Morning came early, or so it seemed. The events of last night were enough to keep the whole group sleeping in until noon. Scotty had a massive hangover, Uhura ached from running all over the place, Pavel was exhausted because he barely got any sleep because of the storm, and Bones was just flat out tired from everything. It was only when the clock tower struck twelve that everyone knew they had slept in and must wake up.
The bright, hot, noon sun shone through the window of the guest bedroom that Bones was laying in. First it was the goddamned bell that woke him, then it was the sun just shining in his face. Rude, he thought to himself. Groaning loudly, he turned over on his back, facing the ceiling. Beside him, Pavel rustled in the bed and made a small, stretching groan sound that sounded like a high pitched yawn, then he stretched out his arm lazily over Bones' chest, elevating Bones' heart rate. Bones tried to constrain himself from smothering Pavel. That kid was so cute.
"Leo…Vhat time ees eet?" Pavel asked groggily, slowly opening his eyes.
"Uh…Twelve…I think." Bones said uneasily. It was like he was a child again. Unable to talk to the girl he liked, except this time it was a young man.
"Oh…I zink zat ve can sleep een more." Pavel sighed and rolled over on his side, hugging Bones with his one arm, nestling his head into Bones' chest. Bones sighed shakily and just stared up at the ceiling.
"I don't know kid…it's noon." Bones shrugged in bed. Pavel shuffled around, moving the covers that were entangled in his gangly limbs, propping himself up on his elbows, looking at Bones.
"Please…ve have nozing to do today. I eem tired…" Pavel griped. "Please?" He pulled Bones' arm over his shoulder and lay right next to Bones on his back, staring up at him. Bones tried to look away, but he found the task too difficult.
"Ughff….fine." Bones gave in. It was true, they weren't doing much today.
"Yes!" Pavel cheered and curled into Bones' chest, draping his hand over him as well. Bones smiled to himself and tightened his arm around Pavel's shoulders. Just as Bones was relaxing, he felt light, nimbled hands floating over the bruise on his collarbone. He flinched in pain, away from the hand.
"Ooh! Deed zat hurt? I am sorry." Pavel apologized, pulling his hand back a little ways.
"Just a bruise, nothing to worry about." Bones assured Pavel.
"Oh." Pavel responded softly, grazing his hands over the bruise once more. "You are a very interesting person, Leonard." Pavel murmured into Bones' neck.
"Not as interesting as you think." Bones laughed at himself.
"Vell…I zink zat you are." Pavel told Bones, lightly kissing his jawline. Bones smiled widely and ran his hand through his hair, slightly red in the face. No one had ever given him this much attention since he was a small boy.
"Thanks Pavel." Bones grinned. "You aren't so bad yourself."
"Vell I was interesting enough to geet your attention." Pavel stated.
"That…is true." Bones hesitated, turning on his side to face Pavel straight in the eye. Even in a tired and groggy state, the young Russian boy looked like an angel sent down to save him from his bad deeds. "You've changed me kid…for the better or worse." Bones laughed. "But I choose better." Bones said, lightly holding Pavel's neck and tilting his head in, kissing him. It felt so wonderful and he felt so alive. Even though he knew it was against his better judgment to be romantically involved with a seventeen year old boy.
Pavel, on the other hand was elated to just be next to Bones. Everything about him made Pavel swoon madly. So when Bones would kiss him out of his own free will, Pavel would jump on the chance to just savor the moment…and Bones' delectable mouth.
Pavel smiled and gave a little squeak while pressing his mouth onto Bones'. He reached up and tangled is long fingers into Bones' thick brown, messy truss of bed hair, reaching back towards the crown of his head, elevating it slightly, so that Pavel didn't have to work as hard. The feeling of Bones' wet, somewhat rough lips moving against his own gave him a sense of independence. He had chosen who he loved and no one could stop that. He sighed gently into Bones' mouth, mashing his lips against Bones', grinning as he responded by wrapping a strong arm around his thin structure, holding him closely and tightly.
Pavel tried to get as close to Bones as he could, even when they were already shoulder to shoulder and chest to chest. He sent one of his hands down Bones' arm, feeling the sheer strength of the muscle mixed with the softness and delicateness of his lips. But he just couldn't get enough. His hand wandered around Bones' bare chest, feeling it move up and down heavily as he breathed quickly and with much passion.
