Chapter 49

Even though they had both woken up over an hour ago, on top of the fact that his year-long departure was imminent… they stayed in bed wrapped in each other's arms.

Lena gave him another lazy kiss before pulling back and nestling her head onto his shoulder as his arms wrapped tighter around her, skin to skin.

"You fucking idiot," she muttered for the umpteenth time.

A whole year of probation. For beating up her past fling.

It was almost as though they were living some high school soap opera.

She didn't know if she could even work the same without him – the way they complemented each other. Him the bigger brains but her with the better bedside manner. Her: the problem solver and him: the doer.

Who would she bicker with?

Who would challenge her to be a better doctor?

"Are you allowed to travel? Kirk could arrange a visit to a nearby planet that you just happen to be on…" she suggested.

He let out a soft laugh, her body moving with his.

"Conjugal visits, how romantic," he said dryly.

She pulled back to look up at him and the corner of his mouth quirked as he brushed some stray hairs off her face.

"Romantic, huh?" she said, "Maybe I can bring some roses and chocolates. So instead of our secret relationship, it can be a secret romantic relationship," she said, not noticing Leon's eyebrows furrowed as she continued, "even more exciting."

She let out a soft laugh but stopped when she realized he wasn't joining in. He was serious.

The thought of that had her catching her breath.

"Leon…" she started, but there was a loud overriding beep throughout his quarters, and Cgekov's voice rang throughout the room.

"The sub-Ship has arrived. All designated passengers report to Shuttle Bay Five. Shuttle Bay Five, designated passengers."

"Well, that's a boner killer if I'd ever heard one," she muttered, still looking up at McCoy, but his lips were in a thin line.

"Leon," she whispered, and he took in a deep breath, letting it out as his gaze moved to meet hers.

She smiled as she leaned up, her soft kiss turning hard, her tongue sneaking out to lick his lips, her teeth nibbling at him as she swung her leg over to straddle him.

He returned the kiss with equal fervor, his hands moving down her bare back and coming to the side of her ribs.

She smiled as she pulled back, breathless but still able to giggle at the ticklish feeling. She felt his lips smile against her neck as he breathed her in.

"We should get dressed," he said, sounding angry at the fact.


The prisoners were already on-board and Admiral Pike was talking to Kirk as they waited for McCoy to arrive. Kirk wanted to give a plausible reason as to why he was late, but knew that his silly grin would give it away.

Even with his year probation, McCoy was in higher spirits as ever. And his Doctor 'friend' had even taken to humming while making her tray in the galley.

It also seemed that if Kirk gave an excuse, it would make the Admiral even tenser towards him. He thought they had a good, mutually respectful relationship, but Pike was curt, short with his sentences, and never cracked a grin at any of his jokes like he used to.

He opened his mouth to talk about Yeoman Wyatt's promising future as an Officer of Starfleet when Pike's attention was drawn away.

Kirk turned and raised an eyebrow at the sight before him.

McCoy and Lena were there, standing close but keeping enough distance to as not be touching. He was surprised Lena was there – he had reasoned that McCoy was late to board for their goodbye because of her…

They stopped a few feet away and McCoy turned to Lena, whispering something under his breath. Lena's mouth twitched but she nodded. He reached for her, but faltered, standing up straight and turning away, walking towards them.

Kirk watched as her mouth fell into a frown, watching him walk away.

"Admiral," McCoy said shortly.

"Officer McCoy," Pike replied.

McCoy gave a gruff nod to Kirk but he shook his head, pulling him into a hug, patting his back hard as he pulled back.

"We won't be the same without you, Bones," he said.

McCoy rolled his eyes.

"Don't get sappy on me, I had enough of that with my nurses," he said gruffly, his head turning slightly as he looked over his shoulder to Lena.

"Well, the two of us are different," Kirk said, and McCoy turned back to him, nodding in understanding.

"See you, kid," McCoy said, clapping him on the shoulder before walking around him, stepping onto the ramp leading to the sub-Ship.

Kirk didn't watch him and instead watched Lena, stock still, her eyes wet as she stared at McCoy's retreating figure. But then her face changed and her eyebrows furrowed deep as her hands clenched into fists.

"Admiral Pike!" she said, almost at a yell.

"Woman, what the hell are you-" McCoy started, but Lena shook her head as she approached Pike, sticking her hand out.

"Doctor Klipp, sir," she said as he returned the handshake with a raised eyebrow.

"Milena-" McCoy started again but Lena stopped all of them in their tracks.

"I'm in love with Officer McCoy, sir. We are… well, I'm unsure, but I'm telling the truth. And I don't want us to be a secret anymore. I understand that due to my record this might result in a harsh reprimand, but I am willing to take it."

"Like hell you are," McCoy growled, walking around to stand next to her. She didn't look at him though, and kept her gaze on the Admiral, who was looking back and forth between them.

