Bones arrived at Christine's quarters at 6:55 pm. He was too nervous to pace around the room any longer. When he buzzed for her, the door swished open to reveal her in a pretty pale blue dress that went right above her knees. Her eyeliner swept up at the corners, and her lips were a rosy pink that held Bones's gaze.

"Leonard, you're early!"

"Yeah, sorry. You look — well, you look just—"

Christine's eyes cast down to the floor and she blushed like usual.

"Thank you."

Bones grumbled a little bit before he mumbled out, "Sure thing."

"I'm ready to go actually."

Bones stepped up to her, and offered his arm for her to latch onto. He gave her his closed-lip, southern gentleman smile to entice her to accept. They strode down the hallway like some royal couple getting ready for a gala. When they were almost to Bones's quarters, Kirk came up on them; his face red from running.

"Bones! I need to talk to you for a second."

"Is someone dying? Are we on Red Alert?"

"Well, no but—"

"Then it can wait. As you can see, I have a date."

Bones strode past Kirk; his Captain's face in shock and disbelief as he strode past him like a king escorting his queen.

Once the pair got to Bones's quarters, Christine immediately commented on the enticing scent permeating the air.

"I hope you like fettuccine. It's my mother's special recipe."

"I do like it, and I'm sure this will be even better than the ones from the replicator."

"Oh darlin', I can guarantee it's better than that garbage."

Christine giggled at that last remark.

They sat down, and began to start their small talk over dinner when there was a buzz at the door. Bones had put in on "private", but whoever it was certainly didn't care.

"Jim, just sent whatever it is over my PADD!"

"I have no idea why you are referring to me as Jim, Leonard."

"Mother?"

Bones's face turned bright cherry red at the sound of his mother's voice. How on earth did she get on the ship?! Oh no… they were at a starbase for the next week. She must have been stationed there. Bones dropped his fork and looked at Christine with a thousand apologies all over his face.

"Well, aren't you going to answer her, Leonard?"

"Christine, you do not want my mother coming in here."

"Oh for heaven's sakes! Boys and their moms. I'll get it."

Christine strutted over to the door, and answered with the sweetest smile she could conjure up.

"You must be Mrs. McCoy."

"I am. But you can call me Eleanor. And who would you be, my dear?"

"Christine Chapel, ma'am. I work in the SickBay with your son."

Eleanor poked her head just past Christine to glare at her son who was still trying to hide in the kitchen.

"You never told me you had a lady friend, Leonard. And certainly not one this pretty."

"That's because this is our first date you're interrupting, mother."

"Well I do not apologize one bit, I'm afraid. Aren't you even slightly happy to see me?"

Bones reluctantly got up from his chair and walked over to her. He embraced her in the most awkward family hug imaginable.

"Of course I am. How long will you be here?"

"Just for the weekend. I assumed I would be able to stay in your quarters."

"You deserve better accommodations than these, mom. I'll have Jim get you a guest suite."

"You refer to your Captain by first name I see."

"He's my best friend, mom. So yes, I do."

"Ah."

Bones came off as a polite gentleman, but really he absolutely did not want his mother in his quarters. Not only was he a grown man, but now he had Christine. If this now horribly awkward date actually went somewhere, he need his mother to not be staring at their kindling romance.

"I'll have one of the yeomans escort you to your room once I get a hold of Jim. I'm sure they would be happy to."

Eleanor smirked and looked over to Christine.

"I can take a hint. Goodnight, son."

"'Night mom. I will see you tomorrow."

With that, she left, and Leonard stared at Christine with absolute embarrassment and apology all over his face. He put his hands behind his back, and started to twist his sweaty fingers around in nervousness.

"She's uh— Well, she's a little much to handle sometimes."

"I think she's wonderful."

"You do?"

"Yes! She clearly loves you in spades. Being a caring mother comes with being overbearing. Trust me."

Leonard didn't answer. He rocked back and forth on his heels and gazed everywhere but at Christine. He didn't even notice her step towards him, and cup her hand over his cheek. Her thumb rubbed up and down the side of his face, and eventually came to line his lower lip.

His breath hitched as she pressed her lips to his. She pulled away, and looked at him for a reaction. He didn't give her much time before he grabbed her waist, and pulled her to meet him. Their bodies pressed up against one another to where there was no space between. He kissed her feverishly as her hands came up to caress his neck.

When they broke, Christine had a bright smile on her face, and Bones was glowing as if there was a halo surrounding him.

"Does this mean we have another date, Miss Chapel?"

"You can bet on it."