The Federation led diplomatic mission had gone without a hitch, which was surprising to Maggie as it seemed Captain Kirk had done everything in his power to get in as much trouble as possible. His skills at mediation were unquestionably good, he did however have the tendency to get himself into worrisome positions. When they had first arrived and were traversing the deep forest they had been split into smaller groups. Leonard had ensured he was with Maggie. She didn't mind, on the contrary she had been pleased. They were both professional in the extreme, perhaps both overcompensating somewhat to ensure they didn't raise any questions around their relationship together.
Both Leonard and Maggie didn't have any intention of embarking on a secret affair, it was just everything was so relatively new and neither felt it necessary to start answering questions nor putting a 'label' on what was between them. To the others, Spock, Uhura and Kirk, it came across as somewhat peculiar. To them the pair had been acting like this for a while now, the past few away missions they had both attended there had been similar behaviour. Each one of them had different theories on what the cause was, some closer to the truth than others. Never the less, Maggie and Leonard continued to address each other by rank, nodded curtly and there was no small talk.
When Maggie had tripped however, McCoy had been right there to catch her and make sure she was alright. His usual cantankerous bed-side manner had been replaced with an altogether compassionate disposition. When he had given her his hand to help her up she had held on longer than was entirely necessary, savouring the physical contact.
They were staying planet side for two days, the Enterprise was remaining in orbit until their return. The surrounding area of the town they were visiting was lush with foliage. The climate was almost tropical so as Maggie stood in front of the small wooden cabin she had been allocated as sleeping quarters on the first evening she closed her eyes for a moment to enjoy the warm breeze on her face. A few strands of hair had come undone from her habitually immaculate chignon and they rested on her eyelashes. A hand hooked the strands and tucked them behind her ear, turning quickly she saw that it was McCoy stood next to her.
"Sorry." He apologised for her apparent shock.
"You're as quiet as a mouse." She gave him a sincere smile.
"How are you?"
"I'm well thank you, enjoying the quiet and the weather."
"Am I interrupting?"
"No, of course not." She laced her fingers between his, their hands resting on the fence in front of them. "How are the negotiations going?"
"As well as can be expected, Uhura is a saint keeping those two in line. I don't know which one is worse, Jim or Spock." Maggie gave a chuckle.
"Where's your cabin?" Leonard raised an eyebrow and his hazel eyes began to twinkle.
"I'm not that type of guy Lieutenant, I like a drink bought for me first at the very least."
"Haha Doctor! That's not what I meant and you know it. Besides, aren't you topping and tailing with the Captain?"
"He wishes!" Maggie looked around again.
"It is beautiful isn't it?" Leonard took her chin and turned her head to face him.
"It is."
"You charmer you." They stared into each other's eyes for what felt like ever and a day, McCoy began to lower his head towards hers, she closed her eyes in expectation.
"BONES!" Both of them instinctively pulled apart, allowing adequate space between them. Kirk walked over to the pair. "Ah, Lieutenant, I didn't see you there." Maggie was flustered, she nodded to the Captain.
"Captain, good evening." She glanced at McCoy, couldn't think of anything to say so just turned and walked away. McCoy looked at Jim with annoyance.
"What do you want Jim?"
"Whoa Bones, what's your problem?" McCoy checked his attitude.
"No problem Jim, just tired is all."
"What were you speaking to the Lieutenant about?"
"With all due respect Jim, none of your damned business."
"If a member of my crew has an issue I have the right to know Bones."
"You do, fortunately for you the Lieutenant doesn't have an issue." Kirk looked at his friend perplexed.
"What've you got against Zacher-Hagen?"
"What?"
"Never mind." Jim decided to leave the cross-questioning for another day.
A few weeks later Maggie had been working non-stop for what felt like three days straight. She had to stifle a yawn as she walked into the Recreation room and taker her usual seat. She didn't even bother getting herself a drink, realising quite quickly that she was better off just going back to her quarters and crawling into bed. Uhura caught her eye before she could stand and began to walk over.
"Hi Maggie."
"Hey, how are you?"
"Good thanks." Maggie and Uhura were on friendly terms, tending to work the same shifts and spending their time together on the Bridge they'd both had had the time to become acquainted with the other.
"Good job on that long range frequency today, even Spock looked impressed. If that's even possible." Uhura knew Maggie was teasing her.
"He did didn't he. You know, he mentioned something to me the other day that I found quite interesting."
"Oh yeah, what was that?"
"He said he'd noticed that Doctor McCoy was visiting the Bridge more often, tending to stand behind you Maggie." Maggie could feel the redness start to appear on her neck and travel up to her cheeks, there was nothing she could do about it.
"Is that so? How strange." Uhura looked at her shrewdly.
"Maggie, don't play coy with me. What's going on between you two?" Maggie looked like a deer in headlights, she didn't know what to say.
"We're courting." She finally blurted out.
"Courting! Maggie, what century are you from?" Uhura couldn't help but laugh.
