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seren_ccdTitle: I'm Not Cheap, But I Can be Had: Part Two
Author:![[livejournal.com profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/external/lj-userinfo.gif)
seren_ccd
Rating: M - for slight sexual situations, language and mild violence
Word Count: 15,157
Summary: What happens when the mild-mannered Head Nurse has to survive in the jungle with her CMO?
Part One
The next morning saw the doctor and nurse back on a road that wasn't too far from the shuttle they spent the night in. No more was said about what they were going to do once they actually found a working comm station. As far as they knew, there was still interference between the planet and the Enterprise.
Eventually, they found themselves entering a small village with a smattering of rickety houses and very few people.
"Do you think we should ask for a comm?" Christine asked quietly.
"Do you honestly think they have one?" McCoy said just as quietly. "Or even speak Standard?"
"Eh!" was called out behind them. They began to slow down. Christine glanced over her shoulder and was shocked to see a group of men following them.
"McCoy…" she whispered.
"Yeah, I know," he said. "Get ready to run."
"Run? Why—" Then she noticed him fingering the phaser. "Oh. Oh!"
Christine really didn't want another phaser fight. She waited a moment and then turned quickly to face the men behind them.
"Hi! Sorry to bother you, but we really need to get to a comm. Or borrow a transport? We've had a bit of trouble." She said all of this in an even, friendly tone with a calm smile on her face. McCoy did his best to go along, but his smile was less than convincing.
A man stepped forward.
"See the man in the white house," he said in heavily accented Standard. "Maybe he can help."
"The white house?" Christine said pointing at the structure a few houses down.
"Yes," the man said.
"Thank you. Very much," she said. "Thank you."
McCoy just nodded and they hastily walked towards the building.
"You are aware that you're insane," McCoy whispered harshly. "God knows what this guy will do."
"Well, it's better than pistols at dawn," she said.
They walked up to the large wooden door and McCoy rang the bell.
A small partition opened up and a man looked out. "What do you want?"
"Oh, hello. You speak Standard, that's great. Ah, we really need to use a comm or borrow a transport," McCoy said. "We heard you might have one."
"No. Now go away," the man said.
"Wait, sir," McCoy said. "We really need to get in contact with someone."
"You really need to hit the road," the man said pulling a large phaser out and pushing it through the partition. He took aim at McCoy. Christine gasped and stepped back, as did McCoy.
"Fine, fine, sorry to bother you," McCoy said. They turned around only to come face to face with the group of men from earlier all pointing phasers at them.
"Oh my," Christine said.
"Oh shit," McCoy said. "Ahh. Well, write us out of this one Carrie Church."
Christine spared him a quick glare.
"Carrie Church?" the man behind the door said. "The Carrie Church?"
Christine looked at him and nodded. His eyes widened. He closed the partition and opened the door completely. The man that came out was of medium height with curly black hair and an outrageously plaid shirt.
"You are Carrie Church, the romance novelist?" he asked seriously.
"Yes," she said bewildered. "Yes, I am."
The man's face broke into a huge grin. "I love your books! I've read them all!" After this he turned to the group of men and spoke quickly in their native language. It must have been complimentary because they all started smiling and waving happily at Christine. She waved feebly back.
"Come in! Come in!" The man put his arm around Christine and ushered inside. "You too! And get the door."
This last statement was directed at McCoy who was far too baffled to object. He shut the door and followed Christine and her enthusiastic fan into the house.
The man was talking fast and introduced himself as "Juan! Just Juan! And I can be in your books!" McCoy just watched in bemused silence as Christine tried to get a word in edgewise.
"Do you have a comm? It's very important," she tried.
"Oh, no. No comms," he said. "I have drinks, though. Lots of Earth varieties."
Juan began to list everything in his kitchen and McCoy was driven to mutter, "Got any beaming technology?"
"Oh, I did!" Juan said cheerfully. "But it broke!"
"We, ah, heard you had a form of transport," Christine said coming to stand next to McCoy. "I really need to get to Cordillera."
"Oh, sure! You'll like her. I call her Juanita," he said. "This way."
A few minutes later, they flew out of the small garage next to Juan's house in the cab of a huge truck complete with massive tires. The truck raced through what appeared to be a small armed envoy. After a small flurry of activity, the envoy chased after them.
"Oh my God! Is that the guy from yesterday?" Christine asked turning to look through the back window.
"Christ! How did he get himself a freakin' army?" McCoy yelled. "Ah, Juan, anything you could do to lose these guys would be great!"
"No problem, my man! Hang on!"
Several twists, turns and curses from McCoy later, the truck was headed straight for the river.
"Where's the bridge? There's no bridge!" McCoy yelled. Christine grabbed his hand.
"Don't worry! Check this out!" Juan aimed a little device and a ramp appeared. The truck sailed up the ramp and landed smoothly on the other side. "See! No problems!"
McCoy looked out the back window to see the first of the envoy slam on the brakes at the river and the second to slam into the first. They toppled into the river. He thought he caught a glimpse of the man with the mustache. But Christine squeezed his hand again and he looked into her worried eyes. He smirked at her and returned the squeeze. She sighed and McCoy faced front.
Juan very kindly drove them to another town only a few hours away that actually had a comm unit for planet-side calls only. He kept up a steady stream of chatter the whole way.
"I think my favorite book is the one where the librarian falls in love with the pilot," Juan said to Christine. "When they first kiss... Whooo, I needed to take a bath in the river!"
McCoy turned to look at Christine with a smirk on his face. "What's the title of that one, Juan?"
"A Flight in Fantasy," Juan said. "And the one with the governess and the lord of the manor is also very good. When he takes her in his arms at the end and carries her off across the... what do you call them?"
Both men looked at Christine. She was blushing furiously and kept her eyes on the road ahead.
"The moors," she said at last.
"Ah, yes! The moors!" Juan said. "I nearly cried."
"I will definitely have to look those up," McCoy said softly in her ear. Christine bit her lip and battled with the compulsion to shiver at the feel of his lips so close to her skin. She lost.
Juan made very good time and pulled into the town only an hour before dusk. The community was small and people were decorating and setting up tables for some kind of party.
They thanked him genuinely. Christine promised to send him an advance copy of her next novel as soon as it was published. McCoy thought the guy was going to burst from excitement.
As it was, McCoy was having a hard time deciding what course to take. But as they approached the comm box and Chapel faced him with a serious and resolved expression on her face, McCoy just nodded and let her call the people holding Gaila.
He went into the small hotel and due to some local carnival being held he got the only room available, all the while keeping an eye on Christine. Christine finally exited the small booth and gave him a frustrated look.
"What? Is Gaila okay?" he asked.
"Yes. Just… The guy sounded like a jerk," she said. She shook her head. "I don't know."
"Look, you've got something they want and they've got something you want," he said. "It's not really a friendly exchange."
"Yeah," she said. She looked down at her dirty skirt and cringed at the grime. "What are the chances of a laundry service in this place?"
McCoy chuckled. "I may be able to help out with that. I, uh, got a room at the hotel. There's a bus in the morning that can take us to Cordillera. We could have dinner. Or something. I was going to find some new clothes." McCoy trailed off.
She looked down shyly and smiled. "I'd love some dinner. And I'd probably murder for a shower."
He handed her the room key. "No need for homicide. It's number 12."
"Number 12," she said taking the key. "Good number."
McCoy watched the evening light play on her hair as she walked into the hotel.
***
Christine looked around the square and admired the amount of effort the little community put into their party. Brightly colored banners and lights were draped over anything that would hold the weight. And the food was to die for.
She felt relaxed and best of all clean, for the first time in what seemed like forever. She'd emerged from the shower to find that McCoy had gone out of his way to find a lovely outfit for her. Christine had grinned and felt as giddy as a teenager at the sight of the green and blue patterned wraparound skirt and embroidered top to match. She'd dressed quickly and after trying to do something with her hair, gave up and decided to leave it unpinned and it fell in loose waves around her face. She left the room only to find McCoy waiting in the hallway, his hands shoved into clean dark trousers and a button-down shirt. The way his eyes moved over her body left her slightly out of breath.
They found themselves a table on the edge of the dance floor and quickly ordered food. Both were too hungry to talk and by mutual unspoken agreement, ate their fill in silence.
