When he could finally bring himself to let her go, McCoy took Hope back to the hotel, where they made good use of the big, comfortable bed. This time, there was no doubt that it was he who couldn't keep his hands off her, and the doctor was very relieved to see Hope back to her confident, joyful self.
It seemed that every time he thought their love couldn't possibly get any stronger, Hope managed to prove him wrong. Despite all the worrying she put him through, he'd found a kind of happiness with her that he'd certainly never expected to find in life. But even though he thought he'd learned to accept it as a gift and rejoice in his good fortune, a tiny voice in his head would always keep warning him that all good things must come to an end, and that he really didn't deserve it.
Deliberately pushing those unbidden thoughts aside, he followed an eager Hope into the shower, trusting that her tender lips and caressing hands would help him wash all negativity down the drain. And it worked. As always, her soothingly exciting, and excitingly soothing presence filled his soul with a sense of well-being that simply left no room for anything else.
Afterwards, they went for a long, blissful stroll through the gorgeous countryside, where she made him tell every little detail about his meeting with Joanna, and he happily obliged. Hope listened attentively as he told her of their talk about his marriage, the divorce, and the years after, squeezing his hand comfortingly when she heard what Jocelyn had put their daughter through. He realised only now, that because Hope had been too tactful to ask, he'd never really told her any of this. And when he couldn't seem to stop going on about how happy he was to have had this conversation with his daughter, the doctor was incredibly touched to see how genuinely delighted Hope was for him.
Watching her soak up the beauty and scents of the place, McCoy was reminded of Paradise Earth, another beautiful planet, where they'd enjoyed a wonderful hike on an assignment and spent two unforgettable, if innocent nights together. Just like then, being surrounded by nature was balm to Hope's soul, leaving no trace of her being insecure or troubled. She seemed perfectly all right again. Maybe her insomnia and general tenseness of late had been nothing more than a reaction to all her recent traumata after all. Maybe she was right, and he did worry too much about her, just as she always said. He certainly hoped so.
"As much as I enjoy this time alone with you, shouldn't we meet up with the others, too, at some point?" Hope broke into his musings. "After all, you're the reason they're here."
"Not unless you want to," he replied with a smile. "I've already taken them out to dinner yesterday, since Joanna wanted to thank them, too, and I've sent them to watch a show tonight. Today is all about you, my love. We'll do whatever you want."
"Well, I'm certainly not objecting to that, Leonard," Hope laughed, turning towards him and blowing him a kiss.
Feeling the sudden need to thank her again, McCoy stopped in the shade of a few enormous trees, grabbed a surprised Hope by the arms, and pulled her around to face him, looking deeply into her eyes.
"I know, I've said it before, love, and I'll probably say it again, but I just can't thank you enough for sacrificing half of your well-deserved shore leave for my daughter. I wish I had the words to tell you how much this time with her meant to me."
"I know, Leonard," Hope replied softly, but emphatically, an indulgent smile curling up her lips, "and it's a shame Joanna couldn't get more than two days off. But while I greatly value your appreciation, please stop treating me like this selfless saint. I mean, seriously, two days of shore leave versus the rare chance for someone to spend quality time with their daughter, that's a no-brainer, wouldn't you agree? You'd have done the same for anyone. But, of course, it's even nicer to do it for the person you love most in the world."
McCoy looked at her a little longer, blinking back the tears at what she'd just said. He really was too emotional today, and not only on Spock's scale, either. So, letting a wide grin spread across his face, he raised a self-deprecating eyebrow and shrugged.
"Come along then, oh wise one," he chuckled, and pulled Hope further along the path.
-x-x-x-x-x-
Jenny enjoyed walking hand in hand with the doctor through this amazing scenery. Being able to be so close to him and show her affection openly in public felt incredible and reminded her of their first shore leave together. The one that had led to them admitting their feelings for each other at long last. There were so many fond memories attached.
