Bones pushed through the broken door, stepping over the crushed frame while delicately holding a sleeping Pavel in his arms. As he entered the house, Bones could smell something rancid and putrid, nearly making him gag. It was like the smell of rotting milk and decaying meat. Every now and again, the smell would hit Bones. He knew that something was stinking up the house, but wasn't sure what it was. Pavel shifted in his grip, groaning slightly, wrinkling his nose. Bones walked into the main living room and gently stepped over a few fallen items and laid Pavel down on the couch to sleep. He could carry him to his room later. For now, he needed to find that smell. Taking his gun out of his holster, he checked the chamber for bullets. There were only a few left. He hadn't used much in the canyon.

Setting his beloved gun beside Pavel, he left the living room and carefully wandered into the hallway, where he felt like he could be seen from every angle and he was vulnerable. As he anxiously made his way down the hall, he stepped over broken glass, a few large splinters of wood and china. He turned the corner, finding the stairs, spotted with dried blood and ashes. Bones smiled to himself. That must have been Uhura, taking a swing at a man with a firey poker stick.

As he walked up the stairs, the smell had disappeared from him. He wandered around the bedrooms, looking for any signs of trouble. He found none. He walked into his bedroom again just to be safe and found it just as it was: Sheets tangled, clothes sprawled out on the floor. Bones smiled to himself and walked out of the room, shutting the door.

He made his way back down stairs, figuring that the smell was just that of a dead rodent somewhere outside the house. As he turned to go into the kitchen, the smell returned, making him double over, covering his mouth and nose with his hands. "What in the hell could make such a goddamned stench?!" He exclaimed to himself.

Pushing himself forward, he made his way towards the back of the house, trying as hard as he could to follow the scent trail without puking. Working his way around the chaos and mess, the smell eventually leaded him back around to the front of the house and to a small closet that was truly unsuspecting. Bones dropped his hands from his face and dug on hand in his pocket, pulling out the steel knuckles he had obtained and slipped them onto his right fist. Holding one hand at the ready and the other on the door knob, he turned it and swung it open.

A large, human body came toppling out of the closet ontop of him. He fell to the ground, the dead man sprawled out over him. Bones cringed in disgust, pushing the body desperately off of him.

"Dammit. Forgot he was in there." Bones muttered to himself. He remembered him now. It was the man that had tried to kidnap Pavel in the liquor cabinet. Bones had shot him down…dead apparently. He had told Scotty to go hide him away. "Guess he has to go now." Bones shrugged, giving one final shove of the dead guy. The body flopped off of him and he stood up, looking over the smelly corpse. "Oh yeah…you definitely have to go." Bones shuddered and picked it up by the feet, dragging him through the house. He accidently kept hitting the body into things such as corners on walls, the shattered glass and the occasional door. He knew that this guy was going to be bruised beyond belief, but what did he care? The man had come into their house, tried to kidnap and possibly kill Pavel and the group had to do what was done.

Bones reached the backdoor, reaching his hand out as far as he could to get to the knob and open the door to the backyard. His fingertips barely grasped it, but the dead guy was holding him back. He had gotten stuck on yet another corner. Yanking roughly, there was a rip of clothing and the dead man came loose, allowing Bones to freely open the door and step down the stairs, bring the dead guy with him. Each time he walked down a step, there was a loud thud that followed. Bones smirked and kept walking until he reached a couple of hay stacks near the back where Sulu and Pavel had made their flower crowns. He threw the man behind them and covered him with hey, quickly brushing his hands off of all dirt. "See you later." Bones told the dead guy. He was sure he was going to hell for a lot of things he had done.

Walking back into the house, Bones headed upstairs to take a small nap while Pavel was sleeping downstairs. He was tired, his muscles ached, his eyelids were drooping and just doing a simple task seemed like a lot. He felt dirty once again, but he wasn't going to bother showering off even though he could smell the musk on himself.

He trudged up the stairs, lazily walking back up to his room, opening the door and flopping onto the bed, not bothering to take his clothes off. As soon as he hit the comfy mattress and soft pillow, he was out like a light.

While Pavel Chekov and Leonard McCoy were soundly sleeping, a stranger in black snuck into the house, climbing through a window and into a small child's bedroom, coming close to rattling an old mobile. The stranger stopped and hesitated to leave the room when he saw a goldmine of personal information that could be learnt here.

Slowly perusing the many artifacts that lay in wait for the stranger, he picked up a small, leather bound book delicately with a gloved hand. Gingerly opening the first page with his fingertip and thumb, deciphering the handwriting, reading closely the thin, tiny letter scribbled on the page.

