Chapter Text
There was a sort of gloominess that hung in the air of the coffee shop. If it wasn't for the whirring of machines or the quiet chattering of other people, it would be silent. The Starfleet senior crew chose a spot in the corner, which had the biggest round booth so all of them could sit together. They all drank their coffee solemnly, trying to process all that had happened that day. Mccoy was in a coma, unlikely to ever wake up again. They had lost their greatest CMO and their friend, all in one moment.
"He was always so kind," Nyota said after a moment, cradling her coffee. "I would always bother him late and he wouldn't mind. He would just sit and listen to me because he knew that's what I needed. He always understood just what I needed."
"I miss him already," Chekov sighed next to her. "He fixed my turtle because he fixes ewerthing."
Jim let his head fall against Spock's shoulder, and Spock's hand wrapped discreetly around his waist, a small comfort.
Bones had been right of course. Spock did make the pain easier. The Vulcan made everything easier.
"How long have you two been a thing?" Sulu asked, astute as ever.
"Oh," Jim fumbled for the words and looked into Spock's warm opal eyes. "Um, 6 hours?"
Nyota snorted. "About time."
Sulu groaned, looking particularly unamused as he handed Chekov a few credits. "I was betting on you getting together after Christmas."
Chekov beamed. "Newer bet against a Russian."
"It appears we were the last to know about our own relationship status," Spock said to Jim, and his hand around Jim's waist tightened in appreciation. Jim only grinned, taking Spock's other hand and pressing a kiss to the back of it.
"Well I think you two make such a lovely couple," Chapel smiled, raising her mug to them.
Jim's heart warmed as he watched all of them do the same.
The journey back to the hospital wasn't as cheery, as everyone remembered why they were here.
Bones was in the hospital hanging onto life and there was nothing they could do. This was truly a no-win scenario, one that Jim couldn't change if he tried.
And he tried. They all walked through the blinding white corridors, the solemnity in the atmosphere returning. Jim was dreading going back to the hospital room and seeing his friend surrounded by beeping machines and looking half dead.
No one was looking forward to seeing Bones in that kind of state. Sure, he wasn't happy all the time or a beam of light, but he enlivened everyone around him and offered something safe and secure in his presence. There was something so inviting about him, and so safe. He was the Enterprise dad and no one else would ever be able to fill that role. There was only one Bones in the universe. Only one.
He was flawed and grumpy, but you could always count on him for a drink and an ear to listen to. He had seen the worst of the crew and helped them through it, healed so many people who would be dead without him. Jim would be dead without him. sure he was flawed and grumpy, but he was kind and caring and nurturing. His heart was gold and his mind was sharp and focused.
He was everything a man should be. Everything a person deserved.
They made their way to his room which was partly visible through a glass wall and Just as he was about to walk through the door, Nyota stopped him.
"Wha-"
"Sh!" She said and pointed.
There was laughter. Bones' laughter.
Through the glass wall, they saw Leonard who was awake. He was awake and healthy, as lively as ever. And they all gaped when they finally registered.
Scotty was laying next to him and Leonard pressed a kiss to Scotty's temple as Scotty told him about everything he missed and everything he was dying to tell the doctor. Leonard was chuckling softly as Montgomery went on, and the intimacy between them was as natural as blooming flowers.
They looked truly happy, together.
As they should be.
It all made sense now. Montgomery was Leonard's true love.
"Holy moly," Sulu whispered after a moment. "Did you know?"
Jim shook his head. "I had no idea."
"Figures," Nyota said, because of course she knew about them or surmised it. "They're as oblivious as you two."
"Come on, let's leave them," Chapel ushered them away, smiling at finally seeing Leonard achieve happiness. She was proud of him for that.
As they walked back down the hospital corridor, Jim leaned toward Spock. "We weren't that oblivious, right?"
"Not completely, "The corners of Spock's lips upturned as he squeezed Jim's hand.
"What have you got in mind for me, Mont?" Leonard asked playfully as they walked out of the hospital. It had taken far longer than it should've for Leonard to check out, only because the doctors were astounded by his recovery and the completely 180 of his symptoms and well-being. It had been two days since Leonard woke up, and in the time he had been bored out of his mind. There was the lovely part where Joanna came to visit him for a couple of hours. She brought him drawings and told him all about their tree in the backyard.
Even though Leonard had been cleared with exceptional health, Montgomery still looped a protective arm around his. They walked to the car Montgomery had rented, an old red convertible with white leather. It was a beautiful, sleek car and in the back seat were suitcases and coolers.
Leonard cast Montgomery a questioning look as the engineer led him to the passenger side and opened the door for him.
"Ah was thinking, since we have two more weeks of shore leave, we could rent a house by the beach and enjoy summer."
"I love you," Leonard sighed softly, and he was answered with a kiss.
"Whatever ye want to do this shore leave, we can do."
"Right now, I just want to be with you," Leonard leaned against Montgomery's shoulder after he sat down and, finally they were driving and on the road.
"That, we most certainly can do," Montgomery smiled.
And they drove into the sunrise, hands intertwined like they were always meant to be.