Author's Note: I was originally going to write the second chapter to be after they've become a couple but, I had some trouble writing it the way I wanted and then this happened.

I finally fixed the whole rank thing, nothing major has changed. To address a few things mentioned in a review, which has been deleted as it was rather rude and the person contradicted themselves several times but did point out a few things that some may not have thought about in the way I have.

In terms of culture, I have no idea how far equality with have come so it'd not out of the realm of possibilities for someone to be a misogynistic ass, even the movies and TOS is sexist in the fact that all the women wear a dress or skirt. Same goes for the tattoos, who says it's a common enough thing were it's no longer stereotyped? Fact is, we don't know how culture is in that era. And as far as the hypos go, I did not say they were a hypo-spray and in the movies Jim does complain about the poke of the needle. I did try to see if they had some way to mend a broken bone, which they probably do, but could not find any (if someone knows, I'd appreciate you helping me correct it).

All in all, I am researching things, can't always find answers but if you are going to correct me please be respectful, you don't have to apologize for pointing out errors if your not outright rude about it.

I am currently taking fanfic requests, details on my profile.

Constructive criticism and comments would be lovely. I hope you enjoy~

Izanna took a deep breath before stepping aboard the Enterprise for the first time in attempt to keep a calm demeanor. She was ecstatic, her best friend since childhood had been working aboard the Enterprise right after they graduated from the academy while Izanna's assignment got changed last minute; she had completed training in both Engineering and Science, preferring to work as a Science Officer. She actually had been assigned to the Enterprise, only for the Gallahan to lose it's Chief Engineering Officer. No one was qualified for the job, Izanna had the know-how but lacked the ability to command while others had the ability to command but lacked the know-how. They had Izanna team up with another officer, having her teach them until they had the necessary skills. Now two years later, she was finally getting to work aboard the Enterprise as a Science Officer and helping in Engineering as needed.

Izanna wasn't bothering to listen to her Lieutenant Commander, Larry Lun, as she walked behind him; he was talking to her like she was an incompetent child who hadn't just spent the last two years practically running a ship. Izanna was changing departments, but they were overall similar and that didn't excuse his behavior towards her; working with this man was going to be hell. She was nodding along to something he was saying when she heard a familiar Scottish accent calling her name, turning around she smiled at an old friend coming up to greet her.

"Scotty," she exclaimed and pulled him into a hug, "I didn't know you were working aboard the Enterprise."

"And I didn't know you'd be working here," Scotty replied, "What are you doing in a blue shirt?"

Izanna started to speak but was interrupted by Larry, "She's a Science Officer, my officer. And we're currently busy so you can catch up another time."

"She practically ran a ship for two years, I think she knows the bloody in and outs whatever she doesn't can be learned on the job," Scotty scuffed.

"She's still my officer," Larry growled.

"She also doubles as an Engineering officer, so I'll take over from here."

"I'll be taking my leave now," Izanna said

"Bu-" Larry started, his face turning red.

"You've been treating me like trash this entire time," Izanna snapped, "You have absolutely no reason too. It's insulting and I deserve to be respected, especially by a fellow officer. Now I am leaving."

Larry tried to interject before they could leave only to be only to interrupted by Scotty.

"We'll be going now," Scotty said tugging Izanna along.

She turned back to Scotty who had a wide smirk on his face and gestured to his arm; rolling her eyes she took hold of his elbow in one hand and let him lead her away.

"I forget how commanding you can be when you want," Scotty mentioned.

"I don't mind commanding people if I have to. It's being in charge of them I don't like, way to much stress for a naturally shy person with social anxiety. And he was being an ass, I wasn't about to let him think he can just treat me like that," she said with a shrug.

"Don't worry, no one else really likes the jackass either," Scotty said pulling her into the turbolift, "I'll give you the grand tour, starting with the Engineering deck."

oOOOo

Bones was on the bridge currently going over a last minute check of crew members with Spock, making sure everyone was up to date on all things health. As they were nearing the bottom of the list Bones com went off, ignoring it he continued and shortly after it went silent it went off again. He noticed Spock lift an eyebrow at him and took the call while muttering about hobgoblins.

"Why am I being called? We haven't even left port," Bones said.

"Well," his head nurse started, "We have a crew member with a fractured wrist."

"That doesn't explain why I'm being called."

"She isn't up to date on, well, anything. Because she hasn't been signed off on anything she should be escorted off the ship and have everything done where ever else but, we don't exactly have time for that and you're going to have to sign off on her anyway so...," she paused and waited for Bones.