Bones felt Pavel's hand drift down his arm, tightly gripping it as they locked lips. Bones' upper lip slipped down to Pavel's lower lip, pulling away to catch a breath and all they felt were the light touches of each other's mouth on one another, feeling to hot breath between them. There was a lull in the movement and Bones and Pavel just stared at each other, face barely inches apart, noses tip to tip. Bones lightly leaned in for another kiss and Pavel gratefully took it. Stretching his fingers out to meet Pavel's, he grabbed his hand and held it tightly, interlacing their fingers together. Pavel pulled away from Bones, looking at him for a moment before going back in, this time, leaning in towards his neck and jaw. Bones was surprised when he felt Pavel's mouth gently pecking at his jawline and neck. His cool, wet mouth left ghostprints on his jaw. Pavel continued present Bones with more kisses, except more intense and lustful than before; heavy breathing, the giant squeeze of his hand, the pushy and very passionate kissed that Pavel would leave on his neck, moving back to his mouth, giving tiny, weak, frustrated mini growls. Bones smiled, opening his mouth slightly to allow Pavel in further. The intensity that Pavel was letting out into Bones shocked him. Pavel was wild…very wild. Bones thought that he even felt the kid's small, yet talented tongue touch the roof of his mouth.
"Dear Jesus kid…" Bones muttered. Pavel smiled and stopped, laying his head down on Bones' chest, listening to his heart. The thuds were very quick and rapid. Bones squeezed Pavel's hand and Pavel squeezed back. "You're something special." Bones whispered.
"Excuse me! I think that—" Bones' and Pavel's special moment was interrupted by Scotty, who knocked at the door and began to speak before he walked in and saw what was going on. "Oh. So, I'm guessing that's why I could find the little Chekov in his room?"
"What is it Scotty?" Bones sighed and craned his neck to look up at the door. Scotty was standing there looking up at the ceiling, playing with his hands.
"Ah…uh…we need you to come downstairs. Uhura and I…" Scotty said, still staring at the ceiling.
"Alright. We'll be down in a moment." Bones dismissed Scotty and he quickly left down the stairs. Bones turned to Pavel, sitting up in the bed. "Okay, I think we should go. We can't stay in bed all day." Bones joked. Pavel sat up, the covers still tangled around him
"But…who says zat ve have to?" Pavel asked.
"Come on. Scotty says. Get your ass out of bed." Bones tried to encourage. He stood up and lazily tugged on a pair of pants. He buttoned up his shirt and threw his vest on, not bothering to tie it up. Pavel stood up and watched Bones as he got ready. "Aren't you going to get dressed?" Bones asked.
"All I eem doing ees going downstairs. I do not need to get dressed." Pavel pointed out. Bones sighed. Stubborn kid.
"Fine." Bones shrugged and grabbed his revolver, placing it in the holster. "Let's go." Bones waved his hand over to Pavel, who ran towards Bones, clasping and arm around his waist. Bones grinned and ruffled his hair, kissing him on the top of the head.
The two walked down and into the kitchen, Pavel was laughing and Bones was smiling. From a strangers perspective, one could say that they looked very close and more than just friends. That's how Jim Kirk, Spock and Hikaru Sulu saw it as Pavel and Bones walked into the kitchen.
"It's good to see that you've made a few friends here!" Jim announced happily. Bones looked up quickly to see Jim sitting at the table with Spock, Uhura, Hikaru Sulu, and Scotty. Bones quickly stepped away from Pavel, fixing his messy bed hair nervously.
"It's what people do, isn't it?" Bones asked defensively. Jim laughed heartily, throwing his head back.
"Bones…if I may call you that? You don't have to hide the fact that you're courting this young man. I can tell and holy shit! It's pretty freaking amusing." Jim's smile and laugh instantly made Bones relax.
"Yeah yeah, I know you're just not hear to analyze my relationship. Just go on with it. Why are you here?" Bones asked, sitting down at the table. Pavel rushed forward and sat next to Bones, scooting his chair as close as he could to him.
"We heard about what happened last night. Nero?" Jim asked.
"Yeah, what about it?" Bones asked snarkily.
"We thought that because this appeared to be an act of treason against the town of Enterprise, we had all elected to contain you for further questioning, but Jim had decided it would be wiser if we came over and inquired about last night's roust." Spock explained wordily.
