Chapter 7: The If-you-hurt-her-I'll-come-after-you-call

"Warren to McCoy."

The doctor went to a com panel in Medbay and touched a button. "This is McCoy."

"Doctor, I have Admiral Pike for you."

"For me? Don't you mean the captain?" Leonard replied.

"No, Sir. He already talked to Captain Kirk. But he called back and asked to be put through to you."

"Hm", Leonard made and headed towards his office. "Alright. I'll take the call in my office."

Leonard sat down at his desk, activated his computer screen and opened the channel. "Admiral", he greeted him with a nod.

"Doctor", the admiral greeted back.

"To what do I owe the pleasure?" Leonard asked in a neutral tone, although he knew very well that this could only be about Draka. "You usually never call me."

Pike chuckled. "Well, the captain and the CMO of the flagship usually don't get married."

Leonard snorted. "Pretended to be married. Not getting married for real."

Pike laughed again. "Sure about that?"

The doctor crossed his arms and glared at the admiral. "Is this an If-you-hurt-her-I'll-come-after-you-call?"

"That's not an answer to my question."

"You also didn't answer my question."

The admiral chuckled once more, but gave Leonard an intensive glance. A fatherly glance.

The doctor sighed. "I love her", he said quietly.

Pike's lips formed an approving smile. "I know." The smile grew. "I waited a long time for the day you two finally get your shit together."

Leonard rolled his eyes.

"I also know what that ring means to you, Leonard."

"It's only part of the act. She's... I mean, I... Yes, we're together, but it's new and I don't know where it will lead."

"Well, I've seen enough to know you two were closer than some married couples all along. And I may not know that much about your first marriage, but I'm pretty sure that what you and Jamie have is one of those forever things." He smiled again. "And yes, I speaking from experience." He held up his right hand for a few moments.

Leonard saw a plain golden wedding band at the admirals hand and gave him a surprised look. It took him a few moments to connect the dots. "Commander Barrett? Your former first officer? You secretly married her?"

Pike just nodded. "Don't rush anything. But if there's a wedding one day - I expect to be invited. Don't let her get away. Jamie's one hell of a woman."

Leonard smiled. "She is."

"And if you hurt her..." Pike began to spell out the famous words.

"I won't", Leonard said firmly, not letting him finish that sentence. "I don't know exactly how to go from here, but I know that I'll never let her go. I'd like her to wear that ring, but it's up to her if it's simply a symbol of our love or if it will become a wedding ring."

"Well, anyway, you should have the story straight when you return to Draka." Pike winked.

"Return?" Leonard echoed.

"Jamie will explain everything."

Leonard sighed and nodded.

"Alright, I won't keep you from your work any longer", Pike finally said. "Just one more thing: Out of curiosity, what's up with Spock an Uhura?"

Leonard shrugged. "That's something the entire crew is wondering about."

"So no Vulcan wedding on the horizon?"

"Not to my knowledge."

Pike sighed. "Hmmm..."

Leonard showed a mix of eye rolling, a head shake, a sigh and a smile. "Wanna meddle with them, too?"

The admiral laughed. "I'm not meddling with you and Jamie. Just showing interest in some of the fleet's best officers who happen to be my friends."

"Sure you are, Chris." The doctor crossed his arms again.

"Believe me, if I were meddling, I would add the remark 'married' into your file. And Jamie's."

"You wouldn't dare that."

"What if the queen of Draka wants confirmation of your marriage?" the admiral teased.

"Personal files are for Starfleet only or even confidential", Leonard just remarked.

"True. But perhaps I should task someone to fabricate a few nice weddings pictures or something like that... Unless the real deal is around the corner."

"Chris."

Pike chuckled. "Alright, alright. I won't tease anymore."

Leonard sighed again.

"But my guess is that I'll have to get used to a Captain McCoy in one or two years."

The doctor laughed. "What makes you think Jamie would ever give up her name?"

Pike tilted his head. "So Doctor Kirk then?"

"Chris."

The admiral chucked again. "See you soon. Pike out."

The screen went black and Leonard didn't get the chance to reply. He just rolled his eyes and leant back in his chair.

Then he smiled. Aside from himself, no one knew Jamie as well as Christopher Pike. So if he had a guess about a timeframe... maybe...

Leonard glanced at the chronometer, got up and left his office.

"Geoff?"

"Yes?" Doctor Geoffrey M'Benga replied and walked around a corner in Medbay.

"Could you cover for me if I had to get off duty a little early tonight? An hour maybe?"

His colleague shrugged. "Sure." Then he grinned a little. "That doesn't have to with a certain captain by any chance, does it?"

Leonard was about it give a snarky reply, but decided against it. "Dinner", he just said.

"If you need a best man, you just need to ask."

Leonard rolled his eyes. "I'm not asking her to marry me."

"Maybe not today. But someday soon", M'Benga said with a wink.

"What is it with everyone wanting us to get married?"

M'Benja laughed. "Excuse me? Who exactly told the Drakans you were married?"

"Jamie. I just went along with it."

The other doctor grinned. "Hm. Okay. So maybe she'll propose then."

"Geoff."

M'Benga just laughed again and went back to work.

Leonard glared after him and finally picked up his work too.