Belongings Belong to Those That Possess Them
They’re soon in orbit around the planet, and the away team is assembling in the transporter room. Kirk, Bones, Sulu, Spock and half a detachment of security personnel mount the transporter pads, and Kirk gives the order to energize, ignoring Bones’ muttered curses and anger over the ‘transport of doom’. When he opened his eyes again, there’s sunshine shining down on him, and Bones just kind of blinks stupidly for a minute. It’s been a long time since he’s seen sunlight, since he honest to god does have an issue with transporters, but so would anyone else who’s experience the fucking Ark, thankyouverymuch.
“Scans indicate the dig and settlement are this way captain.” Spock says after they’ve all managed to get their bearings. (And Bones has checked to make sure all his vital parts are where they’re supposed to be) Muttering about the unreliability of transporters, Bones follows the rest of the party through the waist high grass. It’s not long before they come upon a grouping of huts surrounding what are clearly ruins. Bones can’t stop the shiver that runs through him at the sight, because damned if it isn’t just like looking back at the ruins on Olduvai. But this isn’t the time or the place for that, so he stuffs his maudlin memories back where they belong.
“Doctor Grimm?” Jim calls out into the unnaturally silent air. “Doctor?” The sound of bootfalls cause the security detail with them to raise their phasers, as well as Spock, Sulu, and Jim. Bones doesn’t, but in this world, he’s not a fighter, and right now, he’s praying that there’s that slim possibility that hope can really prevail. A blonde woman rounds the corner, dressed in a pair of loose fitting brown pants that have clearly seen better days, and a black shirt that clings to her well-defined torso and chest. A rather spectacular gash decorates her forehead and a few smaller ones mar the white of her arms. But from here, Bones can see that it’s only the blood left behind, and that the wounds that were there, aren’t exactly there anymore. He curses under his breath, and she glances up.
Their gazes lock, and neither can move or look away. Large, startlingly clear green eyes meet disbelieving hazel ones across the packed dirt, and Bones is completely unaware of Jim calling his name.
They both snap out of it after a moment, and it’s clear to John that Sam wasn’t expecting to see him again. “Permission to treat her wounds sir?” Bones says softly to Jim, aware that most of the landing party’s eyes are on him now. Jim nods, slightly perturbed by the display just in front of him. Bones is aware most of the crew now think he’s either lost his marbles completely or is utterly infatuated with Sam, but he can’t bring himself to care when that’s his goddamn fucking sister standing right there. He stops in front of her, making a big deal out of getting his tricorder. “You did it, didn’t you.” He says softly. “You took C-24 yourself.” It’s not a question, just a quiet statement of fact. Sam doesn’t say anything, but she doesn’t have to. “You’d have been all alone in the world John. I never knew exactly where you were, what name you were going by, or what career path you might currently be in, but a twin knows. I could feel you were still alive, and I knew that if you needed me, I’d be there.” She reaches up to gently touch a hand to his face, brushing some of his hair off of his forehead. “It’s longer then it was.” Sam says softly. “I like it better this way.” John can’t help the small smile the works its way across his face. No matter what Sam’s done to get here, he can’t exactly say he regrets it. He’s got his twin sister back, and right now, that’s all that matters.
Bones stands up, schooling his face clear of the multitude of emotions currently tumbling chaotically though him. He strides back over to his place behind Jim, just to his left, ignoring the questioning look Jim is sending his way. Spock too, but Bones saw it only because he’d spent so much time around the First Officer. Bones shot a glare at his best friend, and Jim winced, turning his gaze back to Sam. “Doctor Grimm, the Enterprise received your distress call, what is the nature of your emergency?” She sighed, studiously avoiding Leonard’s gaze. “We were working in some of the more unstable parts of the ruins, and they collapsed. I was very close to the entrance, and was the only one able to get out before it caved in completely.”
Bones didn’t have to say anything. Sam already knew what he was thinking.
With a few curt orders to the security detail that had beamed down with them, Jim flipped open his communicator to ready medical. Bones didn’t hesitate to follow the red shirted men and Sam. He falls into step beside his sister as they hurried to the dig site, but neither was out of breath as they ran. “Where’ve you been this whole time Sam?” He asks quietly so the security men can’t hear. “What’ve you been doing?” She shrugs imperceptibly. “This and that. What about you hm? Starfleet? Medical school?” John smiles slightly. “I did it for you. I looked through a microscope instead of a sniper scope.” Although he’d done that too, but his time as a for-hire hitman really didn’t need to be brought up now.
They were soon at the dig site, and between helping to free the archeologists and treating their wounds, he didn’t have time to think of what the implications of finding his sister alive must have on his life. Not that he wasn’t overjoyed to see his sister, but how the hell were they supposed to explain anything without telling the truth? They couldn’t tell people they were twins, because that wouldn’t go over well, and there really wasn’t anyway to claim familial relations. But John wasn’t about to be separated from Sam again, not for a long time.
