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Clutching his coffee cup, Dr. Leonard McCoy was ambling along the main path of the little park across from his hotel, enjoying the sunshine and… Yes! She was here again, same spot as the days before. The mysterious artist, whose quiet dedication, the way she meticulously kept improving her work – drawing, erasing, redrawing – he found so incredibly fascinating. There was a dreamy sweetness about her that did the most unexpected things to his heart. He just couldn't help it.

He’d got a glimpse of her art the first day he’d come here. Passing behind her, he’d been enraptured by the picture of a little girl and boy playing with some pebbles by the swing and slide on the small playground in the centre of the park. The drawing had been staggeringly beautiful, not just because it was such an accurate and perfect depiction, but also because she’d managed to capture all the joy, the happiness, the warmth and gentleness of the scene, too.

Not to mention that she was a piece of art herself, this delicate beauty quietly sitting on a bench sketching, and the reason why he’d left his hotel at the same time every morning all week now, crossing the park in the hopes of seeing her again, this stranger who made his heart beat faster just walking past her. Every morning, the doctor would sit down on a different bench, somewhere near but not too close, sipping his coffee and simply watching her beautiful face, lips slightly pursed and frowning in concentration, as she was completely engrossed in her art.

She’d caught him gazing at her once, and thrown him a heart-meltingly shy smile that had kept him awake half the night after. But since he didn’t want to come across as a stalker, he’d limited himself to fifteen minutes in the park after that, just as long as it took him to finish his coffee, before going on to join his colleagues at the AIMC, the Annual Intergalactic Medical Conference, which was hosted by Starfleet Medical on Earth this year, and held in San Diego, California, a beautiful and enchanting city he’d somehow never been to before.

Just like he’d never experienced anything like this before. This woman was a total stranger, and yet, he found his thoughts circling back to her throughout the day. And the nights, too. Up to now, whenever someone had talked to him about love at first sight, he’d just laughed and made some dismissive remark, certain that such a thing didn’t exist. But now McCoy wasn’t quite so sure anymore.

She’d noticed him the first day he’d come to the park. Looking up from her sketchbook, she’d found those strikingly blue eyes in this stranger’s kind, handsome face gazing at her intently. He’d immediately looked away again, a shy smile playing around those full, sensuous lips, as he made his way past her, coffee cup in hand, and she couldn’t but admire his lean frame, moving so gracefully, light-footed like a dancer, seeming so confident and at ease in his body.

He’d been wearing a sleeveless denim vest over a tight black T-shirt tucked into skinny jeans that morning, and cowboy boots of all things. The look suited him, though. He was a tall, very slim man, but his shoulders were broad and the well-defined muscles in his arms, stretching the material of his shirt’s short sleeves, hadn’t gone unnoticed.

She wasn’t usually the type to hanker after some random stranger, so this man with his observant eyes and gentle smile catching her attention like that had totally taken her aback. She hadn’t been able to get him out of her head all day, and had found herself wishing he’d cross the park again the next morning. Of course, she’d planned on going back to finish her picture there, anyway.

To her great delight, the handsome stranger had indeed returned the next morning, and the one after that, too. He’d taken on this routine of strolling around for a bit, then choosing a bench to sit down, sip his coffee, and idly glance about, watching the people passing by, and occasionally her, too.

On day four, they’d started exchanging friendly nods, not quite in greeting but as a polite sign of recognition, the way you do with people you’ve seen around but don’t actually know. That had been the moment when it hit her how much she’d really love to get to know this gorgeous man who could make her day with a single brief smile. The brightest, warmest, kindest smile she’d ever seen on anyone.

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After a prolonged conversation with Dr. M’Benga, who’d called after a patient in the Enterprise’s sickbay had taken a turn for the worse in McCoy’s absence, the doctor arrived at the park later than usual. Crossing the street from his hotel, he’d been positively alarmed at how much the idea of “being too late” bothered him. Or at the intensity of his relief, when he spotted her still there, right on her usual bench.

