"I don't think Jim is going to be up to playing tonight," says Leonard, opening the door to find Uhura and Spock there. Spock has a chess box tucked under his arm.

"That won't be your problem," assures Uhura before Spock can speak, stepping into Leonard's quarters.

Leonard screws up his face. "It won't?" He certainly has no desire to play games, least of all chess which would actually require concentration and brain power. He barely has the mental fortitude to get through his daily tasks right now.

"No. You're going out tonight. A change of scenery will be good for you," she declares. It's been days, Leonard has to be going stir crazy by now.

"I don't know," hums Leonard. He's not really in the mood to be social and he's probably just as bad company as Jim is right now.

"We can sit here and drink or we can go to the ship's bar. The choice is yours. But if we stay here, I might get drunk enough to start recounting tales of certain drunken exploits during exams week," threatens Uhura. She isn't about to drag him out of here kicking and screaming but she knows a change of scenery can do wonders for the soul.

Leonard does not need those horror stories getting out- to anyone. Ever. "You wouldn't."

Uhura stands her ground. "Try me."

"I can't just leave him here," reminds Leonard, looking a little sad. What if something happens or Jim needs him? Then there's the guilt. Why should Leonard go and do something to ease his stress and nerves when Jim's locked himself away? But then again, how good is Leonard if he's a ticking time bomb?

"That's why Spock's here," explains Uhura. "He'll stay in case Jim needs anything or something happens."

"You got me a babysitter?" asks Leonard incredulously.

It throws Uhura for a moment. She was by no means trying to imply that Jim's being a child, (even though he does tend to be one from time to time) but it's kind of exactly what she's done. "No?" she says like she's trying to convince herself more than Leonard. "Spock was just going to stay in and play chess anyways. He can either do that on his own anywhere or he can play with Jim should he choose to join Spock."

"Okay," relents Leonard with a long breath. And it feels kind of nice to have someone else making the decisions right now.

They grab a quiet table in the back of the lounge and order some fancy sophisticated drink to start the night off. They both know the evening will end with one of them carrying the other home, but the pretence is kind of nice. And Leonard's quarters are far closer than the dorms ever were.

"How are you doing, Leonard?" asks Uhura, trying to tread lightly.

"Exhausted," he confesses. He hasn't gotten a lot of sleep between Jim and lying awake when Jim is asleep to replay everything that happened. Jim could have killed that protestor if security hadn't shown up. He very nearly did anyways.

"I mean how are you really doing? Who takes care of you when things like this happen?" She's not going to let him hide behind Jim tonight.

"You don't need to worry about me. Jim's the one..."

"Jim wasn't the only one locked in a cell."

No he wasn't. But Leonard doesn't like to think about that part. He's made a whole career around not thinking too hard about that part. Denial is his greatest tool in his personal med kit. "It wasn't like last time," whispers Leonard, because it wasn't. He's been telling himself that since they got back. There was no torture, no threats. He was barely locked up for a day; hardly enough time for hope to wither and die.

"Have you ever talked about it?" she asks. She has a sinking feeling she already knows the answer and doesn't like it.

"Sure. I think we spent the first six months talking to various shrinks to get back to light duty," says Leonard. He split his time between going to his own appointments and taking Jim to his. He lost his voice for a week from all the talking he was doing when Pike pretty much dumped his ass at a cabin with a psychologist as a form of intervention. None of it silenced the nightmares though; it just turned their screaming to a constant whisper.

"I mean with someone who matters. Jim perhaps?"

Leonard recoils at the idea. "I can't talk about it with Jim." Not rehashing the worst months of their lives was silently written into their wedding vows. "I can't."

"Why not?" If anyone should be able to understand, it should be Jim.

"Because there's so much he doesn't know. There are some things that if he found out... it would be like being there all over again." Leonard's not going to put Jim through that again. They've come too far to go back. Whatever burden is left, it's his to bear. Jim took the blows, Leonard will endure the silence.

"I thought you were all imprisoned together?"

