Chapter 1: Stupid ideas

Author's note: Rewatching "Gilmore Girls" recently gave me an idea. Logan Huntzberger and Rory Gilmore reminded me a little of Jim Kirk and Bones. Well, a female Bones. So... this fic is loosely based on a scene/events with Logan being in the hospital after an accident (episode 6x20). There's also a little inspiration by "Babylon 5" and Commander Susan Ivanova. Susan and Captain John Sheridan are friends and he shows up in her quarters at night, not noticing she's in her nightgown, because he's excited about some idea and drags her with him after she has changed (episode 4x11).

When loud knocking at the door of her single dorm room in the medic building woke Starfleet Cadet Leah McCoy in the middle of the night she knew instantly who had to be outside. There was only one man who dared to do something like this. Also, the yelling "Bones, come on, open up!" was kind of a dead giveaway.

"Leave me alone", she murmured, but knew that James T. Kirk would not give up.

Another knock. "Bones, it's me!"

She turned and cursed into her pillow, but got up anyway. She contemplated putting on a nightgown, but decided not to bother. So she went to the door wearing shorts and a tank top, the long dark hair ruffled.

"Lights at 30 percent", she ordered the computer while walking in the dark, but regretted it instantly. Even low light was to bright.

Leah wondered if Jim even knew what time it was. "Unbelievable..." she mumbled when she opened the door.

A very excited James Kirk grinned at her and walked past her with fast steps. She didn't even notice how he eyed her sparely clothed figure, while closing the door behind him.

"Bones, have you ever done sky or cliff diving? We're planning a trip. Actually we're leaving in an hour. You should come with us. It'll be amazing!" he started talking fast and way to cheery and awake.

She just stood there and waited until he was done talking. She crossed her arms and gave him an annoyed glance.

"Come on, grab a jacket and let's go", he gestured and turned back to the door.

"Jim!"

"Yeah?" He turned around again.

Leah shook her head in disbelief. "Aside from me absolutely not doing anything that dangerous and stupid... don't you think I should change first when I leave my room? At 4.22 a.m. After being awoken by a very noisy and annoying man?" She glared at him.

"Oh, uh, yeah... right", Jim stuttered, looking at her state of dress. Or rather undress. Trying to keep his eyes from her tank top. "Sorry, I hadn't noticed." He shrugged, hoping she wouldn't catch his lie. Of course he'd noticed. He always did pay attention. He just didn't admit it.

Leah rolled her eyes and was about to turn to her wardrobe, when she fully realized his words. "What do you mean you didn't notice?" She put her hands at her hips and shook her head again. "Okay, granted, you don't have any interest in me and I don't have any interest in you." She blushed a little, because that last part wasn't entirely true. But she wouldn't admit it to herself, let alone to anybody else. Especially to womanizer Jim Kirk. "But when you barge in here in the middle of the night the least you could say is 'Sorry, did I wake you?' or say that I look nice. Despite being rudely awakened by you and therefore looking terrible." She glared at him, thankfully somehow managing not to blush. Not that he'd never seen her like this, but she only remembered now that she wasn't wearing a bra under her tank top. And it wasn't exactly warm in the room.

Jim stared at her for a moment, trying to keep his eyes off her chest. "Nice outfit, Bones."

Leah strengthened her glare. "Dammit, Jim", she cursed and mumbled some words he didn't understand. "Men, it's always the same..." She went to her bed and got under the blanket.

"Is that an invitation?" He winked at her.

"Out!" She replied automatically, suppressing that little voice inside of her that would have wanted to say yes. Where did that come from anyway?

"So, you don't wanna go skydiving with us?" He picked up his earlier question.

"Out!"

And he left.

"Computer, lights out."

The room went dark again. Leah turned on her back and stared at the ceiling. She tried to decide which idea was more stupid - Jim's dangerous trip or her unwillingly romantic thoughts about him.

Moments before falling asleep she declared skydiving the winner. For Jim was Jim. But she was confident that her mind was stronger than her heart.

In the morning, Leah was still furious. Though she didn't know if it was, because that episode in the night was typical for Jim Kirk and she was simply angry at him... or if it was, because it was getting more and more difficult to keep herself away from her feelings... or if she was angry that he was on his way to do something dangerous again. Maybe it was all at once.

After lunch she got some messages and pictures from him about how great the skydiving was and that they'd go to higher altitudes for more kicks. He even considered some cliff diving, too. She texted him her usual warnings back and asked him to be careful.

She got some more pictures the next morning.

Then no more reply.

In the evening her communicator beeped. She took the call without looking where it came from.

"This is Leah McCoy."

"Good evening Miss McCoy, this is Nina Hayes from Columbia Presbyterian Hospital. You are listed as emergency contact for James Tiberius Kirk."

Leah froze at first. Her heart started to race. She closed her eyes for a moment and took a deep breath. "What happened?"

"Mr. Kirk was in an accident."

She rolled her eyes. "Yes, I figured as much since you're calling. How is he?" She got up and started gathering her things.

"I am only a nurse. I can't say anything about his condition. He is currently in I.C.U. He had surgery. It would be best if you came here."

"I'm on my way", Leah said and snapped her communicator closed. "Dammit, Jim..."