crack_van | How to save a life. by mytsie (R)

Fandom: STAR TREK:REBOOT
Characters/Pairings: McCoy/Chapel
Length: 3552
Author on LJ: mytsie
Author Website:

Why this must be read:
This is the story of Nurse Chapel as she tries to hold herself, McCoy and other members of the crew together. This is a story of her not quite succeeding. It's dark and grim and completely (shockingly) realistic and it must be read.

Triage meant, generally, that doctors prioritize their patients in the order of urgency. The most immediate need, naturally, comes first unless the outcome cannot be prevented. Three of them—James, Carrey, and Veru—had lacerations and some form of rapidly progressing, bacterial muscular denervation. Arthur had a concussion and six broken ribs, and Kirk was bleeding copiously from an abdominal puncture.

Leonard McCoy, the best surgeon on the ship, dove for Captain Kirk like he was posing for La Pieta. Christine understood. He was the Captain. No matter what fuss she put up, or Kirk put up, or the circumstances, he would always have to come before others. She managed to keep the anger down, swallowed it and buried it down until it twisted in her gut. She saved Veru and James. Carrey died when the infection swarmed through his torso—he lost all nerve function and his abdominal muscles herniated as they spasmed. Christine was trying to save him when his throat paralyzed—he couldn't look at her, the muscles in his eyes had already failed. He couldn't scream, couldn't turn, couldn't look, and his breathing was erratic as the infection stretched across his pectorals and the muscles of his upper spine—his eyes held a sheen of relief upon seeing Christine's face when she leaned into his vision.

Carrey had been dating Janice Rand who resided three doors down from Christine. He'd helped her hang her diploma. James Kirk lived and breezed out of Sickbay with less than forty-eight hours rest.

Christine lost three pounds—she couldn't see him looking depressed, couldn't risk wandering into the mess hall. She gave herself an ulcer as she comforted Janice Rand—the Yeoman had thanked her and was assured that Doctor McCoy did everything in his power to save Carrey. Christine didn't correct her.

How to save a life.