A/N: This chapter is some sort of interlude. There will be a few of these with other characters PoV; this one is from Bones'. It's a little bit long (and by 'little' I mean huge), I hope you still enjoy it. Thank you all for your comments, you guys are amazing! Also thanks to the wonderful Anbessette who is helping me with the beta and get to witness my craziness.

Interlude A: "Amicus certus in re incerta cernitur"

When Leonard enlisted in Starfleet, he had practically lost it all. His marriage was down the drain, his practice had been neglected, and his money was gone. He didn't expect anything worse, because what else was there?

Then he met James Kirk.

To be fair, Leonard actually threw up on him, but he didn't anticipate gaining a friend with that. He had imagined that since he probably was the oldest cadet there, he was going to be on his own. Apparently James Kirk had other ideas. After they stepped out of the shuttle, he attached himself to Leonard like a lost puppy. He tried to make the guy get lost with his own crowd, the new cadets eager for adventures, and somehow ended having him as a room-mate.

"We're going to have a blast, Bones."

"What did you call me?" Leonard wondered if anyone would notice if he just killed the guy and then dumped him outside the Academy.

"Oh, sorry, I don't remember your name; somehow it slipped my mind."

"It's not the only thing that slipped, kid," Leonard spat out. "Did they make you a psychiatric profile before enlisting?"

"See? We're bonding already!"

Leonard decided to avoid this kid. He looked like a train wreck, not that Leonard looked better, but he had enough problems of his own. He didn't need a kid messing up his already chaotic life.

Still, he was a doctor, and seeing how the kid was wincing because he had a bruise of the size of the damn planet on his shoulder, he hardly could just stand there watching.

"Why are you undressing in the damn room?" said Leonard, reaching for his small bag.

"I want to take a bath. Clean fresh start, Bones."

"Yeah, bruises always say 'fresh start'." Leonard took out a dermal regenerator. "What did you do? Fight a mountain?"

"Yeah, and the mountain won. Do you carry medical equipment with you? That's weird."

"This coming from the kid whose body's covered in bruises."

"You are weird, I'm feisty."

Leonard sighed, feeling that this guy was one of those who always attracted problems. And problems were the last thing Leonard wanted.

As the semester continued, Leonard felt older with every passing day. All the cadets were noisy and annoying. He was rooming with the worst. James Kirk always managed to be overly active every time Leonard was in the same space with him. He kept talking, making jokes and dragging Leonard with him. The only time Leonard had a relatively quiet time was when the kid was in class and when Leonard was in the hospital.

The second thing he realized after rooming with Kirk was the kid was a mess in the literal sense too. He left clothes on the floor and PADDs everywhere. If Leonard wanted to survive this thing without murdering Kirk, they needed to establish ground rules. And he said so.

"Ground rules sound lame."

It was the fifth time the kid had complained about how this conversation was 'lame', 'useless', 'stupid' and 'boring'. He got more annoyed because it was Saturday night, and Kirk loved to party on his 'free day'.

"I don't care how they sound to you. If you want to live with me, we have to make some things clear, if you don't, go find another room-mate."

"What? And leave all this joy?"

"Rule number one: Stick to your side of the room." Leonard threw a shirt directly at Kirk's face. "Rule number two: don't use my things, like toothpaste, toothbrush, soap and shampoo. I don't want to be your wife. Rule number three: If you're 'entertaining' company, let me know so I don't come in here and watch."

"In my defense, we were just kissing, and I don't mind if you watch."

"I don't care. Just let me know," Leonard sighed.

"Fine, I'll send you a message with 'lucky night' when I'm 'entertaining' company. I guess you're going to do the same thing when you decide you need rebound sex. I don't mind watching you either, but you're a prude, you'll probably freak about it."

Leonard wondered if he was this insufferable in his youth. No, probably not. He had been a perfect gentleman since he was a kid. Southern guys didn't belong in frat environments.

"I want to say a rule," Kirk said, interrupting what Leonard was about to say. "You have to call me Jim."

Leonard frowned. Why the guy was asking for this stupid thing? Maybe because he either called him 'kid', 'guy', or 'Kirk'. They had only been living together for two months; Leonard didn't get that cozy with someone until they'd known each other for at least a year. According to his ex-wife and the divorce lawyer, he had trust issues.

"I do that and you stop calling me 'Bones'."

"No way! That's not fair!" the kid pouted.

"Take it or leave it."

Three months with Jim and he was still 'Bones'.

Saturday night meant a calm night. Jim often decided to go get drunk with a bunch of loud and stupid cadets from his classes. He was glad. He was starting to like the kid, but sometimes he needed a break too. Leonard wasn't the nightclub type; he preferred a nice, quiet bar, where you could actually talk to people instead of yelling at them. He only went to clubs when Jim dragged him.

It was barely ten, and Jim was back in the dorm room.

"What? No lady tonight?" Leonard smirked.

"I got bored. When you've already danced at every club around here, there's not much to do after. I brought beer!"

The only thing Leonard and Jim had in common was the alcohol. Resigned to the fact he wasn't going to get any work done tonight, Leonard stood up, taking one of the beers Jim left on the table. They started drinking in silence, like they sometimes did when they both had too much on their minds.

"You got a divorce," began Jim.

"Yeah." Leonard seemed oblivious to the meaning behind the comment.

"You have kids?"

"A daughter; her name is Joanna."

"See? We've been living together for seven months and I didn't know that. We seriously need a monthly room-mate get away."

Leonard was about to make a retort about how stupid that sounded, but he kept quiet. He knew Jim better than he would like, and the kid needed to speak his mind.

"You're George Kirk's son," said Leonard.

"Yeah."

"What was that like?"

"My dad was a hero. Now everyone here compares me to him. I love him, but I didn't actually know him. I only got an idea of him from his thesis, the articles and my mom. Well, now Pike too, they were friends or something."

"The memorial is in a week, right?" Leonard finally understood what this was about.

"They asked me to say a few words about him. How can I say something about a guy I never even met?"

"You can't. They can't ask you to. This is a private matter for you. And they're idiots."

That made the kid smile. Leonard sometimes wished for the world to be less political and more caring. George Kirk was not the only life sacrificed that day, and yet he was the hero because he saved eight hundred people. It must have been hard for Jim to grow up with those expectations on his back. Now that he was in Starfleet, those expectations had increased. Jim was his own person; he was not here to live up to the shadow of his deceased father. Perhaps Leonard was one of the few who really understood Jim.

"We should get wasted next week," suggested Leonard.

"Fine by me," agreed Jim.

They both kept drinking in silence, knowing that Jim wouldn't say anything at the Memorial.

They got drunk on Jim's birthday. They just acted like it was any other day.

Working in a hospital was something that Leonard had missed after he got married. His ex-wife thought it was best for him and his career to have his own practice and stop depending on the hospital. Leonard had agreed, but he'd still missed his old work. Now he had the chance to enjoy it again.

Of course, that also meant he caught up with the campus gossip. Nothing like doctors and nurses to spread the news. He often heard about the STDs stupid cadets got, and the love life of half the Academy. One name frequently mentioned was Jim Kirk. Leonard was not surprised. His friend had the 'campus slut' reputation, which Leonard found hypocritical since the girls (and boys) involved with Jim were the same, and somehow they ended up victims of the Kirk charm. Jim didn't break anybody's heart; he always said directly what he wanted. If people didn't like it, then why did they agree? It wasn't fair for Jim to be labelled the campus whore when the others were also responsible.

Since Leonard always defended him, it was no surprise that the nurses stopped gossiping about him around Leonard. However, when he heard 'Jim Kirk' said in a whisper, instead of making his presence noticed like he used to do, he just stayed still behind the curtain.

"She was one of Kirk's conquests. He dumped her next day."

"I don't get why girls fall for him. He's not that handsome."

"Are you kidding me? Blue eyes and blond hair? He's like a doll."

Leonard was nauseated. He was aware of his friend's attractiveness, that didn't mean he wanted to hear about it. It was bad enough listening this from Jim, who was far too conscious of his looks and kept babbling about them. It was something Leonard had always found odd. Jim usually joked about his good looks and was proud of his physical features. However Jim was smart; really smart, almost in a super villain genius way. He was at top of his classes, volunteered himself for tasks that other cadets didn't have a clue how to do, and Pike and Archer always asked him for help in research. Even Komack, who hated Jim, hadn't been able to complain about his exceptional performance. And yet Jim never used it like a pick-up line, or even seemed to recognize it as a quality of his. Leonard thought Jim felt he was supposed to be smart, since his father was also an outstanding cadet and then an exceptional officer. Jim couldn't be proud of something that was almost his obligation.

Leonard found this incredibly sad, because Jim couldn't see his real value, the one that went beyond his good looks. The kid was his best friend, but honestly, he was an emotional mess.

"Have you seen pictures of his dad? They're identical!" Leonard heard the nurses still talking.

"Too bad he didn't inherit the personality. I heard George Kirk was a true gentleman."

"Well, you can't blame Kirk for being this damaged. Have you heard about his mother? She went crazy after the Kelvin incident."

"Those are only rumors, she continued serving on Starfleet for a few years after that."

"So? That doesn't mean anything. And honestly, it would explain why Kirk acts like women are expendable."

"Mommy issues. Show me a guy who doesn't have them."

Leonard had a hard time stopping from barging into the room and yelling at the nurses. It wasn't the first time he had heard those rumors. Apparently they followed Jim around. When they shared lunch, as soon as he left for class the people around them started whispering. Only then had Leonard got how hard it must be on Jim to be George Kirk's son, and be judged for that. He got why Jim wanted to be different, even when this was sometimes with self-destructive behavior. Jim leaped before seeing where he was heading to. At first Leonard was scornful of this attitude, thinking that it was just because he was young and stupid. Then he understood that above all, it was about his deceased father. Jim wanted to be his own person, not 'George Kirk's son'.

