Jim was sat on the porch with a cup of coffee, the sun was coming up over the horizon and the sky and trees were tinted a burnt orange. His hand grated across his coarse jaw, he needed a shave. Leonard was stood in front of him looking out over the horizon.
"She'll be okay Bones." Leonard let out a heavy sigh, turning to face him Jim could see his face laden with apprehension and melancholy.
"She'll never forgive me Jim, never."
They had spent almost the whole night searching for Maggie, Eleanor had told some of the guests that were still there that Maggie had suddenly become unwell and that Leonard was looking after her. She wasn't too sure if they were convinced but it allowed the pair some privacy for a while.
It had been a few hours before dusk that he had found her, when he saw her his first instinct was that she was dead. He felt like his heart was being ripped from his chest. Jim had come across them not long after, a trickle of expletives whispered under his breath. Picking her up and cradling her to him he pulled her out of the ravine, he carried her back to the house, her ripped dress trailing behind on the dirt path. On entering the house Leonard was relieved that Eleanor had kept Joanna away, not wanting the little girl to see what had happened. Jim had stood in the corner of the room watching as Leonard carefully washed and sutured the cut to her head. It was done all in silence. Jim wasn't sure why he had stayed, initially feeling like he was intruding but he was wracked with guilt and he also didn't want to leave his friend alone. They had wrapped her in blankets and later Eleanor had made them both leave so that she could wash her up and put her in a clean white linen nightgown.
While they had been out on the porch Leonard explained what had happened to Maggie all those years ago, when he had come back into the house after sending Pamela away and Jim had told him what he had said to Maggie he knew instantly what she must have thought. Kirk was mortified, ridden with guilt. If only he'd known.
"I'm so sorry Bones."
"It's not your fault Jim."
"She will forgive you Leonard, I know she will. There's nothing to forgive. She loves you. I'll take the blame, I should."
"I'm not sure that'll be enough?"
Maggie could feel the warm sun on her face, slowly opening her eyes she could see the morning light streaming through the window. That moment between sleep and consciousness allowed Maggie time to enjoy the feeling, then reality hit her like a runaway train. Looking around she realised she was back at Eleanor's house, her head hurt like a son of a bitch. Gingerly placing her fingers over the bandage on her head she could feel the injury underneath.
"You had the best Doctor in Star fleet tend to you Lieutenant, not a hint of a scar to be seen."
"I wouldn't expect anything less."
She had to stifle a sob, sitting up slowly she swung her bare feet over the side of the bed and padded over to the window. A knock at the door made her wipe away her tears quickly, the door opened ever so slightly.
"Maggie can I come in?" Kirk peaked through the crack of the door and then slowly entered.
"Jim?" Maggie couldn't keep it together any longer, an anguished sob escaped her and in an instant Jim had her wrapped in a strong embrace smoothing her hair and cooing her quiet.
"Shh Maggie, its okay. Everything will be okay."
"You don't know that Jim…"
"I do know that Maggie, I do. Sit down; I need to explain what happened."
"I don't need an explanation Jim. I just want to go home. I've been here before, the friend sitting me down explaining. I don't want to do this, be here, and listen to you."
"You do and you are going to listen to me, even if I have to order you Lieutenant." That seemed to get through to Maggie, she took a moment to calm herself and then the two of them sat down. "Maggie, it was all a terrible mistake! It was my fault." Maggie shook her head.
"I don't understand? He left Jim, he couldn't do it. I wasn't good enough, I'm not good enough for anybody it seems." She sadly laughed through her years, almost exhausted at feeling angry and upset. This wasn't typically like her, she had always thought of herself as a strong person but this had broken her and along with the anguish was a sense of shame.
"Stop! That's not true! He didn't leave Maggie, Pamela turned up…"
"Pamela?" Maggie's head began reeling.
"Wait, please, let me tell you what happened. Pamela showed up and tried to talk to Leonard, she was going on about reconciliation, and she wouldn't stop shouting! Leonard told her to leave straight away, finally she did leave. Maggie I couldn't find him, I looked everywhere! I came to tell you but I didn't know…I didn't know what had happened to you before. If I'd had known I never would have told you like that. You have to believe me Maggie, you ran out and left before I could say anything else. Leonard loves you with all of his heart and soul." Jim wasn't sure if he'd made a mess of it again. Maggie just sat there in stunned silence, she went back over her conversation with Jim the previous night trying to make sense of it all. She'd heard him say that Leonard was gone and went into a blind panic.
"Everybody must hate me, he must hate me. Eleanor…I ruined her dress…" Jim placed his hand over hers and squeezed.
"Nobody hates you Maggie, especially Leonard. We were all worried, we all care about you."
"I'm so sorry Jim." She began to tear up again. He brought her into a hug and allowed her to cry for a moment.
"Maggie, Leonard's downstairs, shall I go get him?" Maggie shook her head, for a moment Jim was worried it had all been too much.
"Where is he?"
"On the porch but he wouldn't want you…"
"Ever the Doctor…" Maggie laughed through her sniffles. "I'll go down. Thank you Jim and I'm sorry."
"Ugh Maggie, don't thank me and certainly don't apologise, I thoroughly ruined your wedding."
