Aviophobia (Leonard McCoy)

25. Awakening

A week passed, and Kate continued following a routine, but this time it was a much more pleasant one.  She woke up each day with Leonard by her side, and they would get up and get ready for work, most of the time waking up a little early so they could start their day off with some fun.  Then they would go to work together, making sure to arrive about fifteen minutes before shift started so they could clock in and check on Jim before beginning their first set of rounds.  Then they would do rounds, check on Jim, eat lunch, check on Jim, do another set of rounds, clock out, check on Jim, then leave work for the day.  It was still difficult for Kate to leave Jim at the hospital, but she knew spending this time with Leonard was much better for her health than obsessing over her brother, who did seem to be making improvements.

After a few days of this, Leonard began to grow tired of having to go back to his apartment each day to pick up clothes, so they wet to his apartment and picked up several sets of clothes and a few other things that he needed.  It definitely wasn't an official move-in, but Kate was happy knowing that Leonard wanted to spend time with her so much that he didn't even want the inconvenience of going to his apartment for a few minutes before going to hers.

This morning, Kate and Leonard woke up to the sound of her comm going off.  She was confused for a moment, trying to get her bearings as she still wasn't really use to being on planet instead of on the Enterprise, but soon gathered her wits enough to grab her comm and, as she rubbed the sleep out of her eyes, answer, "Dr. Kirk, here," thinking that it had to be about one of her patients from the hospital.

A voice she didn't recognize answered, "Dr. Kirk, this is Admiral Barnett.  Is now a good time?"

Kate sat up and saw that Leonard was paying more attention to her state of undress than the conversation, so she pulled the sheet up to cover herself as she answered, "Yes sir, what can I do for you?"

"Good," he responded, then continued, "We've been calling in crew from the Enterprise that had dealings with Khan and Commander Spock reported to us that you seemed to be able to get him to talk better than any of the rest of the crew were able to.  Is this true?"

Kate shrugged and answered, "I suppose he did seem more willing to talk to me.  Is there something I can help you with?"

Barnett continued, "I'd like you to come into my office today before reporting for your shift at the hospital.  There's a few things we need to discuss with you."

Kate nodded and asked, "When do you need me there?"

Barnett replied, "In about an hour, if you can.  Also, is Dr. McCoy with you?  Hospital staff has said that you two have been coming to work and leaving work together."

Feeling heat rush to her face, Kate responded, "Yes, sir.  McCoy is here with me."

Leonard spoke up for the first time and asked, "What can I do for you, Admiral?"

Barnett replied, "Come in when Kirk does.  There's something we actually want to talk to the both of you about."

Leonard made eye contact with Kate for a moment before replying, "Yes, sir.  We'll be there in an hour."

Barnett responded, "Thank you both.  See you in an hour," then the comm cut off.

Kate sat it down on her night stand and pulled her knees into her chest, putting her head on her knees, then groaned.  She felt Leonard's hand on her bare back and had to fight the shiver that wanted to go through her body at his contact as he asked, "You okay, darlin'?"

Still keeping her head on her knees she shook her head and asked, "Do you think they're going to talk to us about our relationship?"

She felt Leonard's hand under her chin, softly encouraging her to look up at him, so she did, and he smiled softly at her before saying, "I don't know, but whatever they've got to say won't change me wanting to be with you.  I'll volunteer to transfer off the Enterprise if I have to."