"We were. But there were times that they would separate us. To either punish someone or to interrogate them. Hell, being separated and left wondering what was happening to someone else was its own form of torture. I think Nero liked it best." Except when Nero would make Leonard watch. Leonard goes really still. "Sitting in that cell, waiting, not knowing if they were going to punish Jim, was like being back there."

Uhura takes Leonard's hands in hers. There's a slight tremble in them, but Uhura just squeezes harder.

"Nero's not unlike his pet slugs. He burrowed so far into our souls that his tricks are still working, long after we were rescued. Millions of light years away and almost a decade later and all someone has to do is threaten to separate us and we both fall apart," he confesses sadly, like they should somehow be over it by now.

"You're not alone anymore. If someone tries to pull you apart, we'll bring you back together," promises Uhura. The enormity of the promise is daunting and probably unsustainable but as long as there's breath in her body, she'll do her damndest to see it through. She's sure she's not the only one either. Leonard is extremely likable despite his prickly exterior and Jim's like a bad rash managing to grow on everybody.

Except... maybe not everybody.

"I can't believe shore leave got cancelled because someone flipped out," says one of the ensigns at the next table as the group sits down.

"I heard it was that psych patient we're transporting," adds the Lieutenant. "Something about the color blue triggers a violent episode."

"Why would they even let someone like that on board let alone off the ship on some unexacting world," asks the other ensign, looking particularly horrified.

"Roberts had to pull that animal off of Chekov too," continues the lieutenant with sensationalized enthusiasm.

The other ensign covers her mouth in shock. "That time when Chekov had the black eye?" The lieutenant nods. "Who would want to beat that poor kid? That's like kicking a puppy."

"If he'll attack Chekov, none of us are safe."

Uhura shoots the table an unimpressed glare. Leonard just drops his head into his hands.

"They don't know what they're talking about," promises Uhura.

"I kinda think they have the highlight reel all cued up." Leonard forgot just how fast news could travel on a starship. Leonard could explain until he's blue in the face but no amount of understanding can really undo the damage of seeing someone you live with almost kill someone with their bare hands. He can't even say he blames them for being afraid; Jim can scare him sometimes. If security hadn't pulled Jim off, he would have killed that protester without a second thought.

"You two look like you could use this," says Scotty coming over to the table with an armful of beers. Leonard takes one gratefully, slamming it back in two gulps. Scotty looks equal parts concerned and impressed. "Perhaps something a wee bit stronger than?"

"God yes," agrees Uhura. The table next to them might have trouble getting their personal messages for the next week or so, but Uhura has no idea why a communications glitch would only impact four crewmen.

Chekov hangs out in their quarters when Leonard takes his first shift back in medical. Leonard didn't ask, the kid just came over in this weird 'can Jim come out and play' sort of way because they'd usually be in the gym today.

Jim's still pretty fortified in the bedroom. Leonard's managed to coax Jim out for a few hours a day and take care of things like eating, bathing and changing clothes. Mostly he just reads to Jim as they curl up in a blanket fort in front of the large view windows.

"Jim, Chekov's here," shouts Leonard towards their bedroom. There isn't any sound or sign of life, not that he was expecting any. Jim isn't exactly talking these days. Jim tried to explain it once, that he goes silent because he can't give the enemy any information and if Leonard is nothing more than a trick they're using to extract information out of him, he'd rather not give them anything they could use against Jim or Leonard like exposing their relationship.

Leonard will just keep being the devoted husband he's always tried to be until Jim believes they're both safe. Leonard's stubborn like that.

"Don't be surprised if he doesn't come out," says Leonard as he heads out the door.

It's actually Leonard who's surprise when he comes home to find Jim and Chekov sitting around the coffee table building some engineering cross science experiment contraption.

"Bones!" greets Jim and it's the greatest sound Leonard's heard all week. It's followed by a quick peck on the cheek as Jim hurries to get back to whatever they're working on.

Leonard takes a seat on the couch and listens to the two of them prattle on in tech speak that Leonard has no intention of learning. He just sits and listens, unwilling to disturb the wildlife.

That night when Jim curls around Leonard in bed, he doesn't cling to Leonard in fear or desperation but holds him in a much missed lover's embrace.

