Back again, enjoy!
Leonard sat at the side of the lecture theatre as students began to pour in all chattering rather excitedly which was un expected, some younger; must have been around 18, some older, and a couple of starfleet officers in uniform. It was after all a what starfleet liked to call a 'free learning lecture.' Designed to be open to students and officers alike to teach people of all ages or just refresh people already in the know. What Leonard found rare was the subject matter, wasn't like starfleet to put a psychological subject on as a free learning lecture. They were normally saved for students studying in medicine to be doctors to help with bedside manner and such or that of communications officers. Though Leonard supposed body language was a topic most people could do with knowing more about.
Though Alex had said he didn't have to sit through it Leonard was genuinely intrigued on the subject matter and just how he was going to go about lecturing a room full of people, he'd of course stupidly offered himself up as a test dummy should he need to demonstrate anything. Whether Alex would take him up on that he didn't know.
And he looked good standing up there in those fitted grey trousers and the black shirt, hair parted in the centre as it fell loosely framing his face and covering the scar and ears. Bobble on his wrist just incase it became bothersome.
Looking up Alex saw someone already with a raised hand and stood from his spot leaning against the desk at the front of the room. "Yes?" He smiled at the young man sat between a bunch of other cadets both male and female.
"Sorry sir not that I doubt your knowledge on the subject but we were told by our placement supervisor Dr Groves that this lecture would be held by Dr Reid?"
Alex couldn't help but let out a light laugh as he looked up into the crowd and spotted Harry immediately off to the left side of the room half hidden behind a data padd. Moving it to smile and wave at Alex before promptly getting back to making notes.
"I am Dr Reid." Alex stated smoothly with a confident smirk.
The boy looked slightly taken aback and there was a murmuring from the majority of people in the room before Harry spoke up in an authorative tone. "I can confirm it is in fact Doctor Reid, you all know of the transporter malfunctions recently, so I implore you all to get over your shock quickly."
There was movement from the right side of the room as Alex spotted two people shuffling down till they were sat on the row behind Leonard. Before Alex took to folding his arms at the crowd of people with a look of warning as the room fell back into a calm hush.
"Now that we've sorted that out, im assuming you're all here hoping to be able to to come out of this lecture with a new ability to read people, but in reality you've all been doing it most of your adult lives. When it comes to body language most communication happens below the level of conscious awareness. But with a bit of knowledge and a little practice it is possible to exert some measure of control over your own body language and become skilled at reading others." Alex paced at the front of the room as he spoke spotting a particularly nervous looking student in the crowd and offering a soft smile before addressing the rest of the room again. "Now i will attempt to not pick on people who are obviously nervous, but do understand there is nothing to worry about, I will need volunteers but I only ever endeavour to embarrass those that I know, and none of the faces that I recognise in the crowd are nervous people. Infact they are quite the opposite. Sulu!" Alex half shouted.
"What!" Sulu replied loudly. Earning a overlapping chuckle from the crowd as the atmosphere eased slightly.
"Who invited you?" Alex asked with an accusing point and a half smirk.
"Myself." Sulu replied matter of factly.
"See what I mean?" Alex spoke back at the crowd earning another chuckle as he turned his back on them chuckling himself slightly before turning back around.
"Now can someone suggest to me where would be the first place to look when trying to read someone else, its not a trick question where the first place you always look when seeing another person?" Alex asked leaning back against the desk casually as he pointed at a raised hand towards the back of the room languidly, eyes focusing in on an older looking female officer.
"The face."
Alex nodded with a smile as he stood again. "Yes, the face. And the most obvious facial expression is the smile, something we use to welcome people who we make eye contact with, a simple smile can convey alot more than just happiness, it can be an assurance, it can be acceptance, it can be flirtatious. Say you spotted someone from a distance and they arch both eyebrows and offer you a smile, that could indicate an invitation to go over and start a conversation. But if you're already with someone and they arch one eyebrow with a smile that could suggest an invitation of a different kind." Alex wore a mischievous grin as he raised his hands and backed up laughing lightly along with some chuckles from the crowd.
"That from professional or personal experience Doc?" Sulu asked making Alex pause pointing at the man with a half grin before replying.
"Both." Alex answered unabashedly as he spotted another raised hand in the crowd.
"Why do doctors do that head tilt when they're listening to you talk about symptoms or trying to diagnose you?" A young female cadet asked curiously, earning her a genuine grin from Alex.
"That is a very specific but very good question and I love the fact that you've noticed that. I think you'll find it isn't just doctors though. Tilting the head exposes the neck, and whilst it can be seen as showing vulnerability it can also be interpreted as offering vulnerability. Someone in a doctors office usually is feeling vulnerable in some manner or other, tilting the head offers a vulnerability to the patient and lets them know we're listening, that we're attentive to their needs and their concerns. It's something that you'll often see in close friends and lovers aswell. Its a discreet form of body language that usually conveys a form of trust and caring."
"Dr Reid sorry to interrupt, but what are your thoughts on Mirroring?" Harry spoke up holding his stylus up gently as he spoke in order to grab Alex's attention.
"Mirroring… easily used to manipulate and persuade unsuspecting people." Alex stated with a brow raise earning her a look from Harry which had him laughing and shaking his head. "Alright alright. No Mirroring is one of the more diverse behaviours I think in body language."
"What exactly is Mirroring?"
"Mirroring is something we all do, its wildly common among most species. It's where you mirror another person's gestures and mannerisms, sometimes even a person's speech patterns and attitudes. Its a unconscious thing we tend to do to build rapport with others. It can also be an indicator of attraction between two people, and is often used in persuasion by sales people as it tends to build up a sense of rapport with clients which is why I originally stated it can be very easily used as a manipulation tactic. Now, you three, you see these chairs? I'm gonna need you to come sit in them." Alex pointed to some chairs placed in front of the desk and quirked his brows up at Leonard, Hikaru and Pavel.
Hikaru shot up with a grin as Pavel and Leonard strolled over at a much more relaxed pace as they each took a seat. Alex then took some papers from off the desk and held them up for the room to see, everyone but the three behind him reading what was on the sheets before he promptly folded them up and shoved them in his back pocket.
"And I know you've all been dying to know is there way if you can tell when someone is attracted to you? Yes, yes there is. And though Mirroring your actions can be one of those signs especially when you're in a group of people there a far more obvious ones. Alot of the time touch is a major factor in indicating interest, people will tend to touch you more, on the arm, shoulder, small of the back, increased touch is normally a huge indicator of attraction, and the first thing we talked about, smiling. People interested in each other smile more and make more eye contact maybe even lean towards you." Alex paused taking a breath as he came to stand between Leonard and Hikaru leaning against the desk, crossing his arms as he did so. Leonard un knowingly doing the same thing as he leaned back in his chair. "It's also one of the reasons we as a species have this habit of tapping people we're comfortable with or fond of, or in my case being brought up with 2 brothers, gently whacking people i like." As soon as Alex said those words Leonard was promptly back handed in the chest as Alex quirked a brow up at the southern doctor who just frowned back until he noticed the look on Alex's face and the gentle tic of his head towards the crowd who was openly laughing at this point, as Leonard rubbed his chest with a half smile.
Look who else showed up.
Looking up Leonard slyly scoured the crowd before clocking on to Spock sat near the back of the room with a data padd in hand seemingly taking notes.
"Now the fact I gently hit people to show them I'm comfortable around them is actually part of something we call environmental conditioning in psychology, something i'm sure will be more thoroughly explained in future lectures so we won't get into it right now." Another cadet raised their hand eagerly but their face showed apprehension. Alex nodded and smiled at them willing them to ask their question.
"What about with races that show a lot less emotion than ourselves, is there ways we can understand their form of body language more?"
