Title: Upsetting the CMO (#18, The Drabble Bin)
Author: klmeri
Fandom: Star Trek TOS
Characters: Kirk, Spock, McCoy
Summary: McCoy is not happy. Spock has to mediate.
Previous Drabbles: The Old Four | Those Neighborhood Hoodlums | Trapped | A Cage of His Own | Of Perky Starfleet Bottoms | An Hour Past | War of the Bots | The Best Substitute | Surprise Meeting | Little Help | Dreaming | The Tower | Brother | It’s Complicated | With Close Friends | Not As It Seems | Vulcans Can Be Grumpy Too

Spock eyed the irate human carefully then estimated the distance to the door. Following that, he calculated the necessary speed to arrive there before he was caught in the proverbial backlash of said human’s exploding temper.

“You’re not going anywhere,” the doctor snapped, as though it was obvious Spock had every intention of removing himself from the line of fire.

“Stay,” Spock’s captain countered, never taking his eyes off McCoy.

It was a simple command, one that easily decided Spock’s next action.

He turned to the CMO. “Doctor, if you would speak more clearly in your accusation rather than relying on us to interpret your idioms, this matter would resolve itself more quickly.”

The human’s countenance darkened. “Matters don’t resolve themselves, Spock. People do—and Jim’s the only one who can fix this.”

“You might enlighten me as to why.”

“Tell your loyal First what you agreed to, Jim.”

“Bones.”

“Don’t Bones me. I have every right to be angry!”

“Bones,” Kirk said again, stepping forward, “you need to calm down. It was just a missive. Not an order. Not a demand.”

“I will not be calm!” the doctor nearly shouted.

Spock contemplated moving to a safer distance in case the human became irate enough that his arms flailed without regard for the closest bystanders. But, studying McCoy further, he realized the depth of the doctor’s anger went far beyond surface annoyance.

McCoy was truly upset—

Spock lowered his mental shield the tiniest fraction.

—and afraid.

All at once, his intention to stay out of the confrontation disappeared. Spock addressed his captain in his politest, firmest tone. “Sir, I require an explanation.”

Jim momentarily closed his eyes and sighed heavily through his nose. When he focused on his surroundings again, he looked resigned. “Dr. M’Benga could be reassigned to the Yorktown.”

“…I see,” Spock replied at length. Now he knew why Nurse Chapel had called for his immediate presence in Sickbay. It wasn’t simply to mediate an argument.

He returned his attention to the doctor. “There is little point in protesting a possibility that has yet to become a fact, Dr. McCoy. In particular, if it is for my sake that you are this… alarmed, then I personally request that you let go of your objections.”

Leonard’s mouth opened, closed. Then, as if Spock had knocked the fight right out of him, his shoulders sloped downwards.

“It’s not fair to you,” the man argued in a quieter tone. “Do you want to return to the way it was before M’Benga? Back to my ineptitude? You need him, Spock.”

“I would be selfish to require a talented physician to stifle his aspirations based upon my needs.” Spock paused. “Have you inquired after his wishes regarding the opportunity?”

McCoy swallowed and said nothing.

Kirk laid a hand on the doctor’s arm. “There’s time yet. I haven’t signed off on the transfer.”

“But you will.”

“Talk to M’Benga first, Bones. If he wants to stay, then we’ll both fight for him.”

“Jim…”

“Spock is right, you know.”

At that, McCoy deflated completely and pressed his mouth into a thin, miserable line. He shook off the captain’s hand and took a long step back. “I’ll talk to Geoff.”

It was surrender and a dismissal.

Kirk nodded once and, in silence, left the small office.

Spock lingered, acknowledging that he did experience gratification in knowing McCoy had been incensed on his behalf and cared about his well-being. It occurred to Spock, then, that there was something left for him to say.

He waited until Leonard recognized that he had not left alongside their captain. When the doctor started to complain that Spock had no other reason to annoy him, Spock interrupted him with a very solemn “Thank you.”

McCoy just looked at him blankly.

Spock added, “With or without M’Benga, I trust that I am in good hands.” He turned for the door.

“Spock.”

Spock cocked his head. “Yes, Doctor?”

“Thank you.”

“You are most welcome.”

And thus he left, satisfied that his duty had been performed admirably well.

-Fini

A Romantic Venture

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