Spock brings the chess board over the next day during his lunch break. They're in a quiet stretch of space and if the game runs a little long, Commander Roberts can manage the bridge for a bit.

Leonard's given Spock a door code in case Jim refuses to answer the door. Even if Spock cannot convince him to play a game of chess, he can perform a wellness check to put the doctor at ease. It turns out to be unneeded because Jim answers the door, rather unenthusiastically, but he drags himself from the bedroom to do it.

Jim's hair is unkempt, protruding from all angles and he clearly has failed to change out of his sleep clothes. He sits down on one of the dining room chairs as Spock begins silently setting up the chess board. Jim looks like he's about to endure a root cannel.

"Do we have to play here?" asks Jim, small and quiet.

They've never discussed where to play before. Spock started coming here because he figured it would make Jim more comfortable to be in his own environment. He has no objection to playing in his quarters but humans find Vulcan spaces rigid and uncomfortable. "We do not. Where did you have in mind?"

"Can we play on the observation deck?"

The observation deck also serves as a recreation space for the crew with the ship's bar and one of the cafeterias sharing the veranda. There are usually crewmen present regardless the time of day. Spock wasn't aware that Jim was venturing out into social areas. "We may."

Jim nods but doesn't make a move for almost fifteen minutes. Finally he follows Spock out of the quarters. He doesn't change or clean up before they leave but he does leave. That's a big enough step for today.

The apartment is still quiet when Leonard returns from his run. He got an early start this morning; nerves and dread using his spine as a xylophone all night long. It's the third anniversary since Nero and the first since leaving Starfleet. The whole city is preparing for the day of remembrance and it's impossible to escape the feelings the day brings up. Leonard's not sure if Jim's going to be in the mood to attend or not but he kind of wants to go. Not for the silent admiration but to catch up with what's left of their little group. It would be nice to see Anderson and Felt again.

The shades are still drawn, blanketing everything dim rosy light. Clearly Jim hasn't ventured from bed today either. "Computer, open blinds," orders Leonard as he kicks off his runners at the door. It's a beautiful San Francisco morning. Time to get out there. Four months of moping is getting tiring to watch.

He picks up the stack of PADDs piled haphazardly in the middle of the floor this time, having almost broke his ankle on them while trying to sneak out this morning. They're all Jim's. The kid's always been kind of messy, able to drop anything anywhere so he can move on to something else.

He happens to glance at the top one. It's a job offer of all things, from Triton University to teach at their moon campus. It's kind of a big deal; one of the top schools in the galaxy and they want Jim's engineering and historical expertise.

"Time to get up," suggest Leonard as he grabs one of the blankets hiding Jim from sight and pulling it off on his way to grab a shower.

"Leave me alone," moans Jim just burying himself further in the remaining mound of blankets he's been cocooned in for the last four days.

He still hasn't moved by the time Leonard's gotten out of the shower. "Jesus," snaps Leonard as he trips over the empty bottles of vodka lying on the floor near the bed. Jim's assembling quite the collection. "This is what you're going to do with your life?" asks Leonard as he sits on the edge of the bed to get dressed.

"What life?" mumbles Jim from under his pillow.

Leonard frowns. "Oh, I don't know? How about the sixty to eighty years you have left despite your best efforts." He doesn't say it with malice; he knows Jim's struggling right now. Losing Starfleet wasn't a blow they were prepared for. But it's not the end of the story either. "Were you going to tell me about the offer from Triton University?"

"Fuck you!" snaps Jim, throwing the pillow across the room. He sits up and glares at Leonard. "You know what the problem with success is? Once you've had it, know what it feels like, you can't go back to failure. Before it was just a question, maybe I could be something, maybe not. I could live my life believing maybe it would work out but now I know what I've lost, what my life will forever be missing and it sucks. I'm not going to be some prop for a university or anyone else to parade out as a name and spew on about the glory days."

Leonard reaches out and rubs at Jim's calf on his good leg. This holding pattern isn't working either. Jim won't leave the apartment because he doesn't want to run into people he knows, to see the look of pity or disgust they try to conceal. They don't have visitors because hearing about how well everyone else is doing is just another knife. "Then what do you want to do?"