"I'll be down there shortly," Bones said with a sigh. Turning back to Spock he spoke, "Can you finish this?"

"I did so while you were talking, only one person hasn't checked out," Spock said.

"Probably the one in my Sick Bay," Bones grumbled as he pulled up their file.

Leaving the bridge he made his way to the Sick Bay while reading the file and was surprised to find that they held a high ranking position for two years but only moved up to Lieutenant. Entering the Sick Bay he walked over to the room his nurse had indicated and took a deep breath before entering the room. He saw Scotty sitting in a chair off to the side of the room, talking animatedly with the person on the examination table. Taking a look at the person on the table he almost stopped in his tracks but continued in with only a momentary pause.

The young woman on the examination table looked up at him as he got closer and gave him a shy smile as her cheeks turned a light pink before casting her big, amber brown eyes to the floor; if she was standing Bones was sure he'd be at least a head taller than her. She had short, dark brown hair that could be compared to a Vulcan woman's hairstyle only more ruffled. She was on the chubby side but god her curves, he couldn't help but let his eyes trace her body as she kept her eyes trained to the floor.

Standing in front of her he crossed his arms over his chest and started to talk.

oOOOo

Izanna had glanced away from Scotty to look at the person who had just entered the room and felt a light blush encompass her face; quickly giving him a small smile she looked down. He was tall, dark, and handsome with steel blue eyes and an annoyed look on his face that should have made him less attractive but didn't. His feet came into her line of view and she fidgeted until he started to talk.

"I looked through your file," he said in a southern drawl, taking her by surprise as she looked back up at him, "And it shows you haven't had a physical or any vaccines in two years and that wasn't even completed. Not only that, you've been on this ship what, maybe an hour and you've managed to get hurt. But I guess with your track record it's not unusual."

Izanna just nodded as the blush on her face increased. She heard the doctor lightly sigh as he pulled up a stool and sat, bring him to eye level with her. She opted to look at the space between Scotty and the unnamed doctor, watching as he set his PADD off to the side and push his sleeves up to his elbows.

"Can I take a look at your wrist?" he asked in a gruff tone.

She glanced at Scotty who chuckled. "He won't bite Izzy, unless you want him to," Scotty said with a smirk.

Bones shot a glare at Scotty while Izanna trained her eyes back into the space between the two men and held out her left arm for the doctor to look at. She hissed as he rolled up her sleeve and turned her wrist slightly to examine all sides. His calloused fingers were surprisingly gentle as he poked and prodded at her wrist, never causing unnecessary pain. Releasing her arm he picked his PADD back up and jotted down a few things.

"Defiantly fractured," he said, "You'll have to have a cast. How'd you manage to do this?"

"Well Doctor..."

"Leonard McCoy," Bones provided as he moved about, gathering what he needed for the cast.

"Well Dr. McCoy," Izanna said, flinching slightly as he start to put the cast on, "I fell down some stairs and caught myself on my wrist."

"First set of stairs we came to too," said Scotty.

"And you just let me fall," Izanna scoffed.

"You say that like I was suppose to fucking catch you," Scotty replied.

"You didn't even try," she said dejectedly.

"That's cause last time I did we bloody both ended up getting hurt."

"I don't think that situation is really comparable to this one."

"Sure it-" started Scotty.

"I need to do a physical on her, so you need to book it Scotty," Bones interrupted, clearly annoyed with the man.

"I don't need a physical," said Izanna as she attempted to get off the examination table now that Bones had released her arm.

Bones put a hand on her sternum and glared at her. "Yes, you do," he said and immediately regretted glaring at her as she looked at him like a kicked puppy.

Izanna once again looked to Scotty for help, only to get a shrug in response. She sat there thinking, not for long but Bones got impatient and down played it.

"Look," said Bones, "All I have to do is scan you and ask some questions, then get you caught up on all your vaccinations."

Izanna slowly nodded and Bones removed his hand from her chest, gesturing for Scotty to leave. Slowly standing from the chair, Scotty waited to see if Izanna protested at his departure and strode to the door when she didn't. He paused at the door for a moment to speak to Izanna.

"I'll be down on the Engineering deck if you need me," said Scotty.

Bones scanned Izanna over with a tricorder and mentioned everything was normal, sitting back down on the stool he grabbed his PADD and began to ask questions as he typed.

"Feeling ill at all lately?" Bones asked.

"Nope," Izanna replied shortly.

