Disclaimer: I earn no riches from Trek other than my fantasies.
Summary: A different sort of male captures Nyota's fancy. Sadie Hawkins Day was the creation of Al Capp for his Li'l Abner comic strip and first appeared November 15, 1937.
Anyone aboard ship for more than their maiden cruise quickly realized that ship life was all about hurry up and wait--five seconds of excitement followed by decades of boredom. So long as one got the opportunity to go back to boredom it made it all worthwhile. Ship's Rec went to great lengths to alleviate that boredom: organizing events, conducting classes and planning parties--big parties, little parties, all kinds of parties. The rec director was always looking for a good reason to throw a party--and now, three months into a deep space mission--he was just looking for a reason.
However, Uhura had discovered that another byproduct of all that boredom seemed to be that normal males could turn into hormonally challenged jerks. She had been propositioned three times in as many days and she was quickly getting fed up with unwanted hands. Why wasn't there ever a gentleman around when a lady needed one? She was beginning to hope for a galactic incident just to have a moment's peace.
Ny liked a good lay as well as the next woman but she had learned early that you don't sleep around casually on your own ship. If you were lucky enough to find someone to carry on a meaningful relationship with, you kept it close. Barring that, your best option was to cultivate a *friends with benefits* situation with someone you found enjoyable, if not intensely enough to pursue something deeper. Now Ny found herself without either. The victim of recent transfers, she was *friendless* once again. The long mission ahead of them was suddenly looming in a much more lonely light. Uhura knew she had interest galore but found that fast hands and fiery burnouts no longer held any attraction for her. Being consumed in a conflagration of empty passion only left her wanting something more. Tired of seeing nothing interesting in those who approached her, she decided to do her own hunting for companionship. Someone who could stoke a fire to last through the cold night of space, not just flare and collapse upon himself.
The lift doors opened and drew Ny out of her reverie. Looking up, she was blessed with a sweet smile and a wink from Doctor McCoy--a sure sign he was up to mischief. She returned her eyes to her work, knowing that the antics never got too animated if an obvious audience tuned in. She watched his reflection in her panel as he stepped down to the command chair and waited for Kirk to look his way.
"Did you hear, Jim? Rec's throwing a Sadie Hawkin's Day Dance."
"Oh God, that's worse than the Saint Valentine's Day Massacre." Kirk shook his head and laughed in disbelief.
Ny watched surreptitiously as Spock took in the conversation at the Conn and then turned back to his console. Still glancing out of the corner of her eye, she saw him stiffen in surprise and then back away from his viewer. After taking a half second to gather his reserve, he stepped down and stood on the opposite side of Kirk. "Captain, am I correct in my understanding that the Sadie Hawkin's Day holiday was created by a twentieth century cartoonist and yet, it was celebrated for many years on your North American continent?"
"Damn straight, Spock," McCoy interjected, leaving Kirk to merely nod in assent.
"It never ceases to amaze me that your species managed to develop warp drive, Doctor," Spock remarked with haughty disdain.
"Spock, I'll agree it was a bit unorthodox in it's creation, but it was an empowering opportunity for women. Back then women rarely worked outside of the home and they never openly initiated a relationship. This holiday gave them a chance to make the first move without it being considered scandalous," Kirk offered as enlightenment.
"Be that as it may, Captain, I fail to see its relevance for today. Starfleet women are fully integrated in all career paths and I have had ample opportunity to observe they are seldom shy in seeking the attentions of those who interest them. By my reckoning, the rationale is obsolete," Spock answered in dismayed confusion.
"Spock, consider that it might be for fun," McCoy jumped in once again, now more in the spirit of explaining than agitating.
"If you mean it could be used as a diversionary tactic to remedy human boredom, I'll consider the point, however illogical the choice may be, Doctor." Spock's brow swept up in arch assessment of the Human condition.
"Spock, obviously we've run out of holidays and Rec is trying to make the best of a long mission," Kirk grinned in an offer of mollifying sympathy.
"Now, Spock, all you gotta worry about is being asked to the dance," McCoy quipped, once again in aggravation mode.
