Chapter 4 - Friendship

The first week of Starfleet academy had gone really smoothly much to Jim's surprise; there were a few hiccups when a couple of tough guys thought they could take Jim on for no reason, ending in Jim being hurt but McCoy always being there for him, even though they'd known each other for such little time. Actually, the two men had almost become like brothers, meeting to see each other whenever they could, and frequently just turning up at each other's rooms uninvited to have a drink. Lectures were just getting into the swing of things, teachers actually beginning to teach their subjects rather than introducing them.
His roommate Chekov was still his excited self, frequently bringing Sulu to their room to hang out and study with. Jim surprisingly joined them occasionally to study and got to know the two men better. Jim also got to know Cadet Uhura more over the past week; however, he still hadn't managed to get her first name. Then there was that kid Xander, the one that pissed off McCoy so much that one day for leaving the room in a mess. However, since then the kid was normal, he created no more trouble with any of them, McCoy would grumble now and then about how much the kid could talk but that was it. There was something seriously off about the kid.

Jim slowly sat up from the sofa, thankful that it was everyone's designated day off, he was exhausted. He trudged to his room and quickly threw some clothes on before advancing out of his room. He swiftly got into the elevator and went up to McCoy's room. Jim knocked the door waiting for a response, several seconds later the door swiftly opened to a half-asleep McCoy on the other side.

"God dammit man I was sleeping" McCoy uttered as he washed a hand down his face

"Well its lunch time, get some clothes on we're going to grab something" Jim proposed.

McCoy stared at the man and sighed, gesturing to the man to enter his room. Jim complied and took several paces inside of the room. "Wait here then," McCoy said as he disappeared into his room, Jim presumed he was going to get changed and not go back to sleep.

Jim sat in the chair at the wooden table, waiting for McCoy to re-emerge; he stared blankly at the table patiently. "Hey there Jim" a voice came from the room; Jim looked up to see Xander exiting his room.

"Hi" he replied sharply, still not completely comfortable with the man, putting his gaze back on the table top.

Xander walked over to the replicator and got himself some breakfast and sat opposite Jim. "How are things?" he questioned looking at Jim's bowed head.

"I'm fine" He replied.

"Waiting for Leonard?" the kid questioned still looking directly at Jim, willing him to raise his gaze.

"Yep."

"What're your plans for today then?" Xander questioned again.

"We're going out," Jim said looking up at the man, couldn't he take the hint that he didn't want to talk to him?

"Where?" he questioned getting up and disposing of his bowl.

"Just out"

The man turned to face Jim "Can I join you guys?"
"No" he retorted leaning back in his chair gazing towards McCoy's room begging him to come out soon.

"Why not?" Xander asked sitting in the chair beside Jim.

"I want to spend some time with my friend alone," Jim stated harshly. McCoy exited his room and gathered his things.

"Ready to go?" he questioned Jim heading towards the door. Jim rushed to his feet and exited the room before McCoy could even reach the door. McCoy swiftly joining him in the corridor walking with him to the elevator

"Hey, Jim. What's wrong?" He said looking at Jim as he pressed the ground floor button.

"I can't stand him Bone's he's too pushy, there's a vibe about him." He replies crossing his arms and leaning against the wall of the elevator.

"What do you mean there's a vibe about him?" McCoy questions exciting the elevator as it stops.

Jim followed him "Don't you get those creepy vibes off of him too? There's just something strange, like serial Killer creepy vibe"

McCoy laughed "Yes Jim the kids a bit odd but I wouldn't go as far as saying he's a serial killer, you gotta lay off of those movies kid," He says slapping the kids back jokingly.

"I didn't say he was a serial killer Bones I just said he gave off those vibes." He said defensively back.

The two sat in the cafeteria, Jim picking up the plates and disposing of them, before swiftly rejoining McCoy at the table. "So what d'you want to do now," Jim asked leaning back in his chair.

"I mean I've got to go over to Medbay at some point today." He replied folding his arms on the table.

"Why?" Jim questioned.

"No idea, they requested me to go and meet with the head doctor there"

Jim stood "Let's go now, get it over and done with."

