I struggled with this one. I started to go cliché and do the expected. Nope, these characters are better than that. Plus, I've been aching to put a little more Spock in the mix. So take a deep breath, close your eyes, and let's begin peeps. I promise it's not going to hurt and if it does you can get Sulu and his converse after me.
P.S. - For all you Karl Urban lovers out there, I watched Pathfinder last night. The plot leaves a lot to be desired but Mr. Urban is shirtless most of the movie. Yes, his chest is a lovely sight.
Chapter 10 – Ex - Factor
On that note Leonard McCoy was ready to pack his bags…
Grab his shit…
And throw a thorough middle finger salute to the two idiots at the door!
Until he listened closely, Nyota was telling Spock to get up. Not in the way she had nudged Leonard earlier to help with her hair. Definitely not the way she'd encouraged him to move in. As much as she tried to hide it, warm phony smile plastered on her face, there was irritation dripping from Nyota's voice that only could have stemmed from Spock's presence. Because less than five minutes before, Leonard was ready to deliver a positively mind blowing experience.
Even though the thought made him smile, and blood flow in conspicuous places, he was mad, no angry, scratch all of the above fucking pissed off.
This idiot was grasping onto his woman, yes his woman…
No
No
NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO
Nyota didn't respond well to possession and male chauvinistic attitudes, he'd seen that side of her in action. Still, Spock was clinging to someone who meant a great deal to Leonard and he didn't like it one bit. Nor did he like the fact that the door was now closed and Spock was on the wrong side of it.
"Leonard, will you start some tea." Leonard, not Leo, this was going to be a long evening. He made his way to the kitchen slamming the tea kettle. Opening the cabinet door and relishing in the thud it made when he closed it with force. He was in the middle of mumbling to himself when he looked up and noticed that Nyota had joined him in the kitchen.
"Are you pouting?"
Nyota knew the answer to her question and it was evident on her face. Even when Leonard brushed past her and turned the stove on to warm the water in the kettle.
"I have to leave." He still couldn't look at her. Nyota's hand was resting on the small of his back. She rose up on the tip of her toes to reach his ear. There she laid a light kiss that threatened to start a fire that was already brewing.
"I want you to stay, but I understand if you can't deal right now."
Leonard melted under the words and turned to embrace Nyota. He didn't say a word only held her. His eyes closed as her fingers weaved through the back of his hair.
"Don't worry." She cooed and he felt just like a kid.
He kissed her softly, finished preparing Spock's cup of tea and headed out the door. Checking his watch it was mid afternoon. Pike's would be open, but he really didn't feel like sharing what was going through his head with Jim who would tell Gaila, who would in turn call Sulu, and Chekov would want to have a bonding session that night in the ER. So he walked a few extra blocks before crossing the doorway and entering Scotty's.
The bar was basically empty and the owner, Montgomery Scott, was attempting to configure the coke line with a rum line. "I get tired of mixing those bloody rum and cokes. You'd think these college kids would know how to get drunk properly."
Scotty's was twenty feet away from the edge of the university campus and Leonard had spent many nights there, tending a bottle of whiskey when his marriage to Beth ended and subsequently when she moved with their daughter to the west coast.
"What can I do you for my good friend Bones? Here to cry in a bottle of jack over a fine lass?"
Scotty's laughter filled the building and Leonard shook off his jacket and settled at the bar. "Give me a shot."
Scotty looked shocked. "Not the bottle?"
"Damn it I didn't stutter, just the shot."
Scotty obliged and found his way to seat beside Leonard nursing a glass of scotch. "I've known you long enough Leonard McCoy to know when something's got your goat."
"What in the hell are you talking about?" Leonard was stalling.
"Why are you here and not at the pretty boy's bar?"
"Shit, because Jim is like a bad refrigerator, he can't hold water." Leonard had yet to pick up his drink. "I met someone."
Scotty motioned to his chest, holding his hands out and laughing, "So it is a lass, does she have a fine ass."
The look on Leonard's face immediately made Mr. Scott stop laughing.
"I've known her for a while, but things recently changed."
"I see. So in other words you had a little jones for the lady and now…"
"The ex…me…her…I'm confused." He was rubbing his eyes, picking up the glass, setting it back down repeatedly.
"Are we talking about that sweet little thing from the museum? The one you use to write all the time."
Leonard sighed, "That's the one."