"Let's get out of here. Somewhere where they don't know our names," proposes Jim.

"You want to leave San Francisco?" asks Leonard incredulously.

"It's not like we're Starfleet. Nothing is keeping us tied here."

Leonard is fortunate enough to be able to work anywhere. And he already doesn't live in the same city as his daughter so the custody arrangement won't change. A fresh start could be the thing they need to get back on track. "Where'd you want to go?"

"Pike has an apartment in Vancouver he said we could rent."

Lieutenant Commander Una "Acting Captain" USS Enterprise.

RE Report.

We have sustained heavy damage to the ship along with thirty-six casualties and fifty-four injuries including a critically injured Captain Pike. The Narada and all her Romulan crew went down with the ship which was destroyed along with Ambassador Spock's ship as per orders. Of the reported fifteen remaining Troubadour survivors still held captive, only six were still alive. We rescued all of them but two are in critical condition the other four are in stable condition.

Survivors are:

Ensign Melody Abrams *critical

Cadet Michael Anderson (field commission Ensign)

Cadet Lindsay Felt (field commission Ensign)

Cadet James Kirk (field commission Ensign) *critical

Cadet Leonard McCoy (field commission Lieutenant)

Ensign Samuel Riley

Leonard leans casually against the bathroom door watching with fondness as Jim fusses with his hair. It's more frustration than vanity that keeps Jim in front of the mirror and Leonard can't find any other way to describe the way Jim's forehead crinkles as he tries to concentrate on taming the longish locks, than adorable. If he takes a moment to appreciate the fine lines and curve of Jim's ass in his dress pants, well that's just a bonus to waiting on Jim to get ready.

"Okay," huffs Jim, finally getting his hair right. He brushes his hands over his shirt to smooth out the wrinkles. Everything has to be perfect; the day demands no less.

"Are you sure you want to go?" asks Leonard. He spent a few hours last night fretting over today's proceedings. There's always a lot of people who attend ceremonies on this day of remembrance but being on a ship means most of the crew will taking part. "There'll be a crowd." As an officer he's obligated to attend the ceremony but Jim isn't required to be there.

Jim takes a deep breath. "I want to be there," he insists. They're on a ship now. It will definitely be noticed if he hides away today. He steps towards Leonard, running his hands over Leonard's shoulders and across his chest to smooth out his uniform shirt. Leonard always looked rather sharp in his dress uniform. Jim frowns. "You have these ones backwards again," he says, rearranging Leonard's service medals to sit in the right order.

Leonard captures Jim's hands in his before Jim pins the final medal back on his shirt. He carefully takes the pin and fastens it to the breast of Jim's navy sweater. He runs his hand over it, before letting it rest over Jim's heart. He and Jim were both awarded the Star Cross for their heroism aboard the Narada. While Leonard's still required to stuff himself in a damn dress uniform from time to time, Jim's medal is currently residing at the bottom of the San Francisco Harbour.

"Bones," protests Jim. It's a well earned medal that belongs on an officer. "It's yours. I don't even have a uniform to wear it properly."

"It's my god damn medal and I'll put it where ever I want." He certainly paid for it with enough blood and tears and won't be afraid to explain it to anyone who takes issue with Jim wearing it. Leonard pulls Jim close, kissing the top of his head. They stand there, entangled until the last possible moment.

"You forgot something," says Leonard grabbing Jim's cane from the couch.

"Not today," replies Jim, with pleading eyes.

It's going to be a long ceremony that requires them to be on their feet far longer than Jim can typically stand but Jim seems determined to prove something to someone. "Alright."

They start the remembrance ceremony with the captain giving the usual recap of the events that transpired during Nero's brief reign of terror. Leonard doesn't really listen to Spock's speech; he has a better understanding of events than most. Instead he focuses on Jim's subtle fidgeting as the speeches carry on and wonders if Jim's pride was worth more than the pain he's inflicting on himself.

