A/N: Okay, folks, this chapter is Jim's POV. I know my story is mostly McCoy's perspective, but this time I needed someone who isn't him to show how other people see our lovebirds.

Love. Fiction. 2019, thank you for your constant support! Your reviews always make my day.

And a huge thanks to JularaVon for beta reading the story. You are amazing!

Contrary to popular opinion, Jim Kirk wasn't a daredevil, and he wasn't reckless. Granted, he used to be a cocky asshole who thought he was smarter than everyone. It had been the case at the Academy, and it sure as fuck had been before it.

He wasn't that guy anymore. That 'leap without looking' thing that Pike had valued so high had been long gone. Maybe it had disappeared when he lost his ship after Nibiru. Or, most likely, it had waved its goodbye when he'd been looking in Marcus' eyes and had known he lost and that it would cost him his crew's and his own life.

So now he always looked where he was leaping. This is why he wasn't about to let Bones' girlfriend stay just because Jim thought she was indeed into the man. Jim was ninety-nine percent certain she really wanted to be here, but there was still one bitchy percent that could ruin it all.

Jim didn't want to lose his ship again. He hated to admit it, but his refusal to allow Lee to run was mostly based on the fear that the Command would decide he violated the rules and take the Enterprise away and partly on the fear that Lee would do that. He couldn't risk it, especially when there were other options.

He stepped into the ward and gave the bitch once over. She was one hell of a woman, no doubt of it. Her ginger hair reminded him of Gaila, and though this girl wasn't an Orion, hooking up with her would have definitely been fun, you just had to look into these crazy eyes of hers.

When Jim had seen her for the first time, he had decided he would try hard to get her to his bed. She'd had a firm body, a great ass, and the way she'd moved suggested she had some good stretching, which could be handy in the kind of fun he had wanted to share with her.

But then she'd dropped on Bones and kissed him, and Jim had understood there is nothing he can do to separate them.

These two looked at each other like they were alone in the world. Bones stared at her with a hunger he couldn't hide, and she… She looked at the man like she was going to lose him at any moment. Anguish and longing were almost always in her eyes when she talked to him. It also was the sun she was turning into every time Bones wasn't mean to her that convinced Jim of the genuineness of her feelings.

Jim knew it was possible to act anything: love, hate, joy, or sorrow. He had done it himself several times and seen other people doing it successfully. But he had yet to meet a person who could act the light that comes out when someone you truly love carries you gently to your bed.

Jim doubted he would ever forget the day he'd run after Bones to enjoy the singing disaster. When the girl had dropped into the Doctor's arms, she had been outright glowing. Jim had never seen anything like this. The others had observed it too: adoration and love and yearning that everyone could spot a mile away except for Bones himself.

And then there was that fight on the bridge. Bones had been busy dealing with his own adversaries, but Jim had witnessed the whole picture. Lee had been constantly aware of the situation and never let Bones out of her sight. Jim had noticed that fracture of a moment of hesitation when she had been making the decision of whether to let her ex-buddy hit her or to risk Bones' life because the odds of that phaser set to kill were exactly fifty percent.

It had been set to kill, and Jim would be forever grateful for the decision to throw that dagger. That day she'd saved not only the man she loved; she had saved Jim too because Bones had been and would always be the only person able to bring Jim back to life and health whatever the circumstances were. That day had been the day all Jim's doubts regarding Lee's feelings crawled away to kick the bucket.

But once again, Jim hadn't known it was possible to control one's heartbeat. It all could be a carefully designed plan, and she was good enough to construct all this. This is why he had to check, even though it would be painful for everyone involved.

When she saw him entering the ward, a well-practiced mask of polite indifference fell over her face. She was good at it, but so was he.

"I owe you," Jim said.

He did. If it wasn't for her, he'd have lost his people and probably his ship. Getting her out of trouble was the least he could do in return.

She shook her head.

"You owe me nothing. You saved my life first, so it was just payback."

