Behold, the first of four chapters of a story that looks at the relationships between McCoy, Uhura, Kirk, Scotty, and their respective partners. It was designed as a mirror to Blind, Depressed, Dissolute and Hopeless, in which I introduced all the OC characters.

I'm honestly gobsmacked at how this Spock/OC series has developed, but I think it's a good thing. I'm very proud of these intersecting narratives.

So here's your warning for fluff, sweetness, meeting-the-family, weddings, and just general romancey goodness that is incorporated in the entirety of the next four chapters. Set just after the Enterprise has returned to Earth after the five-year mission.

o.O.o

Leonard and Caitlin

He inhaled the dusty Georgian air and sighed. Oh, how he'd missed this. How he'd missed wearing something that wasn't blue.

"Should we call a taxi?" Caitlin asked. He pressed her knuckles to his lips, then glanced around. The train station was busy, people rushing to and fro, but it was nowhere near as busy as the San Francisco train station.

"I'll find somethin'." He led her through the crowd, readjusting his hold on his duffle bag strap, and out into the sunshine.

Real sunshine.

"It's so warm here." She tilted her head to the sky and sighed. Leonard led them to the taxi rank, where two taxis waited. He gave one the address to a local hotel, then they clambered inside and made the short trip.

The hotel was nice. Small, clean, inexpensive. They unpacked a few of their things, took a moment to freshen up, and then they were on the road again.

"Should I hire a car?" Leonard asked, as they waited for a taxi. Caitlin considered the question.

"Nah."

They caught a taxi to the house where Leonard used to live with his wife and child. He drummed his fingers against his thigh as the taxi drove closer to the little girl he hadn't seen in eight years.

"Are you nervous?" Caitlin asked.

"Obviously," he said. "What is she doesn' like me?"

"She'd be stupid not to." Caitlin covered his hand with her own and squeezed. He chuckled.

"I swear you see more than me sometimes."

"You charmer, you."

The taxi reached a familiar street and Leonard's heart jumped into his throat. The blood rushed to his ears and he forced himself to breathe slowly. It wouldn't do to have a panic attack while en route.

Then the taxi stopped moving. He exited the vehicle automatically, paid the driver, then helped Caitlin out. He asked the driver to stay, as they would need him again soon, and the pair walked towards the house.

It had changed since Leonard had last seen it. The fence was a different colour, the big oak in the front yard was gone, and the house seemed more faded than he remembered. He opened the picket gate, led Caitlin up the concrete path, and knocked on the front door.

Clay Treadaway opened the door. Leonard stiffened. They were still married? He had no clue.

"Leonard," Clay said. There was no friendliness in his tone.

"Clay."

The man moved aside, and Leonard led Caitlin inside. He couldn't help but noticed the way Clay's lip curled as he took in the overweight, blind woman the other man had brought home.

"Dad!"

He froze as he was greeted by a sixteen-year-old who looked so much like him, right down to the shaggy black hair. She was so different to the little eight-year-old he'd left behind all those years ago. So grown up.

"H-hey sweetheart." He stepped forward, arms held out awkwardly, then Joanna rolled her eyes and pulled him into a hug.

"I'm so glad you're home," she whispered. He squeezed her tightly for longer than he thought he would've, because he just didn't want to let go of his precious girl. When he did, he was greeted by the Ice Queen herself.

"Jocelyn." He nodded, his tone clipped.

"Leonard." She looked past him and to the stranger, standing quietly behind him. "Who's your guest?" Leonard dismissed Jocelyn and looked at his daughter instead.

"Sweetheart, this is Caitlin the woman I told you about. Caitlin, this is Joanna."

"Pleased to meet you." Caitlin held out her hand and Joanna took it.

"The pleasure is mine," the teenager said, mimicking the British accent. Caitlin giggled.

"You're pretty good at that."

"Thanks! I was Lady Macbeth in the school play last year."

Clay appeared in the doorway. "I'm going out, Jocelyn," he said.

"Okay." She didn't spare him a glance, her eyes resting on Leonard. Then Clay was gone. "You look good," she said. Leonard shifted under her scrutiny.

"Would we be able to take Joanna out for the day?" he asked. She nodded stiffly, then Joanna grabbed Caitlin's hand and dragged her from the house. Leonard followed, a little bemused.

Jocelyn watched them go, her expressionless face morphing into one of extreme sadness.

She should've expected this. When Leonard had left eight years ago, she'd taken everything, and she felt pretty good about it. He'd been a sucky husband, neglecting both her and Joanna in favour of work, and he couldn't blame her for turning to Clay. She'd divorced him, married Clay, and he'd become a huge mess and then pissed off and was no longer her problem.

