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Leonard cupped Spock’s face with one of his hands while he wiped Spock’s mouth with the other. “I think it’s time we tell the captain, sweetheart.”
Spock was still hunched over, the contents of his stomach now sitting in a basin on his lap. His eyes were bloodshot and shiny with tears, and at Leonard’s suggestion, he frowned. “We agreed that we would wait—”
“—until it was obvious. Spock, three times now you’ve had to rush off the Bridge to make sure you didn’t vomit in front of the rest of the senior staff. Eventually people are gonna catch on.”
Leonard sighed, glancing around to make sure they were still alone. Luckily, the only other person in Sickbay was Nurse Chapel, and she was already in-the-know; they didn’t have to worry about the wrong ears listening in.
“Look, Spock,” Leonard said, patting Spock’s back soothingly. “I don’t think we need to tell everyone yet, but you know how Jim is. The moment he catches a whiff that something is up, he’s not gonna let it go until he figures out what’s going on. And if he thinks something is wrong with you? He’s not gonna believe some weak excuse about food poisoning, not when Scotty has just fixed all the bugs in the replicator’s programming.”
Spock’s lips thinned into a tight line. Leonard wondered if Spock was getting ready to vomit again or if he was just thinking. “Only Jim?”
“Only Jim,” Leonard agreed.
Jim came sauntering into Sickbay only a few minutes after Leonard reached out to him over the intercom, a smile stretched wide across his face. It wasn’t until he noticed Spock seated on a biobed that he stilled, his smile falling.
“Spock?” Jim stepped closer, glancing over at Leonard. “Bones, what’s going on? Is he alright? Is he—”
“Relax, Jim. He’s fine.” Leonard stepped forward and reached out for Jim’s arms, clasping them and giving them a reassuring squeeze. “Why don’t you come join us? Pull up a chair, Jim.”
Jim didn’t move. His eyes jumped from Leonard to Spock, then to the biofunction monitor above the bed. His eyes narrowed suspiciously. “He isn’t hurt?”
“I am not,” Spock answered.
Leonard waited for Spock to continue, but when Spock didn’t, Leonard rolled his eyes. Typical Spock, making him be the one to lead this conversation just because it was bound to get a little emotional.
Leonard anxiously bounced on his toes, his heart starting to race. “We’ve got news, Jim.”
“News?” Jim repeated, his brow furrowing. “What news? Spock, you’re not leaving my ship, are you?”
Spock shook his head. “No, Captain. Unless the Admiralty asks that I step down from my duties, I plan to stay aboard the Enterprise.”
Jim paused. At length, he asked, “Is there a reason they may ask you to leave, Spock?”
Spock looked at Leonard.
“Oh, for Christ’s sake—” Leonard huffed. He drew his shoulders back and settled his eyes on Jim, drawing Jim’s attention.“Jim, as our captain and as our friend, we felt that you should be the first to know that we’re having a baby. Spock’s pregnant.”
“Spock’s—?” Jim reeled back. He looked from Leonard to Spock, his lips parting. He went to speak, then clamped his mouth shut. After a beat, he tried again. “A baby.”
“Yup.”
“The two of you are going to be parents? This—this isn’t some sort of joke?”
“Vulcans do not joke,” Spock cut in, and Leonard bit down on his bottom lip to keep himself from smiling.
Jim stared at Spock in silence. Then, he clasped his hands together behind his back, and stepped closer to Spock. In a softer voice he asked, “How long?”
Leonard felt a burst of pride as he answered, “Spock’s only just hit eight weeks. Vulcans gestate longer than humans, and while I’m not sure how Spock’s human side will affect how many months he’ll be pregnant, my guess is it’ll be some time before the kid arrives. You’ll have your first officer working by your side for a good long while yet, Captain—as long as there are no complications. I’ll be watching him like a hawk to make sure he’s not putting his health or the baby’s at risk—both as his doctor and as his partner.”
Jim pursed his lips together, nodding. “I see. Well, that’s wonderful news.” Jim smiled, but something about it gave Leonard pause. It felt forced, and Jim’s eyes lacked their usual shine. “Congrats to the two of you. I’m sure you’re both very excited. The two of you will make fine parents.”
“Thank you, Captain,” Spock replied, and Leonard thanked him as well, though his brain was going a mile a minute trying to piece together why Jim seemed so sour about their news.