Spock looked appalled--at least as much as a Vulcan chose to look appalled--at McCoy's remark and gave Kirk a quick nod before returning to his station in silence.
"Bones, you really need to behave," Kirk tried to admonish the CMO but it fell short in sincerity.
"Nah, it's good for him--makes him consider other points of view. Besides, if I leave him alone then that only leaves you for me to harass. Are you sure you want to be the sole source of my entertainment?" McCoy asked in merry glee.
"I *know* I don't," Kirk looked up and fixed Bones with a meaningful stare," but I'll slap you in irons if you pick on me as badly as you do him."
"Hmmm, so bad time for me to ask if you'd be willing to go to the dance if some poor girl takes pity on you, huh?" he baited, saying what he wanted to anyway but hedging toward the lift.
"Yes, it'd be extremely unwise of you to ask." Kirk's glare was not as friendly as before.
"Sorry, my dear," McCoy patted Ny on the shoulder as he bid a tactical retreat, "I'm afraid there's pretty slim pickings up here for such a beautiful lady as yourself," he finished as he stepped into the lift with a wicked grin tossed in for good measure.
Uhura flushed at the compliment but felt eyes boring into her back. Turning around to face the speculative looks of her male colleagues, several in hope and two in quiet contemplation, she asked, "What are you gentlemen staring at?"
Sulu and Chekov quickly turned to their consoles, both knowing better than to answer that question. Kyle blushed and sheepishly turned his gaze elsewhere as her eyes tracked over him. Moving her eyes to the center seat, Kirk gave a quick shake of his head and tossed his hands up in mock defeat before turning back to the viewscreen. A final glance at Spock resulted in a raised brow of return appraisal but he broke contact first and focused his attention on his own console.
A satisfied, "I thought so," was heard from somewhere near the comm station.
~~~
Uhura sat in the mess hall, ostensibly working a report on her padd, but actually studying the three top males of her world as they sat around a table, finishing dinner. Kirk was too tempting for all the wrong reasons, a supernova of passion and a taboo she knew better than to approach. Spock was wrong for this occasion, she surmised he might accept an invitation to an opera but never a hoe-down. However, in light of her earlier daydreams on the Bridge, she saw McCoy through new eyes. Uhura decided he was exactly what the 'doctor' would order as her date to the dance and possibly the solution to her dilemma of loneliness.
For all his bark, Ny knew McCoy really harbored a kindred soul--a gentle, caring man who always treated her like a queen. She wanted that right now, to be pampered and attended to like royalty. She had always been smitten with his bright blue eyes, the crinkles around them delighting her when he flashed that sweet smile. And while he could hardly be called muscular, Ny had felt the tender strength of his hands and knew he was far stronger than he appeared. The fact that he did not recognize his own sexiness made him all the more attractive to her. Yes, he would do nicely.
~~~
"Doctor McCoy, do you have a moment?" Uhura asked the CMO as he sat alone, savoring the last of his after-dinner coffee. Kirk and Spock had excused themselves to play chess--an excitement McCoy had begged off.
"Of course, my dear, please sit down and join me," McCoy smiled widely, never quite able to hide his admiration for the lovely woman standing before him.
"I'd love to, Doctor," she grinned and sat down across from the object of her interest.
"Now, what may I do for you?" McCoy asked as he poured Uhura a cup of coffee from the carafe on the table. Replicated coffee could be tolerated for lunch--for after dinner--never!
"Thank you, Doctor," Uhura accepted the courtesy and momentarily lost her presence of mind as she was arrested by the endearing blueness of his eyes.
Shoring up her nerve she pushed on, asking the question that had caused her to wait until McCoy was alone. "Doctor, I wanted to ask you to be my date for the Sadie Hawkins dance." She watched his face intently, seeing surprise and a trace of skepticism flit across his features.
"I'd have thought that you'd ask the Captain or Mister Spock, Lieutenant," he replied in wary confusion, shocked at her request and suddenly suspect of her motivations. He had no desire to be a "mercy" date.
"Doctor, I'm around those gentlemen for far too many hours each day as it is; I'd rather not have them take up my evening as well," she purred in an all too knowing tone.
