* X-NEWS: spcvxb alt.startrek.creative: 1266K Relay-Version: VMS News - V6.0-3 14/03/90 VAX/VMS V5.4; site spcvxb.spc.edu I Path: spcvxb.spc.edu!rutgers!cs.utexas.edu!uunet!walter!att!cbnewse!jeana ! Newsgroups: alt.startrek.creative * Subject: The Doctor And The Enterprise Pt46 Message-ID: <1991Nov8.172456.17328@cbnewse.cb.att.com>% From: jeana@cbnewse.cb.att.com (jean)  Date: 8 Nov 91 17:24:56 GMT $ Organization: AT&T Bell Laboratories Keywords: text Lines: 1037       E      The following are the rules for use of these files.  A) You may  = read it -- FREE.  B) You may print it to a printer -- FREE.   J C) You may make copies for your friends -- FREE.  D) You may redistribute J to other electronic networks and databases, including ftp archives FREE.  G E) The text carries my copyright from the date of original publication  F and "publication" of these files in this format does not grant anyone E anywhere permission to make copies either electronically or in print  > which carry *any* charge to anyone of any type for that copy. 6 F) Any reproduction of the text (print or electronic) C must carry this notice with it. An individual editing for a single  D copy for their own records is not bound by this requirement and may  edit this paragraph out.  D      Paper copies with the original artwork (including the marvelousF cover by Gail Bennett) are available from me.  SASE for details.  Some> dealers may also have appropriately priced *authorized* copiesC available (STARTECH is one of them).  Not everyone is on a computer  network!D      With regrets for being so picky -- but I've been burned on this enough.  Read and enjoy!   November 8, 1991
 Jean Airey 1306 W. Illinois Aurora, IL 60506 USA
 START OF TEXT B __________________________________________________________________ PART 4 THE DOCTOR AND THE ENTERPRISE       by	Jean Airey      copyright 1982 Jean Airey:      The group came to a circular stone	structure. A brief; noise and an opening appeared in one side and they went	in. ; The opening closed.  Some kind of a forcefield,	he thought. 9 He crept cautiously up to the sides.  Solid rock, but the ; structure stopped about	nine feet up. Where there's a wall, 9 there's	a way, Kirk thought and	realized that the fog was 8 pressing on his	mind again. No,	he thought, not	yet, and9 pushed it back.	These Daleks did not have feet or legs or 4 real arms, so they might not be	prepared for someone5 attacking from the top of the wall. He found hand and ; footholds in the rough rock and	got to the top.	He realized : that he	had carried the	yo-yo in his mouth. Like a weapon,! he thought.  Could it become one? <      Lying down	flat on	the top, he looked down	inside.	 The5 Doctor was standing in the middle of the structure. A  strange	light surrounded him. :      "Why have you come	here?" asked one of the	Daleks and: the light around the Doctor changed color.  The	Doctor did: not respond and	the light flickered again. It seemed to	be5 tightening on him. Another force field,	Kirk thought. ;      "I	was just looking around.  What are you doing here?" ; The Doctor lifted his head and smiled at the nearest Dalek. 8      At	least he was conscious,	and if he was conscious,9 then if	the forcefield could be	removed. . . . Kirk moved < slowly along the wall looking for some type of control panel inside the complex. 5      "I	do not believe you. You	will tell the truth."       "Exterminate!" 6      "No.  He may have information we need." The light: changed	color again and	Kirk heard the Doctor gasp.  If	he< didn't act quickly, the	Doctor would not be able to get	out.9 Kirk spotted what looked like a	control	panel -	switches, 7 buttons, and flashing lights. He crawled so that he was < directly above it.  Now	- one leap down.  He glanced over at5 the Doctor to catch a definite glance that said	`no'. ;      "Do you still like	blue?" said the	Doctor to the Dalek  who was	questioning him.6      "That is not an answer." The light	changed	again.9      Blue?  There was one panel	glowing	that color.  Kirk < looked at the Doctor and then realized that he still had the9 yo-yo in his hand. He lifted it. Heavy - maybe not just	a 6 normal yo-yo then. And on a string. Kirk smiled	at it.6 Method in the Doctor's madness.	He tied	one end	of the8 string to his finger and sent the weight down toward the4 panel. Missed. He pulled it back up and	tried again.-      "You will tell us what we wish to know." #      "Difficult	without	breathing." <      Kirk felt the weight rebound as the yo-yo hit the panel: and broke it. The power	over the complex died and Kirk saw; the Doctor run for the opening.	He slid	off the	wall as	the 9 Doctor ran around to meet him.	The Doctor pulled him down : behind another rock. "Stay here. They'll be looking for	us to be running." :      They remained hidden until	dusk came, saying nothing.9 The Doctor motioned and	Kirk followed him up further into 6 the mountains.	A small	cave seemed to be an acceptable8 stopping place and the Doctor motioned Kirk inside. Kirk6 collapsed on one side and looked at the	Doctor who was leaning	against	the other wall. ;      "Doctor," said Kirk, "Don't you know any nice people?" <      The Doctor	turned to Kirk.	"Where did you learn to	ride like that in one day?"7      Kirk looked at him, suddenly at a loss.  Oh no, he : thought, he's off on a tangent.	the blue eyes looking into his were quite serious. 9      "I	think that El Donna did	something to me	before we  left."     "Psychically?"<     "I think so.  I feet better	and I did know how to handle; that horse. I can't think of any other way for that to have 
 happened.":     "That last bit of riding probably saved your life. And now. .."7      Kirk waited patiently.  The Doctor	seemed to be in 9 another	world but now he could accept this as part of the : way the	alien mind worked. They	were alone in a	wilderness< with no	weapons	or communication devices, pursued by Daleks.. Anything the Doctor could think	of would help.6     "Do	have any psychic abilities?" the Doctor	asked.&     "No. I've always tested negative."+     "Tests aren't always the whole answer." %     "What are you thinking of doing?" 6     "There is one possibility."	The Doctor stopped and9 looked down at his hands.  Kirk	realized that one of them & had been burned	by the Dalek's weapon.8     "If	there is any possibility, I'm willing to try it. What do	you want me to do?" ;     The	Doctor studied Kirk carefully as he said, "El Donna 6 is the most powerful psychic on	this planet.  You have; recently been in telepathic contact with her. For her to do < what she did, she obviously felt some attraction to you." He stopped.:     Kirk waited	and when the Doctor did	not continue said,9 "The problem is	that I'm not a telepath, so I can't reach  her."      "You're not	a telepath."     "Can't you reach her?":     "I haven't had the contact I need to establish a link.: I know of her -	I don't	know her." The Doctor seemed to	be studying the side of the rock.:     "Doctor, if	you will tell me what you want me to do, I2 will do	it." The Doctor	looked at Kirk and smiled.6     "What I want you to	do is to try to	reach El Donna: mentally.  I will tap into your	mind, enable your signal -2 boost it, and then talk	to her through your mind."6     "You want me to be a link between the two of you?"/     "A signal and a link. It will not be easy." 4     Kirk looked	at the Doctor intently.	Ne was still serious.$     "Okay, let's try. What do I	do?";     "Picture her in your mind.	As clearly and accurately as 3 you can. When the picture is sharp, call her name." ;     Kirk nodded	and leaned back	against	the wall and closed < his eyes.  He felt one of the Doctor's hands resting lightly8 on his head. Odd, he thought, he could easily accept the6 idea of	telepathy through touch, but over a distance..;     It can be done.    The Doctor's thought in his mind	was / as unique as his voice.	 Not like Spock	at all. .     Mind-touch is a matchlessmuteness means of< identification.	Think of El Donna.    Obediently, Kirk tried: to remember her. The dark eyes,	the smile, the tilt of her; head, the mass of dark green hair, the image swirled in	hisa8 mind but he could not seem to stabilize	it.  He	realized8 that he	was breathing more rapidly and the Doctor's hand: dropped	away. He opened	his eyes and looked at the Doctor.; The Doctor was looking at the opposite wall of the cave. Heh: seemed almost discouraged. /Damn,/ Kirk	thought, /we can't
 give up	now./r!     "Try again?" he said lightly. 3     "Do	you feel up to it?  This may turn out to bel< physically painful to you, and in your present condition..."     "I'll make it."s<     He closed his eyes again and felt the Doctor's hand	come9 back on	his head.  He summoned the image again.	 It came,o: moving,	refusing to become firm.  He felt weak.	 No wonder: Spock was leery	of using the mind-meld if it was as tiring5 as this.  Come on, he thought, when have you ever had " trouble	remembering a pretty face?/     /Something is missing./ The Doctor thought.n:     /Missing?/  Kirk tried not to look at the image but	to' think about the	woman he had just left. ,     /The crystal./ He thought at the Doctor.<     /Of course, the crystal is part of her./    Kirk grabbed: the floating image and placed the dilithium crystal at her: neck. Immediately the image became sharp and clear.  As	if: she was	in his mind, looking at	him.  He felt the Doctor's mind move in his.i      /NOW! - call her!/e=      /El Donna. .. El Donna!/  Without warning, another mind  < touched his.  He felt his body double over in spasm and the . Doctor's other hand catch and cradle his head.<      /Captain? Why are you calling me?/  The spasm seemed to2 ease slightly as he felt her mind settle into his.(      /The Doctor needs to talk to you./	"      /The Doctor? Your liegelord?/2      /Yes. Here.../    Kirk felt the Doctor's mind< move forward and meet El Donna's.  Now he could	sit back and let these two handle it.8      /The invaders - the Daleks - are still here. A rear guard, in the mountains./ &      /So, the machines have not gone./>      /They have killed our escort. We must join now to destroy them./4      /Before myself and others of the greatest power8 joined with the	machine	lovers - those whom you	call the; Techies. Now the others	of the Power who joined	with me	are 9 gone. Our powers are diminished. Our weapons cannot equal  theirs.	What can we do??/ :      /It is possible that an avalanche could be triggered @ on their camp. Do you have enough of the Power left to do that?/?      /I would need the assistance of others. They will have to n# come from afar. It will take time./n7      Kirk felt himself being stirred from his bystandero role.h?     /Doctor./	He could sense that his	body was objecting to the / effort it was taking to	enter the conversation.e     /What?/r      /You are not alone in this./      /What do you mean?/<      /There is the Enterprise./  The Doctor did not respond.      /Had you forgotten?/h'      /What about your Prime Directive?/o(      /To hell with the Prime Directive!/8      He could feel the Doctor's laughter and it	somehow	 made the pain in his body ease.	"     /Captain, I think I like you./      /Can we reach her?/<      /Who is this Enterprise?/  El Donna questioned sharply.      /It is his ship./$      /Strange,to love a	machine	so./      /Doctor./<      Kirk realized that if they did not act quickly his body1 would collapse from the	effects	of the linking.	   /Can we reach Spock?/e2      /Image him for me, Captain, and I shall reach< him./ El Donna's mental voice was brisk and quite matter-of- fact.o9     Kirk again tried to	summon a mental	image.	This time,t; Spock.	His muscles were quivering as if he had	been runningt	 too long.k>     /With this image I can help./ The Doctor's mind swept into his.8     The	image he had been striving for sharpened, became clear.0     /Captain, I can drop you from the link now./;     /No Doctor.	This time he was the one laughing.  If you i8 want the Enterprise to fire her phasers on this planet,  I have	to give	the order.h!      /If it costs you your life?/ 6      /If it does - then	it does./ He felt his muscles " contract tightly, almost in spasm.#       /Captain. .. as you wish it./H@      One part of his mind seemed to feel the Doctor holding him,6 the other brought the image of Spock into focus again.>      /El Donna./ The Doctor called. /The image - can you reach
