Talent is God given. Be humble. Fame is man-given. Be grateful. Conceit is self-given. Be careful. ~ John Wooden

"Will you please hurry up?" Jim said again from where he stood in Bones' bedroom. He had been ready for almost an hour and was bouncing on the balls of his feet in impatience.

"Calm the hell down, kid. The concert doesn't start for another 2 hours," Bones reminded him as he tucked his white tee shirt into his jeans.

"I know. But we have to get there early. It's a rule," Jim said. He was already wearing the de rigueur uniform of Chillie Dogs and Chillie Pups - black cords – preferably wide wale, a tight black tee shirt, the Ice Floes jacket with the luminescent iceberg that faintly glowed in the dark arenas.

"It is not a rule. It's part of the madness to which you are dragging me," Bones grumbled.

"You're the one who bought me the tickets," Jim reminded him unnecessarily. "Not a blue shirt. A black one."

"Fine," Bones said, returning the blue denim shirt in exchange for a black one. "Does this conform with your fashion dictates?"

"Finally," Jim said.

Bones shook his head, following Jim into the living room.

"You finally ready?" Hikaru asked with a laugh.

"Not you too," Bones moaned. "I'll pay you to go with him."

"Nope. I did my share of Floes. Got no interest in going ever again," Hikaru told him.

"Some friend you are," Bones said, accepting his coat.

"Don't wait up," Jim said cheerfully as he and Bones went toward the garage entrance.

"I haven't since you were 13," Winona assured him, blowing him a kiss as they disappeared into the cold garage.

"No way," Bones said, shaking his head. "You are not driving. Get in the passenger seat."

Jim did it, bouncing on the seat like a small child. "Let's go."

"I knew I should have sedated you when I had the chance," Bones said, pulling out.

Jim just shrugged, turning his bright blue eyes on his best friend. "Thanks again. Seriously."

"You're welcome," Bones said begrudgingly. But Jim knew he wasn't nearly as opposed to attending the concert as he pretended.

"Can we listen to the CD?"

"Sure," Bones agreed, waving a hand at the dashboard. "Just keep it below window-shattering."

"You got it," Jim agreed, turning on the CD, the volume at a surprisingly adult level. "I got an email from Spock."

"What?" Bones said, looking over at Jim. "When?"

"Right before I got in the shower. I haven't read it yet."

"Why not?" Bones asked.

"If it's bad news, I didn't want to ruin the concert. If it's not-so-bad news, I didn't want to risk being late," Jim said with a shrug.

"That makes sense," Bones had to agree. "I wonder what brought this on?"

"No idea. I may read it when we get home. I may not. I may delete it without reading it."

"Why?" Bones asked quietly.

"Because he made his opinion completely clear. I don't believe he changed his mind. And even if he did, I'm not sure I'm willing to risk letting him back in," Jim admitted.

"I'm sorry," Bones said because he couldn't think of a single thing to say that would be helpful.

"Yeah. His loss, right?" Jim asked with a grin.

"Maybe he'll go out with you if you promise not to drag him to any Ice Floes concerts," Bones suggested, making Jim laugh at him.

"Maybe."

They spent the rest of the trip to the arena discussing absolutely nothing of importance, pulling into the VIP parking that was always available to them. Something about their contributions in helping to pay to finish the buildings. Finally.

They easily passed through the minimal security, the arena ushers taking them to the floor seats that Bones had purchased for this concert.

"Were they really expensive?" Jim asked when they were stationed at their seats on the third row.

"They would have been," Bones said. "But when Chris called Steve, they were suddenly available at a substantial discount."

"I told you making that donation would be ultimately helpful," Jim reminded him with a smile.

"I never thought I'd use it for Ice Floes tickets."

"Oh you most certainly did. And it gets you free tickets to the Opera. Which I believe is the only reason Nyota is dating you. That and it gives her a chance to be near me," Jim said.

"Sure. You keep believing that. Gives me more documentation for when I finally decide to have you committed," Leonard said, looking into the aisle as one of the Floes roadies passed, slowed down, and backed up.

"I'm sorry," the man said. He was a prototypical roadie – burly, longish hair, beard. They were sure there were a plethora of tattoos under his black Floes shirt.

"For what?" Jim asked cheerfully. "You're fine."