- - -
Leonard and Spock made sure to eat breakfast together every morning. It was part of their routine, and it ensured that no matter how busy the rest of the day was, they were able to spend a small portion of it together outside of the stress that came with being on-shift. Sometimes Jim would join them, sliding into the spot next to Leonard with a story or two to tell, and those were the days Leonard liked the most, starting the day sharing a laugh with his two favorite people.
But they hadn’t seen Jim at breakfast in a while. Certainly not in the weeks since they’d informed Jim that they were expecting.
“You getting enough to eat, Spock?” Leonard asked, taking a bite from his toast. “You’re looking a little pale. How’s the nausea?”
“It is improving,” Spock answered. Leonard noted that Spock was playing with his food and not actually putting any of it in his mouth. When their eyes met, Leonard looked at Spock pointedly, and with a sigh, Spock speared a piece of pineapple with his fork and brought it to his mouth, chewing carefully. “Though it has not completely subsided.”
Leonard hummed, swallowing his last bite. “Well, if it gets any worse, come visit me in Sickbay and we can get you a hypo for that. How are you sleeping? You look exhausted.”
“I am fine, Doctor.”
Leonard leaned forward. “Okay, and now asking as your partner: how are you sleeping? Do you need me to take the couch? I’ve got a cot in my office if I’m keeping you up with my snoring.”
“That will not be necessary. I have found that a short rest mid-day makes my fatigue more manageable.”
“You’re taking naps?” Leonard asked, starting to smile. Spock narrowed his eyes slightly and Leonard cleared his throat, dropping his grin. “That’s good. I can talk to Jim about him scheduling some time each day for you to slip off and sleep. ‘Course that would require me pulling him off to the side to talk so that no one else can hear us discuss your pregnancy…”
“Perhaps now would be an opportune time to speak with him.”
“Sure, but that would require Jim coming to the mess in the mornings again, and—”
“He is by the replicators now,” Spock replied, and surprised, Leonard spun around in his seat.
Jim was indeed standing by the replicators, holding a cup of coffee and a plate in his hands. Jim’s eyes met Leonard’s, and for a moment Jim’s body seemed to freeze. Only his eyes moved, glancing from Leonard to Spock before something passed over his expression, and then Jim’s lips curved into a frown.
Jim dropped his gaze, turning to leave the mess. Jim seemed—embarrassed. But there was something else too, something sad in his eyes.
“Wonder why he’s refusing to sit with us,” Leonard murmured, turning back around to face Spock. “You think it’s ‘cuz of the baby?”
“There has been a noticeable decline in how often Jim eats his meals with us over the past year of our mission.” Spock paused, tilting his head in thought. “Around the time that you and I started our romantic relationship.”
Huh.
- - -
At fourteen weeks, Spock’s morning sickness had mostly subsided. His fatigue, however, had only worsened and Spock was now exhausted all the time. Even the walk from their shared quarters to the turbolift winded him, leaving Spock leaning against the walls of the lift huffing in air. On the days when Spock got off work before Leonard, he still joined Leonard in Sickbay, but where Spock before would stand at Leonard’s side and pick arguments about how Leonard was running things, Spock now curled up in Leonard’s office, catching twenty minutes of sleep so that he would have the energy to walk to the mess and eat supper.
Things were otherwise progressing just fine. Another few weeks and Spock said he would be open to sharing their news with more of the crew—not the entire ship, of course, but their friends—and Leonard looked forward to telling some of his favorite people. Leonard could only keep a secret for so long.
Leonard stepped onto the Bridge, joining Jim to the left of his chair.
Jim glanced up at Leonard, smiling slightly. “Things slow in Sickbay today?”
“There’s only so many times a man can organize his supplies before losing his mind.”
Jim chuckled. “Well, better for Sickbay to be boring than busy. After what happened on Scotty’s birthday, I’m hoping things are quiet here for a few more days.”
What happened on Scotty’s birthday wasn’t nearly as fun as it sounded: they had a run in with a rogue group that had been making attacks across the Federation for the past year. While the Enterprise had successfully dealt with their assailants, Sickbay had been packed with injured Security officers. Leonard had done what he could, but there had unfortunately been one casualty.
Of course, Leonard had felt bad for Scotty most of all. Any plans that there had been for his birthday had been canceled (a real shame for those who had attended last year’s festivities and gotten to witness Scotty dance on the tables in the mess… lord could that man drink), but Leonard made sure to gift him a bottle of brandy he’d hidden away in case of emergency, and a ruined birthday was certainly an emergency. Leonard was just glad Scotty’s birthday hadn’t been a complete wash.