"She's damn near worth starting a war for."
Leonard thought about Scotty's words. "Yeah, she is." He finally finished his drink and stood to leave.
"Bones, if you want her, fight, don't give up." The Scotsman turned back towards the bar and Leonard left without another word. He made it back to the apartment in record time, skipping steps and using his key to get inside. An inner smiled propelled him forward and the scent of dinner encouraged him; shrimp but more importantly burnt grits and cursing Nyota in the kitchen.
A sleeping Spock was sprawled across the couch, covered by a blanket.
A muffled shit caught his attention and he followed the sound to the kitchen. There was an open cookbook, a pot of grits boiling and popping, and Nyota looking overwhelmed.
"I wanted to make you dinner." Her lip jutted out and he couldn't refrain from kissing her. Another pop and a splatter of grits hit his hand.
"Shit."
Nyota laughed in his arms. "There's always takeout."
Leonard gathered her face in his hands; staring deeply into her eyes, "I'm sorry."
Nyota shook her head, "No need to apologize, should your ex show up, I probably would throw things instead of just leaving."
"You do care."
"Yes, I do, and I am scared shitless Leonard McCoy."
They were kissing again. It was sweet and gentle because a sleeping visitor would surely wake up if they considered doing anything else.
"I'm going to change and then we will decide on the takeout."
Leonard watched her leave the room and then turned his attention to Spock.
"You can stop faking now; she's out of the room."
Spock's eyes shot open and a smirk was displayed on his face.
"Son of a bastard, because I will not disrespect your mother." McCoy's hands balled into fists, "You're trying to use this as an opportunity."
The smirk disappeared from the man's face. "I need Nyota."
"You should have thought about that a long time ago. You don't deserve Nyota."
"Funny my mother said the same thing last night at dinner." Sadness filled the man's face. "I will show everyone that I can be the man Nyota needs."
McCoy laughed, it was dark and evil "This is a game to you. Who is the winner? Who is in control? Have you thought about her heart?"
"Nyota doesn't know what she wants. I need her and that's all that matters." He said waving a hand dismissing the doctor's concern.
Leonard fought the urge to make good on the promise of taking Spock out of the game, "Listen, we will attend Lady Amanda's funeral. We will support you as a friend, but once that service ends, I don't want to see your face at this door again. I don't want to hear about you bothering her at the museum. I want you to keep your pet Christine on a tight leash and if she does as much as to look at Nyota wrong, it will be the last time. I'm over your shit." McCoy stood face to face challenging him to dispute any of his words.
Spock backed away, "I see one night with Nyota has you feeling bold."
"My condolences to your family; you really should leave I won't be able to control myself much longer." Leonard said almost growling. Yes, this woman was worth starting a war.
"You love her?" Spock's voice held surprise. "You always have." He laughed at the realization.
"Just leave Spock." The voice was Nyota's.
He moved to protest.
"Get the fuck out, you take my kindness for weakness. I loved your mother. I have nothing but the deepest respect for your father. Where have you hidden the real Spock, the one I fell for? When you find him, that's when you can make your mother proud."
Spock said nothing further and moved for the door. "The service will be held at the cathedral on Sunday at one in the afternoon. I've made arrangements for you to sit with the family. Dr. McCoy I will extend the same courtesy to you."
His voice held heaviness, he nodded before walking out the door and for the umpteenth time in the past few days, Leonard found himself behaving out of character. He went after Spock.
"Wait." The sound of his own voice startled him.
Spock turned to face the doctor. "Take care of her, please? Make sure she is happy, healthy, and loved." Tears threatened to leave his eyes. "I do love her, its part of the reason I can't let go, but I don't know how to love her. You do." The man was crying and laughing now, "Please, or I promise I will ruin your medical career and take her back." Spock attempted to resume his dignified appearance.
"I'll never give you the chance."
Those were the final words spoken between them. Spock opened his car door and pulled away from the curb. Leonard settled on the steps in silence. After a few minutes he felt the warmth of a jacket on his shoulders. He could smell the scent of lingering next to him. He didn't fight when her hand reached for his. They watched the leaves dancing in the wind.
"All we need is a visit from Sulu and Chekov and the day will be complete."
Nyota laughed and kissed his cheek. "You're cold, let's get inside."
"Yes and we'll start with how to boil grits 101."
Leonard kissed the top of Nyota's head and pulled her into his arms.