Chapter Text
“Your name is Jim.” Leonard couldn’t help it. He practically ran up to him and held him tight. Relief hit him so strong it almost knocked him over. The crew laughed and smiled and joined in to do the same. But he got there first, so he mattered most in his opinion. He could almost hear Spock think. Reluctantly he let him go.
“What’s going on in that Vulcan brain of yours?” Leonard asked. Spock looked down at him.
“I am wondering why I chose you to hold my Katra.” He said. Leonard smiled.
“I was hoping you could tell me.” Spock took his hand and placed two fingers against his. The Vulcan kiss Leonard faintly remembered. He was too busy practically swooning like a schoolgirl to care. Much to his disappointment, Spock separated their hands. He wanted to take Spock’s hands in his.
“I believe that is why. But I am confused, am I also Jim’s mate? Partner?” Spock asked. Leonard remembered that the entire crew was there. But he didn’t really care. Jim smiled.
“That’s right. But I’m always happy to share. I just didn’t know you had it in you Bones.” Jim said with a laugh. Leonard had half a mind to be offended.
“Yeah, but when you have someone else's brain rattling around in yours you learn a thing or two.” Jim threw his arms around the two of them. Some of the crew chuckled.
“Alright, show’s over people, let’s get off this planet. I think everyone deserves some shore leave, doctor’s orders.” Leonard said. The others chatted and nodded in agreement. Leonard turned back to Spock, who seemed to have zoned out on nothing.
“Jim, we should get Spock back to the ship. I want to look him over.” Leonard said. Jim grinned and waggled his eyebrows at him like an idiot. Leonard pointedly ignored it.
Jim turned to the Vulcan woman who performed the ceremony.
“Thank you.” He said. She did not smile. But Leonard could have sworn there was a fondness in her eyes he knew his place and didn’t call her out on it. She had just put Spock’s soul back in its body; there was no way he was about to make her regret it.
“His soul is yours and the doctor's responsibility. Guard it well. Live long and prosper.” She said.
“Live long and prosper.” Jim said, Leonard returned the Vulcan salute.
“Alright, seven to beam up.”
The familiar feeling of being transported took over. After all these years he still hated it. He had seen enough transporting accidents to make his fear far from rational. And these idiots never took medical school, so they don’t know exactly what the transporter was tearing apart and putting back together. But he did. Though that’s not the fault of the poor fools who don’t know what they were using to get in and out. Thankfully, they arrived on the ship with no trouble. All in one piece. Leonard guided Spock to Sickbay, Jim followed shortly behind. Bones did a thorough examination.
“Well your vitals aren’t normal but that’s to be expected after the ordeal you’ve been through. I’m prescribing rest and no strenuous activities. I mean it Spock.” Leonard said. If he saw Spock so much as attempt to do any sort of physical activity he would cause some sort of mutiny.
“I would not expect you to say something you do not mean, Doctor.” Spock said.
“Come on Spock, you’ve been in my head, you should know me by now.” Spock only stared at him blankly. The look worried him, and by the small distressed sound Jim made he was worried too.
“I believe I will retire.” Spock said. Leonard nodded.
“Okay. I’d like you to remain here for observation.”
“Logical.” Spock laid down on the biobed and fell asleep. If Spock was admitting that staying in Sickbay was logical, then he must have really needed to be here. Leonard sighed.
“You should sleep too. I’ll stay with him.” Jim said. He noticed the dark circles underneath his eyes.
Leonard hesitated. After the fight to get Spock back, he didn’t want to leave him for even a second. Illogical human emotionalism Spock would call it, and Leonard would be too tired to argue otherwise. Jim’s knowing eyes seemed to understand, he pulled up a chair for him.
“I hate that stupid Vulcan.” Leonard murmured. Jim laughed quietly.
“I know you do.” Jim said, the indulgent tone was clear in his voice.
Leonard fell asleep in the surprisingly comfortable chair. No one woke him, so he supposed there were no medical emergencies while he was asleep, he thanked a god he didn’t believe in. Jim stayed up for the whole night, he made sure that Spock was okay, that he was after everything, still alive. Logically-he was beginning to sound like that damn Vulcan, maybe that was a side effect of having had him in your head-he knew that Spock would be fine. Mentally and physically drained and likely confused, but fine. But there was still a part of him that wondered if this was all a dream. It sure felt like it at times.
“Dr. McCoy?” He had been working on some logs when he heard Spock call his name. Leonard went to his bedside quicker than he would like to admit.
“Yes? Everything alright?” He asked. He looked at his readings, everything appeared to be fine, but with Spock it was always hard to tell.
“I am adequate, I missed your company. Is that not logical?”
“You were bored.” Leonard said with a smile.
“Evidently, I was.” He rolled his eyes.
“You kissed me Spock, I think you can call me Leonard, if you want, or Bones if you prefer.” Leonard laughed.
“If that is what you wish…Leonard.” It felt strange to hear Spock say his name. He was so used to people calling him “Dr. McCoy" or "Bones" (Jim) that someone saying his first name was a rarity. Not that he minded of course.
If Leonard was a more imaginative man he could have sworn that Spock had smiled, if ever so slightly. But he was not an imaginative man-years of living on the Enterprise had taught him that reality was stranger than fiction. And often far more dangerous. Leonard, testimony to his tiredness and lingering relief, didn’t comment on it. He sat beside Spock.
“Well what can I do to entertain you?” Leonard asked.
“I would appreciate it, if someone brought me the Vulcan harp I seem to recall having. I want to attempt to play it.”
“Alright. I don’t see why not, I’ll have someone bring that for you.” Leonard said.
“Thank you.”
“Is there anything else I can do for you?” Leonard asked. For a moment, Spock looked like he might say something, Leonard hoped he would say something. But whatever it was passed.
“No, I don’t believe there is, Doctor.”
Damn Vulcan. But he couldn’t help but smile. They had all the time in the world to figure this new thing out.