Then came the first news that he was a hero of the Federation. Chief Medical Officer on board a Starship. She'd seen him on television, clean cut and serious. It reminded her of what he'd been like at the start of their relationship. She hated the sliver of shame that worked its way into her marriage with Clay.

Now Leonard was here. In her house. Looking like a human-shaped wad of regret. Sober, clean-shaven, straight-backed, and unbelievably sexy. Part of her wanted to ask him back.

However, there was the other woman. The pom. Not much of a looker (and blind to boot) but somehow, Leonard looked at her like he'd never looked at Jocelyn.

The front door swung shut, and Jocelyn surrendered to the regret, and cried.

o.O.o

"So, what d'you wanna do today?" Leonard asked. Joanna held onto his elbow and pursed her lips.

"What about the arcade?" she said brightly. "We always used to do that."

"That sounds lovely," Caitlin said.

They caught the taxi to the shopping centre and joined the throngs of people wandering around. Joana took Caitlin's hand and the pair ran ahead.

"I've never been to an arcade," Caitlin said, holding tight to the teenage girl. Joanna giggled.

"You're in for a treat!" They reached the arcade before Leonard and hung around outside. "Have you always been blind?"

"Since I was born."

"What's it like?"

"Dark. But I can smell the body odour of every person here."

"Ew."

"I know."

Leonard joined the pair and they delved into the arcade. Joanna excelled at first-person shooters, while Leonard was better at the racing games. Caitlin spent most of the time standing back while they played, but she then felt Leonard's hands over her own.

"Come on," he whispered, leading her over to a game. He placed a plastic gun in her hands and stood behind her, wrapping his arms around her. "I'll guide you."

She laughed as Leonard jerked her arms around, yelling insults as he mowed down the virtual baddies.

"Get 'em hot stuff!" she cried. Leonard laughed maniacally, then 'level two' sounded in front of them.

They made it all the way to level five before dying.

"Dad, let's do a rollercoaster simulator!" Joanna called. Leonard kissed Caitlin's cheek, then rushed to join his daughter.

They only left the arcade when they'd played half the games, and when they walked out, Leonard had never felt so young. They went to a burger stand for lunch, then sat in the food court with their goodies.

"I haven't had that much fun in ages," Joanna said. She glanced at Leonard and flushed. "Mum doesn't like the arcade. She says it's a waste of money."

"Maybe she should get on the Starfleet payroll," Leonard said. "I'm jus' glad you still like the arcade. Some of the games have really changed since we were last here."

"Really? I hadn't noticed." She glanced between the two officers. "So how did you guys meet?"

"Work," Caitlin said. "We're both assigned to the Enterprise."

"Are you really British?"

"Yes."

"How long have you guys been together?"

"Two years."

"Have you done the dirty?"

"Joanna." Leonard stared at his daughter, appalled. Beside him, Caitlin smirked.

"None of your business," the blind woman said, then winked. Joanna rolled her eyes.

"You're no fun. Dad, can I give you away at your wedding?"

"Wed… y'know, sure. Why not?" He threw his arms up. "Apparently we're gettin' married now, darlin'."

"Aw. And you're the one walking up the aisle. How progressive of you."

"And I'm- what? Why am I the one walkin' up the aisle? Ain't that what the girl does?"

"We're being progressive, dad."

"It's what Starfleet is all about."

He glared suspiciously at the too-innocent looks that both girls wore. Caitlin chewed on her burger placidly and Joanna sipped her milkshake.

"So… how's school?" he asked. Joanna pulled a face.

"I like the actual learning part," she said, "but I hate my cohort. I didn't know people were so dumb."

"Do you have any stories about the wonder of human stupidity?" Caitlin asked.

"Oh yes." Joanna held her hand out for a hi-five, remembered Caitlin was blind, then dropped her hand. "So there's this guy called Derek – real jerkface name, I know – and he and his buddies like to pick on this other guy, Steve…"

She regaled a tale about how Derek tried to trick Steve into getting into one of the school janitorial cupboards under the guise of a crying kitten. Steve, a real crafty bugger, knew what Derek was up to, and managed to flip the prank on Derek. Derek ended up covered in paint and the laughing stock of the school.

"That Steve sounds like a smart boy," Caitlin said. She'd finished her burger by that point, and sat quietly and fiddled with the wrapper.

"His boyfriend sure thinks so." Joanna shot Leonard a significant look and he rolled his eyes.

"Whatever. What d'you wanna do now?"

They went for a walk to the nearby botanic gardens and both Leonard and Joanna spent a significant portion of the trip with their eyes closed, to try and emulate Caitlin's experience. Leonard ended up walking into a rubbish bin.

"It's really sweet of you," Caitlin said, taking his hand, "but you don't have to."

"Caitlin, I've walked through here a heap of times," Joanna said, "but I've never thought about how it smelled. Living like you is kinda interesting."

"Oh. That's really sweet."