Alex frowned there was multiple races that did express less outward emotion and that in itself did make them harder to read if you weren't paying attention. "Is there a particular race you're thinking about here? Understanding other races body language is just as important as understanding our own. It tends to help alot with communicating smoothly."
"Vulcans, something about them always seems to come across as intimidating." Another cadet piped up a short orion girl with glasses. Her comment earning her some chuckles making the girl fold in on herself slightly in embarrassment.
"Don't laugh, whats your name Darling?" Alex spoke gently.
"Vishki."
"Well Vishki, I think you'll find alot of those chuckles came from older officers who have most definitely felt intimidated by a Vulcan at some point in their lives. But there is a reason Vulcans do tend to come across that way at first glance and it is due to their body language. Vulcans are obviously far more in control of their emotions than we are, they have excellent if not perfectly rigid posture, and they tend to not show anything other than what our brains see as indifference in their facial expressions. It's a very neutral expression which does not tend to change much if not at all, much like their tone of voice which tends to throw a lot of us off even more. But Vulcans, though Logical, are still social creatures and they still present body language much like ourselves but just to a more subtle degree. Do we have any Vulcans present that wouldn't mind an attempt at being read?" Alex looked into the crowd noticing a couple of faces with pointed ears, glad to see them making an effort at learning more about something they didn't fully take advantage of themselves.
Though there was few in the crowd none of them stood and Alex sighed. "You should know that it isn't my intention to single you out, it's my attempt at making your peers understand you better."
"Commander Spock is up here, cmon Spock help us out here." One of the more senior officers piped up nodding towards Spock with a raised brow.
"I would offer my assistance but I do believe the reading wouldn't offer as much insight as it would if it were one of the cadets."
"Commander Spock's right, we're good friends and work colleagues, I already know a lot of his body language. It'd be better to have a fresh face. No offence Spock. " Alex pointed at the man with a friendly smile as the Vulcan quirked a brow up at him.
"None taken Doctor."
"I will volunteer, under the notion that I can also attempt a read on your own body language Dr Reid." A young Vulcan woman stood up from her spot at the side of the lecture hall and walked down the stairs towards the centre of the room.
"Brilliant and by all means, what's your name?"
"Valeris, am I to understand we are to engage in general conversation and point out when we notice something we believe communicates certain things about one another?" The woman was quite tall for her age, must have only been in her early 20s, dark brown hair rather than black that was bordering on slightly too long for the standard in Vulcan females.
"Thats the general idea, yes." Alex smiled pulling up a chair for her to sit in if she chose too and sitting down himself across from her leaning back in the chair with his hands comfortably in his lap.
"You are comfortable even when under scrutiny. Your posture and smile suggests you have no issue with this or apprehension."
"And you are quietly confident, yet slightly intimidated by my knowledge on this matter, the upward tilt of your chin shows the confidence and yet your refusal to sit down suggests you do not feel on equal footing and prefer having the high ground."
"I have no feelings of intimidation, Doctor, though I admit that my lack of knowledge means I do have to focus more on the task at hand. "
"Noted. Now, what are you studying Valeris? I'm intrigued." Alex leant forward in his chair slightly towards the Vulcan in question hands resting on his knees as he quirked a brow up at her.
"I'm on the fast track programme to become a communications officer, I'm the first Vulcan to go down this path in starfleet." She said her posture straightened ever so slightly, chest puffing out by a miniscule amount.
Alex clasped his hands together at that. "That's brilliant, and you're proud of it, you should be proud. And I can really see you must have a passion for it or you wouldn't have came down here, especially since these types of lectures are optional for communications studies." Alex tilted his head with a wide smile.
"You are experiencing pride? Over someone you do not know?" There was a slight indent in her brow, a slight tilt and a change in the cadence of how she spoke and Alex stood from his chair excitedly.
"You're confused, the indent in your brow and the cadence of your voice has changed- of course I'm proud, the fact we barely know each other is irrelevant, you do not need to know an individual to be proud of their achievements. And being the first Vulcan communications officer in starfleet Is a big deal. You speak like it isn't important, but it is monumental. Being the first to do anything is brave and often even scary but it paves the way for others to follow should they so choose too. If Commander Spock had never joined starfleet we may still be without our first Vulcan commanding officer and that would be an immeasurable loss. Being the first to do anything is something that should be celebrated." Alex finished with a genuine smile as he stopped pacing around and gesturing wildly.
"You're excitement and gesturing makes me believe you believe what you are saying is fact, you are so confident in your statements you believe them to be true. If so then why are you not celebrating yourself?"
It was Alexs turn to be confused then as his hand came up to rub under his chin, a self soothing reaction to being put on the spot. "What should I be celebrating?"
"You are the first Vulcan doctor in starfleet are you not?" Valeris commented matter of factly with a tilted chin confident in her observation before another Vulcan cadet piped up from the crowd.
"I believe Dr Reid is only half Vulcan and is in fact more human-."
Valeris turned to the cadet sat in the centre of the theatre with an almost blatant frown. "The amount at which Doctor Reid is the same as ourselves is irrelevant, he has Vulcan DNA, therefore he is as much Vulcan as he is Human. He is not any less of a Vulcan because of his expression of emotions, in fact If I were to theorise I would say that he experiences emotion to the same extent that we do." Valeris finished with a nod of her head. "Im sorry doctor, if I have caused emotional distress that was not my intention." Again the cadence in the woman's voice changed ever so slightly and Alex could hear the concern there along with now hopefully a lot more of the room as they actually focused on the conversation and listened carefully to slight changes.
"No no, i'm just Flattered. I'm Flattered that you would consider me as Vulcan as yourself, truly. Thank You. " Alex was sat with both hands holding up his head, thumbs resting against his jaw with his fingers covering his mouth, eyes wide and bright.
"You appear uneasy." Valeris noted slowly, the slowed down speech indicating hesitancy.
"I am, as there are not many people who would consider what you said as correct. You appear concerned, the shift in your stance and slowing of your speech, there's no reason for concern i assure you." Alex paused offering the cadet a smile as he clasped his hands together turning to face the room once again. "Now hopefully if you've all been paying attention you'll have a better understanding of Vulcans body language thanks to Valeris, the signals are there even where obvious facial expressions aren't. You just need to be paying attention, thankyou very much Valeris you can return to your seat now i think that round about wraps everything up for today."
"What about the Mirroring observation task you set us?"
"Those notes can be sent directly to me if you're part of my placement group if not they can be sent to Doctor Reid, people not under my placement won't be marked on their observations unless they specifically request it." Harry piped up holding his data padd in the air casually as alot of cadets scurried to collect all their hand written notes, some saving files on laptops. A Lot of the officers just shrugging saving any notes to go through later.
"You set them a observation task?" Leonard asked as everyone started to stand and gather their things, coming to stand beside the English doctor with a questioning brow as Alex turned to him with a cheeky smile.
"You didn't think I just had you sat there to look pretty did you?" Alex winked at Leonard before trying his hair up in a bobble as he waved to Harry with a point tacked on. Harry holding up his data padd in understanding and mouthing something to him. "He's recorded the lecture so we have something to go off for marking." Alex explained, grinning as Hikaru and Pavel walked over giving him a pat on the back as they did so congratulating him on a really quite interesting lecture before Hikaru had to take a step back and look at him with a wild gesture.
"Congrats on a lecture that actually held my interest but what the hell happened?" The man asked obviously concerned in a sense despite how well Alex was seemingly handling the change.
"Just plain old bad luck. You should see Jim if you think this is shocking." Alex added chuckling as the two officers looked at him then at each other with disbelief.
"Really?" Pavel asked unsure if he was being messed with.
"Oh yea really, stop by later and see for yourself." Leonard added with a chuckle as he clasped the Russian on the shoulder, giving Spock a nod as he came down the stairs to greet them, Pavel and Hikaru waving as they left.
