Later that day, Jim found out that Bones was in the medical bay and had taken a treatment for his illness, so he went down to the medical bay to see him. "Hey, Bones, how are you feeling?" Jim asked.

"Lousy," Bones replied.

"Lousy? I thought you took a treatment."

"I did. That was the most painful injection I have ever endured. Jim, if I didn't know I would die without them, I would never let them give me another one. Then on top of that, I was sick, and I just feel plain lousy."

"Maybe you'll feel better after the next one."

"I have to go through this every three days for five treatments."

"Well, at least you'll recover."

Bones was silent a moment. "Jim, do you think I'm…too pessimistic?" he asked.

Jim scowled at that. "Well...uh, why do you ask?"

"Spock says I am. He says I'm preoccupied with death."

Jim tried not to laugh at that. "I've kinda gotten used to your way of thinking."

"So, you agree with him."

"Bones, what have you guys been talking about?"

"Andrea asked me to come to dinner tonight and…I asked Spock if he thought I should go."

Jim smiled. "And he told you not to be so pessimistic?"

"Yeah. He said I probably shouldn't talk about how the two of us could die while sitting at the dinner table."

Jim laughed. "That's probably good advice. What brought this on?"

"What?"

"You and Andrea? I didn't know you liked her."

"I just said she asked me. She asked me, Jim."

"Oh. Are you going?"

Bones sighed. "You know me. I'm kinda nervous about relationships. I don't want to go through…"

"Bones, you can't go through your whole life thinking everything is doom and gloom."

"I'm gonna tell her that we're just friends, nothing more."

"Bones…don't do that."

"Why not? Relationships get messy. We're out here in space. I feel like I'm working twenty-four hours a day. How am I supposed to feel?"

Jim considered that. "I guess it does seem like that," he said. "We're working on the ship all the time and…"

"Captain," Sulu said.

Jim pressed the intercom button there in the medical bay. "Yes," he answered.

"We're receiving a transmission from Starfleet."

"I'll be right there."

Jim looked at Bones. "Just go…and have fun. Try not to be a doctor."

Bones frowned. He could not even have a full conversation with his best friend. How could he expect to have a full conversation with Andrea over dinner?

Jim arrived at the Bridge. "On screen," he said as he stood in front of the view screen.

Admiral Winston appeared on the screen. "Captain Kirk," he said. "It seems like we are having a lot of conversations lately."

"Admiral?"

"Every time I think things are quiet, you're in the middle of something again. I thought I was sending you on a mission that couldn't possibly lead to another conflict, but it turns out that trouble just follows you everywhere you go."

Jim frowned. "I'm not sure what you mean, Sir. We went to the depot to…"

"Yes, I read your report. It seems the Klingons are determined to make your life miserable. Even to the extent of giving false reports."

"As you know, Admiral, the Celestial was gutted. I have a feeling that they did that, but Sir, how did they know that I was going there? How are they keeping track of where I am?"

"If they planned this…" Admiral Winston paused a moment. "They didn't have a guarantee that it would be you who would go. I suppose you're right, Kirk. They had to know some way."

"Sir, they must have some spy in Starfleet…"

"Captain, are you insinuating that we have a traitor at headquarters."

"I didn't…"

"That's a serious accusation."

"I know that, Sir. If they're not getting into the system somehow, how are they knowing where I'm going? They even sent out a fake distress signal to trap us. Now, they've sent a fake report about missing parts at the depot. Dokachin said he didn't send that report, and the Klingons had his wife threatening him in order to get him to trap me there."

"You've made some real enemies, Captain Kirk. I believe they see you as the one who is disturbing their way of life."

"How do I get myself into these things?" Jim asked, talking more to himself than anyone else. He looked at the admiral. "Sir, I believe Captain Totrak would have been willing to talk to you before. Not now, but…"

Jim stopped as he saw that disapproving look on the admiral's face again. "We don't respond to threats, Captain."

"Yes sir."

"I'll take all this information before the committee, Captain. You only have a few months left in your five year mission. Why don't you try to stay out of trouble? You're becoming a legend. Winston out."

The transmission ended. Spock came over to Jim. "Captain, I believe Admiral Winston thinks you look for trouble," he said.

"That seems to be what he just said," Jim replied.

"What is our next destination?"

"I think we should just travel a while rather than stopping at any certain planets."

"A vacation?"

"Something like that. If we stay in the ship at warp, maybe we can't find trouble."

"It is a thought."