He’d only just chosen a place to sit and enjoy his coffee, his heart skipping a beat when the woman of his dreams nodded at him again, her eyes sparkling and her smile even brighter than the day before, and was wondering if he should finally pluck up the courage to go over and talk to her, when she got up from her bench rather abruptly and started to pack up.

McCoy could hardly belief the disappointment he felt at her leaving, nor the way his stomach did a little flip when she gave him a shy little wave goodbye. But watching her hurrying towards the exit at the far end of the park, admiring the way she almost seemed to skip along, it struck him that he’d never even seen her walk before. He really knew next to nothing about her!

Feeling the heat rising to his cheeks, it suddenly occurred to him that the reason why she was in such a hurry now might be that she’d actually waited for him. But before the doctor could give the absurdity of this idea any further thought, a young man came racing by on his bike and ripped the woman’s bag off her shoulder in one swift move while roughly pushing her to the ground.

Flicking his coffee into the nearest bin, McCoy was at the woman’s side in a heartbeat, yelling after the brute on the bike all the way over to where she was still lying on the ground.

She must have passed out for a moment, because when she opened her eyes, she looked straight into the worried, impossibly blue eyes of the gorgeous stranger she’d been pining for all week.

“Welcome back, darling,” he drawled, his voice low and compelling, and incredibly comforting, instantly making her feel safe and cared for. “Can you tell me your name?”

He was running a sort of medical scanner over her. A doctor?

“Alexandra,” she croaked, still a little dazed and not quite sure what had actually happened, the first half of her name almost inaudible.

“Look at my hand, Sandra, can you do that for me?” the stranger went on, his voice gentle but determined. “Now can you tell me how many fingers you see?”

“Two,” she answered, starting to feel more clearheaded again, and when his worried frown deepened, she added with a smug grin, “and one thumb.”

He lifted a reproachful eyebrow and chuckled, “Ah, got myself a witty patient here!”

She chuckled, too, wincing at the pain it caused her head, and the stranger instantly turned serious again.

“You took a nasty fall, sweetheart,” he said softly. “Might even have a slight concussion there. Mind if I feel your head? I’m a doctor.”

“Go ahead,” she replied, stifling a groan, her heart fluttering a little when she felt him running gentle fingers through her hair and all over her head, his delicate, almost tender touch, and the kind, focused look on his face immensely reassuring.

He was on his knees beside her, his face hovering closely above hers, and she could feel his sweet, minty breath on her skin, mingled with the smell of coffee and that of freshly washed clothes. A very nice smell, she decided, remembering just in time not to lean into his touch, when his hand briefly cupped and then gently patted her cheek on finishing his examination.

“You know, Sandra, scanners are great, but I’d rather rely on my hands,” he explained, straightening up and gently inserting a hand underneath her shoulders to help her sit up. Then he held out his other hand and asked, “Think you can get up?”  

“I think so,” she nodded, gritting her teeth against the dizziness, and gratefully taking the offered hand to pull herself up.

“Take it slow, my dear,” he murmured softly as she gingerly got to her feet, and seeing that she was standing on rather wobbly legs, he led her straight over to a bench, a warm hand in the small of her back for support.  

“Sorry about your bag, Sandra,” he gave her a wry, apologetic smile, sitting down next to her. “But checking on you clearly was my priority.”

“Don’t worry,” she smiled back at him, “there was nothing much in it, anyway. In fact, just some dried-out nail polish and an old-fashioned paper notebook and pencil. I carry all my valuables close to my body.”

She patted the pocket of her jeans.

“But your drawings?” he sounded genuinely upset.

“It’s all right,” she reassured him. “Luckily, I started on a new sketchbook today. So, it’s just the one drawing gone.”

“God, where are my manners?” he suddenly exclaimed. “My momma really raised me better than this!”

And jumping to his feet, he stood before her, gallantly bowing.

“McCoy’s the name. Dr. Leonard McCoy. Chief medical officer of the USS Enterprise, here on home leave. More or less. I’m sorry, I don’t get to treat a lot of civilians these days, and it shows.”

