Leonard's shift had, predictably, run over (getting stuck treating two cadets with injuries from playing anbo-jitsu with no padding would do that – kids these days, he thought, all bravado and lacking the sense God gave a goose), and he had less than five minutes to get ready for his "coffee" date with Chris. Leonard had a feeling that Chris was the type of person who put a store on punctuality. It surprised him a little how much he was looking forward to seeing the other man tonight. They'd spent less than a half hour together when Chris had come to Sickbay, but already, Leonard had found himself missing Chris' quick wit and arrogant, but blinding smile. Christ, he was in a rough way if he was starting to wax rhapsodic about another person's smile. A night out – even if it did promise to be a dull Starfleet party – was just what he needed. Leonard rushed into the dorm room he shared with Jim Kirk, mentally calculating how long it would take him to change into something more appropriate than his medical scrubs. No time for a sonic shower, but it wasn't like Leonard was planning on doing anything with Chris that would get him in close personal proximity. It was just coffee – even if coffee happened to include dinner and dessert and small talk with strangers who outranked him. "Shift went long again?" Jim was around for once – lounging on his bed, back propped by two pillows, and tossing a baseball idly in the air. Leonard briefly noted that Jim was dressed to go out, and tried in vain to remember if he'd made plans with Jim before saying yes to Chris. If so, Jim was just going to have to live with the disappointment. "It wouldn't be a Friday at Starfleet Academy if the cadets weren't trying to find new and creative ways to kill themselves and each other," Leonard replied, toeing off his boots. "You know, technically, you're a cadet." "What's your point?" "Nothing, just thought I'd remind you," Jim grinned. "So, hey, can I talk you into coming to Page's for a drink tonight? Fresh new batch of recruits just flew in from Starbase 133 and I need my wingman with me." "Can't," Leonard replied, hurriedly stripping out of his uniform. Silently, he sent a prayer of thanks to Chris for getting him out of being bored out of his mind while watching Jim flirt with any life form without tentacles...and a few that did have them. He loved Jim like a brother, but that didn't mean he ever wanted to know about Jim's very creative sex life – no matter what Jim thought. "Whaddaya mean, you can't?" Jim let the ball drop back into his palm. "You're not going back and pulling a double shift, are you?" "Nope." Leonard snagged a clean pair of black dress pants and pulled them up over his hips, hoping he wouldn't be underdressed for the occasion. Chris had said the party wasn't formal, but maybe he'd been trying to make Leonard feel better. "I've got a date tonight, if you must know." "You have a date?" Jim's eyes widened to almost comic proportions. "Seriously? You might get laid sometime this century?" "Is that all you ever think about?" Leonard asked, voice muffled as he pulled his shirt – Triaxian silk and an off-white color that he thought straddled the line between dressy and casual pretty well (not that he was worried about how he'd look to a bunch of stuffed shirts and Academy brass, of course, he just wanted to look...presentable) – over his head. "Wait, don't answer that. You're like the Edo, never a thought beyond the next pleasure." "Coming from someone who could pass for Antedean when it comes to being social, that's pretty funny." Leonard just raised an eyebrow. "Sounds like someone's been doing their xenopsychology homework." "Yeah, well, I can't be a genius at everything. Gotta study sometimes." "I'll note the date, since I'm sure this'll be the only time you ever say that." "You're hilarious, anyone ever tell you that. Anyway," Jim continued, "enough about me –" "Another first –" " – tell me about this supposed date. Male, female, both, alien?" "Nothing to say." Leonard sat on the edge of his bed to slip on his shoes. He didn't bother to tell Jim to mind his own business. Not like the kid ever listened to him. Then he sighed. Jim would just keep at him until he said something. "Male. Human. A few years older than me." "Sounds good so far. Does he work for Starfleet?" Leonard nodded. "I met him when he came in to Sickbay get fixed up, and he asked me out." "And you actually said yes?" Jim peered at him like he wasn't sure if Leonard was right in the head. Hell, given how