What the hell am I doing? Alice asked herself in complete disbelief for what had to be the millionth time in the span of a couple of hours. The starting point of which having been the moment she realized she needed to get ready and the rate at which she asked herself this question had only increased as she drew closer to the hotel lobby.

She felt out of place and thought that she looked like a complete idiot compared to all of the fashionable people that slowly trickled into the hotel, making their way to the same ballroom and to the same event that she was being forced to attend. They all looked as if they belonged there and seemed so sure of themselves, reflecting the complete opposite of how Alice was feeling. But she made sure that she walked with the confidence that was irreversibly absent at the moment.

Normally, she was just uneasy at these events and only partially self-conscious. This event was different, however. Not only was it the first one she was going to since returning from Vulcan, but it was also the first one she had brought a date to since the ultimatum with Jason. Simply thinking about Leonard caused her heart to flutter softly…and made her think of herself as even more of an idiot because of it.

Leonard had been so incredibly kind to her, even more so after the incident a week ago. It was sweet, and endearing, and as foolish as she thought she was being, it made Alice feel special. He was always so fierce and hard-edged in his words and actions towards other people, but not to her. She was his exception, and she found it thrilling. His behavior around her was almost…brotherly, though, and that's what disappointed her so greatly.

Leonard made Alice feel something she had never felt before. Normal. It made him special in her mind, but clearly normal was something he was used to…and something he only saw her as.

This is stupid. I'm being stupid. Alice chastised herself as she continued forward. The dress she was wearing didn't help to alleviate any of this borderline self-loathing she was feeling either.

It was a deep royal blue that hugged her figure, accentuating her curves, before flowing out in several, subtle layers, ending just past her knees. The neckline was scooped low as it tapered to her shoulders, sleeveless. The most exquisite part of the dress though was the back. Then edges from the straps traced the border between the edge of her back and her ribs before scooping deeply across her lower back. It was completely backless and very suggestive.

And it offered Alice nothing but exposure, giving her nothing to hid behind.

The question Why didn't I wear a more conservative dress was starting to catch up to What the hell am I doing in the amount of times Alice asked herself that question. She held her head high, though, as the click of her heels on the marble floor drew the attention of every single man in the room. Alice made sure to exuberate confidence even if confidence had fled the planet for her. She just had to make it through the night. It would all be over soon.

But the platitudes were just platitudes.

Leonard was standing next to the magnificent fountain located in the center of the lobby. He wore a dark charcoal gray suit and vest, tailored to fit him specifically, with a deep blue shirt underneath. His hair was styled differently than the usual swept off to the side look. It was tussled softly, borderline messy but still very clean and professional. Leonard looked like the perfect gentleman, and Alice realized that she couldn't have found a better person to accompany her tonight.

When he finally spotted her approaching, Leonard smiled at her, something that always made Alice mirror the behavior. He pulled his hands out of his pockets and walked towards her, closing the distance between them.

"For a moment there I thought you weren't going to show," Leonard teased her lightly.

"Aren't you supposed to be fashionably late to these things?" Alice countered playfully.

"So the thought never crossed your mind?"

"Never," she answered, a clear lie made obvious by her smile.

Leonard chuckled softly at her response before offering his arm to her. "Shall we head up?"

Alice hesitated a moment, not because of the contact that would be required, but simply out of her own nervousness. She could usually not care about people's opinions of her and just become irate in response to the stares she received, but Alice now found herself hoping that she looked impressive, or at the very least good, when she would be compared with the man that was about to be escorting her. Leonard might bitterly laugh off the reputation he once had, but everyone else still remembered him for the remarkable doctor, and man, he was. She could only hope that she didn't do anything to tarnish that.

"Let's get this over with," she sighed before plastering on a small smile that didn't quite reach her eyes.

Alice's slender fingers laced themselves around his arm, tucking her hand in the crook of his elbow as she allowed Leonard to lead her forward to the elevator. As they walked across the lobby- Leonard with his gentleman's swagger that was pure heroine as Alice made sure to compliment as best she could with her own behavior- she swore that she could already hear the whispers starting. It was then that Alice felt even the fake confidence ebb away from her.

If Leonard heard the whispering around them or felt the staring, he paid no mind to it, walking forward with absolute certainty in himself. Alice found herself feeling a little envious of him for that, but instead of resenting him for it, she instead pulled herself closer to him, as if close proximity might allow her to borrow some of his confidence. The movement might have abolished the distance that was appropriate to maintain between friends and acquaintances, but the feeling of how warm Leonard was against her arm that was now pressed against the side of his torso was too intoxicating for her to care.