 this man?/      /Yes./a      And Spock was there.a@     /Captain - Jim?!/ Spock's mind seemed reassuringly familiar.A     /Spock.  Full phasers .../  El Donna's mind was there, linkedh7 with the Doctor's and coordinates appeared in his mind.o$     /Captain - the Prime Directive?/;      /Spock/  No good to give Spock the answer that had so  9 readily satisfied the Doctor.  /The Daleks, the	ones who  > invaded this planet before - still here - are the violators./ 9 He felt his body spasm violently again and knew that the	s three minds in his felt	it too.e'     /Jim! Doctor, get him out of this!/ 0     /My decision, Spock.  You have your orders./     And the world slid away. 			+++++++++++8     He came to to find himself lying on	the floor of the9 cave wrapped in	Doctor's coat. The Doctor was standing att the entrance looking out.k(     "Doctor?" He tried to lift his head.0     The	Doctor moved back and made him lie down.<     "Don't try to move.	 You won't have	the strength.  Don't9 even try to talk.  Spock will never forgive me if I don't  get you	back safely."q<     Kirk took a	deep breath. The Doctor	was right. He didn't have any strength left. ;     "You missed	the fireworks. That's the easiest time I'vew ever had with Daleks."<     Odd, Kirk thought, he would	have thought that the Doctor< would be exuberant, but	he seemed strangely subdued.  He was3 taking a metal object out of his pocket	- the sonice. screwdriver Scotty had been trying to analyze.:     "I'm setting this to a signal your transporter will	be: able to	home in	on.  We	should be having company soon."	He; smiled at Kirk as a small section of the screwdriver seemed	: to extend. "At least you won't have to ride a horse back.":     There was the familiar shimmer of the transporter beam; and Spock and McCoy were there.	McCoy moved quickly over toi< Kirk, the medical tricorder going. From	the look on his	face) Kirk knew that the results were	not good.e8     "Is	this from that damned mind-meld	of yours?" McCoy6 said, turning to the Doctor who	was undeniably looking  guilty.	Kirk caught Spock's eye.9     "Doctor McCoy, the decision	to attempt the telepathic  contact	was the	Captain's."p7     "He	couldn't have known it would have this effect!"t8     "Bones," Kirk felt that he had to stop the argument.: What was done was done.	"It was	my choice." He had to stop0 to take	another	deep breath. "Check the	Doctor."7     McCoy looked at him	for a minute and then swung thec; tricorder over toward the Doctor. Kirk nearly laughed as heh1 saw the	burned hand disappear into a coat pocket.t*     "I'm fine,"	said the Doctor	defiantly.9     "Like hell you are.	You've got second degree burns onc8 your right hand, three broken ribs and what amounts to a punctured lung.".     "I feel fine." The Doctor smiled at	McCoy.9     "Ha! At least this time I can treat	you properly. AndI that's what I'm	going to do!"e<     "Doctor McCoy," Spock interrupted, "I would	suggest	that: we return to the hospital with your patients." Kirk closed< his eyes again as he saw the Vulcan bending down to pick him3 up. In spite of	the gentleness of the touch, he	was  unconscious again in seconds.	
 			++++++++++u;     His	next memories were nightmares.	Strange	but familiarW9 faces hovering over him	shouting, "Hang	on, Captain, hang	: on, Jim, hang on. Hang on." Damn it, he	was hanging on!	He; sensed a presence that was not shouting. He opened his eyesO! to see Spock standing by his bed.e     "Thanks" he	said.h     "Captain?"     "You're not	shouting."<     "What did he say?" Another presence	- he turned his	head6 - the Doctor.  He looked around	the room. Still	on the9 planet,	well, that was where all the medical people were. 4     "He	said something about shouting."	Spock seemed puzzled.+     "Shouting?"	Kirk closed his	eyes again. 1     "No	one's been shouting in here." Spock said. 7     "Maybe not.	 Your medical indicators are showing an . improvement now.  Lt. Stephans!	Come in	here!"<     The	shouting started again.	Worry, concern,	fear echoing- in his mind. "What's happened, what's wrong?"w2     "See there!	Now, Lieutenant, get out of here."     The	shouting stopped.t6     "Spock, with the changes in	the DNA	patterns. . ."     "Uncontrolled telepathy..."y,     "Why we're losing all the children.	. ."8     He opened his eyes again to	see Spock and the Doctor: staring	at each	other. The Doctor smiled and Spock nodded.9 They turned to leave the room and the Doctor turned back. <     "Don't worry, Captain, there won't be anymore shouting."<     And	there wasn't. From his accidental remark the two had; been able to link the effect of	the infection to the use ofe8 uncontrolled psychic abilities - a relationship	that had McCoy muttering	for days.i 			+++++++++++3      When McCoy	was satisfied that the raging virala; infection had finally been routed, Kirk	was pronounced wellc9 enough to be beamed back to the	ship and the treatment ofg: the medical crew still on board. Watching the medical team7 making preparations to transport him up, he rejoiced inr< being able to think clearly again even though lifting a	hand8 was exhausting.	Then he	had a thought.	"Bones." At least8 speaking wasn't	so bad.	McCoy came over	and stood by the bed.:     "Jim, don't	try to talk. It'll be quite a while before you get	your strength back.")     "It's okay.	I want to talk to Spock."c<     McCoy looked at him	with relief. "Well, I suppose you'll; cause more trouble if I	don't let you see him. You can have.< one minute."  He went out the door and came back with Spock. "One minute, that's all."d:     "Of	course,	Doctor." Spock said and	looked quizzically
 down at	Kirk.w<     "Spock, I do not want the Doctor to	leave until I get to/ talk to	him." Kirk looked up at	Spock intently.h     "Indeed, Captain?"7     "I think he	might try to slip away without - sayingo0 goodbye.  I have to talk to him	before he goes.";     Spock smiled slightly and Kirk was relieved	to see thatw< some of	the influence of the Doctor's mind-melding was still9 at work. At least he wasn't going to get a lecture on theo" illogic	of wanting to say goodbye.<     "Captain, Mr. Scott	has not	yet completed the design for< the extra dilithium crystals. Even with	the Doctor's help it8 will take at least two days. I am quite	certain	that the: Doctor will not	leave until the	engineering is completed."<     "Very good,	Spock. Just have him see me before he goes."      "I will see	to it, Captain."<      Kirk smiled as his	first officer turned and left. McCoy9 was right. Spock was easier with himself than he ever hadi9 been.  Still, after the	Doctor left, and they returned tor8 their universe and the effect of the meld had worn off -: could there be a whiplash effect to this? He thought about; it as the medical team transferred him to the stretcher	and'< the transporter	brought	them up	to the Enterprise.  He would: have to	talk to	McCoy about it.	 If Spock suddenly took	it9 into that Vulcan head of his that behaving as he had beenl3 was aberrational, Spock	could wind up throwing awaya8 everything he had finally started to put together.  Kirk9 wondered if there were any nut cults on	Vulcan - probablye; not.  Still, with Spock's tour of duty coming to an end, hei7 would be quite free to leave Starfleet.	 Well, whatevern: Spock decided, he'd back him.  At any rate, he thought,	as; they transferred him to	the bed	in Sickbay, he wasn't goingm9 to be physically fit to	command	a starship for some time.k9 And his	hair was falling out. He felt a	hypospray against < his arm	and as he fell asleep thought of the Doctor blithely! saying "Changes."			   ++++++++++ 6     The	next day Kirk awoke from a catnap to see McCoy standing by the	bed.     "Good morning." McCoy said. *     "Is	that what it is? I've lost track."     "It's not surprising."     "Was it that bad?"     "We	nearly lost you."e9     Kirk looked	at McCoy and smiled. After a moment McCoyi: smiled back. "I'm getting too  old for these close calls."; McCoy paused for a moment. "I'm	also getting too old to	gete used to	another	Spock."o     "What do you mean by that?"n<     "Did anything - unusual - happen on	that little trip you took with the Doctor?"8     "Nothing you don't know about.  I've listened to the. Doctor's report	and it's quite accurate. Why?"4     McCoy shook	his head. "I can't tell	you anything7 specific, but I'm positive that	something happened thatC; wasn't reported." The events of	the last days on Lightunder ( were unexpectedly replaying in his mind. 			++++++++o9      After getting Kirk	settled, McCoy had found that hiso; other patient had disappeared. He was not really surprised.m4 The Doctor had demonstrated that he had	as strong an< aversion for being confined for	treatment as Kirk and Spock.1 He finally tracked him down in one of the TARDIS' < laboratories.  He and Spock were studying the results of the! most recent gram isolation tests.e:     - "Doctor,"	McCoy said, "if	you can	tear yourself away9 for about two hours, I can treat you and send you back tot work."6     "I've got more important things to do," the	Doctor< snapped	irritably. Spock looked	at the Doctor with surprise.;     "Doctor, it	is illogical for you to	assume that you	can 3 work with normal efficiency while you are in pain."D<     "Pain?  Don't be ridiculous	- my body heals	very rapidly/ and lying around won't speed things up at all."v:      McCoy looked at the readings on his medical tricorder7 and was	about to respond to the	Doctor's statement whens8 Spock stood up and walked over to the Doctor. "While Dr.< McCoy's	medical	treatment is quite primitive, I	do not think; that he	will simply have you recline in	a passive state	ando: wait for your own healing process to function.	Now are	you going to accompany him?"9     "Spock, I'm	fine. I	don't need any medical treatment..3 I've got work to do." The Doctor turned	back to	the + electronic projection he had been studying.r8      Spock glanced at McCoy. In	response to the	uplifted8 eyebrow	McCoy just shook his head. He disliked reluctant3 patients, but there was	no denying what	his medical 9 instrumentation	was telling him.  `Primitive' it might beM; according to Vulcan or Time Lord standards, but	he had seen ; the Doctor's normal readings and what was indicated now	wass# far from anything resembling those.c8     With one fluid motion, Spock administered the Vulcan, neck pinch and caught the Doctor as he fell.:     "Very efficient, Spock. Let's get him into the medical treatment area.";      One of the	rooms in the TARDIS had	been converted intot< an emergency treatment area. The portable equipment from the: Enterprise which had been installed there enabled McCoy	to9 treat almost any emergency. It only took a few minutes to < remove the Doctor's outer coats	and his	shirt and get him on8 the treatment table.  McCoy was	thankful that the Doctor; remained unconscious.  In the mood he was in, he would haveI7 been loudly protesting the whole time. As much as McCoys8 disliked reluctant patients, he	disliked noisy reluctant9 patients even more. By the time	the Doctor was conscious, < had completed his analysis of the damaged area involving the4 Doctor's rib cage and was calibrating the Bertod Ray- Attenuator that	would enable a rapid mending.e7     "The Platysternidae	is a slow moving creature." Then< Doctor said. His blue eyes focused accusingly on Spock.	"You did something to me."a:     "It	is quite illogical for you to attempt to work in a7 physical condition that	is below normal." Spock	replied 8 quite calmly. The Doctor looked	ready to dispute Spock's9 statement when McCoy intervened. "Now, Doctor, there's nod! sense in getting angry at Spock."	:     "Angry? I never get	angry."	 The Doctor said, clipping9 the ends of his	words in a brusque, precise manner. "Evenl9 when people interfere with what	I want to do, I	don't getl angry!" 9      "Well then, you're	doing the best imitation of a mane: about to get very angry	that I've ever seen." McCoy turned9 the attenuator on.  "If	Spock hadn't dropped you, I wouldY9 have." The Doctor looked at McCoy in surprise.	"I can layt< my hands on at least ten things	now that'll put	you to sleep8 like a baby and	when, in my medical opinion, Doctor, you; need to	be treated in order to remain a	viable part of this 5 team, I	will not hesitate to use them.	You may	be thee: Doctor,	Doctor,	but I have the full medical responsibility9 for this team and I will not evade that	responsibility by : allowing any member to go off on some masochistic ego trip: and ignore his body's own natural warning signs! Now since9 your body is so	much better than a human body, it may notD; even take two hours to heal under the Berthod ray - but	youn< are going to stay here until Nurse Chapel confirms that	your5 ribs and lung have healed. Now let me see that hand." 1     The	Doctor had listened to McCoy with an awedt7 fascination and	promptly held his hand out. "Bones," hee< said, a	wicked grin unexpectedly lighting up his face, "When< you were in Medical School, what sort of a grade did you get in `bedside manner'?"d9     McCoy heard	a noise	behind him and,	turning, saw thatn5 Spock was leaving the room. Chris Chapel seemed	to bem< intensely studying the lower panel of the Attenuator. He ran4 the medical tricorder over the Doctor's	burned hand.; "Y'know, I never heard that `bedside manner' was related too9 medical	skill."	He looked at the Doctor.  "That's a nasty' burn."9     "The Daleks	do not have a reputation for being nice."  The Doctor looked tired.:      "This won't hurt, but your	hand may be a little stiff: until it heals." McCoy sprayed the burned area and put the9 Doctor's hand down. He glanced at the bruised area on thek< Doctor's side and noted	with pleasure that the discoloration; had already begun to face.  "Now I know	you're going to	getS: edgy just lying	there, so I'm going to give you	a sedative< that will keep you quiet for about an hour.  By	the time you# wake up, you'll	be back	to normal."s8     The	Doctor did not protest as McCoy	administered the hypospray.  "Bones, I wish. .m     "Wish what?"9     "You know,"	from the Doctor's voice, McCoy could telle; that the medication was	taking effect. "No one gets too	old < to learn a new way of being stupid." McCoy looked at the now2 sleeping figure	in puzzlement.	He had no idea what8 occasioned that	remark,	and he knew that any attempts to pursue it would	be rebuffed.