"Well, I'll tell you, I'm damn sure I didn't start it. It Nero…he led the whole damn thing! They were coming to kill Pavel!" Bones exclaimed.
"I understand. We—I…heard you speech last night…" Jim told Bones.
"Then how come you weren't out there defending my ass! I could have gotten shot up there." Bones snapped back. He was still tired and hungry.
"Being who we are…the ah…rebels, they would have attacked us as well. They know that we are in the higher rankings and basically work for Sheriff Pike. There are more of them then there are of us. If the town loses us, then our safety is in jeopardy." Jim explained. Then he leaned in and whispered, "That's why we came here. Bones, I want to talk to you. Man to Man, get to know a little better." Jim suggested. Bones leaned back and thought for a moment. Jim Kirk and his crew would be good allies. But then again, they could be just as dangerous as Nero. If and when they found out about Bones' background, they wouldn't definitely come after him.
"I want to speak to you alone." Bones muttered. "With Uhura and Scotty…as well. Pavel…I need you to go somewhere that's not here." Bones ordered.
"But Leo! I—" Pavel started.
"NO. Don't fight me. Please. And can someone be willing to watch him?" Bones asked.
"I do not need to be vatched!" Pavel argued. Bones turned and looked Pavel in the eye.
"Almost a whole town came and nearly tried to kill. Hell yes I'm having someone watch you." Bones snapped. Pavel glared at Bones, even thought he knew that Bones was right. He just wasn't a fan of being wrong. Standing up dramatically, he turned to leave.
"I'll go with you!" Hikaru Sulu offered. Pavel turned around and smiled at man.
"Zat vould be vonderful!" Pavel exclaimed. Hikaru stood up, walking over to Pavel.
"Put some clothes on first kid!" Bones yelled at him.
"Ve are going out back! I vill be fine!" Pave returned, walking towards the backyard of the home, with Hikaru trailing after. Bones groaned and rubbed his head.
"That kid..." He muttered.
"Yeah. Well he's yours so you have to deal with him." Jim chuckled. Bones threw an empty glare at Jim, too tired to care. "Now…why did you want to talk alone."
"Because. You fellows think you know who I am…but there are sides to me that no one wishes to see, or meet. I am just giving you a forewarning." Bones told them. He would play it safe until the subject came up.
"Who are you implying that you are?" Spock asked, intrigued. Bones sighed.
"Someone who I wish I wasn't. All I am saying is that if you piss me off, you're going to wish you hadn't." Bones told Spock. The strange, pale man rose up out of his seat, concerned.
"Spock…sit down." Jim commanded.
"But sir—"
"Spock…don't be difficult." Jim looked at Bones. "For some reason…I trust this man. And you know all about my gut feelings. Don't you Spock?"
"I appreciate the trust, but I really don't think I should be staying here any longer. I know you three will take care of Chekov. But I need to be going." Bones tried to explain. It hurt his heart deeply when he said those words.
"No!" Scotty and Uhura both cried out in sync. Bones looked at them.
"No, ya can't! The lettle guy loves ya! You can't jus' leave him here!" Scotty exclaimed.
"You know you love him. You've never felt this before in your entire life! I can see it in your eyes when you look at him! Please!" Uhura cried out. Bones looked at Scotty and Uhura, then at Spock and Jim. He saw in them something that he had been looking for his whole life. A family. Of course he wanted to stay here! But he also didn't like staying in one place for a long time. He had grown accustomed to moving from place to place.
"I'll stay as long as long as I can, but you can't expect me to stay here forever. Your sheriff will find out who I am as well as you all. And as soon as he does, I'm out. You have to watch out for Pavel." Bones had difficulty speaking those words. He had never grown so attached to someone before.
"We will. I assure you…he will be in safe hands." Spock spoke and nodded.
"Thank you. Now, I'm guessing that you still want to take me into custody for assaulting a man and hiding my identity from you all?" Bones asked. Jim cracked a smile and leaned back in his chair, propping his booted feet on the table.
"No. I fully intend to believe that you are harmless to us, therefore you will not be taken off for questioning." Jim told Bones. Bones nodded, giving a relieved sigh.
"Alright, where are you guys off to next?" Bones stood up.
"We thought we might stay here." Jim shrugged.
"Well, we don't have anything to eat. And I'm not sure what you guys do for fun around here." Bones said.
