Jones, A Star Trek Soap

10 Going

'How did this happen?' Bones was yelling at his staff. 'How did no one pick up on the massive pipe stuck in her chest?'

'I only saw her broken legs and hurried to find you sir.'

'And why were all of you on break?' He glared around the room.

Everyone looked at their shoes.

'We lost a crew member today because you were all on break at the same time. What the HELL were you all thinking?' His voice rose.

No one answered.

'The Medbay has been dead quiet all day and I just wanted to stretch my legs.' One of the nurses spoke up unwisely.

Jenny read his name tag, identifying him as Joe Walker.

'Stretch your damn legs when you clock off!' Bones shouted before regaining his composure.

'Sorry sir.'

'You should all be damn sorry, now get the hell out of my sight.' He rubbed his forehead tiredly.

Jenny was unsure about where to go as the other personnel scampered away around her to their stations. The floor was covered in oil, so was Bones and everyone else.

'Thanks for today.' McCoy addressed her. 'You did a good job.'

'I didn't do anything. I couldn't even translate until the last few minutes.'

'You tried, and she was happy.' He answered, his eyes soft.

'Happy?'

'I've seen Cephlapods go out screaming. They're terrified of death. But she felt safe with you.'

'But I didn't say anything special. I just stood there.' Jenny repeated, her voice small.

'Sometimes that's all someone wants. Now I gotta wash up.' He headed for a sink.

'I wish I could have done more.' Jenny sighed as she waited behind him.

'Same. If I'd seen her chest injury sooner' He shook his head.

'It wasn't your fault. You did everything you could.' She touched his shoulder lightly.

'I didn't. But thanks.' He walked straight to his office and shut the door.

Jenny stared at the door but he didn't come out again. She didn't feel like seeing anyone else today so she headed to her room, flopping down on her bed. Today had not been great.

Something Hope had said haunted her.

I don't want to go by myself.

Jenny closed her eyes.

I don't want to die.

~it was dark, but then the gym always was.

I feel so tired. I just want to give up. Everything hurts. I don't want to feel anything anymore.

A boot crashed into my side, and all I can do is curl up and hope it stops.

'Get up! You cannot die until we say you can!'

I don't want to get up. I want to close my eyes and let myself go.

'I told you we would break this one. She was weak. Like all of them.'