 			++++++++++y9      During the	next several days, McCoy became	convinced 1 that the Doctor	was determined to demonstrate hisc: superiority over the human members of the team.	 He worked8 without	sleep, running test after test,	trying to find a9 clue to	the control of the deadly elusive virus. The onlyf6 sign of	fatigue	that McCoy could pinpoint was that his6 joking remarks were devolving into the lowest level of humor.)     Each day saw Kirk's	condition worsen. 4     When the Doctor and	Spock happened on the causal4 relationship between the effect	of the virus and the: uncontrolled use of psychic abilities, McCoy was convinced8 that they were now in complete control of the situation.9 The Doctor's natural exuberance	returned as patient afterr! patient	was successfully treated.i;     McCoy could	not enter the room where Kirk lay isolated, 5 but he was waiting outside while the Doctor and	Spockp; administered the treatment. After a longer time	than any of 6 tee other patients had required	to respond, the	Doctor8 emerged	alone.	His face was deadly serious. He	looked at& McCoy and said,	"He's not responding."     "Not at all?"e(     "Not worse - but not at all	better.",     "Even if he	doesn't	get worst, he can't.:     "Three hours - maybe four."	The fatigue that McCoy had/ been expecting was suddenly there in his voice. 4     "Come on, Doctor, I	think we'd better sit down."6     The	Doctor did not protest as McCoy	led him	into a: nearby vacated room. Once inside, however, another frantic8 burst of energy	caused him to pace back	and forth in the* narrow space between the bed and the wall.<     "It	should have worked.  Every test, every calculation -8 every other patient proved it."	He stopped and turned to9 McCoy. "He's an	unusual	man - your Captain." He	glared ate0 McCoy as if daring him to dispute the statement.:     "He	is." McCoy stated calmly.  There didn't	seem to	be< any sense in both of them getting upset. "He'll	be the first< Starship Commander to complete a five-year mission with	ship and crew virtually intact." 4     "The first?" The Doctor looked surprised. "Why?":     "Because he	knows when to go by the	book - and when	to throw it out."9      "And we're	going to lose him here." He turned to then7 door- and McCoy	was not	surprised to see Spock come in.t9 Spock was carrying one the Enterprise's	recording tabletse9 and the	skin on	his face was tight against the bone.  Thee< Doctor reached out and took the	tablet from Spock's hand. He9 looked at the notes and	with a suddenness that made McCoyo; jump, flung the	tablet to the floor. He	looked at it laying  there and then looked at Spock.r7     "I know," he said, as if in	response to an unspoken : comment.  "It doesn't change anything. But then	again,"	he8 smiled wryly, "What's the point	of being grown up if you can't be childish?"	     "Jim?" McCoy whispered.o2     "Still alive.  But the treatment is	definitely; ineffective."  Spock's voice was level as always, but McCoyo8 recognized that	it was not because of a	lack of	feeling.     "Now what?"	McCoy asked.8     "Try something else." The Doctor bent to pick up the) tablet.	 "There's always something else."n5     "For what?"	McCoy looked over to see Lt. Stephans	3 standing in the	door behind Spock. "I don't mean tov8 interrupt, but it sounded as though someone was	throwing things around." <     "The Captain seems to be immune to the only	treatment we4 have."	The Doctor said	bluntly. "Don't	want to	throw something around?"8     "If	it would help, I would.	However, I don't think I+ could be of much more help than	that here."o<     Spock and the Doctor exchanged swift glances. "Explain," Spock said.d8     "My	field is Xenobiology - the Captain's human. . .";     Spock's eyes lit up	and the	Doctor shouted "That's it!"a3 With a leap he was shaking her hand and	patting	hera9 exuberantly on the back. "Good girl," he said, beaming atb her.:     "Doctor," McCoy said, "knowing why Jim doesn't respond9 to the treatment doesn't help us find a	treatment he wills respond	to."      "Logically.	. ." Spock said.<     "Oh	pooh," interrupted the Doctor. "Logic is the science; of going wrong with confidence.	We've got the same disease, : curable	in individuals of the same species and intractable; in an individual of another species. All we have to find isn the denominator	of difference."q8     "Exactly." Spock said.  The	Doctor looked at him and1 laughed. McCoy and Stephans smiled at each other.o;     "Now then,"	the Doctor said, "We have our best researchn9 sources	right here." With one swift movement he	had McCoy	5 and Stephans seated next to each other on the bed and 6 perched	himself	backwards on a chair opposite them. He9 glanced	at Spock and Spock pulled up a chair and sat downt: too. McCoy looked at them. One was sitting in a	proper and8 correct	fashion, leaning forward slightly with interest.< The other was sprawled over and	around the wrong side of the: chair.	Like two sides of a coin, he thought and glanced at; Lt. Stephans, wondering	if the same thought had	occurred tot: her. He	couldn't tell if it had.  She was looking straight; at the Doctor. Even her	shoulder length	copper colored hairc was completely still.o<     "Now then,"	said the Doctor, "What do we know about	this virus?"u7     "Its effectiveness is directly linked to the use oft# psychic	abilities." McCoy answered.D6     "The uncontrolled use of psychic abilities." Spock added.:     "Exactly," commented Lt. Stephans. "An individual with8 no active psychic ability - or a superior control - only, contracts a mild case and recovers rapidly."/     "We	haven't	had many of those!" McCoy said.h:     "That's strange," said the Lieutenant, "I don't recall7 that the Captain was ever identified as	even marginally 	 psychic."p<     "He	isn't -	or he wasn't," McCoy said. "Now, the problem7 seems to be that what ability he does have is literallyl feeding	the virus."i<     "But most of the adult Lightunder people we've seen	have< managed	to pull	through. The major problem has been with the8 children - both	in catching the	virus and combating it." said the Doctor.:     "Not just `children', Doctor," Lt. Stephans	continued.; "Specifically, the break occurs	exactly	with the completionf of puberty."<     McCoy looked at her	in surprise. He	hadn't realized	that6 she had	had the	time to	do any research	into the basic  biological cycles on Lightunder.1     "Quite right, Dorcy.  