But, now the dancers had taken to the floor and the music was lively and Christine was on her second glass of wine. McCoy leaned his arms on the table and was watching the people dance. As she thoughtfully watched the way his eyes observed everyone, she found herself feeling guilty.
"I think I need to apologize," she said drawing his attention to her. "I shouldn't have said the things I did last night. I certainly should never have implied that you don't listen or don't care. I'm sorry."
The eyes she'd been admiring studied her and then smiled. "It's okay. You weren't too far off the mark about a few things. I'm the first to admit that I get territorial in sickbay. And I do have a tendency to bowl people over."
"But you always have a good reason," Christine said. She toyed with the folds of her skirt. "Really, I don't want you to think that I think badly of you. I really don't. I... I like working with you."
"I like working with you, too," he said. He took a deep breath. "And I need to apologize myself. I'm sorry if I came on too strongly about the writing thing. I didn't mean to make you angry."
"Are you sure about that?" she asked wryly with a hint of a smirk. "I mean, I did cause a bus to crash into your vehicle."
"You really did, didn't you?" McCoy chuckled. "One thing's for sure, you sure know how to keep a guy on his toes."
She ducked her head to hide a pleased blush.
"But, honestly, I am sorry," he said. "I shouldn't have thrown the fact that I knew in your face. It was... Less than tactful."
"Yes, it really was," she said. Then she shrugged. "It's okay. It was bound to come out sooner or later. I actually remember the convention you mentioned. It was the first and last one I went to."
"Really?" he asked pouring her some more wine. "How come?"
Christine sipped her drink. "I suppose because, writing was always a hobby. Something to take my mind off of real life and all its messy complications. It was something for me to escape into. The fact that what I wrote was popular was a perk more than anything else." She shrugged again. "I'm a nurse. That's my career. That's what's most important to me."
McCoy nodded. "I think I understand what you mean."
"Besides, I'm not the only one with secrets," she said with narrowed eyes. "I had no idea you could aim, let alone fire a phaser."
"Well, I had to in order to get through the Academy," he said. "I don't like it, but it's better to know how than not. Besides, I already had practice from when I was a kid."
"On your grandfather's ranch?" she asked tracing a finger along the rim of her glass.
"Yeah," he said quietly watching the path her finger took. She looked up at the tone his voice had taken and froze at the darkness of his eyes. She felt her lips part and a frission of something started low in her stomach and traveled quickly up her spine.
McCoy broke his gaze first and looked at the dance floor. A smirk began to appear. "Since I've already diverted from my usual austere CMO status," Christine couldn't help the giggle that escaped, "come and dance with me."
"What? Oh, no, I don't dance," she said shaking her head. He grabbed her hand and pulled her up.
"You do now," he said.
Christine bit her lip and let him lead her to the dance floor. He placed a warm hand on her back and pulled her close. She automatically placed her left hand on his shoulder and her right was firmly in his grasp. McCoy led her effortlessly into a simple box step. The music was spirited and the carefree sounds of the party filled Christine's ears. She threw her head back and just laughed. McCoy spun her out and then back into his arms. She couldn't stop giggling and stumbled a bit in his arms. He grinned at her and spun her out again.
This time she threw in an extra twirl and slammed straight into the length of his body. The impact took her breath away and she looked up to apologize. But the sheer force of his gaze caused the words to fade away.
Christine licked her suddenly dry lips. McCoy made a low sound and pulled her close. Their lips met.
The kiss started out soft and slow. McCoy splayed his hand on the small of her back and brought his other hand to caress the side of her face. The warmth of his hand made Christine part her lips in a soft gasp. He immediately deepened the kiss and stroked his tongue against hers. She eagerly matched his fervor with her own. Her hands smoothed up the firm plane of his chest to his neck and shoulders; she lightly scraped her nails against the back of his neck. His response was a noise made deep in his throat and he pressed his hips against her. She grabbed at his shoulders desperately and tried to get closer. With a groan, he pulled back from the kiss allowing just enough space in between them to meet her eyes.
Dimly, she was aware of the crowded dance floor, but her entire being was centered on the dark warmth of his eyes and the rapid beating of her heart.
Then he uttered two words that made her weak in the knees: "Bed. Now."
They stumbled into the small hotel room and McCoy kicked the door shut with his foot while Christine carelessly dropped her bag on the floor and kicked her shoes off. His large hands framed her face gently and kissed her slowly, lazily. Eventually, she had to let her head fall back in order to breathe and he trailed his lips down her neck to settle on her thrumming pulse. She moaned as he licked and sucked at the juncture of her throat and shoulder.
"Taste so good," he mumbled against her skin. "And you smell like god damned Confederate jasmine."
He found her mouth again and they kissed deeply. Christine's hands went to the buttons on his shirt and opened them one by one. She broke away from the kiss to look at his chest and smoothed her hand over his heart, then pushed his shirt off his shoulders. The cuffs got caught on his wrists and they both pulled impatiently to free him from the fabric. Christine giggled as he cursed. The shirt finally gave and he cupped her face again to capture her laughter with his mouth.
He pulled her blouse up over her head, but struggled when it got caught on her nose and strands of her hair got tangled on his fingers.
Christine couldn't help the full laugh that emerged. McCoy grinned at her.
"Not like it is in your novels, is it?" he asked trailing his hand over her shoulders and pressing his forehead to hers.
"No," she said tracing the line of hair that led to his trousers. Her nimble fingers flicked the button. "I think this is better."
"Oh yeah," he said with a growl. He cupped her bottom and lifted her easily. "Much better."
Christine wrapped her legs around his waist and he walked them to the bed. His knees hit the edge and they tumbled onto the sheets. Her skirt fell to reveal her long legs. She suddenly blushed as she realized what else it revealed. McCoy noticed as well and while his eyes went even darker with arousal, he kept his voice light and teasing.
"Why, Christine Chapel," he said "just where exactly is your underwear?"
"You forgot to buy me a clean pair," she said attempting to sound nonchalant.
"Smartest thing I've ever done," he said as he pushed himself up to stand at the end of the bed and looked down at her. He raised one of her legs and pressed his mouth to her ankle. The stubble on his jaw tickled her skin as he ran the side of his face against her calf.
"God, I love your legs," he said. He looked down at her and pressed another kiss to the inside of her knee. "I love watching you when you have to get something off the top shelf. The thoughts I've had about you, Christine."
"I'd always pegged you as a breast man," she said.
"Oh, I'm an equal opportunity type of guy when it comes to a woman's body," he replied picking up her other leg and giving it the same attention he gave the first one.
"Is that right, Dr. McCoy?" she asked breathlessly.
He looked at her and said, "Christine, I'm about to make love to you several times over. Call me Leonard."
She actually stopped breathing for a second. She swallowed hard and then propped herself up on her elbows.
"Several times?" she said. "That's a pretty big claim, Leonard."
He lowered her leg and slowly crawled up the length of her body to rest between her thighs. Their eyes remained locked together as his finger traced a line from her shoulder across her clavicle and then between her breasts and then down her stomach. He undid the tie on the side of her skirt and peeled the material away leaving her bare to his gaze. He let his fingers dance along the soft skin of her abdomen. Christine's muscles fluttered and jumped and she found she couldn't look away from his eyes. His fingers then trailed even further down to press and stroke gently, she couldn't hold back her moan.
"Several times, Christine," he repeated. "Or do you doubt my word?"
Christine let herself fall back to the bed and raised her legs to lock him in place.
Then she smiled and said, "Prove it."
***
The last of the carnival goers had long gone home and people were folding up tables and turning off lights. However the only sound Christine was aware of was the steady thump of Leonard's heart from where she rested her head on his chest. His strong arms held her close and their legs were tangled together underneath the thin sheet.
She ran a hand lightly over his chest and he absently pressed his lips to her head.
"I'll take you there someday," he said in a low voice, "to the old family place. There's a room on the second floor where you can see all the land and the light shine through the pecan trees."
Christine smiled and hmm'ed happily and kissed the skin above his heart.
"Then I'll take you riding on all the trails that lead up to the Appalachia range." He turned his face to breathe in the scent of her hair. "I promise, I will."
