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"I'm thinking of dropping out."
"It's not that hard of a test." Jim said, not looking up at Leonard.
"No. I'm actually thinking of dropping out." he said. "Well, not out of school, just Starfleet. I'm gonna transfer somewhere else." Kirk looked up now.
"Why?"
"Because I'm just not sure I want to be in Starfleet, okay? it's not particle physics, I just don't think I belong in Starfleet is all. I'd rather be earth-based."
"Then work at a base, you'll be fine in Starfleet. just let this sit a week and you'll forget all about it." Jim said, waving his friend off. Bones glared.
"No. I don't think I will. i'll still be thinking about it."
"You think of this after three years here?!" Jim stood. "You can't transfer-you went on training already! You study like crazy! you've never complained about Starfleet or anything before!"
"Well maybe I should've been!" Bones stood up too. "I don't belong here anymore, okay? I'm going to put in a application to the University of Lousiana."
"But why?!"
"Because I don't want to be in Starfleet, okay?! god, it's not even any of your dang business what I do and don't do with my life Jim, you aren't my Captain!"
"You'll never have a Captain anyway if you leave!"
"All the more reason to!" he stormed from the room.
Kirk shouted, frustrated and stormed out. what did Leonard think he was doing just suddenly announcing he was thinking of leaving and then proclaiming he really was when Jim tried to convince him to stay? Ugh!
know nothing, skirt-chasing, cocky little son of a-ugh! stupid flirt, a complete egomaniac! Bones fumed to himself, as he stormed across campus.
Who is he to try to tell me what I can and cannot do! I don't want to be in Starfleet, can't he just accept that?! nooo, of course not because he already thinks he's our Captain! Well, Jim can go-
-Bones ran into Spock. in a literal meaning of the phrase.
"Sorry." he mumbled, brushing off his shirt and backing away a few steps. "Wasn't watching I guess."
"That much is quite obvious Leonard. Are you upset over something?" asked Spock.
"Why would you care?"
"Just because I have no emotions does not mean I am unaware of those of the people around me and how they can affect them."
"Well then yes I am upset. but it's not any of your business so-"
"-what did James do?"
"What makes you think it was James?"
"No one else gets you this upset." Leonard sighed.
"Fine. It was Jim. I told him I was transferring. He was upset."
Spock raised an eyebrow. "And why are you transferring?"
"Because I don't want to be in Starfleet. I don't want to be stuck on some stupid spaceship for years straight. I'd rather have some nice little private practice on Earth down south somewhere."
"Then do that." Spock said. "If that is what you truly want to achieve in life."
McCoy looked the Vulcan over. "Seriously? Just like that you're telling me I can do it?"
"I'm not telling you that you can do anything. I have no say in your choices. Neither does James or anyone else here."
"I know you don't." he said. "I'll see you later, okay?" Spock nodded and both young men went separate ways.
"How can he do this?! It's ridiculous!" Jim fumed to Spock. "how can he say 'I don't want to be in Starfleet' after being here for three years?! Ugh!" Spock listened calmly.
"James. have you considered that maybe your perception of the situation is somewhat affected by the fact you have never wanted anything but Starfleet?"
Kirk thought. "...Well. Possibly but obviously Bones wanted to be here too."
"Have you considered that this wasn't his first choice?" Kirk sat down, thinking.
"No..."
"So for all either of us know Starfleet was his last choice after not getting accepted to any other school he applied to." Spock finished. "So if he now had the opportunity to transfer to a school he would've rather gone to in the first place, why wouldn't he?"
Kirk thought about that. "But...he's never acted like he didn't like it here before...did something happen?"
"Nothing happened." Bones had come in and was leaning in the doorway. "I'm just ready for the change. And that's all there is to it." He went and sat at his desk. "It's no like I won't see you guys or talk to you or shit anymore, I just won't be a student at the same school."
"I know, and that's gonna change stuff." Kirk said. "Bones-Leonard-come on. can't you say why space suddenly no longer appeals to you?"
"Simple." McCoy said. "It never appealed to me in the first place. So for god's sake can we just drop this and accept I'm leaving after Christmas?"
Jim sighed Spock said nothing. "...fine. Best of Luck, Bones."
"Thanks, Jim."
"Are you still gonna spend Christmas break with us?" asked Kirk. Bones nodded. Kirk smiled. "And you too Spock, yeah?"
"My plans remain unchanged. I'll spend winter break with your family."
"Awesome."
Kirk was laying awake in bed that night thinking. He looked over at sleeping Leonard, thinking. he said they would all still be friends and keep in touch but Kirk wasn't so sure. Bones was choosing a totally different kind of life than he and Spock. And while they could maybe still be friends, things would never be the same if Bones left and Jim knew that.
And so did Spock. And So did Leonard. but none of the three was going to try to change it anymore.
He can't leave. but I can't stop him. And I guess I want him to be happy so...best of luck, Bones. Though a tired and miserable Kirk.
