A Star Trek Fiction
"For the relationship between Bones and Kirk, because they're awesome, but without each other they would be lame. Besides, who doesn't love the two together?"
The Couch and The Bed
5xs Kirk Had to Sleep on the Couch & 5xs Bones Had to Share his Bed
Story 9: Damn it Jim
Its fall, the school year is starting, Jim is unwound, his behavior under control. Bones can finally have some peace and quiet, especially since Jim is experiencing slight headaches from his trip down the dorm wall a couple weeks ago.
Bones is sitting at his desk, spinning a pen around on the smooth surface of the wood, not wanting to glance over his medical homework he has already received within the first several days of class.
The door opens and slams loudly; Bones doesn't need to call out to know who it is. The Doctor doesn't even glance over his shoulder to look to see what the kid is doing, because he already knows. The kid has fallen into a routine already, keeping it simple.
Jim will grab his apple, throw out any tissues he used for a bloody nose from getting punched and lock himself in his room.
Bones hears each event; first the fridge being rummaged through until a satisfied grunt is heard from Jim. The fridge then slams shut and he hears the trashcan lid being opened and Jim dumping the tissues inside. Once done, the kid stalks away across the living area to his room and slams his door and locks it behind himself.
Bones rolls his eyes. Every freaking day Jim does this, until eventually he gets passed this phase, hopefully.
The Doctor falls completely silent, listening to Jim's movements. Bones hears his shoes being kicked off and thumping against the floor. There's a long sigh and a creak as Jim's body crashes into the mattress. After that there's just silence, no other movements or noises.
Bones drums his fingers against the desk. What is the kid doing in there? Doesn't he have homework? Doesn't he have any plans?
The Doctor sighs to himself and jumps into his own bed, shutting his eyes.
Bones falls into a light slumber and awakes two hours later. He sits upright, slightly confused but clears his mind once he checks the time to see it's only eight in the afternoon.
With a sigh the Doctor gets to his feet and trots over to Jim's room. Bones bangs against the kid's door, waiting for a reply, but there's no response.
"Jim?" Bones growls, foot stamping against the ground.
Still no reply.
"Jim open the door or god so help you." Bones snaps as he tries the handle, but it's locked.
With still no response, Bones takes a couple steps back and kicks the door open. He's had enough of this shit. No more hiding.
The door swings ajar to reveal an empty room, no Jim. Where'd he go?
Bones looks around but finds no indication of where Jim might've gone, or how he left. But then Bones notices something, the window is open and he knows very well how Jim likes to scale buildings.
Grumpily Bones plops down on Jim's bed, snatching Jim's book, which the kid finished over the summer, and starts to read it. He eventually falls asleep on Jim's hard mattress with loud snores.
"Bones what are you doing?" A voice wakes him from his slumber.
"Huh?" Bones moans, sitting upright, drool falling from his mouth.
Quickly Bones wipes his mouth and glances over at the figure standing over him.
"Bones, why aren't you in your room?" Jim questions, but his voice is raspy and tired sounding.
"Better question, why weren't you in yours?" Bones demands and Jim rolls his eyes.
"Late night drinking." Jim replies and begins to undress himself slowly.
"Without me?" Bones inquires, watching the kid's painfully slow movements.
Jim looks over at him, "You don't drink in the beginning of the school year."
"Why didn't you tell me at least?" Bones asks, watching as Jim slips off his pants and pulls his shirt off.
"Didn't want you to worry." Jim groans and picks out a clean pair of boxers.
"Well I'd be less worried if you would just tell me." Bones grumbles, shielding his eyes away as Jim changes his underwear.
"Sorry dad, next time I will." Jim snaps and Bones gazes over at him.
"When did you become pissed?" Bones responds, getting to his feet.
"Told you I went for a drink." Jim tells him, his voice lowering.
Bones stares at him suspiciously, "You're lying."
"Are not." Jim retorts, climbing into his bed with a sigh.
"You don't smell like alcohol, you smell like sweat. And if I may say, perfume." Bones informs him, crossing his arms.
"A girl hit on me." Jim replies dully, shutting his eyes.
"Dear god man, stop with the lies." Bones growls and picks up Jim's discarded pants, going through the pockets.
"Not lying…" Jim slurs, his breathing slightly ragged.
