Valentine's Day

Enterprise's chief medical officer entered the last shop on his list of errands. Approaching the Ferengi owner he said, "Leonard McCoy, I called ahead."

"Ah, yes Doctor. I have all you requested." Quasan motioned to the back room. "Given the cost of importing these items, you must be planning a very special evening for someone important."

"Uh-huh," McCoy replied as he sorted through the stasis box. He smiled. "You even found … "

Quasan nodded. "Yes. It took some doing, and, shall we say, a bit of extra persuasion."

"As we discussed earlier that's not a problem; the extra credits are worth it."

The Ferengi gingerly brushed fingertips across his earlobes. "I must say, I did not believe males of the human species understood the art of setting an atmosphere, of employing clothing and nibbles for enhancing the … erotism of a liaison, much less practiced it. This will be an evening worthy of the enticing addition to your harem. Or so I assume."

"Ah … yeah … well, some of us are gentlemen. And imaginative." Adding the box to the rest of his packages, McCoy left the Starbase promenade and returned to his ship.

ooooo

McCoy spent the rest of the afternoon finalizing his preparations. He was carefully tucking the last item away when the doors to his quarters swished open. He's early.

Jim Kirk strode into the room and flounced down on the sofa with a harrumph. He said without greeting, "My dates canceled; both of them. The Yorktown was abruptly dispatched on a supply run to New Vulcan."

McCoy cocked an eyebrow. "Only two dates this year?"

Jim flashed a grin, "We've only been in port a day."

"How limiting for you."

"Indeed," Jim agreed as he stood and walked to the bookshelf that doubled as a bar. "Where's the good stuff?"

"Locked away until later. Drink juice, it will be good for you. Though your abused body may go into shock at the rare ingestion of a fruit," McCoy grumped as he opened a bottle of water.

Jim shuffled through a cabinet. "It's not in here."

"I have a daughter, remember? I know how to hide things from a master."

The Captain, who still had the voracious appetite of a teenager, shuffled through another cabinet. "No snacks either?"

"You'll spoil your dinner," the physician reminded.

"A sandwich and a movie." Jim said with a hint of bravado. He then muttered to himself, "Solo. There's not much to spoil."

Jim then continued, "Did you hear? Our resident teenager finally put on long pants, put on his big boy pants and asked out the object of his affections. He hasn't talked of anything else while on the bridge this past week."

"Pavel?"

Jim nodded. "Said he was inspired by you. As you have yet to get to the … metaphoric third date activity, despite having had six dates so far, I suggested our navigator seek advice elsewhere."

McCoy rubbed his chin and smiled. "You and your euphemisms. Since we are adults, we could say the word out loud. Besides anticipation enhances all good things and patience is a virtue."

"You're like a walking Hallmark vid-card," Jim observed in a dry tone. He sighed. "As I am now unexpectedly free, thought I'd help you get ready for your date this evening."

"Unexpectedly?" McCoy queried. "When is the last time you had a date on this day? Or rather a date that showed up?"

"Well," Jim drawled, "I may, here and there, experience poor luck on Valentine's Day. But more importantly, with the change in my plans, I am here for you before this auspicious date, my apprentice. Tell me you have special plans for tonight. Please. For heaven's sake, slow can be good. Slow can be sensual with all that pent up desire. Slower than turtle is not."

"As a matter of fact, I have. Made plans that is."

Having abandoned his search for food, Jim, on the way back to his seat, slapped the doctor on the back. "Excellent. Finally. Anything you want to review in preparation for the big moment? For, hopefully, multiple climatic events?"

"I've forgotten more techniques than you will ever know," McCoy shot back. "Besides, Everything needed for tonight is in hand."

The doors swished open again. Spock entered, his fingers clutching a bouquet of a dozen red roses, flower ends pointing down and almost dragging the ground. "Human females are illogical," he announced and plopped into a chair. Looking around he added, "I'm not interrupting anything am I?"

