should remain intact if at all possible. We’ve talked about this, Spock. We won’t be split up without a fight.”
“Yes, we have discussed it, Jim, we have made plans for ourselves, but due to our heavy and often conflicting schedules we have not talked to Leonard about any of this.” Spock reached over and picked up a picture on the small table beside the bed. It showed a young girl with her hair in pigtails and a bright smile on her face. “It may be that he does not wish to re-enlist for another mission at all.”
“We talked about it when we were off duty…” Jim trailed off as he realized that they talked about over chess while Bones watched them. Well actually Bones usually fell asleep halfway through the game. Jim had just assumed he was bored, but if it was something else. If he had felt left out, that he wasn’t important enough to be included in such plans then no wonder he wanted out of their relationship.
“We have to talk to him.”
Jim made to get off the bed, but Spock grabbed his arm to stop him.
“Jim, wait! We should not approach Leonard so quickly.”
“Why not?! We have to tell him were sorry and the sooner the better.”
“Jim, this has obviously been building for some time. Leonard has limited much of his contact with us in recent weeks and only now has apparently broken ties entirely. If we act immediately he may think we are being insincere. That we only want to fix the situation right now and not deal with any underlying issues. It would be best if we give all of us time to ‘cool off’ as you say so that we may approach this rationally.”
Jim had to admit he had a point. When Jim thought back on it he realized that Bones had been acting strangely not just with them, but with others too. Reports from him had started to come in late; people were complaining that he was more surly than usual. Whatever was going on with Bones it was affecting everything about his life both personal and professional. Spock was right cornering Bones right this minute to work it all out really wasn’t the best idea.
Jim sighed as he sat back down on the bed. As much as it hurt to do so they’d give Bones some space and some time to himself. They would think carefully about how to approach him, show him how much they loved him, and that they didn’t mean to leave him out of their lives. Then everything would be all right again Jim was sure of it.