And Leonard didn't seem to mind that she was now much closer to him either.

The elevator doors closed behind them, and Alice couldn't believe that she found it to be some sort of victory. Well, she could believe it. She just didn't know if Leonard would understand why she felt that way, though. It was going to be a long night for her, with the potential of getting worse very quickly. She could use an ally

Just say something about it, she willed herself.

Alice pulled away from Leonard abruptly, a look of slight confusion brought on by the slight raise of an eyebrow, his signature move, as she hit the emergency stop on the elevator. There was only the feeling of understanding in his vibrant hazel eyes, though, as he looked at her with a soft expression.

It was as if he was expecting something like this from her. And Alice could barely stop herself from wringing her hands together.

"There's something you should know," Alice started, about as sure as Leonard must have been when it came to where this conversation was going: no clue whatsoever. "I'm not a fan of being touched. Not at all." That sounded weird and was a complete misrepresentation. She tried to clarify. "And by not a fan I mean I can't stand or handle it on most occasions. And by not at all I mean whenever I'm not expecting it, when it's from someone I don't know, or when I'm not instigating it."

Whatever Alice had been expecting Leonard to say or do, he did neither. He simply waited patiently for her to continue on or to finish. That's when she realized the obvious.

"Which you already knew, Doctor McCoy," she shook her head at how ridiculous she was behaving.

Leonard nodded faintly, a soft smile tugging at the corner of his lips. "I can't help what I am, sweetheart."

"I know," she sighed. "And neither can I. I'm a mess," she shook her head lightly. "I make things messy."

"Then I guess it's a good thing I am a doctor," Leonard said deeply, his southern lilt sending her heart skipping faintly. He reached out to her, placing a gentle hand on her arm, cupping her elbow tenderly. It was such an intimate touch for her, Alice was almost surprised she didn't shy away. "It's my job to fix messy things."

"I don't need someone to fix me," Alice said in gentle defiance, shifting her weight from one foot to the other so that she was leaning into his hand ever so slightly. "Or to rescue me."

"I know that," he replied patiently. "And you're not a patient to me, either."

"Then what I am I to you, Doctor Leonard McCoy?" she asked in melodic whimsy.

Leonard frowned slightly as if he was looking for either the most accurate or most professional response, running through the various scenarios of what might happen afterward depending on what he said. "You're Alice Khan. You're a genius in your own right, an occasional pain in my ass, though nowhere near as bad as Jim, and a great conversationalist. And I enjoy spending time with you."

The smile of his, quiet yet full of emotion, made it difficult for Alice to fight against smiling herself. "I'm not sure if that was insulting or charming."

"Take it however you will, sweetheart," he teased, dropping his hand from her arm. "And I honestly had no idea about your aversion to touch."

"You're a terrible liar," she scoffed playfully, pressing the emergency stop button again so that the elevator could continue upwards.

Alice returned to her place at his side, the relief of getting all of that off her chest making her much more comfortable beside him. "I swear, if you mention that talking about it heals or some similar nonsense, I will punch you," she threatened teasingly.

"It mostly is nonsense," he agreed. "But if you ever need to—" Leonard chuckled wholeheartedly as Alice jabbed in him in the ribs with her elbow playfully before looping her arm back in his own.

She could feel him looking at her. There were only a few dozen more floors to go before they made it to the top of the skyscraper of a hotel, and while Alice initially intended on keeping her gaze fixed on the elevator doors, she unwillingly relented and looked up at him into the forested hazel of his eyes.

"What?" Alice asked, a very subtle tinge of impatience in her voice.

There was a slight twist of his lips into a smile that was honest and caring. Leonard removed his gaze from her as he spoke. "If you need something to control, just let me know."

The elevator stopped, and instead of nervousness, Alice felt relief. "Thank you, Leon," she breathed as the doors opened.

"Did I mention how beautiful you look tonight?"

The question caught Alice completely off guard as she quickly looked up at him just in time to see a mischievous smirk; but if he was going to elaborate or give her a chance to respond, neither became an option as the adjutant waiting on the other side of the elevator doors quickly ushered them inside with plastered on professionalism and polite etiquette.

