Jenny buried her face in the doctor's chest, inhaling his comforting scent and relishing being wrapped in his protective embrace. She'd been longing to be this close to him again for weeks, and it felt just wonderful. To think that only minutes ago, she'd been feeling scared, alone, lost. And McCoy's tender arms had taken all those feelings away, just like that, and replaced them with warm comfort. This was exactly what she'd been dreaming about every night. And right now, the doctor's arms felt like the safest place in the world.

She'd been thinking about her life, her future, afraid that those missing years would come back to haunt her, not just privately, but that they might even endanger her career. Heading a department full of older, experienced scientists, when she felt like a mere cadet, barely graduated, was proving more intimidating than she'd anticipated. And all the stories about her, that people kept telling her, all these tall tales about this strong, admirable woman who was a complete stranger to her, put an almost crushing pressure to perform on her.

So, she'd done what she always did when she felt troubled or insecure. She'd come to sickbay. As if sickbay held all the answers. But she couldn't help it, she just felt incredibly comfortable around the place and had already found herself ending up here numerous times, when she'd actually just been aimlessly wandering around the ship, lost in thought. Drawn to the place, or possibly the doctor, not just figuratively, but also literally.

Why was she so attracted to McCoy, anyway? He was older, he was moody and irascible, and yet, he was always so gentle with her. Like now. He'd been less than welcoming when she'd knocked on his door earlier, her embarrassment growing even worse when she hadn't been able to explain what she'd actually come to sickbay for, afraid that she was starting to forget even the most recent events as well. But when he'd seen her distress, he'd gone from gruff to soft in the blink of an eye, as if all those layers of grumpiness had just fallen away to reveal his true, caring nature.

Opening his arms for her, holding her so tenderly, so protectively, had seemed to come naturally to him. Jenny might not always know where she stood with the doctor, his stressful job probably the main reason for his frequent crabbiness, those layers of grouchy irritation a protective shield against all the pain and despair he was confronted with on a daily basis, so it wouldn't get in the way of his medical efficiency and break him emotionally. But she was absolutely certain that he'd always be there if she was in real trouble. If anyone was in real trouble, she corrected herself quickly. He was kind like that.

Even standing here like this, their arms around each other like lovers, she had to stay aware of the fact that she was really no one special to him, just another patient, another crew member. No matter how much she wished this could be more, he was not interested in her that way. She was just someone he felt protective about. Probably because he had a daughter nearly the same age, as she'd learned from Uhura only this morning over breakfast. Jenny remembered that particular conversation vividly.

"You're sometimes too sweet for your own good, Jenny," Uhura had said, rolling her eyes and shaking her head indulgently. "Not long ago, you even sacrificed your ticket for shore leave on the galaxy's hottest recreation planet, so that Dr. McCoy could meet his daughter there."

"McCoy has a daughter?" Jenny had been completely taken aback.

"Yes, he does. Joanna. Although he doesn't get to see her often. He's divorced. And Joanna's almost your age, by the way."

Oh!

That had certainly been an eye-opener. If McCoy had a daughter around the same age, that was probably why he felt so protective about her. And if she'd given him the chance to see Joanna on shore leave, he was surely grateful, too. Jenny could hardly believe how much that information had hurt, but it had, of course, explained why the doctor would never have a romantic interest in her, someone young enough to be his daughter.

Well, she could still enjoy his company. And stay in his arms as long as he let her, now that she'd finally got another chance to be close to him. Nothing had changed, really. At least not as far as he was concerned. And hadn't the security she felt when she was with him, his protectiveness, been what had drawn her to him in the first place? She could still relish that. Yes, she'd be more than content with his friendship, if it even was that.

Despite never wanting this heavenly moment to end, Jenny found herself pulling out of the embrace after a while. McCoy hadn't given any indication that he wanted her to, but with her arms so intimately around his waist, she suddenly felt shy again. It felt all wrong, and yet so incredibly right. Well, the way she was clinging to him, he'd hardly have the heart to push her away anytime soon. No, she had to let go first. It was certainly what he expected and patiently waited for. And she really didn't want to test the limits of his patience.

"I'm sorry, Doctor," Jenny smiled, pulling back and shivering against the sudden cold, as the doctor slowly let his hands slide down her arms before letting go completely, as if he wanted to make sure she was steady on her feet again. "Thank you."

Or maybe he needed to steady himself? He'd seemed almost reluctant to let her go, too. But that was just wishful thinking.

"My pleasure, love," McCoy drawled, his adorable accent suddenly thick, and the tenderness in his eyes, as he gazed at her, melting her heart. "You all right?"

"Better than all right," she beamed, feeling elated, her body still glowing from his closeness and his tender touch. "This was just what I needed."

The words were out before she realised what she was saying, and she could instantly feel the colour rising to her cheeks. The kindness he was showing her was clearly going to her head. But McCoy's affectionate gaze never faltered.

"Told you I knew you well," he smiled, his words sending shivers down her spine, and while she was still trying to figure out whether to feel soothed or excited, he added, "Unfortunately, I need to prepare for my next patient now, but how about having coffee with me this evening, and then we can talk some more?"

