miss_m_cricket: (ST - Kirk/McCoy)
miss_m_cricket ([personal profile] miss_m_cricket) wrote2009-08-06 11:56 am

Fic: Words

Title: Words
Author: [livejournal.com profile] miss_m_cricket
Fandom: Star Trek Reboot!
Pairing: Jim Kirk/Bones McCoy
Rating: Pg-13
Disclaimer: You think I own any of this? Nuts, you are.

A/N: For [livejournal.com profile] eldritchhorrors who requested Kirk with a terminal illness, and a Bones who knows about it. And for [livejournal.com profile] blcwriter and [livejournal.com profile] charlies_dragon who seconded the prompt.

Summary: If anyone could save him it would be Bones, the man he loved, the man he had never told he loved, the man who understood him better than anyone else in the world.....



Words

You can’t keep living as if you are dying.

Those were the nine words that turned James T Kirk’s life around. Perhaps it was his innate positivity that provided this insight into his existence, or a sense of perspective, after all we are all living until we die of something, be it age, accident or illness. It is what you do with the time provided that makes a life, not lying in bed and feeling sorry for yourself.

A rare disease, one that will eventually kill him. That will destroy his cells bit by bit, leaving him helpless, kept alive only by machinery until even they won’t be enough to hold him in the land of the living. It means that Jim will put away any thoughts of a safe life. Those nine words mean that he has to live each day like it’s the last one he will ever have.

Of course it might be his youth that provided him with those nine words, a sense of immortality based on sheer inexperience. ‘No such thing as a no win situation,’ his father’s motto, something he had lived, and then died by. Jim was determined to find the winning situation out of this. His mother sadly put it down to youthful optimism, and left the Planet, unable to handle it all.

He was eight years old at the time.

~*~

I may throw up on you.

Those were the six words that turned James T Kirk’s life upside down. Although to be fair, he didn’t know at the time that the man who spoke them would have such a huge effect on his life. Once again Jim had followed his ‘live life to the fullest’ philosophy, starting with charming the lovely xeno-linguistics student Uhura, continuing in the massive bar brawl, and the talk with Captain Pike. It had ended up with him being here on this shuttle beside a handsome, albeit scruffy man who looked at everyone around him as though they were out to personally make his life more difficult.

The man was intriguing. McCoy, Leonard McCoy, ‘All I’ve got left are my Bones’ McCoy was intriguing. He was unlike anyone that Jim had ever met before and so when they all trooped off the Shuttle and McCoy grumbled about everything from the Cadet uniforms to the weather to the greenness of the grass, Jim followed him.

McCoy didn’t seem to mind that he had picked up a stray, in fact Jim wasn’t even sure he was following McCoy, it seemed awfully like they were following one another, neither one of them wanting to be left alone in the general chaos of red around them. Eventually though they ended up at the correct place where Jim immediately signed himself and McCoy up to share a dorm room, because everyone had to share and no matter how much McCoy griped about it, it was not going to change.

It was there that he learned McCoy’s focus, ‘Dammit I’m a Doctor, not a child!’ was what was barked after a retreating administrator when they made the mistake of patronising his companion, and Jim felt his stomach tighten. A Doctor, someone dedicated to healing people, stopping diseases, someone who was unable to help someone like him, but would blame themselves for their lack even when it wasn’t their fault. He had known Doctors back home. They were all the same there.

But not McCoy.

~*~

Come with me.

Those were the three words that pieced James T Kirk back together. He had been grounded, stupidly grounded, while all of his classmates went off into space to gain experience and glory. He couldn’t call them friends, Jim didn’t have friends, it wouldn’t be fair for him to have friends that he would hurt when he died. Except for Bones, Bones who for some reason he couldn’t detach himself from. Bones who would be going up into Space, without him.

Except Bones hadn’t gone, he had turned as though to go, walked a few paces and then come back, grabbing Jim’s arm and dragging him along behind him like a scarf trailing behind him in the wind. ‘Couldn’t leave you there looking all pathetic,’ were Bones words as he jabbed a hypospray into Jim’s neck.

Those three words led to a day and a bit full of danger and death, where he had almost died several times. But they emerged victorious, Bones as the Chief Medical Officer, he as the Captain and Earth still whole. Reappearing back on the transporter pad, holding Pike, Spock standing nearby safe and sound, was a moment he would never forget, because in the next second the doors slid open and Bones was there, racing across the floor, relief on his face as he called Jim’s name. It was then that he realised something, something wonderful and disturbing. ‘Bones,’ he groaned back, feeling Bones hand grip his arm, those hazel green eyes scanning him for injuries before shifting over to Pike and removing him from Jim’s clutches.