Most of it was written in Russian, while some fragments in English. Luckily, the stranger was very lingual and was able to understand most of it. And of what he read, he understood this: The person he was looking for somewhere in this town. The one writing in Russian had fallen in love with his target. Seamlessly in love. The other man whom the Russian was in love with, also closely cherished the Russian.

The stranger smiled wickedly to himself, placing the book back where it belonged. He took long, full, quiet strides out of the room and into the hallway. Turning to both sides, the stranger saw no threat present. They proceeded down the stairs and sauntered from each room with their hands held behind their back. They knew the weakness, they knew the town, now all the stranger had to do was sit back and wait.

Bones was awakened by a creak in the stairs. Heavy footsteps fell lightly on the wooden, carpet covered steps. They were no way in hell's Pavel's. He sat up and shook his hair around, grabbing for his gun, but remembered he had left it with Pavel downstairs. He sighed and wanted to lay back down to sleep, but knew that he should at least see who was creeping on the stairs.

Getting up from the bed, he snuck out of his room, looking down the stairs, spotting nothing but the tail of a black coat rush past the hall. Startled, he hurried down the stairs and looked wildly in all directions for the person with the black coat.

From the living room, there arose a small yawn and a gasp of shock.

"Leon—" Pavel's voice cried out, but was cut away sharply. Bones hurried to the living room, balling his fist, brandishing his steel knuckles. Looks like it was time to kick some more ass and maybe throw another dead guy in the backyard.

Bones jumped into action, entering the living room upon seeing a figure dress in all black with their finger to their lips, leaning over Pavel. Pavel's hand was on the gun and ready to fire.

"Hey!" Bones snapped at the figure. The person stood up, staring straight at Bones, a scarf shielding their face. "Get out of the house." He growled at the stranger.

"Oh…I will. I will go willingly…perhaps." The voice was playful, but dark and sinister…like black velvet. There was an accent somewhere in the voice. "Tell me…McCoy…what is it about this particular town that made you stay?" The voice asked.

"Leave." Bones ordered. He didn't ask how the stranger knew his name or how he had known the amount of time he had been staying in Enterprise. He was scared of finding out why.

"Was it the boy? I've heard things…seen things…I'm thinking it's the boy…" The voice continued to talk, walking around the couch and away from Pavel in a leisurely manner.

"You leave him out of this!" Bones snapped.

"Aw. Such a shame." Bones could hear the stranger's pout in their voice. "I had such high hopes for you. Looks like you fallen soft…" The stranger grinned.

"What are you talking about? Who are you?" Bones snapped, lurching forward at the figure. It only stepped backward, barely startled.

"I'm sure you'll find out soon enough. I've heard much about you. Surprise you have never heard of me…" The voice teased.

"Dammit man! Who are you? I'll blow your brains out!" Bones threatened.

"Ah ah…you don't have a gun." The voice laughed and reminded Bones that he was gunless. "Well…I've got to be going. Lovely spending time with you." The stranger quickly moved up the stairs, past Bones fluidly. Bones followed him without his gun and just his steel knuckles.

He raced up the stairs, frantically looking around for the odd stranger who was lurking around the house. His head was pounding and he tried to keep silent, but all he heard was the blood rushing to his head.

"Looking for me? Why? Have you come to tell me something?" The velvet voice asked. Bones spun around, eyeing the person standing in his bedroom. Bones advanced, trying to seem threatening. The stranger reached down and lifted up a large white shirt, holding it limply on his forefinger.

"This is obviously not yours…you not that…slim…" The stranger began to speak, looking back and forth from Bones to the shirt. "No one else resides here…in the house except for the young boy. A young boy who is scared…wears his father's shirts for protection. Now why would it be in your room?" The stranger dropped the shirt and stepped boldly up to Bones, looking him in the eyes. He peered at Bones, inspecting his actions and body language. "You…are sleeping with the boy?" They asked. Bones flinched away just barely.

"Oh so you are…tell me…does the father know about this?" He asked another question. Bones averted his eyes from the stranger's. "He doesn't! Interesting…I wonder how he would react if he found out that his son is shagging a male outlaw?"

"You wouldn't dare…" Bones growled, throwing his fist towards the fiend, sure that he was going to hit him at such a close range. But the stranger merely ducked and ran towards the window, throwing it open.

"Farewell Leonard McCoy." The stranger waved and flipped gracefully out the window, disappearing from Bones' sight. Bones ran over to the window, leaning his head out, looking from the black clad stranger, but he was no where to be seen. Bones huffed and turned around. Pavel was standing there, shaking in his boots.

"Who vas he?" Pavel asked, his voice shaking along with his body.

"Come here." Bones crouched down to Pavel's level, waving him forward. Pavel ran into Bones' open arms, his breath was shaky and his cheeks were cold and sweaty.

"Who vas he?!" Pavel asked again, raising his voice in fear.