infrequently Leonard say yes to anything, Jim probably had a point. "He, uh..." Leonard paused, thinking of Chris' wry humor and the neat way he'd gotten a yes out of Leonard before he'd been able to find a way to say no, "...he was persuasive." "Fraternizing with the patients, sounds kinky. Please tell me you gave the biobed a workout?" "Christ, man, what is wrong with you..." Leonard started, just as the door chimed. Jim was already across the room before Leonard could finish standing. "No, you sit, I'll get this, I want to meet...uh, Captain, this is an unexpected, uh, pleasure, um, honor. Sir." Jim pulled up short and cleared his throat in a nervous gesture before snapping to attention. Chris was standing in the doorway, giving Jim a quizzical look before his gaze found Leonard and his eyes cleared. "At ease, Cadet," Chris smiled, clapping Jim on the shoulder. "This isn't an official visit." Jim visibly relaxed. "Great, I was a little worried, I mean, not worried, um, since nothing remotely non-sanctioned ever goes on here in these quarters. At all. Sir." "Good to know," Chris mildly replied. "But I'm actually here for Leonard." He stepped into the foyer and offered Leonard a small, private smile – the same one he'd given Leonard before he'd sauntered out of Sickbay like he owned the joint. Leonard refused to admit that his pulse jumped at the sight of seeing it again. "You ready?" "As I'll ever be," Leonard grumbled, mostly for show, and snagged his jacket from the back of his desk chair. At least his view this evening would be nice – Chris cleaned up spectacularly well. His pants – some light grey color – looked tailored, and the top two buttons of his dark blue shirt were undone, showing off Chris' collarbone. He looked relaxed, casual, the laugh lines around his eyes and mouth crinkling when he smiled. No wonder he'd said yes, Leonard thought to himself. Who could blame him for wanting to get to know someone that effortlessly appealing and...? He stopped the train of thought with a snort of disbelief at himself. He'd start spouting poetry like some goddamn lovestruck adolescent next. What he got for hanging around so many damn children these days. "Wait, hold on, you're...you..." Jim looked between the both of them, bemusement quickly giving way to realization. "You mean you're here for...Bones?" Chris just nodded his head. "That is what I said, yes." "Close your mouth, Jim, you're attracting flies," Leonard said, inwardly chuckling at the sight. Jim speechless was a rare occurrence. Jim's jaw snapped shut with an audible click before he let out a high-pitched chuckle. "Holy...wow. I mean...wow, okay. You and Bones, I get it. Hey, isn't this against regs? I mean, an instructor dating a cadet?" "Well, technically, since you asked, I'm a lieutenant commander, not a cadet," Leonard replied, raising his eyebrow and giving Jim his best sardonic glare. "And I'm not instructing him in anything, I don't think." Chris looked at Leonard in question. "Not unless you're teaching my exochemistry course next semester." Chris shuddered. "I think I'll leave that one to the experts. Shall we?" Leonard moved to follow Chris out the door, but some perverse part of him couldn't resist getting in a final shot. "Hey, kid." Jim started, then visibly seemed to pull himself together. "Yeah?" He flashed Jim a wink. "Don't wait up." He savored both Jim's narrowed look and Chris' chuckle all the way out of the door and down the tree-lined sidewalk. "I didn't know you two were roommates," Chris commented, after a few moments of comfortable silence. "I had a single room first year, but Jim and his first roommate didn't exactly get along, so I volunteered to room with him. Someone's got to look out for stupid bastard and make sure he doesn't kill himself before he actually gets on a ship." "He can be a handful," Chris concurred, then added, at Leonard's puzzled look, "I'm Jim's sponsor and career counselor." Leonard stopped short as all of the puzzle pieces about Jim's strange behavior and Chris' amused responses finally clicked into place. "You're Captain Pike?" Chris sketched a half-bow. "At your service." "No wonder Jim was so fit to be tied when he saw you," Leonard mused. "Is that going to be a problem? That I'm his counselor?" "No, of course not. Not unless you two've..." Not that he would blame either Chris or Jim if something had happened, of course. He'd just prefer to know up front if Chris was another one of Jim's conquests. In answer, Chris just laughed, the sound bright