"Spock!" Alex beamed as the man came over, his data padd firmly still in hand. "How're you feeling today?"
"I am adequate Alex I just wanted to properly apologise for my behaviour yesterday evening, I realise it was far from the correct stance to take and I admit I didn't recognise you at first... Your scent had also changed and had me incorrectly register you as a stranger." Spock explained in his always neutral tone his eyes glancing down and the floor briefly before coming up to meet the English doctors eyes.
"Apology accepted, just don't make me have to hit you again, I thought you were going to put me through a wall...I'm sorry too, for punching you." Alex sighed shaking his head, he looked at the man with a fond half smile before tapping him on the arm and signaling for them to follow him out.
"I did find your lecture to be very informative the inclusion of the Vulcan cadet was something I didn't forsee but was educational nonetheless."
"Appreciate it Spock, i do hope she does well in her exams. She's so important, Spock, just as important as you are, you get to inspire people. Other younger generations of Vulcans. I love that I think it's absolutely fucking brilliant. She's got an open mind and confidence in herself. She's going places, I'd put money on it."
Leonard smiled to himself then, seeing with perfect clarity the original Alex in this new body as he thought about just how passionate he was about the girls' importance. It was innocent and filled with pride for someone else's achievements, much like she was when they were on the ship and the nurses took charge on something they'd once been nervous about. She really did see the best in people and she rooted for everyone, no matter what field they were in. Leonard glanced to Spock for a second seeing the Vulcan looking at him, the corner of his mouth quirking up slightly with the Vulcans brow as Leonard scowled back at him.
"Shut up Spock."
"Can you too ever communicate like normal people or are you just on a different wave length to the rest of us?" Alex shook his head turning slightly to look at the pair now behind him before turning back to keep and eye on where he was going as they walked through the halls of the university.
"He doesn't need to say anything I already know what he's thinking."
"On the contrary I have only been putting to use what was taught in Alexs lecture, body language is indeed very telling." Spock spoke with a very slight lilt to his voice that had Leonard and Alex both turning to look at the Vulcan with deadpan expressions.
"And so is yours Spock along with other things so don't go getting cocky." Alex bit back rather aggressively considering the lighthearted conversation. Frowning to himself as he put his hand over his eyes. "Sorry Spock my hormones are all over the place at the moment, not that it's an excuse.-"
"Alex… are hormonal spikes like this common in other transporter malfunction victims?"
"No, I've not seen anything like what I'm experiencing in other patients, normally they remain at a safe but relatively high level before leveling out in the first few days after the initial incident. Same for the other unlucky people who've had to experience this twice. I seem to be an outlier, but the testing pool is very small."
"Perhaps it would be worth not putting yourself under your usual amount of stress, to prevent any other possible adverse reactions."
"I'm not stressed Spock I'm just- " Alex stopped dead in the middle of the corridor sucking in a laboured breath with blatant shock written on his face as his hand came up and clenched at his chest as he hunched forward slightly. "Im fine just-" Alex sucked in another breath as another Palpitation struck and seemed to knock his breath from his chest, Leonard and Spock at his side in an instant. "Just a heart Palpitation, nothing I've not experienced before."
"Ace, we're taking you back to the hotel." Leonard stated, tone firm as if there was no room for argument.
"I'm capable of looking after myself-" Alex growled in frustration grinding his teeth together. "Ill go get checked over by Harry, I'll meet you both later on. I'll be fine." Alex turned specifically to Leonard as he spoke offering the man a sincere look as he squeezed the southern doctors arm gently, walking away from them both out of the main doors turning left as he exited the building which was the direction the Osiris Medical centre was in atleast, much to Leonards relief. Though he didn't like the situation at all.
"I don't know about you Spock but something doesn't feel right." Leonard ground out a nervous knot in his stomach as he stood beside the Vulcan in the corridor.
"Agreed." Spock stated matter of factly as he continued on his original path alongside Mccoy both heading back to the hotel before going about doing their own thing.
Leonard sent a message to Harry to make sure Alex had actually made it to the surgery, to which the man did confirm that he had indeed checked him over. Nyota and Jim were still out shopping or doing something or other, Nyota letting Leonard know she was keeping an eye on Jim after Leonard had sent her a message in regards to what was going on with Alex.
"Jims with Nyota by the way Spock, she's taken her underwear shopping." Leonard grumbled offhandedly as he flicked between the channels on the TV. Spock seemed to stop dead at that turning to the southern doctor with something akin to fear in his eyes. Making Leonard almost choke with laughter as he just managed to hold back a smirk. "What?"
"I had not realised the situation would call for them to possibly spend more time together." Spock commented feining disinterest as he walked into the kitchen.
"You're paranoid they're talking about you?" Leonard smirked fully then quirking a brow up knowing that Spock would definitely have came up in conversation by now.
"Not at all."
"I would be if I were in your shoes Spock, you've dated one of them and are currently seeing the other." Spock had that look of fear on his face again as Leonard glanced at him through the bar window in the kitchen, openly laughing at the man then tapping the sofa in encouragement for the man to take a seat. " Relax Spock, worst comes to worst it'll be them both coming in laughing together." Leonard said taking a sip from his glass, opting for a diet coke rather than alcohol until Alex returned and he could relax.
"That does not seem like a worst case scenario."
"Well its not good, means you've been the main topic of conversation and they've probably swapped stories. Jim isn't beyond gossiping Spock even in his usual body. I've heard more than enough from casual conversation between him and Alex." Leonard quirked a brow at the man, loving winding the Vulcan up, something he honestly hadn't had the pleasure of doing in a while as the man looked at him with a cocked brow and a mouth set in a straight line.
"Such as?"
"Well, you don't approach sex like one of your experiments for one… you don't have the patience for that." Leonard drawled, smirking around his glass as he glanced at the Vulcan whos head was now turned away, the tips of his ears flushed a dark shade of green.
"I should not have asked." Spock stated simply hearing Leonard chuckling from his spot on the couch. A comfortable silence settling between the pair of them as Leonard continued to switch channels.
"Leonard, is Alexs voice through your link still the same now she has changed bodies?"
Leonard quirked a brow up at that not sure where the conversation was going but indulging the man nonetheless. "Yea, sounds the same as she always has."
"Interesting."
"Why?"
"Myself and Jim do not share a link but I have found his mental voice to also be the same as before whenever we make physical contact. It is somewhat confusing. " Spock admitted.
Leonard tilted his head before nodding gently taking another sip from his glass. "Then ask her to speak out loud more Spock, verbal communication makes wrapping your head round it easier, least you have prior experience with women to fall back on." Leonard added, trying to reassure the man best he could albeit awkwardly and probably revealing a bit more than he would have liked about himself.
Spock looking up at Leonard sceptically as he titled his head, Leonard purposefully not making eye contact with the man as he felt eyes on him. "And you do not have prior experience?" Came the inevitable question and Leonard laughed awkwardly as he put his glass down. Knowing the question was meant in the reverse being as how both their partners had swapped genders.
"None." Leonard stated bluntly, ending the conversation then and there as he placed all of his attention on the screen in front of him trying to find a show to keep his attention.
A couple of channel switches later, the door handle started to turn before the door opened revealing Nyota and Jim accompanied by the Sound of laughter as they both strolled in, Nyota breaking off from Jim as she headed to her room to no doubt put her own shopping away. Jim excitedly hopping over to where the two men were sat throwing her bags down and whipping out some very red lacey underwear much to Leonard and Spock's surprise.
"So I decided since I'm gunna be stuck in this body for 2 weeks to go all in, what do you guys think?" She said holding the item of clothing up to her chest dramatically, Spock turning five different shades of green in the space of ten seconds as Leonard burst out laughing. Jim turning to the southern doctor in mild offence.