"Oh. Yeah," the man said. "I… has anyone ever told you that you look just like the writer Jim Kirk?"

Jim laughed at that. "Could be because I am."

"No way," the roadie said in disbelief.

"Total way," Jim assured him. The roadie shook his head, focusing on Leonard.

"You aren't Hikaru."

"Leonard McCoy," Bones said, certain the roadie didn't care.

"You aren't really Jim Kirk," the roadie said, not in challenge but in lingering disbelief.

"Oh dear. Don't tell my mom, okay?" Jim laughed. "She'll be really disappointed."

"Do you know Chillie is a huge fan of yours?" the roadie said. "Reads all your books when we're on tour."

"I didn't know. I'm a huge fan of his," Jim said.

"I think he knew that. Since he's mentioned in the books."

"Yeah. My lawyer called his lawyer. He's cool with it?" Jim said.

"Oh totally. He's not cool when he's left out," the roadie said with a lopsided smile. "Listen. We have some time before the concert. Come back stage."

"I'm not sure that's such a good idea," Jim said, shaking his head.

"Why ever not?" Leonard asked. "There's plenty of time."

"If you don't, Chillie is goin' blame me. When he finds out you're here and didn't come meet him."

Jim looked from the roadie to Leonard and back. "You sure it's okay?"

"Lord yes. Come on," the roadie said, leading them toward the stage and behind it. There were several large men standing around looking vaguely threatening but none of them spoke to the three of them. "Name's Morgan. I'm responsible for all the rigging. And for making sure the instruments are where they're supposed to be."

"Good to meet you, Morgan," Jim said, following him through the labyrinth of the underground complex.

"You know how to get us out of here, right?" Leonard joked.

"Maybe. I usually drop bread crumbs," Morgan said, stopping in front of a battered door that said 'Danger – Electrical Conduits.' He knocked and waited until they heard a faint "yeah" before he opened the door. "Yo, Chillie."

"Yeah?" the man who was unmistakably Chillie Waters responded. He was sitting on a leather couch, a girl of five or six sitting next to him, an attractive woman standing beside him with a sleeping little boy snug against her body. "What's up?" Chillie looked younger and more attractive in person. Without the harsh glare of the floodlights, his face showed a youthful vigor which was what made him capable of giving his all – and more – in each concert. His long black hair was caught neatly in a ponytail, one understated diamond in his ear. He was a bear of a man, one who looked more like a football player than a rock icon. But he had some moves on him and their concerts were always energetic and spectacular.

"I bring you Jim Kirk," Morgan was delighted to announce. He stepped aside, letting Jim and Leonard further in the room.

"No way," Chillie said, standing and automatically picking up the girl who could only be his daughter. "The Jim Kirk?"

"The one and only, as far as I know," Jim said. Leonard was surprised to realize that Jim was nervous, something that he couldn't remember witnessing before.

"You're Jim Kirk?" the beautiful woman asked, an even more beautiful smile lighting up her face.

"I am. That's what my driver's license says anyway," Jim agreed. "You must be Sherry."

"That's me," Mrs. Chillie Waters said. "This is Bucky who is out for the count. And Lilly."

"Hello, Lilly," Jim said with a smile.

"This is such a surprise. That you're here," Chillie said in genuine delight. "I guess I didn't think you were a fan. You just picked the Ice Floes at random."

"Nope," Jim said with a smile. "I've been a fan since your Stoned Tiger days."

"You're from here?" Chillie asked with a laugh.

"Now I am. Not originally. But I got here about the same time you did."

"If he hadn't been a successful writer, he'd have been a Chillie Dog," Leonard said.

"You must be Dr. McCoy," Sherry said. "I've read about you in People."

"I am. And as long as you know none of what they write about us is true, we'll get along just fine," Leonard said, making the others laugh.

"Sit, sit," Chillie said, resuming his seat of the couch, his daughter in his lap.

"You are dating that beautiful Nyota Uhura," Sherry said with a wink.

"I am. Was that in People too?" he asked, enjoying her laugh.

"Cosmopolitan. When she was on the cover. Was that photo of her retouched?"

"Sherry. That's not very nice," Chillie said with a laugh.

His wife shrugged, smiling back at him. "She is just lovely."