Too bad Jim was a proud son of a bitch, and well, he loved him for that, but still Leonard couldn't deny his friend's arrogance. Leonard was the same. Maybe that was the main reason for their friendship. They saw the world differently and at the same time they had the same flaws. Leonard kept thinking about what he heard for a while. Given that Jim didn't talk about his mom, he wondered if perhaps the rumors weren't wrong after all.

In their second year, Jim entered a self defense class, and that meant Leonard being in doctor mode almost every day, checking his friend's bruises or cuts. At least Leonard practised techniques with him; he always managed to show up with different injuries.

Leonard was requested in the emergency room, which was strange since he was about to finish his shift and he was covering the pediatric ward. When he arrived and saw Jim lying on the bed looking rather pale, for the first time since joining Starfleet he felt the need for air and his throat closing up. Letting adrenalin flow through his body, Leonard shook his head and ran to the closest nurse, taking the chart from her hands. The nurse recognized him and started talking nervously.

"He was admitted for a broken rib and a severely bruised stomach, but when the doctor administered the anesthetic his vitals dropped and –"

"Dammit! He's allergic to this! Can't you read?" Leonard started moving around to give the meds to Jim personally. "Why didn't you page me sooner? I'm his doctor!"

"You were on the pediatric ward, and Doctor Keller said he –"

"Keller? No wonder he almost killed him! Next time you page me no matter what! Is that clear?"

"Yes, doctor."

The nurses ran off as soon as they could, and Leonard was glad, because he was so pissed that he would take it out on the first person who dared to speak to him. Jim had a lot of allergies and the reason Leonard knew was because he had witnessed several reactions his friend had, from simple swelling to anaphylactic shock. Jim gave him his consent to be his primary doctor and his emergency contact, and Leonard had access to his medical file. He had clearly indicated what meds Jim was allergic to. He was going to talk with Keller very seriously. That guy was going to regret making this stupid mistake. Honestly, some people shouldn't be doctors.

Revising Jim's chart and adding this incident for the next idiot who intended to commit murder, Leonard glanced to the bottom of the screen, seeing the 'classified' sign. Jim had a special file on his medical records that was sealed. Nobody but Jim and his mother had access to it. When Leonard asked him about it, he just shrugged and said it was something not worth mentioning. Leonard was curious; he asked the guy who worked on the hospital computer system to hack the file, and he couldn't do it, which made Leonard even more curious.

It must be a hell of a secret for all this security. Leonard had tried to convince Jim to tell him using the 'I'm your doctor' argument. Jim just said that whatever the file contained, it was nothing the rest of his medical chart didn't already have. That was bullshit, Leonard knew. If that was the case, why was it sealed then? It bugged Leonard for some reason. Perhaps because he felt like Jim didn't trust him. They all had secrets, Jim was no exception. It shouldn't bother Leonard he didn't want to share them with him.

But still it bothered him.

Jim recovered fine, and continued being his idiotic self, getting hurt and being careless. Even when he felt he was talking to a wall, Leonard always told him about how he needed to take better care of himself. It was curious how Jim always tried to hide his injuries and how Leonard knew exactly when he was hurt. Leonard liked to observe people. Jim in particular was a lousy liar, at least with Leonard. That was how they ended up having a medical kit in their room, and why as soon as Jim was admitted to any medical facility on campus the nurses paged Leonard no matter where he was.

Leonard missed his daughter. It was the only good thing left from his disastrous marriage. Jim pointed out that Leonard was especially cranky these days and then, being the smart guy he was, he understood why. Leonard had to make rotations around the hospital's wards, and now he was in pediatric for three months. The first month Jim had almost died, and that distracted Leonard for a while. But now he was dedicated to the kids, and that made him think of his child endlessly. About how was she doing, if she ate right, if she was happy. Jocelyn was not a bad person; they just were not right for each other. Of course when lawyers got involved, he saw the nasty side of his ex-wife. At least she allowed Leonard weekly calls to Joanna and sent him pictures of her. Still, it was not the same. He wanted to hug her, to talk to her without a screen getting in the way. He deserved at least that much, he wasn't a bad guy, he worked hard, he saved lives, and he wanted to give his daughter a good life. Why couldn't things go his way for once?

Jim chastised him every day for his 'moping' and 'sulking', and Leonard didn't give a fuck. If the kid didn't get why he was depressed, that was his problem. Leonard was there during all the daddy drama Jim had once a year. He deserved to at least be left alone with his own issues. He knew Jim wouldn't understand. He wasn't a father, and he hadn't had one. Leonard didn't want Jim to get what he felt, but only for him to stop being annoying and trying to force Leonard to 'cheer up'.

After a spectacularly bad day (people are just useless sometimes), Leonard entered his dorm room with the resolution to just sleep until graduation. He should have known better.

"Good, you're here," smiled Jim. Apparently he was expecting Leonard.

"Yeah, and in about five minutes, I won't be. I'm tired and pissed. I'm going to bed."

"It's only 20:00, you can't go to bed this early! You're coming with me."

"I'm pretty sure I won't." Leonard sat down on the bed, thinking to just sleep in his uniform. He was far too tired to undress.

Jim took Leonard by the arm, pushing him up. Leonard tried to break free, but Jim's grip was strong.

"What the hell are you doing?" Leonard was about to just punch his friend and then fix him tomorrow after he rested.

"I told you. You are coming with me, whether you want to or not"

Jim used one of his freaky techniques and pinned Leonard on the bed. Leonard had his self defense classes too (it was a requirement, after all), but he didn't specialize in that like Jim. Still he remembered a few things, and tried to use his knee against Jim's rib, but Jim anticipated it and just rolled over, sitting on Leonard's lap and getting Leonard's hands above his head in an iron grip.

"Nice try," congratulated Jim "you could make a fine security officer".

"Bite me." Leonard was beyond pissed. As soon as Jim got up, he was going to inject him with some virus. Even better, next time his soon to be dead friend was all beat up, Leonard was going to just watch him suffer.

"Don't be a sore loser. If it makes you feel better, you gave me a difficult time and – "

Before Jim could continue with his gloating, they both heard their dorm room open. Leonard froze when he saw a red head girl with green skin entering their room.

"Hey Jim! I wanted to see if you want to grab a beer and –"

The girl seemed to notice that they were on the bed, and stopped in place, surprised. Then she smirked.

"Sorry, I didn't know you were this busy. See you tomorrow?"

"No problem Gaila. Sure thing, put on the pink bra, you know I love it."

"I'll think about it. Enjoy your evening, boys." The girl winked at them and then left, closing the door quickly. Leonard immediately scowled at Jim, expecting an explanation. Why had that girl entered their room like she was invited? Why hadn't he set things straight instead of letting her think they were doing other things that clearly Leonard was never going to be doing with Jim? Why he was still pinned to the bed?

"That was Gaila," Jim started to explain.

"I heard the name, Jim. Why did she walk in here like she was a third room-mate?"

"Oh, she's an Orion."

"Good, because I thought she suffered a disease that turned her green. I'm not an idiot, I know she's an Orion, that doesn't answer my question!"

"They're more laid back with rules and stuff. I told her she was welcome here whenever she liked, and she took it more literally than I expected. If it bothers you, I'll ask her to knock first."

"Damn right it bothers me! This is my room, I want privacy! I'll lock the damn door."

"Oh, don't be so uptight. Gaila's cool."

"I'm sure, but I'm not the one sleeping with her."

"Neither am I… yet. I hope to change that soon. She seemed okay with seeing us on the bed, which opens up a lot of possibilities."

"You better set everything straight with her. I don't need more rumors about us around campus. It's bad enough being accosted every day by nosy nurses who want to know the dirty details."

"We would be a hot couple Bones, you can't deny that."

"You wish. Now get off me!"

"I will as soon as you promise to come with me."

"Are you deaf? I told you no. I don't want to go out, I just want to sleep! Go catch up with your green friend and leave me the hell alone."

"No, today I'll annoy you; tomorrow I'll be catching up with Gaila in more ways than one, if you get my meaning."

Jim never was subtle when he talked about sex. Still, he believed he was, and Leonard just let him be. This was stupid. Why Jim was so pushy about this? Unfortunately, Leonard knew that his friend was right. Eventually he would agree to go with him because if he didn't, Jim would just stay there and annoy him more. Jim Kirk always got what he wanted, no matter how long it took. He had been hitting on Nyota Uhura for two years now, and even though Leonard knew the girl was never going to agree to even give Jim the time of day, he was convinced he would win her over eventually.

"Get off me," repeated Leonard. "At least let me change".

"No, you look good in your uniform."

"You are not my type," said Leonard.

"Still, you're my trophy boyfriend. We don't sleep together, but I get to show you around and make everybody jealous of how hot we look."

"I'm your nothing. I'm barely your friend, and right now I'm reconsidering it."

"Don't be mean. Come on, up we go. Remind me to show you how you can get free from the way I trapped you. I don't want others taking advantage of you," smiled Jim.

Leonard was about to tell him what he could do with his advice, but he thought better of it. Jim was right about one thing. If they were going to embark on space missions, they would most likely be in dangerous situations where basic training sometimes wouldn't be enough. He could use the extra training, and Jim was far more patient with him than his old instructor who kept yelling at Leonard for being too careful. Of course, the next time the bastard showed up in the hospital with a broken arm, he got his revenge.

"Where the hell are we going?" Leonard resigned himself, and stood up slowly.