Leonard's question was left unanswered but not forgotten as they moved across the floor, indistinct conversation swirling around them and a few nods in greeting from the many patrons that lounged about, socializing with one another. Alice felt the small stirrings of becoming overwhelmed and quickly focused on who she knew, making the crowd smaller as she scanned the room. The graying, almost white hair made it impossible for Alice not to be able to pick out the surly and growly man out of the crowd.

"Come," Alice hummed softly to Leonard as she pulled him forward.

Captain Pike was a very serious man who enjoyed rules and mandates almost as much as Vulcan's did, but when he saw Alice approaching him, his face lit up with a beaming grin.

"I was beginning to think you wouldn't show," Pike said fondly.

Alice pulled away from Leonard, releasing his arm, "You are the second person to tell me that," she chuckled, instigating the embrace he clearly wanted but wouldn't prompt otherwise.

As she pulled away, Alice turned back to Leonard as if to formally introduce the two. "Doctor McCoy, I'm sure you remember Captain Pike," then she added, "my father."

Leonard masked his shock to her revelation very well as he extended a hand in greeting, face remaining mostly stoic as he did so minus the slight twitch of his eyebrow. "Of course," he replied, his words standing at attention even though he didn't physically have to.

"It's good to see you under much less… intense circumstances, Doctor," Pike said in gruff politeness.

"Likewise, sir."

Pike gave Leonard a nod before turning his attention to Alice. "I thought you said you weren't bringing anyone," Pike said with a knowing smirk.

"Am I not allowed to change my mind?" Alice responded playfully.

Beside her, Leonard chuckled softly before placing a hand on her elbow carefully. I'm going to get us something to drink," he excused himself, not so subtly leaving father and daughter alone together.

"McCoy?" her father asked incredulously once Leonard was out of earshot.

"I'm not sure what you're referring to," Alice shrugged evasively. "He's a friend whom I happened to invite." When Pike made a face that clearly indicated he didn't believe her, she countered with. "You thought Jason was a catch."

"Biggest mistake of my life was thinking he was a decent man," he growled softly.

"I thought having me for a daughter was your biggest mistake," Alice teased.

"Oh yeah," Pike said, his smile warming his words, "I forgot about that."

Alice laughed gently before commenting on the true intent of his question. "Don't worry about him, father. He was recently divorced and has no interest in another relationship. There's nothing there."

"Is that what you want?" he asked, playing the role of her father expertly, having the interrogation-like voice down perfectly.

"I don't need another Jason," she sighed, before throwing on a half-smile for Leonard as she saw him approaching with their drinks.

And it was true. She didn't need another Jason, and she didn't need to be fixed or rescued. All Alice really needed—really wanted—was something normal.

The champagne in her glass went down far too easily as Alice sipped casually from her fourth glass. She had gone to the bar on her own this time, insisting that Leonard didn't always have to be so chivalrous and get her a new glass every time, and allowed him to continue to socialize with his adoring fans.

It hadn't taken very long for someone to recognize Doctor McCoy and attach his reputation to the name. Soon after it was a myriad of questions about his time at the hospital and doe-eyed looks from every woman that surrounded him. At first, Alice had found the fawning irritating, there were so many beautiful dames begging for Leonard's attention, but now as she stood outside of the fiasco, observing the scene unfold, she had to admit that it was very entertaining.

Leonard was talking about his domino surgery again. Five donors and five recipients for a total ten patients at one time. All hands had been on deck that time, interns included; and there had been some tension, family drama and such, with a couple of the donors threatening to back out.

And this was the third time he was telling this particular story.

By now, Alice could probably tell the story herself, and she could probably tell it much more truthfully than he would. She didn't even bother hiding her smile as she continued to let the bubbly alcohol make her much more relaxed…and giggly.

The forest green and brown of Leonard's hazel eyes found her as he wrapped up the final touches on his narrative. "Excuse me," Leonard said, backing away from the group that had surrounded him. "Excuse me, please," he repeated, polite southern drawl carrying over to where Alice was standing when a few of the tipsier and easier women tugged gently on his suit, begging him to stay.

Alice couldn't contain her laughter as he finally managed to break free. "Are you sure you want to leave your admirers?" she teased him, handing him the second glass she held.

"I have no idea where all those people came from," Leonard groaned, taking a much needed, very long drink, "but they won't leave me alone."

"Not a fan of all the attention?" she continued to play, stepping a bit closer to him. "I swear, some of them looked like they were about to swoon."

