Despite his hatred of space travel in general, Leonard was relieved inside when the captain told him he was free. Finally, after the LONG three years, it was over. He'd had a better time with the Dwerms than with the Orions, but there was nothing like real freedom. Only problem was, he'd have to completely restart his life and he had no idea where to begin.

The famous Jamie T. Kirk seemed like a sincere enough person, though he knew better than to make any judgments before really knowing someone. He'd heard the story of her background and how she'd saved earth from the crazy Romulan, but he'd also heard the other stories, too-less positive ones.

Not that he really cared what she'd done before Starfleet. He was not remotely interested in starting a flirtation with any pretty woman or man or species, for that matter. He might be celibate for the rest of his life, in fact. He'd learned his lesson the hard way-nearly murdered by a crazy woman and then used for other people's pleasure for two years.

He couldn't deny her vivid eyes were...unusual though. They seemed discerning and almost understanding. "Doctor McCoy, is there anyone we can contact for you? I imagine your family would be overjoyed to hear you're alive." The captain's voice broke into his reverie. He thought about it and only one person came to mind. "My mother. Eleanor McCoy. Lives in Georgia. Everyone else is either dead or wants me dead. I don't know how we'll be able to let her know without Jocelyn finding out. She's really...unstable."

"We'll check on her whereabouts first," assured Jamie. "I know people who can keep an eye out. You'd probably like a good meal and some sleep, Bones." He blinked. Had she seriously said that? "What did you call me?", he asked incredulously, hands on his hips. "Bones!" She repeated cheerfully. "You said that's all you have left." She grinned in a friendly innocent fashion that hit something inside him.

"You're quite the handful, aren't you?", he grumbled mildly. "That's a well-known fact, Bones. You'll be face palming with the rest of them soon enough," she shot back, playfully. "Now, follow me, and I'll show you to your lodgings. You can get some rest and replicate some dinner." The slender figure in command yellow turned away and he obediently started after her. Food and sleep sounded very attractive to him just now.

She led him down the hall, into a turbo lift, down several decks, and into another hallway lined with evenly spaced doors. "Here are the guest cabins. They're a bit nicer than the regular crew quarters. We like to pamper visitors." She stopped at a door and typed in a command to open it. "It's all yours, Doctor, for as long as you're here. There's a small replicator if you'd like a snack. There's a bathroom and sonic shower through that door. I can find you some clean clothes as well. The collar doesn't suit you."

She was teasing him again. Leonard sighed and decided to play along with it. "What, it doesn't match my eyes?" He stuck his finger through the brown band and affected an offended air. "No", she said softly, "it doesn't match your temperament. You're not the submissive type. I saw that right away.

His face flushed. It was uncanny, the way she read him. He chose to ignore the loaded comment and began rummaging in various drawers. Presently, he procured a small pair of scissors and handed them to Jamie. "Will you do the honors?" He asked gruffly, "I'm not in the mood for slicing my own throat accidentally."

"Sure, Bones. I'd be glad to." He felt warm fingers on the back of his neck, lifting up the collar, then heard a snip of the scissors and it fell away. Jamie presented it to him with a flourish. "The last symbol of your servitude, stripped away!" She said dramatically. "You can dispose of it however you like. I wouldn't recommend fire, though. That doesn't work out too well on a starship."

She handed him the collar, which he promptly dumped in the trash bin. "Good riddance!" Leonard declared, looking at it with loathing. He sat down on the bed and folded his arms. It was long since he'd had the luxury of a comfortable bed. And when he had, he couldn't enjoy it because he was drugged out of his mind to make him compliant for his masters.

Jamie evidently sensed his change in mood and excused herself saying, "If you need anything, I'll be on the bridge. I'll send someone down with a change of clothes in an hour. I hope you'll feel safe here, Bones," she added seriously. "I hope so, too, Captain," he replied politely. "Y'all are an interesting bunch. Thank you for what you've done."

Jamie looked even more serious. "I only did what any humane person would when given someone as a "present". He let himself look her full in those blue eyes when he replied honestly. "Unfortunately, in my experience, such people have been hard to come by." She winced, and there flashed that look again, the look that said she understood exactly what he meant. She gathered herself quickly, though, giving a brief smile and "Good night", before leaving the room.

Leonard wondered about the mysterious Jamie Kirk and what had happened to make her look like that. He REALLY hoped it wasn't from a similar personal experience. He may not know her very well, but he wouldn't wish his time in slavery on anyone. He let himself relax and drift off to sleep.