Disclaimer: not mine…

Episode 12: A Lesson in Marriage

There were some away missions that the doctor adored. Particularly the ones that involved shore leave on gorgeous sunny planets filled with plant life and sprawling tree lines or beaches. His ever on duty partner agreed with his sentiment, even if it was never outwardly expressed.

However…

Away missions that involved beautiful women throwing themselves at men were another story entirely….

"You're telling me you're not at all jealous?" Kirk asked while watching Spock slow dance with a gorgeous female. She was just a head shorter than Spock, pale gray skin covered in black glittering speckles. Her large amethyst eyes shone behind her thick eyelashes as she spoke with the Vulcan.

"Are you kidding?" McCoy guffawed. "This is fantastic! I get to tease him about this for weeks!" Jim gave him a dubious look. "You forget. He might look cool as a cucumber out there but I know what he's really feeling."

"And? What goes through a Vulcan's mind while dancing with the princess of a strange and beautiful world?" Jim asked curiosity getting the best of him.

"How interesting those plant samples were earlier." They giggled then laughed out loud. Spock cocked an eyebrow in their direction.

"I think he's onto us." James chuckled.

They drank and watched their friend for a while longer. When the song ended the woman pulled Spock down into a deep, rather lewd kiss. Jim raised his eyebrows glancing to his friend. Leonard sipped his drink, seemingly unfazed.

"Nothing? Seriously?" Kirk asked in amazement.

"Me or him?" Bones nodded to his counterpart still mid snog.

"Why? Is he feeling something different now?" He teased.

"He's…" McCoy paused to find the right word. "Intrigued."

"I bet he is." Kirk chuckled then caught himself. "Sorry Bones."

"Well, who wouldn't be?" McCoy shrugged and smiled as the Vulcan made his way back to his friends.

"Having fun?" Kirk smirked slyly.

"Indeed." Spock took a drink of McCoy's beverage. His brow furrowed at the taste and he handed it back to the human who sniggered and nodded.

"I'll get something for you." McCoy patted his lover's shoulder.

"Apparently, I am now engaged to Princess Azri." The Vulcan stated nonchalantly.

"What?" Was Kirk's nearly gasped response. "Uh… con-congratulations?" He bit his lip, unsure.

"Thank you Jim."

"Wh-what about Bones?" He questioned.

"What about me?" He handed Spock a drink he deemed worthy. The Vulcan lifted an approving eyebrow at the taste.

"Darling!" Lady Azri trotted over, minding she didn't trip over her tail. "Father says we can be married on the morrow isn't that wonderful?"

"Princess Azri—"

"I was thinking sunset. The splendid colors of our sinking star paired with the rising of the lunar trinity would make such a spectacular back drop." She continued.

"That does sound rather—"

"Spock?" The doctor's brow wrinkled.

"I'm so happy you agree!" She said excitedly and leapt into his arms. Spock cocked an eyebrow at the captain who had been worrying his lip.

"Spock is um.." Kirk cleared his throat when the princess began kissing him once more. "Engaged… to… Princess Azri…" Jim downed the glass of alcohol he had previously been nursing.

"Of course he is…" McCoy sighed and rolled his eyes.

"I hear there is to be a wedding." The King approached and smiled. He was rather portly, his skin a light pink with dark purple spots. His tail twitched in elation at the news.

"Uh.. About that.." Kirk cleared his throat. "Our Mister Spock will be leaving with us on the Enterprise. Our mission will keep him away from your lovely daughter for… well years."

"Assuming he comes back at all…" McCoy glared. Spock quirked an eyebrow at his lover. "Don't give me that." Bones snapped at him.

"Unfortunate, but not entirely unheard of for our people as well." The King nodded.

"Your Majesty." Spock stepped away from the woman. "I am afraid I am unable to marry Princess Azri."

"You willingly participated in the ritual of engagement, did you not?"

"I fear, in this case, I was ignorant of your customs." Azri pouted her tail falling slightly.

"Ah, a misunderstanding." The King nodded sympathetically. "You are married then."

"No, I am not—"

"You couldn't just say yes?" Bones sighed.

"That would be inaccurate, Doctor."

"If you have no wife previously and found my daughter suitable to engage, then I see no reason you may not be wed." He said cheerfully, his own tail swishing behind his back. "Tomorrow at the star's departure we shall have your ceremony. Then you and your company may leave on your ongoing mission. Perhaps this marriage will be to the benefit of us all." He grinned then he and his daughter left.