“Best to not jinx our good luck, Jim. The crew needs as long a rest as they can get.”
Jim hummed in consideration. “I’ll talk to Command, see if I can get us some shore leave. It won’t be any good to have an overworked crew.”
“Plus it’ll help with morale. Nurse Chapel has noted an uptick in people coming in to discuss their stress-levels.”
Jim frowned. “If that’s the case, then—”
Jim stopped, silenced by the sound of giggling. Leonard and Jim turned their attention ahead to find Sulu and Chekov whispering conspiratorially, eyes glancing back behind Jim.
Jim leaned forward. “What’s so funny, gentlemen?” he whispered back, and the grins quickly dropped from Chekov and Sulu’s faces.
“N—nothing, sir!” Chekov said, straightening in his chair. “Just discussing the—the helm—or, no, the—”
Chekov clamped his mouth shut, looking to Sulu for help.
Sulu sighed. “Captain,” he said, voice still soft. “It appears Commander Spock has fallen asleep.”
Leonard quickly turned to face Spock’s station. Sure enough, Spock’s arms were folded up on the countertop, his head resting on top of his arms and eyes shut tight. Oh Spock, Leonard thought. He’s going to be so embarrassed when he realizes what’s happened.
Up front, Chekov and Sulu were giggling once more. It wasn’t malicious—they had no idea that Spock was pregnant so they couldn’t know that there was a good reason for Spock’s fatigue—but something in Leonard’s gut twisted at Spock being the butt of their jokes. Leonard glanced over at Uhura and found her taking in the scene as well, casting Leonard a sympathetic look when her eyes met his own.
“Poor thing,” Jim said softly. “He really must be exhausted.”
Stunned by Jim’s tone, Leonard looked back at Jim. They locked eyes and Leonard raised his brows questioningly, and Jim stiffened. He straightened, drawing his shoulders back, then clasped his hands together. He stared ahead at Sulu and Chekov, squeezing and pulling at his fingers. He didn’t seem to realize what he was doing.
Leonard narrowed his eyes; he knew this look. Jim was nervous.
But about what exactly?
Teasing Spock wasn’t out of character for Jim and neither was speaking fondly of him, but this felt… different. Jim’s tone was tender, delicate even. If Leonard didn’t know any better, he’d think there was something affectionate about it.
But why would Jim be affectionate about—
Leonard stopped.
Aw, hell. Was Jim in love with his boyfriend?
Leonard’s mind replayed the last year of the mission. Ever since he had started dating Spock, Jim had begun to pull back and give them some distance, though Jim hadn’t stayed away completely. If Leonard thought about it, Jim did seem prone to giving Spock puppy-dog eyes. Physical touch, too, seemed reserved for Spock and on occasion Leonard, too.
Jim cared about Spock, but he cared about the crew. That was the captain’s job, wasn’t it?
Hmph. Leonard didn’t find that thought very convincing. He wasn’t chummy with many captains, but this behavior between captains and their first officers definitely wasn’t common in the Fleet.
Which meant…
Leonard locked eyes with Jim, then nodded at Spock. “Help me wake him, would you? I want to walk Spock down to Sickbay to make sure it’s nothing serious.”
It was a bit of a ruse—yes, he planned on checking Spock out once they were in Sickbay just in case, but the goal was to get himself and Jim alone. They needed to talk, and from the looks of it, they’d been needing to have this talk for a while.
They reached for Spock. Leonard squeezed Spock’s hand, murmuring, “Wake up, Spock, wake up. We’re gonna take you to Sickbay now.”
Spock’s eyes fluttered open, a crease forming between his brows as he looked up. “Leonard?” he asked, sounding confused.
“You fell asleep. I want to check you out in Sickbay to make sure you’re alright.”
Spock sat up and Leonard drew back. He moved only a beat or two before Jim, but in those short seconds he noticed that Jim’s hand rested on Spock’s back, rubbing it soothingly.
Leonard dropped his gaze and focused instead on helping Spock out of the Bridge.
It didn’t take long for them to reach Sickbay; by the time they arrived, Spock wasn’t much more alert. He sat up on the biobed with his hands clasped in his lap as Leonard scanned him, doing his best to stifle a yawn.
“You’re fine, Spock,” Leonard said, patting Spock on the arm. “Just as I suspected. Hopefully the fatigue should start to lessen as you leave the first trimester—I’m just not completely sure when that’ll be for you.”
