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jaye_voyTitle: Snapshots, 9/12 (Draft Version)
Author: Jaye (Copyright May 2013)
Codes: ST:XI Pike/McCoy, NC-17
Summary: Scenes from two lives coming together.
See PART 1 for disclaimer, author's notes, and guest cast.
Previous chapters: HERE
***************
CHAPTER 9
Spring, Leonard's last semester at the Academy...
"I'm beginnin' to think it's pathological." Leonard stopped his pacing to peer at Chen's fish tank. The occupants ignored him, swimming lazily throughout their domain.
"Chronic, certainly." Chen's voice suggested a shrug. "But you've known that for more than two years. Why is it a problem now?"
"'Cause the chickens have come home to roost." Leonard pivoted and made his way over to his usual chair.
Flung himself into it with a grunt. "Jim's blown me off a few too many times lately. Even today---told him that I was too busy for another round of 'Die, stupid cadets, Die!' in the sim chamber. Don't know what the hell I was there for in the first place---I'm a doctor, not some shoot-'em-up security officer. And what did Jim do? Put me on standby for a *third* go-round. Gonna play havoc with my schedule."
Chen lifted an eyebrow. "Admittedly, that kind of self-centeredness is annoying. But why do you think it proves that smoothing Jim's way through the Academy has become a problem for *you*?"
"Because when Jim calls me to show up, I'll drop everything and go---I can't seem to stop." It was a hard admission, one Leonard had been wrestling with since that first night Chris brought it up.
"And why is that?" A natural follow-up question from Chen.
"I don't know." Not exactly true. Leonard tried again. "Because I don't know what'll happen to the kid if I don't."
Dark eyes studied him. "What exactly are you afraid of?"
A familiar chill slid down Leonard's spine. "I don't---"
"What are you afraid of, Leonard?" Chen stood up, rested hands on the arms of Leonard's chair.
Leonard could feel his heartbeat pick up, breathing shallow. "I don't---"
Chen was practically in his face now. "What?"
"Everything!" Leonard pushed Chen back and leapt out of the chair again. Did his crazy pace around the office to try to calm down. To knock that big, nebulous, black fear into something he could explain. "I don't *know*. It's just, if something happens to that kid because *I* didn't prevent it, then..."
He shuddered. "I can't let that happen. I can't lose another---he's just a kid."
"No, he's not." Chen sat and shifted to face Leonard. "Jim is an adult, responsible for his own choices. And their consequences. You know that, Leonard: Jim's not a kid. He's not a child."
"I know that," Leonard snapped.
"Then perhaps you need to ask yourself whether your taking responsibility for Jim's actions is really the right thing to do----whether it's really in Jim's best interest. Or yours."
Leonard sank into his seat. Let his hands dangle between his knees as he stared at the carpet. He sighed and didn't say another word that session.
***************
***************
A few days later...
Chris let himself into his quarters, his PADD clutched tightly in one hand. Just inside, he paused to breathe in the smell of something tomato-based simmering and just enjoy the space that had become more of a home over the last few months.
He was careful to never let on just how thrilled he was that Leonard kept some of his "care package" from Georgia here. More than half the clothes were in Chris's drawers and closet. The microscope rested on a shelf, along with some of the books and photo albums---and of course the imager in its carved frame. The treasure chest was tucked safely in one of the bedroom nightstands, the one Leonard had claimed with a copy of his daughter's picture.
All of the cookbooks and the recipe box had also stayed, of course. But Leonard expanded his presence into a line of herb pots on the windowsills, along with a blender and a dehydrator that Leonard used to produce "healthier than that synthesized crap" snacks.
Chris moved into the bedroom and stopped short. The afternoon sun turned the bed into a golden rectangle. A gloriously naked Leonard was sprawled on his stomach in the center of it. He was facing the foot of the bed but hadn't noticed Chris's entrance.
Red and gold highlights lightened brown hair as Leonard lifted an arm to run a hand through it. Then that arm went back to its original position, crossed under Leonard's chin. From his fierce glare at the PADD propped in front of him, it was not pleasant reading.
