You Can't Be Too Careful [Star Trek/Leonard "Bones" McCoy Love Story]

[31.] Gingers and Russians and Grumpy Doctors, Oh My!

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(I know it's been a month. Please don't shoot me. I love you all. Go have some cookies for being awesome.)

[31] Gingers and Russians and Grumpy Doctors, Oh My!

            “Cadets, please stand.”

            I got to my feet along with the multitude of students surrounding me. Commander Haines stood before us, hands clasped behind his back, a faint appearance of a proud smile on his face. I knew what he was about to say. I had always known that I would make it to the day when I would hear the words. But still, I couldn’t believe it.

            Four years.

            So much had occurred in that short time. I constantly thought about how high school is also four years, but that my time at the Academy seemed so much longer and trying. In those four years, I was almost killed several times, I lost my father, I almost lost my best friend, but I still managed to save her from a psychotic terrorist, and I met the man of my dreams (I know, super cliché, right? But I don’t care). I would have never imagined myself having fought through and survived so many battles when I was a sixteen year old in my high school Chemistry class, dreaming about the day I would finally reach the Academy. And yet, there I was, barely keeping a lid on the excitement that was coursing through me.

            “Next week, you will become more than students,” Commander Haines began. “You have studied and trained long and hard for this achievement, and I would like you all to know that you have earned the reward that you will be receiving in just a few short days. You are a group of unbelievably smart and talented adults, and I am proud to send you on to become lieutenants, captains, and commanders.”

            He cleared his throat. We waited in complete silence.

            “Cadets, at attention, please.”

            We raised our hands to our foreheads in unison, waiting for his command.

            “It is a great honor to send you all into the next stage. At ease.”

            We saluted him and dropped our hands once more.

            “Cadets, I release you. Go and become Starfleet’s greatest staff.”

            He slowly brought his hands together and clapped. Soon, everyone followed, and the room was filled with a chorus of applause. I couldn’t stop smiling. I had survived. And next week, I would be a graduate.

            Everyone slowly trickled out of the room after Commander Haines declared our release, laughing and talking a thousand miles a minute. I watched as they worked their way to dorm rooms and gathering areas to celebrate. I did not follow them. I had my own place to go.

            “You’re looking at Starfleet’s greatest computer technician to ever graduate!” I declared dramatically upon entering the Medbay. Bones was filling out paperwork when I entered. He looked exhausted and ready to pass out right where he was standing, but he still smiled warmly at me when I entered.

            “To almost graduate,” he corrected me.

            “Oh, same difference,” I scoffed. “Today was still my last day of class!”