Then Bones was gone, and he felt that absence like a keen phaser shot to the belly. But he had to be the Captain, and so turned to Spock, who had detached from Uhura and walked out with the Vulcan up to the Bridge to face Nero once more.

He had lived life to the fullest that day.

~*~

I am going to save you.

Those were the six words that gave James T Kirk hope for the first time in his life. Since he had been diagnosed at age seven and three quarters he had been told that there was no cure, no hope, and no future for him. But if he had learnt anything in the last few years it was to trust in Bones. If anyone could save him it would be Bones, the man he loved, the man he had never told he loved, the man who understood him better than anyone else in the world.

He would never forget the sight of Bones standing in the centre of the med-bay, holding his PADD, face tight with determination, as he calmly informed his Captain that he would save him. Jim had known it was coming, had known the instant he had confirmed Bones as his Chief Medical Officer. Bones was his assigned physician, and would read his file and would thus know of the disease eating Jim alive. He should have known that Bones just wouldn’t accept it, accept that he was dying, not after what had happened with Bones father.

Watching his best friend work every spare waking minute he had on making a cure for something that was supposed to be incurable, Jim felt his heart tighten. Bones threw himself into the work as though nothing else mattered, not his own health, not anything except finding that elusive breakthrough that he needed to save Jim. Beside him worked Spock, the Doctor having put aside his natural dislike for the Vulcan to ask him for his help, and Sulu and Chekov, who had refused to sit back and let the other two do the work.

He had promised himself not to grow attached to people, people who he would hurt by leaving. But it had been a promise he couldn’t keep. Bones wouldn’t let him keep it, and neither would the rest of his crew.

~*~

I love you.

Those were the three words that broke James T Kirk’s heart. He could hear Bones saying them, over and over above him, whispering them like a mantra like a prayer. He could feel Bones hand holding his, clutching it like his touch would be enough to hold Jim down to his body, keep him living, breathing, just a bit longer. He could taste Bones salty tears on his lips, the physical manifestation of so much pain and grief, months of struggle and ultimately failure.

He wanted to tell Bones that it wasn’t his fault, that he hadn’t been expecting his friend to work such a miracle, that he was just grateful Bones had cared enough to try at all. He wanted to say those three words back, the three words that he had been too afraid to say, those three words that it was now too late to say. He was dying, feeling every heartbeat push his body closer and closer towards the final breath, the final pulse.

‘Jim, don’t leave me,’ he could hear Bones sobbing, hear him pleading hear him begging, ‘Please, please, please...I’ll do anything, just hold on.’ He could feel his heart fluttering, unable to beat so firmly anymore. He could almost feel the blood moving sluggishly through his veins, he could almost feel death’s cold hand reaching for him. It’s time for him to go, time for him to leave.

‘Dammit Jim! I love you! Come back...’

~*~

Yes.

That was the one word that made James T Kirk’s life complete. Spock had discovered an antigen, something his body had been producing, but in a tiny amount, enough to slow down the disease, but not attack it. He had forced replication and pressed the hypospray to Jim’s neck just seconds before his heart stopped beating. Only Bones, with his medical skills, and his fierce will not to let his best friend and the man he loved die, had kept his body functioning long enough for the antigen to spread throughout his body and flush out the disease.

It had taken three hours for Jim’s body to work on its own. Taken three months for him to be well enough once more for active duty, taken three years for him to really believe that the disease was gone and he didn’t have to live his life like he was dying.

It had taken six hours for Jim’s body to be able to regain movement, but the instant it did he pulled Bones to him, kissing him with the kind of feverish passion that only those who have loved and almost lost can do. And Bones kissed him back, clinging to him and groaning and sobbing, whispering that he would never, ever let Jim go. And he hadn’t

It was three years later and he was lying on a grassy hill on a planet somewhere in the depths of the universe. The grass was a pale purple but the night sky was dusted with millions of bright lights. Beside him lay Bones, eyes closed, his bare body gleaming in the light of the two moons above them. Jim watched him, a small smile on his face. ‘Bones?’ he said.

He got a soft grunt in response.

‘Will you marry me?’

‘Yes’

~*~
Musical Inspiration
Track: Behold the Great King of England - From the Tudors
(link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=umVxHT0m__k)

[identity profile] mijan.livejournal.com 2009-08-06 02:21 am (UTC)(link)
I think you just broke a little piece of me. *sniffles*

[identity profile] miss-m-cricket.livejournal.com 2009-08-06 02:23 am (UTC)(link)
*hands over a tissue*

*snugs* hope the little piece gets um...fixed

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[identity profile] lisamariedavis.livejournal.com 2009-08-06 02:28 am (UTC)(link)
That was beautiful.

[identity profile] miss-m-cricket.livejournal.com 2009-08-06 02:29 am (UTC)(link)
Thank you honey I am glad you liked it.

