Leonard got back to the dorm late Friday night. All he wanted to do was climb into bed. He dropped his luggage just inside the door, and froze when he saw a form beneath the sheets of his bed. He glanced over at Jim, who was sprawled out in his own bed, then back at the invader of his.
"Unbelievable," he mumbled.
He walked over with the intent to wake the woman up, but he paused when he reached out and saw her profile. It was Nora. He wondered why she was there, but decided to let her stay. He would take the couch.
Leonard stared at her for a moment, watching as she took in and released steady breaths. She was curled up on her side, and he was suddenly imagining himself climbing in next to her and wrapping an arm around her as she snuggled close, but he quickly shook his head and walked away. That wasn't going to happen. It shouldn't happen. Age difference and the fact that this was Jim's sister... Not a good idea to even entertain with fantasy.
Nora woke early the next morning. She had made breakfast the last couple of mornings, and she decided to do it again. She still felt partly responsible for Jim's injuries, even though they were fading, and Jim assured her it wasn't her fault. She made the bed and headed for the kitchen. A sleeping form on the sofa caught her attention. She smiled when she realized it was Leonard. He was on his back, with one leg hanging off of the edge, his foot planted on the floor. The blanket was pulled up just to his waist, and he was wearing a very fitted black shirt. Nora couldn't remember ever seeing him so relaxed. She also couldn't remember ever noticing how firm his chest looked. She had an urge to run her hand over it, but she turned away and went about getting breakfast ready.
The smell of bacon and coffee began to invade Leonard's dream, and his eyes slowly opened. The memory of why he was sleeping on the sofa came back to him, and he knew it was Nora in the kitchen. No way was Jim cooking. Leonard got up and softly padded to the archway of the small kitchen. Nora's back was to him as she stood at the stove.
"Good morning," he said.
His usually slight southern drawl was thick. Nora assumed it was from visiting his home town. His voice was also heavy with sleep, deeper than usual. The sound sent a shiver straight to Nora's toes. She smiled at him over her shoulder.
"Good morning. I guess you're wondering what I'm doing here."
"You're Jim's sister. You have a right to be here."
Leonard grabbed his coffee mug and held one up for Nora, silently asking if she wanted coffee. She nodded, and Leonard poured her cup, before setting it down next to her on the counter, and passing her the cream and sugar. He poured his cup and leaned against the counter.
"Sorry about taking over your bed," Nora said. "I didn't know you'd be back yet."
"Decided to cut my trip a little short. There are a few things I need to do before the semester starts. And don't worry about the bed. You're lucky. I almost woke you up. Thought you were one of Jim's one-nighters."
"Oh, I think Jim knows better than that."
"I would hope."
As if on cue, Jim stepped in front of the entryway. He ran a hand through his hair and yawned.
"Well," Leonard said, "speak of the devil." He stood up straight when he saw Jim's face. "Good God, man! Is that a black eye?"
"I smell breakfast," Jim said, ignoring the question.
"It's coming," Nora said. "You boys go sit and I'll bring you your plates."
Jim began to walk away, but Leonard grabbed a few plates from the cabinet. Nora smiled, but didn't want him to feel like he had to help.
"Leonard, you can go with Jim."
"What did I tell you about my hands being empty?"
He gave her a small grin and started dishing out the food that was ready. They finished up, and Leonard carried Jim his plate, then waited for Nora before he sat.
After breakfast, Nora packed up her things and brought them back to her own room. Jim stayed in his room while Leonard ran a few errands. He got back around dinner, and Jim was pacing.
"Bones! You wanna hit a club tonight?"
"Not really."
"Come on, Bones. I'm bored."
"Look, Jim. You're gonna hook up with some woman, anyway, right?"
"Probably," Jim said with a shrug.
"Why bring the third wheel?"
"What? You're my wing man, Bones."
"I'm a third wheel. I never have fun. I hate clubs. They're noisy, and dirty, and crowded, and-"
"Okay, okay, I got it. You don't have to go. And don't worry... I won't bring any girls back here tonight."
"Thanks."
It was eight-thirty when there was a knock at the door. Leonard got up and slid it open. Nora stood there with a smile.
"I came to check on Jim," she said.
"He's out. Went to a club."
"You're kidding."
"Nope. You wanna come in anyway?"
"No, I don't wanna bother you."
"Like you could bother me," he said with a grin. He stepped back and motioned her forward with his hand. "Come on in."
"If you insist."
Nora sat on the couch and Leonard joined her.
"So," he said, "how did Jim get the shiner?"
Nora hesitated, and Leonard picked up on it.
"If you don't want to talk about it, that's okay."
"No, it's just... it's hard to talk about sometimes." She turned so that she was sitting sideways, facing him. "Jim and my dad... they don't really have a good relationship."
"I guess that's understandable with Jim's rebellious behavior."
"No, that's not it. Look, I love my dad, but when he married my mom, he married the widow of a hero, and I've always felt like he resented it. Jim wasn't always like he is now. I remember him when we were really, really young. He was a good kid, but my dad started drinking, and he gets physical when he's drunk. He hit Jim, and he would grab me... but Jim would always jump in."
"I'm sorry. Jim never mentioned it."
"No. He wouldn't. I sometimes think that Jim's rebellious behavior started as a way to keep the negative attention on himself... to keep dad away from me and his mom. He just got used to it. He started believing people when they told him he was bad and wouldn't amount to anything." Nora was silent for a moment, but Leonard didn't push her. "So, when we went home this week, dad jumped on Jim, comparing him to his father. I tried to stand up to him... to defend Jim. Dad got furious and tried to grab me and Jim just... he punched him, and dad punched back. Mom tried to break it up, but they kept going. I finally got Jim away from my dad, but he already had a gash on his chin. We left to come back here, and the black eye just got worse. That's why I stayed here the last few days. I had to take care of him."
"You're a good sister."
"No, he's a good brother. He's a great brother, and I got him a black eye."
"Hey, hey... that's not your fault, darlin'."
"Yes, it is. I talked him into going home."
Leonard could see her eyes tearing up. "You just wanted your family together for a while."
"But I know how dad is."
"Hey, come here." Leonard moved closer to her and pulled her into a hug. She wrapped her arms around his waist, and his hand smoothed over the back of her head. "You are not responsible for what your dad does, or for what Jim does. And Jim is fine. He's out picking up women as we speak. That black eye will probably get him pity sex."
Nora chuckled, and he suddenly became very aware of how she felt against him. He knew he should pull away, but the way she was clinging to him told him she needed this comfort.
His hand moved down to her back, and gently rubbed up and down. Nora closed her eyes and let the feel of his hands wash over her. What was he doing to her? She wasn't supposed to get a crush on Leonard McCoy, but here she was. She felt comfortable and safe in his arms. She took a deep breath and inhaled the source of the scent she had been smelling on his pillows the last couple of days.
Nora got self-conscious when the hand at her back stopped moving. Had she held on too long? Had she made him uncomfortable? She pulled back and smiled.
"Thanks," she said. "I should probably go."
"You don't have to."
"No, I should."
She stood and walked to the door. Leonard followed. The door slid open and Nora turned back to him.
"Thanks for listening. I needed that."
"Any time, darlin'. My door's always open."