I take my best friends hand slowly, tightly, willing him to never let go. He is the third of our trio, he can't leave us like this, stranded on the floor of a planet full of monsters and without communications to the Enterprise.
"Hang in there, Bones. You never have been a quitter, so don't be now." I tell him this, not noticing how sad my words sound. Continue like this Kirk, I speak to myself, and he will think that you are the quitter here.
"Captain, his life signs are weakening..." My first officer tells me, newly found emotion prominent in his usually stotic tone. I know, from this emotion, that the end for our third balance is nigh.
"J-Jim..." Bones whispers softly to me, gritting his teeth through the pain, his Southern drawl strengthening with each and every word. "A-Although I should walk... In the midst of the s-shadow... Of death..."
"Bones, don't do this. Don't go there!" I shout, fresh tears running down my face. One hand grips his tightly, the other still making a futile attempt to stop the bleeding from his wounds.
He laughs weakly, a thin trail of blood escaping with his laugh. "S-Shut it, Jim-Boy... Always wanted my d-dying words ta be dramatic..."
I cross my legs, sitting there, never once letting go of his hand. This can't be the end, Bones... You Southerners are strong people, don't let this happen... I bite my tounge, holding back the soft cry willing to escape me. Be strong...
"I shall fear no e-evil..."
"Doctor McCoy..." This time it was Spock's moment to intervene. "Please, Doctor McCoy, for the Captain's sake. Do not use those words.."
"S-S-Shut it, ya green-blooded h-hobgoblin..." He coughs again, a lone tear sliding down the side of his face.
I won't let this be, I think to myself. It can't end this way! "You can't leave us, Bones! The Enterprise needs you, we need you, I need you!"
His hand slowly goes limp, a soft but pained smile playing upon his lips. "For thou... A-art... With me..."
And with those last words he closes his eyes, the smile still never leaving his features. This is it... T-The end...
"Jim..." Spock says to me, helping me up. "Doctor McCoy shall be missed." Spock takes me by the shoulder and turns me around, leaving me to stare into the orange-red sunset.
Planet of the monsters... So true.