[identity profile] kinderjedi.livejournal.com 2009-08-06 02:45 am (UTC)(link)
This is so heartbreaking and beautiful.

[identity profile] miss-m-cricket.livejournal.com 2009-08-06 03:00 am (UTC)(link)
Glad you liked it :)

[identity profile] mrasaki.livejournal.com 2009-08-06 02:50 am (UTC)(link)
Aww. *huggles* So beautiful, sad, and uplifting at the same time. :)

[identity profile] miss-m-cricket.livejournal.com 2009-08-06 03:01 am (UTC)(link)
Sounds like the full gamut of emotions there *snugs*

[identity profile] swing-set13.livejournal.com 2009-08-06 02:57 am (UTC)(link)
Beautiful. Now I need some kleenex....I was so glad it was a happy ending.

[identity profile] miss-m-cricket.livejournal.com 2009-08-06 03:02 am (UTC)(link)
*hands over some tissues* there you go hon

yeah I cant write sad endings really...

[identity profile] mach1n3.livejournal.com 2009-08-06 03:20 am (UTC)(link)
Poor Jim! Pushing people away to keep them from hurting. Poor Bones too, nearly loosing Jim so shortly after being unable to save his father.

*sniffle*

But oh goodness, thank you for a happy ending.

[identity profile] miss-m-cricket.livejournal.com 2009-08-06 03:29 am (UTC)(link)
*hands over a tissue* happy endings are a must.

Bones wouldn't let Jim die....

[identity profile] blcwriter.livejournal.com 2009-08-06 03:35 am (UTC)(link)
*Hyperventilates at how GOOD this is.* I love the pacing, the breaks, the flow and structure of it.

LOVE.

[identity profile] miss-m-cricket.livejournal.com 2009-08-06 03:36 am (UTC)(link)
*blush* cheers hon!

It's amacing what can happen with beautiful music and getting on a roll

[identity profile] kilala10.livejournal.com 2009-08-06 03:39 am (UTC)(link)
Omg. So precious. <3

[identity profile] miss-m-cricket.livejournal.com 2009-08-06 03:43 am (UTC)(link)
Yeah they are :)

[identity profile] weepingnaiad.livejournal.com 2009-08-06 03:53 am (UTC)(link)
*swallows* Thank goodness this ended happily! It was beautiful and was so well done. Loved it!

[identity profile] miss-m-cricket.livejournal.com 2009-08-06 03:58 am (UTC)(link)
*snugs*

Happy endings are always essential. I am glad you liked it lovvie

[identity profile] jaylee-g.livejournal.com 2009-08-06 03:59 am (UTC)(link)
That was beautiful. Touching, heart-wrenching and profound. What an emotional journey you've led us on! I love the simplicity of Jim's motivations, but also the deep undertones and subtext - the wonderful strength of character you gave to him, and the utter devotion you gave to Bones. Truly a haunting piece of work; this is a story that will stick with me long after I've read it. Thank you! :-)

[identity profile] miss-m-cricket.livejournal.com 2009-08-06 04:17 am (UTC)(link)
Thank you so much, So glad you enjoyed it. I think this story is one of my better pieces so I am so thrilled that you found so much in it.

Cheers and thank you for reading :)

[identity profile] callieach.livejournal.com 2009-08-06 04:18 am (UTC)(link)
It's the structure of this that packs the toughest punch. With the quotes serving as themes and everything coming full circle, y'know. And the constant echoing (at least, for me) of this line:

Although to be fair, he didn’t know at the time that the man who spoke them would have such a huge effect on his life.

This whole piece was just really secular and full and... my heart is contented, I believe. Beautiful work. ♥

[identity profile] miss-m-cricket.livejournal.com 2009-08-06 06:00 am (UTC)(link)
I am glad your heart is contented lovvie :) I like to make people content.

I wanted to try this structure out so I am glad you liked it, and Bones had such great lines during the movie that he would be the type of guy that even though he didnt say much you would remember it.

[identity profile] kira-bouviea.livejournal.com 2009-08-06 04:36 am (UTC)(link)
*weeps uncontrollably*

This was gorgeous!

[identity profile] miss-m-cricket.livejournal.com 2009-08-06 05:58 am (UTC)(link)
*gives you a tissue and a cuddle*

thank you honey

[identity profile] stormatdusk.livejournal.com 2009-08-06 04:37 am (UTC)(link)
woo hoooo, great idea and very nicely executed! *two thumbs up* ;)

[identity profile] miss-m-cricket.livejournal.com 2009-08-06 05:57 am (UTC)(link)
Cheers honey :D Glad you enjoyed it!

[identity profile] inell.livejournal.com 2009-08-06 05:53 am (UTC)(link)
This is so wonderful. I was already sad, and this made me start sniffling again.