"Well how else do I say it? We're dating? Seeing each other? Boyfriend and Girlfriend? Neither of us are love struck teenagers!"
"She speaks of love!"
"Stop that now, behave yourself."
"Okay okay, look I think it's fantastic. You're well suited, having said that isn't he a bit short-tempered?"
"From the woman dating a Vulcan."
"Touché."
"Uhura, if I'm being honest he's wonderful. He's kind, considerate and caring. We can talk for hours and hours about all sorts of things, we really do get on. I feel a connection to him also, I find him wildly attractive. I haven't felt like this for such a long time. Really Uhura, I'm as surprised as you are."
"Well I'm happy for you, both of you."
"Thank you."
"Does the Captain know?"
"If he does it didn't come from me. The Captain and Leonard are good friends, I'm not sure if the topic has come up but if it has I don't mind." Uhura reached over and gave her hand a squeeze.
"Really Maggie, I'm very happy for you both." Maggie started chuckling.
"Oh I just had a terrible thought…"
"What!?"
"Don't ever offer up the suggestion of a double date! I can't imagine Leonard and Spock sharing childhood memories over a Bowl of Plomeek soup."
When Leonard walked in he stopped suddenly upon seeing Maggie sat with Uhura, both of them laughing heartedly. Not quite knowing what to do he was about to turn and leave when he heard his name called by Uhura. Acknowledging her he approached the two women.
"Good evening Ladies."
"Hello Doctor McCoy, care to join us?" McCoy sat down between the two of them, he got the distinct feeling he had been the topic of conversation. There was a moment of silence between the three of them before Uhura clapped her hands together and stood up. "Well, I better be off. I'll leave you two to it. Good night Maggie… Doctor." With that she left. McCoy turned to Maggie.
"She figured it out."
"What? How?" Leonard looked somewhat dazed.
"You act strangely on the Bridge."
"I do not!"
"Yes you do because apparently it was Spock who noticed. Uhura put two and two together." McCoy shook his head.
"That damned nuisance… I swear one day I'll…" Maggie shushed him.
"Hey hey, it's nothing to get worked up over, it was bound to happen sooner or later. They're hardly the type to gossip at any rate." Maggie was right, she was always right. She tried to stifle another yawn.
"Tired Darlin'?"
"I am, I was going to go back to my quarters actually before Uhura sat down. Hope you don't mind, I'm beat."
"Do you want some company?" Maggie looked around to check no one was in ear shot.
"To sleep?"
"You know damn well what I mean!"
"Really I don't, why don't you tell me…Doctor." Maggie answered demurely. Leonard leant forward in a conspiratorial manner.
"I'm going to take off every piece of your clothing and spend my time relishing every curve of your body." Maggie was speechless for a moment.
"Well, when you put it like that."
Another away mission, another near death experience for McCoy and Kirk. This time the Captain had managed to get himself a nice gash above his left eye. Maggie was on her way to the medical bay to brief him on the events while he'd been away. McCoy was busy treating the Captain when Maggie arrived, PADD in hand.
"Captain, I see it was a successful trip." It didn't go unnoticed to Kirk that his Navigator was being sarcastic.
"I wouldn't describe it as successful Lieutenant, do you have something for me."
"Yes Captain, here's the report you requested." She handed over the PADD, she tried to ignore the close proximity of McCoy next to her.
"How are you Lieutenant?" McCoy asked Maggie, stopping momentarily.
"Good thank you Doctor, well." Kirk looked between the two of them and had to hide a smirk. He looked over the PADD while McCoy continued to heal his forehead.
"All done Jim." A stab of a hypo spray to the neck and McCoy walked to his office, not before giving Maggie a momentary glance and wink.
"Very impressive Lieutenant, good work." Kirk handed the PADD back to Maggie.
"Thank you Captain." They walked to the Bridge together, mostly in silence.
"How are you finding it Lieutenant?" Kirk faced her in the turbo lift.
"Pardon me Sir?"
"How are you finding your commission aboard the Enterprise?"
"Exceptional Captain, it's a great point of pride to serve on board this star ship and to have you as the Captain." Maggie answered truthfully. Kirk smiled at her.
"That's good to hear, has everyone made you feel welcome?"
"Yes Captain, the crew are working together well I think. Don't you?"
"Oh yes… yes indeed. Well, glad to hear you're making friends. You know you can always come and speak to me if you have any issues." Maggie looked at him, slightly confused.
"Of course, really Captain, you have a good crew. May I ask how you are?" Kirk was taken aback slightly, he usually wasn't on the receiving end of questions of that nature.
"I'm good, Bones keeps me company, and we met at the Academy you know?" He was watching her to see what reaction she gave upon hearing the Doctor's nickname, she knew it. She nodded and smiled tightly, not entirely confident that she hadn't given something away. The turbo lift door opened, saved by the bell.
"Well, good day to you Captain." She couldn't have moved fast enough.
"Bones, you sly dog you." Kirk murmured to himself.
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