"Not at all," Jim reassured. He held out a bottle to the Vulcan. "Have some juice."

"That is an unusual beverage choice for you," Spock observed.

"I'm branching," Jim replied.

Spock's expression remained skeptical, but he accepted the untasted drink.

"As you and Nyota had the day off, I expected the two of you would be half-way to nirvana by now," McCoy said.

"Or making a return trip," Jim added.

Both men caught the hint of a frown from the Vulcan who said in a tense voice, "As did I. However, I was unaware of the additional required protocols on this day."

"It's not your first rodeo," McCoy pointed out hiding amusement. "You and Nyota have been involved for several years."

"This is the first year one or both of us were not occupied with an assigned duty shift, or midterms." Spock explained.

"Dismissing you because of forgotten chocolates doesn't sound like our communications officer," McCoy interjected.

"She kept the box of candy before locking her door," Spock admitted.

"So what did you do wrong?" Jim asked.

"I did not err," Spock said with a hint of annoyance and firmness.

Jim and McCoy traded knowing smiles. "Un-huh," they replied in unconvinced unison.

"Which I pointed out to her," Spock continued.

McCoy snorted. "Uh-oh."

"Never a wise move, especially on today of all days. It's a day fraught with expectation and emotion," Jim said. His shoulders slouched as if deflated. "For many."

"I am learning that," Spock echoed in a tone sounding melancholy. "Why did humans adopt a remembrance feast day for martyrs as a holiday symbolizing romantic love? It is … fascinating. But not in a complimentary way."

"We're a perverse lot at times," Jim replied, his tone now melancholy as well. "I could never make Mom feel special enough on Valentine's Day for her to stay home with me rather than hang out with her man of the moment. And usually he was a jerk."

"I have been thinking of my father all day. And how much he must miss my mother." Spock quickly added, "If Vulcans engaged in such emotions."

Jim shook his head as if clearing it. "All the more reason we help our boy here get it right."

Spock's expression perked up. "Yes, we are at your service Doctor." He handed over the flowers. "Perhaps these will be of use."

"I'll get a vase. But, otherwise no, no help is needed."

"Come on now," Jim prompted.

Their CMO smiled enigmatically.

"I agree. Perhaps you have overlooked an important item. Do you possess an adequate number of birth control devices?" Spock inquired.

"Seriously Spock … we have to work on your subtlety," Jim responded with a sputter. "So Bones, when does your date arrive?"

McCoy answered nonchalantly while arranging the flowers in water. "They're already here."

He retrieved several bags and stasis boxes out of a closet and began placing items on the low coffee table. Jim picked up a bottle housing blue liquid. "Saurian brandy? This is illegal."

"I treated the young son of a smuggler. He finds me a bottle or two every year," McCoy answered. He handed a small, corked beaker to Spock.

The Vulcan opened the container and delicately sniffed its contents. "Andorian Shiana juice. Also known as ambrosia for the gods. This is very rare …"

"I heard through the grapevine it's similar to what was the Vulcan equivalent of a pear," McCoy said.

Spock tilted his head down, hiding moist eyes. "A bit … of my home that was."

Jim sorted through the food. "Steak sandwiches … the meal you always took me out for when we were at the Academy after my Valentine's dates cancelled."

"Why argue with tradition?" McCoy asked rhetorically. "Spock, for you, ratatouille.

They dug into the meal, sharing anecdotes as they ate and drank, including several embarrassing stories. Sitting back in his chair, sipping his brandy, McCoy smiled, a grateful smile, a satisfied smile warmed by camaraderie. The evening and night passed celebrating affection and caring just as important and worthy of remembrance as romantic love … friendship.

A/N: Yes, McCoy purchased several other items as well for his next romantic date.

Shout out, best wishes, and love to all my friends who connect via stories and social media. Thank you for posting your stories and interests, I've enjoyed them and learned so much. Thank you for reading. Thank you for your encouragement. You inspire me.