She was hungry. So very hungry after wandering for so long. She had been so distracted by exploring that she hasn't eaten much in a while– just a little here and there. There was a ship nearby– she could sense there were hundreds of life forms aboard. She would have to assume a shape to match them. Humans, mostly. She searched for her target. It was important to focus on just one to get the sustenance she needed. She quickly ruled the Vulcan out; while Vulcans did actually have emotion, they hid it well. She needed someone who felt deeply and showed it.

So many humans... at least she could narrow it down to the men. The captain? Possibly. A position like his was often a lonely one. Another man, one in a blue shirt, was coming to talk to the captain. The two seemed to be friends; the captain called him "Bones." A nickname. He had expressive blue eyes, and he was upset about something. The Vulcan joined in the conversation– an argument.

"We can't just give up and leave them down there!"

"Dr. McCoy, they may have already perished, and to send a rescue party would only put more lives at risk," the Vulcan replied.

"There has to be something we can do!"

"Are you basing that statement on fact or emotion?"

McCoy berated the Vulcan for being unfeeling. So, he was a doctor who really cared about people's lives and embraced emotion. This could be the one she was looking for.

She found out more about this "Dr. McCoy" later. He was divorced... that could have caused some insecurity. When passing by him, she could sense that he also carried a deep pain inside related to– something else, though she couldn't tell what. This was definitely who she would target. She would get him to fall in love with her, and just when he felt most secure, she would rip out his heart.

There was a large group of crewmembers in rec room 3, playing various games and talking. McCoy and Scotty were having a drink.

"Doctor, I think someone has eyes for ya," Scotty pointed out. McCoy turned his head, and sure enough, a pretty lieutenant in a red uniform was looking dreamily in his direction. She looked to be near his age, and her blonde hair was pulled into a neat bun.

"Excuse me, Scotty," McCoy said as he got up to talk to her. The engineer silently wished him luck as he downed the rest of his drink.

"I don't believe we've met. Leonard McCoy, senior medical officer," he introduced himself with a smile.

"Lieutenant Anita Grace." She shook his hand.

"That's a lovely name. Which department are you in?"

"Engineering."

"Ah, so you must be familiar with Mr. Scott, then."

She nodded. "I'd like to be more familiar with you."

McCoy's smile grew. "Well, I hope I won't see you in my sickbay, but I'd like to go on a date with you. What do you say?"

"Oh, yes," Anita said eagerly.

"Alright, can you meet me for dinner tomorrow?"

"Sure. See you then, Doctor." She gave McCoy a flirty wave and left. He returned to duty in high spirits.

The next day, McCoy was able to focus, but in the back of his mind, he was excited. Nurse Chapel picked up on his happy mood.

"What's got you so happy, Leonard? If I didn't know better, I'd say you're in love," she teased.

"No, certainly not yet. I've just got a date tonight."

"Oh," Chapel said, surprised. "Good luck!"

"Thanks, Christine," McCoy said warmly.

When McCoy and Lt. Grace met for dinner, they secured a table for themselves and ordered their food from the replicator. She looked at it ruefully; she could eat human food, but it would do nothing to satisfy her hunger.

"I know. I wish I could take you out to a real nice restaurant. This replicated stuff just isn't the same," McCoy said. They were both quiet for a couple minutes as they ate.

"So, Lieutenant Grace–" McCoy began.

"Anita," she corrected with a sweet smile.

"Anita. Where are you from?"

She quickly thought up an answer. "Earth, California."

"Oh, really? I'm from Georgia. Lived there until I joined Starfleet."

"What made you want to join?" Anita asked, and pretended to enjoy a sip of her drink.

"I, uh, wanted to get away. As far as possible," McCoy said, and it was clear he didn't like thinking about what made him want to leave Earth. He probably wouldn't tell her about it, at least not yet, but she decided to ask anyway.

"Get away from what?"

He finished chewing, and his eyebrows rose. "I'd rather not talk about it."

"Oh, sorry," she apologized, putting a hand over her mouth. "That's too personal, isn't it?"

"It's alright." He brushed it off. "Why did you join Starfleet?"

"Well, I love engineering, and I dreamed for a long time of working on a starship."

"Hmm. If you would've told me years ago that I would enjoy being out here at all, I would've said you were outta your mind. But I've made a few good friends, and working here gives me a chance to expand my medical knowledge more than I could back home, and make contributions of my own."

"That's great. I bet you've developed so many cures and saved a lot of lives," Anita said, gazing into his eyes.

McCoy swallowed and rubbed the back of his neck. "Well now, I do my best to honor my oath, is all."

"You do more than that! I've heard you've risked your own life several times to save others. You're like a hero."The doctor blushed a little, feeling oddly uncomfortable and flattered at the same time.

"That's enough about me. Tell me more about yourself."

"I'm not that interesting," she deflected after forcing herself to eat a few more bites.

"That can't be true."

"Okay. Besides loving my job, I'm a hopeless romantic; I even write poetry, and I love to read."

"Is that so? I'm not all that into poetry myself, but I'd read one of yours, if you'd be comfortable with that."

"Sure. I might even write one just for you."

McCoy smiled. "I take it you'd like to go on another date?"

"Yes, very much." Just then, the red alert sounded.

"I'd better get back to sickbay," he said as they both jumped up.

"I'll just get rid of these," she said, referring to the food trays.

"Thanks. Will you meet me in rec room 4 Thursday evening?"

"I will." Anita kissed his cheek, and he left, feeling optimistic.

A/N: I actually have some of this story written already, so now that I'm finally getting this first chapter out there, some of my other ones won't take as long to get done.