Chapter Text
Establishing alliances or negotiating treaties with new species was always a bit stressful for the young Captain of the Enterprise. He’d never been the most eloquent when it came to speeches, and he was always afraid of stumbling over his words or saying the wrong thing. Thankfully, despite all his worries, he had done pretty well thus far, having only notably failed with establishing a truce between the Teenaxi Delegation and the Fibonan Republic. Granted, the diminutive Teenaxi had been an extremely paranoid species who hadn’t been all that interested in being allies with the Fibonans anyway, having found fault with every word that had come out of his mouth.
Thankfully, the Telarians were a much more agreeable people. They were a tall elegant-looking species, with pale skin with a fluffy collar around their necks, and large dark eyes and small slits for nostrils. Their legs were double-jointed, with small little paws at the ends, and they expressed their emotions through the twin feathered antennae atop their heads that reminded him of a moth.
The one before him wore a vibrant red cloth, wrapped loosely around his head and neck with ornate beads woven into strands and hanging down beside his face. He was the planet’s highest ranking member, the High Priest, or Ma’ja’hiri as he was formerly addressed, of Telaris, Sh’uyeri.
“It is my honor and privilege to inform you that the Federation has reviewed your application and have accepted you as a member,” Jim told the alien. “We welcome the people of Telaris.”
“You honor us with your acceptance, Captain.” The high priest inclined his head. “This is a most happy day for us. One for celebration.” He gave a wide flourish of his arm, and an attendant approached the young Captain with an ornately carved wooden box. “A gift for you, honorable Captain Kirk, for your great generosity.”
The box was opened, revealing a large shimmering sphere, almost the size of a tennis ball. “This is one of the finest Oruscan pearls we posses, a rare and valuable commodity here on Telaris. A pearl this size is believed to take three hundred cycles to grow.”
“Are you sure you wish to give us something so precious?” Jim asked.
“Please. It would honor us greatly if you accept this token of our gratitude.” The attendant handed over the box to Jim, who gave a respectful bow of his head.
“On behalf of the Federation, I thank you for this most generous gift,” he told the high priest. Spock, who’d been a few steps behind him, moved forward and carefully took the box from Jim’s arms.
Sh’uyeri inclined his head, antennae curling around. “It is a most deserving gift, honorable Captain Kirk. Now, we shall prepare for the festivities! Tonight! Yes. Tell your people on your Enterprise to come and partake of our food and wines.”
“I shall do that, Ma’ja’hiri Sh’uyeri,” Jim replied, “Thank you for your gracious offer.”
“Tonight then!” The high priest’s antennae almost seemed to dance.
“Tonight,” Jim agreed. He pulled out his communicator. “Enterprise. Two to beam up!”
Golden light enveloped them and then they were in the transporter room.
“Well done, Captain.” Spock informed him as they stepped off the pad and exited the room. “The admittance of the Telarians into the Federation was handled quite admirably.”
“Did you have any doubt, Spock?”
“I calculated a twenty point three percent chance of failure, considering that the last time you attempted to broker a peace, it resulted with you having several sentient lifeforms attached rather aggressively to your person.”
Jim balked. “That was...that was over a year ago!” he protested. “And that wasn’t my fault! They were adamant that they were going to be eaten!”
“One year, seventeen days, and sixteen hours ago to be precise.”
Jim shot the Vulcan a dirty look as they walked. “Are you keeping score or something?” he pouted. “And besides, haven’t I done good since?”
“Vulcans do not ‘keep score’ as you put it,” Spock replied. “Also, the Enterprise-A was being constructed over a period of six months, twenty-six days, and fourteen hours at Starbase Yorktown’s spacedock. This was the first mission of negotiating with a new species since your attempt with the Teenaxi Delegation.”
Jim sighed. “But...I still did good, right?”
“Your need for self-reassurance is most illogical,” Spock told him. “But...yes. You did well, Jim.”
The Captain grinned. “Well, let’s put that away,” he indicated the box in Spock’s arms, “and go let the crew know the good news. We have a party to attend!”
“As you say, Captain,” Spock said. “However, given your inexplicably long list of allergens, might I suggest we bring along Doctor McCoy as well?”
“Right!” Jim agreed. “Bones is going to love this!”
