Valentine's Exchange at Jim and Bones
Prompt: UR Hot; Bone’s POV
Rating: Teen
Warnings: None that I can think of
Word Count: 1340
Summary: Jim has been planning something special for him and Bones for Valentine’s Day, but Bones comes down with a fever. Jim stands by him.
You're Hot
Jim had been looking forward to this day all week. It was our first Valentine’s Day together. We had been friends since we met on the shuttle. Jim had always stayed in my dorm more often than in his own. We spent pretty much every spare moment together, going out to bars, drinking in, even studying - even though we took very different classes. Our friendship became stronger and stronger until we finally admitted it was something more. We’d had our first kiss on Christmas and made love for the first time on New Year’s Eve. Jim said he had something very special planned for Valentine’s Day. He wouldn’t tell me about any of it, but he was really excited.
And then I got sick. I went into the infirmary yesterday to work my twelve hour shift and found it full of cadets. Apparently, several had come in with Afrerian Fever the day before and more and more were arriving every moment.
Afrerian Fever was kind of like Rigellian Fever, but, thankfully, not quite as virulent. Bad enough though. It had a short incubation period and was highly contagious. It wasn’t deadly, but it was pretty nasty…made the patients extremely uncomfortable…high fever, body aches, head ache…like the old time flu on steroids. Everyone had inoculations against the disease, but this was a new strain. Somehow, the vaccines weren’t working.
By the end of my shift, I think we had treated half the cadet population. We were sending the milder cases home and stacking the worse cases like cord wood in the infirmary. Fortunately, it seemed to only last a day. Some of the earliest cases were already showing improvement, and while they were still weak as kittens, they were getting better, so we weren’t too worried about an out of control epidemic.
I rushed home to do some studying before it was time to get ready to go out with Jim. About an hour after I got back to my dorm room, I started to feel the first of the symptoms. My body ached like I had run sixty miles. My head pounded worse than it ever had after a three day drinking binge with Jim. Jjust before Jim was supposed to get there, I could tell my fever was rising.
I didn’t want to have to cancel our date. I knew it meant so much to Jim…and so it meant a lot to me. But, by the time Jim got there, I could barely move.
I greeted him at the door anyway…like I normally would. He grabbed me and kissed me before I could stop him…not that I would ever turn down a chance to kiss him, but I didn’t want to get him sick too.
“My God, Bones,” Jim pulled back and really looked at me. “You’re hot!”
I tried to tease a little. “You always say that.”
Jim smiled. “And I always mean it, but today I mean that you have a fever.”
“Yeah, well…” I started. “That sometimes happens to doctors who deal with victims of Afrerian Fever all night long.”
“You’ve had a vaccine…like all the rest of us.” He interrupted.
“Apparently not effective with this particular strain.”
He ran his hand over my sweaty face. “Ah, Bones.”
“I don’t know what you had planned…but I hope it included eating in.”
He smiled. “It didn’t…but it does now.” He led me to my bed. “Come on…lie down. Let me get you a wash cloth or something…to try to cool you down.”
“I’m okay.” I tried to act tough, but right then spasms of aches coursed through my body and I couldn’t help but grimace. “But, maybe lying down would be a good idea.”
“How many people are down with this stuff?” He asked when he had come back with the wet washcloth.
“Seemed like half the campus.” I had lain down while he was gone and now he put the cloth on my forehead. I closed my eyes but continued to talk. “I suspect the other half will have it by tomorrow.”
“How long does it last?” He wanted to know.
“Just a day or two.” I opened my eyes and looked at him. “I’m sorry it had to be today.”
“Not your fault, Bones.” He sat down beside me and stroked my hair. “Can I get you anything else?”
“Hypo-spray, maybe…” I waved my hand to indicate that he could find it on my desk. “And a pain capsule.”
He rushed to the desk, got the things I requested, and hurried back as quickly as possible.
“You’re in pain, Bones?” He looked worried and he stroked my hair again.
“It’s not that bad, Jim.” I tried to reassure him but the spasms took over again.
“Bones,” Jim’s voice rose a little, in panic. “Are you sure this is normal? I don’t remember spasms being one of the symptoms of Afrerian Fever.”
“It seems to be one of the symptoms of this strain. I’ve been fighting it in others all night long.”
“How do you know it’s going to pass? Do you have any medicine or anything that’ll help? We…”
“Jim,” I smiled and cupped his cheek with my hand. “The earliest cases are already getting better. I’ll be fine.” I traced his lips with the tip of my finger. “But that’s not going to help for this evening. I’m sorry about your plans, Jim.”
He set down on the bed beside me. “The most important part of my plans can still take place…if you think you feel like talking to me for a while longer.”
“I’m not sick enough that I wouldn’t want to talk to you Jim.” I smirked a little. “But I’m not going to be much use for anything else tonight.”
“Well,” He smirked too. “That was part of my plans…but that can wait until you’re feeling better. There is one part of my plan that I’d still like to happen.” He reached into his pocket and pulled out a box. Then he kneeled beside the bed. “Leonard McCoy…you have been my friend forever, and my lover for far too short a time. Would you do me the honor of being my husband for the rest of my life?”
“Jim,” I was shocked. I took the box from his now slightly shaking hands. “Are you sure, kid? A life time is a long time to be with one person.” When I saw his face fall, I quickly added. “I would love to spend the rest of my life with you. I’m just worried that I won’t be enough for you.”
“Bones,” He smiled again, and I silently vowed to do everything I could to keep that smile on his face for the rest of our lives, as he continued talking. “You are all I’ve ever wanted. You are more than enough for me…and will be forever.” He took the ring from the box and put it on my finger. We’d have an official ceremony later, but I already felt married to him…from this moment on.
Then he leaned forward and kissed me.
“Jim,” I enjoyed the kiss, as I always did, but I still didn’t want him to get sick. “Ah, Jim. Now you’re going to get sick too.”
“Was already exposed anyway.” He answered as he lay down beside me on the bed and pulled me close. “Might as well have fun before I get sick.”
He kissed me a couple more times before I fell asleep in his arms.
The next morning, I awoke, still in his arms, feeling much better. Not completely rid of the disease, but moving in that direction. I reached up and kissed Jim to thank him for being there for me the night before.
“Ah, Jim.” I brushed his hair out of his face. “You’re hot.”
End