"Inside and out," Leonard confirmed, looking over at Jim who seemed completely awestruck. Which Bones thought was secretly hysterical. "Do you usually have your children on tour?"

"Not usually," Chillie said, kissing Lilly's head. "But since our house is only an hour from here, Sherry brought them. They'll need to go home soon."

"Not yet, daddy," Lilly requested, looking up at him with huge green eyes.

"Not just yet, princess. Before the concert starts."

"Right," Lilly said with a nod.

"You live that close?" Leonard asked. "We live 45 minutes out. Off of Yorkshire Road."

"That's a beautiful area," Sherry said. "We looked there. But I didn't want to be so close to the ocean while the kids are little. We may look again when they are older."

"It's wonderful out there," Leonard said. "Quiet. Not too far from town. Y'all should come over for dinner when you're around." He could feel Jim start at the casual invitation and it was all that Leonard could do not to laugh at him.

"Are you serious? Or are you just being polite?" Chillie asked.

"Completely serious," Bones assured him. "For reasons that remain a mystery to me, our house has something of a clubhouse atmosphere to it. We're never quite sure who will be at dinner. Or lunch."

"That would be lovely," Sherry said with a smile.

"I'm leaving on Tuesday," Chillie said in regret.

"Would you and the children like to come?" Leonard invited. "Any day next week would be fine."

"I would like that, Leonard. Thank you," Sherry agreed. "Would Wednesday be all right?"

"Perfect," Bones agreed. "What would you like to eat?" he asked Lilly who laughed at his question.

"Cheeseburgers," she said in delight.

"Her default," Chillie said. "You sure you don't mind?"

"Of course not. Cheeseburgers it is."

"You're going to Tucson from here?" Jim finally asked, breaking his silence.

"Tucson. Then Vegas for a week. Then Chicago."

"I have tickets to the Chicago show," Jim said.

"Because you'll be on Oprah," Sherry said with a sympathetic smile.

"Since it's the release date," Jim agreed. "I tried to get out of it but… well. You can imagine."

"Only too well," Chillie agreed. "It's still on schedule to be released on February 12?"

"It is," Jim agreed. "I receive a dozen advanced copies. I'll send you one of you'd like."

"Are you sure?" Chillie asked in excitement. "I already pre-ordered it but if I can get it early, that would totally rock."

"Of course. I can email you when I know what day I'll have them. Then I can send you one."

"Absolutely," Chillie agreed, accepting a pen and a pad of post-its from the depths of Sherry's purse. He wrote down his email address, handing it to Jim.

"Here's mine," Jim said. "You can be pretty sure I'll answer and not Hikaru."

"Same with mine. Sherry or Todd sometimes respond but if it's you, they'll leave it for me. We should hang out while we're in Chicago. I mean. If you have time," Chillie said.

"That would be awesome," Jim said. "When are you getting there? As long as I'm at the studio by 8 a.m., I have nothing but time."

"Friday. We could hang out on Saturday. Go to a Blackhawks game."

"Absolutely," Jim agreed. "Too bad football's done."

"Yeah," Chillie said with a shrug. He looked over at the door when a stern faced man entered. "Todd."

"You need to get ready," Todd said. "Hello."

"Sure. Sure," Chillie said. "Todd. This is Jim Kirk. And Leonard McCoy."

"Jim Kirk? The writer Jim Kirk?" Todd asked, looking far less serious.

"I'm pretty sure that's me," Jim laughed.

"Good to meet you," Todd said, extending his hand. "Big fan of yours. I expected you to be a lot older."

"I am some days," Jim responded with a laugh.

"Child prodigy," Bones joked. "We'll get going. And I'll email you directions to our house. 5:30 okay for dinner?"

"Perfect," Sherry agreed, walking with them to the door. "Thanks so much."

"Lovely to meet you," Jim said. With a final farewell, they left, following Morgan back out of the bowels of the building and to their seats.

"I have never known you to be nervous around anybody," Bones said as soon as Morgan left them.

Jim shrugged, looking around the arena. "He's Chillie Waters."

"And you're Jim Kirk. You are so star struck you can't stand yourself."

"Shut up," Jim said with no malice in the words. They accepted two huge cups of beer when one of the area employees brought them up, compliments of the band.