"I believe you," she said. She frowned a little and raised her head to look at him. "I have a confession, though."
He arched an eyebrow and waited.
"I don't know how to ride," she said. "I never learned."
Leonard smiled lazily. "Well now, you sure seemed pretty proficient in that last go 'round."
Christine's mouth dropped open and he chuckled. She narrowed her eyes and dug her fingers into his side. He let out a bark of laughter and they wrestled for a minute. McCoy finally pinned her underneath him, trapping her hands above her head and settled between her thighs.
They grinned at each other before he captured her lips in a kiss that had her writhing beneath him. He mouthed the side of her face and then her throat.
"I'll teach you," he said against her ear before suckling the lobe. "How to walk, how to canter," he rocked his hips against her at an achingly slow pace and dropped his voice to a hoarse whisper, "then how to gallop."
Christine felt her body respond to his movements but she couldn't keep the question from escaping, "Why haven't you tried to contact the captain?"
Leonard stilled and lifted his head to look in her eyes.
"I mean, you could have," she said. "Why haven't you?"
"Because, despite what you said the other night, I do listen to you," he said. "I do trust you. You're the one I want next to me in surgery. The one I trust to keep the staff together. I'll admit to wanting to get this thing and give ourselves, and the Enterprise, the advantage. But, I'll follow your instincts on this."
Christine studied his face and could sense the truth in his words and how much it was costing him to say them.
"Let's do it," she said at last. "Let's go find it. But, even if we do find it, we get Gaila first, then contact the captain."
"Deal," he said. He looked down at their bodies and then back up with a smirk. "Should we shake on it?"
"Oh, I think we can come up with another way to seal the deal," she said as she rolled her hips. He groaned deeply and covered her mouth with his.
***
Christine only felt slightly bad about stealing a small car the next morning. Whether her lack of guilt stemmed from the need to get this whole adventure over with or the distracting memories of Leonard's body moving against hers, she didn't really know.
She held the PADD in her lap and they easily found the landmarks surrounding the downed probe. The landmarks were a very fast moving river and a thicket of trees. They made their way through the dense vegetation, McCoy making quick work of the branches with his machete. One final hack and they emerged into a small clearing where the probe had landed.
It was small and made from a dull grey metal. McCoy stepped up to the damaged hatch and pulled on the handle to open the door. It wouldn't budge. Christine joined him and they both pulled. It still wouldn't open.
"Right, one more time, on three," McCoy said. "One, two, three!"
They pulled with all their strength and the panel opened with a harsh creak of metal. The inside was remarkably clean of debris, only a few wires and circuit boards dangled from the wall. A small black box was found underneath a plate of metal. Christine looked at McCoy and he spared her a quick glance before taking the box. They sat on the ground outside and studied the case. The lock looked flimsy and sure enough, it only took one blow from the handle of McCoy's machete to break it off.
Shoulders touching, they examined the contents. McCoy reached in and pulled out the crystal. It was a light green color and had uneven sides that reflected the light in all directions.
"So this is what the fuss is all about," Christine said softly. "This little piece of rock."
"Christ," McCoy muttered. "We better get going."
Christine couldn't have agreed more.
They hurried back to the hovercraft. McCoy pocketed the crystal as Christine fastened the PADD safely back into her bag. They set off down the road only to be met with the sight of the envoy from the day before heading in their direction quickly.
"Shit!" McCoy yelled before jerking the wheel and sending them off the road into a field.
Christine gasped sharply. "What are you doing?"
"No idea!" he said. The old car sped over the uneven ground and jostled its occupants back and forth.
The envoy fired on them and McCoy did his best to avoid the blasts, but the back window was destroyed. Christine cried out as the glass shattered.
"Get us out of here!" she yelled.
"I'm trying, damn it!" he yelled back.
He pulled the car into a field of high grass; the envoy hot on their bumper. Splinters of green flew in every direction and McCoy could tell the engine was slowing down under the barrage of plants.
"Come on, hold on," he said under his breath. "Hey, I think it clears up ahead."
"No, wait! Don't go any further!" Christine yelled remembering from the map what was up ahead. "McCoy!"
The automobile sailed out of the field and straight into the river with a massive splash. Water poured in the open windows and the engine sputtered and gave out. The car floated in one place and then was swiftly carried off by the current.
"Oh, shit," McCoy said his eyes wide and staring at the frothing rapids that surrounded them.
"I tried to tell you," Christine said in a small voice.
"Oh, shit!" he repeated.
Christine faced him furiously. "Is that all you've got? 'Oh, shit'?"
He turned to her. "How about 'Oh fuck!' Does that suit the setting better?"
"Yes, actually!" she yelled back. Then her breath caught in her throat. "Oh, god, Leonard. Oh, god. What are we going to do?"
"I don't know," he said slamming his hand against the wheel. "Where does this river go?"
"Ah, it goes..." They heard the thundering sound of rushing water at the same time and both looked out the windshield. Christine pointed her hand limply. "It goes there."
The water was tumbling, crashing over the side of the mountain.
"We have to jump," McCoy said.
"Are you insane?" Christine shrieked.
"Completely," he said before grabbing her face and kissing her harshly. "Jump!"
She jumped.
Looking back, Christine would never truly remember how she got the door open or the fall itself. But, she'd always remember the shock of plunging into the turbulent waves and the sting of the water in her eyes and nose.
Somehow, she swam her way up to the surface and sucked in a breath. She painfully paddled over to the rocky shore and pulled herself up. A distant voice called her name. She shook her head and looked across the river where she saw McCoy standing on the other side.
"Christine! Are you okay?" he called to her. His shirt was ripped at the pocket and his trousers were torn at the knees.
"Oh, I'm fine! I'm great! I'm absolutely splendid!" she yelled back. "Thank you for asking!"
"Hey!" She couldn't really see his face, but she knew he was scowling.
"This is exactly what you wanted, right?" she yelled back. "You've got the crystal and now you can go off on your own."
"You think I wanted this?" he yelled back. "Woman, you are nuts!"
"Oh, yeah, totally!" she yelled.
"Look, get yourself to Cordillera and I will meet you there," he said. "I promise."
"Sure, you will! After you go running to Jim, right?" she said putting her hands on her hips.
"Damn it, Christine!" He wiped the water off his face. "Head towards the sunset and it'll get you there. I will find you!"
A phaser blast came and hit the rock next to Christine's feet. She shrieked and ducked into the trees behind her. She heard McCoy call out one final time, "I'll find you!"
***
Cordillera was vastly different to the towns and villages Christine had seen so far on her journey. It was bustling and far more modern, with gleaming buildings and white, sandy beaches. She ignored the disapproving looks thrown at her dishevelled state and walked straight into the Hotel Cordillera.
She was shown to a room and immediately used the local comm unit to contact the men holding Gaila. A thin man with a receding hairline gave her instructions to follow in order to make the exchange.
Christine ended the call and immediately contacted the front desk to see if a Dr. McCoy had left any messages for her. He hadn't. She looked around the empty hotel room and felt very, very alone.
A small boat was waiting for her at the docks to take her to an island out in the bay as the kidnappers had instructed. She spent the majority of the short ride biting her bottom lip and wondering where McCoy was. She stepped off the boat and firmly pushed him to the back of her mind and focused on just getting rid of the PADD and getting Gaila.
The island consisted of an old fort-like structure and Christine followed the burning torches left out for her into the building. Her footsteps echoed off the old stone walls. She approached a small square and a voice said deeply, "Stop right there, Miss Chapel."
Christine stopped.
"Do you have the map?" the voice asked.
"Yes," she said. "I do."
"Show it to us," it said.
"Show me Gaila first," she said.
There was a small shuffle of feet and Gaila was thrust into the light not far away from Christine, who sighed in relief.
"Hi," the Orion said with a little wave and a sheepish look on her face.
"Hi yourself," Christine said.
"Enough! Show us the map," the voice boomed.
Christine reached into her bag and pulled the PADD out. She tapped on the file and the map came into view. She held the PADD up, displaying the map to the hallway.
A man pushed Gaila forward and the man from earlier with the receding hairline, presumably the leader came around the corner. Another half dozen men followed close by. The leader walked straight up to Christine and took the PADD from her. He gave her an assessing look and then studied the screen. He raised his eyes up to hers.