Jim looked at Sulu. "Just keep us at warp for now, going through uncharted space, and if we come upon an uninhabited planet, maybe we'll stop there a while. Just let me know."

"Yes sir," Sulu replied.

Jim left the Bridge, and Spock followed him. "Captain, perhaps we can remain as we are until the doctor has been cured of his ailment," Spock said. "He cannot perform his duties in his current condition, and as you know, a ship of this size cannot…"

"Yes, I know, Spock," Jim replied. "We'll stay out of everything for at least fifteen days. Isn't that how long it will take?"

"Yes."

Jim smiled slightly. "He told me he asked you about his dinner date tonight."

"Yes, he did."

"You advised him not to be pessimistic?"

"I did."

"I think he's very nervous about that date."

"I agree. The doctor has become very…terse."

"He just doesn't want anyone to think he cares much."

"Why?"

"Well, why don't you show emotion, Spock?"

"Vulcans choose to control our emotions because..." Spock paused a moment. "Do you believe the doctor chooses to hide his emotions as well because he is afraid of being rejected or hurt?"

Jim nodded. "I do."

"And he uses cynicism and pessimism to avoid his true feelings about the situation."

"Something like that."

"But Andrea has asked him to have dinner with her. Why would he be afraid of rejection this time?"

"Why are we talking about this?"

"I believe we are both concerned about our friend, and concerned that rather than let us know of his illness, he tried to conceal it and could have died. Do you consider that to be inconsiderate of him?"

"To a certain extent. But I suppose a person has a right to their privacy…maybe."

"If I were to become ill, I would tell you, Jim."

"I would tell you too, Spock. Just take care of the Bridge for a while. I'm going to visit Bones. I didn't get to finish our conversation earlier."

"Yes, Captain."

Jim went back to the medical bay, but Bones was not lying on the bed. He found the nurse. "Where's Doctor McCoy?" he asked.

"He was feeling better so he went to his quarters. Doctor Willis is filling in for now."

"Right."

Jim left there and went to Bones' quarters. He realized that Bones' quarters was the very last room and was around a corner from all the others. He thought it was rather isolated. He could not ever remember going down there before. He rang the door chime.

"Come in," Bones answered and the door opened.

Jim walked in to find Bones lying on the bed, but he sat up. "Jim, what are you doing here?" he asked. "Something wrong?"

"No, I just went to the medical bay to see about you and they said you were here."

"Well, I don't intend to lay in there the whole time I'm being treated." Bones lay back down on the bed. "Did you want something?"

"No. Your quarters is rather isolated, isn't it?"

"I like it that way. Yours is too, if you think about it."

"Yeah, but it's…never mind. Did you decide to have dinner with Andrea tonight?"

Bones frowned. "You checking up on my social life now?" he asked.

"Just wondering."

"Well, if you must know…yes, I'm going. Is that part of the captain's business now?"

"Bones, I'm not just your captain. I'm your friend. You don't have to be so sensitive about it."

"I'm not being sensitive. I just feel like…"

"Feel like what?"

"Like I never have any privacy on this tub! Jim, sometimes I feel trapped on this ship. I think I'm starting to get claustrophobic. And every time we leave it, we run the risk of dying on some unfamiliar planet."

"Speaking of dying. Why did you keep this illness from me for four months?"

"Because I wanted to."

"Yeah, and when you finally had to tell us, you found out that someone had a cure for it, which could have saved your life from the start!"

"How was I supposed to know that?"

"Bones, that's not the point. Four months! When were you gonna tell me? You were supposed to tell me the minute you found out."

"What would you have done?"

"I would have had to relieve you of duty and…"

Jim stopped as Bones folded his arms. "And what would I have without this?" Bones asked. "I know I complain a lot but…I don't have anything else. I guess that's why I feel trapped."

"Well, don't worry. I won't report this to Starfleet since we know you're going to be cured. And I'm glad you're going for dinner. It'll be good for you."

"How do you know?"

"Experience. Take it easy." Jim turned and went to the door. "Oh, and I'd take Spock's advice and not talk about death at the table."

"Get outa here."

Jim was laughing as he went out the door. He hoped Bones would enjoy that date and maybe he would not be so depressed anymore.

That evening, Bones was getting ready for his dinner date. He was not sure what to wear but he was not wearing his Starfleet uniform. He was on leave for fifteen days anyway until he had his last treatment. He supposed it was a progressive treatment. He had not had anymore weak spells on this day.

