One minute, Leonard and Jessica were watching Jim Kirk's whole career flash before his eyes as he went under scrutiny by the Academy higher-ups over his 'cheating' on the Kobayashi Maru test. The next minute, they were all frantically being ushered in groups towards their advisor's for ship assignments. In all the hubub, Jess had lost track of Leonard and was looking around anxiously. She knew Leonard already knew what ship he'd be on. It was a dead ringer that he was going to be Assistant CMO on the Enterprise. He'd been recruited by Christopher Pike with every intention of the Doctor being on his ship after graduation. Ever since their confession of love to each other they'd remained serious the rest of their last year of Academy, but had been putting off talk of making anything permanent. Now, she saw their future slipping away.

"Patton, USS Farragut."

She barely kept her legs under her as she squeezed her eyes shut. She had no idea how long she was standing there before she heard a voice.

"Lieutenant Patton, correct?"

She opened her eyes, instantly recognizing the voice. "Yes, sir, Captain Pike. That is correct."

"Is something wrong, Lieutenant?"

"Oh, um, no sir. Sorry, sir."

He glanced towards where the Commander had been calling out assignments. "You received your assignment?"

"Yes sir, the Farragut, sir."

Pike frowned. "Damn. Carter got his way."

Jessica frowned in confusion. "I'm sorry, sir? I don't understand."

"Captain Carter and I had a little disagreement on what ship you should be assigned to. I'm sorry to say it looks like he won. I'd hoped to have you on the Enterprise."

She looked down. "Yes sir. I'd hoped to be there as well."

"You and my Assistant CMO—McCoy—from what I understand you two are pretty serious, aren't you?"

She swallowed and blushed. "Oh, um—yes sir. How—how did you know about that sir?"

"I keep an eye on my recruits, Lieutenant. I also keep an eye on the best and brightest this Academy has going through it—and you're one of those. Hence the argument between Carter and I. You and McCoy—that explains the way I came up on you, doesn't it?"

"Sorry sir—yes. We had, um—well, we'd talked but—not made anything official. We were close though, I think." She glanced at her ring finger, and Pike noticed. "And, well. I guess it just wasn't meant to be."

Suddenly Pike was scanning the room diligently. After a few moments, he frowned and pulled out his communicator. "Captain Pike to Doctor McCoy. Have you boarded the Enterprise yet?"

They heard some commotion before a familiar voice spoke up. "No sir, making my way to the transport now."

"McCoy, don't board that transport yet. I'm headed that way and need to have a word."

"Yes, Captain."

Pike snapped the communicator shut and nodded the direction of the transport. "Come with me, Lieutenant."

Jessica was confused, but obeyed. "Captain? Exactly what are we doing?"

"Lieutenant, it's time for me to make a confession. I've done more than just pay attention to my recruits. Doctor McCoy and I happened to be at a banquet just a few nights ago honoring some of the Academy Medical Staff."

"Yes, I wasn't able to go with Leonard because I had an exam."

"Yes, he mentioned that. We had quite a good talk. Here we are. Doctor!" he called out, getting McCoy's attention. Jessica could tell Leonard was worried about something by the scowl on his face. It seemed to lighten though, when he saw Jessica.

"Captain Pike!" He then turned to her and smiled. "Jessica. So, does this mean you're on the Enterprise?"

"That's what we need to discuss, Doctor."

"Oh?" Leonard frowned.

"Lieutenant Patton has been assigned to the Farragut."

Leonard's face flashed from one emotion to the next as his mind tried to wrap around what he'd just learned and what it meant. "Oh."

"I—I'm sorry, Leonard. I guess… I guess this is goodbye, for now." Jessica was trying to hold it together.

"Just hold on now, both of you. Leonard, do you remember our conversation the other night?"

Leonard blinked and turned to the Captain. "Our—oh, yes sir. I do."

Pike nodded. "Well, if you're certain about what you shared with me that night, now sure would be a good time to put that into action, because it may be our only way of making sure I get my Assistance Chief Engineer of choice."

Jessica's eyes went wide. "Assistant Chief—really, sir?"

"Patton, you not only received the highest rankings on written tests but also on every hands-on test the Academy threw at you—and not just in one, but both your fields of study. I'd be a fool if I didn't want you on my ship." Pike looked back at McCoy and raised an eyebrow. "What do you say, Doctor? I think this could be just what you and I both need.

McCoy took a deep breath as he turned towards Jessica and reached down to grab her hand. "I don't even have a ring."

Jessica's eyes went even wider, if possible. Things were happening so fast around them, and now right in front of her. "A—a ring?"

"I should have done it months ago. Should have proposed. Should have whisked you away to the mountains and married you."

"M-married me?"

"Marry me, Jessica Patton. Make me, the man who swore he'd never fall in love, and never get married again, the luckiest man in the universe twice over. To have your love, and to have your hand in marriage would certainly make me that."

Jessica just stared at Leonard a moment, not quite sure what to say.

"I hate to butt in here, because I know this moment should be much more romantic, but Lieutenant Patton, the way I see it, you have a choice. Walk away and go to the Farragut. You two can stay in touch and try and maintain a long-distance relationship. You wouldn't be the first in Starfleet to make it work. It's hard work, but it can happen. Or—you accept Leonard's proposal—one he confessed to me just two nights ago he should have done months ago. As Captain of the Enterprise I can legally marry you. Right here. Right now. Then, I have something to work with. If you two are legally married, I can put Captain Carter in his place. There's no way he can fight me getting your duty assignment switched if you're married to my CMO. Starfleet regulations allow married couples to be assigned to the same ships as long as one isn't subordinate to the other."

"Get married—now?" Jessica gasped.

Leonard shook his head. "We don't have to do this, Jessica. It doesn't change how much I love you. We can make this work from different ships. We knew it might happen."

"We're not babies, Len. We're grown up. We've both experienced relationships and heartache and heartbreak before. I don't want to be apart from you. Besides, the Enterprise is the best damn ship in the Fleet and I'd be a fool not to marry it's cranky doctor for a chance to play with her nacelles."

That got a snort from the Captain. "Alright you two, it's now or never."

Leonard smiled at her. "We're really going to do this?"

She nodded excitedly. "Let's do this."

The Captain quickly pulled over two ensigns and within a matter of moments had performed the quickest marriage ceremony anyone present had ever seen.

"Alright, lovebirds—quick kiss then off to the ship. I've got to go tell Captain Carter the bad news. Well, bad for him. Absolutely fantastic for me and the Doctor here. Right?"

"Yes, sir! Thank you, sir!" Leonard said as Pike went off the opposite direction. Leonard then turned to Jessica. "We—we're married."

She stepped in closer. "We are."

"Come here and kiss me, darlin'. Because then we've got some quick work to do. You're not going to believe what I'm about to do for Jim."