A/N:
Because of Easter, I will be posting on Friday this week. Next week will return to my usual Sunday posting schedule.
Chapter Seven
Stardate 2271.300
"Remind me again why I agreed to go on a double date with Nurse Dominique and her husband." McCoy grumbled as he and S'nell entered the restaurant on Fisherman's Wharf.
"Because the alternative was going on a double date with Commander Spock and Lieutenant Commander Uhura." S'nell reminded him as they made their way to the hostess.
"Right. Fine. This evening will probably be better then spending an evening with those two." McCoy admitted. Though he liked both Spock and Lieutenant Commander Uhura himself and knew that S'nell talked to Spock about Vulcan meditation and Lieutenant Commander Uhura in Andorii, he also knew that S'nell was much closer to Nurse Dominique and Lieutenant Sulu.
"Good evening. Do you have a reservation?" asked the hostess.
"No but we are planning on meeting a couple here. The Dominique's?" he told her. She nodded then took up two menus and gestured for them to follow her. They both followed her down to a table near the bank of windows on the south side of the restaurant.
"Good evening Michelle. Sorry we are late. Doctor McCoy had a medical emergency to attend to." S'nell explained as they stopped in front of the table.
"Good evening S'nell, Doctor McCoy. I understand medical emergencies which make people late. Have a seat. Allow me to introduce my husband Alain." Nurse Dominique said.
"Leonard McCoy." McCoy introduced himself with a handshake to the tall, slim, and brown haired man who returned his handshake.
"Alain Dominique. I've heard a lot about you both. It's a pleasure to finally meet you in person." he stated. S'nell nodded in his direction. Then the two of them sat across from Nurse Dominique and her husband.
"I've worked with Nurse Dominique before but what is it you do Alain?" wondered McCoy. There was a pause as they ordered their drinks and a main course before the other man answered McCoy's question.
"I teach biology at the University of California. After years of teaching I got tenure this September, which was what I've wanted for some time. The hours are more stable and now I have more credits to spend." he said.
"So now Michelle can finally buy that 2221 Champagne that she told me she would love to have for a special occasion." S'nell said.
"Not a chance. We do have a wine budget for a good reason. Otherwise our dog would never get fed." Alain protested.
"Nonsense. You spoil Cosette far too much. It's surprising she isn't so fat with all those dog treats you feed her." Nurse Dominique told him. Alain held up a hand.
"Guilty as charged. Though I don't spoil Cosette as much as Angelique spoils her twins." he protested.
"You have a point. I love my sister but Angelique can't say no to Chantal and Caroline. I'm willing to babysit them from time to time. But every time we do it reminds me why we decided not to have kids." Nurse Dominique replied firmly.
"Speaking of family how are you all dealing with your mother Michelle?" S'nell asked gently. Nurse Dominique sighed. McCoy noticed Alain place one of his hands on her arm.
"It's a waiting game now. I know that sounds harsh but I've been a nurse long enough to know that sometimes all you can do is make an individual comfortable. Anyway, let's talk about something else. How is your work going S'nell?" Nurse Dominique said. McCoy frowned. He knew that Nurse Dominique had requested a transfer to Starfleet Medical in San Francisco after the first five year mission but he didn't know it was due to a sick mother. Perhaps he should make some inquiries and see if he could do anything for her mother, McCoy thought.
"After the success of the Bolian biosphere, the Vulcans approached us with building a biosphere for them on land that the embassy had leased but had not developed thus far. So we built another biosphere there which will open in two days. I will have to attend the panel discussion by video but fortunately I got out of the official tour itself tomorrow because I'm not known for being diplomatic." S'nell explained.
"Yes scientists don't always act as good ambassadors." agreed Alain.
"Precisely. I'd rather study an unknown venomous creature then sit down for an interview with some of the individuals from the Federation News Service. Some of them are fair but others remind me of that Earth bird called a vulture." S'nell stated.
"It can't be that bad surely." protested McCoy. Their food arrived just then. So it was several moments before S'nell answered him.
"Well it would not be if the reporters would only focus on the science instead of my personal life. Then I would not mind nearly as much." S'nell clarified.
"I agree. Give me a day teaching or in the field rather then having to explain my work to a reporter that has no idea what I am talking about. The worst experience I ever had with a reporter was after I got covered in mosquito bites one summer while I was doing field work on the Amazon River. I wanted to get the hypospray for the bites right after I got off the boat. But my manager insisted that I give the onsite reporter the daily update before that. So it took all my willpower not to scratch my skin off before we were done." Alain recounted.
"I understand that every creature has a place in an ecosystem but mosquitos seem to be classified as a pest. You'd thick they would have done some genetic engineering on them to eliminate them as a cause for Human disease." S'nell said.
"The biologists and doctors have when it comes to malaria and West Nile virus but they can't eliminate the mosquitos actually biting people because that would mean changing the genome of the population which could mutate into something that might be transmitted to Humans. Don't you agree Doctor McCoy?" Nurse Dominique added.
