"A wizard," Jim glared, snorting in disbelief. "I knew there was something wrong with you, Black."
Harry shook his head, "There is nothing wrong with me, Jim," Harry said, his back still to Jim. "I am a human."
"Humans can't do what you just did," Jim snapped, looking around the room.
"Not all," Harry said, turning back to Jim, "but some. Jim," he stepped forward, placing his hand on the rifle that was still gripped in the captain's hands, "if I wanted to kill any of you, don't you think I would've done it, I don't know, weeks ago?"
Jim's eyes narrowed, "Khan said something similar to us, once."
Harry rolled his eyes, "I'm not Khan, Jim." Suddenly, the rifle in Jim's hands transformed into a teddy bear. Jim gasped, dropping the stuffed toy, and glaring back up to Harry.
"Security," Jim growled, causing the security members to step forward, "put him in the brig."
"Jim," Bones said, turning to his best friend, "he didn't do anything wrong! He saved us from Mitchell!"
"Doctor McCoy," Jim seethed, turning to face him, "you are emotionally compromised by the General. You romantic involvement with him has clouded your judgment and you are to be relieved of any work regarding him. Dismissed." He turned his back to his friend.
Bones stared at Jim incredulously. He was serious. Jim had a total vendetta against Harry. He was looking for any reason to hate Harry, and unfortunately, he gave him a reason. Harry revealed he had abilities that rivaled someone who tried to kill Jim, make him in the same league as the would be murderer. Bones was ready to kill Jim, but instead, he could only sit and watch as the security personnel escort an amused looking Harry off the bridge.
"You're going to regret this, Jim," Bones said, crossing his arms as Jim jerked around to face him. "Yeah, Harry didn't tell us he was a wizard, or whatever, but it's none of our business! He hasn't done anything to hurt anyone! He's done nothing but protect us, me, since he got here! What next, Jim? Gonna lock away all psychics 'cause they didn't tell you they knew what you were thinking?!" Bones stormed off the bridge, leaving an even more shocked bridge crew and a seething Jim.
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It had been two weeks since Jim had put Harry in the brig. He had ordered security to not allow Leonard to see Harry. Though, Leonard had been keeping tabs on Harry, though Spock of all people. Spock agreed with Leonard that Harry wasn't a threat. Spock had gone to Harry and questioned him about his abilities. Harry had been more than willing to describe his "magic", as he called it, and was even willing to give Spock presentations. Spock had been thrilled, as thrilled as he can get, and had, in exchange for them, been keeping both Harry and Leonard up to date on what each other was doing.
As much as he hated to admit it, Leonard felt a bond of friendship forming between himself and Spock. Spock was actually very good company. He was also quite expressive, if you knew what to look for. After spend almost every evening with Spock, as they both had simply fallen into the routine, Leonard felt confident that he knew Spock almost as well as Uhura. Not that Leonard felt he could compare to the Vulcan's girlfriend, or that he knew as much about him as she, but he felt reasonably comfortable that he could judge the man's actions, or reactions, to a situation as well as she. Leonard had smirked to himself when he realized that Spock was his friend. Boy, how things change.
Spock had just left, after giving his tri-weekly Harry report to Leonard, when his door buzzed. Leonard sighed, standing and opening the door. His questioning gaze turned into a glare when he saw Jim standing outside of the door. They hadn't spoken once in the two weeks since. Jim had tried to appease him by leaving a bottle of his favorite whiskey, which Leonard had returned the next morning in a very public display of shoving it under Jim's nose on the bridge crew and talking about how Leonard didn't want Jim's guilty whiskey. He also went on to tell Jim that if he tried the crap again, he'd be hypoed more than when he was having an allergic reaction. Jim had steered clear of him.
"What," Leonard demanded, not inviting Jim into his quarters.
"Can I-" Jim started.
"No," Leonard said, crossing his arms, "you can't. You made it very obvious that I'm emotionally compromised, so let's make sure it doesn't happen anymore and leave this in the open where anyone can see."
Jim sighed, scrubbing his hand over his face, "I'm sorry I locked up your boyfriend, Bones."
"Do not call me that, Captain." Leonard said, glaring harder, "My name is Doctor McCoy."
