August 2256
McCoy checks the time quickly before leaning his head back, administering a few drops from the bottle onto each eye, and then picking up the analgesic hypospray from the counter. It's just part of his everyday life, now – meds, painkillers, constant check-ups and reporting to his Head of Department. It's tiring but it's worth it, and he leaves the bathroom to walk straight into Jim, who's been lurking just outside the door.
"I thought I told you not to get under my feet," he grouches but Jim just pulls him into a kiss, and McCoy can feel his grin against his lips.
"Come on," Jim says as he pulls away, stepping towards the door. "She'll be waiting."
She is waiting, as it happens, because it's five minutes past two and Jocelyn is nothing if not punctual about where and when her daughter will be.
McCoy knows that she'll be sat on a bench beside the fountain in the main square beside some poor ensign who's been stuck with babysitting duty, and she'll have her little purple suitcase and her backpack on the floor beside her. And as they step out into the courtyard, there's a deafening shriek and the sound of pattering feet before they've even cleared the steps.
"Daddy!" Jo squeals as she runs up to him, and he bends down to be at her height as she hurtles into his arms, holding her tightly and burying his face into her straight brown hair.
"Hey there darling. You look gorgeous," he says.
And she does, and Jim is blindingly bright beside him as they walk out across the campus.
end