"More clinic records?" Chris asked. Phyll had set Leonard as supervisor for some of the junior staff, and from all reports he was whipping them into shape. Unfortunately, the term was almost literal. Phyll was trying to get Leonard to, if not ease up on the newcomers, at least try to use a more tactful approach to criticism.
As Phyll put it, "If Len doesn't learn that he's not allowed to scare 'em all off, the head of the hospital is gonna chain him to a biobed and make *him* cover all the shifts those cadets were supposed to handle."
Leonard looked up, his frown slowly shifting to a smile. "Hey darlin'. Yeah. I hope I was never this thick-headed."
"What do y'mean 'was'?" Chris sauntered over and dropped his head for a quick kiss before settling on the bed. He ran a hand down Leonard's sun-warmed back, feeling Leonard shiver beneath his touch. "Is this an invitation?"
Leonard gave a cat-eyed glance over his shoulder. "What d'you think?"
It had taken a while to get to a full physical relationship, but Chris certainly thought it had been worth the wait. He found it a little amusing how eager Leonard was to bend Chris over something---and Leonard's skill would soon be on par with his enthusiasm.
As for the other side of the equation... "Mmmm---I hope so." Chris let his hand drift to cup one firm buttock as he once more met Leonard's lips in a kiss. Leonard's mouth opened beneath his, and Chris delved into the warmth and welcome. Moaned at the clench of Leonard's fingers in his hair and got lost in the rising heat between them.
By the time they parted for panting breaths, Leonard had rolled onto his back and pulled Chris on top of him. Leonard's hands fisted in Chris's uniform.
Leonard nuzzled Chris's neck, licked at the skin just above Chris's collar. "You...naked...lube."
Chris bit back a moan when Leonard nipped him before shoving him toward the head of the bed. Chris stood and swiftly undressed, noting that Leonard had rolled again to grab both PADDs and set them carefully on Chris's nightstand.
Of course they kept lube on both sides of the bed---along with a few other places. He pulled a tube from Leonard's drawer and paused a moment.
Leonard had settled again on his back, lightly stroking his cock as he watched Chris with hungry eyes. His tongue flashed out to lick ripe lips, setting Chris in motion.
He raised one knee to the bed, stretching to brace on one arm. He settled onto his side, his free hand stroking the long line of Leonard's body from broad shoulder and powerful chest to narrow waist and hips and those long thighs that looked good in jeans but even better out of them.
Leonard arched into the touch with a low moan, abandoning his cock for a grip on Chris's ribs. He leaned up and captured Chris's mouth with his own, drawing them both down to lay fully on the bed.
The sun spread its heat along Chris's back as he pressed into Leonard's warmth. He lifted his head, braced on his elbows. Stared down into Leonard's flushed face. The shadows that lurked in Leonard's eyes were banished for the moment by desire. And maybe something more, something hinted at in the slow slide of Leonard's hands along Chris's sides, in the tender curve of his mouth.
Words hovered on Chris's tongue. Things he wanted Leonard to know---things that Chris never knew about himself. Things that he was afraid to admit.
Instead he dipped his head to press a kiss to the center of Leonard's chest, to scrape his teeth along the smooth skin to one nipple already hard and waiting for the torment of his mouth.
Shuddered as Leonard's blunt nails dug in and scraped lines down his sides and back, just enough pressure to make him lose his own breath. "Fuck."
"*Yes*," Leonard answered, and it held more than a hint of a command.
Chris glanced up to see the smile lurking on Leonard's face. "Yes, sir." A swift check of the bedding got him the lube. He shifted into the space created by Leonard's widening thighs.
Groaned at the brush of their cocks, momentarily distracted into thrusting a few times against Leonard. Then he slicked his fingers and delivered the tube into Leonard's waiting hand. Shuddered anew a moment later at Leonard's slick, strong grip sliding up and down Chris's cock, teasing and coating all at once. Making Chris long to plunge deep into Leonard's core. Claim Leonard the way he felt held entranced by his lover.
But this was not something to be rushed---not here, now. So Chris watched Leonard's face as he used the back of his hand to tease the inside of one thigh, then the other. To see the hitch and pant of breath as Chris's knuckles caught ever so slightly against Leonard's sac on the way behind it.