"Why do you want my opinion Jim? You've never asked my opinion on clothes you wear before now."
"Well you're as straight as they come, Bones, i thought you'd at least have an opinion on what would look good now I'm like a solid 9." Jim stated matter of factly not noticing the man tense up slightly from his place on the sofa.
"You definitely still have the same ego that's for sure." Nyota spoke as she entered the room coming to sit beside Leonard casually putting a hand on the mans knee giving him a questioning look at his stiff posture.
"You're not really my type Jim even as a woman, blondes have never really been my thing, no offence."
"Never stopped you from flirting with Dr Marcus when she first joined the crew." Jim commented offhandedly though it was obviously a dig at the man.
"I said blonde's aren't my type not that I can't find them attractive, stop being dramatic. Why don't you ask Alex what he thinks when he gets back?"
"I might." Jim said thoughtfully the look on Spock's face souring visibly.
"Spock. Whats going on, ever since the gender swap you've been way off with Alex whenever it involves Jim." Nyota crossed her arms, voice stern as Leonard quirked a brow at the man also awaiting an answer.
"Shes not wrong Spock." Leonard commented, folding his arms as well.
"Alex as a half Vulcan has pheromones a similar strength to that of myself, they have a scent, a scent that is only obvious to other Vulcans. It is also Alex's personality to be very open and honest, an admirable trait to have. And in her female form she had little to no attraction to Jim, however Jim in his female form Alex has admitted to finding attractive. And though the comment may be an innocent observation and not something he intends to act on, I can smell the change in pheromones…" Spock trailed off not sure if any of the group were understanding his meaning.
"Why are Vulcans so complicated?" Leonard sighed, putting his head in his hands.
"Yea but Spock you know Alex would never do anything like that she's mad about Bones, and im not gunna pull something like that. so why is it bothering you this much?" Jim asked putting the clothes back in the bag gently as she looked down at Spock with sympathetic but concerned eyes.
"It is not a voluntary response, it is biological, it is why I believe I reacted so badly to first meeting Alex after the incident. I am completely aware that the response is irrational but it is difficult to control. I believe Alex would react just as badly if I started 'flirting' with Leonard, but he would probably not understand why at first. I have briefly discussed the matter of pheromones with her previously, though not being brought up on Vulcan she does not possess the same control over her pheromones as I do."
"Can we test this theory?" Jim asked with raised brows.
"I'd rather we didn't." Leonard commented raising his hands in disapproval. "You said you've talked to her about this before?"
"Not this matter itself, I discussed this with her while we were stationed on new Vulcan, it is when I first realised she possessed Vulcan strength pheromones, it was while you had amnesia Leonard. You had a mind link at the time which alters things, her pheromones were essentially broadcasting she had a mate but her... needs were not being met."
"You can get all that just from smell, why can't we get that type of information-"
Jim was promptly cut off by a less than happy Leonard. "You've got to be kidding me? You're telling me she could have potentially been harrased by a bunch of Vulcans because of the type of pheromones she was giving off? That's horseshit Spock, we can't control our pheromones."
"No humans cannot but most Vulcans can, however i believe that though Alex has inherited the ability of touch telepathy and the same strength the control of pheromones does not seem to be on the list of things she is capable of controlling, especially with her biology being closer to that of a human."
"So essentially Spock you're stuck in an awkward situation, shouldn't your logic override this?" Leonard asked with a frown of confusion.
"Though our species have came along way through mastering our emotions and strictly following logic there are still primal instincts that we have not yet found a way to fully control. The blood fever being one of them, amongst few others." Spock stated clearly annoyed with himself for being unable to fully be at ease around Alex whenever the man was around Jim. "The reaction is illogical and involuntary, I have no feelings of jealousy or fear of anything happening doctor it is simply part of being a Vulcan."
"I still think we should test it out, then you can talk to him Spock, explain that that is how it's making you react despite him not doing it intentionally. Maybe it will help if you tell him he's doing it, then maybe he can change his behaviour a bit to avoid it happening."
"Im not having any part in this, you can just talk to people you know Jim. Instead of testing them at every opportunity." Leonard scowled at the woman in annoyance his face softening in an instant as Alex walked in the man not looking any worse for ware as he walked towards the group hand running through his hair nervously. "Whats the verdict?" Leonard asked hopeful everything was indeed fine.
"Mostly fine, still getting some hormonal spikes, body is producing a miniscule amount more adrenaline than usual which is probably what caused the heart Palpitations. Just need to keep an eye on things really, maybe get in line early to be changed back by a day or two ahead of the 2 week mark." Alex offered the group a lazy smile before looking over a Spock and completely past Jim not even registering her. "Spock are you alright? you look paler than usual."
"Im adequate Dr-"
"Its a Vulcan thing." Jim stated causing Alex to finally pay attention to the woman. Offering Jim a short smile, one that didn't meet his eyes before returning his attention to Spock who seemed to click out of his stern expression like a switch had been flipped, his nostrils flaring slightly and his entire body relaxing.
"Whats going on?" Alex asked crouching down in front of Spock in concern.
"As of this moment, nothing. In Fact I realise i may have made a mistake. You do not need to soothe me Alex I am quite alright. "
"Soothe you?" Alex questioned hearing Spocks mention of his pheromones coming through clearly from this distance through the hand Alex had placed on the man's clothed knee. "Oh Sorry. But what mistake? "
"Its to do with pheromones." Jim commented taking a seat next to Bones placing his legs across the man's lap causally as he leaned against Spock.
Alexs left eye twitched at the action. Something only Spock seemed to notice, broadcasting his own soothing pheromones back at Alex who was clearly not in the right frame of mind for Jims antics right now. Which seemed strange to Spock as the woman had never particularly found Jim's interactions with Leonard to be anything out of the ordinary or anything that bothered her, but the sudden stiffness in posture suggested otherwise.
"What is it, have I been broadcasting something without realising again?" Alex stated simply groaning in frustration at the thought.
"Yes but I may have misinterpreted the meaning, I will discuss this with you later Alex, it is a none issue at the present time. I am more concerned with your medical results. Have you been instructed to stay away from caffeine until further notice? It would not be worth triggering the adrenal gland more than necessary if it is producing at a constant rate no matter how slight." Spock stated shocking Leonard with the snippet of medical knowledge he'd just came out with.
"Yes I have Spock. I've even been banned from tea unless it's decaffeinated. I have to admit this whole ordeal is much more stressful the second time round." Alex sighed pinching the bridge of his nose in frustration. "Jim you may have guests later, i'm going to go flake out for an hour or so, so somebody shout me if we have company." And with that the man headed upstairs opening their shared bedroom door and letting it swing shut gently.
"You both back to sharing a room now?" Jim asked in mild surprise but a happy lilt to her voice giving away his true feelings on the matter. Glad there didn't seem to be any awkwardness between the pair recently.
"Yea, shouldn't have to go through this alone like she did with the trial." Leonard commented pushing Jims legs off his lap as he got up and followed the other man upstairs making his way into the room to find the man tucked under the duvet with only the top of his head poking out. Leonard smiled to himself fondly, unbuttoning his shirt and folding it on top of the chest of drawers noticing another neat pile of clothes placed beside where he was putting his. Lifting the cover up he slid into bed behind the headful of dark blonde hair and promptly pulled the man back till Alexs back was flush against his chest, skin on skin feeling the leaner man un tense at the contact.
"You didn't have to come join me." The low voice rumbled.
"I can leave if you want?" Leonard asked genuinely, eyebrow quirking up despite the fact Alex wasn't facing him.
"No, this is nice."
"I accidentally bruised Jims ego before you walked in."
"Really, how?" Came the mumbled reply.
