LEGENDARY.

She can't help but think it is a waste; but it's not her call to make, and while she may disagree, she wouldn't allow anything to halt his attempts to save a life. Amelia has taken so many, this might even the score a little.

Her body goes flying as she launches herself, the only thing quick enough to reach the assailant before he reaches the doctor. Evening the score doesn't do much, when she's just taken another life.

But she saved two, it has to count.

Her breath is heavy, confirming death before she grins to the doctor.

"Was he trying to attack me?" He asks with a raised brow.

A soft groan under his palm draws McCoy's attention. He releases a quiet curse before grabbing his regenerator and attempting to close the wound. But no matter how high the setting, the alien continues to ooze black goo. It only furthers the amount of curses from Leo's lips.

Jim doesn’t need a read to know his blood pressure is through the roof. Feels it as a pounding in his temple as the vein pops slightly in his agitation.

—neither Vulcan nor Human, you have no place in the universe.

It mattered little on the surface.

But inside him, deep within the threadbare place of two worlds, the pocket of his mother’s heritage knew rage, sadness, told too often that he was unfit for the desert he was born in, pushing and forcing him away.

“ Should I behave differently at my own expense, Doctor? ” Admittedly, he had conjured hope in other places. That Earth would be different in an apparent instinct of rebellion. It was a childish assumption, he knows, lengthened by anger and loneliness. By leaving Vulcan behind, he could not abandon disappointment.

That is evident to him, now.

“ It is never my intent to implicate inferiority of any person aboard this ship, regardless of how it may appear. ” Of which means nothing given its results.

Spock’s brows knit, thinking. McCoy’s criticism is not entirely in vain. He understands that his manner of offering advice — while quite logical and suitable for a Vulcan — may not be the most effective method when dealing with humans. As he had alluded to in so few words, Spock has long since been aware of his differences.

Even here.

“ There are many of whom have earned their position aboard this ship. However, their mistakes, should they be inevitable, must be worthy of their intelligence. Would it pacify the crew that I exist to coddle them instead? ”

"Intentions be damned, Spock. I'm talking about how you present yourself. No, I'm not telling you to change, I'm telling you to bend." Which at this rate, the doctor might as well be talking to a brick wall. He inhales a deep breath as if that will give him clarity.

He has discovered one of them, now, he thinks, wrapped in steel; it even talks like him, Doctor McCoy. Loud and boisterous and — quite boldly — comparing him to another Spock, a mere shadow of something greater—

“ I have done no such thing, Doctor. ” Spock retorts. The conveyance is bland, boredom taking shape in the emptiness in his mouth. But he takes the opportunity to move closer, nonetheless, to inspect this creature of whom — and by all contrast to the McCoy he knows well — still retains both of his eyes.

“ Captain Kirk, as you may be aware, is not fond of being robbed of credit when he is entirely at fault. ” That wisdom is important. Though, for what purpose Kirk has done this — or anything Kirk does — is unclear. Spock can make a dozen estimations and none of them bode well for their guest. He tilts his head.

“ However. I understand you were wandering in places that you do not belong. And that you do not belong here. ”

"Well excuse me for wandering around this death trap looking for a way out." He shifts, trying to loosen his bindings. "When a transporter suddenly beams you to a warped version of the Enterprise, one tends to wander." His eyes narrow, pulling on his false bravado. "If our situations were reversed, I'm sure you would do the same."

the cutting remark is sharp as obsidian , matching the way spocks eyes became like steel , WATCHING the other in front of him , before then tilting his head back , satisfied that he was being understood fully in this conversation . prejudice , as much as starfleet tried to rebel against such an ancient form of thinking , still bubbled through on occasion . not that the vulcan cared for it . on the enterprise alone , he had been called many things -- hobgoblin being a favorite amongst those that he annoyed for whatever reason .

turning his head slightly , he lifted a brow . ❝ years of practise , doctor , ❞ he said almost idly . ❝ perhaps you should . i know that jim would very much ENJOY it . ❞

leaning against the doorframe , watching the chief medical officer work , spock kept silent . arms folded across his chest && a frankly unreadable expression painted across his features , the vulcan knew that he would not succeed in the medical field . he knew the basics of first aid , && CERTAINLY was accomplished enough to understand most species' biology && the way it interacted with the environment around it , but spock would readily admit that he lacked the bedside manner , the patience && ultimately , the stomach for it .

when he finally spoke , having considered that leonard may have already sensed his presence , it was to ALERT the other man that he was there . given the go-ahead to come further into his office , spock unfolded his arms && moved in , eyes scanning the papers strewn over the desk , with complex formulas && molecular structures . picking one up , spock was able to gain a rough idea before doctor mccoy informed him of such .

