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I have been telling you that for months.

It's not like I gotta choice. I've got an entire medical ward that's crawlin' with patients.

Yeah, shame that you don't have an entire medical ward full of other doctors and nurses...

...oh wait.

[ Bones rolled his eyes. ] I know this. And, that still doesn't mean that I can abandon my patients.

You're not abandoning them, sir. What good is a stressed-out doctor, anyway?

[ Bones would be the first to put someone off duty for stress, but he didn't always toot the same horn when it came to himself. ] Not a whole lot of good, but... Okay, you won. [ Bones took in a deep breath. ] I suppose I don't have room to argue, and I don't exactly have a whole lot of vacation options.

[Christine raises her eyebrows in surprise. That...was a lot less arguing than she had anticipated. Which meant that McCoy really needed that vacation.]

Dr. Boyd and I will take excellent care of your patients, sir. And any sort of a break is better than none, even with the limited options.

[ Chapel was in for a shock, and he wasn't about to give up that easily when he turned around to face her. ] And that means, I ain't goin' anywhere soon. Maybe once we find somewhere that resembles normal civilization, but I ain't stoppin' till I drop.

Theeeeen you and Boyd can take 'care' of my patients. Besides, I promised to make sure Henderson would be back on his feet before we go groundside again.

[Christine lets out a long sigh and rubs her forehead.] Sir.

I will go and speak to Kirk. As your best friend, I think he'll want the best for your mental health. I respect you wanting to get Henderson back on his feet, I do. But once he's healed there will be someone else.

[ Bones sat himself down in a chair, and there was a grumpy scowl on his face followed by a few muttered words. ] Jim would understand my need to be here. I ain't about to go crazy, and we need Henderson back on his feet before we land on the next planet.

I ain't lettin' Jim go down there without him. [ He knew that Kirk would agree with Chapel, and he was not about to make this easy on either of them. ]

[Christine is fully aware that the captain would side with her. She and Jim have talked about McCoy's health more than once.]

Let's strike a deal, then. You see Henderson through until he's well, and then you take a little time off. That way the captain has his man and you will have done your duty.

[ It wasn't exactly the deal he wanted to strike, and this is coming from a man that would be quick to bench other members of the crew before himself.

A groan escaped his mouth, and he grumbled to her. ] Fine. I'll take time off after Henderson's back on his feet.

Deal. [She grabbed a PADD from nearby and started composing a note to the captain.] I'm telling Kirk right now so that the two of us have it in writing. [Yep. She's going there.]