Spock quipped a brow as his Captain nearly skipped ahead in his excitement. “I highly doubt that will be his reaction, Captain.”
The Vulcan proved to be right.
“We’re doing what where now, Jim?” the doctor said blankly.
“The Telarians are hosting a celebratory party!” Jim told him. “You need to come. They said there will be alcohol.”
“First off, Jim,” Leonard replied, “Are you sure consuming anything there is wise? You could have an anaphylactic reaction to any number of things down there! Secondly, I don’t drink all the time. You make it sound like I’m a damned alcoholic!”
“If I may correct you, Doctor,” Spock said, “fifty-five point four percent of the time you do have an alcoholic beverage in your immediate vicinity.”
Leonard scowled at him before throwing his hands up in defeat. “Fine! Fine. But I’m only coming because I don’t need the Captain here getting himself killed just for sniffing the wrong flower or something.” He jabbed a finger at Spock. “Not because there’s drinks involved!”
“Drinks help though, right, Bones?” Jim teased him.
“Whenever you’re involved? Damn right they do.”
Four hours later, that’s exactly where Leonard found himself, holding a glass of the most potent alcohol he could find and eyeballing his danger-prone Captain from where he stood partway across the room alongside Spock, chattering away with the high priest.
He’d made Jim almost regret taking him along, having jabbed him with a few precautionary hypos beforehand since the fair-haired man had insisted he’d be trying the local cuisine. A couple more were currently clipped to his belt, just in case. Thus far so good, but he knew better than to gamble with the other’s life. He could swear that the young Captain was a magnet for trouble.
Even with his being tense regarding the other man’s health, dinner had been thoroughly enjoyable. While he often preferred a simple peach cobbler or a well-made steak with a baked potato on the side, even he had to admit to himself that the Telarian’s were quite good cooks. He wasn’t sure what the main course had been, the food having been colorful, but it had been both sweet and savory at the same time. Dessert had been a simple green fruity sorbet which had tickled his taste buds. He rarely indulged in cold treats, but he vaguely wondered if he could nab the recipe later from one of the locals and input it into the ship’s replicator system. It probably wouldn’t taste quite the same as the real thing, but he thought it was worth a try anyway.
Strands of bright florals hung around the massive room they’d been directed to after eating, with sideboards off to one side piled with unknown fruits and small treats for those who were still hungry. Drinks were being served by several of the Telarians at a counter nearby. Melodic music echoed in in the air, emanating from a trio of female Telarians plucking away at string instruments.
It surprised him that they managed to throw together such a well-prepared event in the span of just a couple hours, especially for the amount of guests present. Not including their own people, at least a hundred of the Enterprise’s crew had been able to accept the time off to attend, which had thrilled the aliens, their antennae twisting and bouncing with excitement. Though presumptuous of them, he figured the Telarians probably had anticipated that they would be accepted into the Federation’s ranks. In all fairness however, there had been no reason standing out as to why they might not have been accepted.
He swirled the orange colored liquid in his glass before taking a swig of it, his tongue picking up on the sharp tones of the alcohol. Not his preference (give him a bottle of good old Kentucky bourbon or Tennessee whiskey any day of the week), but it was certainly strong, the substance burning his throat slightly as it went down. Glancing out the towards the terrace, he could see the sky darkening from day to night. Turning back, his eyes swiftly re-located his wayward Captain and his shadow of a first officer. Idly lifting his glass to his lips again, he wondered if he should wander over and see what they were so deep in discussion about.
A Telarian suddenly turned sharply, bumping right into the Doctor. Leonard choked on the sip of alcohol he’d just taken, but somehow manged to keep from spilling any over himself.
“Ah, many pardons!” The Telarian rested a hand upon Leonard’s shoulder to steady him, and he felt an odd coolness emanating from the point of contact. It’s antennae suddenly straightened upwards, more alert. It started twittering rapidly in it’s native tongue, the universal translator failing to pick up what it was saying.
The trio he’d been considering approaching overheard the commotion and headed over, with Jim having a concerned expression on his face. The high priest looked towards the other Telarian and both aliens began quickly conversing with each other, with the second’s own antennae slowly unfurling upwards to match the first’s.
