Chapter Text
Jamie was not a jealous person. Of course not, why would she? Not even of the new assistant Nurse down in Sick Bay. Nurse Rachael Hernandez. A woman in her 30’s, long chocolate brown hair, bright emerald green eyes and a perfectly structured face. One to go with her skinny tanned body. No, Jamie was not jealous. Right?
ONE WEEK LATER:
Jamie and McCoy were at together at lunch in the mess hall.
“So, how’s the new nurse?” Jamie asked, taking a bite of her salad that McCoy made sure she got.
“She’s okay” he answered “She’s constantly asking questions, trying to understand every procedure, medicine and everyone’d medical files. I like her” he said taking a sip of his coffee.
Jaime paused and gave him a sarcastic shocked expression “Is Doctor Leonard McCoy admitting to liking another living being?” she gasped.
McCoy rolled his eyes “I don’t hate everyone”.
Jamie laughed “Yeah, just most people”.
McCoy shook his head playfully and she smiled. Jamie was about to say something when Rachael walked up to the table, a tray of food in her hands.
“Hello, Captain, Dr McCoy” Rachael greeted with her ‘perfect’ smile Jaime had come to hate seeing all the time.
“Nurse Hernandez. How are you?” McCoy asked.
Rachael smiled “Oh please, Dr, It’s Rachael. And I am well, yourself?” she asked, looking directly at him, making Jamie feel like a third wheel at dinner.
He shrugged “As good as I can be in this tin can”.
Rachael laughed, and Jamie fought the urge to cringe ‘You can’t hit another crew member, no matter how annoying they are’ she thought to herself, gripping her coffee mug slightly.
Although it had only been a week since Rachael arrived she was starting to get on Jamie’s nerves. She’d always suddenly appear out of nowhere, claiming she needed Bones for some questions or help with something that was ‘important’. One time her and Bones were in his quarters discussing information for there next mission on whatever planet when Rachael suddenly appeared at his door saying she needed him for some questions if he was available. The look of disappointment on her face when Bones told her he couldn’t at the moment, gave Jamie a little bit of satisfaction.
“Is it okay if I join you?” Rachael asked, jarring Jamie from her thoughts.
Jamie put on a fake smile “Of course” she said. ‘Great. I wanted to be as far away from her, not opposite her’ she thought grimly.
“Thank you, Captain” Rachael said sitting down directly in front of McCoy.
Jamie desperately wanted to make some excuse to leave but McCoy knew her schedule too well, so she just smiled politely. And that’s how the rest of the lunch went, with Rachael babbling to Bones about something she didn’t understand.
STSTSTSTSTSTSTSTSTSTST
It had now been two months since Rachael’s arrival and thing’s had changed. McCoy was spending a lot of time with Racheal down in Sick Bay, and less with Jamie. Yes, Jamie understood that they are both needed down there, it being their jobs and all, but not even Bones used to spend this much time down there before Rachael.
One day Jamie walked into Sick Bay and went straight to McCoy’s office, only to find it empty “Bones?” she called out.
“Leonards not here right now” the voice of Rachael said from behind.
Jamie turned to Rachael “Where is he?” she asked.
“Preforming surgery” Rachael replied.
Jamie nodded “Okay. Can you tell him to call me once he’s out, please?” she said as she began to walk out.
“You can’t have him, you know” Rachael said, causing Jamie to stop in her steps and paused before turning around.
“Excuse me?” she asked, confused.
“You can’t have him” Rachael repeated, “You’ll end hurting him”.
Jamie frowned “I don’t know what you’re talking about”. And it was the truth, she kind of didn’t know what she was talking about.
Rachael took a step forward, so she was in front of Jamie “He doesn’t want you. You guy’s have nothing in common” she paused, smiling smugly “Plus, he, along with everyone else on this ship, knows about your history. Why would anyone want a whore like you, knowing you’d probably cheat on them because one person is not enough for you” she said, threatening.
Jamie stood in shock for a second “I think you’re out of line, Nurse” she said, trying to stay professional.
“No” Rachael started coldly “I think you’re the one out of line. Why don’t you leave, never come back, and find someone fuck with? You just stay away from Leonard, or the next time you get sent here with injuries, I’ll make sure you’ll receive an extra special drug that I’m very certain you will have a reaction to” she threatened before walking away before Jamie could say anything.
Jamie didn’t move for a minute, clearly shocked by what she had just heard. It’s not like she hadn’t heard it all before, but that doesn’t mean it doesn’t hurt a little that that’s what some people think of her.
Jamie too a breath in and straightened her back and walked out. Unknow to either Rachael or Jamie was Uhura hiding in the shadow’s, recording the whole thing.
Uhura rushed onto the bridge in a hurry “Code Blue” she said, and Spock, Chekov and Sulu rose from their chairs and followed her off the bridge without asking any questions.
Once they were in the nearest conference room Sulu asked, “What’s going on?”, watching Uhura play around with her PADD and the screen on the wall.
