Fic: Of Hypos and Mistletoe
Title: Of Hypos and Mistletoe
Author: djkiwi2576
Length: 2800
Rating: PG-13
Fandom: ST XI
Pairing: M/U
Summary: Parental Christmas deceit and New Years Plans
Warning: slight swearing - Extreme fluff
Notes: Part of a holiday collaboration on ff.net ...Also I do not own Ella Fitzgerald or 'What Are You Doing New Years Eve'
Of Hypos and Mistletoe
“Keep your pants on what’s the medical emergency?”
Leonard McCoy breezed through the doors of the transporter room, hypo in hand, brows furrowed over his glasses, and two day old stubble gracing his face. More confusion registered on that handsome face once he spotted the Chief Communications Officer and Scotty were the only ones present in the room. Nyota was infectious with a sideways Santa hat on top of her head and candy cane earrings dangling from her ears. An earlier twentieth century holiday tune was playing from the speakers strategically placed on Scotty’s console. The men singing had pitch perfect harmony and were singing about letting it snow and spending a quiet evening by the fire. Was everyone on this ship except the chief medical professional suffering from a case of Christmas joy to the umpteenth power?
“Bones, remember when you promised that whatever I needed, I just had to ask.” Nyota was batting her eyelashes and speaking softly.
“Darling that’s a loaded gun pointed at my head and I refuse to acknowledge that I ever made that statement.” McCoy's temperature was rising and he was pretty sure, the woman could get the world on a silver platter if she just asked.
Nyota moved in closer to her friend and colleague, placing one warm hand on his shoulder and the other in the center of his chest. She was attempting to keep the remainder of their conversation private. “I need a huge favor Leo.” She noticed he bristled under the nickname that was her creation. Everyone else on board referred to him as Bones, McCoy, or Doc but Nyota always lowered her lashes, softened her face, and purred Leo to get her way with the gentleman.
The scent of mint filled the air as he exhaled the breath he’d been holding, “What do you need from me doll face?”
“I’ve got a lock on them Lieutenant, should I beam them up?” Scotty interrupted the quiet moment between the two friends.
“Do what you do Mr. Scott.” McCoy answered before Nyota could manage a word.
Scotty laughed and began the process of energizing two life forms. “This is going to be exciting.”
As soon as the older couple was visible, Nyota pressed her lips forcefully to McCoy’s. The man protested but eventually relaxed in her grasp, sliding comfortably into the embrace and semi-passionate kiss.
Nyota pulled back, planting another peck on his cheek, while whispering, “I kind of told my parents you were my boyfriend.”
“You did what?” Nyota silenced any further outbursts from the doctor with another kiss. Forgetting where he was and what he held, McCoy mistakenly leveled the hypo to her arm during their ill fated moment of affection. Nyota collapsed against his chest in response to the sedative contained in the hypo spray.
McCoy managed to keep Nyota upright as her parents looked on in disbelief. “Scotty please alert medical.” The man laughed nervously, “I guess my lips are a deadly weapon.” Still nervous, he shoved the hypo in his pocket out of the sight of the lieutenant’s concerned parents.
The doctor saw where Nyota got her good looks, calling Mrs. Uhura beautiful would have been an understatement, with the same silky black hair as Nyota, only with a few streaks of gray and a similar skin coloring, he was glad his father wasn’t present so there would be nothing said to cause him embarrassment or physical injury at the hands of Mr. Uhura. Nyota’s father was tall, lean, and looked a bit scary at the moment as he wondered exactly what this man had done to his daughter. In a desperate need to remove himself from the awkward situation, McCoy scooped Nyota up in his arms and headed for the doors of the transporter room. He heard a huff and a sigh behind him and figured that they belonged to Mr. and Mrs. Uhura respectively. As they paced down the corridor to sickbay, the scent of jasmine and lavender danced around his nostrils. McCoy rested his head against Nyota’s during the journey, if he was lucky, her scent would linger on his clothes and he’d have a reminder that she had been in his arms.
Nyota regained consciousness an hour later.
“What was in that? I swear fur grew on my chest.” Nyota looked down the front of her dress to confirm that only baby soft skin was there and no hair was present.
“Enough sedative to take down an army of elephants, I thought our dimwit of a Captain had caused trouble again. He’s becoming immune to a normal dose of sedatives.”