"We will know observe five minutes of silence," says Spock and everyone in attendance stands at attention. "One minute in honour of Vulcan. One minute in honour of the ships we lost trying to defend it. One minute for those who perished aboard the Troubadour. One minute to honour those lives of officers lost aboard the Narada and one minute to honour the bravery of the survivors.

Just as deathly silence falls over the ship, Jim takes Leonard's hand in his and whispers, "It's our wedding anniversary."

It's dark and dank in the bowls of the ship. It's not even a proper jail cell, just a repurposed section of one of the ore storage spaces. There are a couple emergency lights that barely bathe the space in eerie red and green light. It makes lying on the makeshift barrack bunks even more unbearable. Perhaps the most claustrophobic part is the lack of view ports. At least with a view of the stars there'd be some confirmation that they were still alive, that the universe exists beyond this hell.

Leonard twists and tries to worm himself into a more comfortable position on the wide pipe cluster he calls his bunk in a desperate bid to try and capture sleep which never really settles in. It's cold and unforgiving, playing merry hell on his back but the foot of water that covers the floor in a stagnant lake makes it impossible to try and sleep there.

It's been quiet lately. There used to be a lot of chatter and determination in the beginning when their numbers were greater. There were orders and plans and hope. Now the walls are painted with the blood of those who met a violent end at the hands of Nero's men. Leonard's not sure if those poor bastards are the lucky ones or not.

As the deaths pile up, their cage grows quieter. It's not just people that are dying here- hope's being slaughtered too, just at a slightly slower pace.

Leonard lets out a long sigh. He can hear Jim fidgeting above him. His leg must be killing him. Leonard shudders to think about it. A broken bone, even one broken in two places is hardly a speed bump in medicine, but since their captors have taken away all Leonard's medical supplies he's forced to resort to medieval methods. Splints are only so effective, especially in these conditions, and he can see it in the way Jim's leg has healed. If it's not his leg bugging him then his shoulder is probably out. Leonard's lost count of the number of times he's had to put it back in. A strong breeze could probably dislocate it now which makes it a favourite game for the guards.

"Quit squirming and go to sleep," snaps Leonard, trying his best to retreat into unconsciousness. They need any respite they can get before Nero decides he wants to speak to one of them again.

"Marry me?" says Jim, splitting the silence with his hoarse voice.

Leonard's eyes snap open. Sometimes Jim likes to talk just to hear the sound of his own voice, to hear anything other than the drips and sloshes of water and their own ragged breaths as their numbers dwindle. Anything is better than listening to death creep in, so Leonard will play along. "Do I look like someone who accepts a marriage proposal in a dark dank water filled dungeon?" he says sarcastically.

Jim counters, "Do you have any better offers at the moment? Keeping in mind, I'm a catch."

Leonard pauses for a moment. This game is on the verge of being too painful to play. "I could do better," he assures because what Jim is playing at is dangerous. Leonard can't risk a broken heart when his body and soul are already broken. Not only is Jim implying there's a future but that they have a future and deep down while Leonard would like nothing more, he knows this isn't something Jim really wants to follow through with. "McCoys like to be wooed, romanced. You didn't even bother to get down on one knee."

Jim laughs. "Wooed? That word is almost as old as you."

"See, you need some young thing that can keep up with you." Leonard's sat on the sidelines and watched as Jim's gone through potential partners like the sun burns through hydrogen. He's not willing to be another notch on Jim's headboard even if it would be the happiest moment of his life. Jim's just talking to make sure Leonard doesn't give up should a miracle decide to befall them- a pretty lie to keep Leonard clinging to life. If only Jim knew how cruel it was. Leonard will let it slide on account of the fact that Jim's probably not in his right mind due to pain and circumstance.

Jim rubs his aching leg. The constant fire of pain has been so raging for so long; it's faded to merely a simmer in his mind. "Don't think keeping up with me is going to be an issue." It doesn't take much for the reality of their situation to sink its fangs back into conscious thought. It's almost a certainty they're going to die here. Jim's holding out for a miracle but even his disbelief in no win scenarios has taken a serious hit.