"Ha! Well, you're the first woman aboard ship I've ever heard say that," McCoy chuckled in mischievous delight. He loved it when the dynamic duo got shot down in flames. It rarely happened and neither was there to appreciate it, but it delighted him just the same.
"Oh, it's not to say I'm immune to their charisma. It's just that by being around them all the time, I've built up a little tolerance." Ny grinned in shared wickedness, but attempted to salvage her commanding officer's reputations just a bit.
"You would know better than most what a woman would be in for if they ever crossed that line." Bones leaned back in his chair and looked intently at her, wanting Uhura to see the real reason for her defense.
Ny blushed at where her thoughts took her, but rapidly pushed them aside, focusing on what she needed to say to the man who was waiting to see if she would deny it. "Let me put it this way, the Captain is like Romulan ale or a young cabernet, fiery and way too wound unless you like it rare. Mister Spock is like that rafshra tea he's so partial to--smooth on the palate but so intense that a cupful is about all I can handle. You, on the other hand, are like that really good brandy you have hidden in your cabinet: finely aged, but with character and a smooth, warm finish. Something to savor over the course of an evening--or a lifetime."
"Why, Lieutenant, I had no idea you were such a connoisseur." Using humor to deflect, it was McCoy's turn to blush as sudden heat rushed to his face and groin, her compliment catching him off guard.
"Depends on what we're talking about, Doctor--men or alcohol. I've dabbled with both," she answered, allowing herself a slow, seductive smile to be sure he took her seriously before moving on to her original question. "Now, about that dance--do we have a date or not?"
Still fighting the tightness in his pants, McCoy leaned forward and favored her with his own sultry stare. "Darlin', there's no way I could turn you down now."
~~~
Kirk was leaving McCoy's office, one less crew fitness assessment to sign, when he ran head-on into Christine coming from the other direction.
"Oh, I'm sorry, Captain," Christine stuttered as she found herself in tangled limbs and face to face with Kirk. It was extremely awkward to be clutching him for balance even if his strong grip kept her from falling.
"No, Miss Chapel, it's my fault. I should have been paying attention to where I was charging; please excuse me," Kirk offered in embarrassment; he had nearly mowed her down. He smiled boyishly as he let her go, a tinge of blush on his cheeks for his lack of grace.
"No harm, no foul, sir," she found herself answering with a smile of her own and suddenly felt very brave. "Sir, has anyone asked you to the Sadie Hawkins dance?" It was out of her mouth before she could stop herself. Was she crazy? The captain never brought a date to any of their events. He came alone, acted as host on some occasions and usually left early--again, alone.
A look of shock flashed across the captain's face before he schooled it into neutrality. "Ah, no, Miss Chapel, no one has. I don't usually escort anyone to ship functions," he offered in explanation of his lack.
At Kirk's look of discomfort, Christine's sense of bravura quickly left and she felt herself blurting, "Yes, I know that, I just thought that maybe--it being a Sadie Hawkins dance and all--" She felt herself glowing red and tried to apologize her way out of the hole she had dug for herself, "--I mean, of course, sir, I should not have presumed. Please forgive--"
"Miss Chapel, it's all right," Kirk calmed the waters using his best smile, "I would be delighted to attend the dance with you. It is, after all, a Sadie Hawkins dance. I can't let it be known that I broke the rules, now can I?" The twinkle in his eyes just about undid her.
"Uh, no sir, I think the crew would be appalled." Christine blushed even more but gratefully accepted his finesse at smoothing the awkwardness between them.
"What is all the commotion going on out here?" McCoy grumbled as he popped his head out of his office and gave the two officers a hard stare.
"Nothing Bones, just accepting a date to the dance," Kirk answered mildly before winking at Christine and walking out the door.
McCoy arched his brow at Christine, silently challenging her for an explanation for that little scene.
"I believe you already have a date, Doctor," Chapel remarked smartly over her shoulder as she sashayed back into the main bay, pretending McCoy was questioning why he was not asked instead of Kirk.
"Damn straight, I do!" he yelled back while trying not to watch her hips. "Don't know what has gotten into these women around here," he muttered to himself as he took one last glance before going back into his office.