"Miss Chapel," he said. "You and your little friend... Can go!"
He grinned crazily and Christine expelled the breath she felt she'd been holding since the whole thing started. The leader went back to his men and they started chatting excitedly. Gaila rushed to her and the women hugged. Christine pulled back to look at her face.
"You're okay?" she asked.
"Yeah," Gaila said. "They were pretty nice most of the time. I'm so sorry I made you do this, Chris."
"Forget it, let's just go," Christine said.
They hugged again and headed back the way Christine came in. A sharp burst of phaser fire hit the wall in front of them and they jumped back.
McCoy appeared at the end of one of the corridors and Christine stared at him.
"I couldn't find you at the hotel," he said. He was shoved into the square with a sharp prod from a phaser held by a man in a uniform.
Christine grabbed onto Gaila who was holding tightly to her. The square filled with men in uniforms and phasers were trained on everyone.
Footsteps came up behind the two women and Christine whirled around to see the man from the bus stride towards her. The pure malevolence in his empty eyes made her feel ill.
The kidnapper swore in his own language and then said, "Marquez! I should have known."
Marquez watched Christine for a minute and then walked over the kidnapper. He took the PADD from him and smashed it on the ground.
"You won't need that," he said casually. "They have the crystal."
All eyes went to Christine. She lifted her chin defiantly. Marquez just smiled and walked back over to her. "Isn't that right, Miss Chapel?"
"I don't know what you're talking about," she said.
"Oh, I believe you do," Marquez said. He threw a quick look at McCoy who was just staring at Christine. "Where is it?"
"I don't know," she said.
The man stepped closer. "Where is it?"
"Honestly, I don't know," she said forcefully.
His eyes bored into hers and then he nodded and walked away. He seemed to stare into space and then gestured for his men to bring everyone out into the open. One man grabbed Christine and separated her from Gaila.
The back of the island had a small pool filled with large reptiles that Christine could hear splashing around. Marquez gave them a look and wandered slowly back over to her.
"They are not dissimilar to the creatures on Earth you call crocodiles," he said conversationally. "Ours simply live longer and reproduce less frequently. However, they share many of the same characteristics. For example, they are carnivores and the smell of blood is like the sweet scent of a flower."
He grabbed pulled a knife from his pocket and grabbed Christine harshly by the elbow. The man behind her held her still and Marquez sliced a line across the back of her hand. She cried out at the sting.
"No!" McCoy yelled from where two men held him back.
The blood flowed freely from the cut and Marquez put his arm around her waist and dragged her over to the waiting reptiles. "Tell me where it is, Miss Chapel."
"I don't know," she whispered and tried to pull away, but his grip was steel around her waist.
"Stop! She doesn't know where it is! I do!" McCoy shouted.
"McCoy! Don't!" she said.
"Where is it?" Marquez asked. He looked back at McCoy. "Where?"
McCoy hesitated and Marquez twisted the flesh of Christine's side. She struggled and watched as her blood dripped into the water. The splashing came closer.
"No! Wait! It's here," McCoy said. Christine craned her neck to see him. He met her eyes and then reached into his pants. Christine's eyes widened in disbelief. After a few seconds of him maneuvering around, he pulled out the crystal. The courtyard was silent as they looked at the small piece of rock. McCoy looked around and finally grinned madly at Marquez. "Catch!"
McCoy wound his arm back and threw the crystal straight at Marquez with great force. The rock sailed through the air and all eyes followed its trajectory. Marquez loosened his hold on Christine and neatly caught the crystal in one hand. Christine steeled herself. He smiled.
"Thank you," he said fervently. Christine took advantage of his distraction and elbowed him sharply in the stomach. He doubled over and she drew her knee up to slam into his chest. He fell to his knees.
Suddenly, the roof was filled with shouts as men in very familiar red shirts carrying phasers appeared. The men in the courtyard fired immediately at them. The red shirts fired back. The courtyard erupted into chaos. The kidnapper's men tried to make a run for it and Gaila was shoved to the ground. McCoy yelled out and grabbed a phaser off the man guarding him.
Christine broke away only to be grabbed by Marquez as he caught hold of her skirt. He lunged and pulled her down to the ground. She tried to kick him away and he slashed at her with his knife. She just managed to block his arm as it came down close to her face but the blood from her hand made her grip slippery. He pressed hard and she scraped the side of his face with her free hand. He pulled back with a yell and she shoved him with all her might.
Marquez lost his balance and fell backwards with a splash into the pool. Christine found herself watching the carnage before she shut her eyes in horror. She got to her feet and held her cut hand to her stomach. She turned away from the pool and caught sight of Leonard rushing towards her. He stopped a few feet away. She noticed that he'd gotten a spilt lip at some point.
"I couldn’t get to you," he said shakily. Christine felt her resolve crumble and walked straight into his open arms. She pressed her face to his chest.
The courtyard was quieting down as the militia men realized they were heavily outnumbered by the Enterprise's security team.
"Well, that was fun," Captain Kirk's voice rang out. Christine cringed and McCoy groaned.
They pulled apart to see the captain approach them with a cheeky grin, Commander Spock close behind. The rest of the team rounded up the militia. Another group of men in the standard uniform of the government assisted. Gaila walked over to stand next to Christine.
"So, who wants to explain what the heck they're doing here?" Kirk asked cheerfully as he clapped his hands together. No one said anything. "No one? That's okay, I'll go first. Picture this, I'm happily ensconced in a very nice meeting room with several of the top government officials for, oh, I don't know how long."
"It was seven hours and forty-five minutes, Captain," Spock said.
"Really? That's all? Felt longer. Thank you, Mr. Spock," Kirk said with a nod to the commander. "Anyhoo, I suddenly was informed that not only has my Chief Medical Officer failed to check in, but my Head Nurse was beamed down to the planet on a so-called 'medical emergency' and one of my top engineers is not where she should be. I am also informed that a rash of shootings have taken place in the jungle. Not to mention an accident involving a bus and the vehicle my previously mentioned Chief Medical Officer was driving."
Kirk looked each of them in the eye. "Now would be the time for one of you to start talking."
McCoy, Christine and Gaila started to speak at the same time. Kirk held up a hand and they stopped.
"One at a time, please," he said. "Gaila, you first."
"Captain, this is my fault," she said. Christine opened her mouth and Gaila shook her head. "No, Chris, it is. I was at the resort in town and started chatting to this guy. He found out I worked on the Enterprise. The next thing I knew, I'd been knocked out and these men told me to contact the ship and get the file of the map with the location of the crystal on it. But the only way to get it was for someone to take it from my terminal and bring it to me." She sighed. "So, I called Christine, because I knew she'd help me."
"You were unable to contact me?" Kirk asked her gently.
"They said they were keeping a close watch on you and would do something drastic if I tried to get to you," Gaila said.
Kirk nodded. He looked at Christine. "So, is this where you come in, lieutenant?"
"Yes, sir," she said. Then she started from the beginning and told him everything, from the bus to running into McCoy to them going to find the crystal, to the final confrontation with the man with the mustache. She left out the part with the hotel room.
"Wow," Kirk said when she was done. He glanced at McCoy and gave him a grin. "You've been a busy little pair of bees."
"Jim," McCoy warned.
"Forget it," Kirk said. "Fact is, you saved the government some trouble. You've essentially given them something they've been wanting for a while now, the militia and the crystal. You do still have the crystal, right?"
Christine winced and looked behind her at the pool a few feet away. The rest of the group followed her glance. Spock got out a tricorder and aimed it at the water.
"Captain, according to these energy readings it appears that the crystal is moving steadily out to the sea," Spock said.
"So, it was… Ah." Kirk didn't quite know how to put it.
"Ingested, I believe is the word you're looking for," Spock said.
"Yes. Right. Well, that's gross," the captain said. He turned to the government officials headed their way. "Gentlemen, we have a slight situation, but I believe we can fix it pretty easily. Who knows how to snorkel?"
***
A week later, Christine found herself sitting in her room and looking at a blank screen on her PADD. The days after her 'adventure' had been absurdly quiet in comparison. The captain kept most of their story out of his official report. But this just meant he stopped by sickbay more often and kept winking at her and making pointed remarks to McCoy.
