Carla had changed into her black cotton pyjamas, perfectly comfortable for a late supper. Not to mention it had been one of the first times she had taken some time over getting ready. Her hair was shoulder length now and it allowed her to twist it and pin it on the top of her head. Strands fell all around her face but looking in the mirror she saw a much more relaxed version of herself, a version she preferred. The bags under her eyes were less noticeable and her complexion seemed brighter.

The pyjamas were long and loose, the sleeves swept back as she lifted her hands above her head to pull two glasses from the top shelf of her cabinet. She had taken the afternoon off, listened to music and made Leonard's favourite, stew. It was her favourite too and she enjoyed the process of cooking it in her small kitchen. Setting the table she smiled, she felt good. Her doorbell rang and she called out that it was already open. Turning and looking over her shoulder she saw Leonard walk in, bottle in hand. He was similarly dressed in casual black trousers and a shirt, his hair was slightly mussed and she found herself staring.

"Smells amazing." He closed his eyes and smiled.

"Good evening to you too Leonard." Carla smiled at him as he sat down at the dining table, he picked up his fork as he looked at her.

"How was your afternoon off?" He handed her the bottle and watched as she began to unwrap the top.

"Lovely, really." Carla took the fork from his hand and put it back down on the table.

"Glad to hear it, mine was hell!"

"I'm sorry to hear that, we can postpone if you would like?" If Carla was being honest that was the last thing she wanted to happen.

"No, I don't want to be anywhere else!" It was a good job Carla's back was to him when he spoke because she flushed a deep beetroot red at his words. Her heart lifted and she was smiling from ear to ear.

"Great!" She answered tightly, her back still to him. "So? Why was yours hell?" She passed him a glass and sat opposite him taking a sip of her drink.

"The usual, Cadets making stupid mistakes, Nurses not listening to a goddamn word I say…" Carla couldn't help but laugh. "Watch it Cece!" McCoy warned her jokingly.

"Well, it's over now. Cheers." Carla lifted her glass and McCoy brought his to it.

"Cheers Cece." As their glasses clinked together they both looked at one another. Something passed between them, what, neither of them knew or at the very least were not ready to admit. Carla was the first to look away, putting her glass down she stood and went to plate up the stew.

McCoy watched her ladle the food onto the plates, licking her finger and thumb and using a cloth to put the hot lid back on top of the pot. She was talking to him but he wasn't listening, too enthralled in her movements between sink, drawer and cupboard. He only snapped out of his daydream when she turned and handed him a plate.

"Thank you." He spoke hurriedly, wondering if she'd noticed that he hadn't been listening.

"I take it by your lack of reply that you agree?" Carla looked at him expectantly and McCoy suddenly felt like he was eight year's old again, stood in front of his Mother and her asking if he had brushed his teeth or not.

"Err, pardon?" Was all he could muster, before filling his mouth with stew. If Carla was annoyed at his rudeness she didn't show it.

"We can talk about it later, go ahead and eat." Her hand touched his shoulder ever so briefly, that's what he loved about her, she always put others first.

"How many conference appearances do you have booked?" He asked her as he set his fork down on the empty plate.

"Eight, Admiral Leng has requested that I speak at all of them." Carla answered enthusiastically.

"That must be an honour?"

"It is! I can sit in my office behind my desk and address hundreds of people! I could have my pyjama trousers on and nobody would know!" Carla laughed.

"That's your first thought? Unbelievable!" McCoy shook his head at her silliness.

"You're telling me it wouldn't be yours? I'm thinking I might put a request in with the Captain, change the uniform to pyjamas for everybody!"

"Now you're being ridiculous Cece!"

"You're just jealous you didn't come up with the idea." Carla proclaimed proudly. "Do you want seconds?" She asked, her head jutting to the pot still sat on the side.

"No thank you, but I might take some for lunch tomorrow?" McCoy smiled at her warmly. As she walked over to her desk and started clicking away on her PADD McCoy got up and followed her. Music started playing and Carla turned to him smiling.

"You fancy a dance? Or are you too full?" She asked him casually, although her heart was beating out of her chest. McCoy was taken aback but gladly held out his hand to her. As she placed her right hand in his and his left hand swept round her waist gently the air in her throat got caught.

"What are we listening to?" McCoy arched his eyebrow at her.

"Old old music, big band, swing. You like it?"

"Yeah, I do." He nodded in approval, they were hardly dancing really. Both of them swaying from side to side, every now and again McCoy would lift his arm and Carla would take a spin.

"When I was little, all the boys in my primary school were shorter than I was. We had an end of year dance, none of them would dance with me." Carla shrugged her shoulders at McCoy.

"I bet their kicking themselves now." McCoy replied and Carla couldn't help but blush. "I like your hair up like that." The compliment was out of his mouth before he realised it, for a moment he was worried that he'd overstepped an invisible line between them but when Carla grinned at him he knew she didn't mind. It gave him the possibility of hope.

"Thank you Leonard." Carla whispered back, her head naturally fell to his shoulder as the next song that came on provided a slower pace.

