Just an old country doctor

“Colorful? Are you sure you don’t live in a poorly lit circus tent?” He smirked anyway. “Wow, you and Spock, friends? That would be a miracle.”

“Good to see you’ve still got your sense of humor.” he said dryly. Though he laughed a little at his next statement. “Yeah, it was something of a miracle. But we get along.”

He chuckled a little. “Alright, I’ll keep trying. I just don’t want to get my hopes too high in case I don’t get her. The competition this year is fierce. Anyway I think Garrovick has his eye on me.”

“It’s no use dreamin’ like that, kid. You’ve gotta just go for it. Take a bigger bite than you think you can handle and don’t let go. You dream like that and you’ll do great things with your life.”

He was silent for a moment, just processing the feeling that brought up. Finally he smiled very slightly, at the very edges of his mouth and eyes. “It is displeasing that it will still be so much time until I am able to see you in person.” It was all he felt he could say without losing control.

“I’ll say.” he agreed. “It’s been far too long since I’ve seen you.” Spock’s trademarked Almost Smile tugged at his heart in a way he hadn’t been expecting. Nobody else smiled like that and by God, Leonard had missed seeing his best friend’s smile.

As of right now I have active threads on these blogs:

Sherrinford Holmes / Q @of-tea-and-cardigans

Tariq Masood @shark-like

TOS Leonard McCoy @notacoalminer

AOS Leonard McCoy @starlitdrawl

Charles Xavier {private muse} @seductivescience

Regardless, when they came upon a strong thicket of vegetation, Spock got the distinct impression he was close to the edge of the city. “Is this correct?” he asked. He pulled his tricorder closer to his chest and began conducting simple scans.

“In time you will likely learn to filter out the exterior input. However I have no desire to remain in your body long enough for you to learn that skill.” He shook his head once at the last comment. “That would be highly illogical. The crew will adjust to our changed forms while we remain in this state. We should continue our duties as normally as possible under the current circumstances, and attempt to find a way to reverse the process.”

He huffed, irritated that Spock was still so calm under the circumstances and that Jim was still giggling at this horrific incident. “Me either.” he assured him. Then he groaned. He hadn’t even thought about telling the crew. Oh they’d likely have a field day with this one. “Fantastic.” he muttered. “I don’t suppose gloves would help?” He wondered if the replicator even had a file for latex gloves. It’d been so long since anyone in the medical field had needed them.

“By the last definition I heard, they were mutually exclusive. However I believe I understand your meaning.” He nodded along. “Your logic is sound. Perhaps it was his mother.” A small smile flitted onto the edges of his eyes at the last statement. “Yes,” he said. “I did not expect I would ever see you again. However I am pleased, in this case, that you proved me wrong.”

He smiled warmly, unable not to. “You? Pleased? At me being right?” He had to tease him, otherwise he might cry. Hell, he might cry anyway. “Well you know I’m always happy to prove you wrong, Spock. No amount of time apart could change that.”

“Just a little. We could probably rig something to send you back, but it’ll take a while. I’ll get Spock on it.” He snorted through his nose. “What, do you guys work in the dark? That seems like it’d be bad for your eyes. You should care about that. You’re a doctor.”

“All this blinding light, that’s what’s bad for your eyes. We have warm lighting on our Enterprise.” He looked around critically. “It’s more colorful too. None of this monotone nonsense.” He paused. “Oh, but I never answered your question. Yes, Jim and I are good friends. Spock too.”

He chuckled a little watching Joanna. She was probably the cutest child he’d ever seen. “Um, well, the Enterprise. Someday.” He smiled dreamily. “But everyone wants her. She’s the newest and the most elite. I probably won’t get it.”

Leonard laughed. “She’s right. I’m sure if the Enterprise is what you set your heart on, you’ll be able to make it happen.”

Jim wasn’t the kind of person who usually held hands with kids. But he also wasn’t the kind of person who usually liked kids. And damn if this one wasn’t the cutest thing he’d ever seen in his life.

He took her hand, smiling faintly, and got up. “I think I’ve seen some restaurants out towards the financial district,” he suggested.

Leonard smiled to see the cadet take Jo’s hand. “Perfect. Let’s head out that way, then.” he said, leading them outside. “So, Jim. Do you have a particular ship you’re hoping to be assigned to?” he asked, not seeming to notice Joanna using the two of them to swing herself from step to step.

“They are all adults, if… perhaps a bit more youthful than I would have personally chosen to command a starship. However much of the fleet in this universe has been destroyed. I believe the young Captain Kirk was promoted in order to correct an imbalance.” He paused a moment, then nodded. “There is a counterpart of yours here. He is the most unchanged, as far as I have discovered at this time. However his eyes are brown.” A little bit of him missed the eyes once referred to as baby blues, but Spock would never admit such a ridiculous concept.

“Bein’ an adult and not bein’ an infant aren’t mutually exclusive. Hell, we were young to be in charge of a starship.” He frowned a little. “Brown eyes? Well that’s odd. Wonder where he got those. ‘Spose they must be his mother’s. The McCoy’s all have blue eyes.” He stopped for a moment, just looking at his best friend. “I’m still just shocked you’re here.”