You guys are the absolute best!!!!!!!!!! Thanks for the reviews, reads, and alerts; even the Spock/Uhura shippers. I never said I was against Spock and Uhura; I'm just a romantic and a dreamer. So thanks for giving my tale a chance.
Disclaimer: Do I have to keep saying this? I own nothing, just inspired by the crew of the Enterprise.
This chapter is a more dialogue heavy than the others. It's necessary. So I apologize if it's not your shtick.
Chapter 6
Healing
Uhura's eyes were still closed, mouth slightly agape, and head turned to the side.
"Nyota, are you okay?"
McCoy's voice finally broke through the haze.
When Uhura opened her eyes, she could see the concern and hesitation in McCoy's.
"I'm sorry Nyota. I should not have…"
She placed a finger to his lips.
"Leonard, what did I say? Perfect. I don't have the words to describe what I'm feeling right now. You made me feel extraordinary." His arms were still wrapped around her waist; while she casually draped her arms around his shoulders.
"Excuse me, I hate to interrupt, but we want to order." They both shot Jim a piercing gaze. "If looks could kill."
Uhura and McCoy disentangled themselves and headed for the table. Everyone was watching them with questioning glances but no one said a word, well except for Jim. Leaning over whispering in Uhura's ear, "I said be nice, not knock the man's socks off." Uhura shot him a devious grin. "There's the girl from the bar in Iowa."
The group continued with dinner; each telling embellished tales from the few months they'd shared aboard the Enterprise. Scotty had a few escapades from Delta Vega he added. Sulu managed to maintain a visage of being the perfect gentleman. His date appeared to be smitten and ready to become an Enterprise stowaway. Around the third round of tequila shots, Uhura realized that McCoy's hand was comfortably tracing circles on her right knee. The heat from his touch was relaxing; Uhura met his eyes and rewarded him with a warm smile. Shortly after the crew went their separate ways. Kirk found a Nuvian masseuse who was off duty and willing to 'practice' on his shoulders. Sulu disappeared with his guest. Scotty and Chekov we're arguing over the potency of Scottish whiskey verses Russian vodka. Based on their argument someone was going to be hung over and in need of medical services in the morning.
McCoy looked at Uhura when they were finally alone. He issued a deep sigh.
"Stressed doctor?" Uhura asked playfully.
McCoy responded by shaking his head. "No, I'm relieved. It's been a long time since I've tried to show someone how much I enjoy their company."
A hint of realization showed in her eyes, "So, you enjoy my company."
"Yes lieutenant."
She leaned in closer to his ear, "Nyota." He loved it when Uhura did that; it was one of the first things that awakened that need in him months ago. "I just have one question."
McCoy motioned for her to continue.
"Why these shoes? I love them, but my feet hurt so damn bad!" And like that the tension ended and they laughed.
"I give a pretty mean foot massage."
"I'll keep that in mind." Uhura stood shoes in hand. "Meet me in the lobby in fifteen minutes with your swim trunks on."
McCoy looked confused.
"Trust me." Uhura hurried to the elevator and left McCoy sitting at the table grinning like a kid on Christmas.
Once Uhura reached the lobby, she found McCoy and pulled him out the door. The streets were just as lively at night as they were in the day. She'd replaced the dress with a one piece suit and sarong; opting for a pair of sandals that were low and more conducive for walking. McCoy, the minimalist, was wearing a pair of swim trunks, a simple v-neck t-shirt and a pair of slides.
They turned down a side street and McCoy cleared his throat, "Nyota I trust you, but I'd like to know where in the hell we're going?"
"Relax Bones, I've got this under control. " When she finished speaking they had arrived at their destination. The walk way opened to a reserve that contained a steamed pool. Mist was rising in the night air. "I heard them talking about at the spa. Supposedly it has healing properties. Care to take a dip."
Apprehensive, McCoy continued, "Healing properties, there are probably all kinds of inter-galactic grime and bacteria in there. Things that will make you turn blue, causing your toenails to fall off, and your face to remain a contorted mess of emotions."
"Len, do you trust me?"
He had absolutely no resistance when it came to this woman, "Yes."
