Leonard did do a lot of thinking over the next few days, while he tried to avoid Jamie. He was angry. Angry at himself, angry at the people who had robbed him of his will, angry at life for what it had done to him and Jamie. No one deserved that, least of all her. He didn't want her to be able to understand what he'd endured because it meant she'd suffered the same thing.

He admired her courage in telling him her story, much as it upset him. He felt guilty he couldn't do the same, but that would mean having to actually think about the hazy memories of creepy hands and hot breath all over him and being unable to move or resist, especially when they shot him up with stuff that made him desperate. That was what made him loathe himself: the fact that he, respected southern gentleman Leonard McCoy, was reduced to begging like a wanton...thing.

They'd started doing that when people complained that he didn't shut up about the nasty diseases they were going to get. He'd mostly mouthed off like that to keep his mind off what was going on when he was being treated like a racehorse at the Derby. Ugh.

So He spent his time with Scotty who eagerly showed him all over engineering and explained just how powerful the Enterprise was. Geoff let him hang around Medbay, proudly showing off the sweet tech the ship was equipped with. He never said another word about the past, other than to give a detailed account of the battle of Vulcan and Nero's defeat.

"Pike probably would like to hear from you. He gets attached to his protégés, I hear. He's like a father to the captain," Geoff mentioned one day at lunch.

Leonard glanced over at Jamie. She was in an animated conversation with her navigator, eyes glowing as they discussed some really technical stuff Leonard couldn't begin to comprehend. She caught him staring at her and smiled briefly. It was as if the sun came out when she looked like that. Leonard looked away, a combination of dazzled and guilty.

"You know, I think that's a good idea, Geoff." He finally responded to his friend. "Who do I go to for permission?"

"Lieutenant Uhura, the communications officer. She'll get you connected." Geoff motioned to the red-shirted woman, who was seated beside Spock, listening to Jamie with some amusement.

The Lieutenant was agreeable and soon Leonard was seated in front of a screen talking to Chris Pike for the first time in three long years. After "How're you getting along, McCoy?"

"Pretty well," he shrugged. "There's good people on board."

"That there is," Pike agreed, "Jamie wouldn't settle for less. "What do you think of the Captain herself?"

Pike queried, giving Leonard the searching look he used to make cadets squirm.

"She's been very gracious. I sense she can be trouble, too. She's got this way about her..." He stopped himself short.

Pike smiled in understanding. "Yep. You've got the idea. Brilliant and fascinating, but a magnet for trouble. Half of my grey hairs are a direct or indirect result of Jamie T. Kirk. If she wants to befriend you, it's going to happen no matter how hard you struggle. That woman does not give up."

Leonard felt the twinge of guilt again. He'd been downright snubbing her ever since that conversation and she'd backed off.

"But that's not what you really need to talk to me about, is it?" He asked, knowing what was coming. Pike looked grave.

"Only part of it. I know this Isn't going to be fun for you, but I have to get some statements so Starfleet can clear you and these men can be brought to justice."

Leonard groaned inwardly, but decided to get the explanation over with. It would keep them too busy to poke any further for now.

"I was jumped on my way home from the hospital, knocked out, and blindfolded. I woke up hearing them arguing about who was going to do the deed, and then they decided they'd get more money for selling me than for killing me. All I know is they called each other Dar and Rex; never saw their faces. They sold me to some bastard called Dir Narmi with a gash across his nose and a giant earring and that's all you want to know, trust me." Leonard looked away from the screen, shutting up tightly again.

"Thank You, Leonard. That's what we needed for now. But they're not going to let you have an official post until you've seen a counsellor and had an evaluation," Pike warned.

"That's okay," Leonard mumbled, "I'm not sure I'm cut out for it anyway."

Pike looked pained, but let the matter rest and signed off with only a serious, "Take care of yourself, McCoy. Let Jamie in a little bit. You'd be surprised at what you'd find."

He already had been surprised, and not entirely in a positive way, but that wasn't anything SHE had done wrong.

He spent the day with M'Benga, helping him with some inventory stuff. He couldn't deny it felt good to be back in the medical realm again, even if it was a very small role. When Leonard returned to his room that night, there was a package resting on his desk. A handwritten note was placed on top. Leonard picked it up wondering who in the world could have left it.

A loopy scrawl read,

"Bones,

Please accept this as a token of my apology for jumping the gun and stirring up bad memories. Pike always says I leap before I look. I thought you could use these two items, being part of the crew now. The PADD is loaded with medical journals so you can catch up on the latest advances and keep your brilliant doctor mind busy. I've programmed all essential numbers into the communicator so you can easily reach any of the bridge crew. Again, I'm sorry for the emotional bombardment. But I really hope you'll give me another chance to be your friend.

Sincerely,

Jamie Tabitha Kirk

Leonard was touched to say the least. How could he continue his his avoidance policy anymore? He really had missed her. A smile came to his lips as he surveyed the gleaming technology in his hand. Jamie knew the way to a doctor's heart.