“Alexandra”, she laughed, accepting his proffered hand and chuckling as he dropped the lightest kiss on the back of hers, his lips just short of touching her skin. “Alexandra Dubois.”

“Enchanté, Mlle Dubois,” he smiled charmingly. “You know, I actually thought, you looked a bit French.”

“Belgian, actually,” she all but giggled, “and my friends call me Alex. But you can stick with Sandra, if you like. It sounds really nice when you say it.”

“Oh, ok,” he blushed a bit at his mistake. “I think I’d like that. Sandra really suits you.”

“You think?” she grinned, loving his gentle flirting. “It’ll just take a little time for me to get used to.”

“Well, I’d be overjoyed to get to spend a little time with you so you can!” he beamed, then quickly clarified, “Get used to it, I mean.”

Mortified when she realised what she’d just implied, she didn’t know what to say.

“At least let me take you to a café or something,” he continued kindly, catching on to her embarrassment, “I’d really like to keep an eye on you over the next couple of hours. Just to make sure there’s no concussion. And because I just binned my coffee and could really do with another.”

“All right, Doctor!” she smiled, drawn in by his gentle, beautiful eyes and feeling rather excited at the idea of spending ‘the next couple of hours’ with her attractive rescuer. “Coffee’s on me! It’s the least I can do! I can’t thank you enough for coming to my rescue!”

“Uh, nothing to thank me for,” he replied, blushing again, “and it’s Leonard, please!”

Her heart melted at seeing the charming and confident doctor suddenly turning almost awkward. So, he wasn’t just gorgeous, kind, and a high-ranking medical Starfleet officer. He was also modest and even a tad shy!

“I mean it, Leonard,” she assured him. “You’ve been too kind, and I’m very grateful.”

“So, are you feeling better then? No nausea or anything?” he changed the subject, back in professional doctor mode now, and she hoped, she hadn’t inadvertently scared him off.

“No nausea, no,” she answered, careful not to shake her head and briefly wondering, if she should mention the dizziness she felt looking into his hypnotising eyes.

He carefully helped her up, and they slowly walked out of the park and over to the nearest café, arms linked with her having to lean on him more than she’d expected to, and him easily taking her weight.

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Up close, she was even more attractive. From her neatly trimmed bangs, that brought out her beautiful eyes, down to her immaculately polished fingernails, that seemed to sparkle in a million different colours and perfectly fit her artistic and mysterious personality.

Sitting across from her at the small corner table, already into their third drink – coffee for him, tea for her, since she’d turned out to be more of a tea person – McCoy’s eyes were glued to her face, as she animatedly told him about a recent experiment gone wrong.

Less than two hours ago, she’d been this mysterious creature, more of an idea really, and now she was a real person, and even lovelier than he had imagined. He’d learned that she didn’t live in San Diego, either, but was only here on vacation herself. And amazingly, she wasn’t even a full-time artist but a fellow scientist, working in a chemical laboratory.

As it turned out, they had much more in common than he could ever have hoped for. And that wasn’t even counting his own occasional dabbling in art, which he wasn’t planning on mentioning, what with her incredible talent ranking so high above his own amateurish skills.

There hadn’t been a moment’s lull in their conversation. Sandra certainly knew how to tell an entertaining story while also being an interested and attentive listener. McCoy found that he wanted to know everything about her. Heck! He even wanted to tell her all about himself! She was certainly the easiest person to open up to.

He would have liked to stay at that café forever, but unfortunately, he had to show his face at the conference at least a couple of hours a day, and even had to give a speech that afternoon. However, by the time he was certain that she hadn’t actually suffered a concussion or any other serious injuries, and he couldn't put off leaving any longer, there was no doubt about them wanting to meet again.

So, taking a deep breath, he worked up the nerve to ask her out to dinner that evening, at a restaurant of her choice, seeing as she knew San Diego so much better than him, and she readily agreed, sending him off to the AIMC with another heartfelt thanks and a gentle peck on the cheek that was all he could think about for the rest of the day.

Choosing a place for dinner had been easy. She wanted cosy and delicious, and there was only one place in San Diego she could think of that offered both. A small, welcoming restaurant serving mainly dishes from the Middle East – her favourite – that made you feel right at home the moment you entered.