"Well about we all group up and figure out something to do." Jim suggested. Bones nodded and headed for the backdoor to go and get Pavel and Sulu. Jim followed after, his spurred boots clacking on the wooden boards. They irked Bones. He had heard that sound before in another town. That was the sound of bruises and blood. Bones had once been beaten with the spurs on a pair of boots when he was younger.
When they reached the backdoor, Bones pushed the door open and saw the strangest sight. Sulu was sitting a hay stack, Pavel sitting in between his legs with what looked like a crown made of dead flowers on his head. Jim snorted as he tried to stifle a laugh. Bones just stared in belwiderment.
"Hey! Kid, what in the hell are you doing?" Bones asked.
"Ah! Leo! Ve are makeeing flowver crowns! Sulu says zat zey look pretty on me!" Pavel beamed like a small child and Bones couldn't help but smile and laugh silently along with Jim.
"Okay Pavel. Come on inside and get dressed. We're going to figure out something to do." Bones beckoned Pavel inside. Pavel stood up and rushed towards the door, tripping over his feet, falling into the house. Bones reached down and picked him up, dusting the dirt and hay off of him.
"Hey Sulu! Come inside!" Jim called. Sulu picked up the rest of the flowers and ran inside, meeting Jim. "Have fun?"
"Pavel's a sweet boy. A lot of fun to hang around." Was the only comment Sulu made before walking back to the kitchen. Bones looked at Jim and Jim rolled his eyes, heading back to the kitchen. Bones followed nervously.
"So what are we going to do?" Bones asked.
"I was thinking we could go horseback riding. Somewhere out on the border of Enterprise…There are some real cool sights to see." Jim sighed happily. Bones looked down at the ground as they entered the Kitchen. Did he really want to leave Enterprise. Everything he could have ever asked for was here! A family, a loving…boyfriend? He wasn't sure what Pavel was to him. But after the intense events this morning, Bones assumed that they glanced over the friendship level and went straight to romantic.
"Hey buddy, you okay?" Jim slapped Bones back, knocking Bones out of his haze.
"Oh…yeah. I'm fine. Just thinking." Bones gave a small smile and leaned against the door frame, waiting for Pavel to come down.
It was five minutes later that Pavel decided to come down. He was now fully dressed in a dashing outfit that wasn't too casual nor to formal. Though his hair was still a mess. Bed head. It looked best on him.
"You finally ready kid?" Bones asked, slightly ticked off.
"Yes! I eem ready! Vhat are ve doing?" Pavel grinned happily, leaning up against Bones. Bones couldn't resist but rest his arm on Pavel head, feeling his soft, fluffy hair brush up against his hands.
"Well…we were thinking about horseback riding to som mysterious place outside the border of Enterprise. Jim says it has stunning scenery." Bones joked.
"Ah! Vonderful! Finally, a chance I can geet out of zis town for a vhile!" Pavel celebrated. Jim smiled at Pavel and looked up at Bones, giving a mischievous wink.
"Alright, where do we go? Don't we need to get horses first?" Scotty asked, standing up from the table.
"Horses are in the stables. We just have to get them and then we're out of here!" Jim exclaimed, jabbing his thumb towards the door.
"Then let's not waste any time!" Scotty exclaimed, pushing past everyone and heading to the front door. The rest of the group followed one after another as they exited Sheriff Pike's home. Pavel and Bones were the last ones out. As they reached the broken door, Pavel stared at it with a certain amount of awe.
"Vho broke ze door?" He asked as he stepped over the broken screen.
"Nero…and I…There was a large fight. Nearly died, if you ever cared to wonder." Bones told him roughly.
"I heard ze whole zing…" Pavel whispered. Bones stopped and looked at Pavel.
"Then why didn't you tell me?" He asked, resuming his walking.
"Because. I like seeing you heroic wizout me knowing eet." Pave smiled and looked down at the ground, holding his hands together. "Eet vas wery brave of you to do zat for me."
"Hey, anything for the person you love and protect. You remember when you asked me that question…what do I hold most dear? Or something like that…" Bones trailed off.
"Uh Yes…"
"I think I found it kid." Bones squeezed Pavel tightly, expressing his words with actions. Pavel beamed brightly. He knew that Leonard would change. He just knew it.
(Alright! So we've got a horseback ride! But they still have three days until Sheriff Pike comes back, so if any of my readers want to leave comments for ideas or inbox me with a ideas, I would LOVE that!)