"Come on Jim." McCoy pulled the other human away, leaving the Vulcan to reflect on the events of the evening.

Xxxxxx

"What are you doing?" James asked when he saw McCoy sitting on the bed in a meditation position.

"Preventing hobgoblins from invading my dreams…" He muttered, eyes still closed.

"Does that work?" He chuckled and buttoned up the silken nightshirt provided by the palace staff.

"Depends on the hobgoblin.." McCoy grumbled, stretched and yawned. "Sorry about this." He rubbed the back of his neck.

"I'm just glad to see a reaction out of you." Kirk sat next to him on the bed. "I was getting worried we had another impostor on our hands."

"Honestly I don't really know how to feel about this." He chuckled bitterly. "On one hand it's hilarious and very Spock. On the other hand…"

"Your fiancé is getting married to someone else." Kirk finished and Bones sighed.

"I can't even be mad at the green blooded bastard because I get what's going on in his damn computer brain…"

"What's that?"

"Starfleet…"

"Starfleet?" Kirk questioned then realization donned on him. "He's hoping the marriage will make King LoPaq want to join the federation."

"Not to mention regulations. We were sent as Envoys in the Ambassador's place, after all, so we have to be on our best behavior." Bones slipped under the covers on the large bed.

"I've got Uhura checking the database now, hopefully she'll find some kind of loophole or some other reason Spock wouldn't be able to marry Princess Azri." Jim laid down as well, covering himself with the blanket.

"You know, I always thought I'd lose Spock to an anglerfish…"

"Anglerfish?" Kirk gave his friend an odd look. "What does that mean?" He thought perhaps it was another reference to one of the old Earth novels the couple liked to read.

"Just that Spock's curiosity will get the better of him one day." He chuckled and closed his eyes. Jim gave him a curious look but shook his head with a small chuckle himself.

"G'night Bones."

"G'night Jim."

Xxxxx

"Do you think they'll have a place for people to object to this union?" Bones asked quietly while he sat next to Kirk who chuckled.

"I don't think they'd make it that easy." He answered. "Uhura says they don't even have words for divorce or annulment in their language."

"You're kidding.." Leonard sounded surprised.

"Apparently it's 'til death do you part here."

"What's their statistics for domestic murder…?" He said half joking.

"Bones." Kirk smirked and shook his head.

"Here they come." McCoy straightened and watched as Spock and Azri met one another on a small stage. The dusk air had a chill that he welcomed against his warm skin. The doctor had to admit, the greens, purples, and dark blues that melted together in the sky while the planet's three moons ascended, lulling the their bright counter part to sleep was a stunning sight to behold.

The ceremony began and Bones wondered why he had come. He had hoped Spock would have put a stop to this by now but it seemed he hadn't found a reason that would resonate with the King. Understanding his lover's reasons for being in this mess did nothing for his nerves, however.

What did this mean for him? If Spock went through with the marriage… what did that make him? What did it make them? His head spun with the unanswered questions he had been avoiding.

"Princess Azri," McCoy heard Spock's voice and focused on the spectacle before him once more. "If I am to marry anyone this day.. it will not be you." The crowd gasped.

"Explain." She demanded before her father had a chance to speak.

"In your culture, your marriage signifies the unity of two souls. Once unified they cannot be separated or severed. Not even by death." He recited. "Which is why you have no word for a separation after a marriage." She nodded slowly and he continued. "My soul is already connected to someone else." Her eyes widened.

"You said you were not married." Princess Azri scowled.

"Not in a traditional sense." He placed his hands behind his back then leaned down to whisper in her ear. The princess' tail swished back and forth as she thought about the implications of what she had just learned.

"Daughter?" The King ushered, curious to hear her thoughts.

"Father. I cannot marry this man…" She sighed gently.

"Are you certain?" He asked, having taken a liking to the Vulcan himself.

"I am. But it seems a waste…" She pouted. Spock leaned in and whispered in her ear once more while the rest of the crowd muttered among themselves.

"What just happened?" McCoy asked Jim, his brow furrowed.

"I think Spock figured out a way to get out of marrying the Princess, without upsetting her father." Kirk smiled in amazement.