"Not marrying you would be the single regret of my life," laments Jim. He's had a lot of time to think about life and regret and just what he would do if he gets another chance at life beyond this prison.

"Single regret?" asks McCoy, raising an eyebrow in skepticism. "You'd only have just the one?"

"Yep," answers Jim with defiant certainty.

Leonard can think of dozens of things he regrets. Christ, he can think of dozens of things Jim should regret and they have nothing to do with saddling himself with an old broken doctor who's ruined his life once before. "What about the girl that turned out to be a prostitute from Denova Prime? The one with the..."

"Space VD," supplies Jim helpfully.

"That'd be the one," Leonard sighs.

"Good times," says Jim with a self-satisfied smirk.

Leonard rolls his eyes. "It ain't a badge of honor to contract sexual transmitted diseases, Jim."

"It was one hundred percent curable by the way," assures Jim leaning his head over the beam like a kid peaking over the top railing of the top bunk.

"I know," grumbles Leonard. "I was the one who cured it! Didn't see you knocking on anyone else's door at three am complaining about itchy spots and feelin' like a water balloon."

Jim shudders thinking about it. That part wasn't as fun but he instinctively knew who he trusted enough to help. "That was the first time you spent the entire night with me," points out Jim. It was totally worth it to wake up with Leonard warm and steady next to him, the morning sun painting him with an ethereal glow. It was the best night of Jim's life and they hadn't even had sex.

Leonard has a soft spot for puppies and Jim. Jim has a super power of looking all pathetic and needy that makes Leonard weak in the knees. "I didn't want you to have an allergic reaction and choke on your own tongue in the middle of the night is all."

Jim frowns. "You told me you can't actually swallow your tongue."

"You can't swallow it but you can choke on it." Because really, leave it to Jim to do just that. But that's not why he stayed.

"You've just turned my world upside down," says Jim with a slight pout. "I knew it then. And I've been thinking about it ever since," he confesses with a level of sincerity Leonard's never heard before.

"Thinking? Don't hurt yourself, Jim."

It goes silent for a few moments and Leonard thinks maybe Jim's finally gone to sleep. Except eventually the pipes start to squeak and groan under Jim's renewed squirming followed shortly by a splash as Jim climbs down and drops into the water where he kneels next to Leonard's 'bunk'.

"What the hell are you doing?" demands Leonard. Not only is the idiot kneeling in cold dirty water which is probably disease infested but Leonard intentionally shoved his ass on the top bunk in the hopes that Jim's leg would keep the kid stuck up there for a few hours.

"Marry me?" says Jim, looking like Leonard holds the fate of the universe in his hands.

Leonard stares in disbelief. Maybe he hit his head harder than he thought because there's no way Jim is proposing to him for real. Part of him wants to say yes, for this moment to be real and genuine but it's more likely a ploy by Jim to try and give Leonard hope or worse, some 'let's make the best out of a bad situation, regret it in the morning' crap. He's not going to play whatever game Jim is playing at, some near death crisis shit he's trying to pull in the face of their inevitable demise.

"You have a head injury, Jim. You need to lie down," says Leonard, before rolling over and feigning sleep.

"You never answered me," says Jim, casually like he's talking about the weather.

Leonard rolls his eyes. He thought this topic was dead days ago. "Stupid questions don't get answers."

Jim huffs. "You know you want to," he sings. "We're practically an old married couple anyways."

"Then what's all the fuss?" Leonard's happy with what they have, mostly because he doesn't dare hope for anything more. He knows the moment he could have easily slid from being best friends to lovers, the problem is Jim's never showed the slightest inkling nor has he slowed down in what will be a legendary conquest of sexual partners during his academy years. Leonard refuses to be a pit stop on the Kirk orgasmic world tour. Loving Jim wouldn't be a flash in the pan for him and can't get Jim only to have the kid walk away so easily after.

"Might not get out of here," points out Jim. Even if Leonard does it just to humour him, it will be enough for Jim.

"Be still my heart," mutters Leonard.