She and McCoy had easily fallen back into their routine as CMO and Head Nurse. They managed to have dinner twice and while it was lovely to just talk to him, they hadn't actually discussed that night in the hotel.
She groaned and tossed her PADD on her desk, then threw herself on her bed. She eventually drifted off, only to wake up when an incoming message chirped on her PADD. Christine rubbed her eyes and walked over to look at the message.
It was from McCoy and all it said was: Research material for your next story. She clicked on the attachment and laughed out loud when she read the title of the large text document. With a small smile, she opened to the first page and started reading.
The next day after her shift, she entered McCoy's office and palmed the door shut. He looked up from his paperwork and leaned back in his chair.
"Nurse Chapel," he said. "What can I do for you?"
"Oh, I just wanted to thank you for the reading material," she said. "I would never have thought the fundamentals of horseback riding would be quite so… stimulating."
"Well, I thought it might be useful. And informative," he said as he stood up slowly and sauntered around to stand in front of his desk only a foot away from her. "Have you started on a new story?"
"It just so happens I've recently begun one that explores the tempestuous relationship of a gruff, but handsome Chief Medical Officer and a mild-mannered Head Nurse," she said.
"Is that so?" he asked.
"Mmm hmmm. It's going to be rather epic," she said. "Lots of heated exchanges and dire situations."
"Sure it's not too much for you?" he asked. He caught her eyes. "I wouldn't want you to overdo it."
"Well, I had been entertaining the idea of acquiring a research assistant," she admitted her eyes wide and innocent as she took a step forward.
"Oh? And what qualifications would you be looking for?"
"Well, access to sickbay, for one. Knowledge of medicine and medical instruments is certainly preferable."
"What about knowing the code to enter the CMO's office?" he asked pushing off his desk to stand right in front of her.
"Oh, I don't know," she said looking up into his eyes. "That may be too much to hope for."
"You know, it just so happens, I've been looking for a second job to help fill up my empty hours," McCoy said putting his hands on her waist.
"Have you really?" she asked.
"Oh yes," he said.
Christine placed her hands on his chest. "Well, do you think you'd be up for the position?"
"Oh, I'm definitely ready, willing," he lifted her easily and spun to set her down on his desk, "and very, very able."
She grinned, but schooled her face to adopt a serious expression. "I should warn you, I can be a very demanding boss."
"I'm very good at taking commands." Christine raised an eyebrow and he amended his statement. "Well, I'm willing to learn."
"You should also know that this is a long-term appointment," she said quietly meeting his eyes. "I'm not interested in something temporary."
"Me neither," he said. He pulled her body to the edge of the desk and stood in the cradle of her legs. "I don't like to share my responsibilities. What's mine, stays mine."
"Well, then," she said with a twinkle in her eyes and looping her arms around his neck. "I think that's that. Should we shake on it?"
"Oh, but weren't you the one who showed me a better way to seal deals?" McCoy said leaning down to kiss her neck.
She sighed as his lips caressed her skin, but pulled away to look him in the eyes. "Well, as your first job as my research assistant, I'm curious to know just how much weight and friction this desk can support. Do you know how we can discover such information?"
McCoy grinned.
Apparently, that particular desk could support quite a lot of friction and the weight of two people very satisfactorily.
***
Three months later the release of The Sensual Sickbay hit number one on the romance novel bestseller list and is to date the most popular of Carrie Church's novels.
Author:
seren_ccdRating: M - for slight sexual situations, language and mild violence
Word Count: 15,157
Summary: What happens when the mild-mannered Head Nurse has to survive in the jungle with her CMO?
Part One
The next morning saw the doctor and nurse back on a road that wasn't too far from the shuttle they spent the night in. No more was said about what they were going to do once they actually found a working comm station. As far as they knew, there was still interference between the planet and the Enterprise.
Eventually, they found themselves entering a small village with a smattering of rickety houses and very few people.
"Do you think we should ask for a comm?" Christine asked quietly.
"Do you honestly think they have one?" McCoy said just as quietly. "Or even speak Standard?"
"Eh!" was called out behind them. They began to slow down. Christine glanced over her shoulder and was shocked to see a group of men following them.
"McCoy…" she whispered.
"Yeah, I know," he said. "Get ready to run."
"Run? Why—" Then she noticed him fingering the phaser. "Oh. Oh!"
Christine really didn't want another phaser fight. She waited a moment and then turned quickly to face the men behind them.
"Hi! Sorry to bother you, but we really need to get to a comm. Or borrow a transport? We've had a bit of trouble." She said all of this in an even, friendly tone with a calm smile on her face. McCoy did his best to go along, but his smile was less than convincing.
A man stepped forward.
"See the man in the white house," he said in heavily accented Standard. "Maybe he can help."
"The white house?" Christine said pointing at the structure a few houses down.
"Yes," the man said.
"Thank you. Very much," she said. "Thank you."
McCoy just nodded and they hastily walked towards the building.
"You are aware that you're insane," McCoy whispered harshly. "God knows what this guy will do."
"Well, it's better than pistols at dawn," she said.
They walked up to the large wooden door and McCoy rang the bell.
A small partition opened up and a man looked out. "What do you want?"
"Oh, hello. You speak Standard, that's great. Ah, we really need to use a comm or borrow a transport," McCoy said. "We heard you might have one."
"No. Now go away," the man said.
"Wait, sir," McCoy said. "We really need to get in contact with someone."
"You really need to hit the road," the man said pulling a large phaser out and pushing it through the partition. He took aim at McCoy. Christine gasped and stepped back, as did McCoy.
"Fine, fine, sorry to bother you," McCoy said. They turned around only to come face to face with the group of men from earlier all pointing phasers at them.
"Oh my," Christine said.
"Oh shit," McCoy said. "Ahh. Well, write us out of this one Carrie Church."
Christine spared him a quick glare.
"Carrie Church?" the man behind the door said. "The Carrie Church?"
Christine looked at him and nodded. His eyes widened. He closed the partition and opened the door completely. The man that came out was of medium height with curly black hair and an outrageously plaid shirt.
"You are Carrie Church, the romance novelist?" he asked seriously.
"Yes," she said bewildered. "Yes, I am."
The man's face broke into a huge grin. "I love your books! I've read them all!" After this he turned to the group of men and spoke quickly in their native language. It must have been complimentary because they all started smiling and waving happily at Christine. She waved feebly back.
"Come in! Come in!" The man put his arm around Christine and ushered inside. "You too! And get the door."
This last statement was directed at McCoy who was far too baffled to object. He shut the door and followed Christine and her enthusiastic fan into the house.
The man was talking fast and introduced himself as "Juan! Just Juan! And I can be in your books!" McCoy just watched in bemused silence as Christine tried to get a word in edgewise.
"Do you have a comm? It's very important," she tried.
"Oh, no. No comms," he said. "I have drinks, though. Lots of Earth varieties."
Juan began to list everything in his kitchen and McCoy was driven to mutter, "Got any beaming technology?"
"Oh, I did!" Juan said cheerfully. "But it broke!"
"We, ah, heard you had a form of transport," Christine said coming to stand next to McCoy. "I really need to get to Cordillera."
"Oh, sure! You'll like her. I call her Juanita," he said. "This way."
A few minutes later, they flew out of the small garage next to Juan's house in the cab of a huge truck complete with massive tires. The truck raced through what appeared to be a small armed envoy. After a small flurry of activity, the envoy chased after them.
"Oh my God! Is that the guy from yesterday?" Christine asked turning to look through the back window.
"Christ! How did he get himself a freakin' army?" McCoy yelled. "Ah, Juan, anything you could do to lose these guys would be great!"
"No problem, my man! Hang on!"
Several twists, turns and curses from McCoy later, the truck was headed straight for the river.
"Where's the bridge? There's no bridge!" McCoy yelled. Christine grabbed his hand.
"Don't worry! Check this out!" Juan aimed a little device and a ramp appeared. The truck sailed up the ramp and landed smoothly on the other side. "See! No problems!"