"She went bra shopping with Nyota came back and whipped out a bra asking what we thought, Spock turned 7 shades of Green in the space of a second and I started laughing. Only made her feel worse when I had to clarify she wasn't my type and I couldn't see her like that."
"Ouch, but to be fair you cant exactly have an opinion if you cant see someone in that sense. Might just be hormonal changes making Jim take things a little more personal, sort of like me but less aggressively."
"That would make sense, also did I just catch that right? You're thinking about dying your hair ginger?" Leonard asked, catching the fleeting thought down their link as they lay there.
"Not decided yet, I think I'd probably go more of an auburn, I dont think I'd suit it being bright red."
"Well its your choice-"
"Leonard can I ask you a question?" Alex interrupted turning in the mans arms to they were face to face making Leonard squint for a second as his eyes adjusted.
"You just did but sure."
"How do you stop random Boners from occurring? It happened when I went to get the tests done. No reason whatsoever. I was just sat in Harry's office waiting for results and I despise how obvious they are. Not that anyone noticed i was alone and had a magazine to hand-"
Leonard couldn't help himself laughing then, a full bodied laugh that had him putting a hand over his eyes as he grinned from ear to ear. "You don't stop them they just happen, you just gotta will them away as soon as you feel something starting, even then that doesn't always work."
"That's irritating." Alex said looking utterly annoyed at the entire situation.
"Yea tell me about it." Leonard chuckled before looking up at Alex only centimetres away from him. "I gotta say I never thought I'd be this relaxed being in bed with another man."
Alex looked at Leonard with a certain understanding in his face as he tilted his head slightly. "Does it make you nervous, because i'm nervous being in bed with you as a man."
"A little, but it's different because it's you, can't explain it. I know it's you in here," Leonard spoke tapping Alexs head gently. "You've just got a different outer shell if that makes any sense."
Alex let out a soft huff of laughter in understanding with a half smile tugging at his lips. "It's a good job we aren't really big on public displays of affection or we'd have left everyone gobsmacked by now."
"Yea, part of me despises the idea of being upfront about it because I feel like everyone would overreact, not badly but- I just don't think it's something to make a big deal out of."
"I know what you're saying, why make a big song and dance about it?"
"Yea, im sure I'll drop it in conversation at some point and everyone will click on but I don't feel the need to announce it. Not that I'm saying you need to act any differently not at all."
Alex smiled at the man before a look crossed his face that had Leonard prematurely glaring at him. "Don't look at me like that, you don't know what I'm about to say."
"I've got a sense that it's stemming from the gutter where your mind usually is, it may not be your usual face but I know that look."
"Maybe… im just wondering- i know its not the same but if we do try other things do you think you'd be up to try pegging? When I've changed back?" Alex gave Leonard a winning smirk before he was promptly slapped in the face with a pillow and the man was on top of him half heartedly holding the pillow over his face.
"I swear to god ill suffocate you woman-"
"I was only asking-" Alex wheezed in laughter under the pillow that had absolutely no pressure on his face as Leonard straddled him keeping the pillow exactly where it was as the half Vulcan continued to laugh, the cotton of the pillow making his breath hot against his own face as Leonard pushed down a little more just to make a point.
"Well I'm not answering that question-"
"Leonard-" Alex wheezed. Trying his best to regain some semblance of composure as he pulled the pillow down just enough so his eyes were visible over the edge. "I'm only asking because I'd probably be better at that than any attempt I could make in this body, its absolutely fine if you're not into that I just- id probably be able to make it fairly decent for you-"
"What makes you think you're attempting anything like that in this body?" Leonard quirked a brow, a very obvious red flush on his face that Alex knew would be there regardless of what body she'd asked that question in.
"Nothing at all. It's a big if. You can fuck me in the ass though if you like." Alex stated matter of factly. "An offer i would not be giving often in my other body might I add." The Vulcan turned a healthy shade of pink as Leonard seemed to be stunned whilst still on top of him.
"Did you just casually let me know i could fuck you in the ass or am I hallucinating?" Leonard asked carefully a smirk playing at the corner of his mouth but also an uncertainty there that had made him have to ask. Alex felt himself stiffen slightly underneath the man as he repeated the words.
Moving the pillow away he stared up at Leonard with a teasing smile, one that Leonard hadn't witnessed yet on this face and something that made the man stall as Alex sat up till he was in Leonard's personal space, his arousal grazing Leonards inner thigh just a touch in a silent suggestion. "I am giving you permission to do exactly that if you decide you want to." Alex purred into his ear, mouth then finding Leonards neck in a wet kiss before nipping the skin there, hands squeezing Leonards thighs before the southern doctor pushed at his chest sending him back into the mattress a suspicious look crossing Leonards face as he looked down at Alex.
"You're being a lot less demanding than usual, and you're doing everything at a snails pace. Why?"
Alex scoffed wanting to whack the man round the back of the head, as if it wasn't obvious. She didn't want to scare him off while in this body by jumping into his lap like a needy bitch. "Im trying to be considerate as this is very different for both of us."
"You sure thats it?"
"Yes." Alex hissed in frustration.
"Okay. Well you don't have to hold back constantly, its not like you. Every now and again yea, but not all the time." Leonard quirked a brow up seeing Alexs jaw clench before he was promptly dragged down into a heated kiss as Alex ground his hips up into him.
"Its not gunna be the same as it usually is, me being a bossy demanding cunt, it's gunna feel completely different." Alex growled into Leonards mouth, hand clenched in his dark hair.
"I know." Leonard managed to spit out, distracted by the rather large hand on his ass, feeling tossed in the deep end, filled with adrenaline and a quiet thrumming of excitement. Not to the point he felt like he was drowning but there was definitely a sense of urgency and a handful of anxiety too.
"You say that but I don't quite think you do." Alex said, flipping the man onto his back with very minimal effort, slotting a thigh comfortably between Leonards legs rubbing against the mans tented slacks enticingly before he promptly took both of Leonard's hands and pinned them by his head, a move she'd pulled on him before. "If you move before I tell you too, I'll walk out."
Leonard was breathing heavily as he looked up at the green eyes looking down at him like he was prey, Alex might have been right, it did feel very different while she was in this body. And while she'd made threats like this in the bedroom before (and followed through should he not do as he was told much to his frustration at times) hearing the deep voice utter those words had him nye on freezing in place as he felt hands grazing his length through his jeans as Alex unzipped him, something primal in him more wary of disobeying when she was a he. He felt more exposed than usual, especially when the cool air of the room hit his shaft and a large hand wrapped around it. Leonard let out strained noise rather than any words, unable to fully communicate what he needed.
"You can move your hands if you need as Long as you don't touch me." Alex purred, breath hitting Leonards length as he saw the southern doctors hands grab a fistful each of the pillow he was laid on. "Maybe i should do this more often, it's nice to have you do as you're told, if you want me to stop just say so."
Leonard managed a grunt in reply which earned him a chuckle before there was a mouth around him and he felt his bones go numb as a noise he'd never made before left his mouth, a drawn out whine. It was needy and throaty, something he'd normally enjoy coaxing out of Alex as he tormented her. Alex paused at that and Leonard felt his entire body flush in embarrassment.
"Fucking hell Leonard. Do that again."
"I cant make noises on Command asshat-" Leonard snarled back clearly embarrassed, not sure as to why since he was sure if it was Ace in her usual body he wouldn't care.
"But you're being so quiet compared to usual. And that was perfect." Alex groaned out as he put Leonard back in his mouth, groaning around the mans length as he heard Leonards breath hitch in his throat.