The remains of the science team were beamed aboard the ship, along with all their gear. Once the bodies of those who didn’t make it were buried, Jim and the security men followed. He trots into Sickbay intending to see if Bones wants to grab lunch with him, but finds it empty save for Nurse Chapel. “Doctor McCoy is taking his lunch break now captain.” She reports, not glancing up from what she’s doing, because she already knows what Jim wants. After all, he only comes into Sickbay of his own free will when he’s looking for Bones and intending to drag him somewhere. So the captain turns around and heads for the dining hall, a little confused.
Bones never goes on his lunch break without being forced. He’s always in his office or Sickbay working, and it takes Jim’s not so subtle urging to drag him out. So when he enters the dining hall and Bones’ laughter rings out, he stops in his tracks. No one else ever makes Bones laugh like that, that laugh had been solely reserved for Jim these last few years. He scans the room to find his best friend sitting with the doctor from Corinth VI, and he looks more relaxed then Jim has seen him in a long time. The doctor, Samantha?, smiles, and slings an arm around his waist. Bones mimics the motion, pulling her tight against his side. They’re talking, but Jim can’t make out the words.
A curl of something that feels a lot like jealousy twists in the pit of his stomach, and if that doesn’t throw him for a loop, the fact that he’s glaring daggers at someone he doesn’t know at all would. He quickly strides across the room to plop onto the bench across from the pair, the look in his eyes daring Bones to make an issue of it. He doesn’t, but the long-suffering martyr sigh is enough for Jim to know that he’s again irritated his friend. “Doctor Grimm.” He says pleasantly, and the blonde woman looks away from Bones, a pleased smile on her face. “We didn’t get the chance to really meet on the planet. I’m Captain Kirk.” Her smile broadens. “Oh yes, Leonard has told me so much about you.” There’s a slight catch on Bones’ name, and Jim attributes it to desire. “I just bet he has.” Jim mutters under his breath. Bones glares at him. “What do you want Jim?” He asks, willing Jim to leave. Jim doesn’t pick up on the hint, but then, he never does.
“I went to Sickbay intending to get you to come eat something because typically I have to, but Christine told me you were already here.” Jim shrugs. “So here I came.” Bones shakes his head. “Well, you can say you’ve been here, and now you can leave.” Jim doesn’t know whether to be offended or not, but Bones has already turned back to Samantha and they’re discussing something so quietly that Jim can’t believe they can really hear one another. He’s less then two feet away and can’t hear them. He does leave however, just feeling like he isn’t wanted.
Jim walks out into the corridor intending on going back to the bridge, lost in thought. Someone mentions Bones however, so he pauses long enough to listen. It’s two female ensigns, an engineering and a medical, headed the opposite direction. “…and did you see the way he put his hand on her arm and she smiled at him? I’ve never seen Doctor McCoy look that happy. He’s completely infatuated with her.” The medical ensign is saying. “Good. He needs to get laid, because that man is just too tightly wound up. Maybe he’ll be kinder about physicals if he’s getting some.” The other replies, and for some reason that just irritates Jim to no end. The women giggle, and the medical ensign enters a nearby turbolift. “Keep me updated, will you Jess?” Her friend says, and the other nods before dissolving into giggles again.
Jim takes the opportunity to enter the turbolift behind the blue clad woman, and she instantly stops giggling. She eyes him warily as the turbolift rises, because the whole ship knows how close the captain and the doctor are, and Jim’s face is decidedly stormy. She practically flees when it stops at her deck.
It’s 2300 on Friday, which means it’s definitely time to go and meet Bones. They always share a drink at the end of the week together, and they’ve been doing it for so long that’s it’s a set in stone tradition. They rarely if ever miss it, and the only times he can think of that they have is because Jim was flat on his back in Sickbay after one mission or another. He doesn’t even hesitant to key in Bones’ code on his door, and when they whoosh open, he wishes he hadn’t. Bones and Samantha are sitting on the floor with an empty bottle of whiskey and another half full bottle in front of them, and sitting far too close together for Jim’s peace of mind. Bones glances up, looking annoyed. “Dammit Jim! Don’t you ever knock like a normal person?”
Jim looks confused. “…No?” Bones sighs. “I’ve never had a reason too. You never do anything that you’re ever worried about me walking in on, since you’ve never had a date or a girlfriend since I’ve known you.” Jim adds. “Out.” Bones manages to convey all his frustration and irritation in that one word, and Jim leaves, feeling hurt. He didn’t even seem to remember their tradition.
Inside John’s room, Sam looks at her brother and cracks up. “Oh lord.” She snickers. “You do realize he thinks we’re fucking, don’t you?” John groans. “Of course I do. Jim’s entire life revolves around fucking - it’s his first answer to everything.”
Jim leaves Bones’ quarters, but he is clearly not in a snit. No. Snits are for women. He’s just upset at Bones for forgetting their tradition - their THREE YEAR OLD tradition - that’s all.