~~~
After much negotiation with a certain Vulcan, the shuttlebay was conscripted as the site for the dance. Months of deep space had made the event more popular than usual and the extra room was needed. Spock had been extremely reluctant to give permission, insisting that the shuttles had to remain ready for any emergency, and mandated that all decorations be expendable if the need to depressurize became necessary. He was also loathe to modify shift rotations in order to accommodate attendance by all crew but a gentle nudge from Kirk finally got him to go along.
However, he drew the line at actually attending the event himself. The illogic of a holiday based upon a comic strip was absurd. No amount of explanation by Kirk or the others could convince him to attend for even *research* purposes. He tried not to project his disdain for the dance proper against those who chose to attend; instead he just cataloged the whole affair into his "unexplainable human phenomena" folder.
Nevertheless, while the origination of the holiday was absurd, Spock did find the female date-selection process fascinating. On Vulcan, marriages were arranged by clan leaderships to gain the most stature, security and wealth for the two to be betrothed. Therefore, he was totally at a loss to explain Lieutenant Uhura's preference for Doctor McCoy over Captain Kirk. She had had ample opportunity to ask the senior-most officer of the ship, but had instead chosen to seek out a male with seemingly lesser attributes. Kirk's response of 'better safe than sorry' to his questioning of her choice did little to clarify, but he was sure Kirk's careful phrasing had been selected to connotate many meanings. He had also decided that Nurse Chapel's choice of Kirk was due to the fact that she would have realized he would not accept any such request from her--although he kept that opinion to himself.
If the original goal of the holiday had been to seek out a mate, then many of the other pairings he had heard mentioned were much more logical: Doctor M'Benga and Lieutenant Palmer, Mister Scott and Yeoman Tamura, Lieutenant Sulu and Yeoman Mears--each of these pairings benefited the female in ways he could comprehend. However, the pairing of Ensign Chekov and Lieutenant Masters was an enigma--he did not outrank her, possess any significant wealth, nor come from an influential family. Finding the accompanying smirk to be just a bit unnerving, he had yet to research the captain's idiomatic answer of 'because he's still young and trainable' for a clearer understanding. All in all, the captain's explanations had left much to be desired from an elucidative standpoint, but he now had ample fodder to research in the library computer.
~~~
In keeping with the theme of the dance, Uhura went to McCoy's quarters in order to collect her date. The doctor met her just inside the door and was frozen in mid-smile as he took in the sight of her dressed in a yellow blouse with red polka-dots tucked into a pair of *very* short frayed blue-jean shorts. The blouse hung seductively off her shoulders but clung tightly to her waist.
"My dear, if I'm dreaming, please don't wake me," McCoy uttered in a mesmerized tone once he found his voice.
"Why thank you, Doctor, I think that's the sweetest thing you've ever said to me." Ny giggled at his attempt not to stare at her in her daisy maes.
"Len will do, Nyota. I think the night calls for a little less formality." He smiled, quickly regaining most of his composure.
"Yes, Len, I'd like that," she answered as a bit of heat came to her cheeks before she turned the focus to his own attire. "And aren't you handsome in your bib overalls," she teased the lanky man standing before her wearing a beat up straw hat, oversized blue-jean overalls, a red-checkered shirt and a red bandana dangling out of his back pocket. The finishing touch of a lone stalk of wheat tucked neatly over his right ear made him positively adorable. "You'll have all the women fighting me for your attention."
Taking her by the arm and walking toward the lift, McCoy leaned over and whispered in her ear, "Darlin, if anybody is going to be the center of attention tonight, it's you wearing those daisy maes. I'm not sure the guy's hearts can take the strain."
Trying to concentrate on what he was saying rather than the feel of his hand on her arm and his body brushing against hers, Ny answered, "Len, don't be silly. My everyday uniform is hardly less revealing," scoffing only partially in jest. The current fleet uniform was due for updating by the end of their mission and she could only hope it looked better than the 'cocktail waitress' outfit they had now.
"My point, Nyota. We've been under duress for so long and now look what you do to us--divine torture. I'll have a sickbay full of sprained necks and bruised shins in the morning and they'll all be your fault," McCoy chastised with a wink and a smile as they entered the lift.