Now, can you detail the 6 differences during this	time between Lightunderans and humans?" asked the Doctor.;     The	Lieutenant nodded and abruptly stared into a cornerM< of the room. McCoy looked at her in increasing astonishment.7     "Doctor McCoy," Spock said dryly, "I believe we are < about to see an	example	of Cultural Survey and Contact's new! eidetic	memory control training."n<      "Difference during	pubertal transition - Lightunder and9 Terra."	The Lieutenant's voice had flattened somewhat butm: there was obviously a human control over the generation	of: the data.  The Doctor beamed at	her with pleasure.  "Onset7 of puberty the Lightunder humanoid causes a flux in theo8 production of an adrenaline-like hormonal substance.  As9 production ebbs, the individual's psychic abilities, wheni: present, overcome the natural balance and cause	dizziness,7 spacial	disorientation,	hallucinations,	and, in	extremeC< cases, death. As the flux stabilizes to	the adult level, the8 individual gradually acquires a	somewhat variant control8 over the now active psychic abilities."	 She blinked and< looked at the Doctor expectantly. "Does	that sound helpful?";     "What's the	chemical formula for this substance?" McCoyu asked.4     "CN3H2O2 bonded in a tri-nitrous base of BCzC4."7     McCoy felt his heart sink.	He shook his head.  "Anyo; mixture	like that would	kill Captain as	surely as the virus : is." The four of them sat in silence.  McCoy felt a sudden0 empathy	for the	Doctor's desire	to throw things.7     "But it's still a question of control." Spock said,M< leaning	forward	in his chair.  "If the psychic abilities the2 captain	has could be controlled	in some	other way.;     "Of	course!" McCoy said. "If one of	you could duplicate+; the chemical effect in a chemical fashion..." Spock and	the 9 Doctor looked at each other. "Can you do it?" He knew thei* answer from the	look on	the Doctor's face.     "No," Spock	said.,4     The	Doctor shook his head.	"I seem	to be good at9 starting things, but stopping that takes tremendous powera+ under superb control." His voice was bleak. 7     "Isn't there someone on this planet	who could?" Theu" Lieutenant asked in a level voice.5     The	Doctor's face brightened. "El Donna!" he said 
 gleefully.8     "Of	course," Spock said. "She could	do it -	but will she?"d8     The	Doctor hesitated for a moment. "Yes, I think she8 will.  She took	a liking to your Captain.  I expect most9 people do." His	voice had the same edge	of defiance McCoya< had heard before.  This	time the Lieutenant picked it up and7 glanced	questioningly at McCoy.	 McCoy shrugged	his owne puzzlement.n:     "Can she be	reached	quickly?  Our time is increasingly% limited." Spock	looked at the Doctor.i7     "I think I can get her attention - with your help."e# Spock nodded and the Doctor got	up. 9     "If	you two	are going to link up again, Doctor, you'dw better lie down." McCoy	said.       "Oh, well, if you think so."%     "I think so, Doctor," said Spock.u;      The Doctor	laid down on the bed. Spock sat	on one sideh: and placed his hands in	position on the	Doctor's head. The9 Doctor smiled at Spock and closed his eyes.  McCoy took	ai: deep breath as he walked around	to the foot of the bed and; watched	them establish their mental communication. It mightn7 be `natural' to	them, but it seemed to set his teeth on	: edge. It was something beyond his control, and it made him; nervous. He opened his medical tricorder and, hearing a	hume: behind him, realized that the Lieutenant had started hers.&     "Monitoring	the Doctor," she said.8     McCoy turned his tricorder on Spock	and winced as he$ watched	the medical graphic display.:     "They're both on the edge of exhaustive collapse." The Lieutenant remarked.9     The	readings on McCoy's tricorder went suddenly askewc9 and he recognized the pattern he had seen before when the  two had	melded.a<     "They're in	the meld now," he said.	"I didn't hear Spock say anything.":     "He	doesn't	need to	any more with the Doctor.  If they4 were together much more, this kind of thing would be( routine. Both hearts stabilizing rates.";     "Blood pressure normal. Alpha and Gamma waves peaking."h8     Spock took his hands away from the Doctor's	head and% turned to McCoy.  "She's on her	way." ;     McCoy looked at the	Doctor.	He was lying very still	and  his eyes were still closed. <     "She and her escort	will be	teleporting here. The Doctor is acting as a location	beam."9      There was a multicolored burst of light near the bedi5 and, with a slight popping noise, a woman and two menC< appeared.  The Lieutenant quickly shut off her tricorder and4 McCoy followed suit. Damn! but she was lovely, McCoy< thought.  Petite, with a slim lithe figure, great dark eyes,9 a mass of curly	dark green hair	set off	by a floor lengthe5 flowing	yellow gown, and a glow	that gave her a	regal ) presence. The Doctor got up from the bed.c%     "El	Donna,"	he said	respectfully.t9     One	of the armed men with her stepped forward.  McCoyp recognized him - Raul d'Colm'n.n<     "We	have come at your request, Time	Lord, to handle	that which you cannot," Raul	said.e9     "Raul, you will speak no more of this. I have alreadye; spoken with the	Doctor on it." A faint but decisive hint ofn< command	in El Donna's beautifully modulated voice brooked no% hint of	defiance.  Raul	stepped	back.a*     "Your pardon." He bowed to the Doctor.<     The	Doctor brushed the apology aside. "The Captain is in3 here."	He started toward door.	"Some of our medicall machines are also in the room."a:     Raul started to speak but El Donna interrupted. "He	is yours -b,  not ours. The machines	will not interfere.";     "Spock," said McCoy, "Would	it be possible for me to be	 there?" <     Before Spock could answer, El Donna	turned and looked up; at Mccoy. The Crystal at her throat was	glowing	dimly.	"Youg9 are his	friend and his physician. You may be with us. Andu$ you?"  She looked at the Lieutenant.6     "El	Donna, I would have no reason to be there save curiosity."t7     "An	admirable trait, but not to be indulged	on thisy6 occasion."  The	two women smiled at each other and the selected group left the	room.h:     They entered Kirk's	room and El Donna stepped close	to6 the bed. McCoy looked at his friend and	then up	at the< medical	indicators for reassurance.  