"Jim why is there a wad of cash in your pockets?" Bones asks accusingly, holding the cash in his hand.
Jim perks up and looks over at Bones, "Just some money that I've saved for drinking."
"Jim you never carry cash, you're too paranoid. You pay your tabs with credit." Bones points out, finding the hole in Jim's lies.
"Well I decided to pay in cash Bones. Now if you please it's four in the morning and I'd like to get some sleep." Jim grumbles and rolls over onto his side, bringing the blanket up underneath his chin.
Bones growls and rolls his eyes, "Jim just tell me the truth and I'll be out of your pretty hair. People don't lie unless they're hiding something nasty."
"Or you can consider the fact that this person isn't lying. Jeez Bones, just drop it. I'm tired and I have class in the morning." Jim replies, ignoring Bones' scowl.
"Fine, be that way. Just don't come crying to me the next time you get your face busted open." Bones snaps and heads off to his room to sleep.
Jim rolls his eyes and falls asleep shortly after.
The next morning flies by, Bones doesn't even see the kid leave the dorm to class and during lunch, he fails to find the kid. Jim seems to be the master of avoiding people when he wants to. After Bones finishes all of his classes, he heads back to the dorm, hoping to see Jim, but isn't surprised to find the room empty.
With a groan, Bones rids himself of his homework and plops down on the couch, switching the TV on. The Doctor remains there for quite some time until dinner. Bones eats alone and goes to bed, Jim still not back.
Ignoring the nagging in his skull, Bones goes to sleep only to wake up in five in the morning to Jim bursting through the front door.
Instantly Bones springs to his feet and exits his room to see Jim limping towards his room.
"Jim!" Bones snaps and walks over to him.
Jim freezes up slightly, but then relaxes to his normal demeanor, "Bones shouldn't you be asleep?"
"Shouldn't you?" Bones retorts and Jim just shrugs.
"What's wrong? Are you hurt?" Bones questions and Jim grinds his teeth.
"I'm fine, I think I just pulled a muscle running." Jim explains, grabbing at his aching groin.
"You? You pulled a muscle? Unbelievable." The Doctor grumbles and the younger man shrugs again.
"Guess I didn't properly warm up." Jim suggests, shuffling his feet in slight discomfort.
The kid's hiding something, Bones can feel it.
"Where were you?" Bones asks, eyes narrowing.
Jim pauses, obviously forming an excuse, "I was out at a party. They had some killer drinks there."
Bones rolls his eyes, "Really? You at a party? I don't think I can picture that. Actually I can't picture that at all… Jim, what's going on?"
Jim's mouth gapes open and Bones swears he can see tears starting to well, "Nothing, nothing's going on Bones." Jim whispers and Bones immediately can sense that Jim's hurting in some way.
Bones grinds his teeth, if he pushes the kid, he might close up, but if he doesn't pry Jim might let it consume him. This leaves the Doctor with a very hard decision, one he doesn't want to make, so he takes the easy way out.
"Alright, just do me a favor." Bones replies and Jim perks up relieved that Bones didn't press further.
"Get some sleep. You look like you need it." Bones grumbles and heads back into his own room.
Jim just nods his head and slips into his own room, using a shoe to keep the door shut since Bones kinda broke it the other night.
Bones falls asleep for the rest of the morning, sleeping in since it's a Saturday. Jim on the other hand is gone by nine and doesn't leave any sort of explanation. The Doctor is becoming more and more worried by each passing hour.
It's four in the afternoon and Bones is pacing back and forth, waiting for Jim's arrival, but the kid doesn't make an entrance.
Infuriated, Bones stalks out of the dorm and straight to Francis' dorm room. Banging on the door Francis answers moments later and seems slightly shocked to see McCoy at his door.
"Uhh Doctor McCoy, can I help you?" Francis says, giving a charming grin.
"Yeah, where the hell is he?" Bones snaps and Francis' smile becomes wider.
With a slight chuckle, Francis replies, "So your little boy didn't tell ya what he's been up to? Huh, who would've known?"
Bones gaze narrows down on the slender man's skull, "Why, what's he been up to?"
"Your boy's been quite busy lately." Francis adds, his smile sly.
"Busy doing what?" Bones growls and Francis laughs.
