A/N: Hi guys! Long time no see. I had a life to struggle with, so, unfortunately, I didn't have time for this story. But now I'm here and I thank you for your reviews.

First of all, I really like that my OC is so controversial. I didn't want her to be good or bad, I wanted her to be real, and real people are a mix of good and evil.

Purplestan, the way McCoy calls Lee is a consequence of me reading too many fics with him calling Jim "kid". So we have a "girl". Not my fault, really ;)

As for the request to continue the story. I will not abandon this fic, I can promise you that. This story is my baby, and you don't just abandon your baby. I don't know whether I will have time to update regularly, but I will do my best to publish new chapters as soon as I can.

Finally, I want to give a big shoutout to JularaVon for betareading this. Your help means a lot to me.

And now on with the story. Have fun.

McCoy swore loudly when the alarm awakened him four and a half hours later. He turned it off and cursed even louder. His whole body ached, the consequence of staying in the chair for a long time. He stretched to make the pain go away and cursed again.

"Well, that was hot," the voice from the couch made him jump. McCoy completely forgot about Lee sleeping near him.

"What exactly? An old man cracking his bones because of sleeping not in his bed?" he huffed.

"No, an unshaved you, swearing loudly and scarily with this delicious accent of yours. That was hot," Lee grinned, but her smile lacked her usual mirth. She was laying on her side and holding her stomach.

McCoy was on his feet in an instant.

"I'm getting you to the OR now."

He'd been sleeping for too long. It was long enough for the sedative to stop working and to make his girl suffer. And had he just called Lee his girl? Well, fuck. McCoy shook his head to make this thought disappear.

He felt horrible. He obviously hadn't rested enough and he didn't possess an ability to be as good as new after a few hours of sleep like he used to be in his youth. Hell, he was too old for this shit.

He checked on his other patients while the OR was being prepared and was pleased to see all engineers healing well. Some of them had even left sickbay already after receiving orders to rest and do not get themselves hurt again.

McCoy had just stopped growling at the ensign with a nasty concussion to make her stay in sickbay when Catto approached him apprehensively.

"Sir, the OR is ready."

He turned around to face her and she winced. Apparently, she didn't share Lee's opinion on his current state. Fuck, he had to look quite scary for the person who had got a taste of his short temper just recently. McCoy tried to remove a scowling expression from his face and attempted to smile.

"Thanks, nurse. Now, where is Chapel? I need her to assist me in this."

Catto's face went white.

"Sir," she said in a trembling voice, "She's in her quarters, all nurses and M'Benga are. We received an order from the Captain to rest. There's no one here"

'Except for you,' McCoy thought. He left Jim's interference in his department's order to make him angry later and gave Catto a measured look.

The surgery was quite simple, so he wouldn't need a lot of people to help him. One nurse would do just fine. Besides, Catto was a good nurse, no matter what he'd said to her. He'd chosen her in Yorktown himself, after all.

But McCoy saw that she was terrified. So would she be able to do what has to be done during the surgery? Would he risk it during Lee's surgery? He sighed.

"Call for Sh'kevon. We can't leave sickbay with no one here. And you prepare yourself for surgery. You'll assist me today."

She gaped at him and didn't respond. McCoy felt his blood boil a little. Then he thought about Joanna.

"Catto?" he called for her calmly.

The nurse composed herself and replied, "Yes, Sir."

McCoy shook his head and prayed to God that it wasn't a mistake and that it wouldn't get his crazy girl hurt.

Several hours later McCoy was nuzzling a glass of bourbon in his quarters and feeling too old again.

Lee's surgery had gone smoothly. He was surprised to find out that Catto was an excellent assistant: attentive, receptive and fast. He even gave her "good job, nurse" and earned himself a timid smile.

He was mentally comparing Lee and Catto while stomping to his place. The women were both of the same age, almost the same body type and both pretty. Catto could probably be considered sexier than Lee as the former's feminine features were defined better while the latter was still too slim and weak.