Jim looked at Leonard as if he'd grown two heads. "B-bones, come on! I know I took away your chance at sleeping with Black, but I had to put him in the brig! He's dangerous, can't you see that? He was corrupting you with his magic!"
Leonard raised an un-amused eyebrow, "If that is all, Captain." He turned away from Jim.
"Bones," Jim reached out and grabbed Leonard's shoulder. "Please."
"I've been away from him for two weeks, Captain," Leonard said, not turning back, "and my feelings for him haven't changed. Spock has been seeing him, you know. Maybe you should ask him what he feels about Harry." He shook off Jim's hand, before stepping away from the door, which closed on Jim's face, and locking it.
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"We've caught it too late, Leonard," M'Benga said, looking down at his PADD. "I don't understand how this could've happened."
Leonard felt his blood run cold, his muscles tensed, and his jaw clenched. He could feel his heartbeat in his temple. Anger began to build up, he was seeing red. How could they have not caught it?
"How," he croaked, before clearing his throat. "How long?"
M'Benga looked up to his friend, his heart going out to him, as he said the next words, "A month."
McCoy felt his stomach lurch, his eyes widening, looking down to the ground. He felt tears forming in his eyes, but he blinked them back. A month to live? How was he going to explain that to his daughter? How was he going to explain to the crew? Jim? Oh, god, he'd been so mad at Jim, and here he was, dying. Dying of something there was no cure for.
He nodded, glancing up to M'Benga. "I'll… uh, see you tomorrow."
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Leonard looked through the symptoms, noting that he'd had none. Not a single symptom. No tiredness, no switch in mood, no shaking, no drop in blood pressure. And, yet, he had the…. Leonard couldn't think about it. He shook his head, no. He had to accept it. Xenopolycythmia. There… he'd thought it. He swallowed a lump.
Grabbing at his communicator, he sighed, "McCoy to Kirk."
There was almost an immediate response, "Kirk here!"
Leonard felt his heart pound in his chest, "Jim… uh, could you and…." He felt tears well up, but he shook his head, "Could you and Spock please come to my quarters?" He tried to keep his voice steady, "And, bring that whiskey."
"Sure," Jim responded instantly.
It took less than ten minutes for the two to get there. They both looked guarded, Jim holding the whiskey carefully. Leonard motioned for the two to sit, before pouring himself a large glass of whiskey. The burn that tore down his throat made for a good reminder that he was still alive, though it didn't help with his pain or his fear.
"I've got some news," he started, pouring another healthy glass, and taking a sip. "It's… really hard to talk about."
Jim and Spock exchanged glances, both obviously concerned. Jim was the one to respond, though, "Take your time, Doctor."
Leonard clenched his eyes shut, shaking his head, "No, Jim! I'm Bones!"
"Okay, Bones," Jim said, sounding extremely worried.
Leonard sighed, finishing off his glass. He poured another, but didn't drink anything. "I've been to see M'Benga… for my physical. H-he… f-found something." He was stuttering, not because of the alcohol, but because of his emotions. He didn't look at his two friends, just to the floor as he felt the burn of anguish form behind his eyes, "I-I've… I've go-ot…." Tears began to roll down his cheeks, though he didn't seem to notice. "I-I've got… xenopolycythemia."
Both Jim and Spock quickly exchanged glances, before looking back to Leonard. This disease was incurable. Once you had it… that was it. You were given a year to live and then you died.
"I-I, Bones, w-what do you mean," Jim asked, looking so confused and angry at the same time. "W-what…."
"Doctor, how long have you been given," Spock asked, his face carefully expressionless. They all knew depending when the disease was found, and how far along the disease you were in, determined how long you had to live.
"A month," Leonard responded, wiping his face of the tears.
"A month?!" Jim exclaimed, jumping up and running to his best friend's side. "Bones! Oh, Jesus…." He wrapped his arms around Bones' shoulders and dragged him into a hug. "We'll figure this out, Bones! We'll find a cure!"
"There isn't a cure, Jim," Leonard said, though his voice was muffled as his face was pressed into Jim's neck. "There isn't enough time."
