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It's a quiet day on the Enterprise. Currently they were two days into a week long warp to Deep Space 13 and the captain has decided to take his paperwork down to his CMO's office, who also has a backlog to get through. The sounds of styluses on PADDs and the occasional chime from one of their devices filling the space.
"When's your anniversary, Bones?" Kirk asks breaking the comfortable silence that had settled over the pair.
The doctor's brow furrows at the question "well Jocelyn and I got married in September but-"
"No, no" Kirk waves his hand dismissively "I mean you and Spock"
Surprised eyebrows jump towards McCoy's hairline "what?"
"I'm trying to schedule shore leave, and I thought it'd be nice if you two could have a proper date, unless I've missed it"
"Are you feeling alright, Jim?" The doctor asks looking him over as he reaches for his tricorder.
"I'm perfectly fine" looking up from his PADD to swat at the scanner whirring near his ear "what's the issue, Bones?"
He stares at the display a little longer before responding "according to these readings, nothing, but that doesn't make a lick of sense"
"OK then, what do you think is wrong?"
"Well, clearly something is affecting your memory, or maybe just your perception, I'll need to run some more specific tests to be sure" the doctor's thoughts turn inward as he runs through the list of tests he could use to diagnose the problem.
"Because you never told me when you started seeing Spock? that seems-"
"There's nothing going on between me and Spock" Bones cuts him off, worried about the way this conversation was going.
"Don't be ridiculous, you come up to the bridge almost everyday just to flirt with him" McCoy feels his ears start to burn
"Argue, I argue with him on the bridge, where I go when there's nothing that needs doing in sickbay" Jim smirks clearly not buying it, desperate to change the subject McCoy tries to redirect "besides you're the one that always stares at him like a lovesick puppy when he thinks he's won"
"The two of you are cute, is it wrong to be happy that my friends are happy?" If Leonard hadn't been blushing before that cute comment definitely had the heat rising in his face "besides don't tell me you don't enjoy your 'arguments' I've seen you take stances I know you don't agree with just to keep going"
"Ideas have to be challenged before they can carry any real merit!" Jim manages to suppress his laughter, but Bones still glares at the amusement on his face "besides I already told you I'm not dating him but you've been having him to your quarters for 'chess' for months at least"
Kirk shrugs "I'm the best player on the ship and Spock enjoys a challenge, honestly I figured that was part of the reason he liked you so much"
"What's that supposed to mean" blue eyes narrow to a glare
Kirk raises his hands placatingly flashing Bones a grin "nothing bad, just that you don't let people in easily, which is fine, it just makes those of us that make the cut feel a little more special"
Bones has to avert his gaze, as if looking at that much naked affection would blind him as surely as the sun. Wishing he could deny Jim's place on the inside, but they both knew that would be pointless. They were here, talking about this after all. So instead he ignores it, shifting in his seat he crosses his arms and schools his expression into a scowl ready to return to the argument which suddenly felt like the safer topic.
"We're not talking about me, we're talking about Spock and how you're obviously in love with eachother"
"And here I thought we were talking about the two of you" Jim replies allowing the topic to revert.
"Jim, you can't tell me you haven't noticed how he feels about you, not with how many times he's put himself in danger to protect you"
"He's a good first officer" that earns an eye roll
"Don't give me that bullhockey, even you acknowledged how 'illogical' it was for him to take that flower's dart for you back on Gamma Trianguli VI"
"He's very dedicated"
If looks could kill the Enterprise would be looking for a new captain
"he'd do the same for you if you weren't so secretive about endangering yourself"
"I don't-"
"Sure you don't, like on Miri when you decided to test the vaccine on yourself without saying anything"
"We had to know if the vaccine worked, time was running out"
"So you decided to be a hero and when I get back with the communicators, in time to check with the ship for the record, what do I see but Spock hunched over you holding your hands, like he couldn't bare to let you go" clenching his fists in front of his chest recreating the scene he'd walked in on "I wasn't the only one who saw either Lieutenant Galloway had the whole crew talking about his unofficial report"
"Well, If we're talking about ship gossip, you should hear the way my staff talks about the pair of you, particularly after the Massage Incident"
Kirk turns a little sheepish at the reminder "exaggerated I'm sure, but on the subject of mix-ups on the bridge, should we talk about those promotions you gave yourself when Spock was in that amoeba?"
"You were thinking it too" McCoy huffs "sides I'm a doctor, sometimes reassurance is part of the job"
"Naturally, though if your medical degree is the reason for your actions, what's Spock's excuse? He's pretty quick to offer comfort when you're the one in danger"
"What, because of whatever you think you saw on Miri?"
"Or when he found out that you had xenopolycythemia and the first thing he did was grab onto you"
As if demonstrating Kirk reaches out for the Doctor's arm, giving his bicep a squeeze before Bones shakes him off.
"I still haven't forgiven you for telling him without asking me" he mutters in protest.
Kirk continues without acknowledging the doctor's complaint "and how about after the vians nearly killed you, he had his hands all over you"
"Just my wrist and forehead" the memory of comforting hands amidst the pain allowing him to relax a little "he was just checking my heart rate and temperature"
"With his bare hands? When we had your medical tricorder?" Kirk asks, incredulous "face it Bones, he's in love with you"
"He's-"
The sound of the office door sliding open causes the two men to whip their heads towards it. Spock stands there holding several microtapes his ears tinged green enough to let them know he'd heard their conversation.
"I apologize for the interruption, Doctor but you said you wanted the test results as soon as they were done"
"how much did you hear?" Leonard manages to keep from burying his face in his hands but it's a near thing.
Spock steps through the doorway allowing it to slide shut behind him as he places the tapes on the desk. settling in his usual parade rest before speaking.
"I heard enough to confirm that the captain's assessment of my behavior is correct" dark eyes never leaving the doctor's face.
A beet red McCoy stares back at the Vulcan. opening his mouth as if to speak but no words actually manage to pass his lips.
"Excellent" Jim clapped his hands together and grins like the cat that got the canary "well I'll leave you to it, gentlemen"
Standing from his chair Kirk starts out of the room, only to be stopped by Spock's hand on his chest. Puzzled he looks up at the Vulcan.
"The Doctor was also correct" Spock shifts his gaze to the captain.
For his part Jim looks shocked, almost awed at the admission "you love me too"
"I believe that is what I said"
"Why didn't you say anything earlier, Spock?" The doctor manages.
"I thought my regards for you both were clear, and it seemed logical to let one of you, as you might say, 'make the first move'"
Regaining his composure Jim questions the vulcan "Logical, Mr. Spock?"
"Given that you two are already in a relationship" Spock states plainly.
There's a beat before Jim breaks into laughter, his joy bouncing around the office and Bones can't help but follow suit. Spock raises an amused brow at the reaction as he watches his humans fondly and allows himself a small smile.