Hey everyone! Clearly I survived my trip, or this is my ghost uploading the story. Either way, pretty awesome, right? So, since I've been gone for a week, I'm going to do all my thanks and what not in a little author's note, since there have been so many since the last chapter!

As always, Landra is the only thing that is mine!


McCoy's POV

Damn that woman! She'll never forgive –me-? It's not my fault! He frowned when he came back to the bridge, ignoring the glances from the other crewmembers. McCoy had fully intended on returning to the med bay and bury himself in work, but he had been called back to the bridge by Spock. Swallowing his temper, he approached the Vulcan. "You wanted to see me." It was more of a statement than a question.

"Yes, doctor." Spock stood and moved to the side, away from those who would be able to hear their conversation. "I am aware that James Kirk is a friend of yours. I recognize that supporting me as you did must have been difficult, especially with Dr. Conner objecting the way she did."

When he mentioned Landra, McCoy's hands balled into fists and he muttered through clenched teeth, "Is that a thank you?" Spock glanced at him thoughtfully, nodding once. "I am simply acknowledging your difficulties."

That did it. "Permission to speak freely, sir." Spock stopped and turned to face him, his hands clasped behind his back. "I welcome it."

Raising a brow, McCoy started. "Do you? OK, then. Are you out of your Vulcan mind?" He hissed, leaning close so no one else could hear them. "Are you making a logical choice, sending Kirk away? Probably. But, the right one? You know, back home we have a saying: "If you're gonna ride in the Kentucky Derby, you don't leave your prize stallion in the stable."

Spock nodded, considering what McCoy was saying before replying. "A curious metaphor, doctor, as a stallion must first be broken before it can reach its potential."

If McCoy didn't know better, he'd swear Spock was mocking him. A look of disgust passed over his face and it reddened at the Vulcan's reply. "My God man, you could at least act like it was a hard decision!"

"I intend to assist in the effort to reestablish communication with Starfleet. However, if crew morale is better served by my roaming the halls weeping, I will gladly defer to your medical expertise. Excuse me." Spock brushed passed the doctor then, dismissing him.

"Green-blooded hobgoblin." McCoy grumbled, shaking his head as the Vulcan passed by him.

McCoy remained on the bridge for a couple hours before deciding he really needed to check on Landra. She had been gone since Jim was thrown off the ship, and wasn't answering her com, much to Spock's disproval.

Finally finding his way to her quarters (which happened to be two doors down from his), he took a deep breath and knocked on the door. After a few seconds, the door opened to reveal a puffy faced Landra, her eyes still red from crying. "Christ go away McCoy!"

The door started to shut and he panicked, quickly sticking his foot into the path of the closing door. "Ow! Damnit woman!" He reached into the bit of open door and pressed the open button, stumbling into the room.

"For the record, that was your fault!" She shouted, keeping herself an arm's length away from him. "Get out McCoy, before I call security. Maybe if you're lucky, you'll get marooned on the same planet as Jim!"

This woman was really trying his patience. He knew she was upset, and that getting angry himself would accomplish nothing, so he took a deep breath and let it out slowly before speaking. "Look, I know you're upset. I was just coming to check on you and-"

"Oh, so now I can't even take care of myself? I'm a doctor, too, McCoy!" She yelled. Ok, now she was twisting his words around, and he felt his anger start to bubble in his chest. Closing his eyes, he took a deep breath and let it out slowly before speaking, trying to keep his voice level. "No, that's not what I meant. I know can take care of yourself, I was just worried." He managed to mutter through grit teeth.

"Worried? Oh please don't act like you care. You never have! That much was made obvious when you let Jim get thrown off the ship!" She had taken a step closer to him now, and he could see the tears in her eyes again. He couldn't take her tears anymore, they were driving him to the point of insanity.

He closed the space between them and gripped her shoulders tightly, forcing her to look up at his face as she struggled to get out of his grip. "Don't you dare tell me that I've never cared! All I've ever done is care! About Jim, about you!" He took a breath then before continuing, his tone changing from one of anger to pleading. "I didn't want Jim thrown off the ship! There was nothing I could do and you know that!" He loosened his grip on her, moving his hands from her shoulders to her face.

"Please, you gotta believe me, darlin'." He begged, using his thumbs to brush away the tears that were running down her face. "You gotta stop crying, you're breaking my heart, Alexandra. I'm sorry about Jim, I am." He tried to smile, hoping her tears would end. "But it's Jim. You and I both know it'll take more than this to do him in. He'll be back before you know it."