But their appearance wasn't the thing. It was the electricity and pure craziness inside the one and the total lack of it in the other that distinguish them drastically and made him desperately, constantly, and madly want Lee. He wanted her so much it hurts, he wanted to hold her, to soothe her and to protect her from the demons she was fighting inside her messy head. He just wanted to be with her so fucking much and had no clue how to make himself stop thinking about her.

And she was a goddamn virgin, for fuck's sake. How was that even possible?

When he'd been preparing for that examination, he'd expected to see anything but this. Her behavior in the bar and with him, in general, suggested that she was quite experienced. God, he thought that Lee was like Jim with his long long list of sexual affairs. Apparently, it was a mistake.

It changed everything. He could give in to her before. She was driving him crazy and he knew that one day he wouldn't have a will strong enough to resist her anymore. Now it wasn't going to happen. What type of a man he would be if he got a virgin laid just to satisfy his, no doubt short-lived, desire? The fire would fade like it always did. And when it was done and when they would have to part their ways, she would regret her decision to lose her innocence with him. He wouldn't let this happen, no way.

He looked at his forgotten drink and put it away. He didn't even want alcohol now. All he wanted was this insufferable crazy woman.

McCoy heard the door open and saw Jim entering his quarters. Lee and Jim were alike in this habit. Both had never heard of knocking.

"How did it go?" his friend asked.

"What 'it'?"

"The surgery."

McCoy shrugged.

"Fine. She's fine and will be ready for new craziness in no time."

Jim nodded and silence fell between them.

"Bones," Jim quietly said, "What's going on between you and Lee?"

McCoy glared at him.

"Nothing."

"I don't think so. I've told you already how you behave when she's around and I've taken a good look at her near you. She's in love or I've never seen a woman in love before."

McCoy sighed. Lee indeed behaved like she was madly in love. But he still thought that everything they both feel wasn't serious.

"It can be a fake or it can be short-lived, Jim. She might be in love, but it doesn't matter that we should start anything."

"I don't think that it's short-lived."

McCoy raised an eyebrow.

"You don't, huh?"

"Yes. Her feelings are not a fake. Or she's the best actress I've ever met. She's into you and you are into her. You should make a move, Bones. It would make you both happy."

McCoy regarded his friend. Did Jim really believe that such relationships would work out? The Doctor remembered his latest finding about Lee and rubbed his eyes. The thing that he was going to say wasn't at all professional, but he would have to put it in his report anyway.

"She is a virgin," McCoy announced blankly.

"What?"

"You've heard me. She's a virgin and I can't just ignore it."

Jim stared at him in disbelief.

"Did she tell you that?"

"I've seen it myself. I had to examine her before the surgery."

Jim shook his head.

"How old is she, again?"

"Twenty-six."

"Holy fuck."

"Exactly."

"But it proves everything if you think about it," Jim said after a short pause, "If she is willing to sleep with you, she's definitely not faking love. Did she hit on you since that night in the bar?"

"It wasn't like that..."

"Did she or did she not?"

McCoy didn't meet his friend's eyes. What was he supposed to answer? Lee didn't do it directly like when they'd first met, but it was obvious that she waited for him to do something. Could it be considered hitting?

"Sort of," he finally replied.

"So just take her."

"I can't."

"But why?" Jim looked annoyed now, "You both are crazy about each other. It's only logical for you to go for it."

McCoy rolled his eyes.

"You sound like Spock."

"Do I really? I must have spent too much time with him because somebody," Jim pointed his finger at McCoy, "Is too busy with his I-wouldn't-take-her-though-I-want-her-like-crazy and do not entertain me."

"Oh, that's so unfortunate."

"It really is," Jim smirked and continued in much more serious tone, "But think about it, okay?"

"We still don't know who she is."

Jim shrugged.

"I think she is a criminal."

McCoy stared at his Captain.

"What?"

"It's the only plausible option. If she was a spy, she would have a nice fairytale to feed us. She has none, but she still doesn't want to talk, so yeah, I think she's a criminal. A con artist, something like that. Doesn't matter."

McCoy couldn't believe it.

"So you are meaning to tell me that you think she's an outlaw, but it's okay and that I should start seeing her? Are you out of your mind?"