and amused. "God, no. He's very attractive and smart as hell, don't get me wrong, but a little too..." "Stubborn? Insane? Irritating?" Leonard ventured, only partially under his breath. "Green," Chris corrected, still smiling. "I prefer my partners and potential partners to have a little more...seasoning." Leonard barely resisted the urge to roll his eyes. "Great, now I sound like I should be in my gran's fried chicken recipe." "Relax, Leonard. I meant it as a compliment. You've the look of a man who's seen a bit of the world and knows what he wants. That's very attractive." Leonard cleared his throat in a futile attempt to keep from blushing like an idiot. Jesus, get him out of Sickbay and using his job as a shield and he was just as much of a hormonal mess as Jim. What a frightening thought. "Thanks, then." Chris started walking again and Leonard fell in step beside him. "Although, I did have a look at your files today." "Vetting me in case you saw something that would make you change your mind?" "No, I just wanted to know a little more about you," Chris said, with that same smile that made Leonard's body tighten in response. "You've had quite the distinguished medical career so far." "So they tell me." Leonard couldn't quite keep the slight tinge of bitterness from his voice. It had been two years since he'd left Georgia and everything – everyone – he knew and loved behind. Well past time to get over what he'd lost and move on. "You miss it?" There was no hint of pity in Chris' voice – just an honest curiosity that Leonard found both refreshing and welcome. "I had a good life. So I thought," he amended. "And then things went to hell in a handbasket and that life became...well, let's just say it wasn't an option anymore. So, here I am, starting again with Starfleet." "Hey." A hand to Leonard's arm halted him from moving forward. "We all have regrets," Chris said, in a low voice, his gaze steady and warm. "No one makes it through life without a few of them." Leonard should have scoffed at the words – he didn't need anyone trying to figure out what made him tick, let alone a man he barely knew. But instead, he was oddly grateful. He could tell Chris meant every word, and that he'd been speaking from hard won experience. "I'll be alright," he said instead. "It's better than it was." And that was also true. Starfleet may not have been his first choice for a career reboot, but he couldn't deny that he loved both the chance to add to his knowledge of alien technologies and treatments and that he was getting a chance to practice practical medicine again, instead of being stuck in the lab all the time. "Well, I'm glad you joined," Chris winked. "But you're still not getting out of going to this party." It was Chris' way of subtly changing the subject and Leonard gratefully followed the lead. "I can't have everything, I guess." "I had entirely selfish reasons for asking you to come." Once again, they resumed their walk. Leonard lifted an eyebrow. "Do tell." "These things can get a little stuffy," Chris said, in a deceptively calm voice that immediately put Leonard on alert. "But I took one look at you and knew you'd be the kind of person that valued the art of good conversation." "Shows what you know," Leonard scoffed. "I'm anti-social and impolite, ask anyone." Chris shook his head. "I don't think that. I just think you don't suffer fools very well." "Yeah, well..." Leonard wasn't going to apologize for it. Not that he thought Chris was asking him to. "Someone's got to be around to call a spade a spade." "I like you, Leonard McCoy," Chris announced, with another grin that made the crinkles around his eyes more pronounced. It was a very good look on him. Leonard thought he should smile more often. "I'm glad you said yes." "Uh...thanks." Leonard cleared his throat, feeling oddly embarrassed. "It's not like I had anything else to do tonight except keep Jim company while he made the moves on half the patrons at Page's." "Sounds dull." "You have no idea." "And I'm glad I don't. But there is one thing I have to do before we go inside." "Sure," Leonard replied, with a small shrug. It wasn't like he was in a huge hurry to get to the party. Then Leonard stopped thinking altogether as Chris stopped and cupped Leonard's cheek in one roughened hand. He stepped close enough that Leonard could practically feel Chris' heart beating alongside his own. "I've been thinking about your mouth since the moment I met you." It had, admittedly, been awhile, but Leonard hadn't forgotten the