When Jenny opened her eyes again, she was lying in bed, stripped down to her underwear with her clothes neatly folded on the sideboard, her back comfortably snuggled up against McCoy's warm body spooning her. With one arm tightly wrapped around her waist, the doctor was fast asleep, letting out a soft snore with every other breath, a sure sign of exhaustion and stimulants wearing off.
Jenny couldn't help smiling, as she realised how familiar she'd already become with intimate little details like that. She felt a rush of intense affection for the man in whose arms she felt safe and cared for like never before, and was reminded of the first time they'd spent a night together, lying like this, back when they were still only crewmates, way before either of them had admitted to the deep, loving feelings they held for each other.
Fully dressed, on the cold and hard ground of a cave on a mission, this had been the only position to fit them both in the small space, sharing a single mat and a blanket. It had felt a little awkward at first, if also rather exciting, but the moment McCoy's arm had closed around her, Jenny had known that this was the place she'd always longed to be.
Remembering how she'd wriggled around in the doctor's arms that night, just to feel the comfort of his body wrapped so protectively around her, his arm reflexively pulling her closer every time she moved, even in his sleep, she started to shift around now, too. And, sure enough, his arm immediately tensed, tightening his hold on her.
Is there any place that could feel safer? she thought lovingly.
Shifting again and again, she didn't notice when McCoy's gentle snoring stopped, and started at the sudden low growl in her ear.
"You're playing with fire here, young lady," he murmured, pressing against her, as she felt his hand gradually slide lower down her stomach, finding its way underneath her shirt to her skin, and playing with the elastic waist of her panties.
As always, his hand moved ever so slowly at first, not – just – to tease her, but to give her time to say no or push him away. That had been his way ever since they'd first been intimate with each other, and he still waited for her 'consent', as he called it, every single time. Making it very clear that he'd never do anything she didn't want him to, and would always respect any boundaries she set, was extremely important to him. And one more reason for her to love him like she did.
But, just as always, Jenny was helpless to resist and melted under the doctor's skilful touch, sighing and moaning her consent, gently guiding his hand even lower. Of course, he knew exactly what he was doing, doubtlessly enjoying this power he had over her. But trusting him completely and knowing that she held the same power over him, she enjoyed it, too. All questions she'd meant to ask first thing when he woke up completely disappeared from her mind, as she gave herself over to the touch of his tender hands, her body craving the pleasures he could give.
-x-x-x-x-x-
Groaning at the teasing way Hope wiggled against him, certainly one of the best ways to be woken up and exactly what he needed after the horrors of the last two days, McCoy started to work his magic on her delightful body. He loved how responsive she was to every little touch. Feeling her desire grow with every kiss, every caress, even the lightest tap of a finger, was without question the greatest turn-on he'd ever known. A discovery, and, admittedly, quite a revelation, he'd made already in their first night together.
It didn't take long for her to turn around in his arms, kiss him hungrily, and let her hands work a little of their own magic on his body. She'd certainly got to know him well over the past few weeks, perfectly aware by now where and how he liked to be touched most. Trying and failing to remember a lover who'd been such a perfect fit, he was forever amazed by how they could make each other feel.
And, grateful for this still being an official day off, McCoy let himself be swept away by love and desire, losing all track of time as he completely focused on thanking Hope for everything she'd done for him and Joanna in the most pleasurable ways.
-x-x-x-x-x-
"How is Joanna?" typically, was the first thing Hope asked, when she'd finally caught her breath again, her voice still thick with the intense emotions of only minutes ago.
"She's fine," McCoy answered, touched, his body pleasantly tingling with contentment. "I was even able to talk to her in real time last night. You have no idea how incredible it was to see her well again. To know that she's out of danger. And all thanks to you."
He tenderly kissed Hope's forehead.
"I completely missed that," she smiled apologetically, "but I'm so happy for you. And I'm really sorry for falling asleep on you! I must have been more exhausted than I was aware of. I don't even remember going to bed."
"That's because you didn't," the doctor chuckled, a new wave of tenderness washing over him, as he remembered finding her fast asleep, curled up on the floor after he'd finished his call to New Oxbridge and informed Spock last night.
He'd felt a little guilty, of course, seeing that she'd obviously been too worn out to drag herself even the few steps to bed, but mostly, he'd been grateful for her endless support. If not for her, he might not even have tried to find a solution at all, too caught up as he was in his terror and despair. And he might certainly have died from a broken heart without ever having learned that Joanna was all right, when this incredibly insensitive doctor had led him to believe the worst had happened the night before.
And people criticise my bedside manner!
"You fell asleep right there on the floor," the doctor smiled fondly at Hope. "I tried to wake you, but you were really out cold. You did help a little when I undressed you, though. I'm sorry, I really should have taken better care of you. I should have insisted on you getting some rest."
