Messing with Bones

6

When the shock of coming face to face with Bones wore off, you realized it wasn't as difficult as you thought it would be. You still felt like a schoolgirl with a crush, but you were able to hold it together and you were proud of that. After a few weeks, you stopped trying to rope others into taking jobs where he might be, and you ended up getting the rest you desperately needed.

Now that you weren't avoiding him, Leonard noticed you were looking healthier, and felt a sense a relief that surprised him. As CMO, he should be happy his crew is healthy, but he found it odd he needed a moment to really bask in the fact that you seemed better than when he last you. Before he could linger on the thought, a red shirt had come in with a gash in his side, and it was shoved to the back of his mind.

He was still suspicious, though, keeping a critical eye on you whenever you were in his sights, but he reigned in the sarcastic remarks when all you did was smile humorlessly and returned your attention to your work. In fact, you hardly said a word to him beyond a greeting unless he spoke to you first. Even then, the answers were short and lacking the edge of your previous encounters.

* * * * * * * * * * * * *

Bones packed the last of his gear and headed out to meet with the others for the mission, doing a double take when he saw you among the team.

"Well, look what the cat dragged in," he muttered as he sidled up to you.

"Good morning, Doctor." You didn't even spare him a glance when you replied, making him run a scrutinizing eye over you.

You were transported to another ship that had been attacked, leaving the ship damaged and the crew in need of medical attention. Without another word, you and Bones parted ways, eager to do everything you could to help the crew. In the end, it was beyond what any of you could repair, and ended up needing to tow it back to the nearest port, taking the crew onto the Enterprise for the journey.

A handsome biologist had gotten lost on his way to the labs, and Nyota practically shoved you at him, assuring him it would be no bother for you to escort him as you had a job to do there. He gave you an easy smile and introduced himself as Dr. Dylan Bishop, and was so far just about the most charming person you'd ever met. When you reached the lab, you were about to leave when he politely reminded you about the 'repairs' you needed to do. Groaning internally, you settled yourself into a cabinet and made noises for a few minutes before you decided it was safe to leave.

Whenever you ran into Dylan, he was all smiles and good humor, and you'd be lying if you said it wasn't having an effect on you. It wasn't close to what you felt toward the doctor, but it was a step in the right direction.

"We missed you yesterday," Nyota said as you set your tray down at her table.

"I had lunch with Dylan," you smirked. "Afternoon, Commander."

Spock sat at the table, his food barely touched. "Good afternoon. I trust you've had a productive day?"

"Indeed," you teased, earning one of Nyota's french fries to the face.

"Since when are you having lunch dates?" she demanded.

"We're not," you shrugged it off. "we just met up on the way here and he asked if I'd sit with him." You bit your lip, suppressing a smile that made her own fade.

"No."

"I didn't say anything yet!"

"I thought you were done with the pranking."

"Yeah, but it's boring," you whined. "It's a small one; child's play, really."

"Why can't you just tell him how you feel like a normal person and take it from there?" she sighed exasperatedly. "If you'd have done that with Le-"