A Plan in Motion (2/3)

Date:

2

Title: A Plan in Motion (2/3)
Author: klmeri
Fandom: Star Trek AOS
Pairing: Kirk/Spock/McCoy
Summary: Unbeknownst to the men of the Enterprise, the women are plotting.
Previous Part: 1
A/N: Do I have an excuse for this? Not really. I just like writing ridiculously sweet McSpirk. Also, there’s going to be one more part – you know, in which secrets aren’t so secret anymore.


Jim and Spock come to a halt at the entrance to the Officers’ Mess, and Jim lifts a hand to rub at the back of his neck. “Something’s wrong,” he says, voice subdued, and scans the crowded room.

Spock offers, “It is possible he was called to Sickbay.”

Absently Jim presses his mouth into a thin line. “Without letting us know?”

Spock’s silence echoes the denial in Jim’s question.

Jim pivots on the ball of his foot and exits the way he came, the Vulcan in close attendance. There are two access ports to the ship’s computer in every corridor. Jim activates the nearest one to his current location, ordering, “Computer, locate Doctor McCoy.”

Working,” responds the computer. “Dr. Leonard H. McCoy, location, section D9A, Engineering.”

Jim takes his finger off the button, a furrow etched between his eyebrows. “How did Bones end up in Engineering?”

“Perhaps we should ask him.”

But Jim hesitates. His fingers drum against the wall paneling.

“Unless,” Spock demurs, “you feel he is in no danger. Then I would suggest we have breakfast, as intended, with the assumption he will join us once he is able.”

“Because we really shouldn’t go chasing our third around the ship at the drop of a hat if we want to prevent rumors.”

“Precisely—although I do not understand your reference to dropping a hat, Captain.”

Smiling slightly, Jim pushes off the wall. “Grab me an extra bowl of oatmeal and I promise to explain it to you.”

Spock folds his hands behind his back. “You realize Leonard will figure out why I, who never consumes the substance, would order it in his absence.”

“That’s half the reason I want it. Bones isn’t satisfied if he doesn’t have something to fuss about.”

“Fascinating. Then should I order two bowls?”

Jim’s smile turns into a grin. “Now you’re talking!” They turn back to the mess hall. “What would Bones do without us?”

~~~

“There may be a slight problem,” whispers Captain’s Woman into her communicator. “The daily breakfast ritual has been broken. Yet Subjects 1 and 2 have proceeded to the replicators without Subject 3.”

Idiots,” comes a low feminine snarl over the channel.

Captain’s Woman’s grip on the device tightens in displeasure. “Subject 1 seems to be taking advantage of Subject 3’s absence by indulging in excessive portions of food.” She adds in a hiss, “I am not ordering him bigger-sized pants! We have to do something, Enterprise Queen. This situation is out of control.

“Move in.”

“Roger that,” replies the aggravated woman.

~~~

Leonard is not certain what is happening and maybe just a little bit apprehensive about it. He has tried twice already to leave the deck and been waylaid each time but not in a manner that he can directly accuse anyone of keeping him there.

Frankly, the women in this department scare him.

“Yoo-hoo! Doctor McCoy! Over here!”

Dear Lord, Leonard prays as a hand latches onto his arm, send help. Get me outta here!

“I really need to go,” he tries to explain out loud to his companion.

The woman’s eyes, plus those of her two colleagues, fill with tears.

Leonard cringes, having always been too soft-hearted to bear the sight of anyone crying. “All right, all right… none of that now. What is it that y’all wanted to show me this time?”

The women blink, suddenly clear-eyed again. The one holding onto Leonard gives him the brightest smile and begins to drag him across the open floor of the deck. Her two friends follow at the man’s back in case, Leonard surmises, he accidentally gets turned around and makes for the lift again.