Having been there many times before, she didn’t need to look at the menu anymore, but could enjoy studying Leonard’s expressive face instead, as he was browsing through all the different dishes.

She could hardly believe that she was actually sitting here with “her” gorgeous stranger, the man who’d inhabited all of her dreams, and most of her waking hours, for the past week. Their conversation over coffee and tea that morning had been so easy and interesting, she just hadn’t wanted it to end.

And when there’d still been so much more to discuss and discover about each other by the time Leonard had had to leave for his conference, not before making sure that she was well again and would be all right without him, of course, she’d happily accepted his invitation for dinner.

Now here she was, unbelievably sitting in her favourite restaurant with the most attractive man in all of San Diego. Leonard was fun and had a brilliant mind. He was a devoted scientist, just like her. But he was also a dedicated healer, kind and warm. He had a quiet confidence about him, a comforting gentleness that she found immensely appealing.

Luckily, she hadn’t been seriously injured that morning, but if she had, there was no one she’d rather have had around to help. For some reason, she found she trusted this man to treat and heal anything, no matter how severe. Leonard just had this air of capability about him that was so deeply reassuring. He seemed like a man who wasn’t easily fazed, who knew what to do in any given situation.

Her head was still a little sore, but she felt like writing a thank you note to that villain biker, anyway. Because without meaning to, the bag thief had given her something of much greater value than anything he’d taken from her.

“So, how come you know San Diego so well?” Leonard’s voice pulled her back to the present, as he put the menu aside, ready to order.

“I used to come here once or twice every year, with a very dear friend who was born and raised in this lovely city,” she replied, fondly thinking back on all those wonderful vacations.

“But you’re here on your own this time?” the quizzically raised eye-brow amused her. Was he trying to find out if she was seeing someone?

“Yes, my friend’s working on a science vessel now. Has been for some years, actually.”

“Oh! Are they Starfleet, too?” the eyebrow had almost reached Leonard’s hairline now.

“No, he’s with a private organisation, as their chief chemist. Doing research in space has been a lifelong dream of his. But I miss him.”

It was true. She did miss him. Although she had her family and friends, life without Dan had been lonely and certainly less colourful.

“Are you two … uh … involved?” Leonard’s eyes were darting around nervously now. Was that a hint of jealousy – or at least concern – that she detected there?

“Dan and me?” she asked, stalling for time, but then decided to stick to the truth. “We were, actually. A long time ago. But we found that we’re better suited as friends.”

Leonard nodded thoughtfully at that, and it briefly occurred to her that he might be in a relationship himself. But as if reading her thoughts, he started to tell her about his marriage and divorce years ago, and how he and his ex-wife, sadly, were not suited as friends at all.

After that, it felt as if the last protective wall between them had crumbled, and they talked about everything and anything, including very personal things, until late into the night. They’d both been hurt in love more than once, and comparing stories, talking to him about her deepest feelings, things she had shared with only very few people so far, had an immensely soothing, almost healing effect on her. Leonard was truly a born healer.

But it was only when he started to talk about his daughter, eyes shining with a doting father’s love and pride, that she fully comprehended what a wonderful, loving, and deeply caring man he really was. The profound sadness on his face, when he told her about not getting to see “his little girl” nearly often enough, broke her heart and made her want to hug him. But of course, she was far too shy to do that.

Instead, she reached across the table to give his hand a comforting squeeze, the touch electric, and a thrill running through her, when he gratefully clasped her fingers and gently squeezed back, gazing at her with his kind, blue eyes that seemed to be looking straight into her soul.

After they’d practically been thrown out of the restaurant at closing time, Leonard quite naturally walked her to her hotel, neither of them seeming to mind that it wasn’t really within “walking distance”, just grateful for the extra time it gave them to talk and simply enjoy each other’s company. And when it got a little chilly, he gallantly took off is jacket and put it around her shoulders, along with a gentle hug and a rub to her arms that didn’t last nearly long enough.