The heat gathered in the crease of Leonard's body eased slightly as Leonard lifted one leg to bend at the knee. Making more room for Chris to explore. Chris's fingertips traced the waiting entrance before sliding in. First one, then another, adding slickness to the deeper heat waiting for him.
Leonard's eyelids fluttered, long lashes sliding down as his mouth dropped open for a soft moan. His head tilted back, offering his long throat to Chris's mouth.
Chris accepted the invitation. Set his teeth at the juncture of neck and shoulder, just enough pressure to distract Leonard from any discomfort as Chris slid his cock along the channel between Leonard's buttocks and then inside.
Felt the vibration of Leonard's moan under his lips. Kept moving, slowly but always forward until he was all the way inside, bodies joined tightly together. "OK?"
"Mmmm..." Leonard's hum had deepened into almost a purr. The lift of his hips confirmed his welcome. He wrapped his arms around Chris's back, urging Chris upward into another kiss.
Chris's eyes closed as his tongue mated with Leonard's, as he began an almost lazy slide out and in. Felt like he could do this all afternoon, twined with Leonard in the golden light.
He gave a breathless sort of chuckle when Leonard's wandering fingertips dipped into the pool of sweat gathering at the small of his back. He braced on his elbows again, pulling back just enough to share breath.
Leonard responded with a small smile. Tickled him again---the tease. Chris responded with stronger, harder thrusts, welcomed the shift even closer as Leonard wrapped both legs around his hips and held on.
He felt Leonard's leaking cock painting his skin with every stroke. Shifted enough to reach one hand between their bodies to grasp Leonard's hard length. Started pulling in time with his thrusts, sweeping his thumb over the damp head and just underneath the ridge. Wanting that moment when Leonard let go and became completely his.
Then it came---Leonard's eyes widened as he bit his own lip, hips surging up and channel clenching down as his release pulsed over Chris's hand and between them.
Chris smiled and pressed his lips to Leonard's for a moment before pulling back and surrendering to his own release, pushing deep, deep, to spend himself inside his lover.
And if he ever found the courage to admit it, his love.
***************
***************
Leonard shook the last drips from his hair as he made his way across the bedroom, taking a sip from one of the glasses of wine chilling his fingers.
He grinned at Chris's frank perusal as he continued toward the bed. "Like what you see?"
"Always." The wicked glint in Chris's eyes as he sat propped against the pillows made promises Leonard was eager to see him keep---later.
"Not until after dinner---which will be ready in about 20 minutes." Leonard handed over the other glass and slid onto the mattress. He held his own wine aloft as he unabashedly plastered himself to Chris's side.
Chris teased him about his "catlike tendencies", but Leonard was reminded why he didn't care when Chris's fingers started sliding through his hair in a soothing stroke along his scalp.
Leonard let the cool, sweet wine roll around his mouth for a moment before swallowing. It was moments like this that made him hope that he and Chris would last---beyond the Academy, even beyond Starfleet.
That he was right to put his faith in Chris and in them together. Even if he was too chicken-shit to ever come right out and say it.
After a few minutes of enjoyment, Leonard let his brain come back online. He knew that Chris was under a lot of pressure as the end of the semester approached. "So how was your day?"
The sudden rise in the heartbeat beneath his cheek had Leonard sitting up. "Chris?"
"You just reminded me---I have something for you." Chris twisted enough to set his glass of wine on the nightstand and pulled over his PADD.
"OK." Leonard shifted to sit cross-legged facing Chris. The first few times they'd done this---shared wine or coffee or some conversation while lazing around buck naked---Leonard had blushed clear to the roots of his hair.
Right now, though, he was too wary to feel self-conscious.
"Look, Leonard, I don't want you to think I'm trying to push you into anything---trust me when I say I would *never* do that or want that." Chris's fingers traveled up and down the sides of the PADD in an uncharacteristic, nervous gesture.
"OK." Leonard said again. He could feel his brows drawing together, tried to smooth them out and appear ready for anything.
"OK, well, Phyll gave me the official confirmation today. I wanted to wait until then, so you knew this has everything to do with you bein' the best of the best and not any other, um, considerations." Chris's gaze darted to Leonard, then dropped back to his PADD.
Leonard set aside his own wine. "Um...what the hell're you talkin' about?"