An easy grin broke out across Nyota’s face and McCoy did his best to ignore that warm tug around his heart.
“Where’s my parents.”
“They're touring the ship with the First Hobgoblin of course.”
A small flicker of regret crossed Nyota’s eyes, “Great just what I need. What did you do to ruin that relationship Ta?” Nyota did her best impression of her father.
“Speaking of relationships, what about this imaginary one going on between the two of us?”
McCoy helped Nyota sit up against the pillows on the couch in his office. For the first time she noticed her boots had been removed and she’d been covered by a warm quilt that smelled like mint and vanilla. Her fingers traced the different patterns in each square. It reminded her of something her Baba would make. Internally Nyota wondered if McCoy would miss it, should it disappear to her quarters.
“Well, my dad was going on and on about Mr. Spock and the fact that I needed to apologize and try to rebuild that relationship.”
“Is he aware that he has coal for a heart and lives in a cave with a dog that he puts stick antlers on before going to Who Ville to steal Christmas from everyone?” Laughter reached the doctor’s eyes, “Just kidding.”
Leonard McCoy was doing it again. Making her forget what she was about to say. Wanting to curl against his chest and listen to witty and asinine comments made about their friends and crew. They had sat on the observation deck a few nights before watching an animated feature of The Grinch that Stole Christmas. Spock had been referred to as the Grinch from that night forward.
“I could have asked Jim, but both my parents know I wouldn’t be caught dead with a man like that, Sulu and Chekov are just getting off the ground, Scotty well, he’s Scotty, and you’re more my type.”
The doctor’s eyes brightened, “Why settle for the rest when you can have the best.”
“Now you sound like Jim.”
McCoy pulled back the quilt and eased each of Nyota’s legs into her boots before zipping them up.
“I didn’t know they were coming for Christmas until this morning. I understand if you don’t feel comfortable doing this.”
The doors to Dr. McCoy’s office swished open revealing Nurse Chapel followed by Mr. and Mrs. Uhura. Without thinking McCoy brushed a stray hair from Nyota’s eyes, his hand lingered, caressing her cheek, and eventually traveling down to take one of her hands in his. He gave her hand a gentle squeeze that she returned.
“Mom and Dad, this is Leo.”
Nurse Chapel smirked as she left the doctor’s office mumbling a quick, “Mmm…mmm…mmm.” In response to the scene in Leonard’s office.
Mr. Uhura extended his hand towards the doctor, “Simon Uhura and this is my wife Amina.”
Dr. McCoy accepted the hand before him, giving it a strong and confident shake, before taking Amina’s hand and placing a gentle kiss on the back side.
A simple “Humph.” Followed from Mr. Uhura.
“It is a pleasure to meet you both. Happy holidays to you.” McCoy was gripping Nyota’s hand again looking for a sign of what move to make next.
“Mama…Papa I’ll take you to my quarters. Leo will come by after his shift.” Nyota nodded her head at McCoy before joining her parents.
“Sure darling. I’ll see you later.” It was an act that came too easy. Nyota leaned up and brushed his cheek with her lips.
“Shave before I see you again.” She whispered into his ear.
Amina Uhura smiled at their exchange.
“Whatever you want gorgeous.”
***
“Ta you never told me he was so handsome?”
Nyota looked up from her PADD to her mother and back down to the device in her lap.
“Oh stop it mama.”
“I like him. I would venture to say he’s a better fit than Spock. This Dr. McCoy is reserved, but there’s something about the way he touches you. His eyes, there’s so much emotion there when he looks at you. When you fainted in the transporter room, two seconds, and he had you in his arms and out the door.”
Nyota looked at her mother again, “How did he look at me?”
“Like a man in love.”
Nyota felt light headed and dizzy in response to her mother’s observation.
McCoy arrived at her quarters an hour after his shift in sick bay ended. She had programmed the door to open automatically upon his arrival. The doctor did the best he could to mask the surprise at the door recognizing his DNA signature and allowing him entrance.
It was Leonard McCoy. That’s what Nyota kept telling herself. The man that gave her regular check ups and cleared her for active duty. He could describe her tonsils in great detail. He knew how to fix the perfect gin and tonic. He had a way with words and at this moment his jeans hugged his ass perfectly, “Shit.”