"It's a surprise."

"Oh, no. Last time you said that we ended up Komack's office!" In Leonard's defense, Jim told him they were going to get a beer. How they ended up in Komack's office stealing Jim disciplinary record was a mystery to him.

"I promise. Not breaking into Admirals' offices and no bar fights."

Well, at least that made Leonard feel less apprehensive about the situation. Nevertheless he grabbed his medical kit and his Starfleet identification.

Jim guided him to one of the benches near the Academy's front gate, being awfully quiet. That never meant anything good. Perhaps Jim wanted to fight Cupcake, again, just because his ego couldn't bear to lose with a guy who was twice his height and weight. Leonard secretly cheered for Giotto; Jim needed to understand his damn limits, and Giotto had no shame in showing them to him.

Jim sat down on the bench and crossed his arms.

"Well? What are we doing here?" Leonard frowned. "You said no breaking into Admirals' offices!"

"You have little faith in me, Bones," said Jim. "We'll meet someone here. Perhaps we can go out and have a good time."

"What? Who? We have to be back on Academy grounds before midnight, you know that!" Leonard finally sat down too, huffing.

"That's bull, you can show up whenever you want as long as you don't get caught."

"I'm not going anywhere with you and the mystery guest. I have a clean record so far, and let me tell you, it's been a challenge to accomplish that with you as a friend."

"I see you're still grumpy. Come on, we won't have to wait much longer."

Leonard wanted to ask who or what exactly they were waiting for, but seeing Jim smirking let him know he was not going to get any answers. When Jim was in his weird mysterious mode he got stubborn. Although Leonard had no idea what the big deal was, Jim could rarely surprise him anymore after rooming with him for two years.

"Here they are!"

They? Leonard glanced toward the gate, seeing two figures entering through it. A woman who looked awfully like Jocelyn was approaching them. But glancing at the smaller figure, Leonard felt he was going to pass out. His little girl was jumping happily next to the woman, who he was now certain was Jocelyn. She had dyed her hair and looked slightly slimmer, that was why Leonard hadn't recognized her at first, but he could recognize his daughter no matter what.

"Daddy!" Joanna jumped directly into Leonard's arms. He could barely stand up and catch her. She'd gotten heavier and taller since last time he saw her.

"Hello, sweetie. You are getting bigger; you're going to be a giant soon if you don't stop!" Leonard kissed her on the cheek.

"Don't be silly, daddy!" Joanna smiled widely, and that brightened Leonard right up.

Leonard was full of questions. Why Joanna was there? Did Jocelyn need something? Was the girl hurt? How did Jim know about this? Still, he had his girl in his arms. Leonard would give anything for time to stop right there and let him stay with his daughter forever. Now that he had her, he realized how much he had actually missed her.

Leonard felt like a small part of his broken life was fixed when his daughter was with him.

"Leonard," said Jocelyn, without any resentment like last time. "And you must be James Kirk, right?"

Still holding his girl, Leonard watched how his best friend and his ex-wife shook hands.

"Yes ma'am, nice to meet you."

"Likewise."

"Jocelyn, what are you doing here?" Leonard tried to maintain a neutral tone, and then noticed the small 'visitor' tag Joanna had on her dress. Jocelyn had the same on her blazer.

"I got a promotion here in San Francisco. It will be only for two years, but I've never liked Georgia anyway. Since I'm here, I called you to let you know about it."

"You were covering that double shift, and I took the message for you, Bones," added Jim. "I just didn't tell you so this would be a surprise."

"Why is he calling you 'Bones', daddy?" Joanna looked up at Jim, curious.

"Because he thinks it's funny, honey."

"Hey there, Joanna. I'm Jim Kirk, I'm your daddy's friend. How about you and me go to the mess hall and get some ice cream?"

"Jim, dinner time was a while ago and –"

"I have it covered, Bones, don't worry," reassured Jim, and Leonard knew he meant it.

Leonard looked at Jocelyn, who nodded her contentment.

"All right, but you can't have too much. It's almost bed time," said Leonard, kissing Joanna on the top of her head.

"Aww, but daddy…!"

"Don't worry Joanna, he won't know how much ice cream we eat," Jim winked at her.

"I mean it, Jim," warned Leonard.

Smiling, Jim took Joanna's hand, and they walked away. Leonard heard Joanna asking Jim if he was in trouble and Jim only laughed for an answer. Joanna seemed to like Jim.

"You look good, Leonard," said Jocelyn.

"You don't look too bad yourself. Let's sit down, we have to talk."

"I agree."

Leonard had spent almost 8 years with that woman. It still amazed him how they had loved each other so much, then it turned into some sort of hate and resentment, and now they were left with this awkwardness between them. They'd married young, thinking that love would fix all their problems. Somehow they'd expected that after being married, things were going to be easier to resolve, they just needed to hang in there until it happened. It turned out that problems stayed there and not even marriage and love repaired them. They didn't know each other that well, and living together sometimes brought out the worse in them. People told them it wasn't going to be easy, they needed to work hard for a successful marriage. Leonard eventually understood what people meant with that advice: 'stay even when you two hate each other; at least you will be still married'.

Fortunately, Jocelyn also saw that they were on a dangerous path. Joanna was the only thing left for them, and she deserved better than two bitter parents who were always attacking one another with dry remarks. The divorce was hard, and after the lawyers and the money, Leonard thought that people who said love can't be bought had never faced a separation.

Because for Leonard, it cost him everything.

The only thing that made him feel better was that Jocelyn looked as uncomfortable as he was.

"So… how are things going around here?" Jocelyn started speaking.

"Same as usual, stupid people get hurt, I patch them up. Congratulations on your promotion." Leonard was, after all, respectful.

"Thank you. I thought it would be good for everyone if I took it. Joanna was happy to be near you, and I don't mind you visiting her."

"Really? That would be great!" Leonard lightened up immediately. His daughter was finally so near that he could actually visit her.

"Yeah, my work will last until you graduate, at least that was your friend told me. He's very persuasive. I was just trying to locate you and he practically made me tell him everything."

"Yeah, that's Jim." Leonard felt proud of his friend. "I have almost every weekend off, if you want to establish some rules."

Leonard was surprised that Jocelyn smiled after hearing this. Was she going to get difficult? Then why did she say she wouldn't mind the visits? Was she playing some cruel game?

"You never change, Leonard. You always want rules for everything." Jocelyn's tone was more amused than upset, but Leonard remembered well how those rules were the key to their divorce. "I'm okay with you visiting her when you have free time, even on week days. She can come here, or you can go to our place. After all, it's only a five minute walk."

"What do you mean?" Leonard asked, confused.

"Your friend made some arrangements and got us an apartment nearby. Apparently he's well connected. He even volunteered himself as a nanny and gave me contacts from day care centers. He was really invested in having us close. He must be a really good friend. I don't remember you being this social."

"Marriage sucked up the social part of my life." Noticing how Jocelyn looked taken aback, Leonard sighed. He didn't mean it like that, but there were still some issues between them. "Sorry. That was uncalled for, especially since you are making an effort."

"It wasn't all bad, wasn't it?"

"No, there were good times too."

They both smiled in agreement. It was easy to hold on bad moments instead of just remembering the good ones. They were already divorced, it was time to let go of every negative feeling he had during all those years. The woman had given him the best gift of his life: his daughter.

When Jim returned with Joanna, his girl was excited about everything in the Academy, and asked Leonard tons of questions about it. Jocelyn indicated it was time for them to go, and Leonard felt a small pang of disappointment in his stomach. He couldn't get enough of his daughter. They promised to stop by tomorrow for lunch, and since it was Sunday, Joanna could spend the afternoon with Leonard.

Watching them leave was always hard for Leonard. Every time he watched his little girl walk away, he was afraid it would be the last time he saw her. It wasn't only the divorce, the custody battle, the money arrangement. It was the fact that he was enlisted in Starfleet. Leonard had heard Jim's stories about being the son of a Starfleet Commander, and honestly he felt like Joanna would have the same luck. Not knowing if her father was alive or not, only communicating through a screen, waiting for shore leaves near the Earth to actually get to see him.

Leonard was getting depressed with just imagining this. But right now he had the opportunity to enjoy his girl, and he was taking everything he could get.

Jim was standing near him, in complete silence, which was strange. Knowing him, he should be bragging about how amazing he was for surprising Leonard and black mailing him because apparently he made this happen. However he was only smiling, like he was enjoying the moment too.

Then Leonard remembered one of the drunken confessions Jim had made a few months back. Leonard was depressed since he'd just talked to Joanna, and Jim was angry because one of the professors had compared him with his father again. Jim was ranting about how sick he was of people only seeing his father in him. Then he said he wished he had a father like Leonard, since he really loved Joanna. That broke Leonard. It was hard for him not having his girl, but if he lost her forever… he would go mad from the pain and the sorrow. That was the main reason for Winona Kirk's rumors around campus. She loved her husband, and when she lost him, the natural thing for her was going crazy. Jim insisted he didn't miss his dad, because what was there to miss? He didn't know him, he didn't play with him or share time with him. Jim was born, George died. That was how things were.

Leonard was very protective of Jim because nobody seemed to take that role in his friend's life so far. Jim didn't look like he knew how valuable he was or how he deserved to be protected instead of being the one protecting everyone. Jim wanted to be the hero. Leonard was the guy behind him, making sure he was cared for.

Jim didn't have to explain why he did all this. Leonard knew why. Of course he wanted to ask him how, but they would have time for that later. Now, he only could say what he felt.

"Thank you."

"No problem, Bones."

Leonard learned later that Jim had asked Pike to help him.

