.....

  Doctor McCoy leans on the weapons console, glaring towards the forward view screen, and straight at his infuriating younger captain.

  "Damn it, Jim! Someone out there needs our help. I'm a doctor...Not a barbarian. I won't leave a man out there to die!" McCoy yells, face reddening with frustration.

  "You heard the same message we did, Bones. That isn't a man out there. You have your orders, Doctor. Mr. Spock..."

  "Damn your orders, Jim! And damn you! Uncouple the auxiliary medical bay arm. I'll take her out there myself."

  Captain Kirk sucks on his teeth and briefly allows his eyes to drift toward the ceiling. How many times must he do this silly song and dance with the doctor? He says 'no'. McCoy puts up an argument. Usually a pretty good argument. But he is the captain, not Bones. His word is law on this ship. Or is it?

  Kirk lowers his eyes and glowers at Dr. McCoy. The doctor's face is equally stern. Another middle of space standoff.

  "If you go, Bones. You do so without my recommendation. You will be in direct violation of the Prime Directive...And statute three-two-five-seven of the Federation code. We are not to intercede in matters which do not directly affect the Federation or its allies."

  "That's five-seven-three-two, Captain," Mr. Spock interjects, hitching an eyebrow.

  "Whatever," Kirk says, twisting his mouth with displeasure at the vulcan's tendency to correct him in front of his subordinates.

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  "Doctor," Nurse Chapel states in a soft voice, gripping Bones' right forearm. "The captain is right. We can't go against orders."

  "Maybe he can't. But I swore an oath. 'To do no harm'. No matter the time, the place, or the species. Someone needs my help. And I'm gonna give it to 'em. With or without you, Jim."

  Captain Kirk breathes in deeply, pursing his lips with internal fury. Mr. Scott looks from the Captain to Doctor Bones. Is the captain seriously entertaining the idea of letting the doctor go? Why not simply lock the doctor in the brig until he cools off?

  Kirk crosses both arms over his chest and spreads his legs in a gesture of dominance and superiority. Doctor Bones prepares himself for the announcement he fears is coming. He will be stripped of his doctoral duties and confined to quarters. Isn't that what happens to everyone who dares defy the will of James T. Kirk?

  "Okay, Bones. You win. I won't tell you to go. But I won't order you to stay. Whatever you choose to do...The consequences are yours to bear alone. Mr. Scott!"

  Scotty moves quickly to stand beside the captain. His brown eyes search Captain Kirk's face for a secret sign. However, Kirk is intensely studying Dr. Leonard "Bones" McCoy.

  "Mr. Scott, commence protocol to uncouple the auxiliary medical bay arm. I want you to ensure the good doctor has everything he needs for the journey."

  "Yes, Captain," Mr. Scott replies.

  The Chief Engineer nods to a fellow engineer halfway across the bridge. Chekov, Sulu, and Uhura turn at their individual stations. The three friends stare at Doctor McCoy with varying levels of dismay on their faces. Mr. Spock raises an eyebrow but says nothing.

  As the two engineers hustle off of the bridge, Captain Kirk shakes his head at the ever-stubborn Doctor McCoy.

  "I hope you know what you're doing, Bones."

  Bones' voice becomes a low mumble and he talks out of one side of his mouth.

  "So do I."