McCoy looked out the back window to see the first of the envoy slam on the brakes at the river and the second to slam into the first. They toppled into the river. He thought he caught a glimpse of the man with the mustache. But Christine squeezed his hand again and he looked into her worried eyes. He smirked at her and returned the squeeze. She sighed and McCoy faced front.
Juan very kindly drove them to another town only a few hours away that actually had a comm unit for planet-side calls only. He kept up a steady stream of chatter the whole way.
"I think my favorite book is the one where the librarian falls in love with the pilot," Juan said to Christine. "When they first kiss... Whooo, I needed to take a bath in the river!"
McCoy turned to look at Christine with a smirk on his face. "What's the title of that one, Juan?"
"A Flight in Fantasy," Juan said. "And the one with the governess and the lord of the manor is also very good. When he takes her in his arms at the end and carries her off across the... what do you call them?"
Both men looked at Christine. She was blushing furiously and kept her eyes on the road ahead.
"The moors," she said at last.
"Ah, yes! The moors!" Juan said. "I nearly cried."
"I will definitely have to look those up," McCoy said softly in her ear. Christine bit her lip and battled with the compulsion to shiver at the feel of his lips so close to her skin. She lost.
Juan made very good time and pulled into the town only an hour before dusk. The community was small and people were decorating and setting up tables for some kind of party.
They thanked him genuinely. Christine promised to send him an advance copy of her next novel as soon as it was published. McCoy thought the guy was going to burst from excitement.
As it was, McCoy was having a hard time deciding what course to take. But as they approached the comm box and Chapel faced him with a serious and resolved expression on her face, McCoy just nodded and let her call the people holding Gaila.
He went into the small hotel and due to some local carnival being held he got the only room available, all the while keeping an eye on Christine. Christine finally exited the small booth and gave him a frustrated look.
"What? Is Gaila okay?" he asked.
"Yes. Just… The guy sounded like a jerk," she said. She shook her head. "I don't know."
"Look, you've got something they want and they've got something you want," he said. "It's not really a friendly exchange."
"Yeah," she said. She looked down at her dirty skirt and cringed at the grime. "What are the chances of a laundry service in this place?"
McCoy chuckled. "I may be able to help out with that. I, uh, got a room at the hotel. There's a bus in the morning that can take us to Cordillera. We could have dinner. Or something. I was going to find some new clothes." McCoy trailed off.
She looked down shyly and smiled. "I'd love some dinner. And I'd probably murder for a shower."
He handed her the room key. "No need for homicide. It's number 12."
"Number 12," she said taking the key. "Good number."
McCoy watched the evening light play on her hair as she walked into the hotel.
***
Christine looked around the square and admired the amount of effort the little community put into their party. Brightly colored banners and lights were draped over anything that would hold the weight. And the food was to die for.
She felt relaxed and best of all clean, for the first time in what seemed like forever. She'd emerged from the shower to find that McCoy had gone out of his way to find a lovely outfit for her. Christine had grinned and felt as giddy as a teenager at the sight of the green and blue patterned wraparound skirt and embroidered top to match. She'd dressed quickly and after trying to do something with her hair, gave up and decided to leave it unpinned and it fell in loose waves around her face. She left the room only to find McCoy waiting in the hallway, his hands shoved into clean dark trousers and a button-down shirt. The way his eyes moved over her body left her slightly out of breath.
They found themselves a table on the edge of the dance floor and quickly ordered food. Both were too hungry to talk and by mutual unspoken agreement, ate their fill in silence.
But, now the dancers had taken to the floor and the music was lively and Christine was on her second glass of wine. McCoy leaned his arms on the table and was watching the people dance. As she thoughtfully watched the way his eyes observed everyone, she found herself feeling guilty.
"I think I need to apologize," she said drawing his attention to her. "I shouldn't have said the things I did last night. I certainly should never have implied that you don't listen or don't care. I'm sorry."
The eyes she'd been admiring studied her and then smiled. "It's okay. You weren't too far off the mark about a few things. I'm the first to admit that I get territorial in sickbay. And I do have a tendency to bowl people over."
"But you always have a good reason," Christine said. She toyed with the folds of her skirt. "Really, I don't want you to think that I think badly of you. I really don't. I... I like working with you."
"I like working with you, too," he said. He took a deep breath. "And I need to apologize myself. I'm sorry if I came on too strongly about the writing thing. I didn't mean to make you angry."
"Are you sure about that?" she asked wryly with a hint of a smirk. "I mean, I did cause a bus to crash into your vehicle."
"You really did, didn't you?" McCoy chuckled. "One thing's for sure, you sure know how to keep a guy on his toes."
She ducked her head to hide a pleased blush.
"But, honestly, I am sorry," he said. "I shouldn't have thrown the fact that I knew in your face. It was... Less than tactful."
"Yes, it really was," she said. Then she shrugged. "It's okay. It was bound to come out sooner or later. I actually remember the convention you mentioned. It was the first and last one I went to."
"Really?" he asked pouring her some more wine. "How come?"
Christine sipped her drink. "I suppose because, writing was always a hobby. Something to take my mind off of real life and all its messy complications. It was something for me to escape into. The fact that what I wrote was popular was a perk more than anything else." She shrugged again. "I'm a nurse. That's my career. That's what's most important to me."
McCoy nodded. "I think I understand what you mean."
"Besides, I'm not the only one with secrets," she said with narrowed eyes. "I had no idea you could aim, let alone fire a phaser."
"Well, I had to in order to get through the Academy," he said. "I don't like it, but it's better to know how than not. Besides, I already had practice from when I was a kid."
"On your grandfather's ranch?" she asked tracing a finger along the rim of her glass.
"Yeah," he said quietly watching the path her finger took. She looked up at the tone his voice had taken and froze at the darkness of his eyes. She felt her lips part and a frission of something started low in her stomach and traveled quickly up her spine.
McCoy broke his gaze first and looked at the dance floor. A smirk began to appear. "Since I've already diverted from my usual austere CMO status," Christine couldn't help the giggle that escaped, "come and dance with me."
"What? Oh, no, I don't dance," she said shaking her head. He grabbed her hand and pulled her up.
"You do now," he said.
Christine bit her lip and let him lead her to the dance floor. He placed a warm hand on her back and pulled her close. She automatically placed her left hand on his shoulder and her right was firmly in his grasp. McCoy led her effortlessly into a simple box step. The music was spirited and the carefree sounds of the party filled Christine's ears. She threw her head back and just laughed. McCoy spun her out and then back into his arms. She couldn't stop giggling and stumbled a bit in his arms. He grinned at her and spun her out again.
This time she threw in an extra twirl and slammed straight into the length of his body. The impact took her breath away and she looked up to apologize. But the sheer force of his gaze caused the words to fade away.
Christine licked her suddenly dry lips. McCoy made a low sound and pulled her close. Their lips met.
The kiss started out soft and slow. McCoy splayed his hand on the small of her back and brought his other hand to caress the side of her face. The warmth of his hand made Christine part her lips in a soft gasp. He immediately deepened the kiss and stroked his tongue against hers. She eagerly matched his fervor with her own. Her hands smoothed up the firm plane of his chest to his neck and shoulders; she lightly scraped her nails against the back of his neck. His response was a noise made deep in his throat and he pressed his hips against her. She grabbed at his shoulders desperately and tried to get closer. With a groan, he pulled back from the kiss allowing just enough space in between them to meet her eyes.
Dimly, she was aware of the crowded dance floor, but her entire being was centered on the dark warmth of his eyes and the rapid beating of her heart.
Then he uttered two words that made her weak in the knees: "Bed. Now."
They stumbled into the small hotel room and McCoy kicked the door shut with his foot while Christine carelessly dropped her bag on the floor and kicked her shoes off. His large hands framed her face gently and kissed her slowly, lazily. Eventually, she had to let her head fall back in order to breathe and he trailed his lips down her neck to settle on her thrumming pulse. She moaned as he licked and sucked at the juncture of her throat and shoulder.
"Taste so good," he mumbled against her skin. "And you smell like god damned Confederate jasmine."
He found her mouth again and they kissed deeply. Christine's hands went to the buttons on his shirt and opened them one by one. She broke away from the kiss to look at his chest and smoothed her hand over his heart, then pushed his shirt off his shoulders. The cuffs got caught on his wrists and they both pulled impatiently to free him from the fabric. Christine giggled as he cursed. The shirt finally gave and he cupped her face again to capture her laughter with his mouth.