"No you didn't, I hadn't realised but, until last night that is, that being left all those years ago had had such an effect on me. When I thought I had lost Leonard as well, it was all too much. I've always prided myself on being a strong and capable woman, guess I'm not as strong as I thought. Oh god, running like that and falling. What an idiot I am."
"You couldn't be further from the truth Maggie, you're human. The same as the rest of us, well most of us! We all have baggage, scars, memories of good times and bad. That's what makes us who we are. Don't beat yourself up over this. Please. You have a chance at happiness, don't miss out." Maggie looked at him and nodded, his words sinking in and calming her somewhat.
"Go to Leonard Maggie, he's worried sick." Maggie stood up, wobbling slightly she carefully made her way downstairs, as she walked past the kitchen she saw Eleanor and Joanna sat at the table making Cookies. Oh god, what must they have been through? Eleanor glanced up and caught sight of Maggie, she smiled at her encouragingly and with so much love that it gave Maggie the confidence to take her next step. She approached the porch door, peering through the screen she could see Leonard lent against a column. Even with his back turned she could see the tension in his muscles. The screen squeaked as she opened it.
"How's she doing?" He asked, not turning. Maggie tried to keep back the tears that were welling up again.
"Not bad, considering." Leonard spun around so fast Maggie wondered whether or not he would lose his balance, he began to walk towards her but stopped suddenly as if not quite knowing what to do. Maggie could see he was in turmoil.
"I'm so sorry Leonard." That was the straw that broke the camel's back it seemed. Leonard tried to hold back his own tears, closing the space between them they both embraced the other as if it was their last moment on earth.
"Darlin' I'm sorry, it's all my fault."
"I shouldn't have run, I didn't know what to do…"
"Shh, no no Darlin'." He picked her up and carried her in his arms to the large swing at the end of the porch. She sat curled up in his lap while he stroked her hair. "I was worried sick Maggie, I thought you were dead, I don't know what I would have done if anything…"
"You found me Leonard, you saved me."
"I didn't think, when I saw Pamela I went into a blind rage. I just wanted to get her out of here, out of our lives!" They kissed, it was passionate, frenzied and tinged with sadness. They stayed there for the longest time in silence, just holding one another. Eventually Eleanor came out, with Joanna. The young girl embraced her Father and Maggie, it alleviated Maggie's remorse somewhat. Finally Jim walked out with a pitcher of iced tea and asked to join them, making a joke or two. The five sat there in relative silence, enjoying the peace and quiet, the warm breeze and sweet smells from the orchard nearby.
That evening Clay arrived to pick up Joanna, Maggie was sleeping so Leonard said goodbye on her behalf. There was no indication from Clay that he was aware of what had transpired between Leonard and his Ex-Wife. Joanna had been given half a dozen half-truths that nobody felt proud about doing but felt it was necessary. Leonard didn't say anything to Clay, he just wanted to forget the whole incident. He was sure he'd catch wind of what happened sooner or later. Kirk came out a while later with his bag slung over his shoulder.
"Thanks Jim."
"For what? Ruining your wedding?"
"Jim, stop it. It's done." Kirk nodded.
"You know we're I am, if you ever feel like trying again!"
"What, so I can arrange it when you're not around?"
"That hurts Bones." Giving each other a slap on the back Jim went on his way.
Leonard lay next to Maggie watching her sleep.
"Maggie?" She stirred awake and gave him a sleepy smile. "Maggie, will you marry me?" She didn't even open her eyes when she responded.
"Will you turn up?" Leonard was taken aback, but on seeing the corners of her mouth crease into a smirk he grabbed her round the middle and pulled her on top of him.
"As long as you don't run away." He nuzzled her neck as he spoke.
"Yes."
"Yes what?"
"Yes I will marry you Leonard. Can we keep it just the two of us?"
"We'll need someone to actually officiate Maggie, and you know damned well Jim wouldn't take it well either." Maggie groaned and dipped her head under the covers. "Is it ruined Maggie? Is it too late?" She lifted her head back up from under the sheet.
"I said yes Leonard, I still want to marry you. The other night made me realise how much, I just want it done and dusted! Does that sound terrible?"
"No it doesn't sound terrible, I feel the same way."
"Nothing ever goes the way it should does it?"
"Not when Jim Kirk is involved, no Darlin'."
4 Months Later
Captain James T. Kirk sat on the Bridge of the U.S.S Enterprise, beside him Doctor McCoy stood, arms crossed, as ever, his cantankerous self.
"Lieutenant Zacher-Hagen…Ah shit! Sorry! Lieutenant Commander McCoy." Maggie turned in her seat to look at the Captain.
"Yes Captain?"
"Status report."
"Course plotted Captain, awaiting further instruction." Kirk smiled and looked at Bones, he simply rolled his eyes.
"Very well, let's see what trouble we can get ourselves into shall we!"
Watching the stars passing by at an inconceivable speed it occurred to Maggie McCoy that sometimes you need to open your eyes to the good things you weren't paying attention to. She was seeing clearly now.
Well, what did you think? This chapter if not the entire story was very indulgent on my behalf! I really enjoyed writing it! Thanks to those who reviewed, followed and favourited, hope you enjoyed reading! This is the final chapter in the story but I have a very special epilogue in store! Be sure to check it out soon! LLAP :-) XOXO