The first thing Jenny wanted after their stroll was dinner at a cosy restaurant, and McCoy took her to a lovely place serving food from all corners of the galaxy. They chatted throughout their meal, and Jenny was once again amazed by how the two of them never ran out of topics to talk about. Even after all this time together, there was still so much to learn about each other, so many thoughts and experiences to share, so many words of love, appreciation, and encouragement to exchange.
Not to forget about the number of stories and memories to share a laugh over, something she especially loved about their relationship. Serious and focused as McCoy was on the job, which, unfortunately, was most of the time on the Enterprise, he could be so much fun off-duty. When he wasn't worrying about something or other, of course. His dry sense of humour often had Jenny in stitches.
On their way back to the hotel, they passed a club advertising romantic dancing, and Jenny didn't have to think twice before pulling the doctor inside. The music playing at the moment was fast paced and rhythmic, and didn't strike her as overly romantic, but in his current state of happiness McCoy didn't seem to mind. Jenny was really glad to see him like this, and was rather impressed with his dance moves. She didn't often get the chance to watch him dance, and was full of admiration for the gracefulness with which he moved. And, truthfully, more than a little turned on, too.
After a while, the music slowed down, and McCoy didn't lose a moment before drawing Jenny close. Her arms around his neck, while his were wrapped around her waist, they swayed to the gentle rhythm, smiling from ear to ear and nearly drowning in each other's eyes. Only halfway into the second song, they were already locked in the most tender, never-ending kiss.
When the pace of the music picked up again, McCoy grabbed her hand and pulled her outside, finding a bank for them to sit on, not overlooking the sea like on their first shore leave, but the beautifully moonlit lake instead. Wrapping an arm around her shoulders to keep her warm, he rested his head on top of hers, and she could feel his lips curving into a content smile against her hair..
"It's just like our first shore leave," Jenny murmured, "only better, because I don't have to persuade you to hold or kiss me anymore."
McCoy's answer was to pull her even closer, and she happily nestled further into his embrace.
"So much has happened since," the doctor drawled, his voice sounding dreamy, "and yet, I can perfectly recall my feelings when we first danced together. I could feel you under my skin, you'd completely turned my head, and I was just helpless to resist. I knew kissing you was so very wrong, but I was utterly under your spell. All those months of secretly loving you, of restraining myself. All that pining."
"You were pining for me?" Jenny giggled.
"Every night, my dear," the doctor chuckled, lovingly running his fingers through her hair. "Like a lovesick teenager. Living only for the moments I could be near you. Look at you, touch you, or even hold you."
"Me too," she sighed softly, then turned her head to look up at him thoughtfully. "And do you regret it? Giving in to that kiss, I mean?"
McCoy's reply was instant.
"Never," he shook his head. "No matter what the future holds. I could never go back."
"Not even to be rid of all the worrying I put you through?" she wanted to know.
"Do you really think I'd worry less about you, if I hadn't kissed you and we weren't together?" he laughed incredulously.
"Wouldn't you?" she asked, looking at him quizzically, but really already knowing the answer.
"Jenny," he chuckled indulgently, "you know perfectly well that my love for you doesn't depend on us being together, or even on your reciprocating, as a matter of fact. I'd love you just as much if you didn't even know I existed. But, of course, knowing you love me back is my preferred version."
The doctor treated her to one of his trademark smiles, the kind that lit up his whole face and melted Jenny's heart, and pulled her in for a deliciously passionate kiss, which she returned with fervour. This was definitely going to be another unforgettable night.
-x-x-x-x-x-
Upon their return to the Enterprise, they found themselves more than grateful for the past two days of peaceful bliss, when, unsurprisingly really, they immediately found themselves in the middle of the next crisis.
One of the ambassadors aboard broke down almost the moment they stepped off the transporter, showing all the signs of heavy organ failure.
"Of course, it has to be the one ambassador whose species has only recently joined the Federation, and whose medical details I only know in theory," McCoy grumbled to Hope with a heavy heart, as they quickly changed into their uniforms.
And pressing a last wistful kiss on her lovely lips, he hurried out the door of his quarters towards sickbay, feeling his default worried frown sliding firmly back into place.
