99.) Light*
"Bones, remember what you told me about space when we first met on the shuttle? You know, when you said you might throw up on me." Jim smiled brightly, ignoring the muffled snickers his words had caused as he met Bones' dark scowl.
"How could I forget when you looked like you had gone ten rounds with a Klingon after insulting his honor and sleeping with his sister, and then taking a bath in alcohol to clean up."
"Hey, I never slept with Cupcake's sister. Besides, she's engaged and invited us to her wedding, remember? Anyway, I wanted to know if your opinion of space was still the same. I mean, we've been out in it for a couple months now."
Studying Jim's honest curiosity, Bones carefully thought about his answer. Despite being hungover, he clearly remembered what he had told the kid that day in the shuttle.
"Space is death and disease wrapped in silence and darkness."
Looking at the stars reflected in Jim's bright eyes, Bones fought back a fond smile, his drawl coming out thicker as he tried to keep the smile out of his voice. "I still think space is disease wrapped in darkness, but I will admit the stars shine brighter."
Returning Jim's wide smile with a small one of his own, Bones knew that he wasn't only talking about the stars. The light in Jim's eyes had never been brighter.
Written: 5-24-2012
Word Count: 236