A/N: Honestly, I wrote this two years ago but was never satisfied. Recently I edited and added and really, I just want to get this out now. Because it's fun. And it has a healthy dose of the good ol' Doctor McCoy. Thank you Kat7CA and LoBear28 for your reviews on the last chapter, they really made me smile! And thank you everyone who has added this story to their alerts and favorites.

The First Time

He Made Her Squeal

Five o'clock on a mid-May day in San Francisco had the beach sands sizzling, the bay side pits grilling, and fizzled youth from the nearby academy and universities carelessly playing. Many took to the rushing cold of the crashing ocean waves, diving under them, surfing along on boards, or tackling each other in a primal show of dominance.

Someone knew someone who brought along a blaring music system; and everyone knew everyone who grilled, the free food boundless.

Sonja sat at the edge of the sidewalk that dropped off into the sandy bay area; chowing down on a hot dog she managed to swipe from a classmate and washing it down with a bottled cola bought from the snack bar. Sand clumped on her bare feet, dusted her knees and coated the right side of her blue trunks; a mark of victory from a round of volleyball she'd finished playing.

A fresh breeze rolled off of the incoming waves brushing over and soothing her sticky, heated skin. A shadow slanted across her shoulders and suddenly a cap was crushed over her head, the brim sliding over her eyes, obscuring her vision.

"You kids never listen to my lectures on harmful sunrays, do you?" A voice grumbled from above followed by the sound of creaking knees and a stifled groan.

One hand pulled the cap back as Sonja turned to her left where Leonard McCoy had settled himself beside her, his posture stiff, unaccustomed to crouching down as he had after so many years of standing upright in a doctor's uniform. She couldn't help the bout of laughter that resonated from deep within her chest at the sight of her new friend. Never before had she seen him in a muscle shirt (that revealed a worker's tan line, jutting collar bone, toned arms, and the teasing of a healthy batch of chest hair peeking out) and a pair of gray beach shorts (that revealed a pair of healthy – hairy – calves).

Eyes narrowing, McCoy pulled the brim of the cap back down in retaliation to her laughter that he knew was at his expense.

"Take it easy, Doc, I'm wearing sun screen." Sonja assured with a toothy grin. She then looped her ponytail through the cap, settling it comfortably on her head, and finished off the last bite of her hotdog.

"Where's your other half?" He questioned while eyeing the activities on the beach. The wind played with his dark hair and Sonja realized he must slick it back on purpose while at the academy.

"She had to stay late courtesy of one Commander Spock-"

"The one she's crushing on." It didn't go unnoticed how the doctor never cared for names whenever it came to one of Skyla's romantic interests.

"Yep." Sonja chugged the rest of her cola, wiping her mouth and burping once she'd finished it. "So she probably won't be out here until after the sun has gone down."

McCoy rolled his eyes. "Typical." This earned a bump to his shoulder.

"Come on, Doc. Like you've never had a crush you were willing to stay late just to spend time with before."

"Yeah and look where that got me."

"Sitting on a wall chatting it up with me. Your ever optimist friend who's young enough to be your daughter."

McCoy's upper lip curled, his eyebrows lowered. "She's only twelve, thank you." At her toothy grin, he rolled his eyes and added, "Smartass."

Conversation between the two was brought to an abrupt end as cold water splashed over both their heads. It cascaded down their roasting backs, causing both to immediately jump from the wall and turn on their assailant. Well, Sonja jumped…McCoy more fell.

Jim Kirk was doubled over on the sidewalk, an empty bucket dropped at his feet forgotten. His sun-darkened skin was slick, reflecting in the sunshine, a soaked white tee clung to his form. His bright blue eyes opened as he lifted a hand to point at the two.

"Oh, Laxely, did my ears deceive me, or did you just squeal? And Bones," He broke off as another bark of laughter left him. "Need help getting up, ol' man?"

McCoy sat up in the sand and propped his arm up on a bent knee as he stared bemusedly up at the younger man. He glanced at Sonja and at her stare, he threw his hand up. "Don't look at me. He's your friend too, now."

Jim effortlessly jumped down to the sandy bank and lent his hand out to McCoy.

"Remind me why I am friends with you."

"Because I make you feel young again." Jim pulled him up easily, his mouth still spread in a smile as McCoy began to shake the water from his shoulders. He turned to Sonja, whose eyebrows raised in response. "Honestly, I didn't recognize you until it was too late. But in all fairness, you did look like you needed to cool off."

"You just said you didn't recognize me."

"Doesn't mean I didn't notice you."

"Hm."

McCoy began to pull at his shirt, his expression sour. "Thanks a lot, Jim. Now I have to change shirts."