"Normal bowel movements?"

"Wow, that physical went by real fast. What do you say we move on to the vaccines?" Izanna said as she attempted to get off the table only to be stopped by Bones again.

"Would you rather me get a female nurse?" Bones said with clear annoyance, as he kept a hand on her shoulder.

"A person of a different gender won't make me any more comfortable."

"Dammit woman, then answer the questions," huffed Bones.

"Yes."

"When was your last menstrual cycle?"

"With the birth control I have I don't get one," Izanna said, shifting around in her seat, face turning more red with each question.

"Are you sexually active?"

"I really hate that question," she said while swinging her feet, "It's a very broad question. Do you mean have I ever been sexually active or have I been sexually active within the last year? Month? Week?"

Bones rolled his eyes and heard her mutter something about hoping his eyes get stuck like that. "Have you been sexually active within the last year?" he amended.

"Hmm..." she paused to think for a moment, "Possibly."

"That wasn't helpful."

"Never said I was helpful."

"You're just going to be consistently vague about this question, aren't you?"

"Maybe," Izanna said cheekily.

Bones let out a sigh but moved on, "Anything unusual happen health wise in the last year?"

"Define, unusual."

"Abnormal, weird, unexpected."

"Then no," Izanna said and Bones rolled his eyes, "Keep doing that and they'll get stuck."

He gave her a small glare and continued with his questions, "I noticed a tattoo on your wrist that wasn't logged, any other tattoos?"

"Probably. I have one on each wrist, large on on my right thigh, one on my left foot and one on my right upper arm," she replied and noticed Bones giving her a funny look. She smiled, "I don't look like the type for tattoos, huh?"

"No, you don't," he said lightly, typing down the information on his PADD. "You'll eventually have to get pictures of them in your file."

Izanna tilted her head and Bones compared her to a confused puppy. "Not gonna do that now?" she asked.

"Considering you're pant legs and sleeves aren't going to be able to roll up high enough you'll have to take them off. And I get this feeling that you'll fight me tooth and nail," Bones stated gruffly.

"Well, you're not wrong," she said.

"That was the last question, I'm going to go get the vaccines. Stay here," he order, getting off his stool and going for the door.

"Can we skip that?" she asked softly.

"No."

"How about we only do the really important ones?"

Bones hesitated for a moment before agreeing and noticed some of the tension in her shoulders disappear. He came back a few minutes later with twelve hypos and watched as Izanna's eyes got comically big, her jaw drop, and visibly went pale.

"Are those just the really important ones?" she said in a high, tight voice.

"Yep," he said simply. He felt a little bad for tricking her but, all of them are important; he guessed she'd faint after six, maybe eight.

"I really fucking hate needles," she whined and laid back on the table, keeping her eyes fixed on the ceiling.

"Says the girl with several tattoos," Bones scoffed, moving up by her left arm.

"Tattooing needles and vaccines needles are very different. Even piercing needles, which are a wider gauge, are better than these," she replied, tensing as she felt Bones shift her arm around.

"Relax, it'll hurt less," he said.

"That doesn't help," she said flatly.

"Ready?"

"No!" squeaked Izanna. She heard Bones let out a loud sigh and made a request, "Just, keep talking. Distract me."

"What should I talk about?"

"Anything."

"Do you know anyone else besides Scotty on the ship?" Bones asked, redirecting the conversation to her and quickly started to use the hypos.

"Yeah, my best friend," she said through clenched teeth.

"Who?"

"Nyota Uhura."

"Seriously?" Bones asked, pausing in his administration of the hypos.

"Surprised?"

"Sorta," he said and went back to injecting the hypos, "She's talked about her best friend occasionally and the person she describes..." he paused.

"Doesn't fit the person you've seen?" she said, jumping in to finish his sentence. "How did she describe me?"

"Not so much you as the things you've done," he said slowly and switched over to her other side, impressed she was still awake now that he was half done. "She made it sound like..."

"I'm outgoing and talkative and peppy?" she said when he paused again.

"Exactly," Bones said with a nod.

"Those we're close to tend to see a side we close off to others," Izanna said softly.

"Last one," he said, sticking the hypo in her arm.

"I feel weird."

"I'm impressed you're even awake," he said, helping her sit up and handing her a glass of water.

"I'd really rather not be," she muttered into the glass.

"Then lay down and rest," he scoffed.

"I've got things to do, people to see," she said, hopping down from the table and then promptly clutching it to prevent falling.