Third year meant seeing the competitive side of Jim. Leonard was already a doctor, and he only had to take the stupid remedial classes and the basic training conferences. He also was required to take at least eight extra classes to complete credits. However, Jim was taking as many classes as he could so he could graduate in three years. Leonard was lucky to be doing his psychiatric rotation around the same time Jim started to lose his mind with the classes and the comparing himself with other cadets. That helped him dealing with Jim and his whining. Leonard heard particularly about Cupcake and Uhura. The first because he always kicked Jim's ass in training and the second because she didn't even give Jim the time of day.

Lately Jim had been talking about a Gary Mitchell fellow. Apparently he graduated already and was First Officer on the USS Archimedes. He was giving a seminar, and Jim had the luck to work with him. Jim said they hit it off immediately and Mitchell also had issues with Komack. That must have been what Jim found great about this guy.

When Leonard met him, he didn't like him. He looked too fake for his taste. Mitchell and Jim joked about the classes and how when they worked together, they would defy the protocols they both thought were stupid. Leonard only watched them with uncertainty. Jim had this admiring look that he only showed with Pike. Mitchell had already won Jim over, and in some way Leonard felt his friend was playing a dangerous game.

Mitchell was straight, or so he said. Leonard was wary at first that this guy was working his way into Jim's pants, but he seemed indifferent to Jim's charm. Nevertheless, he was up to something, Leonard could sense it. Mitchell looked at Jim like he was the key to something he wanted to accomplish, and Leonard wasn't going to let this man take advantage of his friend. The problem with Jim was that he trusted everyone. You would think that someone that proud and stubborn would have trust issues, but not Jim. If he liked them, he trusted them. Perhaps Jim couldn't see the bigger picture, but Leonard did, and he was ready to step in if Jim needed him.

As unexpectedly as Mitchell had appeared in their lives, he left. He returned to his two year mission, and Jim was left with practising to finally defeat Cupcake. The rants returned and Jim was once again whining about everything. In a weird way, balance was restored.

When Leonard returned from his rotation, he entered his dorm room expecting to see Jim bitching about the Tactical defense classes. He was greeted by Jim and another person; a boy, a few years younger. They were talking and laughing. Leonard felt like an intruder.

"Hey Bones!" Jim welcomed him.

"He's a little young, Jim," scolded Leonard, in case his friend was trying to seduce this kid. With Jim you never knew.

"Hey, no jailbait for me after Komack's niece. He's an old friend! Kevin, this is my room-mate, Bones!"

"Leonard McCoy," said Leonard quickly before the kid started thinking it was okay for him to call him 'Bones' too.

"Kevin Riley. Nice to meet you, Bones." Okay, too late.

"I'll leave you two to catch up."

Leonard left them with curiosity. He didn't remember Jim mentioning this kid, and they looked pretty close for Jim not to have brought him up in conversations. When Jim was drunk, he babbled on about everyone. His mom, his brother, his father, Uhura, Cupcake, Pike… he just didn't shut up. And so far, he'd never talked about this Kevin kid. Leonard noticed the kid looked almost like he worshipped the ground Jim walked on.

Jim didn't give him any details about the kid. He just said that he was an old friend, and they'd lost contact a few years back. They crossed paths again in the Academy, but that was all. He didn't add anything about how they met, how they parted ways or what his friend was like. Jim said they had both changed over the years and were just getting to know each other again. So Leonard expected for the kid to be hanging out with them, or at least sharing a few meals. But no, things were exactly the same. Jim affirmed that he said 'hi' when he saw Riley on the hallways, but for a supposed friendship, Leonard thought Jim was rather apathetic. If Leonard brought the subject, Jim only shrugged. He resigned himself to the fact that this was another mystery in Jim's life.

Jim hated to lose. Leonard was about the same, but he didn't obsess about it. It was their final year, and every cadet was required to take the Kobayashi Maru test. It was a bitch. Leonard failed miserably, but he didn't care. He was a doctor, not a damn tactical genius. If they wanted to prove his skills, they should bring him a bleeding cadet and then Leonard would show them skills. In fact, they should look at Jim's medical record if they wanted to verify his abilities. The instructor told him he did a 'good job', and then patted him on the back like he was a stupid kid.

But when Jim failed the test… hell unleashed. Jim couldn't believe he'd failed. He'd done everything right and yet he lost the ship.

"It's just a stupid simulation Jim, stop being such a drama queen."

"It's not fair, Bones. I did everything, I even used extra weapons, and they should have at least caused more damage than the test showed. It was rigged or something."

"Why they would rig the test? Just admit you screwed up and move on. You can't win them all."

"That's the point, Bones. All these jerks think you can't face adversity; that you have to resign yourself to it, and just take it like a good soldier. Guess what? My father did that, and it didn't turn out very well for him!"

"Look, Jim…" Leonard was at a loss for what to say. Jim was drunk and angry. He was likely to just start ranting against his father. Sometimes he did that when he was really wasted. He blamed his father because he didn't fight harder. "It's just a test. It doesn't mean you'll face it in real life."

"Really? Then why bother doing it? No Bones, they want to make us get used to failure. If things get ugly, just do what you can and nothing more. You can always do more, you can do things differently. But of course, protocol says 'die like a hero' instead of 'live as a revolutionary'. I can't wait to take the damn test again. I'm gonna nail it."

"What? Are you going for seconds? Jim you won't pass it, nobody does. Take it as an initiation to the space world. You know you can't always win."

"You are wrong. I finally beat Cupcake, when you said I wouldn't make it. You can't give up every time you find an obstacle. I won't do it."

"Why is this so important, Jim?" Leonard was tired, and honestly he didn't know who was drunker, he or Jim.

"I'm gonna prove them wrong. They said you have these 'no win scenarios', I'm gonna show them there is always a way to win. My father wasn't able to do it, but I'm nothing like him."

"That doesn't mean you're invincible."

"I'm not, but I don't give up. People keep pushing me to give up, but I won't."

"Nobody pushes you to give up, Jim; sometimes it's just the only way."

"No, there are other ways. I know. I survived making other ways when people saw giving up as the only option."

"What are you talking about?"

"Everyone kept dying, but I survived. I did it, and showed others how to never give up. This test is bullshit, and I'm gonna prove it."

"Jim, I don't have a clue about what you are saying. I think you're hallucinating."

"I survived. My father should have tried harder. I survived when I had nothing to live for, and he had a family and chose to die."

He survived? He survived what exactly?

"And Kevin, he did it too. They can't teach us to give up; they don't even know how to survive. We know."

Leonard watched his friend closely, but he seemed gone, lost in memories. He didn't say another word. He just passed out on the floor, leaving Leonard wondering what had just happened.

Jim didn't seem to recall anything the next day, even when Leonard brought the subject up. He just kept saying that he was drunk and Leonard should just forget everything. But he couldn't. He needed to know. Leonard kept the fact that Jim mentioned Kevin in his babblings to himself. If Jim wasn't going to give him straight answers, perhaps Kevin would be more willing.

He waited until Jim had the stupid survival training and he was required to spend the week in some desert. Leonard knew he was risking his friendship with Jim, but his friend was still hurt. Like Leonard was before Joanna moved closer to him. Jim had helped him in those times; it was time Leonard did something for him, whether Jim liked it or not.

Leonard asked Riley if they could talk about Jim. The kid seemed reluctant, but nodded anyway. Since it was a private conversation, he suggested talking in Jim and Leonard's room, and as they walked there, Leonard thought about how to approach the subject. Riley probably was evasive like Jim, given that they were friends. If Leonard wanted answers, he had to think how to get them without scaring the kid into silence.

Riley sat down near the desk, and Leonard did the same on his bed, still thinking about the best way to get to the point. Riley just looked at Leonard like expecting for him to ask whatever he wanted to know and be done with this. He didn't seem too eager to share.

"So... how long have you known Jim?" Leonard decided to start casually.

"About 10 years, more or less."

"And how did you two meet?"

Riley frowned like he hadn't expected that question.

"Jim hadn't told you about me?"

"Not really. He is mysterious sometimes."

"Oh. Then I shouldn't say anything either."

The kid was closing any potential conversation. Leonard needed to convince him quickly.

"Look, I know Jim is hiding something. It's probably none of my business, but I want to help him. He doesn't like being vulnerable, I get that. He's my best friend, though; I won't judge him."

"Jim doesn't like to talk about it. If he finds out, he'll probably be angry at both of us."

"I can deal with Jim. He doesn't have to bear the burden alone. I'm here to help him. He can't do everything alone, kid. Jim needs to lean on someone once in a while. And I'm here for that."

Riley looked at Leonard, and smiled.

"Jim's lucky, having a friend like you."

"Yeah, although he forgets that sometimes."

They stayed silent for a while. Leonard knew he shouldn't push the kid anymore, since he would eventually say something. Leonard expected it to be what he wanted to hear.

"Have you ever heard about Tarsus IV?"

Leonard froze immediately. He had heard about it. Everyone in the Academy took an entire seminar about it. It was the worst massacre in the last fifty years. Now that he recalled, Jim didn't take that seminar but still got the credits. Leonard knew he'd talked with Pike, and Jim took a remedial class instead. Jim had never shared why he didn't take it, and avoided the subject whenever Leonard hinted at it.

Hearing Riley, Leonard felt he was about to find out the reason.

"Yes," Leonard said, getting the courage to speak again.

"I won't give you details. You wouldn't understand, and I'm working hard to letting that go, even when I know it's impossible. People say you'll get over it, but it's a lie. You can't, and you won't. The memories, the nightmares, the feelings… they are all there, haunting you."