"Are you going to be able to talk to him when you're in Chicago? Or are you going to droll all over your arm and him?" Bones laughed.

"Shut up," Jim repeated. "You're still coming to Chicago. You did promise."

"I did. But I hate hockey. You can go on your date with your man-crush right by yourself."

"It's not a date, you moron. He's married."

"I'm not a moron. And I'm not all giddy because I met him," Bones teased.

"Don't speak to me again. For the rest of your life," Jim demanded, accepting the two bags of peanuts from the same arena employee. "Do you think we'll eventually get pizza?"

"Maybe," Bones laughed. "I thought you weren't speaking to me."

"I'm not. I shouldn't have given you those peanuts."

"Maybe they're for me. Maybe Sherry sent them because she feels sorry for me," Bones said.

"Could be. It was nice of you to invite her for dinner. Don't you imagine it must be kind of lonely?"

"I would think so. That's why I did it," Bones said.

"You are a good person. To everyone but me," Jim said, laughing when Leonard did.

~o0o~

"How was the concert?" Chris asked when they entered the house. It was dark except for a light next to Chris' chair and one in the kitchen.

"Awesome. It rocked the most," Jim said in excitement, careful to keep his voice low.

"Jim met Chillie Waters. I think they may be engaged," Bones said. "Of course. That means he'll have to break it off with the guard in Tajikistan."

"Met him met him?" Chris asked, looking up at them.

"Yeah. One of his roadies recognized me and took us to meet him. He's really nice," Jim said.

"Jim has a man-crush," Bones said in a dramatic stage whisper.

"I do not. Stop saying that," Jim protested. But he didn't convince himself much less either of the other two.

"Chillie does too," Leonard said. "He asked Jim if he'd have time to hang-out in Chicago. I'm pretty sure he was afraid Jim would say no."

"He was not," Jim said. But Bones just ignored him.

"They're going to a hockey game together," Bones said, making Chris laugh.

"Oh great. Jim will probably end up having three teeth knocked out by a stray puck."

"Wouldn't be surprised," Leonard said. "His wife and children were backstage so I invited them to dinner on Wednesday."

"That should be fun," Chris laughed. "They live 35 minutes from here."

"You knew that?" Jim asked in surprise.

"Jim," Chris said, shaking his head.

"Oh. Yeah. I guess you did. Do. What are you doing up?"

"No particular reason. Winona only went to bed half an hour ago. We were watching Casablanca. I was getting ready to go to bed when I heard the car drive in. Wanted to make sure you weren't bringing home any strays."

"Isn't this our house? Which would make it okay for us to bring home strays?" Jim said, his voice huskier than normal from singing along at the top of his voice throughout the concert.

"He does have a point," Leonard said with a yawn.

"I suppose so. But I wasn't planning to grill enough steaks for anyone else tomorrow."

"Are the boys still here?" Jim asked.

"Of course. Rent them the room. Permanently. It's just easier all around."

"Yeah," Jim agreed with a deep laugh.

"Does your throat hurt?" Bones asked, studying him.

"No more than usual after a concert. Don't fuss. I'm fine," Jim said, swatting away Bones' hands when they reached up to feel his neck.

"All right. But if you can't talk tomorrow, I'm not lifting one finger to help you," Bones warned.

"Finally," Jim said.

"Are you going to check your email? Or go to bed?" Leonard asked, hanging up their jackets in the closet.

"Why your sudden interest in his email?" Chris asked in suspicion.

"I got an email from Spock right before we left. I didn't read it yet," Jim said with a shrug.

"That's understandable," Chris said.

"I guess I should," Jim said.

"It'll still be there in the morning," Leonard reminded him. "It's late. Let's go to bed."

"Yeah. You're right," Jim agreed. "Thanks again. You totally rock the most."

"I do know that," Bones agreed with a laugh, easily dodging Jim's hand that tried to smack him. "Go to bed."

"You too," Jim said. "Chris?"

"Now that all the strays that belong here are back, I will," Chris said, following them down the hallway as they each disappeared into their respective bedrooms.

A/N: I hope everyone had a very safe and Happy Christmas! If you have the time and inclination, I'd love to hear about your Christmas. (And possibly what you thought of this chapter... hint hint...)