A/N: I've always been curious as to what happened in those three years we never see in ST09. This story will flesh it out a bit and will try to stay consistent with information given in the movies. Will be predominantly from McCoy's perspective. Please help me out on this journey and tell me what you think :)
Leonard McCoy grudgingly made his way through the door as he argued with the shuttle officer.
"I suffer from Aviophobia which means 'fear of dying in something that flies'!"
The woman cut him off with a fierce look, just challenging him to question her.
"Sir, for your own safety, sit down or else I'll make you sit down!"
Leonard clenched his fist and seethed out a response as he made his was to an empty chair next to some bright-eyed kid. His stomach turned at the thought of actually flying in this rust-bucket. He swallowed audibly and sat himself down in the seat. His stomach lurched violently as he placed the restraints over himself.
"I might throw up on you." He warned the kid sitting by him.
"You know, I think these things are pretty safe." The kid reassured cautiously, seemingly not wanting to further antagonise the older man. Apparently, it didn't work.
"Don't pander to me, kid: one tiny crack in the hull and our blood boils in thirteen seconds. Solar flare might crop up, cook us in our seats. And wait'll you're sitting pretty with a case of Andorian shingles, see if you're still so relaxed when your eyeballs are bleeding. Space is disease and danger, wrapped in darkness and silence." Leonard ranted as he pulled out his flask to take a drink.
"I hate to break it to you but Starfleet operates in space." The younger man said sarcastically.
"Yeah, well I got nowhere else to go. My ex-wife took the whole damn planet in the divorce. All I got left is my bones." Leonard admitted as he took a swig of his drink. He looked over to the kid and offered him the flask which was accepted.
"Jim Kirk." He said before taking a gulp of the drink.
By the looks of him, he's James T. Kirk, son of George Kirk.
"McCoy, Leonard McCoy." Leonard replied as he took back the flask.
The shuttle took off and ascended into the skies of Iowa. The shuttle created a slight rumble which vibrated through the cadet's seats.
Leonard's stomach growled loudly. The alcohol did not seem to mix nicely with his pre-existing sense of queasiness. As they made their way up higher and higher, Leonard's head began to spin. He clutched onto the rail next to him and groaned slightly.
"So," Kirk said as he examined the people around them. "What track are you-"
Kirk turned to face Leonard just as he keeled over and emptied the contents of his stomach. The shuttle had sharply changed angle right at that very moment and so the mess ended up on Kirk's shoes.
People around them looked away, repulsed. One particular cadet looked very pale, as if he was going to follow suit.
"What the hell man?" Kirk exclaimed. "I didn't think you were serious!"
Leonard wiped the corner of his mouth ruefully. One of the Officers carefully set about cleaning the mess and handed him a drink of water. He took small sips of the water.
"I'm a doctor, Kirk. I know when people are gonna throw up, including myself."
"God, these are my only shoes." Kirk muttered to himself. Leonard gave him an apologetic look.
"I'll buy you some new ones when we land." He offered before finishing off the water. He rubbed his stomach in a soothing motion not only to settle the remaining sick feeling, but the feeling of embarrassment for throwing up on the first man he met in his Starfleet experience.
Kirk placed a hand on Leonard's shoulder and gave it a light squeeze. Leonard recoiled slightly at the unexpected contact.
"Thanks, but don't think about that now, just focus on feeling better."
Leonard smiled appreciatively. He nodded to Kirk and lay back in his chair. He closed his eyes and tried to think of pleasant things.
The shuttle ride will be over soon.
I may have made a friend.
But I just threw up on him...
Leonard's eyes flicked open at that thought and he sighed quietly.
What have I signed up for?