No, in all honesty Leonard has no idea what in the blazes is going on.

~~~

“Captain.”

Jim pauses with a spoonful of oatmeal half to his mouth when Janice Rand moves out of his peripheral vision to a position behind Spock’s shoulder so that Jim has no excuse to pretend he doesn’t see or hear her. Spock, contentedly cutting up his selection of fruit, gives no indication that he is interested in the conversation about to happen.

“Miss Rand,” Jim greets her. Then, instead of lowering his oatmeal-laden spoon, he shoves it into his mouth and beams.

Janice’s gaze drops to an empty bowl on Jim’s left then moves to the full one on his right before focusing on the bowl into which he is currently digging out the next spoonful of oatmeal. “Captain, I’m sorry to interrupt your… breakfast,” she says, her tone subtly disapproving, “but by chance do you know where Doctor McCoy is?” Hugging a PADD to her chest, she adds, “I have a question about one of last week’s requisition forms from Medical.”

“Uh,” Jim begins, glancing to Spock, whose eyes are still downcast. “Not really. Have you tried Sickbay?”

“He’s not there.” For a moment, her gaze goes out of focus as if she is thinking hard. Then coming to life again, she turns away slightly to leave, remarking, “Thanks anyway. If he’s not in the ‘Bay, then he must be Engineering.”

Jim sits up straight, forgetting about his food. “Yeoman!” he calls out to her, a bit sharper than he means to.

Janice turns back to the table with a blink. “Yes, sir?”

“I doubt Doctor McCoy is down in Engineering.”

“Oh, I don’t know about that,” she counters, then glances around before lowering her voice. “I heard he’s been there a lot recently… maybe to see a special lady friend.” She winks.

Surprisingly, Spock is the one who responds, putting down his eating utensils and twisting around to stare at the woman. “It is not becoming of a Starfleet officer to lend credence to gossip, Yeoman.”

It’s odd but Jim thinks he sees triumph flash across Rand’s face before her expression turns contrite.

“My apologies, Mr. Spock.”

Jim clears his throat, giving Janice a tiny nod of dismissal. She hurries away toward the nearest throng of people.

Spock faces forward again and looks down at his fork as if he is engaged in a great internal debate over what to do with it.

“I don’t think he has time to date anyone else,” Jim says carefully, very afraid that he might sound like he has some margin of doubt over that. But he doesn’t—can’t—because he knows Bones is happy with their arrangement. He should not be thinking that less than an hour ago, Leonard hadn’t acted very interested when he had brought up the possibility of a legitimate marriage.

“Jim.”

The softness with which Spock speaks his name brings Jim out of his thoughts.

Spock’s dark eyes are too knowing when he says, “It would not matter if he had the time because he would never have the inclination.”

That is a strong statement coming from someone who calculates risks for a living, Jim thinks. He resists the urge to reach across the table to take Spock’s hand, instead grabbing the spoon he abandoned in his second bowl of oatmeal. He gives his attention to finishing his breakfast. Silence settles between them at the table; any tension which might be felt eventually fades away by the time the meal is over.

“See you on the Bridge?” Jim murmurs after he empties his tray in the proper receptacle and moves aside so Spock can do the same.

“Affirmative.”

They part ways, he and Spock: Jim heading to the gymnasium to complete his morning routine, and the Vulcan to his quarters to prepare a schedule for accomplishing the day’s objectives. If Leonard is still in their thoughts, neither of them mentions him to the other.

~~~

Leonard, head hanging in his hands, catches only snippets of the conversation going on behind him. The ladies who had been entertaining him all morning don’t sound particularly happy as they discuss something. After one exceptionally vocal person wails “…but how could it fail!“, Leonard decides they’ve obviously forgotten about him. He levers himself to his feet with the intention of walking fast but not-quite running to the nearest exit.

Somebody automatically shoves him back down into his chair. He twists around, incensed.

Christine is standing behind him. She gives him a hard stare. “There you are, Leonard. Why aren’t you in Sickbay?”

Leonard gapes at her. “You pushed me into the lift!”

With an indignant sniff, the nurse settles her hands on her hips. “Nonsense! You got away from me.”

He—she—what?

Ignoring her boss’s sputtering, Christine comes around the chair, patting his shoulder as she goes. She casts a look about the work area then remarks strangely, “I’ve always had a fondness for this part of the ship.” Afterwards, she hauls him up by the arm and tows him to the turbolift.

Leonard notices that his group of admirers from earlier have disappeared with nary a sound.