"Yeah, well, they're not my type, sweetheart," he smiled honestly.

"And what is your type?" Alice said, her voice faintly provocative and her behavior dangerously close to flirting.

Leonard laughed nervously before shaking his head as she clearly tripped him up, and instead of answering, he simply took a swig of his champagne. It was adorable.

"So what did you do this time?"

"I'm sorry?"

She smiled teasingly. "Well, last time you told the domino surgery story you locked father and son in a room until they got over themselves. And the time before that you gave the pep-talk of a lifetime to keep a donor from backing out." Alice did her best to mimic the raised eyebrow Leonard had mastered. "Did you talk a suicidal donor off of a roof? Or maybe you were the lead surgeon on one of the procedures even though you were still just an intern."

His laughter swarmed around her, blocking out the music and conversation that was around her. "Alright," he chuckled, "I admit, I do add a few…embellishments, but it's only for the best effect."

Alice was sent into a fit of giggling as she leaned into Leonard slightly, the alcohol relaxing her not nearly as much as his voice was, but it wasn't distracting enough for her to miss the look of fondness he wore as he watched her.

"What?" she chuckled.

"You seem to be enjoying yourself," Leonard said with that damned eyebrow of his raised that was stupidly charming.

"Must be the alcohol," she replied mischievously. "Or maybe it's the southern gentleman I'm lucky enough to have on my arm."

"Oh, so you're lucky now?" Leonard said from behind his glass. "I thought I was just the better option to Jim?"

"You're more than that, Leon," Alice said dangerously honest thanks to the alcohol.

"How much more?" Leon asked, the southern growl of his making things very difficult for Alice.

This game of mostly teasing and borderline flirtation had been going on for most of the night after both of them had downed their first couple of drinks. It had only steadily increased in intensity and pushed the boundaries further as the night progressed.

But not all good things can continue indefinitely.

"Well, if it isn't Alice Khan and Doctor Leonard McCoy," a very rude and abrupt greeting pulling them from their playful teasing. Jason approached them, martini in hand as he looked like a stereotypical villain in his black on black suit. "You know, I did some reading up on you, Doctor," Jason said in a malicious scowl, drawing himself close enough to Leonard so that no one around them could hear what was going on. "Divorced with nothing to his name, your only option being to drink your shame away or enlist in Starfleet. Though the rumor has it that the only reason you enlisted was because you burned through what little money you had left on booze." Jason backed off, straightening out in a challenging way. "But that's just what I read."

"Yeah, well let's see how well you read after I turn your face into a Jackson Pollok painting and leave you bleeding on the floor," Leonard growled, his voice dangerously low and threatening.

Jason laughed mockingly. "You're just a sad old drunk that couldn't keep his wife. Am I supposed to be afraid of you, Cadet McCoy?"

"Whether you're afraid or not won't change what comes next."

"Leon," Alice said gently, placing a hand on his chest and gently pushing him back. No one had caught on to what was happening, but she was worried that they would start to make a scene.

"So you touch him?" Jason criticized, finally turning his attention to her, daring her to respond.

And Alice found her confidence.

Placing herself between Jason and Leonard, Alice straightened up and met Jason's gaze, refusing to shy away as she normally would have. "Yes, because he understands me much better than you were ever capable of. He actually has the capacity for storing information and having emotional depth, both of which you severely lack." Jason looked taken aback by the cold and calculating voice she was using to tear him apart. "Now I would suggest you stop berating the only man here who has the best chance of keeping you alive after I'm finished using you as a new method of cleaning the marble floors if you don't return back to the absent-minded blonde you brought here who's too stupid to realize just how shallow you are."

Jason was speechless. Alice had never spoken to him like that, and she most certainly had never threatened anyone as she was now threatening him. Her behavior was a complete foil of the woman he had a relationship with. There was no uncertainty in her voice as she spoke and she didn't submit to her quiet mannerisms when she met a little bit of resistance from a situation. Alice had never been so confident around him before.

It looked as though he were about to say something, but Jason clearly thought better of it and simply backed off, turning to leave them and enjoy the company of his thoughtless date. Alice let out a deep breath, relaxing slightly as the tense situation dissolved.

Gentle fingers snaked around her waist, causing her to jump softly, but she didn't pull away. Alice couldn't tell if the movement was protective or reassuring as she looked up at Leonard. His eyes remained fixed on Jason until the crowd of people swallowed him up.

