This is it! Sorry for the late update, but grad school came back and started to take up some more of my time. I hope you have all enjoyed reading it as much as I enjoyed writing it.
A/N: Some language and very mild Bones on Jim violence.
When Kirk takes up his wonderful captain's chair once more, it feels like he's come home. The air on the bridge does not crackle with tension and rage but flows as easily as the banter between the crew. His crew and friends greet him warmly. Chekov and Sulu call out various readings from their screens, Scotty comms up from the engine room with a report on warp capabilities, and Uhura tells him of the pieces of communication he'd missed during his ordeal. It feels amazing to be back in his rightful place, not only on the ship, but in the world, the galaxy.
He gets himself all caught up, then he, Spock, and McCoy head to the transporter room, where they meet Coleman and Lester. Lester is obviously sedated, her green eyes glazed over and blank. She looked like her mind was completely empty. Kirk finds that he somehow still feels sorry for her.
"I trust you'll make sure she gets the help she needs, Dr. Coleman?" McCoy asks.
"Certainly. Starbase 2 has the finest psychiatric facilities this side of the galaxy," Coleman answers, "Of course, her parents need to be told, and I think I should be the one to do it. They have a right to know."
"I wish you both the best of luck," Kirk tells him honestly.
He shakes the gnarled, bony hand and watches as Coleman and Lester disappear into light.
"Spock, you have the conn. Return to the bridge and make sure we get to Beta Aurigae on time for our rendezvous with the Potemkin. I'll be up soon."
His eyes follow his first officer as he leaves. He is then grabbed by the arm by McCoy, who growls, "You've got some explainin' to do," and drags him to his office. Once the door is shut and the coast is clear, McCoy hisses, "Chrissakes, Jim, what was that goofy ass smile on your face for?"
"Well, you offer me some of that good stu-OW!"
The sound of McCoy's palm connecting with the back of Kirk's head rings through the office. Kirk grimaces, rubbing the back of his head, whining, "What was that for, Bones? Aren't you supposed to do no harm?"
"I'm gonna do a lot more than harm ya if ya don't explain yerself right now."
McCoy is definitely upset. Kirk can tell by how thick his accent is. (McCoy's anger and the thickness of his Southern drawl are, after all, directly proportional.)
"Besides," McCoy continues, "I don't think smackin' you in the head's gonna do ya much harm anyway, 'cause ya ain't got nothin' in there! What is wrong with you, Jim Kirk? You're the captain! Ya can't go around gettin' romantic with yer crew and certainly not with yer XO! I mean, I figured you'd at least wait 'til we were back on Earth before ya started plannin' the wedding and-"
"Wait, what? Bones, what are you talking about?"
"Golly, Jim, a blind man could see how much you two love each other. The codependence level is bordering on the unhealthy and unnatural. I mean, I wasn't a hundred percent sure ya wanted to be romantically involved with him, but I could see ya love him and that the two of ya have a very strong bond, one I sure never had with anyone."
"Bones," Kirk mutters, "Bones, don't say that. You know that I love you, too, and that I-"
"I know you do… but not like Spock. You'd pick him over me any day if it really came down to lives."
"I would not. I'd save you both… or I'd give up my own life so neither one of you would die."
McCoy ducks his head, his voice low. Kirk moves closer to hear him better.
"You idjit, that would only kill me and Spock faster. Look, Lord knows I love ya, Jim, but not like him. You're like that stupid little brother I never had, so don't think I'm jealous, 'cause I'm not. That's not what this is about."
"Then what is this about?"
"I just… you've gotta be careful, Jim, real careful. You can be sure that if the admiralty catches wind of this, you and Spock won't even be assigned to the same quadrant, let alone together on the Enterprise. You'd barely ever see each other, and I'm not sure if either one of ya could handle that," McCoy explains gently.
Kirk's eyes feel wet, and he casts them down at the floor. Good ol' Bones. He always knows what a person needs to hear. Thankfully, this time it was also something Kirk wanted to hear.
"What did I do to deserve you, Len?" Kirk asks, using a seldom-said nickname.
"I often ask myself the same question, kid," McCoy growls, "just know I won't do it again. Wasn't worth it, 't all."
Kirk gives the doctor a gentle punch to the arm. McCoy continues to pretend he's not a huge softie, but Kirk knows better.
"Thanks, Bones. I really appreciate it."
"Anytime, kid. Now git outta my office. I work to do."
Kirk is nearly to the door when McCoy adds, "Jim… I'm glad you're happy. I really am. Just don't let it make you stupid, alright?"
McCoy's face is open and kind and loving, and Kirk smirks back, "I hear ya."
"Good. Now you git outta my office."
Kirk returns to the bridge and settles in his chair, in his customary lounging position, secretly reveling in the warmth left by Spock. He looks to his XO, asking, "How's our ship, Mr. Spock?"
"We are on course for Beat Aurigae, captain, with the ship operating at full capacity."
"Mr. Sulu?"
"We are predicted to reach Beta Aurigae on schedule, captain."
"Lt. Uhura?"
"The Potemkin is also on course, captain. They radioed to confirm our rendezvous, as did the base on Beta Aurigae. Dr. Coleman also sent confirmation from Starbase 2, reporting the patient is checked in and undergoing evaluation, sir."
"Excellent. Let's keep this trip running smooth. We don't want the Enterprise to be late."
His words are met with a chorus of 'Aye's. He looks to the viewscreen and watches stars and planets and systems fly by, and he feels so happy it almost hurts. The bright thread that connects his mind to Spock's, that he finds himself vividly aware of, stirs into life, thrumming and vibrating with contentment and joy that is not entirely his own. A bubble of warmth settles calmly in his chest, and he can't keep the grin from his face. He is home.
Shameless plug: Please check out my other in-progress fic 'If My Heart Keeps Singing' featuring a little love for Scotty, who I find to be a bit ignored in fanfiction. It features an OC that i didn't put in here named Winifred 'Freddey' Mulcahy, a Starfleet chaplain I first introduced in my fic 'Acts of Courage'. There's going to be plenty more of Freddey to come!