“Everything alright?” Jim asked quietly, and Leonard could only shrug.
“Many apologies, honorable Captain Kirk,” Sh’uyeri spoke. “This one failed to be more attentive to his surroundings.” He indicated the other alien, who bowed deeply towards Leonard. “If I may, I would like to present another gift to your companion here, for our negligence.”
“That’s really not necessary-,” Leonard started, but the alien cut him off.
“Please, I must insist. May I request your hand?”
The doctor looked unsure, but caved in at Jim’s insistent look, the other ever so discreetly tipping his head towards the high priest. Inwardly, Leonard sighed. Last thing he wanted to do was be responsible for some sort of diplomatic incident should he refuse, so he reluctantly stretched out his free left hand and the alien grasped it firmly.
The high priest gently ran his three fingers over Leonard’s palm. The same coolness from where the other had touched his shoulder spread across his hand and up his arm, causing a tingling sensation. Tilting his head slightly, the alien seemed to be studying the human in front of him.
‘We grieve for your past, esh’ymir.’
The Telarian’s mouth had not opened, but his voice words echoed clearly within Leonard’s head, and he barely managed to refrain from recoiling away. There had been no reports of the Telarian’s being telepathic, but it was a relatively common ability among species. Even the Enterprise had it’s own touch-telepath in the form of it’s first officer.
It was hard for him to not bolt. He had never cared for those with the ability to look into his mind. Yet, the alien did not seem interested in prying, only speaking soft words.
‘Here is to renewal of a childhood lost.’
With one long elegant finger, Sh’uyeri drew a symbol across Leonard’s skin, the lines glowing blue as he went, despite the lack of any sort of writing utensil or paint. When he finished, the design brightened momentarily before disappearing.
‘Trust and be happy.’
The high priest stepped back, inclining his head towards Leonard. “We pray you enjoy our gift to you, Doctor.” The lithe alien turned back towards Jim and Spock. “Many thanks for humoring us. We acknowledge that we can be a persistent people at times.”
“That’s quite all right, Ma’ja’hiri Sh’uyeri,” insisted Jim. “No need to thank us. Rather, I would thank you and your people again for the kindness and hospitality you have shown us. This has been a most enjoyable experience for us. We look forward to working with your people in the future.”
“As do we, honorable Captain Kirk.” Sh’uyeri inclined his head. “Regretfully, the hour grows late so I fear we will be unable to finish our conversation from before. I bid you all am’leyshi. Ah...good tidings.”
“You as well,” said Jim. The high priest slowly walked away from them, and he glanced over at the Doctor, who was examining his hand. “You okay, Bones?”
“Yeah,” replied Leonard, wiggling his fingers as if to check that everything was in working order.
“So...what was that exactly?” Jim asked. “Do you feel any different?”
Leonard put his hand down and looked at the Captain. “No different than usual.”
“Many cultures offer blessings in lieu of a physical gift,” said Spock. “Typically for good health, happiness or fortune. Ma’ja’hiri Sh’uyeri has likely presented you with one.”
A soft snort escaped Leonard. “How ironic if it was for good health. I’m already a doctor, so that would be rather redundant, wouldn’t it?”
“There are multiple blessings which-”
“It was a joke, Spock.”
“...I see.”
Rolling his eyes, Leonard looked down at his nearly empty glass. “Well, I don’t know about you two, but I need another drink.” He lifted it, giving a small wiggle. “And no, before you mention it again, I am not here just for the drinks. I just don’t know what else to do with my time.”
“I’ll have one of whatever you’re having.” Jim then grinned as he added on, “You really need a hobby, Bones.”
“I have one. It’s taking care of you, ya damned infant.”
There was a laugh as he turned towards the bar counter. “Ah, come on. You know you love me!”
“About as much as a poke in the eye,” he shot back over his shoulder, but the corner of his lips were twitching upwards. He weaved through the crowd, finishing the rest of his drink along the way. By the time he reached the counter, he became aware that his steps had slowed noticeably. Handing the empty glass over to one of the Telarians, an unexpected yawn interrupted him as he ordered two replacement drinks.
“Thanks.” He teetered for a moment when he turned around and a hand caught him by the elbow.
“Doctor McCoy? Are ye alright?” The worried face of the ship’s chief engineer looked back at him.