“Watch this” she replied as she played the footage for Jamie and Rachael in Sick Bay.
At first, they were all confused at the video, it looking normal and all. However, it changed when Rachael opened her big mouth.
Once the video finished Uhura turned to see Sulu’s angry face, Chekov’s sad and concern face and finally Spock’s, who’s looked pretty much normal to be honest.
“I want to take this bitch down” Uhura said determined.
“You can count me in for sure” Sulu said, clearly unhappy.
“How are we going to, though?” Chekov asked.
“May I remind you, you cannot physically harm, Nurse Hernandez” Spock added.
Uhura let out a sigh “I know that. Unfortunately,” she paused, running her fingers through her hair, thinking.
“Show it to McCoy” Chekov said after a moments silence “If you show it to him he’ll understand what’s going on”.
“Maybe it will make him open his damn eyes” Uhura mumbled under breath, thinking about the past month.
FLASH BACK 2 WEEKS AGO:
Uhura walked into the mess hall, tray of food in hand. She was about to make her way over to where Spock, Chekov, Scotty and Sulu were sitting, but she noticed Jamie sat on her own, at the table her and McCoy normal sat at together. Most the time they all sat together but sometimes McCoy and Jamie sat on their own, which the crew didn’t mind at all.
Uhura walked over to her “Hey” she said, standing next to her.
Jamie turned around and smiled “Hey” she replied.
“Where’s McCoy? Shouldn’t he be here by now?” she asked, glancing at the seat beside Jamie.
Jamie glanced at the seat briefly then back to Uhura “He’s with Nurse Hernandez today. She needed him for something I didn’t understand, so he said he’d have lunch with her in Sick Bay”.
Uhura frowned. Never in the time that she’d known Jaime and McCoy had they ever been apart during breaks. Minus when one’s hurt in Sick Bay. “Really? I’m surprised”.
Jamie shrugged “He likes her”.
Uhura’s eyes widened “Like’s her? I didn’t even know he was capable of liking anyone
On this ship”.
Jamie chuckled and pushed her food around with her fork “Yeah, I thought so too” she chuckled.
Uhura watched Jamie for a second. She knew that both Jamie and McCoy had a special connection. She knew they both had it bad for each other, they’d just never admit it. She had a feeling Jamie wouldn’t know how to act on it and would probably run away. McCoy probably never acted on it because he was divorced and was never really interested in looking for someone. And she thought he knew that Jamie doesn’t know how to act when someone is nice to her or when new feelings arise in her.
Uhura tapped Jamie’s shoulder and she looked up “Come on. You can sit with us” she said, looking over at the rest of them.
Jamie followed her glaze “Are you sure? I don’t want to intrude” she questioned.
Uhura rose her eyebrows “Yes, I’m sure. You won’t be intruding” she said, “Now come on, I’m hungry”. Not many people knew, but Jamie was a lot more sensitive when around the people she trusted. That’s how the crew knew she trusted them because they would get a glimpse into the real Jamie. But only a glimpse at most, scrapping the surface.
Jamie smiled slightly and got up and followed Uhura over to the rest of the crew.
END FLASH BACK
“I know you don’t approve of the way he’s been acting lately, but we have to tell him” Sulu said, hearing what Uhura had said.
She looked up at him and sighed “I know. I’m just disappointed” she said quietly.
SICK BAY:
Rachael was putting away files when the door opened behind her “I told you to stay away” she said then turned around, only to freeze at who she saw.
“And who was that?” Uhura asked, hands on her hips and her head to the side. Sulu fought hard not to smile at Rachael’s slip up and Chekov bit the inside of his cheek.
“Just some lieutenant. Keeps coming in asking for medication, which he doesn’t need” Rachael said, quickly thinking of a story cover.
“Right” Sulu said, obviously not believing a word she said.
“What can I do for you?” Rachael asked, wanting to change the subject.
“We are wondering if you can tell us the location of Dr McCoy?” Spock asked.
“Dr McCoy is currently preforming surgery so he will be unavailable for a bit longer” Rachael answered.
“It’s okay” Uhura started “We’ll wait” and she went to sit on one of the bio beds.
“I don’t think that’s such a good idea” Rachael said, her eyes widening in panic slightly, “Dr McCoy doesn’t like people hovering in his Sick Bay”.
“I don’t think he’ll mind us” Chekov said, sitting next to Uhura.
Uhura swore she could see Rachael’s eye twitch in frustration and she felt a twitch of satisfaction.
“I’m going to have to ask you to –“Rachael stated but was cut off by McCoy walking into the room.
“Oh, they’re fine, Hernandez” he said taking off his gloves and putting them into the nearest bin. “What’s going on?” he asked coming to a stop near Rachael.
“You need to come with us” Uhura said standing from the bed.
McCoy frowned “What happened?”.
“Trust us. Your going to want to” Sulu said.
“Okay” McCoy said and started to follow them out the room.
“Wait!” Rachael called out, causing the group to turn to her, “There was that thing I want you to help me with, Dr” she said.