"You certainly had more pressing matters on your mind, Leonard," she replied soothingly, her eyes full of sympathy. "I'm an adult, I can take care of myself. And no one would have been able to pry me away from you, anyway. After everything you've done for me ever since we met, after all the times you were there for me, I'd never have left you in the lurch the first time you actually needed me. In fact, I'm so glad I was here, it scares me to think this might have happened while I was still on the Lexington."
"That's a truly scary thought," McCoy admitted quietly. "I was never more grateful to have you by my side. I'd have been lost without you."
Hope reached out a hand to caress his face, her eyes shining with kindness and compassion.
"Joanna and I owe you everything," the doctor continued, filled with a renewed sense of love and gratitude too big for his heart to contain. "You've been nothing short of amazing these last two days and nights. I've never known, and certainly never been with a more supportive partner. I'm definitely the luckiest guy in the universe."
Overwhelmed by his feelings for Hope, he hugged her so tightly to him that she let out a yelp. He quickly loosened his embrace again and pulled back a little to look into her eyes, thrilled to see his deep affection mirrored in them.
"You, Jennifer Hope, have saved my daughter's life," he murmured reverently, feeling the need to say it out loud.
"No, you did that," Hope smiled back. "You, and Spock, and everybody from the lab. I just made coffee."
McCoy chuckled at that, shaking his head and kissing her nose, just as Hope's stomach started to rumble at a volume that made them both burst out laughing. And the doctor immediately felt guilty again.
"My God, when's the last time you've eaten?" he asked, looking at her with concern. "You were dishing out snacks to everyone, but knowing you, you completely forgot to have something yourself!"
Hope looked at him sheepishly.
"You might have a point there," she admitted, "I might actually have forgotten to eat. You know how I don't really get hungry. Especially, when I've got other things on my mind."
McCoy nodded. He was just the same. Completely forgetting to eat and drink when he was in the middle of a medical emergency. But, at least, his body had more reserves to draw from. Unlike Hope, who barely managed to hold her weight on a regular diet. Now that Joanna was no longer in danger, he'd definitely have to be more mindful of Hope again.
"Let me get us some breakfast," he suggested, swinging his legs out of bed. "After what we've been through, we more than deserve to treat ourselves to a cosy breakfast in bed."
-x-x-x-x-x-
Over coffee and a pile of toast and sandwiches, Jenny suggested throwing a party for the lab staff, as a means of saying thank you, and McCoy was all for it.
"That's a great idea, love," he agreed. "I've already been thinking about how best to thank them."
"I'm sure Nyota and the boys would love to provide the entertainment, and I'm sure we can rig up something a little more special than standard dishes for food. I'll be happy to help organise it, but the invitation will of course have to come from you."
"You're always thinking of everything, aren't you?" McCoy asked fondly.
"I try to," Jenny answered, "especially where you are concerned."
After breakfast, or rather lunch, which Jenny had decided to have at the table rather than in bed after all, they snuggled up under the covers again, wanting nothing more than to be close to each other for the rest of the day. Outside McCoy's quarters, they could hear people returning from shore leave, chatting excitedly, and Jenny could see misplaced guilt crossing McCoy's face again.
"I'm so sorry to have robbed you of your well-earned shore leave, love," he murmured, and the genuine regret in his eyes was heart-breaking.
"I'm not," she replied, feeling a naughty shiver running down her spine. "Apart from there being nothing more restorative than knowing that we don't have to worry about Joanna and the other patients of New Oxbridge anymore, I can think of the perfect way for you to make it up to me."
Her heart leapt, seeing his eyes light up and a smile spread across his face at that. And as soon as his lips touched hers, she knew that she was in for an unforgettable afternoon.
-x-x-x-x-x-
A few days later, with life on the Enterprise back to normal, McCoy and Jenny were having one of their routine late-night coffees on the observation deck. No matter how much they loved spending time alone in the doctor's quarters, they still treasured their long-standing tradition of ending the day with drinks and conversation.
They talked about the party, which had been a big hit with the lab staff and all their friends, who'd celebrated Joanna's recovery as if she were their own daughter or sister, thus demonstrating their love and appreciation for the CMO. And although he'd tried hard not to let it show, Jenny knew that McCoy had been deeply touched and genuinely surprised by how much they all cared. She couldn't understand and was, in fact, saddened by his incredulity whenever people showed they cared for him, thinking he should really know by now. So, she was incredibly grateful for every opportunity to remind him what a special and treasured person he was.
As so often, when they were deep in conversation, they lost all track of time, and suddenly found themselves all alone on the deserted observation deck. Looking around, McCoy winked at Jenny and grinningly suggested going back to his quarters for some 'real' privacy. But before they'd even got up from the couch, they heard a strange humming noise coming from the far side of the deck, as an almost translucent creature that looked like a large, pulsating blob materialised right in front of the huge window.
Not even a week going by without new surprises on the Enterprise, Jenny thought curiously, just as the intruder alert went off and McCoy, instantly going into full protector mode, quickly stepped in front of her and, roughly grabbing her arm, shoved her tightly behind his back.