"Jim was there?" And Leonard wanted to ask 'Why?' 'How?'

"Yes. Jim lived on the farm near my house. He was with his relatives. I don't know exactly why he was sent there. Something about a car and his mother thinking he needed space. Truth is that we didn't get to know each other too well until after the famine. It was after Kodos' decision that we actually bonded. He protected me… protected us. We were kids, we didn't know better. Jim did. He kept fighting, he managed to hide us, and he even fed us. I won't tell you what we had to do to survive. But let me tell you something, I'm sure the damn seminar didn't even begin to cover it." Riley started shaking, and Leonard got closer to try and comfort him "I was almost dead when they found us, Jim was about the same. We lost everything there. Years of therapy won't get back what they took from us. You can't even imagine it."

It was true. Leonard knew his friend had this big secret, but never in a million years had he thought it would be something like this. Now everything made sense. Jim's eating habits, his nightmares, his self-destructive behavior, his need for company. He would never understand what his friend went through.

"Look." Riley stood up, wiping his tears away. "I won't talk about this again, I told you because I know Jim is still feeling guilty about what happened. Like it was his fault the damn fungus and Kodos made our lives a living hell. He was a hero like his dad, and he won't see it. If it wasn't for him I would have been dead. He gave me a second chance at life, and I'm taking it. I wish he'd do the same."

"Thank you for telling me. I know it wasn't easy."

"It's never easy, and you don't even know half of this. I doubt Jim will ever tell you the entire truth, but I know he will let go of his guilt if he shares it with someone. I hope you really meant it about Jim leaning on you, because if you didn't, you better never tell him you know about this."

Riley didn't say anything more, and honestly Leonard didn't know what else was there to say. Riley must be eighteen, nineteen tops. Then he was only eight or nine when that happened. He was only a child, and he had to live through that traumatic event. Leonard had seen it all in his practice, yet this was something new. The problem now was how to approach Jim to let him know Leonard was there for him.

Jim had kept this secret most of his life. It wasn't going to be easy to let it go.

When Jim returned from his training, he looked slimmer and dehydrated. Leonard started chastising him about how he was an idiot for doing that to his body, and took his vitals to get a better reading.

"I'm fine," complained Jim. "I'm used to going without food."

That made Leonard stop immediately. Now that he was aware of things, it was hard to pretend he didn't know what Jim was talking about. Looking back, Jim had hinted a lot about what he'd suffered, but without the key piece Leonard could hardly get the entire puzzle.

"What's wrong, Bones?" Jim noticed how his friend froze.

"Nothing." Leonard tried to recover. "You have low blood pressure, didn't they have a doctor there to make sure everyone was at least within healthy parameters?"

"It's survival training, Bones. You won't have a doctor with you on every mission. You need to manage." Jim was dead serious now, and Leonard knew why he said it with such conviction. Still, it hurt Leonard that his friend felt he needed to do everything alone.

"Well, you will. I'm not letting you out of my sight, even if I have to attach myself to your damn hip." Maybe Jim thought Leonard was kidding, but he certainly wasn't. He was taking care of Jim and he didn't have the right to complain about it.

"Is that an offer, Bones? You are the most romantic guy I've ever meet."

"Drink this." Leonard handed over a bottle of water. "It has salt and minerals. You need to get something to eat, but let's wait before you're hydrated again."

"I'm not hungry anyway." Jim drank almost half the bottle in one gulp.

"I don't care if you aren't hungry, you need the food."

Jim looked up at Leonard with surprise. Leonard tried to act like he hadn't said anything out of the ordinary, but somehow realization struck Jim immediately. Sometimes it wasn't a good thing that his friend was smart.

"You know…" Jim said.

"Look Jim, I just –"

"What did you do? Hack my medical file? I made sure you couldn't do that, how did you accomplish it?"

"I didn't hack your medical file. I… I talked to Riley and he –"

"What?" Jim stood up completely enraged. "How dare you? This is none of your business! You had no right to bother Kevin just because you can't understand what privacy is! Are you satisfied now? You curiosity is finally satisfied? I bet you didn't even imagine how screwed up I was until you got the deepest, darkest secret. I don't need your pity, man, if you want to fix someone, start with yourself!"

Jim headed towards the door, fuming, but Leonard was quicker and he stood between Jim and the exit. He always did that. He ran away when he felt trapped. Leonard wouldn't have it this time. He had the right to be angry and upset, but he was not escaping without hearing what Leonard had to say.

"Move!" demanded Jim.

"No, if you want to go, move me yourself."

"I don't want to hurt you." Jim looked like he really didn't.

"I can say the same, Jim. You are not leaving this room until we talk."

For a moment Leonard thought his friend was going to punch him right in the face. He even lifted his hand in a fist, but he stopped before even reaching Leonard and just looked defeated.

"If we are really going to do this, I need alcohol," Jim sighed, and turned to the bed.

"I have Vodka," offered Leonard.

In silence Leonard poured Vodka into a glass and handed it to Jim, who kept his eyes on the floor. Leonard wondered why his friend didn't just punch him and leave. He wanted to believe it was because Jim trusted him with this, and he finally understood he wasn't alone. But Leonard knew better. Jim probably caved because they were room-mates, and to be honest, Jim didn't have that many friends. He was popular with girls and guys who always ended up in Jim's bed and he goofed around with his classmates, but he didn't have another friend like Leonard. If he decided to just move out of the dorm room and stop talking to Leonard, then Jim would be alone. That was Jim's worst fear. He said he was not a loner, and with what he knew now, Leonard got why.

"I'm sorry." Leonard decided to be the first to talk. "I know it was a dick move going to Riley, but Jim… I don't regret it."

"Why would you? Now you have an excuse to feel sorry for me," Jim spat out, still looking at the floor.

"I'm your friend, Jim. I dare say I'm your best friend. Don't you trust me?"

"This isn't about trust, Bones. It's about privacy. I don't talk about it. I just don't."

"Then don't. I'm not going to force you. But I want to make sure you understand something. I love you, Jim. And I know you'll be impossible about this, but it's the truth. And when you see someone you love carrying a burden that's too heavy, you help. Even when that person is too stubborn, and keeps using your shampoo, and steals your secret stash –"

"I only did that once! You don't even like tequila." At least this time Jim finally looked at Leonard.

"You still love him, and would do anything to be there for him. You are not alone, kid. Whatever happened to you, we all have baggage. Yours is heavier, but it doesn't change who you are, or why I like you. You don't want to talk about it? Fine by me, but if you do want to sometime, I'll listen. You are like my brother, Jim. I'd do anything for you."

Leonard expected a lot of things. Jim saying he was so corny, and just staying silent after that; Jim laughing right in his face; Jim frowning and saying he still wasn't going to say anything. But then, once again, Jim Kirk surprised him. He just hugged him tightly, almost like he was afraid to let go, and whispered "I love you too."

They stayed like that for a while, and then Jim just kept drinking. Leonard accompanied him in silence. He didn't say anything else that night, but they both knew that when Jim felt he was ready, the first person he would share the burden with would be Leonard.

Jim kept obsessing about the Kobayashi Maru, bragging about how he was taking the test again and he was passing it. Leonard was so annoyed that he actually stayed in the hospital longer to avoid the rants. However, what he didn't expect when he returned to his room was seeing his half naked friend on top of the Orion woman… he didn't even recall her name.

"Hi, Bones!" Jim said, like this was nothing out of the ordinary.

"I see you are entertaining a guest. You didn't send me a text." Leonard tried very hard to just look away.

"I thought you were staying all night in the hospital."

"I'll take my PADD and leave." Leonard went directly to his nightstand to retrieve the damn PADD, thinking about where he was crashing for the night.

"You are cute," said the Orion… Gala? It was something like that, Leonard was sure.

"Thank you, ma'am." What was he supposed to say?

"How about you join us? We can have fun!"

Leonard froze, looking appalled. Jim just smirked, the bastard, and the Orion woman…. Galia? She winked at him. This was an image Leonard didn't want.

"I'm a doctor, not a damn pimp! I barely tolerate Jim as a friend, I'm not even going to consider sharing a bed with him!"

"Oh." The Orion actually pouted. "How about you just share the bed with me? Jimmy can watch."

Leonard stormed out the room without saying anything, which he expected was answer enough. Leonard spent the night in the hospital, updating charts. Jim stopped sleeping around when he had the Orion (who name was Gaila, now he remembered) secured in his bed. They were fuck buddies, and they both took advantage of each other. But lately Jim was spending most of his free time with her, and when Leonard found out she was some sort of computer genius, he understood why. He wanted something from the girl.

Of course, Jim failed the second time he faced the Kobayashi Maru. And again, Leonard was there to endure his drunken ramblings.

"I told you; nobody passes the damn test." Leonard was amused by how worked up Jim was getting.

"I'll pass it! This isn't over, Bones."

"Oh, I very much believe it is. You can't go for a third round Jim."

"I can, and I will. The rules say a cadet can take the test as many times as he or she wants. Third time's the charm."

"You're humiliating yourself. It's not a big deal, you have the best record here and your grades are almost perfect. Be glad you'll graduate with honors and leave it at that."

"No. Maybe to you it's nothing important, but I won't be defeated by a stupid simulation."

"Jim, come on –"

"I lived when they said I shouldn't. That it was best to die. A simulation can't even create that kind of scenario."

Leonard now was aware of what Jim was referring to, but he kept quiet, letting his friend say what he needed to.

"I guess people won't get it until they actually live something like that. I think that's why Pike is pushing me to be someone. People either see me as George Kirk's son the screw up, or as Winona Kirk's son the damaged. You know what they say about her, right?"