"I don't know…I don't know…" Bones held Pavel closely, trying to soothe him. He never had feared the life of someone as much as he did with Pavel.

"I-I…I svear he vas going to keel me." Pavel whimpered.

"Shh…Kid, it's alright. I'm going to make sure we're safe." Bones hugged Pavel tightly, resting his chin on Pavel's shoulder.

"I'm scared. Really scared. He vas just…looking at me. He didn't do anything…He didn't even try to take my gun! I know zat ees good…but it was strange." Pavel sounded confused and worried, his fragile frame still shaking in Bones' arms.

"I know. I just don't know what to say. I have never met him in my god damned life before." Bones stood up and looked around the room. "He was able to figure...certain things out…It's like he wasn't even human."

Pavel shifted away from Bones and crawled up on the bed, curling up in the corner, holding his knees to his chest with intense trepidation. His eyes darted from corner to corner of the room. He looked like a small puppy with large blue eyes, shaking even worse than before. He assumed that Pavel was still in shock. Bones sighed and looked at Pavel. His faced was covered in dirt and blood was still dried on his forehead from multiple re-encounters with the injury.

"I think that a warm shower will calm you down." Bones stated, sitting near Pavel, lightly touching his knee. He wasn't good at this soothing gig. All he could do was hope that Pavel would trust him. "Go. I'll wait for you." Bones urged Pavel from the corner, but he was un-moving. "Pavel…come on. You're safe."

"I feel like I eem not zough! He valked right into ze house!" Pavel exclaimed.

"We were both asleep! This time, I'll be awake! I swear…I'll watch over you kid." Bones swore. Pavel seemed to relax, but he didn't move from his spot. "It's okay to move." Bones told him. Pavel bit his lip and looked at the door. "Come on…" Bones stood up and coaxed Pavel. He reached out his hand, holding it palm up for Pavel to grab. Pavel looked up at Bones, a shy, innocent look on his face. He smiled slightly and took Bones' hand as he pulled him off.

Bones walked Pavel to the bathroom, watching his back every moment and every time he heard something move. There was no way someone was breaking into the house again.

"Zank you Leo." Pavel thanked Bones sweetly, standing on his tip toes, kissing Bones on his collarbone lightly. Bones body tingled and shuddered. As Pavel backed up, Bones nearly followed him into the bathroom, wanting to feel Pavel's little butterfly kisses more. "No no Meester McCoy." Pavel scolded jokingly, placing his small palm against Bones' wide chest, pushing him out of the bathroom. Bones almost retorted, but he knew it was for the best.

Bones sat down against the wall near the bathroom door, leaning his head back in exhaust, closing his eyes. He listened closely as Pavel started the shower, the water hitting the metal bars. There was a subtle humming coming from Pavel. It was cheery and light. Bones sighed and smiled, letting the image of Pavel in the shower, singing, leak into his brain. He tried to stop it, but he found it too difficult and just let everything flow on in. The daydream was perfect and beautiful. Pavel was standing there in his flawless skin, smiling brightly, the sun caught in his golden curly hair. Wrinkles in the corners of his eyes showed as he smiled brightly. His bow shaped lips curled up into his usual grin. Water dripped down his chest, trailing down his torso.

"Meester McCoy…" Bones heard Pavel sing lightly. He turned his head towards the door, seeing that he wasn't dreaming. Pavel was standing there, with a towel wrapped teasingly around his waist.

"Uh…errm, yes Pavel?" Bones asked uncomfortably.

"I really don't feel safe alone." Pavel's demeanor changed quickly from sultry to scared. Bones stood up quickly, ready to aide Pavel.

"Do you want me to…do anything?" Bones was very confused. The bathroom had no windows, so he didn't know why Pavel would be still afraid.

"Yes…I vant you to sit in. Please?" Pavel asked. Bones sighed, but he knew how a young kid's brain works. Even though they're safe, they still fear everything around them.

"Fine…sure." Bones sighed and pushed open the door, walking into the bathroom. When he turned around, Pavel was there, grabbing his vest and turning him against the door.

"Leonard…" Pavel whispered into Bones' ear.

"Hey. Pavel. Not now." Bones tried to push Pavel off, but the kid was like a spider and Bones had fallen into his web.

"But Meester McCoy…I love you…" Pavel murmured seductively, sliding a small hand up Bones' chest.

"Kid…no. You need to take a shower. I'm just going to leave." Bones tried to slide out of Pavel's grip.

"No no no…You vill come vith me." Pavel slowly dragged Bones towards the running shower.

"Pavel. No…No…" Bones tried to push himself away.

"Please…Leonard, make me happy." Pavel's behavior was strange. He had turned less than innocent and more seductive by the moment.