Spock nodded, but based on the sleepy look on his face Leonard was sure that Spock was only half-listening.
“Well, why don’t you take a nap now, Spock?” Leonard suggested. “I’m sure Jim won’t mind.”
He shot Jim a pointed look and Jim nodded a little too enthusiastically. “Go ahead, Spock. If we need you, I’ll have Bones send you back up to the Bridge.”
For once, Spock didn’t argue. He stepped out of his boots, then curled up on his side. Leonard sat on the edge of the biobed and ran his fingers through Spock’s hair soothingly, and it didn’t take long for Spock’s breathing to even out once more.
Jim lingered, leaning against the nearest wall. Leonard didn’t move, keeping his hand in Spock’s hair, but he raised his gaze, looking at Jim with a question in his eyes.
“I should go,” Jim started, pushing off from his spot, but Leonard raised his other hand, stopping Jim.
“Jim, just—wait a second, will you?”
Jim stilled. Leonard exhaled heavily, wetting his bottom lip. Shit. He was no good at this.
Leonard drew his shoulders back, setting his eyes on Jim. They held each other’s gaze for a moment; then, Leonard asked, “Jim, are you jealous of me and Spock?”
Jim’s eyebrows shot up to his hairline and his mouth fell open. “Wh—jealous? That’s—no. Hah, no, I’m not—”
Jim shut himself up, dropping his gaze to Spock. Out of habit, Jim’s hands clasped together once more, squeezing, squeezing, squeezing, and Leonard softened.
“You care about him, I can tell. It’s okay, Jim. I’m not angry. I’m not upset.”
Jim looked up at Leonard, a look that seared through Leonard’s chest like the sharp stab of a knife. Leonard had seen such sorrow in Jim’s eyes before, but never directed at him, never over a pain that he and Spock were (inadvertently) causing.
Jim closed his eyes, his brow scrunching up as he shook his head. “Forget it, Bones. I shouldn’t have—I’ve crossed a line.”
“You haven’t, Jim.”
“Haven’t I?” Jim asked, but his voice was soft, and the question seemed directed to himself. His eyes settled on the middle distance, gaze unfocused. Then, he blinked, looking back at Leonard. “He’s with you, Bones.”
“You should have said something,” Leonard said, standing from Spock’s bed. He cleared his throat, wetting his lips. “I know none of us are particularly good with the—the talking thing, but Jim, this is something we would have wanted to know about. It’s important.”
Jim shook his head again. “I was working myself up to tell you. For—for months, Bones.”
Damn.
“Since we got together?” Leonard asked, and Jim looked away.
“I kept making excuses. Told myself it wasn’t the right time—there was always something going on with the ship or with the crew or Command, and then…” Jim inhaled sharply. He smiled at Leonard, strained. “But then you shared the news of the baby, and I missed my chance to say something.”
“But you didn’t!” Leonard exclaimed, and Jim’s eyes widened. He grimaced then, forgetting that Spock was sleeping to his side. He was almost shaking with nerves, but he kept his eyes on Jim as he spoke again, this time in a softer voice. “Spock cares about you. He has for a while. We’d talked about it, sorta. Before we got together, it was just something I’d tease him about, but once we started dating, we stopped discussing it.”
Jim tilted his head, eyes studying Leonard, and Leonard took in a quick breath, continuing before his nerves could get to him. “Jim, he never stopped caring about you. He just—he didn’t think—” Leonard paused, smiling slightly. “I think he was also working himself up to tell you. We both were.”
Jim stared. “Both of you?” he breathed, and Leonard nodded, his chest feeling unbearably tight.
Leonard turned back around to look at Spock. He ran a hand over Spock’s leg, petting it soothingly, more to calm himself than to calm Spock. It took a moment for him to feel like he could speak again. “It’s alright if you don’t—I mean, I won’t take offense if I’m not a part of what you and Spock have.”
“Oh, Bones,” Jim sighed, and Leonard turned. He found that Jim had stepped off from the wall, standing only a step or so away, and when Leonard reached out for him, Jim took his hand in his. Jim’s eyes searched Leonard’s own as he ran his thumb over the back of Leonard’s hand, his eyes unbearably soft. “Of course you are. Since the beginning, it’s always been you and Spock.”