Chris blinked, seemed to focus. "The rankings and assignments of the medical cadets. I'm not sure if you're aware of it, but you're so far ahead of your colleagues that even if you flunk every test and assignment from now 'til graduation, you'll still be the top student in the Medical track."
A laugh huffed out of Leonard before he thought about it. "Well it doesn't hurt that I have years of experience over most of those other poor bastards tryin' to learn to be doctors *and* figure out Starfleet protocols."
A quick smile greeted Leonard's observation, but then Chris sobered. "The point is, Leonard, that you've earned a place on Enterprise. If you want it."
"Well of course I want it. You think I'd ship out with anybody else?" Leonard felt the quick flash of panic that always came with the thought of bein' out in the black. But he took a breath and leveled down the way he'd learned to do---the way Chris had helped him learn to do---so many months ago.
Chris's mouth curved in a quick grin, but his brows drew together as he stared down at the PADD once more. "I was hopin' you'd say that. Because---"
He stopped, swallowed. "Because I'd like you to consider being more than just a crewmate. Officially."
Leonard instinctively grasped the PADD that was shoved into his hands. He flicked on the screen and stared at the form displayed. "Domestic Partnership Agreement" in bold letters across the top.
Chris's half had already been filled in and authenticated. The document pretty much stated that Chris appointed Leonard as his legal and medical proxy for the duration of the agreement and that Leonard had automatic access to Chris's quarters on any ship or other bivouac. It also guaranteed that Chris would be automatically posted with Leonard---wherever that posting would be.
It was...it wasn't marriage or anything like that---anything that Leonard didn't feel ready for by a long shot. But it was something he definitely could and wanted to live with. And more than he'd been lettin' himself expect, if not hope for.
He looked up at Chris. "Yes."
Chris's smile was as bright as the sunshine still gleaming through the windows. "Yeah?"
"Yeah." Leonard reviewed his section, made his choices and set his authentication with an extra firm press of the screen.
With deliberate care he sent off the form and set the PADD aside. Then he grabbed the back of Chris's neck and hauled him in for one hell of a "thank you" kiss.
Seemed that dinner could wait after all.
NEXT
Author: Jaye (Copyright May 2013)
Codes: ST:XI Pike/McCoy, NC-17
Summary: Scenes from two lives coming together.
See PART 1 for disclaimer, author's notes, and guest cast.
Previous chapters: HERE
***************
CHAPTER 9
Spring, Leonard's last semester at the Academy...
"I'm beginnin' to think it's pathological." Leonard stopped his pacing to peer at Chen's fish tank. The occupants ignored him, swimming lazily throughout their domain.
"Chronic, certainly." Chen's voice suggested a shrug. "But you've known that for more than two years. Why is it a problem now?"
"'Cause the chickens have come home to roost." Leonard pivoted and made his way over to his usual chair.
Flung himself into it with a grunt. "Jim's blown me off a few too many times lately. Even today---told him that I was too busy for another round of 'Die, stupid cadets, Die!' in the sim chamber. Don't know what the hell I was there for in the first place---I'm a doctor, not some shoot-'em-up security officer. And what did Jim do? Put me on standby for a *third* go-round. Gonna play havoc with my schedule."
Chen lifted an eyebrow. "Admittedly, that kind of self-centeredness is annoying. But why do you think it proves that smoothing Jim's way through the Academy has become a problem for *you*?"
"Because when Jim calls me to show up, I'll drop everything and go---I can't seem to stop." It was a hard admission, one Leonard had been wrestling with since that first night Chris brought it up.
"And why is that?" A natural follow-up question from Chen.
"I don't know." Not exactly true. Leonard tried again. "Because I don't know what'll happen to the kid if I don't."
Dark eyes studied him. "What exactly are you afraid of?"
A familiar chill slid down Leonard's spine. "I don't---"
"What are you afraid of, Leonard?" Chen stood up, rested hands on the arms of Leonard's chair.
Leonard could feel his heartbeat pick up, breathing shallow. "I don't---"
Chen was practically in his face now. "What?"
"Everything!" Leonard pushed Chen back and leapt out of the chair again. Did his crazy pace around the office to try to calm down. To knock that big, nebulous, black fear into something he could explain. "I don't *know*. It's just, if something happens to that kid because *I* didn't prevent it, then..."