“Ta watch your mouth.” Her mother hissed in response to her use of an explicative. Nyota had burned her hand in the process of pouring the warm water from the kettle. She sat the tray containing tea on the table in front of the couch where her father sat giving McCoy the once over. Nyota’s mother motioned for her to return to the bedroom while the men talked before they headed to the Captain’s quarters for a pre holiday meal.
Simon Uhura waited until the women were out of sight and out of ear shot before retrieving an antique flask from his coat pocket. He pointed towards the bar and the doctor immediately retrieved two small shot glasses. Mr. Uhura prepared a drink for them both, slamming back his shot first and watching as Leonard winced as the whiskey burned on the way down.
“Do you like it Mr. McCoy, it’s my own brew.”
The doctor nodded, noting the burn that lingered in his chest.
“Cayenne, I put a little pepper in there, makes it hurt so good.” The man laughed at his own play on words and McCoy finally regained his ability to speak in time enough to take another shot.
“It’s great, sir.” His voice was raspy and he did his best to maintain his manhood in spite of the pain in his throat and the tears welling in his eyes.
When Nyota and McCoy arrived at the Captain’s quarters with her parents, Jim and Spock did their best to camouflage the expression of confusion on their face as they watched the new couple enter arms laced around each other’s waists.
Nyota looked at Jim pleadingly, hoping that he would not make a comment to shoot the façade to hell in a hand basket. Spock positioned another chair at the table for the doctor directly beside Nyota’s place. He watched the interaction between the two, often raising an eyebrow to one of her breathy laughs in response to the doctor’s off handed comments.
“It’s a shame you’re a vegetarian Mr. Spock, the chicken and saffron sauce is a perfect combination.” Simon Uhura said in an attempt to draw the half Vulcan’s attention from Nyota and her date.
Once everyone had completed the main course, Nyota stood to clear the table. Amina Uhura and the Captain were engaged in a conversation about the ship’s Holiday party on the following evening, as well as, the gag gifts he’d purchased for most of his senior staff. While clearing the dishes and loading them into the cleaning receptacle Nyota felt a familiar presence enter the kitchen.
“I was not aware of a relationship between you and Dr. McCoy.”
Nyota's eyes fell towards the door, “Keep your voice down. I’m doing this entirely for the benefit of my father.”
“Nyota, did it ever occur to you to take the honest approach?”
Spock meant well with his logical assessment but Nyota needed to remind him who they were discussing, “This is Simon Uhura; former military police officer who interrogated you for nearly twenty four hours when you first met because he didn’t like the look of your eyebrows.”
There it was the corners of his lips turning upwards with the recollection, “Thank you for refreshing my memory.” Spock paused, “If I may be blunt, I do believe that you should explore your friendship with Dr. McCoy. There is an easy chemistry between you. It brings me much relief to see light in your eyes again.”
Simon Uhura’s voice drifted into the kitchen filling the silence that had fallen between Spock and Nyota, “So Doctor McCoy share with us when you first fell in love with my little girl.”
Nyota gasped.
“Yeah Bones, tell us when you fell for the lovely linguist.” Sarcasm was dripping from the Captain’s voice and Nyota made a move for the door until she heard Leonard speaking.
“I don’t even have to think about that, the first time I saw her. She handed me a barf bag before I threw up on this idiot’s feet.” McCoy pointed at Jim who was now anxiously waiting for his friend's next words. “She talked to me about every bone common in most humanoid species. She taught me the basic Romulan alphabet, and when all of that failed to take my mind of the fact we were in the air and not on the ground, she made me tell her stories about my favorite subject in the world, my daughter.”
Nyota was speechless. McCoy had recalled their first meeting perfectly.
“Your daughter has a special gift for reaching a person’s soul.”
Spock and Nyota exited the kitchen in time enough to see a proud smile resting on Simon Uhura’s face.
“Good answer Dr. McCoy.”
The remainder of the evening was pleasant. Dessert was shared. Simon Uhura tried to peddle more peppered whiskey off on the men present.
McCoy escorted Nyota and her parents back to their quarters once the visit with the Captain had ended.
“Thanks Leo.” Nyota offered before disappearing behind the doors.