Of course Leonard knew, but he wasn't admitting it.

"I don't pay attention to gossip, Jim."

"Yeah, right. You blame her?"

"What?"

"You blame her for what happened to me on Tarsus IV? You think it was her fault?"

"Jim, I don't know..."

"You think it's her fault." Jim laughed. "It wasn't. She was a good mother. She got married when I was eleven, and the guy was a piece of work. She tried to give us a family, but she didn't choose well. She sent me with my aunt for a while, and it was fine at first, Bones. I actually was having fun, until things started. I hate that Kevin is here. He could do anything, and yet, he chose to be where he could die on any mission. He could live a long happy life, and he chose this."

"So did you," Leonard said.

"Yeah, I guess we're both idiots."

"You know this test is not the same thing, right?"

"It is to me. And mark my words: I'm going to pass it no matter what."

It turned out that Jim was right. He passed it. But then he was on Academy trial for cheating. Everything went downhill from there. The Vulcan instructor, the Nero attack, Jim being marooned and then returned to the ship with a Scottish friend. Leonard honestly felt like everything happened in a blink of an eye.

When they came back home, the first thing Leonard did was go directly to his daughter and hug her. He didn't care about how he was needed in the hospital, or how they were not on leave yet. He felt like everything was ending up there, and he needed to have his daughter to be sure he didn't lose it all.

Starfleet prepared a Memorial for the members of Starfleet who were lost in battle. All the cadets felt the emptiness on the hallways and the Academy grounds. They lost a lot of members, Leonard felt grateful he wasn't among them.

He and Jim stood up in front of the Memorial wall that contained the name of every person who'd died. Jim got closer and put his finger on a particular name. Leonard knew Gaila had died too, and expected for Jim to be depressed, but Jim said she was happy to be serving. She passed away doing what she loved the most; protecting others.

"I could have loved her, you know?" said Jim with sorrow.

"She was something."

"Eventually, I could have loved her. We could have been a couple. She understood me better than anyone."

Leonard had thought the girl was only a fling, but hearing Jim he knew that they'd shared more than Jim let on. Orions were slaves for hundred years. Perhaps Gaila did understand Jim. When they started walking, Jim glanced to the bottom of the wall, distinguishing another name. 'Amanda Grayson'. Jim looked at Leonard, and they both stood there too for a while. Even though she was not a member of Starfleet, Amanda Grayson was honored for her contributions to cultural diversity, being the direct contact between Earth and Vulcan. They knew she was Spock's mother, and Leonard was aware of Jim's guilt because he'd baited Spock with that. Leonard agreed, but it wasn't like Spock hadn't done the same in Jim's trial.

Thankfully this was over, and they would move on to other things. Or so Leonard thought. He honestly didn't expect Spock to request him, let alone add Jim as a First Officer. But he did, and they both accepted the job. Leonard was pleased to share his commission with Jim, but having Spock as the Captain… Leonard would need all his tolerance and patience to endure it.

Seeing Jim in a red shirt for the first time was far too familiar. Gossip said that the red uniform was cursed, so Leonard was nagging Jim to being more careful. They'd had no missions so far, but you never knew. Jim, to Leonard's surprise, was acting very professional, doing what he was told and answering politely. It was disconcerting to see his friend this way.

"You're being all polite with the Captain, Jimbo." Leonard looked smug.

"No need to be defying the guy. Besides I need to be on his good side if I want his recommendation for a promotion."

"You're still thinking of getting your own ship next year?"

"Of course. You should come with me, Bones; you know I want you in my crew."

"Yeah, that's what scares me."

"Oh, you love me, don't deny it. Guess what? Pike told me to be friends with Spock."

Leonard wasn't surprised, after all Pike had manipulated Jim into the job. It seemed right that he'd just keep pushing him to see how far he could go.

"I think they should make him take a psychiatric exam. He must have secondary effects from the painkillers," added Jim.

"Well, if they didn't test you, I don't see why they'll test Pike. He acts more normal than you; although he looked rather scheming when I signed my contract."

"He has the crazy idea that Spock and I are too alike and that's why we can't get along. I'm telling you, he is on drugs."

"So? Are you going to have tea parties with the hobgoblin or what?"

Jim was bewildered, which made Leonard wonder what he said to cause this reaction. He was joking, he didn't actually expect Jim to be Spock's friend. But Jim looked like he'd taken it far too seriously.

"I don't have to be Spock's friend." Jim's tone was almost defiant.

"Good, that means you aren't that foolish. I can't picture you being friends with him."

Jim kept complaining about how he was not obliged to get closer to Spock, and Leonard wondered why his friend was so worked up about this. Nobody was forcing him to be friends with Spock, yet he acted like someone was putting a gun to his head and ordering him to approach the damn elf in a personal way.

Leonard saw Uhura almost fuming in the hallway. She came close to knocking him down when they passed by.

"Sorry, Doctor McCoy," she said without stopping.

"Hey, are you all right?" Leonard took her wrist gently before she was out of reach.

"I'm fine." She didn't look that way, though.

In Leonard's experience, the only person who could get people this pissed was Jim. What the hell had he done to Uhura now? Leonard thought he was leaving her alone; he'd said so when they started the mission and Leonard asked how he was going to seduce the Lieutenant. In fact, Jim seemed uncomfortable with the subject, and only answered that he was no longer interested in her, which was bullshit because she was really attractive and Jim had chased her all the time in the Academy. Leonard assumed his friend was just waiting for the right time to begin hitting on her again.

He'd probably done it just now, and that's why Uhura was so upset.

"What did Jim do?"

Uhura looked surprised at Leonard.

"I'm not psychic," he added quickly. "I just know how annoying he can be."

"He is really obnoxious," Uhura smiled "but I think I'm overreacting."

"Knowing him, I don't think so. Is there something I can do, Lieutenant? I can inject him with something if you want."

"Well, that's tempting… and please, don't call me Lieutenant, it's far too formal. Nyota will do, Doctor."

Apparently Uhura let everyone use her first name but Jim. Somehow that made Leonard smile.

"Then I insist you call me 'Leonard'. It's only fair."

"Very well, Leonard."

"Just ignore Jim. He will get tired and focus on another person."

"I'm afraid he already did." Uhura looked almost resigned.

"What do you mean?" Leonard was confused. He felt Uhura was speaking of something else.

"Nothing, don't mind me. Goodnight, Leonard."

"Goodnight, Nyota."

That was weird.

Leonard heard Chapel saying to Rand that Jim and Spock had dinner yesterday. Together, in the mess hall, where everyone could see them. For them, it was the confirmation of a future romance. Chapel was really invested in those romantic novels, and Rand tagged along. Leonard wanted to say how idiotic that was, but he thought it better. This way the rumors about he and Jim being a couple would end, and since he knew Jim wouldn't get angry with the gossip, he let it go. Honestly, people couldn't see two close friends without thinking they were having an affair. In the Academy Jim even fomented those rumors.

Three days later, Spock was having lunch with them. Leonard felt intrigued about this. Jim was actually trying to reach out to Spock, god knows why. Jim protested (loudly) about how Pike was insane for suggesting he get closer to Spock, yet he was doing it.

When he married Jocelyn, Leonard discovered he was a jealous guy. He was bothered by guys looking at her, or even talking to her. Of course he didn't show it (too much), but it still nagged at him deeply. Now he was getting that feeling back. He didn't love Jim that way, but as he saw how his friend was having dinner with Spock more often, he couldn't help feeling left out. In the Academy, Jim had attached himself to Leonard, and now they were drifting apart. Leonard knew he sound almost childish, Jim was free to have other friends; just not Spock. The guy was trouble, Jim needed a reliable and accepting friend, and Spock wasn't like that. Spock even started to intrude on his meals together with Jim. That bugged Leonard and made him cranky. It was like he was fighting for his friend's attention and losing miserably. Jim even defended Spock.

Something was going on between them, but Leonard couldn't figure it out what it was. Yet.

Leonard decided to carefully observe the interactions between Jim and the hobgoblin. They acted polite and they mostly seemed to engage in conversations about the ship and improvements. Nothing too personal or relevant.

Then the baby came.

Leonard felt apprehensive the minute Jim said the Tersu mission was labelled as dangerous. If Jim always managed to get hut in the most stupid ways on diplomatic assignments, this was bound to be a disaster. It got worse when he heard that Spock wasn't beaming down, and the landing party consisted of only Jim and three other guys from the security department, including Cupcake.

"Why the hell won't Spock beam down? He's the damn Captain!"

"You just answered the question, Bones. He is the Captain, we can't risk him."

"Maybe you can't," muttered Leonard.

"What?"

"You heard me. This is our first serious assignment, and he's just staying on the damn ship. I don't see why. He should beam down, and you should stay right here."

"Look, I appreciate the concern, but protocol actually dictates that –"

"To hell with protocols! You never follow them anyway! This is you, risking your damn neck while the hobgoblin sits in his damn chair and wishes you were dead."

Leonard knew he'd gone too far. Jim looked rather appalled by his words. He'd just lost control when he heard Jim actually justifying his actions, like it was not because he wanted to protect Spock, but because protocol obliged him to. They both knew better, and Leonard was not going to let Jim get away with this. This was not a stupid dinner or a medical discussion. This was Jim in actual danger.

"You're being too dramatic, Bones. I'll be fine."

"You don't know that, Jim, and the fact that you want to beam down instead of Spock should tell you how wrong you are."

"Bones, you know it's my duty. I'm his First Officer."

"Yeah, but he's the Captain. Pike went to Nero's ship because he was in charge."

"Nero requested him specifically, Bones. You're being unreasonable."