Jim's expression didn't change.

"Look, if she is what I think she is, it doesn't mean she's a bad person. I know some criminals who are pretty good guys. And the truth is," Jim hesitated and then went on, "If she's into you, wants to be with you and you want the same, I kinda want her on the Enterprise."

Bullshit.

"I'll have to re-evaluate your mental condition because you are definitely insane," McCoy stated.

Jim shook his head.

"No. Have a look at this."

He tossed McCoy a PADD. The Doctor examined the device.

"Is it hers?"

Jim nodded. McCoy grimaced.

"Why did you take it? She would go nuts when she didn't see it."

"Well, I wanted to see what my supposedly dangerous guest is doing on this thing. And the first thing I saw was a solution of the equation that the best Federation minds couldn't solve for years."

Jim switched the PADD on and showed McCoy the screen.

"Do you know what is it?" the Captain asked, pointing at the top of the page.

McCoy snorted.

"Something I would never understand?"

Jim's lips twitched a little.

"Yes, maybe. It's T'ror equation. Some Vulcan came up with it about fifty years ago. Mathematicians were fussing about it since then. No one's managed to solve it for fifty fucking years, and Lee solved it in several hours. She is a genius, and I want her to be a part of the team."

McCoy felt pride and horror creeping inside him. He felt horror because who could say what else this girl was capable of. And as for pride... He had no idea why he felt it.

"I'll offer her a place at my ship," Jim was saying, "But only if you give me a green light. If you want her here, I'll ask her if she wants to stay. So make up your mind and let me know what you decide."

McCoy felt stuck.

"Do you understand what are you asking for?" he quietly said, "And what position it puts me in?"

Jim looked apologetic.

"I know and I am sorry. But tell me honestly: do you want her to be here?"

McCoy didn't respond. Yes, he wanted her to be here. More than anything. Still, he had to listen to his head, not the other parts of his body.

"Our relationships, if we got involved, wouldn't last long. Everything that we are feeling now is most likely short-lived. She is ten years younger than me, for christsake. I can't just ignore this gap."

"First of all, I don't believe it would be short-lived, I already told you that. Second, ten years is not a big deal. And third, you haven't answered the question. Do you want her to stay? Assuming that you would be together."

"But Jim, if we broke up..."

"Do you want it or not?" Jim raised his voice.

"Yes, fuck, yes, I want her to stay!" McCoy responded at the same volume.

Jim closed his eyes and exhaled.

"So stop being a moron. Go for it."

He saw McCoy's skeptical expression and continued, "Look, do you want her because she is pretty?"

McCoy sighed and shook his head.

"So it's love, then," Jim concluded.

McCoy sighed again.

"Jim, I went through this shit before. Divorced, remember? Things were great with Jocelyn until she understood what kind of a person I am. I don't want to live through this again."

Jim's expression changed into something almost cruel.

"Okay, I get it. You are just a coward."

McCoy saw red.

"What did you call me?"

"Coward," Jim repeated, "You've been hurt once and now you are afraid of everything. But hear me out," his friend raised his hand to silence McCoy, "Lee is not your ex. She can handle you and she likes your temper. Hell, she loves your temper and she loves you. She won't run. I know a runner when I see them, and she is not one of them. She is a fighter and she will fight for you."

McCoy glared at his friend.

"You just want your genius onboard."

"I just want you to get your shit together and be happy!" Jim shouted.

Okay, that's enough.

"Are we done?" McCoy asked flatly.

"We're done," Jim responded coldly and stood, "Keep updating me on her condition."

When the door closed behind Jim, McCoy dropped his head on his hands and swore. Fuck, fuck, fuck. What was he supposed to do now?

Wide smile, bright grass-green eyes, happiness in all features met McCoy the next day when he entered his department. Lee definitely looked better. They fed her well: he personally monitor her nutrition to make sure she was getting every element in the periodic table she needed. She was still weak, though, and he didn't get why it was taking too long to heal from malnutrition. It had to be chronic, otherwise she'd be fine by now.

