***

From: Joanna McCoy <[email protected]>                      To: George Kirk <[email protected]>                               Subject: Re: You’ll never guess what happened

George,

Oh my god, is your dad okay? I’m so glad that my dad was there and that he acted quickly. My dad is amazing like that. He once gave the Heimlich to Mr. Gershwitz, who’s like a hundred years old, when he choked on a meatball at a town spaghetti dinner. He was so calm when everyone was freaking out. 

I hope this Gary guy gets reprimanded. He should have known better.

And yeah, I wish I was there too. I’m not talking to my mom right now. I’m so so mad at her. She’s impossible.

Sincerely,

Joanna Beth McCoy

Honor Society Vice President, Woodward Academy

First Chair Viola, Woodward Academy Orchestra

***

From: George Kirk <[email protected]>                                   To: Joanna McCoy <[email protected]>                   Subject: Re: Re: You’ll never guess what happened

Oh, yeah. Your dad sent a bunch of angry comms to Captain Pike, who handles cadets, and a few other people. I think he’s getting whatever Starfleet’s version of a time out is.

And I hate to break it to you, but the way your dad was soooo worried about my dad? And the way he shoved Gary when he found out about the peppers? I think that means your dad really really likes my dad. A lot.

***

From: Joanna McCoy <[email protected]>                      To: Doctor Leonard McCoy <[email protected]>       Subject: You’re the best

Dear Daddy,

I just wanted to write and tell you how proud I am of you. Thanks for being the best.

P.S. Did you really punch Gary Mitchell at the picnic? I hope you didn’t get in trouble even though he deserved it. I hope Jim’s okay too.

***

From: Doctor Leonard McCoy <[email protected]>            To: Joanna McCoy <[email protected]>                   Subject: Re: You’re the best

Oh, darlin’ that’s the best thing a daddy could hear. Thank you. I’m so proud of you too, sweetheart. I’m sorry you didn’t get to come to family weekend but guess what? I get a little break in a few weeks and I’m planning on coming to Georgia to see you. Can’t wait to see you!

And yes, Jim’s okay. He’s got more lives than a cat. Thank you for checking in. Mitchell’s on probation. I have a feeling I won’t have to worry much about him anymore.

***

From: Joanna McCoy <[email protected]>                      To: Doctor Leonard McCoy <[email protected]>       Subject: Re: Re: You’re the best

YOU’RE COMING HOME?! REALLY? FOR HOW LONG?

I’m so excited! I scared Juniper so bad that she fell off my bed, poor kitty. Will you be staying at Nan’s? Or maybe you can sleep in the guest room? Or if that’s too weird, can we get a fancy hotel room at the Forest? And we can have afternoon tea and shirley temples in the fancy room with the fireplaces?

Anyway, I CAN’T WAIT. Is Jim coming??

***

From: Doctor Leonard McCoy <[email protected]>            To: Joanna McCoy <[email protected]>                 Subject: Re: Re: Re: Re: You’re the best

Yes! I am! For a whole week. I’m so excited too! Can’t wait to see you, darlin’!

I think I’ll be staying at Nana’s for the time but I think we can definitely plan to go to Forest’s for afternoon tea.

Jim has a few mandatory seminars and tests to attend to over the break so he won’t be able to come visit. But you’ll get to meet him soon. I promise.

***

From: Joanna McCoy <[email protected]>                      To: George Kirk <[email protected]>                               Subject: Re: Re: Re: You’ll never guess what happened

Guess what?! My dad’s coming home for a whole week next week! I think your dad is doing some stuff at the academy so he can’t visit. That’s really unfortunate because I wanted to meet him. 

Are you going to be able to spend any time with your dad during the break?

I’m also still not so sure about our dads getting together, though. I think they’re just really really good friends. My dad’s the best. Everyone likes him, even when he’s grumpy and all doctor-y. It would be nice, though. He deserves to be in love. 

***

From: George Kirk <[email protected]>                                   To: Joanna McCoy <[email protected]>                             Subject: Re: Re: Re: Re: You’ll never guess what happened

Ughhhh, lucky!

I won’t get to see my dad at all because I have to go back to Iowa with my mom. My grandparents still live there. But it’s really boring and they don’t even have a good vids system. I mostly just read A LOT. My grandma on my dad’s side doesn’t even live in Iowa anymore so it’s not like I get to see her either. She’s an engineer on a Starfleet base near the neutral zone. I talk to her a lot on comms. She’s funny and tells the best stories about dad as a kid. 

