Though it was well after dark and he wasn't expecting visitors, Leonard McCoy's porch light was on; just as it always was when he knew you were home alone. It was turned on once the sun went down and night set in, and was only turned off once the lights in your house went out. It was his silent way of letting you know that he was there if you needed him, and right now you had never needed anyone quite so badly.

Living alone had its perks. A nice, long list that you were constantly adding to. Your pants went straight into your laundry hamper when you got home, you cooked what you wanted when you wanted, and you could come and go as you pleased. There were downsides, as you knew there would be, but you never really thought too much about the alone part of it until it was too late.

After securely locking your door you double checked the path ahead, momentarily hesitating before heading over to the house next door, moving faster with each step before changing to a sprint.

The speed with which he answered your trying-not-to-be-frantic knocks had you suspecting he had seen your run over, and while that was pretty embarrassing, your fear had you really not giving a damn.

"What's happened? Are you alright?" Leonard immediately ushered you into the house, hand resting on your shoulder as he peered down at you.

"Me? Oh, no, I'm ok. I'm fine. Totally fine." You smoothed your hair down, taking slow breaths to calm yourself. "Hey, little question, just curious, is your spare bedroom available tonight?"

He seemed a little floored, but recovered quickly. "Of course, but what's happened?"

"I, ahhh, may have unintentionally freaked myself out, and am currently incapable of being alone in the house, so I was hoping you wouldn't mind if I stayed here."

"You're always welcome here, sweetheart, you know that." His friendly concern shifted to an amused smile. "How does one unintentionally freak themselves out?"

"By watching something that they didn't realise had something in it that would freak them out, and that's all you're getting because I'm embarrassed enough right now."

"Don't know why you would be," his arm came around your shoulders like it was the most natural thing in the world, and if he was okay with it, who were you to argue? "That was a pretty impressive sprint you managed back there."

"You ass!" The hand you'd sent sailing towards his stomach was caught almost instantly, so you settled on a somewhat fierce glare. "Why were you watching that?"

"I was in the kitchen at the time and just happened to see you make a break for it. Now," Leonard softened his grip on your hand but didn't let it go, and started leading you up the stairs to the bedroom. "Play nice or I won't let you in my bed."

"You wouldn't send me back out there."

"Wouldn't I? You just tried to attack me."

"But I'm scared and in need of a big, strong man to save me. The gentleman inside you can't resist."

"There's a lot of things I can't resist, darlin', and you got me. That's one of them."

Your reply was forgotten as he led you past the spare room, taking you further down the hall to his own bedroom.

Framed photos of he and Joanna hung on the walls here and there, and a few were littered about on the shelves of his bookcase. You couldn't help the bed-envy as your gaze landed on his; large and undoubtedly comfortable, neatly made, and oh-so-inviting.

"You probably know this already but this is not the spare room."

"I'm aware." He directed you towards the bed and sat you down. "Just figured we'd sit a spell, get you calmed down before bed."

"Oh… thank you, Leonard. I can't say I would have thought of that."

"Happy to help. Might as well get comfortable, so lie back with me."

When you hesitated, he simply pulled you down with him, shifting you to lay snuggled up beside him. To hell with it, you figured, and nuzzled closer, grabbing a fistful of his shirt as you pressed your face against his neck. You'd be mad not to take advantage of such an offer.

Finally calmer and a little saner, you felt yourself beginning to drift off, and while the idea of sleeping beside a warm and cuddly Leonard McCoy was beyond enticing, you knew that if you didn't drag yourself off to the spare room right this instant you'd never leave, and would probably be back tomorrow night angling for an invitation into his bed.

"I ever tell you about the time a delivery mix-up had us receiving three boxes of stuffed animals instead of our medical supplies?" His voice was low and gentle, calming, and he could feel your body slowly relax. "Damn newbie didn't check the boxes before signing, so we had to…"

Out.

Of all the dream lovers you've had, Leonard McCoy would easily be your favourite. His hands, my god his hands, tender and skillful and so very capable, the way they moved over your body and brought you release.

While quite a few of your encounters took place in his office after a few rounds of Doctor (with the exception of some particularly delightful rolls in the hay with Cowboy McCoy), most took place here, in his bed. Lazy mornings, late nights, alcohol fueled meetups; a mix of wild moments of need and hot, slow discovery.

Slow discovery seemed to be on the agenda for tonight as you felt him move behind you. His hands started down at your hips, pulling you flush against him, holding you there a moment while his other hand continued up your body, palming your breast before moving up to your throat. His hand twisted in your hair, tugging you closer as he left open mouthed kisses along your jaw.

You clumsily reached up and back, settling a hand on the back of his neck to steady yourself as he began to press his hips against you in a slow and steady rhythm while his hand slipped from your hair and smoothed its way down, pulling at your shirt until it slid under and up to your breasts.

It was while he was alternatively palming and caressing, bringing you higher than ever before, that you realised just what was wrong with the current situation.

This was not Dream Leonard, your sensational occasional lover. This was real Leonard.