"I'm being unreasonable? Fine, do whatever you want."

"Bones –"

"I said fine! Now leave, I'm busy."

They didn't speak until the next day. By then Leonard had assimilated things, and understood that his friend was half right. It was his job to protect the ship and Spock. But still irritated him how Jim jumped into things without looking back. The only thing that he could do was be there when Jim needed to be patched up.

Luckily Jim only received a good punch, and he had cuts and scratches, but that was it. The baby he kidnapped… or rescued, according to him, was a different story. The moment Leonard ran a quick scan on her, he realized she had different brain activity. He called M'Benga, confirming what he'd guessed. The baby was Betazoid, and had somehow managed to create an empathic link with Jim. The girl was in distress when Jim held her, and since he projected confidence to her, she immediately held up on that. That was why she wouldn't let anyone get near her, except Jim.

Leonard was afraid Jim would get too attached to the baby. Then they would both be devastated.

It was the first time Leonard was grateful for Spock's voodoo nature. It would be beneficial for the baby to be in contact with a touch telepath. M'Benga was the one who suggested it, and since medically it was the right thing to do, Leonard didn't object. Besides, watching Spock trying to get out of it was fun.

"The infant seems closer to Commander Kirk. I do think it is enough."

"Stop arguing. You need to spend time with her."

Spock glared at Leonard; of course, he only knew it was a glare because he received it on a daily basis.

"Captain, I agree with Doctor McCoy. We suggest that you try to share some of your mental boundaries with the baby, it could be good for her mental and empathic development." M'Benga was the one with the diplomacy.

Jim was getting awfully close to Spock, and Leonard wondered why. Jim was carrying the baby, so it wasn't like he was aiming for a hug (and it disturbed Leonard that he thought his friend would actually hug Spock). Then the girl extended her hand and touched Spock's ear. Everyone in sickbay froze, and even Chapel was stunned. If she could have taken a picture, she would for sure. The baby giggled, like it was something amusing. Well, it was, but maybe they were too bewildered to react. Spock was so stiff he looked almost like he was going to snap.

However what caught Leonard's attention and shock was Jim. He was smiling, nothing new, but not at the baby, at Spock. He was smiling at Spock; an actual smile, without sarcasm.

Leonard was at loss as to what was happening in front of his very own eyes. It was like Jim was getting more involved with Spock, and the rest of the world had stopped existing. Leonard only felt that with Jocelyn. Jim had better not be falling for the damn elf, because that was a mess that even Leonard couldn't help Jim with.

When he reached the mess hall, Leonard saw the gossip table, and went directly to it. He needed to see how the rumors were progressing. It was the noisiest table. Sulu and Chekov were sitting there too, it must be really juicy.

"Good morning," he greeted.

The table went silent immediately. Of course, he was Jim's best friend. They weren't gossiping about him right to his face.

"Good morning, Doctor McCoy." Chapel smiled gently, although she looked frustrated, maybe because Leonard had just cut out the fun.

When Leonard sat down, everyone kept quiet.

"Anyone seen the happy couple?" Leonard asked casually.

That changed things almost instantly. Chapel was almost beaming at him.

"They do look happy, right?" Rand started speaking.

"Yeah, they are so adorable. Before the baby, they barely spent any time together," Chapel sighed.

"Yeah, that's why they want to adopt her." Leonard tried very hard not to smirk.

"Really?" Chekov and Rand asked at the same time.

"Of course. They're a family now, the girl needs her mother and father. They have to adopt her."

"Who would be the mother?" Sulu looked curious.

"Jim, of course," intervened Leonard. "Haven't you see him with the baby?"

"Well, the Commander does seem kind of maternal."

"And the Captain is very protective of them. Yesterday he reprimanded Scotty because he made a toy for the baby that was 'unsafe'. He also repeatedly asks if the Commander is well, and if he's sleeping."

What? Leonard didn't know that. Why Spock would ask Jim if he was sleeping? Did Jim have problems with his sleep? And if he did, why hadn't he told Leonard about it? He had nightmares about Tarsus, Leonard knew that. But Jim always said that not even pills helped him, and usually they just kept talking until the next day. Apparently now he had another person who could help him with that. Leonard wasn't jealous. He was… damn, he was jealous.

He needed to get over this thing, and the only way to accomplished that was encouraging the crew to gossip about the new family on the Enterprise (it made sense when Leonard thought about it). However, he felt that somehow it was more real than he would like. Jim naming the baby 'Amanda' just confirmed it. It was real. Spock and Jim weren't adopting the girl, but they'd sure formed some sort of relationship that Leonard thought was beyond friendship.

It was time to say goodbye to the baby, and Leonard was sad. She was fun while they took care of her, and had helped them adapt to the job. They were going to miss her. But Jim was going to be devastated. He looked like he was broken. Saying goodbye was never easy.

After his shift, Leonard took his finest vodka. Jim would need it now that he was going to spend the night alone for the first time since they rescued the baby. Thinking of ways to cheer him up, Leonard was heading to his friend's room. When he turned into the hallway that led to Jim's room, he stopped immediately when he saw Spock already standing outside the door. Hiding behind the wall, Leonard watched as Jim opened the door, and they spoke for a few minutes. Then, to Leonard's surprise, Spock went inside the room, and Jim closed the door quietly.

Leonard stood there a while, feeling lost. What the hell was happening between those two? Now instead of just feeling left out, Leonard felt replaced.

Jim was acting like normal, but Leonard felt almost like he'd betrayed him. Sure, Jim had the right to have other friends. But did it have to be Spock? Then Leonard remembered his friend's propensity to get closer to his flings. Gaila had lasted a while. Leonard was sure his friend wasn't sleeping with anyone… yet. In fact, all his free time was spent either with him, or with Spock. And since he wasn't sleeping with him that only left Spock.

No, but it couldn't be. Spock was a Vulcan, he didn't do the fling thing. Although Jim could be very persuasive, it was impossible.

Wasn't it?

It was the fourth time Jim had insisted on Sulu in having a meal with Spock. Sulu was very timid with the Captain, yet Jim kept pushing him. After Sulu left them, Leonard decided to ask his friend what he intended to accomplish with his harassment of Sulu.

"Why are you forcing Sulu to have lunch with Spock? He's a big boy, he can choose his own friends."

"I know, I just want them to get closer."

"Why?"

"Well… I was thinking –"

"You lost me," Leonard grinned.

"Ha, ha. Anyway, you know I'm leaving in a year. I was thinking about who can take my place."

"And you decided Sulu was the best option because…?"

"You're out of the question, Uhura doesn't have enough experience and Scotty almost bit my head off when I hinted at it. Sulu's the best choice. I'd like to leave someone I can trust, and I know Sulu will have Spock's best interests in mind."

Leonard frowned. Jim was being excessively thorough because he wanted his replacement to care for Spock as much as he cared. By every passing day Leonard was more convinced that Jim was having a fling with Spock. Why would he care so much if he wasn't involved with the elf?

When Uhura and Sulu dragged Jim to sickbay, Leonard immediately injected the vaccine into his neck. Jim was completely red and swollen; it was almost like back at the Academy when he gave Jim peanuts by accident. Then Spock came, and of course, he was interested in what Jim had to say.

Leonard wasn't sure if those two were sleeping together, or they were about to do it, but when he saw the opportunity to mock Jim for the new mission, he took it quickly. Even when it involved Sulu too, Leonard wasn't going to leave it alone. Adopting a plant deserved to be teased.

What he didn't expect was to see the hobgoblin jealous. He was so stiff when Jim said he would kiss Sulu, that he was surprised nobody else noticed it. Well, when he glanced at Uhura, he saw that she was also tense. She was the elf's friend, perhaps she was as against the fling as Leonard was.

Leonard was going to use this new gossip to make Jim spill the truth about him and the elf. A fling with Spock wasn't a good idea, and it could only end badly. Those two kept having dinners together almost every night, and they were 'playing chess'. Leonard knew how euphemism worked with Jim. This was no different from when said he was 'studying' when he was actually sleeping with Gaila.

Jim invited Spock to poker night. Leonard was livid. It was one thing that he was sleeping with him (or was about to), but to shove him into all their shared activities was too much. It was like being back at high school when girls didn't want to be separated from their boyfriends. Thank god one of them had common sense, since Spock declined. Still, given that Jim hadn't say anything about the little relationship he had with Spock, Leonard was going to bring the subject up as soon as he could. Something had to be done.

And he saw the perfect opportunity when they were left alone. Jim denied it, but Leonard thought it was only because he didn't want to confess to sleeping with Spock because… why would he want to admit it? Then Jim said Spock was dating… someone else.

It was hard to believe that Spock actually was dating another person. The guy spent almost all his free time with Jim, who in seven hells could be dating a robot who was occupied with his First Officer? When Jim let slip who the person was, Leonard thought 'yeah, right'. Uhura couldn't be dating Spock, she was a smart girl. But of course, Jim started defending the damn hobgoblin, ranting about how he had qualities Leonard didn't see and more crap like that. He was annoying when he was protecting the elf. That pissed Leonard off even more. He wasn't getting any and yet he was all over the place just because Leonard had told the truth.

Leonard didn't believe Jim. Uhura couldn't be dating Spock; honestly, they didn't even share meals anymore. And Leonard was going to prove it. He was going to observe them closely.

Of course, they noticed his scrutiny right away. Leonard was sure he was being discreet, apparently he thought wrong. Jim always said he was the most imprudent person he knew, since every time Jim said 'look at that girl' Leonard turned around shamelessly, being as obvious as he could.