"I don't believe in no-win scenarios, Bones. You know that." Jim said, still crushing Bones to him. "We'll find a cure, right Spock?" There was no response. Jim turned to look to his friend. "Spock?" But, the only thing they saw was an empty seat where Spock was sitting. "Where the fuck did he go?"
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"All of you, out," Spock ground out, his teeth clenched, as he entered the brig.
The security crew looked to one another, before they quickly exited the brig area, leaving only Spock and Harry. Though, Harry was behind a forcefield. Harry looked up from the PADD he'd been reading, curiously. He and Spock had spent a lot of time together, these past few weeks, talking and getting to know one another. Spock had never come in unscheduled. He'd never shown up out of the blue, and he'd certainly never looked this angry. And, yes, he looked livid.
As soon as the brig was clear, Harry saw Spock's shoulders sag. Concern coursed through him.
"Spock," Harry said, standing and walking to the barrier between them. "What's wrong?"
"He is dying," Spock said, meeting the green eyes, his own brown filled with an unnamable emotion.
Harry frowned, placing his hand up to the barrier. He didn't know who Spock was talking about, but if it affected him this much, Harry would offer his condolences and maybe try to help.
"I'm sorry," Harry said, hoping it would help.
"No," Spock said, reaching up and inputting the code to open the forcefield. When the barrier was finally opened, he walked forward to Harry, bracing his arms on the muscular man's shoulders. "You… must save him. What he has is incurable! It's a blood disease. We won't find it in time, he only has a month. You need to save him, Harry."
Harry shook his head, "Spock…. You don't understand. I don't know if I can."
"Harry, you have the power to do it, I know you do!" Spock said, tears welling in his eyes. "He is my friend! Finally, he is my friend and he's going to be taken from me! I don't want to lose anyone else!" Ah, it was the Captain.
Harry lifted his hand to Spock's bicep, "Spock, I understand. But, I can't dictate who lives and who dies. That's not how this works!"
"You are the Master over Death!" Spock growled, his eyes becoming dangerous despite the tears. "You rule over it, you said so yourself! If you are so powerful, prove it!" He was becoming desperate.
Harry felt pain shoot through him at Spock's anger and sadness. "Spock…." Harry shook his head. "I-I can't. Jim…. Whatever it is that Jim has…." He looked away. "I…. His life is always a breath of being taken away. He survives on luck, but if he has a disease…. I don't know anything of the diseases of this time."
Spock frowned, before shaking his head. "It's not the captain, Harry."
Harry met Spock's eye, before asking, "Who?"
"Leonard," Spock responded. He didn't even blink afterward before Harry had disappeared from before him.
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"Don't worry about Spock, Jim, he's probably just processing this," Bones said, finishing the whiskey he'd poured himself twenty minutes before.
Jim was ranting how Spock had stormed out, not tried to comfort Bones, before Bones got tired of it. Jim glanced at his friend, feeling pain in his heart. What was he going to do without Bones there to revive him?
"Is it true," a voice caused both men to jump. They looked up, shocked, to see Harry storming up to Leonard. "You have an incurable disease?"
"What the hell are you doing out of the brig," Jim demanded, standing between the two men. "Security is going to get the biggest rep-" Suddenly, Harry waved his hand and Jim's voice was taken from him. Jim's mouth was still moving, but no sound was coming out. He, Jim, brought a hand to his throat, trying to speak, glaring at Harry, when he realized it was useless.
Harry pushed Jim, causing him to fall to the couch, and casting a silent immobulus, before kneeling in front of the still sitting Leonard. Leonard had tear streaks on his face, his eyes were swollen, his hair was mussed, and his face was unshaven. He looked beautiful. And devastating.
"Is it true, Leonard," Harry asked, placing a hand on his cheek.
Leonard met Harry's green gaze, seeing the compassion there, feeling the adoration shining out and nodded, unable to lie. "Yeah," he whispered, his heart aching. He hadn't thought of Harry, when he'd gotten the news, and now he felt terrible.
"Oh, my darling," Harry whispered, pressing his forehead to Leonard's. "You should've come to me."
"H-how did you f-fine out," his voice trembling with unshed tears, again.
"Spock," Harry said, running a hand through Leonard's hair, soothing him. "He stormed into the brig and demanded that I come and save you. He told me that you were finally his friend, and that he didn't want to lose you."