The body in the bed was: emaciated, the hair thinning, no visible sign of life. Yet8 the medical indicators showed that Kirk	was still alive.:     The	Doctor walked around to	the other side of the bed,9 glanced	down at	Kirk and then looked at	El Donna. She didr9 not look at the	medical	indicators; her	gaze was fixed on : Kirk. McCoy swallowed convulsively and realized	that Spock5 was standing next to him. The tension in the room was		 palpable.t9      El	Donna stretched	her hands out over the bed, palmst8 down.  McCoy could see a pulsing glow from the dilithium< crystal	at her neck. A phosphorescent swirling fog seemed to8 appear between her hands and Kirk's body.  She moved her9 hands and the glow followed them, spiraling in a tumbling < pattern	between	her hands and Kirk's head.  For	a moment the7 flow seemed to hesitate	and Raul raised	his hand to his.; head, the crystal on his wrist glowing.	The flow stabilizedo6 then, moving in	a pulsing rhythm toward	Kirk and then,9 abruptly, flowing back.	Three times it pulsed between the < two.  McCoy noticed that the eerie glow	seemed to be growing: brighter.  Then	its movement from Kirk to El Donna's hands9 slowed.	McCoy had a feeling that this time it was pullingp< something with it. It suddenly broke free and dissipated its brilliance around the room. 5     Kirk's body	heaved with a convulsive spasm.	McCoye6 started	for the	bed, but the Doctor was	closer and the; Doctor was the one who held the	body as	the spasm subsided.t;     McCoy looked at the	medical	monitors. Their	message	wasS8 clear; Kirk was	now winning the	battle.	The antidote had8 taken effect. He felt a	hand grab his arm. It was Spock.+     "He's made it, Spock." McCoy whispered. 7     The	Doctor,	still holding Kirk, looked at McCoy andg Spock.<     "Bravo!" he	said with a smile to El	Donna as he lay	Kirk down again and stood up.:     With a start, McCoy	realized that El Donna's eyes were full of	tears.<     "That is a terrible	thing that I have done for you,	Time9 Lord.  Had you summoned	me earlier, I could have left theD+ power with him.	 Now he	is totally bereft." ;     "El	Donna,"	said Spock, "the Captain will not miss whats4 he never knew he had - and you have saved his life."<     "For my people, Mr.	Spock, what he has lost	is more	than< life.  It may come back	in time, but it	is still a death and destruction now."o#     "He	is alive." The Doctor said.T:     "That is because of	your choice, not his. You stand	as: his liegelord and you must answer to him for it. You speak; of change, Time	Lord, and urge such change on us - but willt; you be prepared	for the	change that you	must face?" Withouth: waiting	for a reply, El	Donna stepped back between her two4 escorts	and, with a hissing noise, they	disappeared.;     As they disappeared, McCoy heard the Doctor	take a deepu9 breath and Spock moved quickly over to the bed and lookedv
 down at	Kirk.t<     "Pompous, puffed-up	psychics!" said	the Doctor.  "Always* having the last	word.  What does she know.(     "Doctor," said Spock. "I thank you."!     "You're not	everyone, Spock."i,     "She is not	the Captain," Spock replied.;     "Neither is	she speaking for me or any of the others on	; the Enterprise." McCoy said. He	didn't like the	look on	thea7 Doctor's face. He had a	sudden hunch that if the Doctorr< could have left	in his TARDIS at that moment he	would. "That9 the Captain is alive now - and that we're all going to bet6 able to	return to our own universe is because of you."6     "Because of	me?"  The Doctor said in surprise. "Oh; nonsense anyone	could have. well, almost anyone. . ." McCoy  shook his head,	smiling.;      "If you two don't have anything better to do, I'd like * to get on with taking care of my patient."7     "Doctor," said Spock, "I believe that Mr. Scott has 8 encountered some difficulty in the design for the use of6 those additional dilithium crystals." Spock turned and6 walked toward the door.	After hesitating a moment, the< Doctor joined him.  "We	also need to begin the disengagement of the computer	link between.!8     McCoy watched them leave and resisted the impulse to: tell them both to get some rest. He took out his tricorder& and began to analyze Kirk's condition.
 			++++++++++t7     "I can see that that's an experience you don't want : repeated, Bones." Kirk said.  "But what	makes you say that the Doctor is like Spock?"<     "Well, I know he was hurt by what El Donna said. And I'm: equally	as sure	that something else happened to	him on the; trip with you."	Kirk shook his head in puzzlement. "I don't ; think that he quite accepted what I said," McCoy continued,o< "but since then	I haven't been able to get to him to try and$ convince him that I really mean	it."8     "Why not?" Kirk was	perplexed. The Doctor had always seemed to be quite accessible.;     "Y'know how	Spock uses that	`I am a	Vulcan'	bit when hes4 wants to shut you out?"	Kirk nodded. "Well, I may be: completely out of line,	but I'd	be willing to bet that the< Doctor uses that clown act of his in the same way. You can't' really touch him with a	ten foot pole."n     "So	you're frustrated." <     "Well, I keep reminding myself that	he's not a member of: our crew, and he's apparently quite capable of taking care of himself, but..."d9     "He's a friend." McCoy nodded in agreement.	 "And youa; don't like to see your friends hurt." Kirk was beginning tor feel tired again.c8     "You'd better get some more	sleep."	McCoy said. "One9 other thing, though, what did El Donna mean by the Doctorg having to face a change?"T;     "I don't know Bones	- it sounds as though she is seeinge5 something that the Doctor is going to have difficultye; dealing	with." Kirk recalled the Doctor	going off with Raul	8 after the duel.	 "I suspect that he's been trying to get9 their culture to accept	the changes the	war has	made themh/ face - and I don't think she approves of that."o 			+++++++++<     The	next day McCoy announced that the Doctor had come to see him	before leaving.e9     "Spock said	you wanted to see me, Captain,"	announcede: the Doctor as he swept into the	room and sprawled into the< chair next to Kirk's bed. In spite of the words, Kirk sensed< that some of the surging exuberance was	repressed. He looked9 carefully at the man in	the bulky clothes slouched in thee2 chair. The Doctor seemed to be studying	his shoes.:     "Doctor." The head came up and the blue eyes stared	at7 him warily.  The look was familiar.  "Doctor," he said,c5 shaking	his head and laughing, "you are	a fraud!" Theu4 Doctor's eyes widened in astonishment. "For all	your: carrying on, you don't like emotional scenes any more than  Spock does. You're embarrassed!";     "I am never	embarrassed." replied the Doctor haughtily.e;     "Of	course not." Kirk smiled. "Then	you're not going toe object if I apologize to you."     "Apologize?":     "I misjudged you and I do most sincerely regret that."7     "Oh	that," the Doctor got up and walked over to thea: monitor	by the other bed.  Still facing	away from Kirk,	he; said, "It's very difficult to judge people properly all	thet time.""     "I nearly died because of it."<     "Captain," the Doctor seemed to square his shoulders and3 turned around. "If I had not stimulated	your latent	; telepathic abilities, the virus	would not have been able toH gain the hold that it did."o<      "Doctor, McCoy has	already	been through that with me. I< would remind you that I	would have died	at the end of Raul's; sword had not been for you." The Doctor's eyes studied Kirkc: carefully and Kirk went	on, "And Doctor, you never made	me9 do anything. And what I	did by choice, I would do again."c7 The Doctor seemed to be	considering Kirk's words.  Kirkr1 wondered how many humans the Doctor had	outlived. <     "Well," said the Doctor, "It might have been his knife." He smiled luminously at	Kirk. (     "You're incorrigible." Kirk	laughed.'     "That's what all my	teachers said."i'     Spock and McCoy came into the room.a<     "Doctor," Spock said, "We will be warping out of here in twenty-two minutes."8     "Is	there anything we can do for you before	you go?" Kirk asked. <     "For me? Oh	no, the	TARDIS is quite	self-sustaining." He( settled	his hat	to the back of his head.:     "I don't suppose we'll meet	again."	McCoy interjected.8     "Doctor McCoy, there is a 61.725 percent probability: that the Doctor	will arrive at some time in our	universe."5     Kirk looked	at Spock in amazement and then at thee< Doctor.	 The Doctor seemed to accept the statement. "Spock - explain	please."5      Spock and the Doctor exchanged glances and	Spock	; continued.  "In	entering and leaving the Doctor's universe,b9 we will	have created a weakness	between	this universe andd; our own. The Doctor's TARDIS utilizes the same principle ass7 our warp drive.	It is this particular use of power thatm; enables	transfer between universes. The	Doctor's control ofm the TARDIS is not reliable."5     "I like it the way it is," interrupted the Doctorh indignantly.:     "Indeed. You would not permit Mr. Scott to work on it.< As long	as it is in its	present	condition, there is a 61.7.. ."8     "All right,	Spock,"	Kirk said. "Doctor, do you agree with Mr.  Spock's conclusion?""     "I won't dispute it, Captain.";     "Then I think that there is	something that I can to	forD you."h:     "Article 110, Captain?" asked Spock.  Kirk smiled.	His6 first officer was certainly reading his	mind today. He looked at McCoy.*     "Jim - you've never	used that before.";     "I never had any reason to,	Bones. Don't you think thatt" it would be an appropriate -gift?":     "Perfect." McCoy smiled as smugly as if he had had the< idea himself. The Doctor looked	uneasy and Kirk	wondered how8 many times in his adventures he	had ever been thanked by anyone he helped.	     "Computer,"	Kirk said.     "Working."2     "This is Captain James T. Kirk - acknowledge."     "Acknowledged."o8     "Prepare to	implement Command Decision under Article 110."E     "Ready."<      "The individual known as the Doctor is to be considered; a citizen in full standing of the Federation and is to holds6 the honorary rank of Commander in Starfleet.  Standard< identification patterns	as follow." Kirk nodded	at McCoy who< took one of the	computer input cartridges from his files and: entered	it in the slot.	The computer hummed as it digested the information./     "Acknowledged. Article 110 Command Decision 
 implemented."m0     The	Doctor was looking at Kirk in amazement.8     "Now, Doctor, this obligates to nothing - but if you4 should run up against some other muleheaded Starship; Captain, or a government bureaucrat, you can make them call : up this	record.	Not only will it identify you, but it will9 provide	you with some authority. If it is ever called up,t; the record of what you have done for us	will be	there too."t<      "Captain, I. . ." Kirk realized that the voluble Doctor< was at a loss for words.  He abruptly shrugged his shoulders7 and shook his head and looked at the three men who wereo: watching him.  "Thank you." He stepped forward and offered; his hand to Kirk who took it without hesitation. The warmth 8 of the handshake said more to Kirk than	the Doctor could7 have possibly expressed	in words.  "Thank you,"	he said	( again and glanced around at all	of them.:     "Doctor," said Spock, "you have ten	minutes	before you have to	leave.".;     The	Doctor stepped back and	settled	his hat	at a rakishd9 angle on his head.  He smiled brightly.	"Since you people : place such a high priority on saying goodbye, I'm going	to< go and say goodbye to Lt. Stephans. I'll see you down at the TARDIS in five minutes."<     Kirk watched the tall figure leave the room	with regret.9     "Spock, if the Doctor does land in our Universe, whato8 are the	chances	- no, on second	thought, don't tell me.":     "Jim," said	McCoy, "You don't need Spock to	figure out< that if	we ever	run into the Doctor again either we'll be in: some kind of trouble, or he'll be in some kind of trouble,. but either way,	we'll all wind up in trouble!"9     "Doctor McCoy," said Spock,	"If you	are implying thatn3 the Doctor has a knack for landing in the middle ofe7 unpleasant situations..	. you are quite	correct	in your 8 assumption." A slight smile curved one corner of Spock's mouth. McCoy laughed.H9     "Damn it, Spock, I wish we'd run into the Doctor fivet years ago."+.     Spock cocked a quizzical eyebrow at	McCoy.:     "Gentlemen," Kirk said, "if	you want to see	the TARDIS. off, I would suggest that you be on your way."6     Kirk watched the two leave and lay back in the bed8 staring	up at the ceiling. It had all started five years9 ago, and now this time had come	and there was the unknown  future still ahead. :     An alien sound seemed to echo through the halls and	he( knew that the Enterprise was going home.   		   THE END