"And you can do that after you rest," he ordered and noticing she was going to protest continued right over her, "Doctor's orders."

"Or I can rest after," Izanna said, "My ideas are great, huh?"

"No."

"That was rhetorical."

"Didn't sound like it."

"Wasn't asking."

"Technically, you did."

"Not the point."

"Then what is?"

"That I don't need rest."

"Dammit, must you be so stubborn?" Bones asked in a huff.

"Must you?" she replied raising her eyebrows.

"Dammit woman. I'm a doctor, I have to be stubborn to deal with stubborn patients."

"Are you implying I'm stubborn?"

"No, stating."

"I'm glad you understand," she said, attempting to move around him.

"You're swaying on your feet," he pointed out and put a steadying hand on her shoulder.

"If you haven't noticed from my record, I get hurt, a lot. I have poor balance, swaying on my feet isn't new."

"Dammit, just shut up and sit down," Bones growled.

Izanna was about to reply when the door slide open and someone walked in; a man with dirty blonde hair and light green eyes in a yellow shirt. He seemed familiar to her, though she couldn't quite put her finger on it. He had a commanding presence and Izanna was unable to anything but give him her undivided attention, he was also talking rather loudly despite it being a small room.

"Bones. I've been calling you on the com for awhile now, where have you been?"

"Well, Jim, it's not like I have a patient or anything," Bones said, gesturing at Izanna.

"Oh? And who's this beautiful young lady?" Jim asked giving her a charming smile.

"Lieutenant Izanna Latimer," she replied extending a hand.

"Captain James T. Kirk," Jim said, taking her hand and kissing the top of it.

"What do you need Jim?" Bones cut in.

"To talk, privately."

"And that's my cue to leave," Izanna said, skirting around both men and out the door before Bones tried to make her stay.

Bones turned to Jim and glared while Jim just gave him a smirk.

"You like her," Jim stated.

"What do you want?"

"Oh come on, you gotta at least admit she's cute."

"Yes, she's stunning. Now what do you want?"

"Stunning and cute are two very different adjectives," Jim pointed out.

"Dammit Jim," Bones growled back.

"Alright, I'll drop it. For now," he replied, putting his hands up.

oOOOo

Izanna was quickly leaving the Sick Bay when she almost ran into someone who was standing right outside the door. A familiar face looked down at her and he quirked an eyebrow at her, seeming to wait for her to speak.

"You look surprised to see me Lieutenant," Spock said upon realizing Izanna wasn't going to speak first.

"I forgot you worked on this ship," she replied simply.

"Indeed. Have you seen Nyota yet?"

"No, haven't even told her I've been assigned here. Wanted to surprise her."

"That would explain why she did not tell me you were assigned aboard the ship," he paused for a moment, "The Captain and I will be returning to the bridge once he is done talking to Dr. McCoy, you should come with."

"That I shall do," she said smiling at him.

"While we are waiting. I had a conversation with Lieutenant Commander Lun, he's made a formal complaint, siting that you were disrespectful. He subtly tried to hint that you should be transferred, to another ship."

"He was talking to me as if I was incompetent, then tried to walk all over me and I wasn't about to let him do that."

"We have had that problem with him quite often. It would be best if he was not on the ship but we have no one to replace him," he said.

"Please tell me your not implying what I think your implying," she groaned.

"You are the only person aboard this ship who can replace him without leaving another important position vacant."

"Spock," she said.

Spock jumped in before she could say more, "Your quarters would change to the senior staff corridor. You could even delegate most of your tasks to the Lieutenants under you."

"Are you trying to bribe me?" she asked in shock.

"Merely stating certain benefits you would have in replacing the man who has repeatedly harassed female crew members, Lieutenant Uhura included."

"Well, looks like I'm getting my room upgraded," she monotones.

"Good, then you can go rest," a gruff voice said from behind her.

"I don't need to rest."

"Bullshit, you just got injected with twelve vaccines."

"He is right, getting all of your vaccines at once is not easy on the body. You should rest," Spock interjected.

"Look I'm ok- Wait, what do you mean all?" she asked before turning on Bones, "You said only the really important ones."

"I did. They're all real important," Bones snapped back.

"Alright," said Jim stepping in between the three of them, "You two stop flirting. We have a ship to launch. Today."

Izanna turned bright red and tried to say she wasn't, but it came out a stuttering mess. Spock quirked an eyebrow at her but she refused to meet his gaze and followed the Captain to the turbolift; the other two men trailed after them, getting in the turbolift right before the doors shut. The silence was immediately broken by Spock.

