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A Bitter Affair
Chapter Ten
"Wake up, Doctor."
McCoy grumbled under his breath and turned away from Spock's voice.
"Doctor, it would be unwise to continue your path of motion as we are still suspended-"
McCoy's eyes shot open as he rolled out of Spock's grasp and collided with the ground.
"In the tree," Spock finished.
"You smug bastard," McCoy gasped, the wind knocked out of him by the fall.
"Doctor, you only fell 4.62 feet. Seeing as you landed on your posterior, you should be fine."
McCoy sat up, still gasping for air. "Spock, that's a fine way to complement a man on his ass."
Spock raised an eyebrow and elegantly slid out of the tree like some predatory cat. He had barely touched ground before he hoisted McCoy to his feet and propped him up against the tree.
"How are you feeling now, Doctor?" he said, leaning in to examine him. He raised a finger in front of his eyes.
"Fine. Humiliated, but fine," McCoy said, focusing his eyes on Spock's finger. "Your treeside manner is surprisingly good. I'm gonna be a little stiff for a while though."
Spock leaned in further, running his lips down McCoy's neck. "And now?"
McCoy gasped as Spock's teeth set to nibbling the sensitive skin by his ear. "Definitely gonna be stiff for a while now."
Spock's hand was warm, almost hot, as it slid down his chest, pausing to explore his front before moving to his back. McCoy gasped again, this time in pain, as Spock's hand closed on his ass.
"A little sore, Spock," McCoy said, staring into Spock's dark eyes. He was astonished to see a smirk on Spock's lips.
"Yes, you will be," Spock replied huskily, letting down the barriers on the bond so that McCoy could feel the urgency that he felt. Not pausing to give him a chance to change his mind, Spock pressed McCoy against the tree and kissed him.
McCoy kissed back, grabbing two fistfuls of Spock's hair and pulling him in as close as he could. He groaned as he felt Spock's erection brush his own.
"Leonard," Spock growled. "Let me in."
McCoy snickered. "Not by the hair on your chinny chin chin."
Spock pulled back. "I have no hair on my chin as I shaved before we left."
"I know, Spock. Come here."
Spock resisted as McCoy tried to pull him close.
"Would you prefer me with facial hair, Leonard?"
McCoy paused as he remembered the way Mirror Spock's goatee made him look. He shivered, remembering the searing gaze of possession and superiority that the other Spock had used to pin him against the wall. He had never thought he would see such longing from his Spock in this lifetime.
"We'll discuss it," he said, pulling Spock into an embrace.
They broke apart as weapons fire collided with the ground close to their feet. Spock's hand guided McCoy behind a tree while he provided cover fire.
"On my count, be ready to run," Spock said, his voice tight with anxiety. McCoy found it fascinating that he had not been able to hear the subtle changes in Spock's voice and demeanor before the bond.
"Pardon me, Spock, but I'm going to need a second to cool off. I can't just go from raring to jump in bed to running for my life."
Spock's eyebrow made its customary climb up his forehead. "A brief recovery would be beneficial to me as well."
Before he could jump from behind the tree to fend off the incoming Order members, the air around them filled with phaser fire.
"Spock," McCoy said slowly. "That's Starfleet phaser fire."
Spock nodded mutely in agreement. Both men were unwilling to openly voice what they were both hoping – that the phasers belonged to Starfleet members and that among those Starfleet members was Jim. Who else would be in possession of Federation weapons?
Finally the firing stopped and McCoy heard voices yelling the all clear. He ran from behind the tree, ignoring the mental protest that Spock shot down the bond.
"Jim!!" he yelled, waving his arms. Three figures stepped out from behind their hiding places and scrambled down a leaf-covered hill to meet him.
McCoy felt pure joy surging through him. They were rescued. He could shower. He'd have his job back.
He could shower!
The cold phaser point that pressed against his stomach scattered the visions McCoy was having.
"You are Leonard McCoy. The one behind the tree is Spock?" said the tall, dark man.
Spock stepped out from behind the tree.
"Obviously, since we are the only two off-worlders on your planet," Spock replied.
"I'm not sure if you remember me. My name is Dieb," the man said, the extra fold of skin around his ears fluttering with excitement.
"You're members of the Order," McCoy said, feeling his stomach clench in fear and frustration.
"And you are now my prisoners."