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The Enterprise had been through a wee bit of a crisis today, and those in the landing party even more so from what Scotty had gathered even with the briefest of reports. Whatever had happened down on that planet in the Minara system, Captain Kirk, Mr. Spock, and Dr. McCoy had been badly shaken.
With the ship out of danger, Scotty handed command over to Sulu, then nipped back down to Sickbay. Perhaps he’d get a more detailed report from the captain now, and find out what happened down there.
But almost as soon as Scotty stepped into Sickbay, he changed his mind about that report and paused in the doorway. Dr. McCoy was no longer in his torn uniform shirt, but he was still on a biobed. Vitals stable, from what Scotty could see, but he hardly looked his best.
Despite that, McCoy was smiling. “I hand picked my medical staff, you know. They can take care of me just fine.”
“They’re fine staff, Bones.” Kirk smoothed McCoy’s hair off his ashen brow, the touch lingering and a little shaky. The captain was never shaky, and the sight alarmed Scotty more than anything. “But I think I’ll stick around a while longer anyway. To take care of you.”
McCoy sighed, leaning into Kirk’s touch. “I’m fine, Jim. Maybe you should ask Spock his opinion of whether a starship captain can do any good in Sickbay. I’m sure he’ll be logical at least.”
“Your attempt to flatter me will not succeed, Leonard,” Spock said in a much, much softer voice than Scotty had virtually ever heard him use. “After what you have endured today at the hands of the Vians, I also wish to remain to care for you. It is only logical to offer comfort to one’s partner.”
He brushed his fingers against McCoy’s, and even that touch was shaky. Now that was an alarming sight. If Spock was shaky, then things down there must have been even worse than Scotty thought.
“You heard Spock, Bones.” Kirk smiled. “We’re staying.”
McCoy sighed again, but he relaxed. “In that case, maybe one of you can get me a drink. I could really go for a shot of Kentucky bourbon.”
A wee bit reassured by that comment, Scotty went to join them. Whatever these three had been through today, they were doing their best to care for each other. And although Scotty didn’t have any Kentucky bourbon lying around, he had a good bottle of scotch in his quarters that he’d be happy to share if it would help.