McCoy went to reply but was cut off by Uhura taking a step past him and stopping “Listen. We have something very important to discuss with McCoy. So you can either sit and wait here until we’re done like a good little dog, or you can acutely go and do something for once” she said in a annoyed tone.
Rachael gasped in shock “I beg your pardon?”.
“You heard” Uhura replied then walked out the room “McCoy no!” she shouted when she saw him hesitate, and McCoy quickly followed behind, leaving a very pissed off Rachael.
CONFERENCE ROOM:
Once the group were in the privacy of the conference room McCoy turned to Uhura “What the hell was that? Did you have to treat her like that?” he asked, not happy with the way Uhura spoke to her.
“Oh really? You want to talk about treating people badly” she pointing a finger at him.
McCoy frowned “What are you taking about. I didn’t speak to anyone like that”.
“No but you’ve been ignoring them!” Uhura argued.
“Who?” he asked.
Uhura huffed in disappointment “You still have no idea”.
“What? okay, would someone tell me what the hell is going on now!” McCoy asked getting annoyed, looking at the people in the room.
“Have you noticed who’s not in this room?” Sulu asked from his spot in the corner.
McCoy turned to him then paused “Jamie” he whispered. Then a look of horror filled his face “Wait, where’s Jamie? Is she okay? Did something happen?!” he asked, getting more upset by the second.
“McCoy, stop. She’s fine” Uhura started, “Well no thanks to you”.
McCoy frowned “What do you mean?”.
Uhura shook her head “Look, before I show you the thing that we need to discuss, I need to ask you something” she said and watched as he nodded slightly. “When was the last time you saw Jamie. Not like for ship or crew purposes, but as friends?” she asked.
McCoy opened his mouth to say something, but nothing came out. Now that he thought he hadn’t seen that much of Jamie lately. He let out a sigh.
“That’s what I thought” Uhura said.
“I’ve been busy” he tried to defend himself, but he knew it wouldn’t help him. Especially since it was Uhura.
“Bull shit and you know it. All you’ve been doing is falling into that man stealing of a bitches trap of getting your attention away from Jamie and onto her” Uhura said loudly.
“She’s an assistant. I can’t ignore her” he said.
“And Jamie’s the woman you love, but you can ignore her?” Uhura asked, pulling out the ‘big guns’.
McCoy froze looked Uhura in the eyes, clearly shocked.
“Oh, don’t look at me like that. I know exactly how you feel about her, so don’t bother trying to act surprised” Uhura said rolling her eyes at his reaction.
McCoy shook his head, folding his arms across his chest, not listening to her.
Uhura shook her head and leant back against the wall. Sulu stepped forward “Did you not think of Jamie anytime you were with Rachael?” he asked, changing the subject slightly.
“Oh, for gods sake” McCoy sighed out.
“So, you didn’t? You just decided to completely forget about her?” Sulu pushed. “Was it easy? Was Rachael better because she knows stuff about medicine? Because she understands what you talk about half the time?”.
McCoy ignored him still, but Sulu could see his jaw tense, so he continued. “Or was it her looks? Rachael’s got the body, long hair and bright eyes? That and the medicine. Looks like it’s a full package for Doctor McCoy. You don’t give a fuck about Jamie, do you really?” and that was it for McCoy.
“How can I not care about someone I love as much as Jamie!” he said loudly before sighing.
“Then why did you leave her?” Uhura asked.
“Because...” he paused sighing, “Because I couldn’t take it anymore. Yeah, I love her. Have done for years. But have you ever been around someone you love, so much it practically hurts, that you can feel yourself getting more and more attached. It hurts. Because I know Jamie, and I know she won’t know how to react to it if I ever told her, because she’s never had anyone say it and mean it” he admitted. “Rachael was a distraction, a break even. One I needed. I didn’t want to avoid Jamie, but if I stayed around her any longer I was going to accidently say something. And I know it would put some awkward distance between us” McCoy finished, running his hands down his face and sitting down on one of the chairs.
Uhura watched him “You pushed it too far though” she said quietly. McCoy said nothing so Uhura continued “I know you don’t want your friendship with Jamie to fall apart, but is this how you want it to end?” she asked.
“Of course not” he replied, “But what else can I do? she’ll freeze and run away. Like a dear in headlights”.
“You talk to her” Chekov said from his chair to the left of McCoy.
McCoy rose an eyebrow “Jamie’s a good listener, but she doesn’t talk”.
“She loves you. If it’s you, she’ll talk” Uhura said, giving a very small smile.
McCoy’s head shot to her “No, she doesn’t” he said.
“Oh, she does. She just either doesn’t realise it yet, or she’s running from it” Uhura said.
McCoy shook his head, choosing to ignore her. ‘she can’t’ he thought to himself, ‘I mean, why would she like a guy like me, I’ve been divorced and don’t do well with people’.
Uhura rolled her eyes and walked over to the screen “The reason we called you down here was because of this” she said and pressed play, stepping back for him to see.