Bones never thought that he'd think of Jim in such a way.
Sure, the kid was a pain in the ass at most times, but there were other instances when he was one of the sweetest kids he'd ever met. He'd grown rather fond and just slightly overly-protective of the kid. So when he came across a group of much older cadets ganging up on Jim, he snapped.
"The hell is going on here?" He demanded, stalking up to the group. Jim barely had the energy to lift his head, one eye swollen shut and blood dripping from his nose. The three cadets holding him up turned, barely paying Bones a glance before turning back to Jim.
"None of your business old man." One of them replied, getting ready to throw another punch to Jim's stomach. Just as the blond flinched, Bones moved forward and grabbed the cadet's arm and twisted it back, growling softly.
"I asked you a question." He said slowly, twisting the arm more and nearly forcing the cadet to his knees. "And I expect an answer." The other cadets had turned away from Jim, still pinning him, but paying him no attention. The cadet on his knees twisted and tried to wiggle free before a final twist from Bones sent him limp.
"The little shit started it." The man growled, looking down at the ground. Bones rolled his eyes and glanced over to Jim, who only managed a weak smile before letting his head drop again.
"That little shit happens to be my roommate, and I don't appreciate you beating him up like this. Even if he did start it." Bones planted his boot in the small of the other cadet's back and sent him sprawling forward. The other two seemed ready to pounce at the doctor, turning away and letting Jim slump to the ground. Bones lifted his hands, ready to fight off the two other cadets. But he never got the chance. Next thing he knew, the whole Academy seemed to get out of their classes and were milling about. Not wanting to create a scene, the two standing cadets helped their friend up and vanished into the crowd.
Bones watched them go before hurrying over to Jim's side and kneeling beside him. "Kid? Hey kid...Jim, you alright?" He asked, resting a light hand on the younger man's shoulder. Jim mumbled something incomprehensible and managed to lift his head. Bones waited a moment for him to clarify before shaking his head.
"Right, 'least you can hear me." He muttered, looking around. No one seemed to notice the pair, all looking up or absorbed in their work. Bones grumbled to himself and bent down, hooking one of Jim's arms around his shoulder and pulling the younger man up.
Jim hung limply against him, closing his eyes with a soft groan. Bones tried to drag him down to the infirmary, knowing that he shouldn't be looking after something this severe by himself, even if he was a doctor. After a few feet, the doctor simply gave up and scooped Jim into his arms, holding the smaller man bridal style and walking calmly through the crowd of now staring people.
Eventually Bones managed to shove the door to the infirmary open and set Jim down on a bench for a moment, resting his arms before scooping him up again. Without pausing, he strolled into one of the exam rooms and gently set the now semi-conscious Jim down on the gurney. One of the nurses looked up, tilting her head slightly before hurrying over and beginning to work on patching him up. Bones tried to help, but the nurse wouldn't let him anywhere near the younger man Bones kept back, arms crossed over his chest as he watched the young woman fumbling with a roll of gauze. Finally she finished and stepped away, mumbling something about paper work she needed to fill out.
"Bones...?" Jim asked softly, his eyes fluttering open.
"How you feeling kid?" Bones smiled, walking over and kneeling beside the gurney, lightly brushing a strand of hair off of the younger man's forehead. Jim smiled weakly and shrugged as much as he could.
"Better than ever." He replied somewhat sarcastically, trying to sit up. Bones quickly shook his head and placed a firm hand to the middle of Jim's chest and pushed him down. Jim struggled for only a moment before falling limp and closing his eyes. "Maybe just a little stiff." Bones chuckled and leaned back, shaking his head. The two fell into a comfortable silence for several moments before Jim turned and frowned.
"Say...what the hell are you doing here anyway?" This question took Bones by surprise, and it took him a moment to respond.
"I'm making sure you're alright."
"But why? My problems aren't yours."
"Actually kid, they are. They became my problems the second you decided it was a good idea to come bother me and move in."
Jim smiled gently and nodded, closing his eyes after a brief moment. "So you're saying that all my problems become - "
"Mine. Not all of them though. If you've got an army of angry women after you, you're on your own."
"Just when I'd need you most and you abandon me? You're an ass, Bones."
"Shut up Jim, you don't mean that."
A moment of silence fell over the two, both expecting the other to break it first. Finally, after what seemed like an eternity, Jim spoke.
"You're right...I don't."