He pulled her blouse up over her head, but struggled when it got caught on her nose and strands of her hair got tangled on his fingers.
Christine couldn't help the full laugh that emerged. McCoy grinned at her.
"Not like it is in your novels, is it?" he asked trailing his hand over her shoulders and pressing his forehead to hers.
"No," she said tracing the line of hair that led to his trousers. Her nimble fingers flicked the button. "I think this is better."
"Oh yeah," he said with a growl. He cupped her bottom and lifted her easily. "Much better."
Christine wrapped her legs around his waist and he walked them to the bed. His knees hit the edge and they tumbled onto the sheets. Her skirt fell to reveal her long legs. She suddenly blushed as she realized what else it revealed. McCoy noticed as well and while his eyes went even darker with arousal, he kept his voice light and teasing.
"Why, Christine Chapel," he said "just where exactly is your underwear?"
"You forgot to buy me a clean pair," she said attempting to sound nonchalant.
"Smartest thing I've ever done," he said as he pushed himself up to stand at the end of the bed and looked down at her. He raised one of her legs and pressed his mouth to her ankle. The stubble on his jaw tickled her skin as he ran the side of his face against her calf.
"God, I love your legs," he said. He looked down at her and pressed another kiss to the inside of her knee. "I love watching you when you have to get something off the top shelf. The thoughts I've had about you, Christine."
"I'd always pegged you as a breast man," she said.
"Oh, I'm an equal opportunity type of guy when it comes to a woman's body," he replied picking up her other leg and giving it the same attention he gave the first one.
"Is that right, Dr. McCoy?" she asked breathlessly.
He looked at her and said, "Christine, I'm about to make love to you several times over. Call me Leonard."
She actually stopped breathing for a second. She swallowed hard and then propped herself up on her elbows.
"Several times?" she said. "That's a pretty big claim, Leonard."
He lowered her leg and slowly crawled up the length of her body to rest between her thighs. Their eyes remained locked together as his finger traced a line from her shoulder across her clavicle and then between her breasts and then down her stomach. He undid the tie on the side of her skirt and peeled the material away leaving her bare to his gaze. He let his fingers dance along the soft skin of her abdomen. Christine's muscles fluttered and jumped and she found she couldn't look away from his eyes. His fingers then trailed even further down to press and stroke gently, she couldn't hold back her moan.
"Several times, Christine," he repeated. "Or do you doubt my word?"
Christine let herself fall back to the bed and raised her legs to lock him in place.
Then she smiled and said, "Prove it."
***
The last of the carnival goers had long gone home and people were folding up tables and turning off lights. However the only sound Christine was aware of was the steady thump of Leonard's heart from where she rested her head on his chest. His strong arms held her close and their legs were tangled together underneath the thin sheet.
She ran a hand lightly over his chest and he absently pressed his lips to her head.
"I'll take you there someday," he said in a low voice, "to the old family place. There's a room on the second floor where you can see all the land and the light shine through the pecan trees."
Christine smiled and hmm'ed happily and kissed the skin above his heart.
"Then I'll take you riding on all the trails that lead up to the Appalachia range." He turned his face to breathe in the scent of her hair. "I promise, I will."
"I believe you," she said. She frowned a little and raised her head to look at him. "I have a confession, though."
He arched an eyebrow and waited.
"I don't know how to ride," she said. "I never learned."
Leonard smiled lazily. "Well now, you sure seemed pretty proficient in that last go 'round."
Christine's mouth dropped open and he chuckled. She narrowed her eyes and dug her fingers into his side. He let out a bark of laughter and they wrestled for a minute. McCoy finally pinned her underneath him, trapping her hands above her head and settled between her thighs.
They grinned at each other before he captured her lips in a kiss that had her writhing beneath him. He mouthed the side of her face and then her throat.
"I'll teach you," he said against her ear before suckling the lobe. "How to walk, how to canter," he rocked his hips against her at an achingly slow pace and dropped his voice to a hoarse whisper, "then how to gallop."
Christine felt her body respond to his movements but she couldn't keep the question from escaping, "Why haven't you tried to contact the captain?"
Leonard stilled and lifted his head to look in her eyes.
"I mean, you could have," she said. "Why haven't you?"
"Because, despite what you said the other night, I do listen to you," he said. "I do trust you. You're the one I want next to me in surgery. The one I trust to keep the staff together. I'll admit to wanting to get this thing and give ourselves, and the Enterprise, the advantage. But, I'll follow your instincts on this."
Christine studied his face and could sense the truth in his words and how much it was costing him to say them.
"Let's do it," she said at last. "Let's go find it. But, even if we do find it, we get Gaila first, then contact the captain."
"Deal," he said. He looked down at their bodies and then back up with a smirk. "Should we shake on it?"
"Oh, I think we can come up with another way to seal the deal," she said as she rolled her hips. He groaned deeply and covered her mouth with his.
***
Christine only felt slightly bad about stealing a small car the next morning. Whether her lack of guilt stemmed from the need to get this whole adventure over with or the distracting memories of Leonard's body moving against hers, she didn't really know.
She held the PADD in her lap and they easily found the landmarks surrounding the downed probe. The landmarks were a very fast moving river and a thicket of trees. They made their way through the dense vegetation, McCoy making quick work of the branches with his machete. One final hack and they emerged into a small clearing where the probe had landed.
It was small and made from a dull grey metal. McCoy stepped up to the damaged hatch and pulled on the handle to open the door. It wouldn't budge. Christine joined him and they both pulled. It still wouldn't open.
"Right, one more time, on three," McCoy said. "One, two, three!"
They pulled with all their strength and the panel opened with a harsh creak of metal. The inside was remarkably clean of debris, only a few wires and circuit boards dangled from the wall. A small black box was found underneath a plate of metal. Christine looked at McCoy and he spared her a quick glance before taking the box. They sat on the ground outside and studied the case. The lock looked flimsy and sure enough, it only took one blow from the handle of McCoy's machete to break it off.
Shoulders touching, they examined the contents. McCoy reached in and pulled out the crystal. It was a light green color and had uneven sides that reflected the light in all directions.
"So this is what the fuss is all about," Christine said softly. "This little piece of rock."
"Christ," McCoy muttered. "We better get going."
Christine couldn't have agreed more.
They hurried back to the hovercraft. McCoy pocketed the crystal as Christine fastened the PADD safely back into her bag. They set off down the road only to be met with the sight of the envoy from the day before heading in their direction quickly.
"Shit!" McCoy yelled before jerking the wheel and sending them off the road into a field.
Christine gasped sharply. "What are you doing?"
"No idea!" he said. The old car sped over the uneven ground and jostled its occupants back and forth.
The envoy fired on them and McCoy did his best to avoid the blasts, but the back window was destroyed. Christine cried out as the glass shattered.
"Get us out of here!" she yelled.
"I'm trying, damn it!" he yelled back.
He pulled the car into a field of high grass; the envoy hot on their bumper. Splinters of green flew in every direction and McCoy could tell the engine was slowing down under the barrage of plants.
"Come on, hold on," he said under his breath. "Hey, I think it clears up ahead."
"No, wait! Don't go any further!" Christine yelled remembering from the map what was up ahead. "McCoy!"
The automobile sailed out of the field and straight into the river with a massive splash. Water poured in the open windows and the engine sputtered and gave out. The car floated in one place and then was swiftly carried off by the current.
"Oh, shit," McCoy said his eyes wide and staring at the frothing rapids that surrounded them.
"I tried to tell you," Christine said in a small voice.
"Oh, shit!" he repeated.
Christine faced him furiously. "Is that all you've got? 'Oh, shit'?"
He turned to her. "How about 'Oh fuck!' Does that suit the setting better?"
"Yes, actually!" she yelled back. Then her breath caught in her throat. "Oh, god, Leonard. Oh, god. What are we going to do?"
"I don't know," he said slamming his hand against the wheel. "Where does this river go?"
"Ah, it goes..." They heard the thundering sound of rushing water at the same time and both looked out the windshield. Christine pointed her hand limply. "It goes there."