~~~
The shuttlebay looked like the biggest barn Ny could ever imagine. Scotty had taken Spock seriously and provided the Rec department with bale after bale of expendable replicated hay for decorations--nothing but table linen and hay. The whole shuttlebay was brimming with bales for tables, benches and stage back-drop. Even the shuttles themselves were sequestered behind a wall of hay.
"Well now, wi ya tae a look at thot?" Scotty asked in his second round of amazement. He had just gotten over the shock of seeing Uhura in her daisy maes and now he was equally stupefied by the sight of the captain and head nurse walking in the door.
"Oh my," Uhura choked out, the only female in their little group able to say anything more than a soft moan.
As Kirk pushed back his white cowboy hat to scan the room for faces, more eyes turned to take in the sight of him. The captain was 'field-hand' handsome in a casually-buttoned light blue denim shirt with sleeves rolled up to the elbow, tucked into low-cut jeans that fit tight across the thigh and left nothing to the imagination in front or back. The shiny worn patches on the jeans and the scuffs on his boots somehow told everyone he was not in costume but his own clothes. All capped off by a nicely polished rodeo belt-buckle that made some in the crowd wonder how he kept it so sparkly.
"You took the words right out of my mouth, Nyota," McCoy remarked as he took in the sight of Christine, who seemed far more comfortable on Jim's arm wearing a blue silk and black lace saloon gal outfit than McCoy did seeing her dressed so provocatively. His 'little girl,' as he had come to consider Christine, was definitely stepping out of her shell tonight. McCoy did not normally consider Chris well-endowed, but the laced bustier did wonders with all she had to offer. Her hair was piled high on her head and sprouting a weaved-in feather or two; little wisps of golden curls rested against the nape of her neck, teasing fingers and lips to discover them. Her makeup was heavier than she normally wore, but not unattractively so, and finished with a painted 'beauty mark' on her lower cheek right at the smile line. Her high-buttoned shoes sported just enough heel to ensure Kirk would be staring her eye-to-eye this evening.
"And the sad thing is, he thinks he looks like the boy next door," McCoy snorted, reining in his attraction for someone he had considered like a daughter and letting his tongue fire away at all the warnings going off in his head. Jim dressed like a trail hand was one thing, Christine ready to dance the can-can was another.
"I've always wanted to visit Iowa," Charlene Masters whispered to Liz Palmer, who grinned in sly agreement. Chekov and M'Benga had dressed for the occasion as well, but homespun and cotton khakis suddenly seemed lacking.
Ny punched McCoy on the arm for his jibe. "Maybe it's a good thing, a safe date for them both," she said sotto voce as the other couple approached.
"Safe? Darlin' there is nothing 'safe' where those two are concerned. I just know I'll be needed for major counseling tomorrow," he whispered back with the self-assurance of a man who knew his business.
"Good evening ladies and gents," Kirk smiled and tipped his hat to the women in their little party. "Scotty, you did wonders with the place!" he shouted over to the engineer, who flashed a wide smile before returning his attention to the lovely lass on his arm. Ensign Tamura had used the dance as an opportunity to approach her hero of Engineering and Scotty seemed pleased with her choice.
"Jim, you're supposed to come dressed as a farmer--not a cowboy." McCoy started the harangue he knew Jim expected.
"I am, Doctor. Need I remind you that of all present, I grew up on a farm? I know what farmers wear," Kirk challenged mildly before flicking the brim of McCoy's straw hat with his index finger.
"You might have grown up on a farm but you're no farmer," Then leaning in closer to Kirk's ear, McCoy got even for the insult to his hat. "Besides, it's no fair to advertise what you're not willing to share. Hell, don't even bother coming in for your next contraceptive injection--those jeans have taken care of all those little rascals... ."
Kirk laughed in spite of McCoy's rip into his tender spots, knowing the doctor only got vicious when he was being protective; he knew Bones had taken a mostly paternal interest in Christine some time back. "Don't worry, Bones, I'm on my best behavior tonight. You know I wouldn't do anything to hurt Christine."
