Major spoilers for Star Trek Into Darkness! :)

Title: Last words
author: Cindy Ryan
summary: McCoy deals with Jim's 'death'

Doctor Leonard McCoy sank slowly down into his chair in Sickbay. He felt like he'd run a marathon twice. Had bruises and strained muscles from the ship's gravity turning it into an old time amusement park ride. The worst of it was the overwhelming failure and guilt. He had taken an oath to save lives. They'd been taught in med school that not every life could be saved no matter how hard you tried. In this case it didn't help matters when the person you're trying to save sacrifices himself to save you.

McCoy's vision blurred and he blinked it clear. He closed his eyes and tried to think of the last thing he'd said to Jim. The last words he had with his friend before Kirk was cut off from everyone by the protective glass. Before everything had gone to hell. To his dismay Bones couldn't remember the last conversation with his friend. He was sure it was something work related. Yelling at him about how insane Kirk's next crazy plan to save the world was.

Some said Jim Kirk was reckless, unfit to lead and had no respect for the Captain's chair. The events of today would prove them wrong. Jim had made the ultimate sacrifice to save his crew; his friends; his family. As grateful as everyone was to be alive it would be a hard thing to live with. Jim would leave a big hole in everyone's life. Especially Leonard McCoy's.

War was an ugly thing no matter what century or what battlefield. Losses were inevitable no matter how brilliant the commanders were. People died. Some died in such a way that they became heroes. Bones would remember the good man his friend was. He'd do everything in his power to make sure Starfleet and history knew James Kirk was a hero.

end