"I—I want to. But not like this kiddo. Not yet. Take your shower." Bones was finally able to push Pavel off of him, backing into the door. Pavel pouted at Bones. "Fine zen…" He shrugged and turned away from Bones, stepping towards his shower, dropping the towel from his waist. Bones' heart stopped as he averted his eyes quickly. Though, that was not an easy task for Bones. He glanced back quickly at Pavel. He was grinning wildly, looking back at Bones with a sheepish stare. Bones looked away.

"I vill be back." Pavel joked, stepping side, pulling a sheet across the skeleton of the shower. Bones' face turned red as he dismissed Pavel's comment.

"Alright, whatever kid." Bones seated himself down on the toilet, waiting for Pavel to end his shower. As he sat there, he began to regret turning Pavel away. What they could have done if Bones had said yes…But he knew that he couldn't do that to Pavel. Not yet. He was far too young and…well he thought he was innocent. But his outlook certainly changed on that.

"Leonard…" Pavel called.

"What?" Bones responded.

"I love you!" He chirped, sticking his head out of the shower curtain, his hair dripping wet, plastered against his forehead. Bones grinned and stood up, taking a step over to the shower.

"I love you too kid. Just don't get to ahead of yourself." Bones warned, planting a kiss on Pavel's forehead. "I'm going to wait downstairs. We should be meeting everyone at the Saloon tonight."

"Alvight!" Pavel responded happily, closing the curtain, beginning to sing to himself. Bones laughed to himself and left the bathroom, heading down the stairs and to the liquor cabinet.

Bones was seated in the living room, slowly nursing a small glass of gin, rocking the cup back and forth, watching the alcohol churn slowly. He had finally gotten time to himself to breath and think to himself without any distractions. And it was going decent. He was still thinking about the heist he had originally planned when stumbling upon the small town. He was teetering on sides. Part of him wanted to settle down and just relax, but he knew it would be a while before he could truly disappear out of the outlaw community and off the wanted rosters of other towns. The other side of him wanted to run away forever, remain unchained. But he knew that if he left Pavel—hell, if he left the new group he had joined…there would still be a lonely part of him.

"Leonard…are you ready?" Pavel came walking down the stairs in new clothes that Bones found highly attractive.

"Uh…yes. I am." Bones set down the glass on a table near the chair and stood up, swiftly walking over to Pavel, taking him by the elbow and pushing him against the wall, pressing a large, alcoholic kiss onto Pavel's soft lips. Pavel gasped in shock as Bones' hands slid down to his hips, pressing himself up against Pavel. "Oh my…Meester McCoy…" Pavel muttered. Bones pulled away and gave a wide eyed smile at him.

"I love it when you call me that." Bones responded whispered to him before walked away to the door. Pavel shook himself from shock and ran after Bones.

"Vhat vas zat for?" He asked.

"I don't know. Spur of the moment." Bnoes shrugged.

"Ah…I like zose." Pavel nodded, storing the little tidbit of information in the back of his mind for later use.

"Get used to those." Bones teased, opening the broken door before Pavel, who nodded gratefully, stepping over the broken screen door.

They left the house and entered the town square. The sun was setting and there were barely any people outside of their homes. There were a few drunks lumbering around the Saloon, but that was about it. Some of them eyed Pavel, yelling obscene things at him. Bones defensively wrapped an arm around his shoulder, glaring at anyone who jeered at him.

Pavel and Bones were quick to duck into the saloon. The drunks outside were just becoming rude enough that Bones had half a mind to shoot them. But he didn't because one, he didn't have his gun…and two, it would just look bad in the middle of the town where people would see.

"Aye! There they are! Cute lil' couple!" Scotty yelled out from the back of the bar, raising a small glass in the air. Pavel smiled and ran ahead to join the group. He sat next to Sulu and the two of them instantly hit up a conversation. Bones grinned and headed towards Scotty; the first friend he made after Pavel.

"Hey Scotty." Bones sat down next to the Scotsman, ordering a glass of bourbon. "How are you?" Bones sighed and relaxed. Scotty looked at Bones.

"You seem…rather lax? What happened back there?" Scotty asked, eyeing Pavel, who was talking animatedly to Sulu.

"Nothing. I just…nothing. Hey, did you happen to see a…person dressed in all black?" Bones asked.

"No sir. Not at all." Scotty shook his head, taking another drink. "Why?"

"He broke into the house. It was the oddest damned thing. He watched Pavel…made a normal conversation with me as if we were friends…but he wanted something…" Bones tried to understand what he was saying himself.

"Hm. How odd. Welp, I've got nothing on the matter." Scotty shrugged.

"Thanks though. Hey Scotty…you know how I said something about staying…or leaving…" Bones asked.

"Yeah?"

"What's the quickest way to the next town?" Bones asked solemnly.