"Shut up and come on."
Grudgingly McCoy followed Uhura to the edge of the pool. She dropped the sarong, removed her feet from the sandals, and dipped a toe in the pool. The water was warm and she feigned an expression like she'd been poisoned and was going to fall over. McCoy rolled his eyes but still refused to budge. Uhura continued into the water, sat back, and closed her eyes. She felt the water shift and knew that he'd finally stopped pouting and decided to get in. "Live a little." Uhura was still relaxed, eyes closed, but perfectly capable of delivering a little sarcasm to the master. Finally opening her eyes, she saw that McCoy had mirrored her position and was in a state of leisure. He must have felt her watching because his eyes opened.
"What?"
"Was that so hard? Just let go." McCoy reminded Uhura of Spock in that aspect. There was no bitterness when that name crossed her mental plane. Maybe it was the day, the warm water, or the company beside her but she felt that subconscious connection weakening.
"It is hard Nyota?" The serious edge had returned to his voice.
"Talk to me. What happened with your marriage?"
She saw the hesitation in his eyes, "Simple really, I loved her from the moment I laid eyes on her."
"What's her name?"
"You are a lady and I will not speak like that in front of you. I'm a southern gentleman." McCoy bowed his head a little as Uhura laughed.
"Be serious."
"Elizabeth or Beth." He lowered his eyes. "I met her on the playground when I was five. She pushed me off the swing because I was taking too long. I should have known then." Uhura saw the lines in his face ease. "Beautiful. That girl was so beautiful even when she was young. People change. Life does that. Disappointments."
Uhura reached for his hand. "I'm listening."
"Have you ever been to Mississippi?" Uhura shook her head no. "Beth McCoy was better than Mississippi. She was better than Leonard McCoy. We married while I was in med school. A little too much fun in my dorm room and she needed to be an honest woman. The baby was stillborn."
"I'm sorry Len."
"No, it's okay." His eyes were vacant. "I did everything I could to make her happy. I left Biloxi. We moved up North to Chicago. I started my own practice. We had a beautiful home; perfect life from the outside looking in. Pillars of the god damn community." He paused again and took a deep breath. "Then we had Joanna. I don't know how. She hadn't let me touch her in years. Beth hated me. Hated that she was fat and having my child. When I saw Joanna's eyes for the first time, they were so blue, full of life, and she loved me. That little one adored me. I wasn't a failure." Uhura could see the tears. McCoy wiped his eyes and kept speaking. "It was over after that. Beth complained that I loved Joanna more than I ever did her. Told me it wasn't right for a father to dote on their daughter the way I did. Someone had to, she was never there." He took another deep breath. "She left me, for the pink sweater wearing president of the neighborhood association. What man in his right mind walks around with a pink sweater tied around his neck? They gave her everything, the house, the whole damn planet, and Joanna."
Rocked from his revelations, Uhura took McCoy in her arms, "You are not a failure."
McCoy broke from their embrace and stared at her intently, "I use to drink to numb the pain from my loss." He caressed her face with the hand she wasn't still grasping. "Now I find that in my time with you." He closed the space between their bodies. "I understand what you're feeling. I know how hard it is to bear that pain in your heart, but you've got to let it go. You deserve happiness, peace, and love. You're all of that and more. Don't cry one more day over a fool that walked away from you."
Uhura hadn't realized it, but she was crying. McCoy refused to release her from the captivity of his eyes. He'd read her to the depths of her soul. He'd spilled his heart ache in words; she didn't have to gather his pain from a mind meld or deciphering clues on his face. Of his own free will, he'd shared that openly.
"Leonard…"
"Sshhhh, be quiet." This time he took her in his arms where there was safety, comfort, and yes healing.
Four days later they returned to the Enterprise. She'd forced him to cliff dive. He'd made her go fishing. They'd shared a few more nights on her balcony spilling deep dark secrets over dinner. Uhura valued the relationship they were building. It still technically wasn't a relationship, but Leonard McCoy's lips were almost as good as Belgian chocolate. When he touched Uhura, her spirit eased, and the butterflies took flight.
The wound was healing.
