Chapter 13: Plum

Leonard straightens out his shirt; there was this one wrinkle right to the side that was driving him crazy. Looking in the mirror he makes sure there is no stubble that he has missed, that not one hair was out of place, and that his breath doesn't smell like some of Jim's home cooked meals. Satisfied, he finishes by applying some cologne. Perfect.

As he walks out of the bathroom a wolf whistle sounds, "Looking nice, Bones."

McCoy glares at his roommate, the man in question was studiously looking through a playboy magazine. He knows Jim was just trying to get a rise out of him, often times it works. McCoy swears that he has gained the patience of a saint after dealing with this kid for almost three years now.

"Trying to look nice for a certain lady friend, Bones? Or should I say, Plum?"

Leonard's cheeks grow hot; he knows that he probably looks grotesquely red in the face. He resents that little endearment: Plum. Uhg, he shudders just thinking about it. For some reason, Nancy had thought it was perfect for him. Her little plum. Gag. Speaking of Nancy, he needs to leave and pick her up.

"I'll see you later, Jim. Don't get into trouble while I'm out."

"I could say the same thing to you." Jim's eyebrows are moving up and down suggestively.

"Jim, if I haven't slept with her yet, I'm not going to do it tonight."

"You know, I've always wondered about that. Why haven't you slept with her, you two have been together for what? Two and a half years now?"

Irritation flits across his mind, "Jim, unlike you, I'm a gentleman. Nancy and I wanted to take it slow and if we ever got to the point where we wanted to have sex, she and I both agreed we wanted it to be meaningful and not just some fling. It's called maturity, Jim." McCoy waves his hand and starts walking towards the door, "I don't know why I'm talking to you about this, my sex life is none of your concern. I'll see you later."

Spending time with Nancy was always enjoyable. She was petite, with short brown hair bobbed neatly atop her head. Her personality was gentle and soft. So different from the fiery passion that consumed Jocelyn. She was quiet, but her insights were usually very profound.

And here they were, walking along the bay, holding hands. She was humming softly under her breath, eyes closed while she enjoys the moonlight and gentle ocean breeze. Leonard just likes looking at her, a smile plays on his lips. He wishes he could say that he loved her, but that really didn't seem to be the case. The more time they spent together, the more they grew closer together like siblings. They both recognize it, it was the very reason for this particular date.

"You're a rare breed, you know that Leonard?"

His lip twitches up, "Maybe."

"You're the embodiment of masculinity, yet at your core it's all compassion and heart. It's truly a sight to see sometimes. Your passion for life is touching."

"You trying to boost my already huge ego, darlin'?"

Nancy laughs, it sounds like chimes dancing in the wind, "I'm trying to give you a genuine compliment you old schmooze."

"Oh, I'm old now, huh? Weren't you praising my youth last week?" He knows his hazel eyes must be dancing like crazy with mirth. He can see it as her eyes do the same.

"Hush, I'm trying to make a point, Plum."

He grimaces. That nickname could probably shut him up for years.

"The point is that I think you're a great man, with even greater potential. You're going out among the stars, and I know you will make a difference. You'll be saving those space happy people who take delight in the unknown."

"So where are you going with this?"

Nancy stops and turns towards McCoy, she put her hands on his arms, "Leonard, I'm being shipped out tomorrow to go participate in an archeological dig. I think we need to discuss our situation seriously."

Leonard nods, he wholeheartedly agrees. He was infinitely glad Nancy was so mature about this.

"Plum, I don't regret spending two and a half years with you. In fact, it has helped me grow in more ways than one. The fact of the matter is, is that now I realize what our relationship has grown into. It isn't in any way romantic, and I know you agree with this sentiment."

McCoy smiles, "Well, I do have to agree, darlin'. I don't really feel romantically towards you. I feel you're more like my sister."

"And I feel like you're the big brother I've always wanted. I know you wanted to try and see if this relationship would turn more romantic, but with me leaving tomorrow and you graduating at the end of the semester, I just don't see that happening."

They start walking back towards campus. Leonard wraps an arm around Nancy and draws her into his side. They are silent until they reach the gardens.

McCoy turns Nancy towards him and he places a small kiss upon her lips and then kisses her forehead, "Be safe out there, Nancy. I can't bear the thought of you getting hurt."

"Thanks, Leonard. You need to do the same, seeing as how you're going to be in a more dangerous situation than I am."

"Oh, I'll probably die of boredom before anything gets me."

A giggle. Nancy squeezes his hand, "I'll be seeing you later then, Plum. Goodbye."

"Goodbye sweetheart."

Nancy turns and disappears around a wall of ivy. A pang strikes deep within him. He was relieved, relieved because this was the right thing to do. He was happy for Nancy. Damn he loved that woman. And she loved him. But a long distance relationship just wouldn't work for them. His guts twist, as much as he was happy about how everything turned out, he was also undeniably sad. Another woman was yet again walking out of his life. Leonard knows he could've been happy with Nancy, maybe not happy, but content.

The sadness of change was for the moment overtaking him, but he knows that the happiness of change was just right around the corner.

There it is! Next up: The End!