Christmas Eve was the following day and the ship was buzzing with excitement and energy. There were cookies, fudge, and cakes in every department aboard. The entire crew was looking forward to the celebration that evening. An opportunity to share cultural experiences was how the Captain had it billed.
People filed into the observation deck as their shifts ended. The Uhuras were present along with other crew members’ family. Sulu’s sister and her two kids were on board. Sarek had joined Spock in honor of Amanda’s fondness of the holiday.
McCoy followed the sound of Simon Uhura's voice to the table where Nyota was seated with her parents. He fell into comfortable conversation with Mr. Uhura. The lights dimmed in the room and the music slowly changed to a rhythmic melody. The voice that followed was beautiful and immediately grabbed his attention from Simon Uhura. It was Nyota, singing a famous holiday standard with a small band, including the first officer backing her. She was in her own world on that stage and for the moment he was part of it. The crowd erupted into thunderous applauds once the song had ended. Simon took his wife’s hand and moved towards the dance floor.
Nyota and McCoy stood watching each other for a clue on what to do next. Eager crew members, rushing to new trays of appetizers, forced them together into a half hug.
“May I have this dance?” The doctor asked with a half smile resting on his lips.
Right there without taking strides to a floor that was already overcrowded, the two souls shared a simple dance. As the tune ended and Christine Chapel always the trouble maker stood behind Nyota with mistletoe held high above their heads, the doctor and linguist did what only came naturally.
“Merry Christmas…” McCoy whispered against her lips.
“What are you doing New Years Eve?” Nyota said resting her forehead against his.
“Aah, but I thought I’d ask you just the same?” He felt her shudder after kissing the top of her head.
She smiled catching his intent, “Maybe it’s too early in the game.”
“Wonder whose arms will hold you good and tight.” He tightened their embrace as he continued speaking,
“When it’s exactly twelve o’clock that night.”
“Maybe I’m crazy to suppose.” Nyota rested her head on his shoulder. “I’d ever be the one you chose.”
McCoy pulled back from their second dance, “Aah, but in case I stand one little chance. Here comes the jackpot question in advance: What are you doing New Year’s Eve?”
"This." Nyota responded before softly kissing the doctor's lips.
Author: djkiwi2576
Length: 2800
Rating: PG-13
Fandom: ST XI
Pairing: M/U
Summary: Parental Christmas deceit and New Years Plans
Warning: slight swearing - Extreme fluff
Notes: Part of a holiday collaboration on ff.net ...Also I do not own Ella Fitzgerald or 'What Are You Doing New Years Eve'
Of Hypos and Mistletoe
“Keep your pants on what’s the medical emergency?”
Leonard McCoy breezed through the doors of the transporter room, hypo in hand, brows furrowed over his glasses, and two day old stubble gracing his face. More confusion registered on that handsome face once he spotted the Chief Communications Officer and Scotty were the only ones present in the room. Nyota was infectious with a sideways Santa hat on top of her head and candy cane earrings dangling from her ears. An earlier twentieth century holiday tune was playing from the speakers strategically placed on Scotty’s console. The men singing had pitch perfect harmony and were singing about letting it snow and spending a quiet evening by the fire. Was everyone on this ship except the chief medical professional suffering from a case of Christmas joy to the umpteenth power?
“Bones, remember when you promised that whatever I needed, I just had to ask.” Nyota was batting her eyelashes and speaking softly.
“Darling that’s a loaded gun pointed at my head and I refuse to acknowledge that I ever made that statement.” McCoy's temperature was rising and he was pretty sure, the woman could get the world on a silver platter if she just asked.
Nyota moved in closer to her friend and colleague, placing one warm hand on his shoulder and the other in the center of his chest. She was attempting to keep the remainder of their conversation private. “I need a huge favor Leo.” She noticed he bristled under the nickname that was her creation. Everyone else on board referred to him as Bones, McCoy, or Doc but Nyota always lowered her lashes, softened her face, and purred Leo to get her way with the gentleman.
The scent of mint filled the air as he exhaled the breath he’d been holding, “What do you need from me doll face?”
“I’ve got a lock on them Lieutenant, should I beam them up?” Scotty interrupted the quiet moment between the two friends.
“Do what you do Mr. Scott.” McCoy answered before Nyota could manage a word.
