A/N: I started to write this for somebody who wanted a fic about Carol & Bones falling in love and was sad (like myself) that there's so little Carol/Bones fanfic. So I thought I'd give it a shot, even though my English is far from flawless since it isn't my native language. I apologize for any mistakes. Unfortunately I don't have a beta-reader... So just in case there's somebody out there who would be willing to proofread this story and straighten out my errors and awkward sentence structures or whatever strikes you, please let me know! :)
Chapter 01 (prologue)
"Ready, doctor?" Jim fired the cheery question as soon as he entered the transporter room, all ear-to-ear winning grin and typical easygoing Kirk-swagger.
"No", the CMO replied gravely. Indeed, he didn't exactly sound thrilled about the situation. "But that won't keep you from beaming me down there."
"Sorry, Bones. But according to Lieutenant Uhura, the Velosians asked explicitly for you and Dr. Marcus. You made quite an impression the other day during the first contact, and it would be impolite to reject their specific invitation. We want to express our good will, alright?"
McCoy barely held back a snort. "Good will or not, I'm a doctor, not an ambassador. I signed aboard this ship to practice medicine, Jim. Not to deliver mankind's greetings to some alien tribe and attend their foreign rituals and whatnot. I don't even understand their language, for God's sake. Who knows, I might end up marrying into a polygamous alien commune without even realizing."
Kirk's grin widened as he slapped McCoy's shoulder with comradely affection. "Sounds fun to me!"
With a whoosh the doors slid open again and Carol Marcus arrived, fresh and dynamic like a spring breeze. Bones himself, at most times, felt more like a falling autumn leave at the brink of winter. His life wasn't very much painted in bright and blooming colors, metaphorically speaking. And after all the shit he'd been through, he just felt tired and old, sometimes. Older than he actually was anyway.
"Good morning, Captain. Doctor McCoy." The blond science officer smiled when she stepped up to them. In contrast to Bones, her enthusiasm was very obvious. She was looking forward to this mission. Well, McCoy thought sarcastically, at least one of us!
"Morning, Dr. Marcus! You ready?" Jim asked Carol and shot his grumpy friend a quick You-might-wanna-take-a-leaf-out-of-her-book-look when she replied "Yes, Sir" and sounded just like she couldn't wait.
"It's so exciting!" Scotty chimed in from behind the transporter control panel. "I wish I could go, too. I heard Velosia is like a paradise planet… wild nature, beaches everywhere and bloody sunshine all day long."
"That's true", Kirk confirmed. He knew first-hand, after all he'd been in the landing party together with Bones, Uhura, Spock, Dr. Marcus and a few redshirts from Security department when they had discovered the unknown Earth-type planet some days ago. "This mission will be like shore leave holidays."
McCoy didn't say anything but his furrowed brow expressed a very clear statement of 'Holidays, my ass'.
The doctor helped Carol with her baggage and carried the heavier science container onto the transporter platform for her, where he had already piled up his own equipment that he was to bring along on the mission. They also had a large box of durable Starfleet food portions and drinking water, just in case. She followed him with the comparatively modest suitcase that held her personal stuff like clothes and toiletries.
"This is a historic event! We are – well, you two are going to explore a strange new world, seek out new life forms and a new civilization!" Jim cited, as if he was holding a motivational speech in front of the whole gathered crew of 400 men and women, and not just two officers who also were his friends. Said two officers took their places on the platform, getting ready to be beamed down to the planet's surface where the Velosian ambassadors were waiting to welcome the human visitors and deepen the peaceful contact between the two species that had just met for the first time about a week ago.
"Yeah. I'll throw a party later", McCoy quipped dryly, making Carol next to him crack an amused smile.
"See you in three weeks", Dr. Marcus said her goodbye to Scotty and Jim.
"Don't forget to pick us up again", McCoy added, dead-serious.
"I promise", Kirk said, of course with a grin. "Enjoy the trip, guys. At least there's no torpedo this time!" And then: "Mr. Scott, energize!"