Leonard logged onto his profile, having not gone on it in several days. He heard a couple weeks ago that Jim made himself an account too, damn sap. As far as Leonard was concerned, nothing was ever really genuine if it wasn't in person. But if it got Jim off his back, then he'd use the damned website.

He scrolled through his received messages, trying to find some decency from them. Most of them had nice, formal greetings, but then their About Me would say something like "I'm just a quiet woman looking for love during these troubling times" and all that crap. Leonard was nobody's teddy bear.

Then he came across one message in particular, that sounded unlike any of the others. The person had their nickname as I-Chaya... whatever that meant. Reading through the message, though, it clearly stood out. This person spoke nothing of love or loneliness, just about how they'd like to 'engage in conversation' with him because the descriptions on his profile were 'quite interesting.' Leonard didn't know whether he should feel grateful or offended.

So, naturally, he actually answered back. He answered that yes, conversation would be nice, and it would be a pleasure to talk to them. After all, it was about time that he actually messaged someone back. So far he'd ignored everyone, since they all seemed like... oh, what was the old earth word? It started with MIL, he knew that much. Such lingo was almost lost by the time of First Contact.

He got off his computer, and went to the mess for some much needed food. He got himself a hearty beef sandwich, and maneuvered around the crowds over to where Jim and Spock were sitting. He plopped down next to Jim and started listening in on their conversation.

"I didn't mean to set him in the rosters back to back, though, it was all in a randomized order. I don't even know where I'M at!" Jim complained, and Leonard ate his sandwich in silence. Best to sit back and watch this one.

"It is illogical to continue to dwell on it, Captain-"

"Jim!" Jim interjected, and Leonard rolled his eyes.

"Jim. You have already rearranged his positions on the rosters, so why must you still be fretting?" Spock asked, and Jim frowned at him.

"I'm not the one 'fretting'- it's Hanson that's still mad at me about it. He thinks I have something against him because we slept together at the Academy once." Jim grumbled, twirling his fork in his spaghetti.

"In that case, wouldn't his feelings for you be more positive?" Spock asked, and Leonard snorted. Did all Vulcans sound so terribly innocent?

"It's not always like that, Spock. Bones, you remember Hanson?" Jim turned to Leonard now, making him put down his sandwich. He shrugged as he took a drink of water.

"It's possible. Living with someone like you, one tends to try to forget what he sees during the night." Leonard said with a smirk, and Jim made a face at him.

"Sorry I asked. Anyway, Spock's right. Forgive and forget!" Jim said, raising his glass of orange juice. Leonard raised his water, clinked their cups together, and they drank. Spock watched the interaction with a quirked eyebrow. Leonard couldn't help but feel constantly judged by the Vulcan. It was really annoying.

"So what'll you do now?" Leonard asked, and Jim grinned at him.

"Oh I'm still going to confront him about it." He said, and Leonard shook his head. Typical James Kirk.

"Is confronting him in such a way wise, Jim?" Spock asked, striking at Leonard's nerves.

"Can't the man do what he wants? He's a grown up. He can handle himself." He retorted, causing Spock to look over at him. The only blemish in his expressionless face being a slightly raised eyebrow.

"Doctor, it would be illogical of the Captain to seek out possible danger." Spock said calmly, and Leonard had trouble holding in a sigh.

"Jim talking to some guy he used to have relationships can't end that badly. If one or both of them ends up in my Sickbay, then fine. It'll be a learning experience for them." He said, and Jim nodded.

"See, Spock? Bones is on my side. It'll be fine. I'll invite him to Ten Forward or something so that we can discuss it in a civilized manner." Jim added, and it was Leonard's time to nod. Spock was silent after that, so they all just continued to eat their meals.

When Leonard got back to his quarters, he dressed into his sleeping clothes and brushed his teeth. He spent some time looking in the mirror at himself. His hair was only slightly out of place from the day's work, and his everlasting paleness and bags under his eyes plagued him. If it wasn't so damn bad for the skin, he'd probably try to make use of the tanning services on the ship. They didn't catalyze cancer anymore, but they really messed up the complexion after several uses. In any case, he sure looked tired.