They stopped a few times along the way, to look at something, or just gaze into each other’s eyes as they talked. Sometimes he even put his arm around her shoulders or waist and brought his face close to hers, as he pointed something out to her. Those moments were magical. There was no other word to describe them.

And when they reached her hotel, far too soon for her liking, there was a moment when he leaned in as if to kiss her, but she panicked and turned her head so that his warm and gentle lips landed on her cheek. Leonard, ever the gentleman, though, didn’t miss a beat, warmly thanking her for a lovely evening, wishing her a good night and asking if he would see her again in the park the next morning.

So, when she floated rather than walked to her room after returning his jacket and waving him off into the night, her full, racing heart was torn between excitement at seeing him again in only a few hours, and fear of having blown her chance of becoming more than just a shore leave acquaintance to him.

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Coffee had turned into dinner followed by an incredibly romantic walk, and even though he’d apparently misread her that first evening, McCoy was relieved that his misguided attempt at kissing her hadn’t ruined their budding friendship. Quite obviously he’d been out of the dating game too long, but Sandra had graciously overlooked his ungentlemanly faux-pas.

Now, three days later, it almost felt as if they’d known each other forever, and there was no question anymore, that they wanted to spend as much time together as they could. He’d have liked them to be even closer by now, of course. She was the most attractive woman he’d ever met, and he was only a man, after all. But even so, the way she made him feel when they were together, just talking and occasionally touching hands, was far beyond anything he’d ever hoped to feel again.

McCoy was just happy to be around her, trying his best to ignore the sparks igniting every time they touched, however briefly, or even just when she gazed at him with her big, soulful eyes. But since he was leaving for space again in a few days anyway, and she was far too precious to just be a shore-leave romance, he was simply grateful for every wonderful minute they had, thankful to have met her at all.

Besides, she seemed to have a lot of male friends, and she’d been talking very affectionately about this Dan guy in particular, so maybe keeping this strictly platonic was for the best. McCoy had never really been the jealous type, but he had a feeling that Sandra being a whole galaxy away could easily change that, if their relationship went beyond friendship.

After an early dinner of chicken sandwiches in a little café by the sea, Leonard had suggested an evening stroll along Coronado Beach, one of her favourite spots in San Diego, and possibly the most beautiful place on Earth. It certainly held some cherished memories, and she couldn't help imagining Leonard finally sweeping her into his arms for a breath-taking kiss there. Just as she felt they were meant to, and certainly a dream come true.

She couldn't really pinpoint what it was about him. What had her fall for him so fast and so completely. Incredible as it sounded, it had been love at first sight. And then a little more every day. With every look, every touch, everything he said or did. He was the kindest, gentlest, most fascinating man she’d ever met, and she couldn't even begin to describe what she felt gazing into those compassionate, mesmerising eyes, or even just being near him.

Standing or walking close to him, listening to his deep, rich voice and heart-stoppingly charming southern drawl, the way he admired her drawings, his gentle, genuine laughter at her jokes and puns, the sincerity of his interest in everything she had to say, filled her with a comforting, if unfamiliar, sense of confidence, a feeling of self-esteem she hadn’t known before.

She’d always been self-conscious and shy, feeling bland and boring, almost invisible, compared to most other women she knew. But she wasn’t invisible to Leonard. He saw her. In fact, he made her feel like the most attractive and interesting woman in the world. Being around him felt like basking in a warm sea of affection and, incredibly, even admiration.

He’d certainly had his fair share of personal drama, too. Far worse, in fact, than she’d experienced in her life. And the way he talked about his past, hiding the hurt behind dry humour and irony, he sometimes seemed almost flippant, but never bitter, just maybe careful and a little guarded. Through everything that had happened to him, he’d held on to his compassion and remained kind, warm, and caring.

But Leonard wasn’t just beautiful on the inside. He was stunningly gorgeous to behold, too. Not your typical, handsome boy, though. His was a more ragged kind of handsomeness that took her breath away every time she looked at him. A big part were those electric blue eyes, of course, but it was also his lopsided smile, his stance, his gait, even the hair on his arms, or poking out from under a V-neck, that were sexy in a way she couldn't even explain.