He shuddered. "I can't let that happen. I can't lose another---he's just a kid."
"No, he's not." Chen sat and shifted to face Leonard. "Jim is an adult, responsible for his own choices. And their consequences. You know that, Leonard: Jim's not a kid. He's not a child."
"I know that," Leonard snapped.
"Then perhaps you need to ask yourself whether your taking responsibility for Jim's actions is really the right thing to do----whether it's really in Jim's best interest. Or yours."
Leonard sank into his seat. Let his hands dangle between his knees as he stared at the carpet. He sighed and didn't say another word that session.
***************
***************
A few days later...
Chris let himself into his quarters, his PADD clutched tightly in one hand. Just inside, he paused to breathe in the smell of something tomato-based simmering and just enjoy the space that had become more of a home over the last few months.
He was careful to never let on just how thrilled he was that Leonard kept some of his "care package" from Georgia here. More than half the clothes were in Chris's drawers and closet. The microscope rested on a shelf, along with some of the books and photo albums---and of course the imager in its carved frame. The treasure chest was tucked safely in one of the bedroom nightstands, the one Leonard had claimed with a copy of his daughter's picture.
All of the cookbooks and the recipe box had also stayed, of course. But Leonard expanded his presence into a line of herb pots on the windowsills, along with a blender and a dehydrator that Leonard used to produce "healthier than that synthesized crap" snacks.
Chris moved into the bedroom and stopped short. The afternoon sun turned the bed into a golden rectangle. A gloriously naked Leonard was sprawled on his stomach in the center of it. He was facing the foot of the bed but hadn't noticed Chris's entrance.
Red and gold highlights lightened brown hair as Leonard lifted an arm to run a hand through it. Then that arm went back to its original position, crossed under Leonard's chin. From his fierce glare at the PADD propped in front of him, it was not pleasant reading.
"More clinic records?" Chris asked. Phyll had set Leonard as supervisor for some of the junior staff, and from all reports he was whipping them into shape. Unfortunately, the term was almost literal. Phyll was trying to get Leonard to, if not ease up on the newcomers, at least try to use a more tactful approach to criticism.
As Phyll put it, "If Len doesn't learn that he's not allowed to scare 'em all off, the head of the hospital is gonna chain him to a biobed and make *him* cover all the shifts those cadets were supposed to handle."
Leonard looked up, his frown slowly shifting to a smile. "Hey darlin'. Yeah. I hope I was never this thick-headed."
"What do y'mean 'was'?" Chris sauntered over and dropped his head for a quick kiss before settling on the bed. He ran a hand down Leonard's sun-warmed back, feeling Leonard shiver beneath his touch. "Is this an invitation?"
Leonard gave a cat-eyed glance over his shoulder. "What d'you think?"
It had taken a while to get to a full physical relationship, but Chris certainly thought it had been worth the wait. He found it a little amusing how eager Leonard was to bend Chris over something---and Leonard's skill would soon be on par with his enthusiasm.
As for the other side of the equation... "Mmmm---I hope so." Chris let his hand drift to cup one firm buttock as he once more met Leonard's lips in a kiss. Leonard's mouth opened beneath his, and Chris delved into the warmth and welcome. Moaned at the clench of Leonard's fingers in his hair and got lost in the rising heat between them.
By the time they parted for panting breaths, Leonard had rolled onto his back and pulled Chris on top of him. Leonard's hands fisted in Chris's uniform.
Leonard nuzzled Chris's neck, licked at the skin just above Chris's collar. "You...naked...lube."
Chris bit back a moan when Leonard nipped him before shoving him toward the head of the bed. Chris stood and swiftly undressed, noting that Leonard had rolled again to grab both PADDs and set them carefully on Chris's nightstand.
Of course they kept lube on both sides of the bed---along with a few other places. He pulled a tube from Leonard's drawer and paused a moment.
Leonard had settled again on his back, lightly stroking his cock as he watched Chris with hungry eyes. His tongue flashed out to lick ripe lips, setting Chris in motion.