steps involved in the slow dance of seduction. And there was no point denying that he wanted whatever came next. One thing Leonard prided himself on was being a man that knew his own mind. He curled his fingers across the nape of Chris' neck, thumb rasping over short hairs. He pitched his voice to a low, intimate purr and brushed his chest against Chris'. He could practically feel the air between them sizzle with possibility. "Well, we wouldn't want you to be distracted while trying to schmooze with the Admirals." "Oh, I'm counting on you to distract me," Chris countered, then closed the small distance between them. His lips were slightly rough, a little chapped, but the kiss was a gentle glide that managed to steal every last bit of air from Leonard's lungs. Chris kissed like he'd be content to do nothing except this all night – like getting to know the way Leonard tasted was the only thing that mattered. It was flattering and hot as hell. Leonard sucked in an unsteady breath when they finally parted. "If this is your way of trying to butter me up so I'll be polite tonight, I approve of the method," he murmured, taking another quick kiss before pulling back. "But it won't work." "That was strictly for me," Chris answered, his own voice rough with arousal. His lips were enticingly bruised. Leonard had to physically restrain himself from leaning back in to bruise them even further. "You don't strike me as the type to be easily bribed, anyway." "You got that right." "I'm still not going to apologize for the kiss." "I hope not," Leonard stated, with a soft snort. He did finally, however, step out of Chris' loose embrace. Immediately, he missed the heat between them. "I'm not some green kid off the farm. You don't have to worry I'll get the wrong idea." Chris frowned in confusion. "And what would the wrong idea be?" "That I'll get all starry-eyed and start expecting... Well, let's just say, I may be cheap, but I ain't easy." For a second, Leonard thought he'd gone too far, presumed too much. Far from appearing insulted, Chris just threw his head back and laughed, the clear sound carrying in the chill breeze. "Christ, I hope not," he said, when he got himself back under control. "I doubt you've been easy a day in your life." Leonard offered his best glower. "When you put it like that..." "Make no mistake, Leonard," Chris interrupted, dragging a finger along Leonard's jaw and effectively silencing any protest. "I want you in my bed. But, unlike our mutual friend, I don't need to rush into anything." Then he offered another one of those insouciant winks. "I think you'd be worth taking my time." "Great, well, now I feel like an ass," Leonard muttered, annoyed with himself for letting one small kiss scramble his wits like that. "Don't. It was a helluva kiss," Chris grinned. "It's just...been awhile. Since I've taken my time with anyone, I mean," Leonard amended, lest Chris get the wrong idea. He may not be easy, but he was far from a monk, no matter what Jim seemed to think. He just preferred to be a little more...discreet. "Me, too," Chris admitted, and in the simple reply, Leonard heard everything Chris wasn't saying. Maybe they weren't so different after all. "Didn't you promise me a drink?" "I promised you coffee," Chris countered mildly, but offered an easy grin that Leonard returned. "Maybe you could see about pouring a shot of bourbon into it." "Buck up, it won't be that bad," Chris said, and they finally resumed their stroll along the sidewalk. "Unless you're allergy to Eskaiian mushrooms." "Can't say that I've ever tried them. But if I am, I know a good doctor that can fix me up." "Physician, heal thyself?" "Now you're talking like you know me," Leonard smiled, finally feeling completely at ease. "Not yet," Chris promised, "but I will." "Might be a challenge," Leonard warned. "One thing you should know about me is that I love a good challenge." "Why am I not surprised?" Leonard sighed, but nudged his shoulder against Chris' in a friendly gesture. "Now, come on, enough dawdling. If I've got to spend an evening playing nice and polite, I'd just as soon get started so I can get it over with." "Yes sir," Chris replied, with a smirk, and held the door of the restaurant open. "After you." Leonard just shook his head as he walked through the door. He still wasn't sure what in blue blazes he was doing, but maybe it was high time he did something just for the hell of it. He had a feeling Chris would be worth the effort.
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