"Can I move yet?" Leonard asked throatily hearing a hum of confirmation as well as a resounding 'yes' down there link which brought a slight bit of comfort to him in her original voice while he was in this new situation. Leonard pushed himself up onto his elbows looking down at a mess of mucky blonde hair atop a set of thick pale shoulders as it bobbed on his cock. "Jesus christ. Stop- stop-" Leonard stuttered, his breathing laboured as Alex immediately pulled off him looking up in concern before Leonard grabbed a handful of hair.
"Are you- ah- okay?" Alex asked, gasping as Leonards grip faltered slightly, accidentally tugging the mans hair and making him strain against the boxers he was wearing and the mattress. An involuntary reaction since Alex knew something was wrong simply from the look on Leonard's face.
"I don't know, I think I'm dissociating, this is definitely you right Alex?" Leonard said feeling slightly overwhelmed as the man's face in front of him contorted in concern, pain and then affection, his brain struggling to register it as his Alex all over again.
"Its me Leonard its-" Its me Len, I promise. Lay back alright and turn to your side, that's it. I'm so sorry Leonard.
"T's not your fault, m' sorry i ruined the mood." Leonard said sincerely, on his side now just like Alex had told him her voice in his head soothing to his overactive brain. "I think maybe we should use the link more to stop that from happening again, I felt like for a second I was- cheating..."
I would never- but it felt real awful in my head for a second
Its okay Leonard, I'm here, it's me, you didn't ruin anything you soft bastard. We go slow from now on okay? Stop trying to rush yourself. You've not cheated on me.
But I like this body too Ace, you're a good looking guy.
I know you do Leonard that's not the issue you know how complicated brains are, its because its me in a different body, its a mind fuck. The real me, or what can I call it? No it is that really. The real me, the me you know is all freckles and red hair and thick thighs. I'm naturally a woman, Leonard. It's going to mess with your head a bit, its messing with mine too don't worry.
"I love you." Leonard said still trying to shake the strange feeling of guilt like he had cheated.
I love you too
"Im so sorry Leonard, we're skipping anything like this in future." Came the other voice of Alex from behind Leonard, his brain finally registering them both as one in the same person again.
"Don't say that."
I'm not driving you insane by doing things with you in a different body just for the sake of experimenting, I appreciate its nice you've discovered that you can be attracted to men Leonard but its not worth fucking with your head.
"It won't just need help staying grounded that's all, I think we've been using the link less since you changed."
"Yea we have. You did ask me to use this voice to start with, to be honest I think we were both under the misconception that it'd make things less confusing but that wasn't right at all." Alex half laughed, kissing the back of Leonard's shoulder fondly.
"I can't believe I whined, I sounded like you." Leonard said in astonishment earning him a half hearted slap to the arm.
First of all fuck you, second of all it was hot.
"Fuck me yourself you coward." Leonard said with a chuckle as he felt Alex laugh behind him.
"In about a week or so sure."
"Seriously Ace? I'm fine, just a bump in the road."
"Uhuh… why am I aching… down there." Alex trailed off all arousal 100% gone but her new bits aching rather aggressively.
Leonard quirked a brow up then before laughing. "That Ace is what blue balls feel like, and its payback for all the times you've done that to me in the past." Leonard promptly got out of bed tucking himself more comfortably back into his jeans as he threw Alexs clothes at him hitting the man square in the face, a face that didn't look best pleased.
Hadn't thought about winding you up in this body before now
Please don't
Asking nicely never got me very far while we were on the ship
I'm an evil woman I know and I'm sorry
"The hell you are." Leonard quirked a brow up towards the green eyes watching him with a suggestive smirk before turning back to his shirt on the chest of drawers slipping it on while shaking his head.
"Does the aching stop?"
"After a while yea."
"And to make it stop faster id need to-"
"Yup."
"I don't like it."
"Not many people do Ace, get dressed and stop grumbling we have guests coming remember?" Leonard chuckled buttoning up his shirt as he watched the man frown from the bed before standing up and pulling his trousers on buttoning up his shirt lazily Leonard noticing immediately the mans fly being undone. Instead of speaking up he decided to walk over there, a smirk plastered on his face as he came to stand Infront of Alex gripping the rim of his jeans with one hand and the zipper with the other, Alexs eyes going wide as Leonard yanked the zip up rather aggressively, the half Vulcans Adams apple bobbing as he swallowed. "Your fly was undone." Leonard said matter of factly still smirking as a pink flush appeared on Alexs face.
"I hate you." Alex grumbled out loud and down their link as Leonard grinned.
"Just behave yourself." He quirked up a brow in warning as he turned around and exited the room just in time to see Sulu, Chekov and Scotty with Jaylah in tow come through the main door, Spock stood holding it open stiffer than a board as per usual.
"I dragged these two out aswell, hope you don't mind thought a couple drinks wouldn't be a bad idea." Sulu commented holding up a bottle of Bourbon in Leonards direction offering the man a wink as Leonard rolled his eyes.
"You'll never been in my bad books as long as you're sharing Sulu." Leonard chuckled as he made his way down the stairs hearing Alex come out of the bedroom behind him as he went.
"Theres booze?" Alex commented seeing Jim pop her head out of the bedroom door next to his looking just a curious. "Jim they're trying to tempt us with alcohol." Alex muttered across to the woman as everyone looked up at the pair on the balcony.
"Temptation accomplished." Jim spoke in a hushed tone bursting out of her room and swaggering down the stairs with the same gait she had in her male body which did look rather funny Alex had to admit.
"You're banned off caffeine, but ill let you have a drink or two, no going overboard though. I'm not carrying you too the hospital. You got wine?" Leonard called up recieving a nod in affirmation. "You can have 1 glass." He called up in his doctor tone as Alex quirked a brow at him.
"Im bargaining for 2 so that way me and Nyota can share a bottle evenly, nothing goes to waste. I'm still sober and I might not call you out for how controlling that sounded because I know you're in doctor mode." Alex quirked brows up at Leonard with a look that said 'watch it Mccoy' as Leonard tilted his head and cocked a sarcastic brow back.
"Fine."
"Hold on a sec thats Alex?" Scotty said in disbelief scoffing as the man from the balcony scooted down the stairs pulling his hair up as he walked, putting it in a messy bun at the back of his head revealing his ears and scars but more so to keep his hair out of his face.
"Hello Monty." Alex let out a low purr, giving the shorter man a wink making the scott turn bright red on the spot.
"Now we'll have none of that lass- er well. Just behave yourself." Scotty managed as the others laughed at him.
"Its the second time someone's told me to behave today I'm starting to think I'm some sort of trouble maker."
"You are." Leonard commented giving Alex a pointed look as he strolled back into the room with glasses in hand, handing the man 2 wine glasses.
"I was thinking about bringing my husband but now I'm kinda glad I didn't, he's a flirt when he's had a drink and Alex is a flirt since birth apparently." Sulu elbowed Alex in the chest fondly as he started laughing.
"I do not flirt with married men, just so we're clear." Alex stated.
"No but any other blokes fair game am I right-" Scotty chuckled offering the rather masculine Alex a friendly tap on the chest with a smirk.
"Least now you can say she's technically a blonde Scotty." Jim piped up from across the room, clad in simple jeans and a baggy t-shirt. Hair still as short as ever face lighting up with mirth as she looked at the red haired Scotsman who went crimson again.
"Oh fuck off." Scotty said shaking his head in despair as the redness spread down his neck. "See your just the same as usual Jim, better looking than usual mind."
"Rude!" Jim replied flipping off the scottsman as she walked over grabbing a glass from Leonard.
"This is James T and Doctor Alex?" Jaylah joined the group after getting back from the kitchen with Chekov looking for more fruitier tasting alcohol. "What has happened to your copper hair?" Jaylah looked hurt as she looked towards Alex.
"I know, i know, but im going to dye it back, I don't like being blonde either."
"James T… you are much shorter than before, you do make a pretty woman… though a strange one." Jaylah spoke her eyes squinting in suspicion as Jim scoffed with laughter in her eyes.
