Kirk woke several hours later, well rested. As he began to stretch he found his hand trapped, looking down he found that Leonard had fallen asleep while holding his hand. "Bones," he whispered, shaking the joined hands, "Bones! Wake up!" He stretched, getting the kink out of his neck grumbling, "I'm too damned old to be falling asleep like that."

Jim quietly laughed before asking, "How are you doing love?"

"Just fine darlin' - just got to remember I'm not a spring chicken anymore."

Jim kissed their still joined hands saying, "You're as young as you feel Bones…between me and Spock we will keep you plenty young." Leonard blushed beet red, which had Jim laughing before saying, "We will reach Babel in the next 24 standard hours, once we have dropped everyone safely off I will take two days off for medical leave."

At this Bones let a smile split his face in two, "Finally! You're taking my advice without me having to threaten you!"

"Shut up!" he responded good naturedly before getting serious, "Here is the hard part…I really think that after all that's happened the past few days with Spock he needs to talk with someone professionally. Normally, I would send him your direction but with your relationship being so new and your official role isn't a therapist - ah! Stop right there! I know you have a degree in psychology but hear me out. I've been with Spock long enough now to know how tough it is for him to express and deal with feelings. He will not want to burden you plus he will view this as a Vulcan problem. He almost let Pon Farr kill him…" at this Jim paused, he couldn't imagine life without the Vulcan and the fact that he was that stubborn.

Leonard squeezed Jim's hand knowing where his thoughts were going, "Jim, I totally agree with you. Spock needs to see someone who is familiar with Vulcan customs and their privacy. I don't think seeing an actual Vulcan would help though….based on the interaction with his father they can be judgemental bastards. How about Joseph? He served with Pike on the Enterprise for years, and decided to work on Vulcan for the past few years. He would be a fantastic person to have on board, especially when you and Spock decide to have children. I was going to suggest we bring him on board when I found out about the Ambassador's heart condition."

Jim thought about that for a moment, then nodded his head. "I will reach out to him and see if he would like to join us. It might be good for Spock to have someone on board who shares common memories with him, it will help him open up. Thank you, Bones."

"Any time darlin', you know I love you."

Ambassador Sarek and the rest of the visitors on the Enterprise were dropped off at Babel without further incident and Jim began his medical leave - putting Spock in charge of the Enterprise. After his shift, Leonard came to check in on the Captain. He found Jim on the couch reading a book. He looked up as Leonard entered the space and smiled, "Hello love! Would you like some tea or coffee? After you give me a kiss of course!"

Leonard laughed, went to give Jim a kiss, and said, "I'll get some tea and a sandwich from the replicator and then we need to have a talk." Jim responded with a wiggle of his eyebrows, "Oh a talk eh? Are you going to go all adult on me?"

"Shut up you damned infant! Absolutely not…yet. I don't want to incur the wrath of an Alpha Spock, thank you very much. No, I need to check in on you as a doctor…then as your partner."

He set down his meal, brought out his doctor's bag and did a quick physical checkup of the Captain. "How are you doing, physically?"

"Sore as hell, I guess that is to be expected with the way that Orian went after me. I am grateful to whatever God is out there that he didn't go lower. I don't know if Spock would have survived that."

Lenoard nodded at that assessment as he began to put his tools away, "Physically you are recovering right on track. By the end of your two day leave you should be just fine. How are you doing otherwise?" he asked as he began to eat his dinner.

" I'm great," Leonard raised an eyebrow at the statement. "Ok fine," Jim said in exasperation, "maybe not all the way. I definitely want to exchange words with my mother and father in law for the damage they have done to my spouse. Maybe get into a fist fight. They have raised this exceptional man and they refuse to have any pride in him but instead choose to berate him. What is wrong with these people?"

Leonard let out a snort at Jim's comment, "Welcome to the life of being married - my in-laws were a pair as well. They defended their daughter and her choices to the end."