"Easy there, I tell ya. Just please, let me be civil." Francis says, offering McCoy to step inside.
"Fine, but make it quick." Bones replies and enters the dorm, immediately plopping down on the couch that used to be Jim's.
Francis seats himself beside Bones, popping a beer and offering him one.
Bones just shakes his head, "Spit it out Francis."
"Well Jim has become the school's number one slut." Francis states and Bones almost chokes on his own spit.
"What? What do you mean?" Bones snaps, clenching the seams of the couch.
"What do I mean? I mean the kid's getting busy. He's even going around getting paid to do it." Francis informs the Doctor.
"So he's an official prostitute?" Bones asks, frowning.
"No, he's acting on his own accord." Francis explains and Bones rolls his eyes.
"Great, just great. Just imagine all the flipping STD's I'm gonna have to cure him of." Bones growls, rubbing his bearded face.
"And that's not just it." Francis laughs and Bones growls.
"There's more?" Bones snaps and Francis just nods.
"Yeah, he owes somebody. He owes them bad." Francis says.
Bones looks at Francis, eyes squinted, "Who?"
"Dunno, some people say it's Finnegan but Finn denies it every time. And I guess I believe him because he would be boasting about it." Francis responds, really deep in thought for a moment.
"Who do you think it might be?" Bones questions and Francis shrugs.
"Honestly, I have no clue. But I have heard one thing." Francis starts and Bones fixes his eyes on him.
"Yeah, what's that?" The Doctor inquires and Francis shifts on the couch, popping the drink back.
"I heard it's a superior officer or the… Look Mister-I mean Doctor McCoy, somebody either's got dirt on him, and now he owes them, or he stabbed the wrong back." Francis says and begins to usher the Doctor out of his dorm.
"Either way, I don't give a shit." Francis states and closes the door, leaving Bones to stand in silence.
"Damn it Jim." Bones mutters and heads back to his dorm, but on his way over he runs straight into Finnegan.
"Hey Finnegan!" Bones calls out and the tall dark haired man glares over at him.
"Aww Leonard." Finn says with a smile.
Bones glares at him, "Its McCoy. And I just want to ask you a question…"
"McCoy, if you're here asking about your dirty little blond boy, don't bother because I have no idea where Jimmy boy is or why he's doin it. So please, Doc, leave me alone." Finn replies and walks away, obviously he's been asked the question one too many times.
Bones rolls his eyes, apparently he has to ask Jim, but there's no way the kid's spilling the beans. Stalking back home, Bones makes it back in a timely fashion, climbing the familiar stairs to the third floor.
Entering his room, Bones gives a sigh and crashes on the couch, falling asleep.
Jim barges into the room at two in the morning, waking Bones from his slumber. Sitting up he finds Jim trotting along to the bathroom, looking flat out defeated.
"Jim!" Bones calls to him and jumps to his feet.
Jim doesn't even turn around, he just pauses slightly, "Not right now Bones, I'm exhausted."
"Jim we need to talk." Bones explains and Jim literally collapses onto the floor, giving a sigh.
Bones walks up beside him, sitting slowly next to his lost friend, "Jim will you please tell me what's going on?"
Jim looks into his eyes and Bones wonders how such innocent eyes could get into so much trouble.
"Bones…I don't even know where to begin…" Jim whispers hoarsely, casting his gaze down.
"Let's start with: what you've been up to the past couple of nights and why you keep carrying cash around because yes, I can see it sticking out of your pocket." Bones tells him and Jim chuckles, pulling the wad of cash out and handing it to Bones.
"Well, I've been uhh; I've been sleeping with people for money." Jim admits, looking away so Bones can't see the tears.
"Why?" Bones pushes and Jim takes in a shaky breath.
"I dunno, well, I do. I just, I-I umm, I may have put someone into the hospital." Jim stammers, hands quivering in lap.
"What? How?" Bones inquires, staring into his friend's eyes which are full to the brim with unshed tears.
"I was just-just protecting her." Jim mumbles and covers his face.
Bones' eyes widen in shock, "Jim if there was some sort of abuse involved…"
Jim just wipes the tears from his eyes and shakes his head, "No, they have proof, they have a holo. And if they give it to the authorities, they'll make it seem like I flat out attacked him."