It all seems very, very suspicious to him.

~~~

Nyota Uhura leans back on her stool, contemplatively tapping one long fingernail against the side of her glass upon the bar counter. The women on either side of her sigh at the same time. There aren’t many people in the recreational room and those who are there pay the unhappy little group no mind.

“Is it possible we underestimated them?” Christine questions aloud.

Janice, chin in hand, frowns. “Or worse, that we were wrong. Maybe they don’t like each other that way after all.”

“It can’t be,” says the woman in the middle. “Kirk’s tried to die for them at least five times each.”

“He tries to die for everybody.”

“Of course he does,” Nyota agrees. “But with Leonard or Spock, he generally prefaces his sacrifice with ‘My life would mean nothing without you.'”

For some reason, that quote tickles Janice. She says, after laughing, “Kirk’s such a goober-head! He must think he’s in a movie.” Her expression sobers suddenly, mouth turning down again. “I suppose I am disappointed. I kind of did want them to fall in love like in the movies. I’ve always been too much of a romantic, I guess.”

“Oh, hon…” Christine reaches around Nyota’s drink to pat Janice’s hand. “You aren’t the only one. Do you know that Leonard told me once he would never be foolish enough to give his heart to someone? I mean, he was plastered at the time he said it but I know he meant what he said. His first marriage… well, I think it scarred him. That’s why I have to believe this can work for them. What happens to Leonard if it doesn’t?”

“What happens to Spock?” Nyota adds. “He feels more deeply than a human. It may have been a mutual decision to end our relationship but I know I was still hurt by it. So I know he had to hurt more. I just… I don’t know what else I can do. I don’t want him to believe that because I wasn’t the one means there is no one for him. And he would—he really would.”

“That’s awful,” Janice says. “I feel awful for both of them, but you know I feel worse for Kirk and that’s why I’m here. I don’t think he’s even tried once! He thinks he isn’t worth loving. How stupid is that?”

Nyota wipes at her eyes. “Pretty stupid. I always knew he was a idiot farm boy.”

“Then we’re in a pickle, ladies,” chimes in Christine. “We clearly believe in our mission, but the mission has failed.”

“Just this time,” Janice points out. “I think we have to change this status from ’emergency’ to ‘do-or-die’.” She looks to Nyota. “It may be time to play the wildcard.”

Nyota nods, adopting a determined expression (from which people have often turned tail and run). “Yes, you’re right. I’ll set up the conference call for tomorrow morning.”

Christine bites down on her bottom lip. “What if we’re caught?”

Nyota lifts her chin. “Doing what?” she replies smoothly. “Contacting an old friend? Spock—the older Spock—said he would be pleased to converse with me at any time.”

Janice seems to ponder this. “What are the chances he might be appalled by what we’re trying to accomplish?”

“He’ll just have to get over it and help us anyway,” Nyota decides firmly, standing up. “Besides, I have practice at persuading a Vulcan just like him.”

Christine and Janice can make no argument about that. She really is the best at her job.

~~~

“It’s a little early to be indulging, don’t you think?” Jim Kirk says, stepping into the CMO’s officer an hour before the end of beta shift.

Leonard knocks back his glass and afterwards gives Jim a somewhat glassy-eyed stare. To Jim’s surprise, he demands, “Where were you?”

Jim hooks a foot under a chair rung and drags it out from in front of the desk before taking a seat. “I should be the one asking that question.” He looks from Leonard to the open bottle and back again. “Or maybe I shouldn’t… Do I want to know?”

The doctor grunts.

“Got it. I don’t want to know. But,” he pauses with significance, “do I need to know?”

Leonard slumps backwards into his chair, the consideration on his face turned inwards. “I guess not?”

That sounds too much like a question. Jim pulls the bottle towards himself and peers through the opening of the colored glass to judge how much is left—and how was consumed. McCoy is going to have a hell of a headache tomorrow, he decides.

Jim sets the bottle out of reach and stands up, moving around to Leonard’s side of the desk. He gently eases the glass out of the man’s hand, leaning down to kiss the corner of the frowning mouth and say, “Even drunk, you’re still one of my favorite people, Bones.”

“Not drunk,” Leonard argues. “I’m tipsy.”

Jim strokes a hand over the dark hair, then settles that hand against the back of Leonard’s neck. As he expects, Leonard’s eyes close of their own accord.

“Would you like me to carry you back to your quarters?”

The frowning mouth frowns more. “No.”

“Would you like me to call Spock so he can carry you back to your quarters?”

