Chapter Text
McCoy practically ran to Jim's quarters, as the man had been using his ‘I have grave news’ voice. All sorts of horrible scenarios were rushing through Bones’ mind. Had one of his friends died on an away mission? Had Spock died on an away mission? Or was it something worse? Was his little girl okay?!
"Bones-” Jim started.
“Just spit it out Jim!” said McCoy, approximately one second away from ripping out half of his hair.
“Sit. Down,” commanded Kirk, and grumbling McCoy did so.
“I'm afraid I have bad news, Bones. It's your ex wife, Jocelyn, she's passed away. I'm so sorry.”
McCoy almost let out a sigh of relief. And immediately felt bad about that. As toxic as their relationship had become, he had loved her once, and she was the mother of his child.
“What happened?” McCoy found himself asking.
“It was a brain aneurysm," said Kirk.
“Christ,” said Bones, head in his hands. “What's going to happen to Joanna?” McCoy asked, immediately worried.
Jim paused for a moment, and McCoy took this as a bad sign. “...She was given a number of options, but has ultimately decided she would like to live with you… on the Enterprise,” said Jim.
“Jim! This is not happening! I forbid it!” growled McCoy.
“Bones, I understand this must come as a shock-” Jim tried to say, diplomatically, but Bones cut him off.
“Of course it comes as a shock! My ex wife is dead, and you are trying to put my little girl on a God damn war machine!”
“Bones, this is not my decision it is Joanna's and-”
“She's only fourteen Jim! She thinks this is an exploration vessel, and we both know that's hardly the case! Use your power and send her somewhere, anywhere else!”
“Bones, I think this might not just be good for her, but it might be good for you too-”
“Don't give me that crap, Jim! You might as well have just signed her God damn death certificate! Some friend you are!” said McCoy, and he stormed away, not saying a word more, leaving Kirk with a headache.
Once back in his quarters, McCoy immediately called Joanna.
“...Hi dad,” said Joanna, she sounded lifeless and devastated. She was lying curled up in her bed with a cuddly teddy bear her mum had gotten her at a young age which she had named Po.
“Darlin’, I’m so sorry… how are you?” McCoy asked, softly.
She sniffled, “Not good, I want to see you,” she said, breaking McCoy’s heart.
“Darlin’... I’m not so sure that’s a good idea. This ship is not safe. Why not stay with Granny and Granpops?” suggested McCoy, gently.
“... I don’t really know them, dad,” said Joanna, quietly. You don’t really know me, thought McCoy.
“I don’t want you getting hurt, Jo,” said McCoy.
“I’m already hurt, dad, it doesn’t get much worse than this,” said Joanna. She’s got me there, thought McCoy. I’m not going to make any progress here, McCoy realised. “Sweetheart, I have a shift, I’ve got to go. But you call me anytime, okay? I don’t give a shit, my co-workers can deal with whatever it is, you are my priority, okay?”
Joanna smiled and sniffled, “Thanks Dad,” she said. “Love you,” she added.
“Love you, bye sweetheart,” said McCoy, clicking the button to end the call. He let out a deep sigh. Speed walking towards his shift, he thought of his next plan.
After said shift, McCoy had been stress pacing around his room to the extent that it was surprising that he hadn't worn a hole in the floor. There was a knock on his door, he hoped it was Spock, he had asked him to come over ASAP over the comms.
“Doctor, is something wrong? You sounded more panicked than usual,” asked Spock, brow furrowed, when McCoy opened the door, and resumed pacing.
“I need a favour,” said McCoy.
“I will endeavour to fulfil it,” answered Spock.
“My ex wife has died and my daughter wants to come and live on this goddamn death trap and Jim won’t listen to me, so I need you to use your logic to convince him to stop this!” ranted McCoy. Spock just blinked and stared at McCoy for several seconds, trying to process the new information.
“My condolences about the recent passing of your ex partner,” said Spock eventually.
“...Thank you,” said McCoy.
“Is it Joanna’s wish to come and live on the Enterprise?” inquired Spock.
“Damnit Spock! If you’re going to side with Jim, you can get out now!” growled McCoy.
“If Starfleet, Joanna, and the Captain have deemed the Enterprise a suitable environment for her, do you think perhaps your anxiety as a parent is clouding your logic?” inquired Spock. McCoy wanted to throw something at him. Instead, to his horror, McCoy slid down to the floor, hugging his knees and started to quietly cry.