Scotty laughed and began the process of energizing two life forms. “This is going to be exciting.”
As soon as the older couple was visible, Nyota pressed her lips forcefully to McCoy’s. The man protested but eventually relaxed in her grasp, sliding comfortably into the embrace and semi-passionate kiss.
Nyota pulled back, planting another peck on his cheek, while whispering, “I kind of told my parents you were my boyfriend.”
“You did what?” Nyota silenced any further outbursts from the doctor with another kiss. Forgetting where he was and what he held, McCoy mistakenly leveled the hypo to her arm during their ill fated moment of affection. Nyota collapsed against his chest in response to the sedative contained in the hypo spray.
McCoy managed to keep Nyota upright as her parents looked on in disbelief. “Scotty please alert medical.” The man laughed nervously, “I guess my lips are a deadly weapon.” Still nervous, he shoved the hypo in his pocket out of the sight of the lieutenant’s concerned parents.
The doctor saw where Nyota got her good looks, calling Mrs. Uhura beautiful would have been an understatement, with the same silky black hair as Nyota, only with a few streaks of gray and a similar skin coloring, he was glad his father wasn’t present so there would be nothing said to cause him embarrassment or physical injury at the hands of Mr. Uhura. Nyota’s father was tall, lean, and looked a bit scary at the moment as he wondered exactly what this man had done to his daughter. In a desperate need to remove himself from the awkward situation, McCoy scooped Nyota up in his arms and headed for the doors of the transporter room. He heard a huff and a sigh behind him and figured that they belonged to Mr. and Mrs. Uhura respectively. As they paced down the corridor to sickbay, the scent of jasmine and lavender danced around his nostrils. McCoy rested his head against Nyota’s during the journey, if he was lucky, her scent would linger on his clothes and he’d have a reminder that she had been in his arms.
Nyota regained consciousness an hour later.
“What was in that? I swear fur grew on my chest.” Nyota looked down the front of her dress to confirm that only baby soft skin was there and no hair was present.
“Enough sedative to take down an army of elephants, I thought our dimwit of a Captain had caused trouble again. He’s becoming immune to a normal dose of sedatives.”
An easy grin broke out across Nyota’s face and McCoy did his best to ignore that warm tug around his heart.
“Where’s my parents.”
“They're touring the ship with the First Hobgoblin of course.”
A small flicker of regret crossed Nyota’s eyes, “Great just what I need. What did you do to ruin that relationship Ta?” Nyota did her best impression of her father.
“Speaking of relationships, what about this imaginary one going on between the two of us?”
McCoy helped Nyota sit up against the pillows on the couch in his office. For the first time she noticed her boots had been removed and she’d been covered by a warm quilt that smelled like mint and vanilla. Her fingers traced the different patterns in each square. It reminded her of something her Baba would make. Internally Nyota wondered if McCoy would miss it, should it disappear to her quarters.
“Well, my dad was going on and on about Mr. Spock and the fact that I needed to apologize and try to rebuild that relationship.”
“Is he aware that he has coal for a heart and lives in a cave with a dog that he puts stick antlers on before going to Who Ville to steal Christmas from everyone?” Laughter reached the doctor’s eyes, “Just kidding.”
Leonard McCoy was doing it again. Making her forget what she was about to say. Wanting to curl against his chest and listen to witty and asinine comments made about their friends and crew. They had sat on the observation deck a few nights before watching an animated feature of The Grinch that Stole Christmas. Spock had been referred to as the Grinch from that night forward.
“I could have asked Jim, but both my parents know I wouldn’t be caught dead with a man like that, Sulu and Chekov are just getting off the ground, Scotty well, he’s Scotty, and you’re more my type.”
The doctor’s eyes brightened, “Why settle for the rest when you can have the best.”
“Now you sound like Jim.”
McCoy pulled back the quilt and eased each of Nyota’s legs into her boots before zipping them up.
“I didn’t know they were coming for Christmas until this morning. I understand if you don’t feel comfortable doing this.”
The doors to Dr. McCoy’s office swished open revealing Nurse Chapel followed by Mr. and Mrs. Uhura. Without thinking McCoy brushed a stray hair from Nyota’s eyes, his hand lingered, caressing her cheek, and eventually traveling down to take one of her hands in his. He gave her hand a gentle squeeze that she returned.