"I am willing to step down from my position as a Doctor of the Enterprise, as long as McCoy isn't further reprimanded-"

"What she means to say is that if you have a problem with us, then we will both be stepping down as Officers of the Enterprise, and she's coming home with me right now."

"Oh, hell no!" Kirk shouted, "Congrats, guys, by the way – but I won't-"

"Enough!" Pike said, holding his hand up. They all quieted and Lena grabbed at McCoy's hand. He squeezed it tight, staring the Admiral down.

"In what I already suspect was his reason for this probation, I would say that a year away should be enough reprimand – for the both of you. However if Commander Spock has one thing to say about any emotional compromise in the Medical Bay on his return, one or both of you will be off this ship."

Almost comically, McCoy and Lena stared at him, blinking.

Lena then broke out into a smile and turned, throwing her arms around McCoy's neck as he leant down so they could share one final kiss.

The Admiral shook his head, rubbing his temples, muttering under his breath.

Lena pulled back and McCoy smiled, wrapping her in a tight embrace before letting go.

"Love you," he said softly, and Lena's cheeks blushed a deep red as she echoed him in reply. At that, McCoy walked towards the sub-Ship again, this time finally boarding.

Lena smiled at Pike, but then drew her mouth into a twitching straight line as she drew her shoulders straight.

"Admiral, thank you for your time," she said, giving him a nod before leaving.

Pike let out a sigh, crossing his arms as he turned to Kirk.

"And I suppose you knew something about this?"

Kirk only shrugged.

"Those two run a tight Medical Bay together, and Bones has even loosened up on his bedside manner since Officer Klipp joined us. Whatever they have, I knew it wasn't anything to be concerned about, sir."

Pike only stared so Kirk interrupted the silence.

"Well, I'll say again it was a surprise that you came along to transport our prisoners and our Doctor back home, however-"

Someone cleared their throat behind him, and Kirk turned, breaking into a smile despite his confusion.

Kamira was there, smiling timidly at him.

And she was in her old clothes, no longer in Starfleet uniform.

He stared at her, dumbfounded for a moment before it clicked.

"No!" he yelled.

Kamira stopped short, her eyes growing wide at the outburst. He heard Pike command him to stand down, but he shook his head, walking right into her space, their faces inches apart.

"No," he said sternly, as though a command.

He faltered when he saw that her eyes and nose were red, and there was a trail of a tear still drying on her cheek.

"Kamira…" he started, but she shook her head.

"I… it's not plausible for me to be here, Kirk."

He shook his head.

"Don't go all Spock on me now," he muttered.

She looked over his shoulder – at her father – and then back at him.

"Don't do this," he whispered.

"I have to!" she yelled out. She blinked, surprised at the outburst, but it was well within reason. "I'm not even official Starfleet. We all know I'm a… passenger, just waiting for that ride home." She took a deep breath, straightening her shoulders, trying her hardest to sound distant as she continued, "My ride's here, Kirk."

He shook his head, and she was surprised that his eyes looked glassy.

"Why didn't you-"

"Because I knew you would've-"

"Of course I would!" he interrupted. She raised an eyebrow at him and he turned away, pacing a few steps away as his hands moved over his face before rushing back.

"After all of this, you're just leaving? Not even a goodbye to anyone?" he faded off, paying the guilt card. She only shook her head.

"I… I've said my goodbyes, Kirk. There's only one more to give," she said, searching his gaze.

He shut down, his face falling into a neutral stance, moving his hands behind his body.

She frowned, and the first tear that had been building up finally fell down her cheek. She didn't even bother to wipe it away as she glanced over Kirk's shoulder at Pike, giving a curt nod.

Her dad returned the nod, his face grim as he turned and boarded the sub-ship, leaving them alone.

She met Kirk's gaze, still glassy – but that was the only emotion his face was showing. He was still in his Captain's stance.

So this was how he wanted it.

She sighed, another tear falling as she brought in a soft breath, trying her hardest not to let out a sob. She took a step forward and noticed Kirk's posture stiffen as she came in close.

She raised a hand and gently rested it on his cheek, his soft stubble scratching her hand in a pleasing way.

Another tear fell, and she sucked in a breath before reaching up onto her toes to brush their lips together. She pulled back slightly, staring at him a few inches away.

"Thank you for saving my life and so much more," she said softly, her hand still on his cheek, her pinky involuntarily moving to trace his jaw.

His face twisted as though in pain and he shook his head before he bent down to bring their lips together again, kissing her a thorough goodbye.

She pulled back, her hand falling, keeping her eyes closed as she caught her breath, feeling a tear that wasn't her own on her cheek.

He stayed silent, unmoving, only staring.

The word goodbye wouldn't be efficient. It would make things worse.

"I will never forget you, James," she whispered.

At that, his eyes closed.

She stared at him, memorizing him before she walked past him and up the ramp of the sub-ship. She stopped just at the end, turning around.

Kirk was watching her.

She gave a faint smile before she turned around and stepped onto the ship. She was finally going home.

So why did she feel so empty?