You open the old time novel, where the heart is gone, and the hero would be me

Part 14

"Shuttle craft has requested a medical team attend to shuttle bay," Jolene and Annabella turned from the view screen. "Admiral McCoy claims that his energy will have run out by the time he is on the ship."

"Number one, you have the conn," Jolene said, earning a nod from the first officer. "Inform sick bay to have a team down there for the shuttle craft."

Jolene made her way toward the turbo lift. The scene panned over to the shuttle bay. The shuttle craft landed. A medical team was on site. Spock awoke from his long slumber then used the bed as his support to get up. McCoy slowly shut down the craft option by option. Spock looked over toward the human. McCoy sighed pressing his back against it.

"We had a good run," McCoy said. He looked over toward the elderly Vulcan.

"We did," Spock said. "Seeing the captain reminded me how young I used to be."

McCoy had a loud, audible sigh.

"Spock," McCoy said. "do me a favor and spend your retirement somewhere that won't kill ya."

"You act as though that's a third chance in life," Spock said. "I have been to places that no one have gone before. The things we saw, the anomalies we saw---planet side, aboard the Enterprise, a---I have experienced my fair share of joy."

"You never gone as a civilian," McCoy said.

Spock paused.

"I am afraid that you are right," Spock said.

McCoy nodded, standing up from the chair.

"Of course," McCoy said, coming over toward Spock. "Ya know what's funny?"

"Enlighten me," Spock said.

"We never saw your counterpart," McCoy said.

"Perhaps it was for the best," Spock said. "I was quite young and unsure of myself. I am pleased that Jim is there to help him through it."

"So am I," McCoy said. "old man."

Spock raised an eyebrow back.

"You are older than I," Spock reminded. "Old friend."

McCoy grew a warm, small smile in return

"Sometimes, ya ama---ah never mind," McCoy said, then began to head toward the doors. . Spock raised a grayed eyebrow in return getting up from the bed. Spock followed after the elder. He stopped by McCoy's side. McCoy's hands feeling around for the panel that he had used earlier.

"What is it that you were going to say?" Spock asked.

"Sometimes, ya make amen out of corn," McCoy said.

"Leonard, that is not what you were going to say," Spock said.

McCoy looked in bemusement toward the Vulcan.

"What?" McCoy asked. "Scared that I could just about fall and die on ya?"

"Yes," Spock said.

"Sometimes . . . ya amaze me," McCoy said. "Ya do thin's I least expect."

"As do I," Spock agreed.

"Ya fell right into my trap," McCoy said, finger gunning at Spock with a smirk. "Jim said that's what ya said in his nightmare."

McCoy pressed a button on the panel.

The back door slowly began to open. Spock observed at the gesture that McCoy's two hands remained. A green blush grew on Spock's grayed-green face. Spock returned the gesture with his fingers touching the doctor's. A blush grew on McCoy's face. Spock linked his hands behind his back and softly urged the doctor to go on. McCoy looked away then back with a incredulous expression then walked down the ramp. McCoy shook his head. Spock followed behind McCoy. Spock had a watchful eye on the doctor. They came around the shuttle craft where a medical team awaited for him with a gurney. McCoy began to fall to the floor. Spock gently caught McCoy into his arms. Next Spock knew the gurney was there and he laid the doctor down onto it. The tellarite medical officer scanned McCoy then made a order to Andorian nurse. The Andorian nurse applied a hypospray to the side of the doctor's neck. Jolene watched the crew leave them.

"How long were you in the other side of the anomaly?" Jolene asked.

"A month," Spock said. "the doctor was in the other side of the anomaly for a day. Or so I believe."

"Temporal Investigators will want to fully of your experience in there," Jolene said.

"I understand, captain," Spock said.

"I will see what I can do about the investigators asking you so soon after . . ." Jolene stopped. "Admiral McCoy wants you to be there when he passes."

"I will be on my way, captain," Spock said. "What type of ship is this?"

"Constitution class, refit," Jolene said. "We call her Scotty."

"Quite a logical nickname," Spock said. "Mr Scott always loved the Enterprise."

"I have heard from those who knew him best that he would love how she is treated," Jolene said.

"What they say must be true as not everyone gets to be the captain of a ship named after a Scotsman," Spock said.

Jolene had a small nodded then turned away and made her way out of shuttle bay.

Spock followed suit.