Just seeing his profile, or his back, even just the nape of his neck, or his full head of glossy hair, did the most disturbing things to her innards. Butterflies. Now she finally knew what people meant when they talked about them. And then, of course, there were his hands, their gentle tenderness, felt in every little touch, that had captured her even in her dazed state, when he’d first checked her for injuries that fateful morning in the park.

Oh, how she craved the touch of those magical, healing hands, how she longed to be held in those strong, hairy arms, to feel those gentle fingers rubbing her back, touching her face, those soft lips on hers instead of on her cheek. God, she was on fire. But she needed to put a halt to those thoughts before she did something stupid and made a complete fool of herself.

They were strolling hand in hand along the beach now, and she’d thought she’d die, her heart had been racing so fast, when he’d suddenly, almost casually, threaded his fingers through hers. Leonard was such a gentleman, so considerate in everything he did, and she very much appreciated that. But how could he not feel about her the way she felt about him? How could he not want her the way she wanted him?

“You’re such a gentleman, Leonard, and I really love that about you, but,” she blurted, stopping short when she realised what she was about to say.

“But?” he prompted softly, breaking his stride and turning towards her, gentle eyes fixed on hers and his fingers seeming to tighten their grip on her hand, as an almost naughty smile spread across his face.

“But I wish… I mean … Aren’t you attracted to me in that way at all?” he had her so flustered, she could barely speak.

“What way?” he took her other hand in his, too, and was openly grinning now, clearly delighting in teasing her a little, affection written all over his face.

But she couldn't find her voice, trembling with nerves, and anticipation, and insecurity, as he tenderly pulled her against him, bent down and brought his face close to hers, silently searching her eyes, waiting for a sign of consent.

“That way?” he breathed when she gave a small nod, and then his lips captured hers, caressing, exploring, and endlessly giving.

All she could do was cling on to him as she felt her knees go weak with longing, and disbelief, and excitement.

Chapter Text

He knew it was beyond wrong, but he just couldn't hold back any longer. Sandra was everything he’d ever dreamed of and more. And now that he could see that she was as crazy about him as he was about her, he threw all caution to the wind, helpless to resist the urge to do what he’d been longing to from the very first moment.

And holy smokes! That woman, this almost timid girl who blushed so adorably at the smallest compliment, was one helluva kisser! Wrapping her arms around his waist, her incredible body moulding against his, she made him lose all rational thought. He just wanted, no, needed, to hold her, feel her, wrap himself around her, and lose himself in her warm and gentle presence that filled every space in his heart and did things to his groin that he seemed to have no control over.

Pulling back a bit, when they needed to come up for air, he caught her gaze, still a little doubtful, but clouded with the same desire he felt.

“Not attracted to you in that way?” he chuckled, shaking his head incredulously. “Are you kidding? I was practically going insane holding back every time we so much as touched. It took superhuman strength of will, not to be all over you right after our first dinner. And I can’t even begin to describe what I’m feeling right now, holding your delicate body in my arms after this spectacular kiss.”

Sandra was shivering, albeit almost certainly not from cold, and he pulled her closer again, wrapping his arms around her, wanting her to feel safe and comfortable, even though he’d probably just overstepped a line. What had he done?

Burying his face in her soft hair, as he tightened his arms around her a little more, still processing the incredible sensation of holding her so close, he tried to explain, needing her to know exactly how he felt about her.

“It’s so much more than just physical desire, Sandra. I hope you know that. We’ve only just met, have been seeing each other for only a few days now, but you’ve already got under my skin and into my heart and my soul. Barely a week, and yet I’ve shared more about myself with you than I ever have with anyone before.”

He paused, distracted by her snuggling closer with a soft sigh.

“But I’m going back to space after the conference. That’s why I’ve been holding off. The only reason why. I tried to avoid getting in too deep, which is ridiculous, really, because I couldn't be in any deeper. However, I’m in the middle of a five-year deep space mission I’ve signed up for. And you’re an amazing woman! The last thing I’d want is for you to feel like just a shore leave romance. Because you mean so much more to me than that. You have no idea. What I’ve found with you is wonderful beyond words!”