Leonard attempted to blink the sudden fatigue from his eyes. “Mr. Scott. Ah, yeah, just a bit tired.”
“If yer sure,” the Scotsman said dubiously as the doctor yawned again. “Perhaps ye should call it a night. The commander will make sure that Captain is fine. Ye needn’t worry.”
“Thinking about it. Have a good night, Mr. Scott.”
“Aye, you too.”
Carefully making his way back towards Jim and Spock, Leonard couldn’t help but feel a bit rattled. It was unlike him to feel so tired. The drinks perhaps? Or more likely he was simply over working himself. He might need less sleep than most people, but at his core, he was still human.
The pair were quietly talking away about the ship’s schedule for the next few days, or rather, Jim was talking and Spock simply added in the occasional comment. Leonard nudged the blonde gently with the back of his hand. “Here.”
“Thanks,” said Jim as he took the glass. Sipping the alcohol, he wrinkled his nose slightly and stuck out the tip of his tongue with a small disgusted sound. “Bones, what is this?”
“The drink you ordered.”
“It’s awful,” Jim coughed.
“Yes it is.”
The captain shook his head. “You just love to torment me, don’t you?”
“I won’t deny that.” Leonard pressed his mouth against his shoulder as yet another, deeper yawn escaped him.
“You alright there, Bones?” asked Jim. The doctor appeared to be on the pale side.
No. “Yes,” Leonard replied. “Just a bit tired. If it’s alright with you, I’d like to head back to the Enterprise now and call it an early night.”
“Uh, yeah.” Jim looked slightly concerned. “Sure thing, Bones.”
Leonard lifted his own untouched drink to eye level, then sighed, holding it out towards the Vulcan. Spock took it after a moment’s hesitation.
“I did not request a drink, Doctor.”
“Yeah, well, now you have one. Cheers.” He plucked one of the hypos from his belt and passed it over as well. “I don’t think anything’s going to happen anymore, but you never know. Better safe than sorry, I always say. Jab him with this if he starts to swell up, then call me on my comm immediately, you hear?”
“Of course, Doctor.”
“And you-” he clapped Jim on the shoulder, “try to stay out of trouble.”
“Aww, you’re no fun,” Jim quipped, then more seriously, “Have a good night, Bones.”
Leonard pulled out his communicator and the Enterprise beamed him back aboard. Deciding against any further activities for the night, he made a beeline straight to his quarters, the fatigue hanging over him like a storm cloud. The moment the door to his room shut behind him, he collapsed onto his bed, not even bothering to take his clothes off.
Turning over, he started up at the ceiling, before throwing an arm over his eyes. “Lights, off.”
The brief trip to the planet had certainly worn on him. While it had started off nice, he still was feeling uncomfortable over what had happened between him and the high priest.
Damn Telarians and their touchy-feelyness.
Was that why he was so tired suddenly? The contact had been an odd sensation after all. And what had the alien meant by his past and a lost childhood?
Thinking about it only ended up giving him more questions.
With a frustrated sigh, he rolled onto his side and closed his eyes.
Regrets. That’s certainly what he had. Jim’s head hurt and his stomach was a twisted knot. He knew he shouldn’t have finished that terrible drink his friend had given him. Served him right he supposed. The doctor’s taste for potent alcohols was something he never could quite understand.
Surprisingly, or perhaps not, considering his personality, Spock had consumed the drink in its entirety, his face remaining blank throughout. Whether he’d liked it or not, Jim didn’t know. After setting the empty glass down on an empty table, the first officer only pointed out that they both needed to be up early for Alpha shift and that they should retire for the night.
Feeling the beginnings of a hangover coming on, Jim had readily agreed.
Now he was sitting on the bridge, attempting to shield his eyes from the overhead lights burning into his retinas.
“Ugh..” He hated to ask, but he needed a fix from the doctor. “Mr. Spock, you have the conn.” He shuffled towards the lift.
“Mr. Sulu, you have the bridge.” Spock was right behind him. “You appear ill, Captain.”
“I’m fine, Spock.” Jim waved a hand as the lift took them down towards medbay. “Just a hangover.”
