McCoy's fingers tense and for once, he's so damn grateful to Spock for listening that he's his favorite person in the whole room as he levels a glare on Uhura and Jim for sticking around. When he turns to look at David McCoy, his father looks pained and bemused, like this little interruption has only done a scant job of dulling the pain. "Leonard," David insists, gravely. "We need to talk."

"I already know what you're gonna say, Dad, and the answer is no," McCoy sharply replies. More now than ever, knowing what happens in the months to come, knowing how this is going to ruin everything. It has to be no. "I'm not doing it."

"There's no cure, Leonard and..." A wince before he intends to go on, long enough for McCoy to turn on Jim and Uhura, dislodging personal touches to his shoulder.

Goddammit, something is going to be said and then there'll be no recovering. "I told you to get out," he snaps at them. "How the hell is the Vulcan the only one with sense between his ears when I know the two of you have got at least half a genius' brain cell between you!"