It was a confirmation of her story, actually. Love or no love, but she thought like a Klingon: a favor and the return of it. She might have done it solely for Bones, but Jim suspected there were other motives for saving them all. She said the same about the debt the Federation owed her and that it was paid. It was another reason he was ready to take the chances; she didn't hold grudges anymore. She received a blow and hit back. End of story. She wouldn't go nuts again because of what had happened on Tarsus.

"I do, and that's why I'm giving you a choice."

He studied her closely to check if she'd already known. Her self-control was impeccable, so he just continued.

"They know you are here."

She didn't even raise an eyebrow.

"How?" There was no need to pretend she didn't understand what he was talking about. It was perfectly clear who knew what.

Besides, Jim had a feeling they'd gotten an understanding of the two ex-outlaws with no intentions to dance around the subject, but going straight to business. It was easier that way, and Jim was glad she wasn't some sissy to get too emotional about the shitstorm coming.

"System update."

She didn't look perturbed.

"I see. So I'm dead, am I not?"

"Maybe not. Look…" He leaned back on the wall and rubbed his eyes, "You did nothing wrong to me or to my people. So if you want to run, I won't stop you. Just make it believable and please don't hit me in the face. I don't have a smaller ship, but you can use transwarp beaming. You know what is it, right? It's dangerous, but you can try. You're tougher than Bones gives you credit for, you'll be fine."

She cocked her head.

"So I take it as a first option. What's the second?"

"You can stay. The offer still stands. I want Bones to be happy and I want you on my ship. If you stay, I'll try to convince them we can let you join us. I can bribe some of them and threaten others. There are a lot of things I can do for you if I know I can trust you. I need the confirmation you're not lying. Any ideas how we can do that?"

He could say it straight away, but he was curious if she'd guess his intentions.

She gave him a lopsided smirk.

"It's so very convenient to have a touch telepath on board."

Yes, he definitely wanted her on his ship.

"It is."

"Will he agree to this?"

She would say yes. Jim released a breath he didn't know he was holding. The bitch truly loved Bones.

"If there is voluntary consent, then yes."

"What happens if I refuse?" she asked and his heart leapt in his throat.

"I'll lock you up, though I don't think it's a problem for you. But if you want to stay, you'll have to do it. It's either mind meld and proof you're not lying, or I clean my hands. I can't risk it, even for Bones. There's too much at stake."

She sighed.

"How much time do we have?"

"An hour now, maybe less."

She gave him an annoyed look.

"Why are we still discussing this then? Call your Vulcan. Just tell him the experience won't be pretty."

She was risking her life, and they both realized that. The Federation had been trying to catch her for a very long time, it would be hard to snatch their prey away from them.

Clearly, the risk was nothing for her compared to the alternative.

"So you really love him," Jim muttered, mostly to himself.

Her face softened, and she smiled sadly; Jim could bet it wasn't an act.

"Yes," was a quiet answer.

Jim nodded.

He saw why she fell in love with Bones. He saw that because they were alike. They were both survivalists, and they both knew, intuitively, what should be done to stay alive. Bones was their savior; they felt him and were reaching for him with all their power. Without Bones, Jim would be dead, and probably so was she. They both needed the man to keep walking this world.

It was extremely selfish. They both were using him, and it wasn't fair, but that was how they worked. Bones needed people to save, and they needed someone to save them when all the resources they had were gone. They needed someone they could trust. Bones was an ideal choice.

It didn't mean their feelings weren't genuine though. Jim loved Bones as his brother, in the way he never loved Sam, his blood brother. And it was clear Lee loved Bones too, with all her being. Still, it was an instinct that told them to love this man, and sometimes Jim hated himself for that. He suspected she realized how things were too.

He turned to the door.

"I'll go get Spock."

She inclined her head.

"I'll be here. I won't run, I promise. Not just that I don't want to, I just… can't. I'd rather die than leave him."

She sounded tired, and she looked like she could use a good afternoon nap. She woke up just an hour or so ago, Jim suddenly remembered. He also remembered that feeling himself, dullness and powerlessness after a particularly nasty surgery. He hated it and felt an unexpected surge of sympathy for her.

"I hope it won't come to that," he gave her a reassuring smile and set off to brighten Spock's day with the request to perform a mind-meld with a famous killer.

Oh, that would be so much fun.