McCoy rang the chime of Rina's quarters. He had relieved her of duty because she could barely move her stiff muscles. Now he wanted to give her the proper treatment.

Rina opened the door, wearing a pair of dark grey drawstring pants that reached the mid of her calves, white socks and a black tank top underneath a dark blue oversized knitted pullover that left her right shoulder bare. Her bangs were no longer combed out of her face and covered her left eye, a part of her nose and further down to her chin.

"Oh hey, Bones. Come on in," she said and stepped aside.

Her quarters were tidy, nothing was out-of-place. The shelves were full with books in at least seven different languages, Terran and alien. On her desk were sketch books and drawing supplies together with a couple of cosmetics.

"Let's move to the bed. There's more space," he recommended.

Her eyes lit up with mischief. "If it weren't you, I'd think you are trying to get me laid."

He grinned. "Not exactly. Take off your shirt and bra and lie down on your front."

Rina turned her back to him and did as she was told. McCoy sat next to her and let his gaze wander over her white skin. Her entire back was covered with scars. They were hardly visible, but he was always worried when he saw them. And Rina just didn't want to tell him how she had obtained them.

With a sigh he spilled some oil on her back and began massaging the tense muscles. He pressed his hands deeply into her skin, hearing her suppressed groans of pain. "I'm sorry, but there's nothing I can do about it."

"It's alright. I can deal with it," she assured him through clenched teeth.

After a while he became gentler as he felt the knots dissolving. In the end he was tenderly caressing her. She stiffened and squirmed slightly. "Are you ok?"

"Yeah, I'm fine. Can I get up?"

He stood and let her dress herself. "There's something I'd like to do to be sure. There is a theory that a person's soles can be subdivided into sections which stand for the rest of the body, so that someone can learn from a massage of the feet what is wrong with the rest."

He looked at her and he could have sworn that she swallowed hard. "Can't you just use your tricorder?" Was that a French accent? Was she nervous? And why?

"I don't have it with me at the moment and I want to try it. Please sit down and remove your socks."

She nodded slowly and complied. He put some oil into his palm and took her foot, his thumbs tracing circles on her sole. Her reaction surprised him. Her foot jerked and a strangled squeak escaped her.

He was confused, but then it became clear to him and he grinned at her. "Could it be that you are ticklish, Lieutenant Meunier?"

She swallowed. "I…have no…idea what you are…talking about, Doctor. That would be a human reaction. I…iiek," her voice shrieked off as he ran his fingers lightly down the sole of her right foot.

"You are ticklish. It's no use to deny it."

"I'm not human, Bones and vampires certainly aren't…" she was interrupted as he took both ankles and started attacking her sensitive skin.

Soon she couldn't help herself any longer. All she could do was burying her face in a pillow to muffle her laughter. "Stop it…please!" she begged him.

"Only if you admit it."

"Why do I have to say it? You have your proof. Now stop!"

McCoy just moved higher to the sides of her slender waist, causing her to squirm violently. "Say it."

"Alright! I am ticklish! Insanely ticklish! Are you happy now?"

He grinned and let her go. "Just as I thought."

She glared at him, but only half heartily. Her breathing calmed and she swallowed again. "Thanks for the massage, but never ever do that again."

He chuckled. "Can't promise anything, Darling."

"Could…you promise not to tell anyone?" she asked sheepishly.

He pulled her into a hug. "I'll be as silent as a grave, Rina. Doctor's honor."

She nodded against his shoulder. "Thanks."

"You're welcome."