A mischievous twinkle in her eye, Azri giggled and nodded to the Vulcan then trotted down to the seats. She looked among the people that had gathered for her special day and grinned when she spotted the Captain. Azri placed herself next to Kirk and turned to face Spock, gesturing to the captain. The First Officer shook his head and pointed to the seat next to him. Azri frowned and pointed to McCoy who looked confused and slightly offended.

"Come come." She pulled the doctor up and he stumbled forward. Azri pushed him up to the platform and made him stand with Spock in the place she had been before.

"What the hell are you doing Spock…" The Vulcan's lip twitched ever so slightly. Azri placed the ornate tiara she had worn on Leonard's head. "Is that really—"

"It is." She said sternly. Then turned to the crowd and began reciting the words to the ritual she had planned to be a part of.

Bones had no idea a wedding could take so damn long. He very nearly yawned several times and his leg began to ache from standing on it so long. He knew the ache was mostly in his mind and chose to ignore it; after all, the limb had been fully healed for some time now. Still, he couldn't help the small smile that crept to his lip when Spock held his arm out so McCoy could lean on him, alleviating his imagined pain.

"Now…" Azri smiled once the ceremony had ended. "You shall have no more misunderstandings." She kissed the cheek of both men.

"Congratulations Bones." Kirk shook his hand. "And to you Mister Spock. Or should we start calling you Mr. McCoy?" He chuckled when Spock visibly grimaced.

"I believe Spock would be best Captain."

"You're right. We don't have enough room in the Galaxy for two McCoys." Jim sniggered.

Xxxxx

Once back on the Enterprise the newlyweds were greeted by more cheers and congratulations. Bones had had enough by the third felicitation and quickly made his way to his quarters. His Vulcan counterpart went to his own quarters to meditate before joining his husband.

Commodore Pickles greeted her owner as soon as he entered. He scratched her behind the ears and teased the base of her tail until she nipped at him. He chuckled and checked her bowls for food and water then got himself a strong drink. Bones rolled his eyes at the chime from the door.

"You don't have to request entry…" He grumbled and opened his door. "We're married now, you damn robot.." Not that he had particularly needed to before…

"Indeed." Spock entered the room and they kissed while the door slid closed, bringing a smile to McCoy's lips.

"Mr. Spock McCoy…" He teased knowing the Vulcan would disapprove.

"I believe it is traditional in earth culture for newlyweds to participate in something called a Honeymoon." Spock cupped the human's chin in his hands and kissed him deeply.

"Hmm…" Bones moaned gently and led the other man to the bed. "Finally the fun part." He chuckled and began getting undressed.

Xxxxxx

"I uh… I couldn't help but notice…" Kirk scratched his chin while they ate breakfast. "You still have separate quarters."

"Yeah…" McCoy cocked an eyebrow at his tray of 'food'. "Is that a problem Jim?"

"No.. no.." The captain shrugged. "I just thought… since you're married all.. you um.."

"Spock's room is for meditation and if he needs cool off-er- warm up.. whatever that walking calculator does.. or if he wants time to himself." He waved a dismissive hand.

"It is logical that the room used for meditation or contemplation be separate from regular living quarters." Spock chimed in.

"Also, the commodore can't stand the incense." Bones added with a small smirk.

Xxxxx

"You know…." McCoy's eye twitched as the door to the shuttle opened. "When I mentioned that we should tell your parents… I didn't mean….. this…." He hissed into Spock's pointy ear.

"Is it not a human custom to meet a lover's parents?" The Vulcan asked with feigned innocence.

"Well.. yes.. but I've already met your—damn it Spock I operated on your father!"

"There is no need for you to be nervous, doctor. I happen to know that both of my parents think very highly of you."

"Oh?" McCoy smiled and straightened himself a bit as Sarek and Amanda made their way towards them.

Spock held out two of his fingers. McCoy furrowed his brow for only a second, then he rolled his eyes at his other half and placed two of his own fingers against his. He gave a small huff before they bowed to the Ambassador and his lady wife.

During their private, formal dinner with the Captain, Amanda made a toast.

"To marrying a Vulcan." She said with a smile towards the doctor. "May we live long and prosper, despite our husbands." She gave a small giggle. Sarek and Spock exchanged raised eyebrows.

"I'll drink to that." McCoy raised his glass. "I could drink a lot to that." He added with his own giggle.

Xxxxx

A/N: That's it! I hope you enjoyed it! Thanks for sticking around this long! Bonus points for anyone that can tell me where the name LoPaq came from! (no cheating lolol)