Shock filled Leonard's face, "He did what?" Spock considered him his friend?
Harry smiled, softly, "Shh," he whispered. "Stop worrying about the silly Vulcan. I'm here now. I'm going to help you, love." He brought his other hand to Leonard's face, leaned forward, and kissed Leonard full on the lips.
Jim sat on the couch, watching the interaction with some anger. So, Spock had let Harry out? Well, Spock was definitely getting a piece of Jim's mind. However, this explained why Spock had rushed out of Bones' rooms. He'd run to Harry. Harry had the ability to save Bones, and if he was going to be on this ship, he might as well do something for the crew, finally. Even if it was Bones, again. Though, now that Jim thought about it, Harry was now saving Bones for the third time. Nope, he shook his head at the exchange, not thinking about all the things Harry had done for Bones. He heard the door open and saw Spock standing there, panting, as if he'd run the entire way back. Jim glared at him, jerking his thumb to the duo, only to see Spock's eye soften. Jim rolled his eyes.
Leonard felt his heart pound in his chest, as Harry lips met his. It'd been way too long since he'd felt Harry's lips on his, and he relished in it. He pressed his tongue to Harry's lips, groaning when Harry not only permitted access, but met his tongue half way. Suddenly, he felt a pulling feeling, as if his lips were being tugged through a straw or a vacuum. He opened his eyes, looking to Harry, as he felt Harry's mouth leave his, though he still felt the pulling sensation. He felt the sensation from everywhere, though, like his arms, his belly, his legs and forehead.
They all observed Harry pull away from Leonard. As he pulled away, they saw black specks, almost like bugs, coming out of Leonard's very skin and being drawn into Harry. Harry's eyes were closed, his face at peace, as these bug like specks began to enter him, disappearing in his skin, leaving no trace that they'd ever existed, until they finally began to peter out, almost like a flock that was finally passing. The black specks stopped coming from Leonard and were all inside of Harry.
Harry slumped forward, causing Leonard to reach out and catch him. He glanced to the two others, worry filling his features. He pulled Harry over his forearm, looking into Harry's face. He was unconscious. What had Harry done?
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"We know nothing about how Harry did it," Leonard said, looking at the PADD that held Harry's chart, the next day. "M'Benga ran the test on me again, by the way. I'm cured. M'Benga is freaking out," he looked pointedly to Jim. "So, Harry obviously cured me. The only problem is now Harry has the disease." Harry had somehow taken the disease into himself, but… it had accelerated. Faster than anything any of the medical staff had seen.
Jim closed his eyes, trying not to react in anyway. He was so happy Bones wasn't going to die, but… Harry had once again proven himself by saving Bones' life. Yes, he'd used magic, but… he'd save Bones. If Harry survived this, Jim would thank him. But, after that, he didn't know what would happen. Star Fleet had been alerted to Harry's… condition, both magical and medical. They had yet to respond. Fuck, this was a fuck up on Jim's part.
"I didn't think he'd do this, Doctor," Spock said, stoically, next to Jim.
Bones glanced at Spock, a warm feeling filling him, despite the worry he felt for Harry. "I know, Spock." He whispered, knowing the Vulcan heard him. He looked back down to Harry's pale form. He reached down, grabbing Harry's hand. "Please don't leave, Harry." He whispered again.
He sighed, closing his eyes. Jim, from behind him, felt guilt course through him, and he brought his hand to Bones' shoulder. Spock, while not touching anyone, offered moral support with his presence.
"Alright," Harry said, opening his eyes, and shocking everyone, by sitting up.
AN: Hi, everybody! So, here is this chapter! I'm working up to something! I am pretty sure one of you figured it out, BTW. I'm not telling who, just saying! This chapter was really hard to write, mostly because it's very dramatic and I don't know if I do dramatic very well. Pfft, ah well, you gotta be terrible at something! So! Please leave a review! I'm think there's going to be SMUT in the next chapter! So, for anyone who is delicate to that sort of thing, just skip over it. Otherwise, there will be a lovely amount of SMUT in the next chapter! PLEASE REIVEW! Thank you all for reading