He raised one knee to the bed, stretching to brace on one arm. He settled onto his side, his free hand stroking the long line of Leonard's body from broad shoulder and powerful chest to narrow waist and hips and those long thighs that looked good in jeans but even better out of them.
Leonard arched into the touch with a low moan, abandoning his cock for a grip on Chris's ribs. He leaned up and captured Chris's mouth with his own, drawing them both down to lay fully on the bed.
The sun spread its heat along Chris's back as he pressed into Leonard's warmth. He lifted his head, braced on his elbows. Stared down into Leonard's flushed face. The shadows that lurked in Leonard's eyes were banished for the moment by desire. And maybe something more, something hinted at in the slow slide of Leonard's hands along Chris's sides, in the tender curve of his mouth.
Words hovered on Chris's tongue. Things he wanted Leonard to know---things that Chris never knew about himself. Things that he was afraid to admit.
Instead he dipped his head to press a kiss to the center of Leonard's chest, to scrape his teeth along the smooth skin to one nipple already hard and waiting for the torment of his mouth.
Shuddered as Leonard's blunt nails dug in and scraped lines down his sides and back, just enough pressure to make him lose his own breath. "Fuck."
"*Yes*," Leonard answered, and it held more than a hint of a command.
Chris glanced up to see the smile lurking on Leonard's face. "Yes, sir." A swift check of the bedding got him the lube. He shifted into the space created by Leonard's widening thighs.
Groaned at the brush of their cocks, momentarily distracted into thrusting a few times against Leonard. Then he slicked his fingers and delivered the tube into Leonard's waiting hand. Shuddered anew a moment later at Leonard's slick, strong grip sliding up and down Chris's cock, teasing and coating all at once. Making Chris long to plunge deep into Leonard's core. Claim Leonard the way he felt held entranced by his lover.
But this was not something to be rushed---not here, now. So Chris watched Leonard's face as he used the back of his hand to tease the inside of one thigh, then the other. To see the hitch and pant of breath as Chris's knuckles caught ever so slightly against Leonard's sac on the way behind it.
The heat gathered in the crease of Leonard's body eased slightly as Leonard lifted one leg to bend at the knee. Making more room for Chris to explore. Chris's fingertips traced the waiting entrance before sliding in. First one, then another, adding slickness to the deeper heat waiting for him.
Leonard's eyelids fluttered, long lashes sliding down as his mouth dropped open for a soft moan. His head tilted back, offering his long throat to Chris's mouth.
Chris accepted the invitation. Set his teeth at the juncture of neck and shoulder, just enough pressure to distract Leonard from any discomfort as Chris slid his cock along the channel between Leonard's buttocks and then inside.
Felt the vibration of Leonard's moan under his lips. Kept moving, slowly but always forward until he was all the way inside, bodies joined tightly together. "OK?"
"Mmmm..." Leonard's hum had deepened into almost a purr. The lift of his hips confirmed his welcome. He wrapped his arms around Chris's back, urging Chris upward into another kiss.
Chris's eyes closed as his tongue mated with Leonard's, as he began an almost lazy slide out and in. Felt like he could do this all afternoon, twined with Leonard in the golden light.
He gave a breathless sort of chuckle when Leonard's wandering fingertips dipped into the pool of sweat gathering at the small of his back. He braced on his elbows again, pulling back just enough to share breath.
Leonard responded with a small smile. Tickled him again---the tease. Chris responded with stronger, harder thrusts, welcomed the shift even closer as Leonard wrapped both legs around his hips and held on.
He felt Leonard's leaking cock painting his skin with every stroke. Shifted enough to reach one hand between their bodies to grasp Leonard's hard length. Started pulling in time with his thrusts, sweeping his thumb over the damp head and just underneath the ridge. Wanting that moment when Leonard let go and became completely his.
Then it came---Leonard's eyes widened as he bit his own lip, hips surging up and channel clenching down as his release pulsed over Chris's hand and between them.
Chris smiled and pressed his lips to Leonard's for a moment before pulling back and surrendering to his own release, pushing deep, deep, to spend himself inside his lover.
And if he ever found the courage to admit it, his love.
***************
***************
Leonard shook the last drips from his hair as he made his way across the bedroom, taking a sip from one of the glasses of wine chilling his fingers.