"Yeah, you're right about mosquitos Nurse Dominique." McCoy replied.
"Sir you're not my superior officer tonight so please call me Michelle." Dominique requested after she had swallowed some of her dinner.
"Michelle huh?" he requested. Alain looked at him with surprise.
"How long have you two worked together and you didn't know that was my wife's first name, Doctor McCoy?" Alain wondered.
"I knew Nurse Dominique's first name; I just thought calling her that would be inappropriate. It's why I referred to everyone on the Enterprise by their last name or rank. The only people I called by their first name was Spock and Jim." explained McCoy.
"I suppose that makes sense. Starfleet explores the stars but when it comes to the organization itself it reminds me of an army." Alain observed.
"Fair enough." conceded McCoy, who had thought the same during his time as a cadet at the Academy. Nurse Dominique changed the subject to Spock and Uhura's daughter and the dinner continued. As they talked and eat McCoy couldn't help but notice how well S'nell and Alain got along. They are fellow scientists, he told himself. Of course they would find things in common to talk about. But his own insecurities about his worth as a romantic partner couldn't be completely silenced. Even so McCoy focused on contributing to the discussion when he wished to and told himself that he shouldn't ruin this evening with unfounded accusations. S'nell cared for him and she wasn't Pamela, McCoy knew.
"So how did I piss you off S'nell? You haven't said a word to me since we left the restaurant." McCoy asked as he drove the hover car back to his quarters from their double date with Nurse Dominique and her husband Alain.
"Leonard, listen to me. We are in an exclusive long term romantic relationship and I am committed to you. So please stop seeing the behaviour of your ex wife when I talk to another man. I liked talking to Alain Dominique tonight because we had things in common and he was an amiable man. But there is nothing else between us. Alain and Michelle are happily married and we're happy together are we not?" S'nell replied.
"Yeah we are. I'm just not used to that S'nell. I guess I'll always be possessive over anyone that I'm in a romantic relationship with." McCoy admitted.
"Then show that not with your words or expressions but by taking control in the bedroom more often. I hope that will reassure you that you are the only man I want in my life." S'nell insisted.
"Well if that is the form of possession you are looking for then let's go straight to the bedroom once we get back to the apartment." he replied.
"Very well." she agreed. They were silent the rest of the drive back to his apartment, while he parked and locked the hover car, during the turbolift ride to his floor, and even once they had entered his apartment and removed their coats and shoes. Then McCoy took S'nell's hand and led her into his bedroom.
"Computer lock main bedroom door." he said once the door had closed behind them.
"Acknowledged." the computer intoned. A moment later McCoy pulled S'nell close. One long and deep kiss between them turned into two before he pulled away.
"Enough. Undress completely." he instructed her. They both swiftly undressed. Now was not the time to go slowly, McCoy thought as he spread lube on his erection.
"On the bed. Get on all fours." he told her next. Once S'nell had done so he moved closer and nestled his erection between her thighs as he grasped her hips. To begin with he set a slow pace. S'nell quickly rocked her hips back and forth in time with his thrusts which made McCoy groan at the friction. Hearing S'nell's gasps made him pick up the pace as his hips rocked faster. It didn't take long before McCoy dug his fingers into S'nell's hips as he climaxed. When McCoy came to his senses again he smiled in satisfaction.
"Now it's your turn S'nell. On your back." he stated. Once she moved he lay on top of her and kissed her. The kiss was wanton with her hands grasping his hair and his hands gripping her shoulders. With some effort he moved his mouth and hands down her body. S'nell opened her legs and raised herself onto her forearms. McCoy took advantage of that as his mouth lowered to her entrance and his hands moved to her breasts and back. He wasn't sure how much more time passed before S'nell orgasmed. Once she was finished S'nell sank back against the bed. McCoy pulled S'nell to lay alongside him.
"That was sensational." McCoy said first into the silence of their afterglow.
"Yes it was." S'nell agreed. McCoy pulled her closer until they are entwined. She didn't resist but she did gave him a curious look from where her head eventually rested on his chest.
"Are you cold Leonard?" S'nell wondered.
"No, because you're like my own personal heater S'nell." McCoy said.
"I can't change the fact my body temperature is higher then yours or that I prefer colder temperatures Leonard." S'nell stated mildly.
"Yeah, but you know how much I like the heat." McCoy declared.
"Yes and I like the colder body temperature of you." S'nell replied. They were silent for some time. McCoy wasn't sure if he wanted to break the silence but he was curious.
"Credit for your thoughts S'nell." McCoy said.
"I was just thinking that there's nowhere else I'd rather be at this moment Leonard." S'nell said.
"Same here. But since when did you become a romantic?" McCoy answered.
"I'm not a romantic. I'm just quite content right now." S'nell stated.
"You make me happy too S'nell." McCoy responded.
"Really?" she asked. She raised her head to look him in the eyes at that.
"Yes." he confirmed.
"Good. Now get some rest." S'nell suggested.
"You too." McCoy replied. After that they both fall silent again and eventually fell asleep entwined.