“Mom and Dad, this is Leo.”
Nurse Chapel smirked as she left the doctor’s office mumbling a quick, “Mmm…mmm…mmm.” In response to the scene in Leonard’s office.
Mr. Uhura extended his hand towards the doctor, “Simon Uhura and this is my wife Amina.”
Dr. McCoy accepted the hand before him, giving it a strong and confident shake, before taking Amina’s hand and placing a gentle kiss on the back side.
A simple “Humph.” Followed from Mr. Uhura.
“It is a pleasure to meet you both. Happy holidays to you.” McCoy was gripping Nyota’s hand again looking for a sign of what move to make next.
“Mama…Papa I’ll take you to my quarters. Leo will come by after his shift.” Nyota nodded her head at McCoy before joining her parents.
“Sure darling. I’ll see you later.” It was an act that came too easy. Nyota leaned up and brushed his cheek with her lips.
“Shave before I see you again.” She whispered into his ear.
Amina Uhura smiled at their exchange.
“Whatever you want gorgeous.”
***
“Ta you never told me he was so handsome?”
Nyota looked up from her PADD to her mother and back down to the device in her lap.
“Oh stop it mama.”
“I like him. I would venture to say he’s a better fit than Spock. This Dr. McCoy is reserved, but there’s something about the way he touches you. His eyes, there’s so much emotion there when he looks at you. When you fainted in the transporter room, two seconds, and he had you in his arms and out the door.”
Nyota looked at her mother again, “How did he look at me?”
“Like a man in love.”
Nyota felt light headed and dizzy in response to her mother’s observation.
McCoy arrived at her quarters an hour after his shift in sick bay ended. She had programmed the door to open automatically upon his arrival. The doctor did the best he could to mask the surprise at the door recognizing his DNA signature and allowing him entrance.
It was Leonard McCoy. That’s what Nyota kept telling herself. The man that gave her regular check ups and cleared her for active duty. He could describe her tonsils in great detail. He knew how to fix the perfect gin and tonic. He had a way with words and at this moment his jeans hugged his ass perfectly, “Shit.”
“Ta watch your mouth.” Her mother hissed in response to her use of an explicative. Nyota had burned her hand in the process of pouring the warm water from the kettle. She sat the tray containing tea on the table in front of the couch where her father sat giving McCoy the once over. Nyota’s mother motioned for her to return to the bedroom while the men talked before they headed to the Captain’s quarters for a pre holiday meal.
Simon Uhura waited until the women were out of sight and out of ear shot before retrieving an antique flask from his coat pocket. He pointed towards the bar and the doctor immediately retrieved two small shot glasses. Mr. Uhura prepared a drink for them both, slamming back his shot first and watching as Leonard winced as the whiskey burned on the way down.
“Do you like it Mr. McCoy, it’s my own brew.”
The doctor nodded, noting the burn that lingered in his chest.
“Cayenne, I put a little pepper in there, makes it hurt so good.” The man laughed at his own play on words and McCoy finally regained his ability to speak in time enough to take another shot.
“It’s great, sir.” His voice was raspy and he did his best to maintain his manhood in spite of the pain in his throat and the tears welling in his eyes.
When Nyota and McCoy arrived at the Captain’s quarters with her parents, Jim and Spock did their best to camouflage the expression of confusion on their face as they watched the new couple enter arms laced around each other’s waists.
Nyota looked at Jim pleadingly, hoping that he would not make a comment to shoot the façade to hell in a hand basket. Spock positioned another chair at the table for the doctor directly beside Nyota’s place. He watched the interaction between the two, often raising an eyebrow to one of her breathy laughs in response to the doctor’s off handed comments.
“It’s a shame you’re a vegetarian Mr. Spock, the chicken and saffron sauce is a perfect combination.” Simon Uhura said in an attempt to draw the half Vulcan’s attention from Nyota and her date.
Once everyone had completed the main course, Nyota stood to clear the table. Amina Uhura and the Captain were engaged in a conversation about the ship’s Holiday party on the following evening, as well as, the gag gifts he’d purchased for most of his senior staff. While clearing the dishes and loading them into the cleaning receptacle Nyota felt a familiar presence enter the kitchen.