He grinned at Chris's frank perusal as he continued toward the bed. "Like what you see?"
"Always." The wicked glint in Chris's eyes as he sat propped against the pillows made promises Leonard was eager to see him keep---later.
"Not until after dinner---which will be ready in about 20 minutes." Leonard handed over the other glass and slid onto the mattress. He held his own wine aloft as he unabashedly plastered himself to Chris's side.
Chris teased him about his "catlike tendencies", but Leonard was reminded why he didn't care when Chris's fingers started sliding through his hair in a soothing stroke along his scalp.
Leonard let the cool, sweet wine roll around his mouth for a moment before swallowing. It was moments like this that made him hope that he and Chris would last---beyond the Academy, even beyond Starfleet.
That he was right to put his faith in Chris and in them together. Even if he was too chicken-shit to ever come right out and say it.
After a few minutes of enjoyment, Leonard let his brain come back online. He knew that Chris was under a lot of pressure as the end of the semester approached. "So how was your day?"
The sudden rise in the heartbeat beneath his cheek had Leonard sitting up. "Chris?"
"You just reminded me---I have something for you." Chris twisted enough to set his glass of wine on the nightstand and pulled over his PADD.
"OK." Leonard shifted to sit cross-legged facing Chris. The first few times they'd done this---shared wine or coffee or some conversation while lazing around buck naked---Leonard had blushed clear to the roots of his hair.
Right now, though, he was too wary to feel self-conscious.
"Look, Leonard, I don't want you to think I'm trying to push you into anything---trust me when I say I would *never* do that or want that." Chris's fingers traveled up and down the sides of the PADD in an uncharacteristic, nervous gesture.
"OK." Leonard said again. He could feel his brows drawing together, tried to smooth them out and appear ready for anything.
"OK, well, Phyll gave me the official confirmation today. I wanted to wait until then, so you knew this has everything to do with you bein' the best of the best and not any other, um, considerations." Chris's gaze darted to Leonard, then dropped back to his PADD.
Leonard set aside his own wine. "Um...what the hell're you talkin' about?"
Chris blinked, seemed to focus. "The rankings and assignments of the medical cadets. I'm not sure if you're aware of it, but you're so far ahead of your colleagues that even if you flunk every test and assignment from now 'til graduation, you'll still be the top student in the Medical track."
A laugh huffed out of Leonard before he thought about it. "Well it doesn't hurt that I have years of experience over most of those other poor bastards tryin' to learn to be doctors *and* figure out Starfleet protocols."
A quick smile greeted Leonard's observation, but then Chris sobered. "The point is, Leonard, that you've earned a place on Enterprise. If you want it."
"Well of course I want it. You think I'd ship out with anybody else?" Leonard felt the quick flash of panic that always came with the thought of bein' out in the black. But he took a breath and leveled down the way he'd learned to do---the way Chris had helped him learn to do---so many months ago.
Chris's mouth curved in a quick grin, but his brows drew together as he stared down at the PADD once more. "I was hopin' you'd say that. Because---"
He stopped, swallowed. "Because I'd like you to consider being more than just a crewmate. Officially."
Leonard instinctively grasped the PADD that was shoved into his hands. He flicked on the screen and stared at the form displayed. "Domestic Partnership Agreement" in bold letters across the top.
Chris's half had already been filled in and authenticated. The document pretty much stated that Chris appointed Leonard as his legal and medical proxy for the duration of the agreement and that Leonard had automatic access to Chris's quarters on any ship or other bivouac. It also guaranteed that Chris would be automatically posted with Leonard---wherever that posting would be.
It was...it wasn't marriage or anything like that---anything that Leonard didn't feel ready for by a long shot. But it was something he definitely could and wanted to live with. And more than he'd been lettin' himself expect, if not hope for.
He looked up at Chris. "Yes."
Chris's smile was as bright as the sunshine still gleaming through the windows. "Yeah?"
"Yeah." Leonard reviewed his section, made his choices and set his authentication with an extra firm press of the screen.
With deliberate care he sent off the form and set the PADD aside. Then he grabbed the back of Chris's neck and hauled him in for one hell of a "thank you" kiss.
Seemed that dinner could wait after all.
NEXT