He didn’t add that, for the first time, he thought he might heal emotionally after all. That with her, he felt he could actually allow himself to fall in love again without necessarily getting hurt. And he certainly didn’t add what had been on the tip of his tongue so many times in the past few days. Because it was way too soon to say it, even though he wanted to say it with all his heart.

I love you, Sandra!  

Instead he pointed towards the sky and told her, “I’ll be out there for at least three more years, Sandra. That’s no way to start a relationship of any sorts, least the one I’d love for us to have. And I certainly couldn't expect you to wait for me that long.”  

“But maybe I’d want to,” she said, when she’d finally found her voice again, reaching up to tenderly touch his face while still processing all the wonderful things he’d just said. “Because I feel exactly the same way about you, Leonard. I really think that we have something special here and I wouldn’t want to just throw it away. I’ve certainly never felt like this before.”

“Neither have I,” he murmured, drawing her in for another mind-blowing kiss, and she just melted into him, his inviting arms, his alluring body, his seductive lips.

“I don’t know where this is going, or if it’s going anywhere at all,” she said softly, turning around in his arms to watch the stunning sunset, her voice trembling with a yearning for something she couldn’t even clearly identify, “but I just couldn't live with myself, if we didn’t at least give it a chance. And who knows? I might consider giving space a try after all. Maybe even join Starfleet Sciences.”

“Or I might finally return to Earth, if I had someone to come home to,” Leonard whispered into her hair, the feeling of his hot breath on her neck sending shivers down her spine. “I have no idea where this is going to take us, either. All I know is that you are far more than a shore leave romance for me. I haven’t felt connected like this to anyone in … forever really.”

“See? Life’s full of options, let’s keep ours open for now,” she all but giggled, suddenly feeling bold and fearless, standing here, in her favourite spot in the whole world, watching a magnificent sunset with this amazing man straight out of her dreams, wonderfully protected in his strong and tender arms, wrapped in love and happiness and a future full of promise.

“I’d love that very much!” Leonard murmured, his voice even softer, his embrace even gentler now. And when he tenderly added, “You’re as precious as your art, Sandra. I’ve never met anyone more beautiful, inside or out!” she found that, maybe for the first time in her life, she actually felt beautiful.

A perfect moment, she thought, forever etched on my heart.

And it really was. So perfect, she felt she might burst with happiness. With her back snuggled against his chest, feeling all his love, and warmth, and kindness engulfing her, life seemed like a dream. A dream come true.

And when she suddenly noticed his growing desire pressing against the small of her back, and he nervously chuckled and drawled, “I hope you don’t get the wrong impression, I’m usually all for taking it slow, but we don’t have that luxury, do we? And I feel I really have to show you just how attracted I am to you in “that way” before I have to go back to the Enterprise,” she eagerly took his hand and pulled him along towards her hotel.

She didn’t remember ever wanting anyone more than she wanted Leonard, she just couldn’t get to feel him, all of him, soon enough. And when she woke up the next morning, turning towards the wonderful man still peacefully asleep beside her, even more adorable now with his tousled hair and content little smile, she gently touched his face to reassure herself that he was real, that she wasn’t still dreaming.

Last night had been amazing, mind-blowing, magical, out-of-this-world, a true revelation. It had certainly taught her that there were even more perfect moments than watching the sunset with Leonard McCoy. More perfect, in fact, than she could ever have imagined. The selfless tenderness he’d shown her, the intense pleasure he’d given her, were beyond anything she’d ever known.

And the thrill that ran through her still tingling body when Leonard’s eyes slowly blinked open, a thrill of excitement at what was lying ahead of her, not just this morning here in bed – although that was certainly going to be spectacular again, too – but a whole new, bright and promising future, was beyond words.

Only matched, perhaps, by Leonard’s delighted smile that spread across his handsome face and lit up his whole being, when he found himself waking up to Sandra’s loving face tenderly gazing down at him.