“I was not aware of a relationship between you and Dr. McCoy.”
Nyota's eyes fell towards the door, “Keep your voice down. I’m doing this entirely for the benefit of my father.”
“Nyota, did it ever occur to you to take the honest approach?”
Spock meant well with his logical assessment but Nyota needed to remind him who they were discussing, “This is Simon Uhura; former military police officer who interrogated you for nearly twenty four hours when you first met because he didn’t like the look of your eyebrows.”
There it was the corners of his lips turning upwards with the recollection, “Thank you for refreshing my memory.” Spock paused, “If I may be blunt, I do believe that you should explore your friendship with Dr. McCoy. There is an easy chemistry between you. It brings me much relief to see light in your eyes again.”
Simon Uhura’s voice drifted into the kitchen filling the silence that had fallen between Spock and Nyota, “So Doctor McCoy share with us when you first fell in love with my little girl.”
Nyota gasped.
“Yeah Bones, tell us when you fell for the lovely linguist.” Sarcasm was dripping from the Captain’s voice and Nyota made a move for the door until she heard Leonard speaking.
“I don’t even have to think about that, the first time I saw her. She handed me a barf bag before I threw up on this idiot’s feet.” McCoy pointed at Jim who was now anxiously waiting for his friend's next words. “She talked to me about every bone common in most humanoid species. She taught me the basic Romulan alphabet, and when all of that failed to take my mind of the fact we were in the air and not on the ground, she made me tell her stories about my favorite subject in the world, my daughter.”
Nyota was speechless. McCoy had recalled their first meeting perfectly.
“Your daughter has a special gift for reaching a person’s soul.”
Spock and Nyota exited the kitchen in time enough to see a proud smile resting on Simon Uhura’s face.
“Good answer Dr. McCoy.”
The remainder of the evening was pleasant. Dessert was shared. Simon Uhura tried to peddle more peppered whiskey off on the men present.
McCoy escorted Nyota and her parents back to their quarters once the visit with the Captain had ended.
“Thanks Leo.” Nyota offered before disappearing behind the doors.
Christmas Eve was the following day and the ship was buzzing with excitement and energy. There were cookies, fudge, and cakes in every department aboard. The entire crew was looking forward to the celebration that evening. An opportunity to share cultural experiences was how the Captain had it billed.
People filed into the observation deck as their shifts ended. The Uhuras were present along with other crew members’ family. Sulu’s sister and her two kids were on board. Sarek had joined Spock in honor of Amanda’s fondness of the holiday.
McCoy followed the sound of Simon Uhura's voice to the table where Nyota was seated with her parents. He fell into comfortable conversation with Mr. Uhura. The lights dimmed in the room and the music slowly changed to a rhythmic melody. The voice that followed was beautiful and immediately grabbed his attention from Simon Uhura. It was Nyota, singing a famous holiday standard with a small band, including the first officer backing her. She was in her own world on that stage and for the moment he was part of it. The crowd erupted into thunderous applauds once the song had ended. Simon took his wife’s hand and moved towards the dance floor.
Nyota and McCoy stood watching each other for a clue on what to do next. Eager crew members, rushing to new trays of appetizers, forced them together into a half hug.
“May I have this dance?” The doctor asked with a half smile resting on his lips.
Right there without taking strides to a floor that was already overcrowded, the two souls shared a simple dance. As the tune ended and Christine Chapel always the trouble maker stood behind Nyota with mistletoe held high above their heads, the doctor and linguist did what only came naturally.
“Merry Christmas…” McCoy whispered against her lips.
“What are you doing New Years Eve?” Nyota said resting her forehead against his.
“Aah, but I thought I’d ask you just the same?” He felt her shudder after kissing the top of her head.
She smiled catching his intent, “Maybe it’s too early in the game.”
“Wonder whose arms will hold you good and tight.” He tightened their embrace as he continued speaking,
“When it’s exactly twelve o’clock that night.”
“Maybe I’m crazy to suppose.” Nyota rested her head on his shoulder. “I’d ever be the one you chose.”
McCoy pulled back from their second dance, “Aah, but in case I stand one little chance. Here comes the jackpot question in advance: What are you doing New Year’s Eve?”
"This." Nyota responded before softly kissing the doctor's lips.
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