As weeks went on, the doctor and the navigator began to grow closer and became good friends. It started at lunch breaks, where the ensign asked shyly to sit with Leonard. Since then, they were always sitting together and they began to learn more and more from each other. Surprisingly for Bones, it was very easy to talk to Pavel, easier than talking to his ex-wife. He had already told him about her, Joanna, and his life back in the States. Pavel listened with eagerness and curiosity, he found the doctor to be quite interesting when he talked about his past and his interests in medicine, just as the doctor found the ensign as equally intriguing when he talked about his personal life.
"Are your wounds healing well, Pavel? Nothing out of the ordinary so far?" McCoy asked during the next check-up.
"Yes, Doktor! Nothing seems wrong, it is healing up normally." He said, smiling brightly. Bones checked while changing the bandages, and was satisfied. Nothing wrong, he thought, just like the kid said. Finished with his check-up, he shooed the younger man out in a friendly fashion. Pavel followed suit, quickly disappearing but just as fast as he was able to leave, he poked his head right at the entrance. "Leonard, after you are done with your shift, is it possible for you to meet me at my room?" He asked.
"Uh sure, I think so." Bones nodded," Why?"
"I just need to talk to you… about something." He said nervously.
Leonard's eyebrows raised in slight confusion and worry as he stared at the Russian. What does he mean by that? he thought. He hoped no one had been bullying the bo- MAN. Christ Bones, he thought, he's old enough to take care of himself! He mentally told himself that Chekov was not a baby, even though technically he was in the sense that he was and is the baby of the crew. "Alright, I'll be there once I'm done here."
"Zank you Leonard, I appreciate it!" Chekov said, smiling softly. The ensign left the sight of Medbay and Bones went back straight to work. Next patient: James T. Kirk. Aha, a joy, the doctor thought while rolling his eyes. Jim strolled in with his usual grin, a grin that would quickly fade once a hypo would appear in his favorite doctor's hands.
"Ok Jim, we'll make this quick and as painless as possible if you cooperate with me…" Bones began, "Remember, this is a check-up, so a quick scan from the tricorder and no harm done, well unless you did something to yourself which you most likely did." Jim just groaned and patted his friend on the back.
"Alright, alright Bones but you gotta tell me what's going on" He said with a chuckle. "I didn't know you were soft fo-"
"Don't start Jim." Leonard warned, "There's nothing going on, we're friends. That's all."
"Of course." The captain said, oozing out sarcasm and rolling his eyes. "Don't deny Bones, you and I know better."
Well, duh he knew better, they were best friends after all. Jim knew him too well, they were like brothers where Jim was the annoying younger brother. Bones was denying it and he didn't want to but with Jim, he would spread that knowledge around Enterprise faster than you can say "salted butter". It's not that he didn't want people to know, he was not embarrassed but Jim was gossipy for a straight male. He would blow this up to unnecessary soap opera-esque drama that he didn't need. Ever. He could see it now all over the Kirk Headlines: "Cute, little Russian boy declares his eternal love to a forever scowling Doctor, OH WHAT WILL HAPPEN NEXT?!" Yeah, definitely not telling Jim, Bones thought. He began his usual check-up with Jim with the usual complaints and the usual don't-touch-me-with-that-thing self-defense tricks.
"Damnit Jim, I told you it'd be easier if you just cooperate!" He growled in frustration.