[identity profile] miss-m-cricket.livejournal.com 2009-08-06 05:57 am (UTC)(link)
*cuddles you and offers a tissue* I'm glad you liked it honey...sorry you are sad

[identity profile] sangueuk.livejournal.com 2009-08-06 06:31 am (UTC)(link)
Perfect - that's the one word that describes your writing.

[identity profile] miss-m-cricket.livejournal.com 2009-08-06 06:35 am (UTC)(link)
Wow, thank you so much :)

[identity profile] eldritchhorrors.livejournal.com 2009-08-06 06:33 am (UTC)(link)
This is exactly what I hoped for, and more, when I left that prompt. I adore the structure, and the pacing. It was very tightly written.

You left my heart in my throat. Beautiful.

Are there any prompts you need filled? I reciprocate, though I doubt I can do justice to what you just wrote, and that makes me very sad. I usually write Kirk/McCoy and Pike/Kirk, but I will take a stab at most anything.

[identity profile] miss-m-cricket.livejournal.com 2009-08-06 06:37 am (UTC)(link)
I am so glad you enjoyed, and so glad that what I wrote fulfilled what you wanted from the prompt :) I hoped it would.

*snugs*

You don't have to seriously, but as far as prompts go im pretty loose, but I do love a good Kirk convincing Bones about being in a relationship story :) whatever you like hon

[identity profile] miss-m-cricket.livejournal.com 2009-08-06 11:25 pm (UTC)(link)
Thank you!

[identity profile] lire-casander.livejournal.com 2009-08-06 07:42 am (UTC)(link)
I think you have broken me, and then mended me, over and over again.

Thanks for this amazing ride!

[identity profile] miss-m-cricket.livejournal.com 2009-08-06 11:26 pm (UTC)(link)
I must have incredible healing glue :)

Thank you for reading I am so glad you enjoyed it.

[identity profile] nightskymystery.livejournal.com 2009-08-06 10:29 am (UTC)(link)
OMG that was so beautiful! It broke my heart and then put it together once again:) Thanks for sharing;)

[identity profile] miss-m-cricket.livejournal.com 2009-08-06 11:27 pm (UTC)(link)
I am glad you enjoyed it :)

[identity profile] thalialunacy.livejournal.com 2009-08-06 02:36 pm (UTC)(link)
Lovely, bb. <3

[identity profile] miss-m-cricket.livejournal.com 2009-08-06 11:27 pm (UTC)(link)
Thank you honey :D <3
siluria: (ST_K/B_shuttle)

[personal profile] siluria 2009-08-06 04:06 pm (UTC)(link)
Oh.... so beautiful *sniff*

[identity profile] miss-m-cricket.livejournal.com 2009-08-06 11:28 pm (UTC)(link)
*gives you a tissue and a hug*

Thank you

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[identity profile] bronwynferchdai.livejournal.com 2009-08-06 04:30 pm (UTC)(link)
Deeply awesome.
Bronwyn

[identity profile] miss-m-cricket.livejournal.com 2009-08-06 11:29 pm (UTC)(link)
Thank you so much!

[identity profile] flyingmachine.livejournal.com 2009-08-06 04:51 pm (UTC)(link)
*deems icon appropriate*

Wonderful! I love the format of this piece. At first, I was concerned it wouldn't end well (silly me), but then it turned around and ended on such a sweet note. Words. Spoken words. Fantastic. :)

[identity profile] miss-m-cricket.livejournal.com 2009-08-06 11:31 pm (UTC)(link)
*agrees with you!*

Thank you! Yeah I am not very good with unhappy endings, tend to sniffle if I do them, and I'm not good with the whole sniffling thing.

Glad you enjoyed it :)
charlies_dragon: (ST2009 - Kirk/Bones05 animated shuttle)

[personal profile] charlies_dragon 2009-08-06 06:16 pm (UTC)(link)
Meep!

*huddles in corner reminding self that he got fixed in the end*

And of course Sulu & Chekov would do what they could once they found out *nods*

[identity profile] miss-m-cricket.livejournal.com 2009-08-06 11:32 pm (UTC)(link)
*pets gently* there there...

And yes of course they would, with Bones, Spock, Sulu and a little Russian whizzkid how could they possibly fail!

[identity profile] fantasyenabler.livejournal.com 2009-08-06 06:56 pm (UTC)(link)
That was fantastic. I love this idea, and I love what you've done with it. The theme gives it a strong center to build around, but doesn't overpower the acutal story, so in the end, you're left doing what I did, saying "Holy shit," as it ends. :)
Edited 2009-08-06 18:56 (UTC)

[identity profile] miss-m-cricket.livejournal.com 2009-08-06 11:34 pm (UTC)(link)
:D

Glad you enjoyed it!

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