Landra's crying had started to lessen as he spoke and she sniffled, staring into his eyes. She knew he was right, he was always right. Jim would be fine, he was always ok, and deep down she knew that blaming McCoy was useless. It wasn't his fault. She didn't know exactly when she had stopped struggling to get out of his arms and started to cling to him, but she leaned into him and sighed his name. "Leonard…"

Her lips met his. She needed this, needed him, and he needed her. That much he had admitted in his own way, and she knew that was the best she was going to get. It was like a damn had broken inside her as the kiss deepened, and McCoy had let moved his hands from her face to around her waist, and she had moved hers to wrap around his neck.

With ease, he lifted her up and carried her to the bed, laying down with her and clinging to her like a lifeline. When they both finally broke the kiss, McCoy brushed his fingers through her hair and kissed her forehead, keeping his arm around her waist.

"I'm scared, Leonard." She admitted, moving her head under his chin. "There's no reason to be scared, Alexandra." Silence passed between them and she nodded, tightening her hold on his shirt. "Don't let me go."

She felt the soft laughter rumble in his chest and he took a deep breath, wrapping both arms around her and holding her close. "I love you too much for that. I'll never let you go again."

Surprised, she lifted her face so she could see his, searching his eyes for the actual love she hoped was there. "Do you mean that? Really?"

He nodded, cocking his head to the side some. "Of course I mean it." He kissed her briefly, then kissed her forehead again. "I love you, Alexandra Conner."

Landra smiled and nodded as well, lifting her hand and brushing it over his cheek. "I love you, too, Leonard McCoy."

The two doctors spoke in hushed tones for a couple hours until they eventually fell asleep in each other's arms, grateful for the few hours of respite. They probably would have slept until the next day if Landra's communicator hadn't gone off, waking them up.

Groaning, she turned over and fumbled on her small bedside table, grabbing the communicator and flipping it open. "Dr. Conner."

"Doctor, I request your presence on the bridge. If you pass Dr. McCoy, would you please tell him his presence is also required?" Spock asked, and Landra felt her anger towards the Vulcan coming back. She began to say something smart to the acting captain, but a brief shake of McCoy's head stopped her. "Yes sir, I'll be there momentarily."

Snapping the communicator shut, McCoy smiled and pulled her to him for another kiss. "Glad to know you keep your temper better than Jim." He mumbled, his voice gruff from just waking up.

Landra laughed, nudging him playfully before forcing herself out of the bed and stretching. She threw her hair back in a bun and smoothed out her uniform, shooting a glare at McCoy as he stood and stretched, his bones popping.

"Come on, Doctor. You heard the Captain." She picked up her communicator and slid it into a small pocket, opening her door and waiting for McCoy to walk out before she followed. As they walked, McCoy grabbed her hand and laced their fingers together. The small action thrilled her and she squeezed his hand tightly.

Though, when they reached the bridge, he dropped her hand and moved a few steps ahead of her. She blinked in surprise, hurt when he didn't even turn to look at her. Is he ashamed of me?

"Dr. Conner, might I have a word with you?" Spock asked, stepping in front of her to block McCoy from her line of vision.

"Yes Captain. What can I do for you?" She tried to keep her voice level while speaking to the Vulcan, thankful she had her anger under control.

"You and Cadet Kirk are siblings, is that correct?" He asked, starting to walk through the bridge. Frowning, she clasped her hands together behind her back and followed him. "Step-siblings, sir. His mother married my father. It should be in our records."

Spock nodded, and Landra cast a glance in McCoy's direction. He was standing beside the Captain's chair, eyes fixed on the viewing screen. "It is, I simply wished to hear it from you. From your…display when I had Kirk removed from the ship, it is obvious that you two are very close."

Oh he's pushing my temper right now…she thought, struggling to keep her face blank. "We've always been close. He's looked after me since I was nine. I do apologize for my actions, Captain. It was…difficult for me to see the situation handled the way it was."

That caused the Vulcan to pause and turn to face her. "And how would you have handled the situation, Doctor?"

Taking a breath, she twisted her fingers together behind her back. "Well, sir, I wouldn't have thrown him off the ship for one. Wouldn't the brig have been sufficient enough?"

The Vulcan paused for a moment, thinking over what she had said. Before he could reply though, Chekov interrupted. "Keptin Spock, unauthorized access to water turbine control board."

Spock stepped away from Landra, ordering the young Russian to bring the video up on screen. She turned to face the viewing screen, gasping and quickly covering her mouth with her hands.

"Oh you've gotta be shitting me. Jim?!"


Annnd that's Chapter 11! I hope you all enjoyed it! Also, I apologize if there are any errors, I'm kind of running on three hours of sleep and I've been on the road all day. This was a big chapter for me, and I hope I got it right! For all my thank-you's and what not, please read the author's note!

Love Always,
Jaxxone