Jim raised an eyebrow at that comment, "Well maybe we can fix that together then. Spock and I are planning on having children and we will be the in-laws we never had." Leonard smiled at the comment, put his things back on the replicator then came to sit next to Jim. "May I hold you please?"

Jim looked at Leonard and responded, "Oh Bones you need never ask that! I love being held - you know that." With a smile on both mens faces, they rearranged themselves so they were lying on the couch, Jim on top of and in Leonards arms with the doctor's hands running through the blond man's hair. Jim sighed in contentment and closed his eyes, taking in the sensation and smells of the doctor. An hour later, Spock came home to find the men in the same position quietly talking. The scene in front of him caused the Vulcan's eyes to light up and feel a bloom of warmth in his chest to see the two men he loved so calm. Jim opened his eyes at the sound of the doors swishing open and grinned as he said, "Spock! Welcome home! Come join us!"

Leonard murumed in his ear, "Let the man eat first! He's been on shift with junior officers training them…he needs his strength."

Jim gave both men an evil grin before saying, "Yes he does!"

Leonard laughed, "Oh my God! Get your mind out of the damned gutter! I don't know if I'm ready for a threesome tonight anyway and stop pouting Jim. I refuse to be rushed into this aspect of our relationship."

Spock nodded and said, "Very wise Doctor. Given your history with relationships, I agree with taking things slow." Jim stuck out his tongue at both men causing them to laugh before Leonard said, "Thank you Spock and stop acting like a damned infant. Thank God you have the two of us to keep you safe - heaven knows you need it." Spock came over to the couch to give both men a kiss before going to the replicator for his dinner. Leonard and Jim untangled themselves and joined Spock at the table. The men quietly talked about their day as Spock ate, a calm falling over the three of them.

Spock put his things in the replicator and headed to the bedroom to begin changing into his night clothes. "K'diwa," he said as he looked towards Jim, "I have sensed something has been on your mind and I could feel your nerves leaking through our bond, please tell me what you and Leonard have been discussing."

Jim took a deep breath, sat on the bed and watched his spouse change as he began talking. "Well, Leonard and I were talking about what has occurred the past few days as we brought the ambassadors to Babel. We think it would be good to talk to someone about all that's happened. Normally, I would suggest you see Bones but with your relationship being so new and him officially not a therapist I didn't want to strain your relationship…if that is the right way of phrasing it. All three of us know how tough it is for you to express and deal with feelings. We also know part of the issue deals with the Vulcan culture so I reached out to Joseph M'Benga and offered him a position on the ship. I know you two served together with Admiral Pike and that he specializes in Vulcan physiology and psychology. Would you be willing to talk to him? Let him help you? Please?"

Spock sat next to his husband on the edge of their bed and reached out to brush along his husband's PSI points, causing Jim to lean into him. "Of course K'diwa. I know you and Lenoard are worried about me. I want to be a better father to our children than my father was to me. Thank you." He leaned forward and kissed his husband while Leonard, who was standing in the doorway, let out a soft "Thank God he listened to reason." Spock turned toward Leonard, reaching out a hand to the Doctor which he gladly took. "Ashyam, thank you for loving me enough to suggest this. On the note of loving enough and relationships, Jim and I were also wondering when you would consider creating a marriage bond with us and moving in? I know it is a lot to consider but please say you will think about it. "

Looking at their entwined hands, Leonard thought for a moment before speaking. "I will not lie, I have been thinking about a bond between the three of us and moving in with the two of you. However, I would like us to have more time together in an official relationship. I am a bit leery given how I rushed things with my ex-wife, that did end well for either of us. You two mean too much to me to have it ruined. Could we consider the bond and moving in together within the next half year?"