All this sit around and wait to be tortured time is giving Jim too much time to think. "I could perform the ceremony myself," Jim declares. He knows deep down Leonard cares about him. Maybe if he makes it super easy, Leonard will grant him this one indulgence. If they're going to die anyways, it's not like anyone would know so there's really no entanglement for Leonard if that's what he's worried about.

"What are you going on about now?" snarls Leonard, ripped from a light doze.

"The captain has the authority to marry people. I could marry us, here, now."

Leonard shakes his head. "Promoted yourself to captain have ya?" Now Jim's having delusions of grandeur to go along with his flight of fancy.

"All the other ranking officers are dead now," says Jim, low and quiet like saying it out loud will wake the dead. They're down to a handful of cadets who were issued the field rank of ensign for the purposes of being on the Troubadour. There isn't a real command officer left. Jim could make a handful of arguments for being the next most worthy candidate to hold rank but he doubts anyone would want the title. Leonard is technically a Lieutenant but since he's in the medical track and not command, Jim's not going to breathe a word about him technically being in charge. It comes with too high a price.

"I'm not going to get married only to make someone a widow right away," laments Leonard. He's not aiming to be widowed either.

"You're going to live a long life, Leonard McCoy," says Jim sagely.

"We have some captors just itchin' to prove you wrong."

"Have you changed your mind today, Bones?"

"This is not the sort of engagement story I'm telling my daughter."

"You sure? It has everything. An evil overlord, and a white knight to sweep you off your feet."

"You get us out of here Mr White Knight, and then we'll talk."

"Leonard Kirk has a certain ring to it," claims Jim.

"I'm keeping my last name," objects Leonard.

"Alright," concedes Jim. "James T McCoy."

"No!"

"Fine, we'll hyphenate," says Jim sullen like at chastised child. He doesn't know why Leonard can't just get onboard.

"Shouldn't you be trying to find us a way out of here instead of proposing stupid ideas?" asks Leonard, because the kid's spending a lot of time and energy on useless dreams.

"I can do both," Jim assures with a conviction Leonard slightly envies.

Leonard just shakes his head. The kid's made a whole career out of dumb ideas and pulling miracles out of his ass.

"Marry me?" hisses Jim, trying to breathe through a particularly painful spasm.

"Yes," say Leonard, hoping to shut Jim up for a moment. He needs all his energy to concentrate on not bleeding to death today, not whatever false hope Jim is pedaling.

"Really?" Jim dares ask, lifting his head up with renewed energy.

"No, Jim. Don't be stupid. Won't make it long enough to see the wedding night." If blood loss doesn't get him, the fever most likely will. "No place to have a ceremony anyways."

"What are you talking about? I have it on good authority dungeon chic is in for wedding venues this year. And Ensign Abrams," says Jim, straining his neck to try and get a better view to see if there's any rise and fall from her chest, "can be the flower girl. And you'll make it," he adds, like he's been hiding some crystal ball from Leonard.

"You organize ... it, Jim," says Leonard, sleepily. He can barely keep his eyes open anymore.

Jim's right. Not about dungeon chic, but Leonard does make it; through the night at least. And the next couple of nights until one of the guards finally notices Leonard's been a little sticky with their medical supplies and takes exception to their use.

Trust that self sacrificing idiot to take all the attention off of Leonard and bring it down on himself. It's two of the longest days of Leonard's life (and that's saying something given the hell they've been living in for the last couple of weeks) before they drag Jim's beaten and limp body back to dump face down in their cell.

Leonard's never moved so fast. He pulls Jim from the water, turning him over gently in his arms. Jim opens those baby blues and says, "Marry me now?"

Leonard doesn't know whether to smack him or kiss him. Maybe it's almost losing Jim or maybe it's the realization that none of them are getting out of this and not marrying Jim will be one of his biggest regrets too. Or perhaps, it's because for the first time Leonard realizes that Jim is actually serious about it. "Yes. I'll marry you."

Jim smiles.

"Not here though. I'll marry you the second we step foot off this ship, so you need to hang on, you hear me Jim Kirk. You're going to make it. Promise me."

"I do," is all Jim says before the ship shakes violently and warning alarms sound.