#keenser

Christine closed her eyes and played back the important moments in her memory. The first shot. Leonard’s shot. Uhura’s.

Christine’s eyes flew open and she looked around the yard for Uhura.

“Chris!” Leonard’s voice was tight and impatient. His hand was out, waiting for his next tool.

She handed it over, then stepped across to check Kati. Christine’s eyes went wide as she moved the women slowly onto her side. A red pool was growing underneath her, and seemed to be coming from her stomach if the stain on her dress was any indication.

“Leonard…,” Christine murmured.

“What?” he snapped, his concentration solely on Khan.

“She’s shot too.”

“Oh hell!” Leonard cursed as the sound of more hooves coming up the road reached them.

Christine stood on the porch watching Captain Pike and his men leading away Khan, Kati and Khan’s men. Khan’s shoulder was patched thanks to Leonard’s quick work, and Kati would hopefully live. Christine herself had put pressure on the wound until Leonard had finished with Khan and could tend to her. Uhura’s shot had been true and had gotten Kati right where Uhura intended for it to hurt worst.

Jim and Spock were following the sheriff to fill him in on what had happened. It was the ranch’s wagon Khan and Kati were stretched out in.

Christine sighed. What would become of the gang leader this time she didn’t know, but she hoped he’d rot.

She heard a noise in the house and frowned. Leonard had wandered away somewhere, his face blank after doctoring the two outlaws and Scotty had followed anxiously after him. Chekov and Jaylah were tending their horses in the barn. Uhura had gone to lie down. Sulu had disappeared into the house, presumably to begin moving his things back to his cabin and Christine had lost track of Keenser.

She entered the house quietly and followed the sounds to the kitchen.

“What?” she asked in surprise as she entered the room.

“Need a meal. Everyone,” was all Keenser said.

“Let me help,” Christine said quietly, eyes pricking. She blinked quickly to hold back any tears that might well up.

It was a simple meal, made with care and set out warm on the table. Almost everyone had gathered as the scent drifted around and out of the house. Jim and Spock had not returned from town and Scotty had come to the table alone. His face was full of worry. Christine began to worry too. Leonard had slipped into being his old doctor self quite easily, what memories had that dredged up for him?

Christine caught Scotty’s arm before he left the dining room.

“How is he?”

“I dinnae ken,” he said softly. “He won’t speak to me.”

Christine’s face turned sympathetic, and she kept in a sigh. “Don’t stop talking to him,” she said. “He’ll draw into himself for a bit, but he’ll come back.” She nodded slowly. “Let him be and work through it, but be there, ok?”

“Thank ye Christine,” Scotty mumbled out and he gave her a genuine smile of thanks.

“You’ve been so good for him,” Christine said back. “Thank you.”