"What do I know about dating?" Bones asked himself. "It's been a lot of years. Maybe I should ask Jim." He shook his head. "I'm really a basket case because now I'm standing here talking to myself." He had to admit to himself that he was nervous about this date. What was he supposed to talk about? It was not like he had an exciting life.

He blew out a breath. "I don't need the help of my captain to know how to go on a date," he told himself in the mirror. "I'm older than him after all."

He decided he would just wear his shirt that was black around the shoulders and blue and black below that, and black pants. He stood and looked out the portal into the blackness of space. He frowned. "What am I doing?" he asked. He just could not let himself believe that anything like love could work out for him. It was a lot less disappointing than having hopes.

Bones heard the door chime. "Come in," he called.

Spock came in. "Doctor, how are you feeling?" he asked.

"I'm feeling alright," Bones said.

"I am pleased to hear that."

"I haven't had anymore weak spells."

"You are about to go for your dinner date?"

"Yes."

"You seem to be nervous."

"I am. What am I doing going on a dinner date?"

"I do not understand your meaning. Do you mean to say that you should not be going?"

"I don't know what I'm saying."

"Doctor, if I may say, everyone deserves to have some sort of happiness. You should not deprive yourself of that because of a past event."

"That's what people tell me, but most of the people who say that have never been through it."

"I cannot tell you what you should do. However, I believe you are nervous because you are afraid that it will actually work out."

Bones looked at Spock, trying to think of some retort to that, but he could not think of a thing to say. "I have rendered you speechless," Spock said. "I should make a note of this day."

"If you're trying to be funny, you're failing," Bones replied.

"I must return to the Bridge. I simply wanted to see that you were doing well."

"Thanks."

"You are welcome."

Spock left, and Bones just stood there a moment. "Well, here goes nothing," he said.

Bones walked down to Andrea's quarters and stood there a moment. He rang the door chime, and heard her say, "Come in."

The door opened and Bones walked in. Andrea was standing beside the table which had candles on it, and she definitely was not wearing her Starfleet uniform, but a short black dress that made her look even prettier than he remembered. Her brown hair was up in a pretty style.

"Good evening, Doctor McCoy," Andrea said.

"Good evening," Bones replied, feeling like he wanted to just turn around and run, but he would not do that.

"Dinner is ready if you're ready to eat."

"Uh, yeah, that'll be fine."

They sat down at the table. Bones thought he was already failing at this. He did not know what to talk about.

"I hope you like the dinner," Andrea said.

"I'm sure I will," Bones replied. "I'm a little nervous. It's been a long time since I went on a date."

"We can always go to the holodeck after dinner. Do you know that you can be part of the movie in there?"

Bones remembered the time he, Jim, and Carol had gotten trapped in the holodeck in a Klingon battle. He certainly did not want to get into anything like that again. "I don't particularly like the holodeck, but I guess I should give it another try," he said.

"I remember that. Talk about that went around for days. Were you scared?"

Bones looked at her. "Yeah. I was terrified."

"I heard you saved Carol's life, and almost died."

Bones scowled slightly. "Well, I did what I had to do. It was a tense situation."

"I'll bet. Tell me about it."

"You really want to talk about that over dinner?"

"Of course. I want to know how you made it out of there."

"I don't exactly know everything about that. Mister Scott and the others had to find a way to get us out, while Jim was fighting a hologram of Khan."

"Captain Kirk is quite formidable when he's fighting, isn't he?"

"I guess. He does what he has to do."

"And so do you. I've even heard some about how you escaped from that Klingon ship."

"Rumors really run around this ship, don't they?"

"Captain Kirk made a report. I'm his secretary, remember?"

"Oh, yeah. I guess you get all the information first hand, don't you?"

"Mostly. You were so brave."

Bones looked at her as she was leaning on the table with interest in what he had to say. "I just had to put my fear aside and do what I had to do. The captain had a serious head injury and they had him strapped into a chair anyway, so it was up to me." Bones could not remember the last time he had someone so interested in what he was saying.

Before they were done with dinner, they were laughing and talking. Andrea found his dry sense of humor to be charming. "Come on," she said. "Let's go to the holodeck. I have costumes for us."

"Costumes?" Bones asked.

"Yes! We get to be part of the novel."

"Oh." Bones thought this would be a very interesting night. He could not remember the last time he did not spend the evening in the medical bay looking at some blood or tissue, or doing scans, filing reports. He was not sure how to do anything else, but he was certainly going to try.