He worked a whole summer fixing everyone’s appliances--old Terran radios, replicators, air conditioners--but he always did something funny to them. Like the radio only played Romulan stations or the air conditioner talked or the replicator made everything a certain color (even if the food was still good). 

I wish I could do stuff like that. Dad’s good at everything, even if he won’t admit it and doesn’t like to show it. Mom said she was always trying to get dad to act smarter than he was. But that he was always such a doofus. I wonder if your dad thinks that?

What are you guys going to do next week??

***

From: Joanna McCoy <[email protected]>                      To: George Kirk <[email protected]>                               Subject: Sorry!

Hi George!

I’m sorry i didn’t write. Daddy got to come early! It was like the best surprise in the world. Even mom was impressed!

So, we went to this amazing inn in town called Forest. It’s super old like before World War Three old. And they make the yummiest sandwiches and chocolate covered strawberries at afternoon tea. Have you ever had a scone with clotted cream and raspberry jam? They’re my favorite. 

We also went to a baseball game in Atlanta, which is like an hour away from our town. And we went shopping and went to a movie marathon at the hover car drive in. It was THE BEST. 

Annnnd, my dad couldn’t stop talking about your dad. “Jim said this...” “Jim did this...” “One time, Jim...”

And his eyes kinda get that bright, lit up look like my eyes do on Christmas or when I get my Viola solo music for the first time. 

Well, I have a few more days with my dad and I’m really looking forward to not spending it with mom and Clay, ugh. 

Talk soon!

***

From: George Kirk <[email protected]>                                   To: Joanna McCoy <[email protected]>                             Subject: Re: Sorry

I comm’d with Dad yesterday. I think he misses your dad A LOT. He kinda looked sad and lonely. He said he was going to bed at TEN THIRTY. Kirks DO NOT go to bed early. It’s like against the law. 

He has a big test tomorrow. Some survival unit thing. Dad and I are kinda competitive so I know he’s going to do the best in his class. Kirks are the best at tests and games. Just so you know. 

***

From: Joanna McCoy <[email protected]>                      To: George Kirk <[email protected]>                               Subject: Is everything okay??

George! I heard what happened. Dad left immediately on a direct shuttle back. I hope your dad’s okay. Dad was really worried. 

***

From: George Kirk <[email protected]>                                   To: Joanna McCoy <[email protected]>                             Subject: Re: Is everything okay??

So I guess that thing about my dad having more lives than a cat is true?

And your dad saved my dad’s life AGAIN? I think we owe him big time. 

I’m in the hospital with dad. I fought two nurses before your dad told them to leave me alone and I can sleepover in the room. 

Your dad is now my best friend. 

***

From: Joanna McCoy <[email protected]>                      To: George Kirk <[email protected]>                               Subject: Re: Re: Is everything okay??

I guess my dad’s just real good at saving lives and punching people who bother your dad. 

Mom actually gave dad a name of a lawyer she went to school with in San Francisco so that my dad and your dad can protect themselves if that paparazzi sues them or something. But Starfleet apparently also stepped in? I guess they didn’t react well when one of their cadets was harassed. 

I’m glad to hear your dad’s out of the hospital. Let me know if you need anything. 

My dad’s pretty great. I’ll let you be his best friend for like a day. But we’ll have to share him with your dad I guess. :D

***

From: George Kirk <[email protected]>                                   To: Joanna McCoy <[email protected]>                             Subject: Re: Re: Re:  Is everything okay??

Thanks for not asking about the obvious. Everyone else does. I’m sick of talking about it. People think I’m damaged because of it. But like...how could that have affected me? My dad was little when it happened. 

My mom’s letting me stay home for the week. I usually get to stay home around Remembrance Day too. I actually wish I was in school, though. I hate that everything can’t be normal. Stupid reporters. 

***

From: Joanna McCoy <[email protected]>                      To: George Kirk <[email protected]>                               Subject: Re: Re: Re: Is everything okay??

I’ve never seen my mom so upset! She went into full lawyer mode when the news broke. She’s been on the phone with her attorney friends for hours. 

I don’t understand why people want to keep talking about the tragedy. It happened over twenty years ago and it was awful. I hate that we even have to learn about it in history class.