"Humph, how do you know it's Christine I'm worried about?" Bones growled back, thankful that Ny and Chris were engaged in their own conversation for the moment and leaving them in relative privacy.
"In any case, I'll have her home by midnight, Gramps." Jim grinned, but refused to accept that McCoy might be just as worried about his own well-being as Christine's. Kirk knew he was not going to be other than gentlemanly. He had been surprised by Christine's invitation, knowing her interest in Spock, but accepted her offer as an opportunity for them both to enjoy the party without any further expectations.
Not liking the boy-talk, Ny decided to show Christine how to crash their party. "Captain, is this really considered music back in Iowa?" she questioned skeptically on a particularly twangy note.
"For some." Kirk grinned in apology at the two women while glancing over at "the band"--two ensigns and three lieutenants, none borne of Earth. "Now you understand what sent me out into space."
"Miss Kitty, don't you let him fool you," McCoy grinned at the surprised looks he got for giving Christine a name befitting her costume, "your beau here knows how to boot scoot right up there with the best of 'em." Secrets were so fun to share when they happened to be Jim's....
The tips of Kirk's ears turned red, so Ny knew McCoy had struck a nerve even before the captain opened his mouth. "If you're trapped in Riverside on a Friday or Saturday night, you learn to make do," he answered defensively.
"Sure, Jim-boy, explains all those trophies you have in your old room back in Iowa," McCoy answered patronizingly as he rocked up on his toes.
Trying hard, and with only partial success, to keep from laughing at Kirk's deepening blush, Ny decided to come to his rescue as the music suddenly kicked into a fast reel. Grabbing McCoy by the elbow, she leveraged him toward the dance floor saying, "Leonard, they're playing our song."
"So they are, Darlin'; well, let's go show them how it's done," he gloated to the others before allowing her to lead him away. "No buckle polishing tonight; I'll be watching you," McCoy tossed back over his shoulder with a wily look.
Christine stepped up next to Kirk, curious but trying to sound casual, "buckle polishing?" She looked to him for an answer.
Kirk stared at the retreating couple for another second--definitely *not* noticing how well Uhura wore her daisy maes--before giving Christine a chastised grin. "Well, Miss Kitty," his smile widening at the use of her new nick-name, his blush again deepening at the image McCoy's words triggered in his head, "I think I've just been threatened with a trip to the woodshed if I should *wrinkle* your new dress."
"Oh-Ooohhhh." Christine reddened herself in sudden understanding as Kirk's candor dawned upon her. Damn busy-body, wasn't he always telling her to get on with her life and forget about Spock? Allowing her eyes to quickly run over the man standing before her, Christine realized maybe the captain was not a safer choice, but his smile was certainly a welcome change from Vulcan stoicism. One day she would need to seek counseling regarding her fetish for *unavailable* males... .
Deciding she did not want a watch-dog tonight, Christine fixed her stare on the possessive hold Uhura still had around McCoy's arm. "The old goat needs to watch his own step." It was more fun to psycho-analyze her boss' behavior than her own.
"You're right, he doesn't have a clue and I'm not telling him." Kirk laughed conspiratorially, totally guiltless in withholding the look of interest he had caught in Uhura's eyes when she had pulled McCoy out onto the dance floor.
Christine sighed in resignation, like someone who knew what was to come. "I just know I'll be needed for major counseling tomorrow."
~~~
The last dance of the evening was a slow one and all the remaining couples were out on the floor. McCoy found that Uhura fit perfectly against his chest as he slowly guided her backwards to the strains of the "Tennessee Waltz". Unconsciously pulling her closer to ward off the sadness at the ending of the evening, Ny looked up and smiled warmly at his tender embrace. He was unable to do more than smile back in return, her beauty leaving him speechless. Not for the first time did an inner voice ask him why had she chosen him as her escort for the evening. Not for the last time did he fail to have an answer. Banishing away the self-doubts of an old man with a young woman, he leaned down and brushed his lips against the softness of her temple. For now he would accept her interest and consider himself a lucky man.
