Darlin'

by Candace Caden

in which Spock doesn't quite understand what McCoy means when he calls him darlin'. Short dialogue drabble... may add more detail to it later, but I wouldn't hold my breath waiting for that to happen. Spock/McCoy

1. Chapter 1

Clarification

"Hand me that would ya, darlin'?"

"Desist in calling me that from this point on."

"Didn't mean no offense."

"Isn't that a term used to address females? Which would imply you are referring to me as the opposite sex, and, as far as I can understand, is seen as an insult among humans. Insults, Doctor, aim to be nothing but offensive."

"Darlin' is a term of endearment, Spock. Ain't limited to any particular sex or gender. Least how I see it."

"That's quite illogical, Doctor."

"How do ya mean, Spock?"

"Endearment implies a level of love or affection of some kind."

"Yeah, ya walking dictionary, I damn well know what endearment means. Don't think I'm quite understandin' what you're getting at."

Spock just stared at him blankly.

"Oh. OH. Spock, I like ya just fine. I know you're not too good with feelings yourself, didn't realize that extended to understanding them in general."

"You... like me, Doctor?"

"Sure, Spock. Most of the time I want to punch you in that thick Vulcan head, but I like ya anyway."

"I believe I... feel similarly, Doctor."

"Don't burst a blood vessel, feelings won't kill y-"

And then Spock kissed him.