Leonard’s mouth fell open but no words came out. They slowly inched towards each other, staring into each other’s eyes. Jim’s grip on Leonard’s hand tightened, pulling Leonard in, and Leonard wondered how he was still standing, how his legs hadn’t given out. He felt as if he could crumple to the floor, he was shaking so badly, and Jim was so close, his lips right there, and it would be so easy for Leonard to lean forward, to connect them…
Leonard grabbed at Jim’s waist, stilling him. Leonard stepped back, shaking his head slightly.
Jim’s face fell. “Oh. You don’t—?”
“God, no!” Leonard gasped. “Not that! I just want to wait until Spock is awake. It feels wrong to kiss you without running it by him again.”
Jim looked relieved. “Right. Of course, I understand.”
“Once Spock wakes up—”
“I have been awake, Doctor,” Spock said suddenly, still facing away from them.
Jim gawked. “And you didn’t think to say anything?”
Spock shifted, and with a grunt, he managed to seat himself upright. “It seems that you were both able to have this discussion without my help.”
Amused, Leonard leaned forward and pressed a kiss against Spock’s head, sitting once more on the edge of the biobed. “Sorry we woke you. We should’ve moved this conversation elsewhere so that you could sleep.”
“It is of no consequence—I will rest again later. In fact, I am grateful that you had that conversation here, so that I could hear what you both had to say.” Spock paused, his eyes jumping to Jim. “Especially what you had to say, Jim.”
Flustered, Jim dropped his gaze. “It’s—I hope I didn’t seem—”
He stopped, then shook his head, looking up at Leonard. “So, it’s—I mean, can we—?”
Jim looked at Spock pleadingly, and Spock’s eyes lit up with mirth. “The doctor was correct earlier, Captain. We have both wished for you to join us in a romantic relationship for some time now.
“‘Some time’, Spock? That’s not very specific.”
Spock frowned, his brow furrowing. “It appears the pregnancy is affecting my ability to accurately pinpoint the moment I first realized that I harbored these feelings for you. I apologize.”
Jim began to laugh hard, shaking his head at Spock. When he quit laughing, his eyes were wet with tears and he was grinning widely. He walked around to the other side of the biobed and perched himself on the edge as well. “I would like to kiss you—both of you. Can I—?”
“Yes,” Spock replied, already leaning forward, and Leonard watched as Jim and Spock’s lips met. Leonard’s heart pounded in his chest, unable to look away from them. He wanted this, had wanted this for a while, and he knew that Spock had longed for this, too.
But goddamn, their kiss was taking longer than Leonard expected.
Leonard huffed. “I’m still here, you know.”
Breaking the kiss, Jim and Spock turned to look at him, and a thrill rushed through Leonard at the half-lidded gaze Jim was giving him. “Anyone ever told you you’re an impatient man, Bones?”
Leonard opened his mouth to reply, but he was silenced by Jim draping himself over Spock and pulling Leonard into a searing kiss, his mouth still wet from the kiss he’d shared with Spock. Leonard cupped Jim’s cheek with his hand, and it remained there even as the kiss ended. He pulled back, staring down at Jim’s lips.
“Jim, if you would please—” Spock began, and Jim grimaced.
“Oh, shoot, sorry Spock,” Jim replied, removing himself from Spock’s lap. He glanced down at Spock’s abdomen, then raised his brows. “I didn’t hurt the baby, did I?”
“No. However, your hand was digging into my thigh, and it was uncomfortable.”
Jim’s eyes widened, but before he could make another apology, Leonard cleared his throat. “You know, Jim, things are different now. Are you sure about this?”
“I am, Bones.”
“Even with the baby?”
At that, Jim hesitated. Leonard watched as something passed over Jim’s expression as he considered this, beginning to worry his bottom lip. Slowly, he said, “I will admit that parenthood has never been… a part of the future I envisioned for myself.” He paused. “ But when has life ever gone as planned?”
Jim chuckled, and it seemed to Leonard that Jim was trying to lighten the mood. Leonard reached out and squeezed one of Jim’s hands. “It’s okay if you’re scared. I know there was that whole mess with Carol and David—”
“That was different,” Jim said sharply, bitterness lacing his tone. “Unlike Carol, you and Spock want me around.”
Jim then sighed, shaking his head. “I want you. I want both of you,” he said, taking Spock’s hand in his other hand. “And I want this. I just don’t want to screw everything up. I was already terrified about screwing things up between us, and now that there’s a baby…”
Jim trailed off, and Leonard patted Jim’s hand. “We won’t let you. And you’re not gonna get thrown into the baby stuff blind. You forget that you’ll have an expert helping you out.”