As Ny once again rested her cheek against his chest, McCoy scanned around the room to see who still remained. He spotted Kirk and Chris dancing cheek to cheek with their eyes closed, a look of contentment on both their faces as they moved gracefully across the far side of the room. Even though he had teased him mercilessly at the beginning of the party, McCoy had to admit Christine could do far worse than Kirk. Regardless of regulations and personal ethics, McCoy thought they would make a handsome couple. Spock was a fool for ignoring her adoration.
A tug on his shirtsleeve brought his attention back to the woman in his arms. Ny looked at what had held his fascination and she smiled knowingly at him. "She's a big girl, Len, let Christine enjoy her date. We both know the captain will treat her right." Breaking their embrace she reached out and captured his hand, pulling him toward the exit. "Now why don't we go back to my place where you can prove the same?"
As his eyebrow climbed to new heights at her proposition, Ny laughed throatily when she realized there was no resistance to her gentle urging toward the exit. The night had been a whirlwind of reels and jigs and she had danced them all with him. "Perhaps the evening doesn't have to be over after all," she leaned up on her tiptoes and whispered into his ear. She did not think his eyes could get any bluer. She was wrong.
~~~
McCoy was practically in a trance as he walked Ny back to her quarters, still unsure of her real reasons for seeking him out. He hesitated for the barest of moments before entering when she invited him in for a night cap.
Ny poured them a drink, then sat down next to McCoy on the sofa. She reached up and removed his hat, then gently took the wheat stalk from behind his ear saying, "I prefer the ship's doctor to the gentleman farmer," allowing her fingers to linger in his hair and enjoying its sheen in the warm glow of the soft lighting.
He flushed at her touch but was mesmerized, finding he could only stare at her lips. Sensing her cue, Ny moved into him, kissing him ever so softly. At first he tensed, but as she reached out and stroked the side of his face, he relaxed and kissed her back more passionately. Taking his hand, she placed it around her waist and slid it slightly upward, giving him tacit approval to proceed. His hands moved up from her waist to caress her breasts, "Nyota, I've wanted to do that all night," he whispered in her ear, "but I need to know where this is going."
She pulled back slightly to give him a big smile. "I'm looking for a friend to share some time with, an older, more mature man, maybe. Someone who's not afraid to linger. Do you think that might be you?"
He gave her an impish smile. "I'm not so sure about the mature part but I definitely qualify as the older man."
"Hmmmm, I don't have any worries about the mature part either." Ny leaned in and nipped his lower lip. "I've seen through all your bark and bite to the tender heart inside."
She moved her hands down across his chest, feeling lean muscle under her touch before unclipping one of his overall straps. McCoy looked down hard into her eyes, trying to be sure she was really interested in making their relationship more intimate. Ny smiled seductively at him. "I did 'catch you,' so in the spirit of Sadie Hawkins you are mine to do with as I please."
The warmth of his smile caught up with the heat in his eyes. Leaning in to taste her full lips, he whispered, "so you did."
The two people who could bend words to their will suddenly became silent as a new form of communication blossomed between them. Ny had to resist pouncing on him now that she had his undivided attention. Forcing herself to keep it sweet and tender, she unhooked his other shoulder strap in answer. Watching the bib of his overalls fall forward and seeing the daring challenge in her eyes, he pulled Ny to him and gave her a slow, deep kiss.
Pushing him back, Ny stood, bringing McCoy up with her, allowing his overalls to fall in a heap around his ankles. The pinkening of his cheeks at her boldness only encouraged Nyota in her game. She made a slow seduction of unbuttoning his shirt, pushing it off his shoulders and running her fingers through the layer of dark, wiry curls covering his chest. She had always admired him at the ship's pool and had ached to do just this.
He reached out to equal their level of undress but Ny stepped away teasingly, moving toward her bed. McCoy watched her scamper, taking the time to divest himself of the rest of his clothes before following and pinning her against the edge of the bed. He was not unaware of her eyes on him, the open heat of lusty admiration for his body glowing hotly in her dark pupils. It kicked up his ego to know she found him attractive physically as well as whatever else she had said about maturity.
Slowly he moved in and kissed her, enjoying the unwrapping of the present that she was gifting him with as he slid the shirt from her shoulders. His finesse at removing her bra appeared to gain him new respect when she purred in delight as his hands found warm flesh. He peeled her daisy maes off hips that had distracted him at first sight, then eased her down on the bed to better enjoy her beauty.
