Title: When Hell Freezes Over
Rating: M for language and slash
Pairings: Spock/Leonard McCoy
Author: Slytherin4ever97
The door to Sickbay slid open and the CMO, Leonard McCoy stepped out into the corridor wiping his hand tiredly across his aching eyes. He had been working for eighteen hours straight on the wounded crew after the Enterprise was unexpectedly ambushed by two Klingon Birds of Prey. The attack had been unprovoked and after a long space battle, Helmsman Sulu was able to break away from the ships and limp the Enterprise into warp 3. They were currently docked at New Vulcan, the closest Federation planet to them, both crew and star ship under heavy repairs.
McCoy would still be in Sickbay if his head nurse, Miss Chapel hadn't threatened to hypo him if he didn't take a break and get some much needed sleep. He hadn't fought with her too long since he really was tired and could use some rest. Silently, he promised himself six hours of shut-eye, and then he would go back to work.
"Doctor?"
Long legs strode beside him and McCoy found himself flinching in surprise. He stopped to take in the person next to him and was shocked once again when he discovered his companion was an elderly Vulcan. Somehow the alien looked familiar even though he was sure he'd never seen the man before.
McCoy arched an eyebrow. "Yes?" his tone was brusque. His tiredness and irritation at being stopped clearly bleeding through.
The Vulcan smiled. An actual smile!
"Peace and long life," greeted the Vulcan, holding out his right hand in the customary Vulcan salute.
McCoy tried to imitate it noticing that spreading his fingers like that felt awkward. "Uh, yeah," he said too tired to remember how he was supposed to respond. "What can I do for you?"
The odd Vulcan stared at him in concern. "Are you well, Leonard? You appear to be ill."
"I'm fine-" he stopped and stared at the older man. "How did you know my name?"
The Vulcan smiled again, though this time it was sad and wistful. His hand came up toward McCoy's face and the doctor stepped back quickly, cocking his head to the side at the weird behavior of this elderly Vulcan.
"Who the hell are you?" he demanded.
The Vulcan clasped his hands behind his back. "Ambassador Spock."
McCoy vaguely remembered Jim telling him about the future Spock and their short adventure together. He stared at the Vulcan with more interest comparing the differences between this man and the Spock he knew. Aside from the obvious age difference, Ambassador Spock seemed warmer, friendlier, more emotional than the younger one.
"I apologize, Leonard, if my presence is hindering you from your duties," the ambassador said. "I heard the Enterprise was here and had to see you."
"I'm off duty," McCoy answered gruffly, feeling slightly flattered that the green-blooded hobgoblin actually wanted to see him, but tried to hide it. Somehow, as he watched Ambassador Spock's eyes twinkle, he got the feeling that he had failed. "Why would you want to talk to me?"
He peered at the pointy-eared alien suspiciously. All he and this man's younger counterpart ever did was argue. Though if Spock were here he would say that it was illogical to argue therefore they were debating or some other damned nonsense. Though McCoy would never admit it, he actually liked the mental stimulation and pleasure he got out of arguing with Spock. That and he wanted to see just how far he could push the elf to get an emotional response from him. So far, all he got was that damned raised eyebrow.
Spock Prime smiled as if sensing what he was thinking. Knowing the bastard and all that Vulcan voodoo he probably did know what he was thinking. "We did not get to speak with each other the last time."
"I doubt we have anything to talk about."
"On the contrary, though we often, what is the human term, butted heads, later in my time we became really good friends."
McCoy snorted. "Me, you? Friends?"
Spock smiled warmly and reached out to capture one of McCoy's hands.
The doctor froze, then tried to tug his hand away, but the Vulcan had a strong grip and refused to relinquish his prize. One of the aged fingers rubbed the back of his hand soothingly. Using the tight hold, he pulled the doctor closer so that their bodies were eight inches apart.
McCoy started to feel uneasy. "Spock?" he said uncertainly.
Spock stared at him sadly once more. "In my time, sometime after we both retired from Starfleet, we spent a lot of time together, first with Jim present, then eventually by ourselves. Each day I grew to," here he paused as if unsure how to continue. McCoy barely dared to breath both puzzled and frightened by this part of Spock he'd never seen before. The older man continued where he left off, giving the doctor's hand a reassuring squeeze.
"Each day I grew to love you more. I yearned to tell you this, though was unsure how well this revelation would be received. So I said nothing. It wasn't until the day of your death that I discovered how you felt about me after I mind melded with your counterpart to ease his passing. That was when we realized our love for one another. Since his death I have regretted never telling you."
By this time McCoy was near to hyperventilating. Sure, when he first laid eyes on Spock he had thought the pointy-eared hobgoblin attractive until he actually got to know him. There was no way he could ever love the bastard.
"Why are you telling me this?"
"Because I hoped that you and my younger counterpart could learn from my mistake and not let your inhibitions get in the way of your desires. I believe that you would both benefit from a relationship."
McCoy shook his head and yanked back his hand, succeeding in freeing it. "You seem nice enough Ambassador, but hell will freeze over before Spock and I get together. He's an emotionally stunted bastard who-"
The elder Spock silenced him with a quick kiss.
He withdrew leaving McCoy to blink, wondering what had just happened. "I know this is a lot to take in Leonard, but believe me when I say it would be worth it." The Vulcan gave him a tender smile and briskly walked down the corridor and out of sight leaving a bewildered and slightly freaked out doctor behind.
TBC