Still he maintained his point. Uhura and Spock were not a couple. Jim was falling for the elf, whether he saw it or not, and maybe Spock wasn't too indifferent to Jim. Leonard had promised himself he wasn't going to fall in love again, but that didn't mean he couldn't see who else was doing it around him. The damn ship was becoming a love fest. Jim and the elf weren't the only ones oblivious to their feelings. If Leonard saw Chekov pouting one more time after Chapel said Sulu and Spock had a lunch date, he was going to scream. And the same Chapel was lusting over the elf too, even when she spread the gossip about Jim and Spock. Apparently the only sane ones were Uhura, Scotty and him. And that should be proof enough of the problems that love brought for everybody.

He hated to be the only one knowing what the hell was going on. Leonard wondered if the entire ship was blind. Perhaps he was aware of things because he actually knew Jim. And honestly, his friend was digging his own grave with the elf. He wasn't staying the 5 years anyway, he didn't need to be getting on Spock's good side by sleeping with him. And to prove his point, if Uhura really was dating Spock, how come she wasn't angry about the new friendship her so called boyfriend had with Jim? But then Leonard recalled the time when Uhura almost knocked him down. That would explain why she was so pissed. In fact, it made sense if they were dating. When they started, Nyota was the only person who could touch Spock, and personal space was non-existent between them. Now it was more like a friendly respect, but he saw nothing more. Uhura was to Spock what Leonard was to Jim, just good friends, not compatible for romance.

Jim was moping because Spock was angry. Apparently he didn't take Leonard's stares well, and took it to mean Jim was a gossip and couldn't be trusted. Or so Jim said.

"I told you to stop!" Well, Spock wasn't the only one angry.

"Jim, he'll get over it. He is Vulcan," Leonard sighed.

"Yeah, and he's probably done dealing with me by now. I'm pissed at you."

"I got that. What do you want from me? Do you want me to humiliate myself with the elf and see if that makes him forgive you?"

"Like you're really going to do that." Jim glared. "You got what you wanted, Spock won't talk to me anymore. Let me know who else on this damn ship is on your bad side, so I can avoid being near them and save us the trouble!"

Jim stormed out of Sickbay in one of his dramatics exits. Leonard was surprised. Jim was taking this seriously. He was truly worried that the elf wasn't going to speak to him anymore. He looked almost like he was missing something with Spock's absence. This was worse than he'd thought.

Jim was falling hard, and that left Leonard with two options. He could take advantage of the situation, and make things between Jim and Spock fall apart. Or he could talk to Spock, and then witness his friend getting into a huge mess that would only hurt him. He remembered that on one of the drunken nights Jim and he shared, Jim had asked him if he would change anything in his life. If he had the choice, would he marry Jocelyn again? Leonard answered yes. True, they were miserable in the final stage of their marriage, but they were once happy. Leonard had honestly felt happy with that woman, he was so happy he thought she was the one to share the rest of his life. Jim then said something that his mother told him when he saw her crying about his dad. She told Jim 'I prefer a small moment of happiness to a long life without knowing how it feels.'

He hated seeing his friend hurt. But he also wanted for him to be happy. Sometimes you couldn't have both.

Talking to Spock was almost torture for Leonard. The guy was unbearable, and he had the nerve to judge him. Still, he wanted to help Jim to get his way, even when he felt it was a terrible idea. Only for that he didn't punch the damn elf.

The crew were already gossiping and, of course, blamed everything on Jim. Since Jim had attached himself to Leonard's hip again, he had barely time to share meals with others. However, he saw an opportunity when Jim was asked to help Giotto with training. He sat next to Chapel (she was the most informed about everything), then he saw Rand, Chekov, Sulu and Scotty sitting around them.

"How were things on the Bridge?" asked Chapel.

"Uncomfortable," answered Chekov.

"I don't know what the Commander did, but he should apologize to the Captain." Rand shook her head. "They were going so well."

"Maybe it wasn't the Commander's fault." Chekov looked affronted.

"That's why I prefer machines," Scotty smiled. "Less trouble"

"Well, now the Commander is also acting reserved with the Captain, I don't think it's the best way to get things fixed," said Sulu.

"He tried, and the Captain didn't want to, he can't force him." Chekov seemed angrier with every comment thrown.

"He could try again." Sulu was defensive too.

"What for? To be ignored again?" Chekov scowled directly at Sulu.

Damn love fest on the damn ship. Leonard was appalled at how Jim and the elf were defining every relationship around them. Rand and Chapel looked slightly taken aback and Scotty was, as usual, ignorant of everything. Leonard knew Chekov had a hero-crush on Jim. The kid was young, he didn't know any better. He always jumped out to defend Jim when necessary. And it looked like Sulu was doing the same for Spock, although Leonard wondered why, since Spock and Sulu only talked about the damn plant Sulu had adopted or scientific stuff. At least Jim and Chekov shared a few social things like old music and poker games.

"What do you think, Doctor McCoy?" Scotty interrupted the argument Sulu was about to make.

Leonard could make this go further, or just stop it. Gossiping was fun at first, but now it was getting too personal.

"I think it's none of our damn business. They haven't done anything to us, and are the same persons we like and respect. They're big boys, they can solve their own problems."

Scotty smiled, like he knew that Leonard would take care of things. Like he always did when Jim was involved.

"At least we know whose side you two are on." Chapel dared to smile. "I wasn't aware you didn't like the Captain, Chekov."

"I do like the Captain. I don't agree with how he is treating the Commander, but I do like him."

And that was the point right there. Leonard agreed with Chekov on one thing: they both disliked the way Spock was acting towards Jim, except Chekov liked the elf and Leonard didn't.

When Leonard entered the mess hall next day, he honestly expected Jim to be ready to jump on him and force him to have breakfast together, even when he only wanted to get coffee and leave. Sometimes his friend forgot they had different shifts and Leonard didn't have the same free time as Jim. When he glanced around, he almost fell over backwards. Spock was with Jim… at the same table… talking. Well, it looked like mostly Jim talking, but Spock was there too, and Leonard dared to say he was actually listening. Uhura was also with them, although she looked kind of left out.

Leonard sat down next to Jim, and it was like nothing had happened. He liked to think his apology to Spock was what got some sense into the Vulcan's thick head, but then he heard all about Chekov talking to the elf, and the 'puppy eyes' that were thrown around gamma shift (Leonard didn't know if those were Jim's or Chekov's). It was clear that he wasn't the only one trying to get those two together. But if Jim was right, and Spock and Uhura were dating (they weren't, but whatever) it couldn't be fun for her hearing everyone joking about them and comparing them to an old married couple. This only confirmed what Leonard thought: they were dating at the beginning of the mission, they weren't anymore. That would explain also why the elf had gotten closer to Jim.

Well, at least now Jim was going to leave him alone. Leonard didn't agree with what his friend was getting into, but as usual, he was ready to help him. And if Spock dared to hurt him, Leonard would kick his Vulcan ass no matter what.

Sickbay was usually quiet in the afternoon. Leonard liked it that way, it was almost peaceful. Then of course came Jim, disturbing his relaxed shift. He didn't say anything; he just sat down in front of Leonard's desk, looking like a zombie. Apparently the sleeping problems were back.

"Nightmares?"

"No."

Jim didn't add anything, so it was up to Leonard to guess what the hell was going on. He hated this game.

"Spock didn't put out?"

"What? No!" Jim looked mortified. So it involved the elf, then.

"Jim, just tell me. If you came it's obviously because you want to talk about something, I doubt you are here for my charming personality."

"You are pretty charming," smiled Jim. "I just… forget it, it's stupid."

"Yeah, I don't doubt that. Still, wouldn't mind hearing it."

"You'll think I'm crazy."

"I already think that. Whatever has your panties in a twist isn't going to change it."

This had to be something extremely private for Jim to be this anxious. Oh god, let it not be that he finally slept with the hobgoblin, Leonard couldn't bear to hear that.

"Look... lately… Well, not lately… since we started the mission… I've had these… images in my head."

"I'm going to need a little bit more information, Jim," Leonard prompted when Jim just kept silent.

"I think I'm hallucinating."

"What?" Leonard stood up quickly, grabbing the nearest scanner. "Why didn't you tell me sooner?"

"Because it… well… it felt real."

"But it isn't… right?" Leonard frowned. Everything seemed normal; perhaps a neurological scan would be more precise.

"I don't think so. I also don't think those images are mine."

"What do you mean they're not yours? What the hell are you babbling about?"

"Do you know how mind melds work?" Jim looked deadly serious now.

Mind melds? Why would he want to know about them? Then he remembered… Vulcan aboard, Jim being all clingy with him… damn it, why didn't he see it sooner?

"I'm going to kill that elf!" Leonard spat out.

"Spock didn't do anything to me!" defended Jim, and Leonard barely contained his sarcastic come back. "I swear. Well, not this one anyway. I just… look, do you know or not?"

"I know they're dangerous. It's not healthy for someone to poke into your head and exchange information. Who knows what can be transferred in those things. What do you mean not this one? There are two of them?"

"Transferred… that's it! Thanks Bones, you are a life saver!"

"Wait, you are not going anywhere until you tell me what the hell is going on!"

"I'll tell you later Bones, I promise."

"Yeah, I've heard that before. You won't leave until you tell me everything!"

"Give me a week. I promise I'll come clean with you, I just need to get things straight first."

Leonard didn't like it, but he knew Jim wasn't caving.

"Fine. One week, but mark my words, if you haven't say anything by then, I'm going to put you on quarantine."

"I need to have something contagious for that, don't I?"

"Oh, don't worry about that part, I already have it covered."

Jim pouted, walking away from Leonard's office. Still, he would investigate things on his own and he hoped he wouldn't regret it.