"Cece, I, well I want you to know that. Damn it!" She looked up at him.

"Are you afraid that if we kiss it may be for the wrong reasons and ruin the friendship we have?" McCoy's eyes widened at her brutal honesty.

"That wasn't particularly tactful Cece!" McCoy rebutted. "And you call yourself a diplomat!?" Carla didn't break a smile, waiting for him to answer her question. When McCoy realised that, he stopped dancing and his face turned serious.

"I'm afraid it may ruin our friendship." He answered honestly.

"Me too." Carla said quietly. "But I also find you insanely attractive and quite honestly the very thought of kissing you makes me feel like I can't walk." He looked at her stunned.

"That's quite a bit of responsibility to heap on one man's shoulders Cece." His eyebrow was cocked at her.

"Not really, because I know you, and you can handle this." Carla felt confident, in him, her choice and what they were about to do. "Kiss me Leonard." She whispered.

Those were the three words he had been waiting to hear, McCoy brought their outstretched arms in and tucked her hand into his chest, bringing his head towards hers she instinctively closed her eyes in anticipation. She felt his lips press against hers ever so gently, he paused and they both held their breath. Then he took her bottom lip in his and she lost all control, her hands splayed through his hair and his stroked up and down her back. They both sucked and licked, gentle at times, caring but then passion would overcome them and they would become restless again, his tongue darting into her mouth eliciting a sound that sent him further over the edge.

Carla took the opportunity to touch McCoy, her hands travelling the length of his arms, shoulders and chest. She could feel the ripples of his muscles and as her hand went between the buttons of his shirt she felt his skin prickle at her touch. He did the same, his hands stroking, gently caressing. When the kissing wasn't enough for either of them and both were breathing heavily McCoy pulled her towards him with his hands on her behind, the breath got caught in her throat at the feel of his arousal and she stared into his eyes as if she was looking into his soul.

"You're scaring the shit out of me Cece." McCoy growled out, his voice heavy with lust.

"I am?" Carla didn't move, her hands still splayed across his chest.

"Yeah, you keep looking at me like that and I'll never want to let go of you."

"Is that a threat?" Her head moved to his neck where she started planting small kisses along his jawline.

"It's a promise Darlin'." He didn't need to be told twice, quickly moving to the settee he slowly lowered her down and then knelt a knee between her legs, hovering over her and stroking her hair from her temple. "You are so beautiful." He whispered. "I knew this wouldn't be a mistake." He grinned at her, suddenly extremely happy. She grinned back.

"You're very sure of yourself now McCoy!"

"Too right!" Carla couldn't help but laugh but lost all train of thought when McCoy lowered himself further and started kissing her again. His hand travelled under her top and rested on her stomach, hers were in his hair and she lowered them down passed his shoulder to begin unbuttoning his shirt. McCoy stopped kissing her and sat up, pulling the shirt from his torso and arms while Carla looked up at him, she nearly blushed when she realised she was licking her lips.

"Woman!" She'd been caught it seemed, because when McCoy began kissing her again it was with a level of passion Carla didn't think possible. His hand moved under her shirt once more and travelled up to her breast, touching and eliciting a new erotic moan from her.

Carla placed both her hands on his chest, pushing him away. For a moment McCoy was worried, had they gone too far? Was something wrong? But when Carla directed him to sit back and she proceeded to straddle him, placing her weight on him his eyes grew even heavier with desire. She was looking at him in that way again, that way that scared the living daylights out of him. His hands rested on her hips, though the fabric of her clothes he could feel her small waist which created an alluring silhouette that he could have stared at for hours.

Her hands went to the hem of her top and she swiftly pulled it over her head and let it drop to the floor. McCoy could only gaze at her, and then using his hands he pulled her towards him so that his face was against her chest, Carla wrapped her arms around his neck and they stayed embraced like that, without moving until McCoy heard Carla sniff. Looking up at her he could see the tears on her cheek.

"What is it? Are you alright? Is this too much?" His hands went to her cheeks and he cupped her face bringing her closer to him.

"No it's not that, I'm happy." Carla mirrored him and cupped his cheeks with her hands. "I love you, is it wrong of me to say that?"

"Are you out of your damned mind! It will never be wrong of you to say that, I love you too Cece." Smiling Carla wiped the tears away and gave him a long loving kiss, pulling away from him she stood, letting her trousers drop she stood in front of him naked.

"I don't want you to remember seeing me the way you did, beaten and bruised and chained to a wall." McCoy stood quickly and took her hands, kissing them one by one he shook his head.

"I don't, I never have and I never will. This, in front of me will be the only way I will ever think of you." Carla smiled gratefully.

"That might be a bit awkward Leonard, when we're in a brief with Commander Spock!?" McCoy laughed himself, always amazed at her enthusiasm to find humour in all things.

"Are you kidding me!? It'll be the only thing getting me through the damned tedious things! I should be thanking you!"

"You can return the favour." Carla winked at him.

"Yes Ma'am."

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