Leonard huffs out a breath. “No, Jim.”

“Then I’m afraid you’re going to have to walk… but being my usual, kind-hearted self, I will agree to follow behind you in case you start to list.”

“Up yours, kid.” Leonard’s eyes open, filled with consternation, as he goes on to complain, “I’m never goin’ down there again.”

Jim uses his thumb to caress the skin of Leonard’s neck. He leans toward one ear and asks in a soft voice, “Go where, Bones?”

“To the depths of hell, that’s where.” Leonard drops his head forward and massages the space between his eyebrows with one hand. “Go away. I have a headache.”

Jim slides his arms around the man and hugs him from behind. “Not a chance.”

“Stubborn,” Jim is accused, but the accusation is only half-hearted.

Jim lowers his chin to the top of Leonard’s head. “Do you love me, Bones?”

“Yeah, but only because I never learned better.”

He smiles. “Good. I love you too.” In a more coaxing tone, he tries, “Now why don’t you let me help you to your quarters?”

A hand slides along Jim’s arm. “You aren’t planning on staying, are you?”

“Maybe.”

The hand squeezes his arm as Leonard admits, “I guess I could try not to complain too much.”

And that’s how Jim knows he has won. He drops a kiss to Leonard’s hair and then proceeds to assist the tipsy doctor to his feet.

~~~

When the doorway to Leonard’s quarters slides open to admit a newcomer, Jim lifts a finger to his mouth in warning. Spock crosses the cabin as if he is a ghost.

After tucking a blanket a little more securely around Leonard, Jim rises from the bed and goes to Spock. They touch fingers for a brief moment before Spock settles his hand against the side of Jim’s face.

He just fell asleep, Jim projects to the Vulcan, along with the memory of exactly how he managed to get a wobbling Leonard into the bed.

Spock’s amusement flows like a strong current between them. I am not certain he will appreciate your efforts once he is conscious.

You’ll protect me.

I prefer not to take sides.

Jim laughs. Don’t tell me you’re afraid of Bones!

Spock shows Jim how he feels concerning Leonard when the man has a fit of temper. Jim’s lips part at the strange mix of respect, scientific interest and attraction.

He becomes inordinately emotional when he perceives a slight against his person, Spock relays to Jim. I believe the phenomenon is termed ‘prickly’. It is fascinating.

What about me?

Your reactions interest me as well, Jim. In the same situation, your automatic response is to feel but anger; yet you often place it aside to allow other responses to take precedence, most commonly amusement or a show of tolerance. I meant to ask you. Where did you learn this method?

From Jim, there is a flash of embarrassment. It’s not learned, exactly. I do it because of something Pike said to me once: that the lives of others should never be subject to a man who values them less than his own anger. Jim’s eyes crinkle at the corners. Basically, I can’t be a brat and a captain.

Jim, the fact that you can absorb this lesson and master it is proof of Pike’s belief in your ability to command this ship.

I don’t always make the best decisions, Spock. You know that.

You cannot be perfect. Perfection does not exist.

I think you’re perfect, he replies, meaning it.

Spock’s eyes glint as he withdraws his hand from Jim’s face. “I am flattered but you are, of course, incorrect, ashayam. I will kiss you now. Which method would you prefer?”

“Both,” Jim says, and Spock obliges him.

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About KLMeri

Owner of SpaceTrio. Co-mod of McSpirk Holiday Fest. Fanfiction author of stories about Kirk, Spock, and McCoy.

2 Comments

  1. hora_tio

    From Jim, there is a flash of embarrassment. It’s not learned, exactly. I do it because of something Pike said to me once: that the lives of others should never be subject to a man who values them less than his own anger. Jim’s eyes crinkle at the corners. Basically, I can’t be a brat and a captain. Jim, the fact that you can absorb this lesson and master it is proof of Pike’s belief in your ability to command this ship. I loved every word of the story….quite funny watching the ladies attempt to put their plan into action and then also touching to here them express there thoughts on each man but Pike is my favorite..but then I don’t have to tell you that…LOL

    • writer_klmeri

      Thank you. I’m glad you’re enjoying this. I too like seeing what the ladies will do next. :) Pike is best, that’s for certain. I like to think he offered Jim advice plenty of times during the Academy years in the hopes that something would stick.

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