Putting his fingers underneath Leonards chin, he forced his eyes to look into Spocks. "Of course Ashyam, I agree with you. However, may I create a light bond with you?" Leonard tensed a little at this so Spock explained further. "Please understand, Leonard, I am not trying to rush you into the next part of the relationship. It is a common bond among nuclear families and very close friends. It will allow you, on a lighter level, to understand what Jim and I have in our marriage bond, what we have to offer you. This light bond will fade away after a year if it is not strengthened. Is this something you will allow me to do? Do you trust me?"

Leonard raised an eyebrow at Spock, responding, "Of course I trust you! I trust you with my life! You are right though, I am a bit hesitant…I don't want you to feel all my emotions and insecurities and no longer want me."

"Leonard Hortiario McCoy," at that Leonards head snapped up and his eyes widened in surprise. He hadn't been called by his full name since he was a boy. "Leoanrd do not doubt my affection for you nor doubt Jim's - you hurt us both by assuming we do not want to be with you. It is because of who you are, faults and all, that we love you. So I will ask you again, will you create a light bond with me?"

Leonards blue eyes filled with tears as he answered, "Okay, do the bond."

Spock gently pulled Leonard next to him and encouraged him to copy his motion of sitting cross legged. He reached out to the doctor's face, easily finding his PSI points and gently slipping into the other's mind. He was met with Leonard's view of himself - a turbulent stream with Leonard standing on the opposite bank. Concern covered the doctor's face as Spock, without hesitation, stepped into the rushing waters. He could feel the man's concern for his safety, concern that he would be judged for the turbulence that was inside him. Spock chose to send calm towards Leonard before saying, "Come, Ashyam, you must meet me halfway." At that Leonard rushed into the Vulcans arms and melted into the man's embrace. Leonard had forgotten what it was like to have someone else to lean and depend on, so long had he been on his own. He felt the calm rush over and around him like a warm blanket. "This is what you will have with me as a mate," Spock whispered through the bond, "I do not take a bond lightly and it will never be broken. You will never be left behind or alone. If you choose to proceed with the marriage bond, know that I will make you mine for the rest of our lives." He felt Leonard's gasp at the statement and saw images of his ex wife and now almost adult daughter, and the sadness that accompanied them. "I will never leave you, neither will Jim," Spock murmured to the doctor, sending all the love and comfort through the bond that he could and could feel McCoy relaxing. The scene changed to a cabin in the woods with the sun setting, and McCoy whispering, "This is my family's cabin in Georgia…it has been with us for the past 200 years. It has always brought me peace, it is where I came after the ugly divorce with Jocelyn. The cabin belongs to me now."

"Ashyam, it is beautiful. Leonard, I am now going to give you part of myself, if you decide to keep it, it will grow and become something new. If you decide to give it back it is your choice, but for now if you need me, I am there for you." Spock gave Leonard a small clear ball that was warm as he cradled it near him. Leonard was worried, he was taking a part of someone's soul, for lack of a better word, what if he contaminated it? What if he destroyed it somehow?

"Calm yourself Ashyam," Spock said gently and Leonard was surrounded by an amused warmth from the Vulcan. "There is nothing you can do that will damage this gift or my love for you. This simply allows us to know each other better, please do not doubt yourself - it saddens me."

McCoy shyly smiled at the Vulcan and through the newly formed bond said, "I am sorry Spock, my self doubt is something hard to get rid of. It has been part of me for years now. I am glad I have you and Jim to help me."

"I cherish thee, Ashyam."

"I love you Spock."

With that, Spock withdrew from the Doctor's mind. Jim looked expectantly at both of them, waiting to hear how the bond went. Spock spoke quietly, "The bond has been formed, we are taking our first steps. It will need a lot of work and our beloved Doctor will need all of our love and support."

"Gladly," Jim said and leaned forward to gently kiss the doctor. "Will you sleep here tonight, Bones? No funny business, I promise, I just need to be near you and hold you. Please?"

"You know I can't refuse you Jim, yes I will stay the night. I feel the need to be held by you two tonight." The three spent the night in bed, McCoy in the middle with Spock and Jim on either side.