“Spock, I ran away from her. To space. I don’t know how to be a dad,” said McCoy. Spock, instead of running away, which was honestly what McCoy expected Spock to do to such a display of emotion, came to sit down next to McCoy.
“There is no need to be afraid, Doctor. You are a kind and considerate man, you will no doubt make a good dad. Additionally, all your friends will assist you. I believe there is a human phrase, ‘it takes a village’,” said Spock.
McCoy stopped crying, mainly to stare at Spock in shock. “Did you just… compliment me and give me good advice?” said McCoy.
“I am failing to understand why this would be surprising,” said Spock.
McCoy chuckled, “Well, I guess there’s a first time for everything,” said McCoy. “Thank you, Spock,” said McCoy sincerely.
“You are most welcome, I look forward to meeting your daughter,” said Spock.
“She’ll be looking forward to meeting you too - I’m not sure she’s met a Vulcan, and, in any case, she’s always liked you in my stories,” said McCoy, smiling for the first time all day.
“Naturally, as I am usually saving you,” said Spock.
“Hey, I’ve saved you a fair few times as well,” said McCoy, and Spock’s eyes twinkled at him. “Yeah, she was even on your side back when you were nothing but an irritating hobgoblin to me,” said McCoy.
“Hmm, it would seem I owe your child a great debt then,” said Spock. McCoy stared at Spock, wide eyed.
“You, you do?”
“Indeed, I greatly value your friendship, Leonard,” said Spock.
“I greatly value your friendship too, Spock,” said McCoy. Spock shocked Leonard by giving him a small smile. He then left Leonard's quarters leaving the man feeling several different things, not all unpleasant.
Xxx
And so McCoy found himself sweating all over, with the feeling of bile in his throat, waiting for the shuttle to bring his little girl to him. Only, she wasn't so little anymore, she was a teenager, and oh God how was McCoy meant to handle any of this?
A comforting hand landed on his shoulder. “Don't worry, Bones, we’re all going to help you through this,” said Jim, Uhura, Spock and Scotty all nodded encouragingly at him.
The shuttle docked, there was a blur, and Joanna crashed into McCoy hugging him tighter than he'd ever been hugged. McCoy hugged her back just as hard.
“Hi Jo,” said McCoy, quietly, “would you like to meet my friends? Or rather go straight to our quarters?” McCoy asked, kindly.
Joanna peeked out from McCoy’s chest, eyes red from crying to look at the other officers who had gathered around. Joanna had auburn hair cut into a cute bob, big hazel eyes and she was a little short for her age.
“Hello,” she said, quietly.
“Hello, Jo,” said Kirk warmly. “I'm the captain of this vessel. You ever have any problems and you come straight to me, okay?” said Kirk.
“Okay, thank you,” she sniffled.
“I'm Uhuru, communications officer, you ever need some girl talk just come find me, okay?” said Uhuru.
Joanna nodded and said, “Thanks.”
“I'm Scotty, I’m chief engineer. You ever want ta get up ta some mischief, come find me,” he said with a smile and a twinkle in his eye. Joanna giggled and McCoy glared at the Scot.
“I am Spock, I am half human and half Vulcan, and the First Officer of this vessel. I too recently lost my mother,” said Spock quietly. “I am told by your father in particular that I do not have a good ‘bedside manner’, but I will endeavour to comfort you should the need arise,” said Spock. McCoy was touched by all of his friends’ statements, but Spock's hit him particularly hard, and he smiled at the Vulcan, and Spock nodded at him.
“Nice to meet you all,” said Joanna softly, still clinging to her father. “I’d like to go to our quarters now, if that's okay?” Joanna asked McCoy.
“Of course it is, sweetheart. Come, I'll show you the way,” he said, gently.
Once McCoy was away from his friends and walking towards their new quarters, he asked, “So, what do you think? They alright?” he asked.
“They all seem lovely,” said Joanna quietly. McCoy frowned, he was used to his girl being bright and loud and chipper. But he supposed what was he suppose to expect? Her mother was dead for Christ’s sake.
Once inside, McCoy asked, “What do you think? I asked for new quarters for us so you could have your own room, your own space, y’know?” said McCoy. Joanna’s eyes scanned the room curiously, from the small kitchen, to McCoy’s bed to the door to the bathroom and then the door for her bedroom.
Joanna inspected her room, quickly and efficiently. “Thanks Dad, this is great… I hope it wasn't too much trouble to move all your stuff?”
“For you, anything, Pumpkin,” said McCoy and Joanna smiled for the first time and McCoy beamed.