❝ fascinating , ❞ the vulcan mused . asked then what had brought him by , spock then lifted his head . ❝ i apologize , leonard , i do not mean to interrupt your work , this is truly interesting && could definitely PROVIDE answers to some of the other questions i had about that planet . ❞

"Thanks," he says, gruffly. But all of that is tossed to the wayside as Dr. McCoy straightens in his chair. Spock is one of the few who is actually punctual about his physicals. "Did you hit your head?" McCoy muses. "You're normally on top with these types of things." His lips twitch, trying to combat a smile.

so i got watching a ton of new tv shows lately, and it occurred to me that actually i do love it when characters are unexpectedly saved by someone who just happened to be exactly in the right place at precisely the correct moment, yk? and i failed to think of the right name, so the title of this list is entirely thanks to a very dear friend of mine who informed me! so here's a list, i hope you guys love it, DO NOT ADD TO THIS LIST OR EDIT IT!!! i like to edit them over time as new ideas come to me.

[ ALIBI ]: the sender provides a false alibi to protect the receiver from legal issues.

[ HAND ]: the sender suddenly arrives to grab the receiver's hand before they fall to their death

[ CAR ]: the sender arrives on scene as the impromptu getaway driver for the receiver (who hadn't been expecting it).

[ FATAL ]: the sender unwittingly arrives on scene when the receiver is being attacked, and to protect the receiver, they kill the assailant.

[ DISTRACT ]: the sender provides a diversion so the receiver can escape a dangerous situation.

[ OUT COLD ]: the sender knocks out an assailant before they can seriously wound the receiver.

[ DUNNO ]: the sender lies about the location of the receiver in order to protect them from pursuers.

[ FAKE ]: the sender, in a situation where they're forced to kill the receiver, only pretends to kill the receiver and takes their "dead" body away in the car.

[ SACRIFICE]: the sender sacrifices their life to ensure the receiver's survival.

[ BACK-UP ]: the sender arrives just in time to help the receiver in a fight.

[ EXCUSES ]: the sender provides an excuse for the receiver to stay at an event where they shouldn't be.

[ HIDDEN ]: the sender hides the receiver from pursuers.

[ SHELTER ]: the sender finds the unconscious receiver and brings them to a safe place.

[ HERO ]: the sender tackles the receiver out of the way of an attack.

[ RUN! ]: the sender tackles the attacker so the receiver can make a safe get-away.

[ FIGHT ]: the sender fights off the assailants so the receiver can flee to safety.

[ INTERCEPT ]: the sender unexpectedly emerges and stands between the receiver and a threat.

[ MISDIRECTION ]: the sender points a group of pursuers in the opposite direction to buy the receiver some time to hide.

[ SANCTUARY ]: the sender opens the door when the receiver knocks in search of help, and brings them into their home.

[ REPUTATION ]: the sender, being somewhat infamous in the area, arrives when the receiver is being hassled, causing the assailants to flee rather than risk the consequences of crossing them.

[ RECOGNIZE ]: the sender pretends to know the receiver in order to help them avoid unwanted attention.

[ AFAR ]: the sender incapacitates, distracts or kills an assailant from a distance to protect the receiver.

[ FRIENDS ]: the sender, unable to attend directly, sends friends over to protect the receiver when they encounter a threat.

[ NEGOTIATE ]: the sender intervenes in a tense situation and manages to smoothly persuade a potential threat to leave the receiver alone.

[ BRIBE ]: the sender gives a threat a significant amount of money to leave the receiver alone.

[ ANNOUNCE ]: the sender issues a declaration that the receiver is under their protection, assuring all potential attackers that any attempts will result in a brutal retaliation from them.

VERBAL PROMPTS:

" they're with me. "

" i was with them all night. "

" hey! these guys bothering you? "

" i wouldn't do that if i were you. "

" you must've really pissed those guys off, huh? "

" follow my lead... "

" don't worry. you're safe here. i won't let anyone hurt you. "

" you're lucky i found you when i did; those people were right down the street. "

" get in the car! now! "

" i'm gonna buy you as much time as i possibly can. make it count, okay? get out of here. now! "

" you can come out now. they're long gone. "