"Thanks Jaylah."
"What're you drinking Jaylah? come with me ill show you what we can get from room service-" Alex asked curiously cupping the woman's tricep gently as he led her over too a brochure leaflet on the kitchens bar top, the woman more than comfortable being led away after being told it was Alex just in a different body by Sulu on the way there.
"So Bones. I wasn't going to say anything but Is everything alright with you and Ace. I mean she's turned into a man for a week or two gotta be a bit tense."
"Yea Jim. Everything's business as usual, also I've just noticed how much height you've lost, Ace gained an inch or two but you've really shrunk." Leonard commented actually having to look down as the man he called his best friend was now what had to be a 5"5 woman now frowning with her arms crossed up at him.
"Shes stole my inches." Jim complained.
"In more ways than one I bet." Sulu added making Scotty and Leonard both choke on their drinks as they started laughing. "She looks good as a he though, i'd tap that." Sulu commented off handedly seeing Leonard quirk a brow up at him over his glass with a sort of warning look.
"Don't tell her that you'll make her ego grow bigger than it already is." Scotty joked, shaking his head with a friendly smile as he motioned over to the man in question.
"What's it like being a woman by the way?" Sulu turned to Jim with a curious frown.
"Bit weird, my junks gone, and I have tits now, which hurt randomly and ache when you take a bra off. "
"They're not good for blood circulation." Leonard commented with a matter of fact hand gesture.
"Then why do women wear them? Free the nipple man fuck bras." Jim said with the most insulted expression ever on her face that all four men in front of her were laughing again.
"Wish Spock was here to hear you say that."
"Shut up Bones." Jim hissed slapping Leonards arm half heartedly before turning to the group, seeing them all looking confused. "Oh I forgot to tell you guys me and Spock are seeing eachother-"
"You what?!- how could you forget to tell us that?" Scotty exclaimed eyes wide and mouth hanging open.
"Saw that coming a mile off. Even with Spocks show no emotion thing." Sulu said absolutely un phased as Chekov started laughing a giddy smile on his face.
"How is the commander handling ze change captain?"
Chekov asked seeing the blonde woman fold her arms and frown with a look of disapproval on her face, making the four men crack up in quiet laughter again.
"It's weird though, I've went from a man to a woman. It's a big change and I can't expect everything to just go business as usual. Speaking of which, how are you and Ace so easy going with this entire thing hasn't it been awkward…" Jim trailed off, her tone hinting at a topic that was slightly too early in the night to get into as she looked up at Leonard who just cocked a brow at her.
"I have Ace's voice in my head constantly, Jim, her usual voice. But it's still pretty easy to disassociate, you look and sound nothing like you usually do, I dont know what to suggest. A mind meld maybe?" Leonard cocked his head down at the woman before taking another drink.
"What so Spocks not recognising me as me because of this body?"
"Yea."
"Thats fucked."
"He'll get used to it, even if he doesn't it's only for 2 weeks at most." Sulu offered putting a hand on the woman's shoulder as Leonard nodded along.
"So you and Ace… Business as usual…" Jim squinted at Leonard putting her hand on her chin in thought the cogs turning but very slowly.
"Jim." Leonard warned giving the woman a soft but insistent look.
"Oh." Chekov let the noise escape as he clicked on a pink flush forming. His mind obviously wondering as he turned beet red when he accidentally made eye contact with Leonard who just smirked at him with a knowing look in his eyes.
"Fair enough. " Scotty commented not making a big deal out of it. The engineer not seeing it quite as dramatically as Jim seemed to be as the woman was practically shaking.
"I thought you were straight." Came the inevitable comment from the blondes mouth making Leonard groan and roll his eyes.
"Yea Jim so did I...To be honest, I'm not sure if its just cause it's Alex." Leonard said looking over at the man who had somehow in the time they'd all been stood talking been assaulted by Nyota and bullied into getting his hair plaited sat on the sofa holding a glass of wine frowning while his hair was pulled and twisted. "What the hell happened?" Leonard rose his voice slightly catching Alexs attention as the man looked up frown still firmly in place.
"I lost a bet."
"Its been ten minutes."
"I know, i really need to stop making bets against people that aren't you."
"What was the bet anyway?" Jim asked laughing lightly to herself at Alexs frown.
"You wouldn't get it you're men." Nyota waved them off.
"Hey, technically a woman here." Jim commented, sticking her tongue out as Nyota laughed.
"It wasn't anything that interesting, just that I knew Alex couldn't go without looking for something at some point during the night without putting his hands on his chest- women tend to hold their boobs when they lose something." Nyota said matter of factly laughing when Alex crossed his arms with a huff.
"Its not funny, its second nature! You took advantage of me in my confused state."
"You took me up on the bet!"
"I forgot how painful plaiting was."
"I would say that James T has stolen your chest but hers are much too small." Jaylah added knocking back a test tube shot as Nyota, Jaylah and Alex all burst into laughter simultaneously. Nyota letting go of Alexs hair as the man keeled over into his crossed legs as Jim gave them the finger, face a mixture of annoyed and amused. The men laughing as well as Jim shook his head.
"I feel like I'm being bullied since this gender swap, why aren't we bullying Alex?"
"Because I'm a delight?" Alex replied with a cheeky smile in Jims direction. "Honestly though Jim from what I've seen and it isn't much, you have a decent pair of tits- oh my god that sounds so bad in this voice- picture that in my usual voice. I'm not a pervert I swear." Alex stammered over his words half way through covering his mouth at how bad it sounded regardless of the charming smooth accent he had, trying not to laugh as he heard rather than saw Scotty across the room nearly fall over from laughing so hard. "I mean that in the most innocent sense I swear."
Alex had talked himself into so much of a hole the whole room seemed to be in stitches and Leonard was having to try and peel a scottsman from his place leaning heavily on the back of the sofa practically curled over the backrest.
"We don't need to bully Alex Jim, she talks herself into situations like she usually does." Leonard said laughing as he glanced over to the half Vulcan in question who was laughing alongside everyone else hand over his eyes with a very pink flush of embarrassment.
"I can't say anything as casually as I usually would im walking on egg shells with myself." Alex exclaimed sending Nyota into another fit of giggles. "I need a filter while I'm in this body or i'm going to get punched… again." Alex spoke, gaze zoned out as he tilted his head at a rather intrusive memory sprung up.
"What did you do?" Jim asked expectantly watching Alex stand up pointedly a look of intent on his face, wincing when his hair was pulled by Nyota who was still trying to plait his hair.
"Okay work with me and ill work with you-" Alex spoke crouching down as he rounded the otherside of the sofa and kneeling on the floor so that Nyota could still plait his hair from the back of the couch. "I didn't do anything Jim, I was on a night out with Harry and a couple of nurses. Harry had left to get more drinks and the other 3 girls were dancing and I was sat having a conversation with Stacy. You've seen her Leonard, that short blonde nurse at the clinic? Absolutely lovely girl, couldn't hurt a fly, never ever seen her get mad. Anyway, we were talking about something, pretty sure we were picking out people in the crowd that we thought Harry would try and take home that night- but her boyfriend turns up and must have seen us laughing over something and he's not thrilled, comes over from my blindside and puts a hand on my shoulder saying 'alright thats enough.'" Alex paused to take a breath a look of annoyance clearly plastered on his face.
"You always have to ask what the situation is you cant just assume." Jim nodded in agreement with Alexs perplexed expression. The group nodded along with Jims statement.