He looked over at his computer. Maybe talking to people without appearances involved would be a good thing. People were usually shocked about how much of an old grouch he was after looking at his face first. He didn't mean to gloat, but he'd heard from many people that he was quite handsome. It was possible that showing his personality before his face would be a better foundation for a relationship...

On the other hand, what if he got really close to someone, and they turned out to look like the spawn of Cthulhu? Leonard'd probably kindly refuse to get into a relationship with them, and try to make up an excuse other than their unsatisfactory appearance. He didn't mean to be an ass about it, he just didn't want to be with someone who was... well... not fun to look at.

There was also another factor that he thought of while he sat down at his desk. He drummed his fingers lightly against the surface of it. What if the person he got close to so happened to be a guy? He wasn't too old fashioned- he didn't quite gag at the idea of two people of the same gender macking on each other. But he'd never really been with a guy either. Jim had tried to rub up on him one time while they lived at the Academy together, but Leonard made it quite clear that he was not interested. But if he got really, really close to someone and they turned out to be a guy... eh, he'd cross that bridge if he'd ever get there.

He got onto the website and among the few new messages, he found a reply from that I-Chaya person.

"Meonatio,-"

Leonard had to snort inaudibly to himself at his unoriginal nickname. M for McCoy, eon for Leonard, atio for Horatio (his middle name). He really should've chosen something more creative, but it was the first thing he typed in when prompted for a nickname, so he went with it. Anyway, the message.

"Meonatio,

I am pleased to know that you are amenable to engaging in conversation with me. It is my understanding that most people that message me are desiring things much more inappropriate than pleasant conversation. It is relieving to know that you, at least, are not one of those inappropriate individuals.

We may discuss whatever you wish, as long as it is within the parameters of both of our boundaries.

I-Chaya"

Leonard ran his tongue over his bottom lip in thought. Did this person NOT know that this was a dating site? They seemed somewhat baffled, if not distressed, about people wanting intimate relations with them. He frowned as he concentrated on the reply.

"I-Chaya,

It's certainly my pleasure to be messaging you. I, too, have been getting a lot of intimate messages. Yours is actually the only message that I've actually responded to because of that.

Anyway, you seemed kind of passive about the topics of our conversations. Is there a reason for that? Or am I wrong?

Meonatio"

Leonard sighed and looked at the time. He usually didn't go to sleep for another twenty minutes. But a few extra minutes couldn't help, right? He stretched in his chair and was just about to get up when a message appeared on his screen, making him jump. A reply already? Damn.

"Meonatio,

I apologize for seeming passive in my previous message. If I may be honest, the friend that encouraged me to use this website had also offered me a plethora of advice on talking to others. He merely explained that I shouldn't be too forward, and that I must try to seem more kind than I usually am. My suggestion that you lead our conversations was an attempt to follow that advice. Is that unsatisfactory?

I-Chaya"

At that, Leonard glared at the screen. So this person was being... fake. For the sake of a friend. That's always been the worst idea in all of human history- and probably the history of other species as well.

"I-Chaya,

Let's get one thing straight: You don't gotta be anyone but yourself when talking to me. But I get it. My friend set me up on here too, and he told me not to be a grouch the whole time. That's just how I am, though. So let's make a deal. We just be ourselves when talking to each other, and if something about that bothers either of us, we'll just be honest and work it out. That sound good?

And to introduce another topic- what exactly are you using this site for?

Meonatio"

He got up from his chair and got himself some cold water. If he was going to keep messaging this person, he'd probably at least get some water to keep himself chipper enough to reply with full coherence. He took several large gulps of water, ignoring how the cold hurt his head. Sitting back down at the desk, he waited for a reply. When it came, he read it immediately.

"Meonatio,

I agree that it would be the best course of action to only act as our usual selves when conversing. It is good that you suggested it.

It is my intention to use this website in order to establish friendships with other people. The friend that referred me to this website suggested that it be best to make friendships here, since I do not typically tend to seek out company in my daily life.

May I return your question back to you? What are your intentions for using this website?

I-Chaya"

Leonard shrugged to himself. Reasonable. So they were both unsociable weirdos who had very little real friends. Seemed fair enough.

He typed up a reply, and they continued to talk for about another hour before Leonard fell asleep at his desk.