As he started to follow her down on the bed, Ny raised her legs, placing her feet against his chest and enjoying the feel of those curls against her toes. Liking this view too, McCoy took one of her feet and leaned in so he could kiss her toes. Ny giggled and then lost all sense of reason as he nipped the arch of her foot. If a slow, lingering lover was what she desired then McCoy felt he could oblige her as he pressed in and continued to work down her legs, devouring her slowly and thoroughly.
His hands explored her body, touching places to elicit the most pleasure, using knowledge gleaned for other reasons to make her cry out in ecstasy. He kissed, nipped, touched and tasted every inch of her in slow worship--caught up in the act of pleasing her and unworried about his own. Truthfully, he did not know if anything more was needed to make him happy. If not for the nagging worry that she would wake up with a strong dose of regret, McCoy felt he would be content to love her like this forever.
Ny pulled him up to her lips and kissed him hungrily, her body screaming for what it had yet to have, intertwining her legs with his in a silent demand for fulfillment. McCoy took her in the same way he had loved her all night--slowly and tenderly. Ny felt every inch of him as he possessed her and could only act on instinct. Her body was begging for completion and she bucked her hips against him roughly, now wanting the more familiar rhythm of passion. Understanding her need, he picked up his pace, driving into her with long, deep strokes. Ny's legs found their way around his back and she bit his shoulder as more tremors ripped through her. Her core clenched him, pulling him deeper into the mysteries of her flesh and McCoy let himself go, feeling the rapture of his own body emptying into hers.
Once in control of himself again, McCoy rose up on his elbows and gave Ny a tender--if tired--smile. Ny's heart broke into a million shards of happy at the contentment she felt as she stared into his gorgeous eyes. He brushed her hair away from her face before leaning down, giving her a gentle kiss. Making no effort to pull away, Ny realized he understood the importance of those minutes just after and cradled him in sated bliss as she returned his kisses. Finally moving to lie on his back, Ny curled against his chest as sleep overcame them.
~~~
Ny awoke to the soft rustlings of McCoy dressing and glanced over at the chronometer; it was not time for duty yet. "Why are you going?" she asked sleepily.
"I should leave now while the halls are still empty. I don't want to wreck your reputation," he smiled down at her as he slipped on his overalls.
"I don't think you being seen leaving my cabin would wreck it. Make some women jealous--definitely--but I think it's sweet of you to worry about it just the same." She grinned at the sight of him in his farmer's attire and tried to entice him back under the covers. "But, if you stay, I think I can snag you a uniform out of my replicators."
Trying hard not to touch the warm flesh she had shown him, he bent down over her cuddled form, kissing her with warming passion as he whispered regretfully, "If I don't leave now, I won't be able to."
She followed him back up, the blankets falling away as she held him and kissed him again, showing him how much she did not want him to go. "Well, if I can't get you to stay now, then I guess you'll just have to come back tonight."
"I must be dreaming," he sighed against her lips.
It was her turn to smile as she whispered back, "No, you're not."
Holding his smile in check, he looked at her searchingly, asking, "Ny, why *did* you choose me for the dance--for last night?"
Her own eyes took on a wistful, faraway look as she spoke. "Because I wanted to discover the man behind the mask. I wanted to experience making love with someone who knows the difference between love and lust and who cherishes it because he knows how much it hurts when it's lost."
McCoy's eyes grew watery at her words, but he kissed her again before backing off and holding her head between his hands as he spoke with quiet conviction. "I never want you to feel that kind of pain."
Ny gave him a beatific smile, wanting to take away the anguish of old memories she saw ghosting in his eyes. His past was seldom discussed, but it did not take words to know he had once been hurt very deeply. He tried to return her smile, kissing her lovingly one last time before slipping out into the corridor.
Ny stared at the door, her fingers moving to cover her lips as if to capture his parting kiss. She realized she was still smiling as she curled back into the bed and drifted toward sleep, content for now with his scent on her pillow and the memory of his touch.
~ID'ic
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