"Exactly, the audacity. He didn't ask, and I'm an idiot as we all know but I'm not going to change myself because I'm in a different body, so I turn around and tell him he's interrupted our conversation. I didn't even swear, which is rare. Stacy fully recounted what happened and word for word i said 'we're in the middle of a conversation here, don't come over here with that tone.' Well I get punched square in the face, Stacy is screaming at him as I'm holding my bloody nose and he turns around and starts screaming back at her. How she was 'stupid if she thought I wasn't hitting on her' and all this, calling her nieve, to grow up. Then she slaps him across the face saying how its me. Her boss and to not call her again. And he continues arguing. Despite being dumped, and despite her explaining very briefly how I'd came to be in that body… so I headbutted him."
"You did right." Nyota said raising a brow and shaking her head at the story.
"I like to think so, he was getting far too in her face for my liking. Not that Stacy wasn't handling it well, she was, but he just wasn't listening. I was banned from that club for a good 6 months though after that. Despite the fact I treated his broken nose. Harry was less than pleased."
"What? why?! you defended yourself and Stacy?" Leonard asked confused.
"Oh no he just wasn't happy I'd been banned and the other guy hadn't, he properly kicked off, he saw everything from the bar along with one of the bartenders who actually defended us but the manager just seemed set on kicking me out. Jokes on him I came back the week after I'd been changed back and none of the bouncers would kick me out even when I told him who I was because I obviously didn't look the same. I had a good laugh with the bartender that night." Alex finished taking a sip of wine with Nyota finishing off the scalp plait tying the bobble at the back to hold it in place. "I feel like my scalp is being pulled off my skull." Alex whined turning to Nyota with a hurt expression.
"You have to keep it in for half an hour that's the deal."
"Only if you help me dye my hair before you have another glass of wine."
Nyota squinted at the man then tilting her head to the side as if to assess the situation. "What colour are you going?"
"A little darker than my usual i think."
"You are getting your copper hair back?"
"Yes I am."
"Can I help?"
"There is more than enough of me to go round, of course you can." Alex smiled cheekily at Jaylah then, the flirtatious comment earning him a slap to the chest from Nyota who rolled her eyes at the man before going to the suites phone near the main door to call the front office. Alex rubbed his chest where the woman had slapped him with fake wince of pain.
"I've called room service they're bringing us some boxes of dye, a couple because I don't think two is going to cover the amount of hair you have." Nyota stated bluntly.
"I wouldn't have thought of that at all. Glad to have you on board." Alex pointed at the woman giving her a thankful nod, pulling on the bobble in his hair and starting to undo the plait slowly much to Nyotas annoyance. "Nyota they're very quick we don't have much time before they deliver the dye."
"Before you go pulling the entire thing out stop what you're doing and wait, I asked them for something else aswell. I'm sorting out that side of your head, its overgrown and looks untidy it needs re shaving." Nyota poked Alex in the chest pointedly as the man conceded that she was probably right as he smiled, pulling Nyota in for a hug.
The night seem to fly by after that, there was hair all over the floor for a while as his head was shaved, audience and all, drinking and laughing at the sidelines sprawled on the huge sofa as it happened. Nyota and Jaylah helping with the dye. Dad dancing to music with a head full of dye and just a towel around his shoulders so not to ruin his shirt, much to Nyotas amusement who joined in knowing the woman underneath this new body all too well in the fact she was doing it to make people smile and laugh. The dye was washed out and dried, Sulu and Chekov bowing out as they headed back to their respective rooms and homes. Sneaking in a third glass of wine much to Leonards disapproval, fresh shirt on and a cheeky smile as the man seemed to shake his head with the hint of a smile.
Eventually it was only the original group sat on the couch together lazily, Spock having arrived back just as Jaylah and Scotty were finally leaving, everyone smiling a little wider due to the amount they'd drank, everyone but Alex. Who actually looked rather ill. Leonard frowned in mild concern thinking nothing of it at first till he saw the man squeeze his eyes shut as he sat a ways away from him, closer to Nyota than himself, Leonard only just noticing how blotchy his skin looked and how he seemed to be literally dripping with sweat.
"Ace, what's wrong." Leonard asked seriously the all to familiar frown returning as the freshly dyed red haired man coughed trying to clear his throat waving Leonard off the best he could before blood started dripping from his nose at an alarming speed startling all of them including Alex who jumped after wiping his upper lip with the back of his hand thinking at first it was wine from drinking over eagerly, only for his hand to be covered in blood.
"I don't know- I don't feel right." Alex ground out through gritted teeth definitely in some form of discomfort. "I think I have a fever-I-"
Leonard came over to the man putting a hand to his head before he ripped it away again with his eyes blazing, hands going straight for the man's shoulders shaking him ever so slightly as if to ground him . "Jesus Ace you're burning up, hey tell me what's going on how you're feeling- Jim can you go get my tricorder it's on the drawers in our room." Leonard didn't even need to finish his sentence before he saw Jim's slim figure sprinting upstairs and through the bedroom door, padd ringing aggressively as she did so the woman making a frustrated sound as she pulled it from her pocket mid sprint.
"I just feel really out of it all of a sudden, everything is kind of out of focus, I'd personally say some kind of flu but I've not seen anything develop this quickly before. My skin feels like it's on fire." Alex groaned fumbling with his shirt and pulling at the neck as the material seemed to stick to his damp skin. Leonard grabbed the tricorder from Jim who seemed to be in the middle of a call, data padd up to her ear with a frown of concern on her face as she walked towards the balcony holding a finger up to the group as Alex stood and headed to the kitchen for tissue Leonard not far behind.
"Your adrenaline readings are high Ace and rising, way too high-" Leonard was cut off by Alex's lips against his, his eyes going wide in confusion before gently pushing the man away. "What's going on Ace-"
"I don't know but it helps, having you close helps, but I need more." The man whined in discomfort not understanding what this feeling was, insides on fire and heart hammering and this need to cling on to Leonard for dear life. I feel like i need to be a literal part of you to feel better I don't understand Leonard- but everything burns, my blood feels like it's boiling-
Something clicked in Leonard's head then as he felt the man's hands grabbing at the sides of his shirt trying desperately not to make him feel cornered but needing to be close, Leonard could make out faintly the feeling of fever down their link almost sending Alex into delirium before he was shouting for Nyota to get him a adrenaline suppressant hypo spray and make sure Spock was nowhere near the kitchen. Jim walking in with a serious look across her face, features pulled taunt.
"We've got to go Bones, we have to get her changed back." Jim said bluntly, Leonard turning to look at Jim with an incredulous look as Alex leaned into him breathing down his neck hotly.
"Jim, he can't go anywhere till we've got this under control- I think this is that Vulcan shit. What the hell do they call it, Pon Farr? His adrenaline is high as a kite- ah-" Leonard let out a sharp exhale of breath as he felt teeth biting into his neck, tongue darting out to wet his lips on auto pilot as he frowned in frustration gently pushing the man back off him again, hand against his chest to keep him stationary. "Ace, slow down- thanks Nyota. Here." Leonard said poking the device into the man's neck with an apologetic look on his face.
"Right so steer clear of any Vulcans, but we have to go now-"
"Jim you can't take him out in this state-"
"Bones it's an emergency, there's no time, if she doesn't get changed back things could go wrong- you're gunna have to trust me here."
Leonard clenched and unclenched his jaw in frustration as he looked into blue eyes that were pleading, the moment seemed to stretch on for eternity until Alex came too and clasped Leonard on the arm leaning forward and placing a kiss on Leonard's cheek as he walked towards Jim. Every fiber in Alex's body was screaming at him to stay with Leonard, not move another step and his movement was slow and sluggish because of it but he had to act while he had some semblance of wits about him.
"Lead the way, tell me on the way- I'll be back, if this is what you think it is please don't go running off." Alex pleaded with Leonard as he followed Jim out of the kitchen door. Offering Spock a weary look to which the Vulcan cocked a brow in concern.
I'll be fine
You better be