Jenny's heart was hammering so loudly in her chest, she was afraid the doctor might hear it. She'd really missed their coffee evenings, which, for some reason, had ended abruptly several weeks ago.

"I'd like that," she finally managed to reply, taking a couple of steps back and hearing the sliding doors hiss open behind her. "Since I used to work with you, and you said yourself that you know me well, maybe you can even tell me something about myself that Christine and Nyota haven't yet?"

"I just might," McCoy nodded, his voice soft and warm, his sparkling eyes following Jenny as she practically danced out of his office.

-x-x-x-x-x-

Going to see McCoy had been a mistake, Chekov thought morosely, looking past the pretty ensign from engineering, who was making eyes at him, to where Hope and McCoy were sitting in a cosy corner of the observation deck, looking as in love as they always had. It was just like before Jenny's coma, only that it hurt so much more today, because he'd really thought he was in with a chance. Jenny had definitely been behaving differently towards him these last few weeks.

But talking to the doctor about her had been a silly idea. All he'd done was probably just remind McCoy not to let Hope slip through his fingers. Only a few hours ago, the doctor had told him to be careful and take it slow, and now he was flirting with Hope himself. Why the two of them weren't together in the first place, was beyond him. Watching them, it was perfectly clear that they wanted each other. And why would anyone in their right mind not want Jenny, when they could so obviously have her?

But maybe it was only really her who was in love with him? Maybe the doctor just needed his ego massaged? Or even worse, just wanted her flawless body in his bed? Chekov was appalled at the very idea, feeling outraged just looking at McCoy seductively smiling at Jenny.

Granted, he didn't actually believe that taking advantage of a woman was something the doctor would do. But his divorce had made him bitter, and he'd definitely once or twice mentioned avoiding commitment ever since. Chekov had certainly never seen McCoy in a serious relationship. And come to think of it, he'd only ever seen the doctor charm and flirt with women on shore leave, or when they were guests on the Enterprise.

Oh! There's a thought!

Maybe that was the reason? Maybe McCoy didn't get involved with anyone from the crew? But then, why keep Hope from finding love with anyone else? Surely, even the doctor must see how affectionate and giving Hope was. And that she needed and deserved to be truly loved and treasured in return.

-x-x-x-x-x-

McCoy hadn't felt that good in ages. Seeing Hope so relaxed, so cheerful again, was balm to his soul. He really shouldn't have withdrawn from her. She'd told him all about her fears, and he felt extremely guilty for not having been there for her sooner. For letting his own hurt get in the way of supporting her when she'd so desperately needed him. He'd been so busy nursing his own heartache, that he'd completely ignored that Hope might have fears of her own, simply assuming she'd be all right, not knowing what she was missing, anyway.

But he wasn't going to let that happen again. Seeing her worries dissolve and her confidence return as they talked, made his heart swell with love and happiness. They'd always been good at reassuring and comforting each other. Nothing seemed to have changed there. Hope still chose him to confide in, trusted him to help her fix things. The realisation sent a surge of humble gratitude through him, and he made a silent promise not to fail her again.

Over the course of the evening, McCoy told her endless stories about her time in sickbay and their missions, and Hope soaked up every word. He couldn't tell her how every little thing she'd done had made him fall crazy in love with her, of course. Didn't mention anything about shore leave, or the night she'd spent in his arms in a cave on a mission before that. But he could tell her all about the wonderful things she'd done, from taking care of children to saving people's lives, and let her know that he admired her for all of that.

Perhaps he'd been wrong in his assessment not to interfere with her memories. Considering that she might never actually recover those two years, maybe it was okay to give her more than just the facts. Maybe telling her of his feelings about certain events, or even whether she'd liked or enjoyed something herself, was all right. And judging from the delight on her face and the eagerness with which she kept asking for ever more details, it certainly was.

Hope had always been endearingly sentimental and loved trips down memory lane. And from the way her eyes were gleaming now, he could tell that she was enjoying herself immensely, listening to him telling her stories about things she didn't remember. Maybe this was their new way of reminiscing, at least until they'd made new, real memories together.

When they were almost the only ones left on the observation deck, McCoy gently suggested that it was time to go to bed, and the happy mood was a little subdued when they had to go their separate ways, each to their own quarters. McCoy didn't even dare to 'walk her home', as he would have loved to do, for fear of being too obvious. And afraid of not being able to simply say good night outside her quarters, of losing control and doing something stupid like kiss her. Baby steps, he told himself.

They arranged another 'date' for the next day, however, the doctor asking her to come see him in sickbay after her shift, since he wanted to check, and maybe update her medical knowledge a little before the landing mission the day after. Hope readily agreed, and McCoy was almost certain to see her eyes light up at the prospect of spending another evening with him.

That night, for the first time since Hope had fallen into a coma, McCoy's bed didn't seem as cold as it had for the past few weeks. The memory of holding her only hours before sent the warmest feelings through him. He'd had to be careful not to crush her in his eagerness to be as close to her as he possibly could, and If she hadn't pulled away, he might not have been able to let her go at all.

As he was drifting off to sleep, smiling at the image of Hope's animated face in his mind, he couldn't help but wonder, if she might, somehow, be thinking about him, too, right now.