"Hey you," she softly greeted him.

"Morning," McCoy said coldly.

He was still mad at Jim and was still sure as hell that he needed to keep his distance from her. That moment when they'd been holding hands was a slip. He wouldn't let this happen again.

"Oh, someone's grumpy today?" she raised her eyebrow.

McCoy ignored her question.

"How are you feeling?"

"I'm feeling fine. And how are you feeling?"

"Good, thank you, miss Lee" he replied with the same coldness.

Lee's eyebrow went even higher.

"So now I am a miss, not a girl, huh?"

"You are my patient and I have to call you by name, miss. Even if it's probably a fake one."

She narrowed her eyes. He was in trouble now, but to hell with that. He was in the right mood to fight her just for once.

But nothing happened.

"Where is my PADD?" she asked instead.

Oh, crap. He'd forgotten it in his quarters.

"The Captain wanted to take a look on what you were doing on this thing. I'll bring it back once I'm finished with my other patients," he gestured at sickbay still full of people, "Try to play your little game again, and I'll sedate you."

Lee smiled, and this smile made him shiver. He didn't like this smile.

"Very well, Doctor. I'll wait."

Merciful God above, help him handle this.

McCoy left her and proceeded to the check-ups of the engineers. There were some complications, as always, but nothing serious.

He felt her eyes on him all the time. She was watching his every move, and it was distracting. He was constantly on high alert, anticipating disaster every second. But she didn't act just yet, and the uncertainty was killing him.

McCoy was almost done when two visitors came in.

Jim and Spock.

The Doctor suddenly realized that he still didn't know the cause and the consequences of the emergency in Engineering. Jim hadn't told him yesterday and McCoy wasn't very talkative with his patients even in his best days.

The Captain and his First Officer were ignoring him, though McCoy received a nod from Spock. The duo moved through sickbay, greeting every patient and having a little talk with each of them. Well, Jim indeed was a great Captain and treated his crew like a family, McCoy thought. And Spock had learned some human stuff during these years too.

Jim and Spock stopped by Lee's bed and her gaze finally left him. McCoy saw them talk, and how a delightful smile appeared on Lee's face. He wished it was him who she was smiling at.

Lee, Jim and Spock finished the conversation and the officers approached McCoy.

"Doctor McCoy," Jim said, "How are our brave engineers doing?"

So the kid was still mad at him. Fuck it. McCoy wasn't very happy with him too.

"They are fine, Captain," McCoy answered impassively, "I'll complete a report once I'm finished here."

"Yes, I'd like to read it. And what about another patient? Is she alright?"

"She's fine too."

"So you don't mind me and Spock playing 3D chess with her?"

So Jim was determined to find every talent that Lee had. Too bad Jim would never have an opportunity to put his hands on these talents.

McCoy preferred the game not to happen. But in this case, he would have both Lee and Jim throwing tantrums and he wasn't sure he could manage that.

So he scowled "Not at all."

Jim nodded and left sickbay with Spock.

McCoy glared at his next patient and ordered her to stretch her arms to access the healing process. Oh, it was gonna be a long day.

Jim and Spock returned several minutes later with a 3D chess board.

Lee was obviously delighted to participate in the game and was all sunshine and happiness again. Jim was returning her smiles with his usual attitude towards women who he intended to drag to bed.

Imagining Jim and Lee being together like that made McCoy absolutely furious and he had to restrain himself from doing something stupid.

While he was fighting his temper, the game began. It actually attracted some audience. McCoy would watch the game too, but he was too mad at Jim for being a moron and at Lee for being so goddamn beautiful, so he didn't join the crowd. Instead, he finished his last medical exam and decided to retreat to his office. He had enough fights lately. All he needed was some peace and quiet. And besides, he needed to write this fucking report for the kid.

Concentration didn't come easily, so it took more than an hour to do everything properly. Finally, the stupid report was completed, and he got an opportunity to have some free time.

Might as well spend it on watching the game which was still in progress.