"Who are they? Can I help?" Bones questions and Jim shakes his head again.
"No, I can't tell you, the less you know the better, I don't want to drag you into this." Jim replies, curling himself into a tight ball.
"Well there's gotta be a way for me to help." Bones suggests and Jim begins to nod his head.
"Do you have any cash?" Jim inquires, looking at Bones.
"No, but I can cash in a few favors." Bones replies and Jim genuinely smiles for the first time in days.
"How much do you need? And what's the cash for?" Bones asks and gathers to his feet, followed by Jim.
"As much as you can get a hold of, and I need to pay them off so I can destroy the holo." Jim replies and heads for his room to gather all of the cash.
"How do we trust them to give us the holo and that they didn't make any copies?" Bones questions, following Jim into his room and watches the kid tear out piles and piles of cash.
"Because I know these types of people, their fair as long as you play by the rules as well." Jim explains.
Bones nods his head, "So some sort of honor code?"
"Something like that." Jim responds, gathering up all the money and sticking it into a bag.
"Now, you need to go cash in a few favors." Jim tells him, walking passed him and out the door, but Bones grabs his shoulder and spins him around.
Bones touches his face and sees all the bruises along his neck and arms, one eye is swollen and his wrists are cut up.
"Jim who…?" Bones trails off and Jim shifts his feet.
"Some people are rougher than others." Jim explains, head dropping to the floor.
"Some 'people'? 'People' Jim? Please tell me you only did it with women…" Bones pleads and Jim shakes his head.
"I can't say that Bones, you told me to stop lying." Jim replies and walks off towards the kitchen.
"Damn it Jim." Bones swears under his breath and follows the kid out.
"Alright, you eat something and I'll go cash in those favors, better be worth it Jim." Bones grumbles and heads for the door.
"Wait, Bones!" Jim shouts and runs towards him, pausing a couple feet away.
Bones turns around, looking over at his friend, "Yeah kid?"
"Thanks." Jim mutters and Bones nods his head with a smile.
"Anytime kid, now go eat something." Bones replies and heads out the door, leaving Jim to eat by himself.
Jim then devours an apple and chugs several glasses of water in his wait for Bones. His anxiety is spiking, he's twitching, he's nervous.
He's literally hyperventilating when Bones enters the room with a smile on his face and a bag full of cash.
"Jim, you okay?" Bones questions as he sets down the bag and comes to his side.
Jim shakes his head as he grips the ends of the table and hangs his head.
"Look Jim, if you were protecting a lady, don't feel too guilty, that man deserves to be in a hospital bed…and I don't say that often." Bones tells him, patting his back.
Jim lets a sigh blow through his nose, "Bones, I know…it's not that."
"What is it then?" Bones asks, expression perking up slightly.
"I just can't, I can't have you with me tonight. I have to go alone." Jim says slowly and glances over at his bearded friend.
"What do you mean alone tonight?" Bones inquires sharply, eyes narrowing.
Jim stands up straight and shuffles his feet, "I owe them the cash tonight."
"Jim you're not going alone. They're blackmailing you Jim and I can't allow them to get away with it…we can call Pike I'm sure-" Bones starts but Jim shakes his head.
"No, Pike can never know about this. Bones if they find out…" Jim trails off, rubbing his hands together nervously.
Bones nods his head, understanding his anxious friend, "You could and probably would be kicked out of the academy." He finishes and Jim nods in agreement.
"Yes and that's why I don't want you there, because if something does leak out I don't want you to get caught up in it as well. Please Bones, for me." Jim pleads slightly, staring into the Doctor's eyes.
"Alright, fine kid, but on one condition." Bones grumbles, crossing his arms.
"Yeah?" Jim asks, giving a sigh of relief.
"You come back alive and with that holo." Bones informs him.
Jim smiles gently, "Will do Doctor McCoy."
"That's my boy." Bones replies, patting Jim on the back.
The two of them remain all day together in silence. Bones just keeps offering the kid food but every time he brushes it off. The Doctor just sighs and sits with Jim on the floor, up against the couch, watching TV until the kid falls asleep against his shoulder. Bones isn't quite sure what time Jim needs to meet up with whoever he pissed off but he'll just wake the kid before nine.