"Captain, Lieutenant Latimer has accepted the position," Spock said.

"Good. We have a few hours yet before we launch, more than enough time to transfer him and get him off my ship," Jim said.

"Wow," Izanna said, "Does no one like this guy?"

"No." Jim replied flatly.

The doors of the turbolift opened to the bridge which was a buzz with activity. Scanning around for Nyota, Izanna spotted her talking to another officer and made her way up behind her. The other officer nodded to Izanna causing Nyota to look back, do a double take, and let out an exclamation of surprise. Izanna let out a laugh as Nyota pulled her into a hug and started to rapid fire questions.

"What are you doing here? Why didn't you tell me? How have you been? What's with the cast?" Nyota said, finally letting go of her friend.

"I work her, I enjoy surprising you, I've been doing well, and I fractured my wrist," she replied, ticking off each response on a finger. "And you?"

"I'm good," Nyota said with a smile.

"I am sorry to interrupt but I need to brief Lieutenant Latimer and then I must insist she go rest," Spock said.

"Why do you need to rest?" Nyota asked suspiciously.

"Just got all twelve of my vaccines done at once, no big deal," Izanna replied with a shrug.

"You are going to rest after you've been debriefed," Nyota commanded.

"Bu-"

"No buts. Now go." she said, making a shooing motion and turning back to the officer she had been talking to.

Izanna grumbled but followed Spock over to his station and took a seat. The debriefing only took twenty minutes, which was nineteen minutes to long in her book and then was dragged around to be introduced to the main people of the bridge. Spock lead her back to the Captain who was talking to Bones, abruptly stopping their conversation as the two officer approached them.

"Captain. Lieutenant Latimer is finished with debriefing. I was going to escort her to her quarters, unless you need me," Spock said.

"Bones," Jim said, clapping his friend on the shoulder, "Since you were so adamant about her resting, you can do it. Spock, with me."

Jim walked off with Spock right behind him, not giving the other two anytime to protest. Bones let out a frustrated sigh and gestured toward a turbolift, shooting a glare over his shoulder at Jim before following Izanna into the lift.

"What made you decide to listen?" Bones asked once the doors had shut.

"Nyota," she simply replied.

"What's she got on you?"

"The better question is, what doesn't she have on me?" she said with a shrug. "Best friends, huh?"

"Mine's the idiot captaining this ship."

"Thought you two seemed close, what with him being the only one I've heard call you Bones."

"Anyone else I'd stab with a hypo if they did."

"That, doesn't surprise me," she said, giggling at the glare he gave her. "I think it's sweet though, when one person has a nickname for you that only they use."

"Anyone have one for you?" he asked.

"Someone once called me Anna," she said with a sad smile and took a deep breath, "But most call me Izzy, a few call me Iz"

"I had someone once call me Leo," he paused to clear his throat, "They're not in my life anymore either."

"It's weird, how someone can go from once meaning the world to you, to being just another painful memory."

The door opened, startling them both. Getting off Bones lead the way down a labyrinth of corridors, neither speaking as they walked, letting the sound of their footsteps be the only thing to break the silence.

"I don't think," Bones said as they were nearing her quarters, "That all the memories are painful, more bittersweet than anything."

"I often find, those are the ones that hurt the most," Izanna replied softly, "Even if I'm smiling."

Bones looked down to find her giving him a soft smile, "Smiling helps. It tricks the brain, we may not actually be happy but smile enough and our brains will start to think we are."

"The power of our own minds is astonishing."

"That it is," he said, suddenly stopping in front of a door. "And this would be your quarters."

"Good, not many other quarters, less noise."

"Until everyone starts drinking, then you may as well join them, not like you'll get any sleep," Bones snorted. "Codes 1234. I assume you know how to reset it."

"I do," she replied while typing in the code and quickly changing it. Turning around she faced Bones and smiled, "I have a feeling I'll be seeing you quite often."

"With your track record I don't doubt it," he said.

"I'll be seeing you then," she said.

Bones gave a nod and returned her smile, he let out a sigh as the door shut behind her. Rubbing the back of his neck he went to leave but paused as he heard her talking.

"Ow. That's a wall. Where are the lights? Ow, still a wall. OW! What was that a brick? Wait, why am I searching for lights? Computer lights," she said.

He chuckled and shook his head, commenting to himself as he left, "Looks like that'll be sooner than I thought."