One glance at the board revealed that Jim had his ass kicked. The Captain of the starship Enterprise was a good player, a brilliant one, in fact, but Lee was obviously a match. She proclaimed 'checkmate' five minutes after McCoy joined the party.

Jim beamed at his opponent, not frustrated at all.

"Great game, Lee!" he exclaimed, "It was nice to play with you."

"It is mutual, Jim," she smiled back.

McCoy shuddered inwardly at this smile directed at his friend.

"Maybe you would agree to play with Spock here?" Jim suggested, "If you are not tired, of course."

Spock stood closer, confirming the suggestion.

"Oh, I'm not tired at all," Lee assured.

One glance at her vitals proved her claim and took away an excuse to cut the game off. Besides, McCoy was curious to see how Lee was going to beat the Vulcan's iron logic.

They started to play and Lee immediately started losing her figures. If she kept on with that pace, she would lose in a few minutes.

But the game progressed and she was still alive and kicking. Spock was chasing her king through the entire board and she was always a step away from losing. Still, checkmate wasn't called yet. They went on with that dance for a good twenty minutes, and now Lee had only two pawns, the king, and the queen. She removed her king from the dangerous area after Spock's move and moved it almost next to her opponent's king. The Vulcan raised an eyebrow and made a move. Then Lee's queen appeared from nowhere.

"Checkmate," she said politely.

They all gaped at the board like it turned into a mouse. Even Spock looked a little bit shocked, but probably McCoy just knew the Vulcan too well to see it.

Spock's king was trapped between his own and Lee's remaining figures.

"It is amazing how much a king and a queen can achieve together, even with a little help, am I right, Commander?" Lee asked softly.

"Indeed you are right, Miss Lee," Spock replied flatly, "It was my pleasure to play with you. Thank you for your time."

"You are very much welcomed."
"That was a hell of a game!" Jim, at last, regained his wits, "But I bet you won't be able to repeat this focus again."

"The game has many options, Jim," she said with that mischievous spark in her eyes.

She would win Spock and Jim again, McCoy was sure of it. The girl was a genius. McCoy could understand Jim's desire to have such a brilliant mathematician and tactician at the Enterprise.

He caught himself staring at her and looked away. It suddenly became hard to breathe, as if something tightened inside him. Coldness, emptiness and exhaustion after all these emotional outbursts filled all his essence. McCoy just wanted it all to stop.

"A word, Doctor?" Jim suggested, and without waiting for the answer marched to McCoy's office.

He scowled but followed, Spock by his side. McCoy wondered how much of the Vulcan's ego was damaged. He suspected a huge scratch.

"Have you seen that?" Jim was enthusiastically saying when the door closed behind them, "She's destroyed us completely. I told you she'd do great!" The Captain turned to Spock.

"It was indeed an anticipated result, taking miss Lee's analytical skills into account."

"Of course it was!" Jim agreed cheerfully, "So, Bones, what have you decided? Can we get this genius aboard?"

McCoy gave his friend as blank look as possible.

"Sorry, Jim. I don't think it's a good idea for us to be on the same ship. So I guess it's either me or her. Take your pick."

He felt emptiness while saying that. All he wanted was to be with her, but what would happen when it all goes down in flames?

McCoy doubted that Jim would ever choose anyone over him, but the thought of him being away from Lee made him sick. He still had to do it, so that it wouldn't become a complete disaster later. He'd made the right choice.

He expected Jim saying something about the good of the many and about McCoy's own stupidity, but the Captain was silent. Finally, Jim shook his head.

"You're such an idiot," his friend said.

McCoy inwardly agreed.

"An idiot wouldn't run this sickbay as well as I do."

"Yeah, sure," Jim's face was blank now too, "We'll leave it to you then, Doctor."

The Captain marched out of the office and Spock followed after giving McCoy a 'we will see you later, Doctor McCoy.'

He leaned on his desk, lowered his head and closed his eyes. He wanted to scream, not swear or argue, just scream at the top of his lungs until his throat die. Maybe it would take away the raging fire that was burning him inside. Or maybe it was hell taking over him with a help of this red-headed devil? Who knew. He definitely didn't.