"I could use something to control," she said in a small voice as his hazel eyes finally met her own.

"I am yours to control," Leonard said, his voice equally as quiet, yet his eyes held such deep forests of tender compassion as he looked at her.

"Escort me to the balcony? I could use some fresh air."

"Of course, sweetheart," he purred gently, but instead of taking her by the arm, the presence of his hand on her waist became more predominant as he ushered her forward.

The crisp air was refreshing against Alice's skin as they made it to the balcony. She finally felt like she could breathe and stretch out since they were one of only a few couples or groups that were outside as well. The pleasant conversation with Leonard coupled with the effects of her several glasses of champagne had allowed her to ignore just how cramped and uncomfortable she was. Her neck cracked loudly as she rolled it, pulling away from Leonard and setting her empty glass on a nearby cocktail table.

Leonard followed her from that point on, setting down his own glass as he kept a small amount of distance between them now. "Was Jason always like that?" he asked

Alice looked back at him, her eyes darting past his shoulder and back to the ballroom before resting her gaze back on him. "Not always," she said softly. "You remember that ultimatum I mentioned when we tried to figure out who had the worst break up?"

"Yeah," Leonard answered, nodding his head faintly. "He gave you a choice, and you left him."

"At the altar"

He balked. "I can see how that might make him a bit angry. Doesn't give him the right to act like that, though."

A ghost of a smile graced Alice's lips. "Actually, I think his behavior is your fault."

"My fault?" he asked incredulously, faking that he took offense.

"Yeah. I think you intimidate him." The smile grew into a playful smirk.

Leonard rolled his eyes at her. "I think you're giving me too much credit, sweetheart."

The mischief in her smile vanished as it became deeper and more honest. "I don't."

Leonard shook his head lightly, a hint of a smirk tugging at his lips as he did so; but he couldn't come up with any kind of response. Instead, he let the conversation drift away as he came to stand beside Alice. After a few moments of silence between them, the muffled music from the ballroom behind them drifting through the glass, Leonard looked over at her from the corner of his eye.

"Is it alright if I put my arm around you?" he asked, but then faltered. "It's chilly out here," he offered in quick explanation. "I would hate for you to catch a cold."

Alice looked up at him with a bright smile. "Doctor McCoy, I find it hard to believe that you don't know that catching a cold from the cold is a myth."

"You're right. Forget I said anything…" his voice trailed off slightly as if he were embarrassed.

She shifted a little, bringing herself just a little closer to him. "It is a little cold out here, Leon," Alice said, surprising herself with how flirtatious she was being. But Leon made it so easy to open up, and relax around him. And despite Jason's unpleasant intrusion, the warm teasing from earlier was still at the forefront of her mind.

"Would you like to go back inside?'

"No," her eyes held his. "This is where I want to be."

"I thought you hated these events."

Alice chuckled softly. Leon was always charming to her, but he was a terrible flirt. That southern accent of his was sometimes his only saving grace. She not so subtly slid towards him, pressing gently against his side. "This is where I want to be."

There was a moment of hesitation, and for a moment, Alice worried that she had gone too far and that he would pull away from her when she felt him tense up at her touch. But instead, she felt Leonard's fingers trace against the bare skin on her back, sending shivers down her spine, before resting just above her waist as he gently pulled her closer to him.

"I can understand that," Leonard breathed. "Where else could you get a view like this?" he asked, motioning to the glittering lights of the San Francisco stars.

"Any other tall building in the area," Alice replied, playfully.

Leonard turned his head so that his mouth was just slightly above her ear, his warm breath softly rustling her hair. "I wasn't talking about the San Francisco skyline."

It was almost unbelievable how close Alice had let him get, how much she had instigated it. There were times when she couldn't' let anyone touch her, couldn't stand to have anyone touch her. And yet, here she was, all but wrapped in Leonard's arms. Perhaps it was because he was so understanding and patient with her, or because he made her feel normal.

One thing was for certain, though: Leonard was as compassionate as he was understanding, even if he kept it hidden, and it had a way of disarming her completely.

"Oh, and as far as Jim's concerned, tonight never happened."

"That goes without saying, sweetheart. We'd never hear the end of it."

~~.O.~~

I wanted to do a lot more with this chapter, but I decided that less is more and to save it for later. ;) That way I can keep you chapter addicts coming back for more.

As always, thank you for reading and please feel free to let me know what you think.

Until next time! :)