Jim sat in the waiting room, McCoy had been in the meeting with the doctor for an hour now. What the hell was going on in there? He sat forward in his seat and straightened up, glancing at the clock, God he wished he'd hurry up he wanted to hang out with the man not spend all day waiting for him.

"Thank you, Sir," McCoy said as he exited the room and headed towards Jim and gave him a smile. Jim stood and the man put his arm around his back and he led them both from the building.

"What are you so happy about" Jim questioned, the smile was still held on McCoy's face.

McCoy turned still holding the smile "Just a bit of good news that's all."

"Well, aren't you going to tell me?" Jim laughed keeping up with McCoy's pace.

McCoy put his arm over Jim's shoulder "Of course I am, but it's a celebration occasion, we're going out for a beer." he says as he steers Jim into a taxi.

They arrive at the bar that McCoy had chosen, the sun setting as they walked through the door. The two men grabbed some drinks and found a table in the corner of the room. Jim took off his jacket and placed it beside him. "So what's the news then Bones?" He said stretching his legs out under the table.

A smile once again spread across the man's face "Well the academy and Medbay want me to work for them instead of going to the compulsory med classes, since I'm already a qualified doctor and all, and if I attend every scheduled shift and all I automatically pass all compulsory med classes." The man said smugly.

Jim crossed his arms and sat more upright, "no more homework for you then? That's so unfair" he remarked taking a sip of his beer.

"No Jim I still have to go to all of the compulsory Starfleet classes, and any extra classes I had already like Immunology."

"Ah so the great Bones will still grace the History of Starfleet class, what would I have done without you?" he joked checking out a blond that walked past their table.

"Well, I mean you have Chekov and Sulu." McCoy paused "you even have your best friend, serial killer vibe Xander." He joked gaining Jim's attention again.

"Bones don't speak about that kid we're trying to have fun," He said with a disgusted look on his face.

The night passed quickly, the two becoming louder and louder, and Jim slowly becoming more wasted. The two decided to leave, Jim stood, McCoy, putting his arm around him to guide him out of the bar. The cold breeze hit him, making Jim stumble and grab onto McCoy's shirt to keep him grounded. The two waiting uneasily for the taxi to arrive.

The two were in the taxi; McCoy didn't even know how he got the kid in the first place. The drive was long; Jim had fallen asleep, resting his head on McCoy. The taxi came to an abrupt halt outside the campus, the kid didn't even stir. McCoy paid the driver cash, and gently slapped the side of Jim's face. "Jim c'mon kid wake up"

His blue eyes fluttered open slowly looking up at McCoy, he sat forward and moved silently out of the car, before he could even get his back foot out of the taxi it had sped off. He looked at McCoy with half open eyes and fell into the man. McCoy supported his weight. "C'mon Jim let's take you home."

The two walked very slowly back to the paramount dorms, Jim was obviously half asleep but McCoy kept persuading him to move his legs. "We're nearly there Jim, see you can see the dorms from here."

" 'm tired Bones" Jim slurred taking a couple more steps. "Feel sick!" He suddenly exclaimed before depositing his stomach contents into a nearby bin.

McCoy rubbed his back soothing him as he threw up several more times. "You done now Kid?" Jim faced the man and nodded his head. McCoy wrapped his arm more firmly around the kids back and led him into the dorms.

The two walked down the corridor, and McCoy swiftly opened his dorm room door and steered Jim towards the sofa. "Here you go sit down." He said as he helped Jim onto the sofa and quickly grabbed him a glass of water and a blanket. "Lie down on your side." He said as he returned to Jim's side.

Jim surveyed the area "This isn't my dorm" he stated as he began to sit upright.

McCoy pushed him back down "You're staying here tonight, don't want you waking poor Chekov up" Jim nodded shutting his eyes. McCoy placed the blanket over his friend and watched him for a while to make sure he was ok.

After a while McCoy turned to his room, his bed had never been so welcoming.

Thank you for reading this chapter. I hope you enjoyed! :) Would love some feedback if you have any.