“…and did you see the captain’s face? I thought he was about to explode. He was so jealous.” The sound of giggling reaches Jim’s ears, and he’d have ignored it but for the mention of himself. “I always did think they were closer then friends. Their touches and ‘casual contact’ go way beyond that.” Another voice chirps. “Gosh, that’s so hot to think about.” There’s a moment of silence. “Who do you think would top?” Another moment of silence, which Jim assumes is spent in thought. “Doctor McCoy. He was married after all, and his personality is too dominant to submit.” The first voice says after a second. “But Captain Kirk is not the submissive type at all!” The other protests. Jim chooses this moment to walk around the corner, startling the pair of ensigns gossiping. Their expressions mimic a deer in headlights, and with a private grin Jim notices it’s the same pair from before.
“Uh, Captain sir!” The medical ensign, Jess he remembers, recovers first. “As you were Ensign.” He says, trying his best not to laugh. They flee, very quickly he might add, leaving Jim to his thoughts. It’s not the first time people have assumed he and Bones are more then friends, and to be honest, it’s not the first time he’s considered it either. Their friendship is far too valuable to risk however, so Jim’s never said anything - a first. He honestly only believed it to be attraction, because as a rule he doesn’t do anything more then one night stands, and Bones deserves more then that anyway.
However.
This is a new development, and he can’t believe it took two gossiping ensigns for this to occur to him. His recent aggravation and frustration with their passenger is due to jealousy. And Jim is now pretty sure this jealousy is more then just his own feelings of abandonment due to Bones spending far less time with him lately.
He loves Bones.
Jim just can’t realize he never saw it before. Since the day he stepped on that shuttle and watched the scruffy doctor be wrestled from the bathroom, Jim and Bones have been inseparable, and frankly, a little too codependent then is probably healthy. But they’re both fucked up bastards, so in retrospect it wasn’t a surprise. Somewhere along the line, he began to trust that Bones is the one person who will never leave him, no matter what shit he may have to put up with. Jim sighs.
What to do about it however? Bones and Samantha were spending so much time together, and it was quite clear that deeper feelings existed between them. He didn’t want to break them up, but at the same time, it wouldn’t be healthy for Bones. Samantha was going to leave once they reached their destination, and Jim was going to be left behind to pick up the pieces of his friend that were barely holding together as it was since the divorce. “Goddamn it Bones.” He huffs, then laughs suddenly. He’s starting to sounds like Bones too.
He turns and heads for the bridge.
Half an hour into the shift, Bones shows up at his right side, just as he always does. Only now Doctor Grimm is in tow, and that sets Jim’s blood boiling. She has no right to be on his bridge, but he’s too diplomatic to say it. Well, more like he’s respecting Bones’ feelings, but whatever. The doctor is complaining about something or another, and Jim isn’t really listening. He’s taking comfort from the sound of Bones’ voice as he concentrates on the PADD in front of him.
“These goddamn ensigns. They gossip like teenagers. Why, I walked into Sickbay this morning to catch one of them chatting with a patient about me! About me!” He shakes his head.
“It’s like being in a goddamn flying high school.” Bones grouses, though there isn’t much heat behind his words. He and Samantha share a private gaze that Jim can’t read, and that’s another drop in the already close to overflowing bucket of issues he has with ‘Doctor Grimm’. Only he is allowed to have a secret language of looks and nods with Bones, dammit. Not some hot blonde doctor whose intellect clearly matches Bones’ that they picked up on some random planet! And he’s hot and blonde too, with an intellect to challenge Bones, he’s just not a doctor. “This type of behavior is not appropriate on this vessel Doctor McCoy. Either cease these actions with Doctor Grimm, or declare a public relationship so we can just get the fuck over it.” Jim growls. An amused look flits across Bones’ face, and that’s the last straw. He lunges up out of the captain’s chair and latches onto Bones’ arm.
“And you’re mine anyway.” Jim hisses, grabbing and hauling a surprised Bones towards him. “And no one is ever going to take you away.” He tugs Bones’ head closer, and thoroughly kisses the very bewildered doctor. Samantha stands slightly off to the side where she was beside Bones a second ago, and her shoulders are shaking in silent laughter. Jim releases Bones, who still looks slightly shell-shocked, and smiles. “I’m not sharing you with anyone else Bones.” Bones looks at him funny, like he isn’t sure whether to be amused or irritated. “You mean… you thought…” A surprised bark of a laugh bursts out of him, and now Jim is the confused one.
“She’s my twin sister you moron.” Now Jim just feels like an asshole, and will continue to do so until he can sufficiently get himself drunk. Bones’ gaze softens. “But you’re my asshole.” He drags Jim back towards him, and proceeds to thoroughly ravish his mouth, to which Jim enthusiastically responds. Spock coughs lightly, and they break apart, though neither man is blushing.
Jim has half a mind to ask how the hell that Samantha and Bones are twins, but he just can’t bring himself to care. Though now that he thinks about it, all those little touches and rather intimate hugs and caresses weren’t necessarily loverlike, but definitely in the range for siblings who are extremely close. Though in his defense, he didn’t even know Bones had a sibling, because it’s not on his personnel file record. He knows - he’s seen that file. “I was unaware you had any siblings Doctor, let alone a twin sister.” Spock is saying, and Jim stops being introspective, since it’s not his natural state anyway. “It’s a long story Spock.” Bones says, exasperated.