They stood in front of a huge oak tree that – Leonard glanced closer at the plaque – was over ten-thousand years old.

"I like you more than Clay," Joanna announced. "You're cool."

"What's wrong with the wife-snatchin' trout?" Leonard asked. Caitlin stifled a giggle.

"Trout," she gasped, her eyes crinkling from the effort of holding in laughter.

"He's just… a jerk. He never tries. He just works, and sits there watching his stupid shows, and even mum is getting fed up with him."

Leonard shifted uncomfortably. "Your mother's marriage ain't my business."

"I know. I just haven't been able to complain about the jerk in ages." She shot him a wide-eyed stare that melted his heart. "I'd much rather live with you."

"We kinda live in space," Caitlin sighed. "It's nowhere near as fun as living on a planet. You get a bit stir-crazy after a while."

"Oh." Her face fell. "Is Starfleet bad?"

"No! God no!" Leonard floundered. "It's just, it's a job. You have to work hard an' it's really stressful 'cause you can't really separate your work an' social life, 'cause you work with all your friends."

"A lot of people don't handle the pressure well." Caitlin sighed.

"I think I could."

"Sweetheart?"

"I think I could handle Starfleet." She squared her shoulders. "I've been thinking about it a lot lately. I've always wanted to be a nurse and follow in the McCoy footsteps, and what better place to do that then Starfleet?"

"You'd have a good chance of getting in because your dad's an officer," Caitlin said. She shrugged. "What? It's true."

"Starfleet is dangerous," Leonard said. "Are you sure?"

"I'm sure. At least, it's an option."

"I think it's a good option." Caitlin wave her hand around, found Joanna's shoulder, and squeezed.

Joanna started crying.

"Sweetheart, what's wrong?" Leonard quickly pulled her into a hug. He stared wide-eyed at Caitlin, then remembered that she couldn't see him. What the hell should he do?

"I hate living with mum," Joanna sniffed. "She hates you and I don't like how mean she is sometimes."

"You mum an' I didn't work together."

"I know relationships can be messy." She pulled back and wiped her face. "I wish you were around."

"Why don't you stay with us at the hotel for the week?" Caitlin said softly. "Get some distance. Spend some time with your dad. I can go back to San Francisco if you like."

"No!" Joanna looked startled. "Don't leave!"

Leonard stared at his daughter. So headstrong and passionate. How had he stayed away for eight years? How had he missed a single moment of his little girl's life? Emotion threatened to overwhelm him, and he swallowed the lump.

"I'd really like to stay with you," Joanna said. She glanced hopefully at Leonard. "Could you… ask mum for me? If I ask, she'll say no."

Leonard froze. "I, uh-"

"I'll ask her for you," Caitlin said warmly. "It would be rude to refuse a disabled person."

"You minx." Leonard shook his head. "Jesus woman, I love you."

"I love you too, darlin'." Caitlin giggled, putting emphasis on the 'r', and Joanna glanced between the two of them.

"You guys are so cute! Dad, you chose well." She threw her arms around both of them and squeezed.

Leonard never thought he would be here, wrapped in the embraces of the two people he cared about most in this world.

o.O.o

Caitlin liked to think she was staring down Jocelyn, but she wasn't sure she was looking in the right direction.

"Yes?" she prompted.

The other woman had been silent for a long time already, undoubtedly thinking about Caitlin's question. Caitlin waited patiently, and Leonard and Joanna's voices were distorted in the next room.

"You're… stayin' in a hotel?"

"That's correct. For the week."

Jocelyn was quiet again.

"We would cover all costs," Caitlin continued. "There's no need for you to chip in. Leonard and I can pay for her. Plus, if she stays with us, you won't have to see us."

Jocelyn 'hmm'd'. "I guess so."

Caitlin wasn't prepared for the disappointment in her tone.

"Thank you," she said.

"Len used to be a dotin' father." Jocelyn's voice turned wistful and Caitlin kept her expression neutral. "We were gonna take on the world together."

"I'm sorry that's no longer the case. One must lay in the bed they make." Caitlin shrugged. "I'll get out of your way. Thank you for your cooperation."

She re-joined the others in the living room and nodded. Joanna squealed, then rushed off to pack some things. Leonard wrapped an arm around Caitlin and kissed her forehead.

"I think Joanna loves you more than I do," he said jokingly.

"Hush. Don't you say such things." Caitlin pecked his lips and he pecked back harder.

"Okay, I'm ready!" Joanna re-entered the room, panting slightly. "Let's go. Bye, mum!"

She led the charge out the door and was the first into the taxi. Caitlin squeezed Leonard's hand. She'd been hoping to have a serious talk with him while they were in Georgia, but now that Joanna was staying with them, she probably wouldn't get the chance. She pushed the thought aside. They could talk later.