The clock ticks back, it's nearing nine o'clock and Jim is still leaning against him, sound asleep. Bones gives a huff and turns the TV off; he's tired of the news depressing him. Some perfect world this is supposed to be.
"Hey, Jim…" Bones says hoarsely, nudging the kid awake.
"Huh?" Jim groans, bringing his head upright and gazing into his friend's brown eyes.
Bones grins, "Uhh when do you have to go Jim?"
Jim checks the time but then eases back down against Bones, "Not for awhile still. Couple of hours…"
"Oh okay good, I didn't want you to miss it." Bones explains and Jim gives him a lovely famous Jim Kirk smile.
"Bones, thank you." He mutters, snuggling back into Bones' shoulder.
"What for kid?" Bones asks, wrapping an arm around him.
"Everything Bones, everything." Jim whispers, falling back asleep.
"Anytime." Bones murmurs back and watches the baby blue eyes close.
Bones sighs and shifts his legs, "Oh Jim, what would I do without you?"
It's not until eleven-thirty that Bones wakes him. Jim stirs at first but then bolts upright when he sees the time. The kid gathers to his feet and collects all the money and stashes a knife in his pants. Bones just watches his movements. Jim's feeling nervous, Bones can tell by the way he rubs his hands together, he can also tell that the kid is feeling scared because if he isn't rubbing his hands together he's drumming his fingers against a hard surface or running them through his golden hair.
"It's time for me to go." Jim mutters, making sure he has everything before heading for the door.
Bones trails behind him, holding the door open once Jim has stepped outside, "Promise me you'll come back in one piece."
Jim smiles; it's more of a statement than a question, "Of course."
Bones smirks back and Jim heads off without another word. Not wanting to say goodbye because that would mean the end of something and Jim didn't like ends, they never ended happy for him.
The Doctor closes the door and slams his head against it, "Damn it Jim."
Hours pass by and the Doctor only has his thoughts to consume him. All he can think about it all the horrible ways Jim could die in the hands of…well that's just it, he has no idea and Jim plans to keep it that way.
Bones it sitting on the couch when the door finally bursts open and he immediately jumps to his feet. Jim looks worn, his head hangs but when he walks he doesn't limp or wince.
"Jim…?" Bones starts and walks up to his roommate.
Jim doesn't say anything, he only wraps his shaky arms around the Doctor's chest and presses himself into him. Bones sighs and hugs back, one hand in Jim's hair and the other on his back.
"Did they hurt you?" Bones asks slowly, peering down at the head of golden hair.
"No and I got the holo." Jim replies, not making any intentions of leaving Bones' embrace.
"I'm glad you're okay." Bones tells him, stroking his hair.
"I need to make sure this is the right holo. And if it is I'm going to destroy it." Jim informs him, peeling away from Bones.
"Alright here, we can hook it up to the TV-" Bones starts but Jim takes a step back.
"No, I have to watch this alone." Jim informs and Bones nods, he understands.
"Alright, do what you have you to do." Bones says and Jim nods his head.
"Thanks Bones." Jim responds and goes into his own room.
Bones just sighs and plops down on the couch, waiting for Jim to reenter the room.
Jim is alone for over an hour and when he does finally open the door, he has a broken look about his face and his eyes are watery. Bones gets to his feet and watches Jim throw the device into the trash with a sigh. The Doctor walks up to his friend with a heavy heart and brings the kid into a hug.
"Thank you Bones, for everything." Jim whispers, head buried into Bones' shoulder.
"Anytime kid, anytime." Bones replies, not letting go of the younger man.
"C'mon, let's take a nap." Bones laughs and begins to lead Jim to his room.
Jim tenses up slightly, "What about class?"
Bones grins softly, "Forget about em', we'll just skip today."
"Finally you said something I like to hear." Jim chuckles and slides into bed with the Doctor.
"Yeah and don't forget it, because this is the only time I'm saying it." Bones grumbles, shutting his weary eyes.
Jim just sighs and falls asleep alongside Bones. The Doctor smiles, looking at his sleeping friend. No matter what, he has to be there for the kid and he's pretty sure this isn't the only mess Jim's going to get himself into.
Bones wraps an arm around Jim and gives a huff, "Damn it Jim."