Spock frowned. “You have one child from a previous marriage. I would hardly call you an expert, Doctor.”
Leonard rolled his eyes. “I have more experience than you and Jim combined, I think it’s safe to say I’m the expert here. And stop calling me ‘Doctor’, we agreed that you would use my first name in private.”
“But we are not in private. We—”
“—are the only ones in Sickbay besides Nurse Chapel, and Jim’s now a part of this relationship. Call me my name, dammit!”
Spock was rearing up to respond when Jim started to chuckle. “Sorry,” he said, still giggling. “I don’t mean to interrupt. I just—I’m part of this relationship. I can’t believe it.”
Leonard leaned in and kissed Jim again. God, to get to do this every day! There was so much Leonard had to look forward to, so many new things to experience.
Jim drew back first, turning his eyes to Spock. “I suppose you’ll start showing soon?”
“Start?” Leonard repeated, scooting closer to Spock. “He’s already got a little pooch, Jim.”
Jim’s eyes widened, jumping to look at Spock’s stomach. Spock pulled up his uniform top and undershirt, revealing the pale, hairy skin underneath that was only slightly distended. Leonard quickly looked over at Jim to catch his reaction, watching as Jim softened, a small smile growing on his lips.
“Can you feel it moving?”
“Not yet. Doctor McCoy—” Leonard cleared his throat, and Spock amended, “Leonard believes I should start to feel it move in a few weeks.”
They stayed like this for a while, discussing Spock’s pregnancy. Jim had managed to scoot up right beside Spock, resting his head on Spock’s shoulder, and he seemed content to just listen to Spock and Leonard talk. Leonard wondered if Jim might fall asleep like this, tangled up with Spock; he was sure that Spock would enjoy sharing a nap with Jim.
From the wall, the intercom chimed, and Leonard crossed Sickbay to answer it. “McCoy here.”
“Doctor, is the captain still with you? We were wondering if he would be returning to the Bridge anytime soon.”
Leonard turned to glance at Jim, and Jim looked properly chastised. “Sorry, Uhura,” Leonard said sheepishly. “He’ll be back in just a moment.”
Jim leaned over and pecked Spock on the cheek, then rose from the bed, readjusting his uniform shirt. “Well, better return to my duties. Spock, take the rest of today off. Catch up on some sleep, will you?”
Jim then walked over to Leonard, kissing him softly on the lips. He lingered there for a moment, eyes searching Leonard’s. “Could we maybe… talk more tonight?”
“Of course, Jim. Maybe we could eat dinner in me and Spock’s quarters?”
Jim smiled. “I’d like that.”
He was still smiling to himself as he left. Leonard walked back over to Spock, seating himself on the foot of the biobed. “Well, how about I leave you alone for a while, let you get some proper sleep? I need to catch up on some work.”
To Leonard’s shock and amusement, Spock pouted. “Leonard, I would prefer it if you joined me on the bed. The baby likes it when you hold me.”
“The baby, huh?” Leonard snorted, moving to the other side of the bed. Spock scooted over and Leonard settled down beside him. “You know, if you want to be cuddled, all you have to do is ask.”
Spock didn’t answer, instead moving so that he could rest his head on Leonard’s chest. Once Spock was settled, he sighed heavily, and Leonard smiled.
He loved Spock like this; when they first got together, he was amazed at this side of Spock, the side only he got to see. Now Jim would get to see that side as well.
Good. Leonard looked forward to sharing this version of Spock.
From across Sickbay, Leonard heard Nurse Chapel ask, “Doctor McCoy, would you happen to know where—”
The moment she rounded the corner and they locked eyes, she froze. She then grinned, turning away. “I’ll ask Doctor M’Benga instead. Enjoy your nap, Doctor.”
“I’m not going to—” Leonard started, before Spock interrupted, “He will.”
Nurse Chapel shook her head, then lowered the lights. “Sleep well. You both need it.”
And with that, she was gone.
Spock curled up around him, burrowing his face into Leonard’s chest, and Leonard reached down, gently caressing Spock’s bump. Spock hummed contentedly, moving one of his own hands to cover Leonard’s, keeping it there.
“Stay until I wake, ashayam?”
Leonard kissed Spock’s head. “Of course. I’m not going anywhere, darlin’.”
Leonard stayed.