“You only consumed four alcoholic beverages, Captain,” Spock noted. “I had presumed you to have a higher tolerance for the substance given your history.”
“Yeah, well...that last one nearly knocked me on my ass,” Jim grumbled.
They strode into the medical facility and Jim poked his head into the CMO’s office. He was surprised to find it empty. “Bones?”
“Oh, Captain! I wasn’t expecting you to stop by.” Nurse Chapel approached him from across the room. “Is there something you need?”
“No, well, actually yes. I need something for a hangover headache.” She nodded and rummaged through the medicine cabinet. He scanned the room but didn’t see his friend anywhere. “Doesn’t Doctor McCoy have a 0900 shift?” he asked her as she approached him, a hypo in hand.
“Here, you should be fine with this one.” There was a pinch at the side of his neck and a hiss, and Jim sighed in relief as the throbbing at the front of his skull eased almost immediately. Chapel nodded. “And, yes, sir, Doctor McCoy is supposed to be here, but he hasn’t checked in yet. It’s quite unlike him to be late. I was just about to comm him.”
Jim waved a dismissive hand. “No need. I’ll go check on him myself. As you were.”
“Of course, sir.”
He left medbay with his head much clearer and his first officer just a step behind him. “Computer, what is the location of Doctor McCoy?” he asked.
“Doctor McCoy is currently located in his quarters.”
“Is he still sleeping?” Jim asked quietly, more to himself than the Vulcan.
“Perhaps, though it is most unusual for the Doctor to fail to report in to his scheduled duties,” Spock replied as they walked along the corridor. “In fact, I do not believe he has ever missed a shift in the time he’s served aboard the Enterprise.”
“Why does that not surprise me?” Jim said. “Bones is what one would call an overachiever.”
“This incident aside, for which I am sure there is a reasonable explanation, work production would be far more efficient if the crew were to follow his example.” He paused, before adding, “Yourself included, Captain.”
“Was that an attempt at a joke, Spock?”
“I do not know what you mean.”
“Uh-huh.”
They stopped in front of the doctor’s room and Jim knocked. “Bones? It’s Jim. Can I come in?”
There was a loud thump and the clatter of something hitting the wall.
“Bones?” When the door remained shut still, Jim began to worry his friend had somehow hurt himself. “Computer, override Doctor McCoy’s room. Security code Alpha zero three seven one nine.”
“Security override accepted.” The door slid open and they stepped in cautiously.
“What the hell-?” Jim muttered.
The bedding was in a large pile in the middle of the bed and the dresser drawers had been pulled out, a mess of rumpled clothing lying scattered around the room. The doctor’s PADD lay in one corner, the screen cracked.
“Captain, should I inform security-?” Jim raised a hand and gave a soft ‘hush,’ silencing his first officer.
“Listen.”
There was a soft sniffling sound and both turned their gaze towards the bathroom.
“Bones?” Jim moved around the bed to the other end of the room and gently rapped his fingers against the door. “Everything okay in there?”
The sniffling stopped, then a small voice that was most definitely not Bones cried out. “Go away!”
Spock had his phaser out as Jim pressed the button to slide the door open. The young captain blinked in surprise at the sight before them. A small boy was huddled in the corner, wearing only a blue Starfleet uniform shirt that was two sizes too big for him. Furious hazel eyes glared at him from under a messy mop of dark hair and tear stains ran down his fair cheeks. Jim ducked as the kid, who didn’t look to be more than maybe eight years old, lobbed a toothbrush at his head, the item instead bouncing off of Spock’s chest.
“Go away!” the boy yelled again.
“Who are you and where is Doctor McCoy?” asked Spock as he lowered the phaser.
“Leave me alone!” The boy attempted to make himself smaller, scooting himself as far back as he could in the corner between the toilet and the shower and burying himself in the blue shirt.
“Spock, put that away,” hissed Jim, indicating the phaser. His eyes snapped back to the child, whose familiarity was beginning to tie a knot in his stomach, “Computer,” he asked again, “what is the location of Doctor McCoy?”
“Doctor McCoy is currently located in his quarters.”
Spock’s brows furrowed marginally as he came to a conclusion. “Impossible.”
Jim crouched down to be eye level with the child. “I think we know now what that ‘gift’ the Telarians gave him is.”