The water was tumbling, crashing over the side of the mountain.
"We have to jump," McCoy said.
"Are you insane?" Christine shrieked.
"Completely," he said before grabbing her face and kissing her harshly. "Jump!"
She jumped.
Looking back, Christine would never truly remember how she got the door open or the fall itself. But, she'd always remember the shock of plunging into the turbulent waves and the sting of the water in her eyes and nose.
Somehow, she swam her way up to the surface and sucked in a breath. She painfully paddled over to the rocky shore and pulled herself up. A distant voice called her name. She shook her head and looked across the river where she saw McCoy standing on the other side.
"Christine! Are you okay?" he called to her. His shirt was ripped at the pocket and his trousers were torn at the knees.
"Oh, I'm fine! I'm great! I'm absolutely splendid!" she yelled back. "Thank you for asking!"
"Hey!" She couldn't really see his face, but she knew he was scowling.
"This is exactly what you wanted, right?" she yelled back. "You've got the crystal and now you can go off on your own."
"You think I wanted this?" he yelled back. "Woman, you are nuts!"
"Oh, yeah, totally!" she yelled.
"Look, get yourself to Cordillera and I will meet you there," he said. "I promise."
"Sure, you will! After you go running to Jim, right?" she said putting her hands on her hips.
"Damn it, Christine!" He wiped the water off his face. "Head towards the sunset and it'll get you there. I will find you!"
A phaser blast came and hit the rock next to Christine's feet. She shrieked and ducked into the trees behind her. She heard McCoy call out one final time, "I'll find you!"
***
Cordillera was vastly different to the towns and villages Christine had seen so far on her journey. It was bustling and far more modern, with gleaming buildings and white, sandy beaches. She ignored the disapproving looks thrown at her dishevelled state and walked straight into the Hotel Cordillera.
She was shown to a room and immediately used the local comm unit to contact the men holding Gaila. A thin man with a receding hairline gave her instructions to follow in order to make the exchange.
Christine ended the call and immediately contacted the front desk to see if a Dr. McCoy had left any messages for her. He hadn't. She looked around the empty hotel room and felt very, very alone.
A small boat was waiting for her at the docks to take her to an island out in the bay as the kidnappers had instructed. She spent the majority of the short ride biting her bottom lip and wondering where McCoy was. She stepped off the boat and firmly pushed him to the back of her mind and focused on just getting rid of the PADD and getting Gaila.
The island consisted of an old fort-like structure and Christine followed the burning torches left out for her into the building. Her footsteps echoed off the old stone walls. She approached a small square and a voice said deeply, "Stop right there, Miss Chapel."
Christine stopped.
"Do you have the map?" the voice asked.
"Yes," she said. "I do."
"Show it to us," it said.
"Show me Gaila first," she said.
There was a small shuffle of feet and Gaila was thrust into the light not far away from Christine, who sighed in relief.
"Hi," the Orion said with a little wave and a sheepish look on her face.
"Hi yourself," Christine said.
"Enough! Show us the map," the voice boomed.
Christine reached into her bag and pulled the PADD out. She tapped on the file and the map came into view. She held the PADD up, displaying the map to the hallway.
A man pushed Gaila forward and the man from earlier with the receding hairline, presumably the leader came around the corner. Another half dozen men followed close by. The leader walked straight up to Christine and took the PADD from her. He gave her an assessing look and then studied the screen. He raised his eyes up to hers.
"Miss Chapel," he said. "You and your little friend... Can go!"
He grinned crazily and Christine expelled the breath she felt she'd been holding since the whole thing started. The leader went back to his men and they started chatting excitedly. Gaila rushed to her and the women hugged. Christine pulled back to look at her face.
"You're okay?" she asked.
"Yeah," Gaila said. "They were pretty nice most of the time. I'm so sorry I made you do this, Chris."
"Forget it, let's just go," Christine said.
They hugged again and headed back the way Christine came in. A sharp burst of phaser fire hit the wall in front of them and they jumped back.
McCoy appeared at the end of one of the corridors and Christine stared at him.
"I couldn't find you at the hotel," he said. He was shoved into the square with a sharp prod from a phaser held by a man in a uniform.
Christine grabbed onto Gaila who was holding tightly to her. The square filled with men in uniforms and phasers were trained on everyone.
Footsteps came up behind the two women and Christine whirled around to see the man from the bus stride towards her. The pure malevolence in his empty eyes made her feel ill.
The kidnapper swore in his own language and then said, "Marquez! I should have known."
Marquez watched Christine for a minute and then walked over the kidnapper. He took the PADD from him and smashed it on the ground.
"You won't need that," he said casually. "They have the crystal."
All eyes went to Christine. She lifted her chin defiantly. Marquez just smiled and walked back over to her. "Isn't that right, Miss Chapel?"
"I don't know what you're talking about," she said.
"Oh, I believe you do," Marquez said. He threw a quick look at McCoy who was just staring at Christine. "Where is it?"
"I don't know," she said.
The man stepped closer. "Where is it?"
"Honestly, I don't know," she said forcefully.
His eyes bored into hers and then he nodded and walked away. He seemed to stare into space and then gestured for his men to bring everyone out into the open. One man grabbed Christine and separated her from Gaila.
The back of the island had a small pool filled with large reptiles that Christine could hear splashing around. Marquez gave them a look and wandered slowly back over to her.
"They are not dissimilar to the creatures on Earth you call crocodiles," he said conversationally. "Ours simply live longer and reproduce less frequently. However, they share many of the same characteristics. For example, they are carnivores and the smell of blood is like the sweet scent of a flower."
He grabbed pulled a knife from his pocket and grabbed Christine harshly by the elbow. The man behind her held her still and Marquez sliced a line across the back of her hand. She cried out at the sting.
"No!" McCoy yelled from where two men held him back.
The blood flowed freely from the cut and Marquez put his arm around her waist and dragged her over to the waiting reptiles. "Tell me where it is, Miss Chapel."
"I don't know," she whispered and tried to pull away, but his grip was steel around her waist.
"Stop! She doesn't know where it is! I do!" McCoy shouted.
"McCoy! Don't!" she said.
"Where is it?" Marquez asked. He looked back at McCoy. "Where?"
McCoy hesitated and Marquez twisted the flesh of Christine's side. She struggled and watched as her blood dripped into the water. The splashing came closer.
"No! Wait! It's here," McCoy said. Christine craned her neck to see him. He met her eyes and then reached into his pants. Christine's eyes widened in disbelief. After a few seconds of him maneuvering around, he pulled out the crystal. The courtyard was silent as they looked at the small piece of rock. McCoy looked around and finally grinned madly at Marquez. "Catch!"
McCoy wound his arm back and threw the crystal straight at Marquez with great force. The rock sailed through the air and all eyes followed its trajectory. Marquez loosened his hold on Christine and neatly caught the crystal in one hand. Christine steeled herself. He smiled.
"Thank you," he said fervently. Christine took advantage of his distraction and elbowed him sharply in the stomach. He doubled over and she drew her knee up to slam into his chest. He fell to his knees.
Suddenly, the roof was filled with shouts as men in very familiar red shirts carrying phasers appeared. The men in the courtyard fired immediately at them. The red shirts fired back. The courtyard erupted into chaos. The kidnapper's men tried to make a run for it and Gaila was shoved to the ground. McCoy yelled out and grabbed a phaser off the man guarding him.
Christine broke away only to be grabbed by Marquez as he caught hold of her skirt. He lunged and pulled her down to the ground. She tried to kick him away and he slashed at her with his knife. She just managed to block his arm as it came down close to her face but the blood from her hand made her grip slippery. He pressed hard and she scraped the side of his face with her free hand. He pulled back with a yell and she shoved him with all her might.
Marquez lost his balance and fell backwards with a splash into the pool. Christine found herself watching the carnage before she shut her eyes in horror. She got to her feet and held her cut hand to her stomach. She turned away from the pool and caught sight of Leonard rushing towards her. He stopped a few feet away. She noticed that he'd gotten a spilt lip at some point.
"I couldn’t get to you," he said shakily. Christine felt her resolve crumble and walked straight into his open arms. She pressed her face to his chest.
The courtyard was quieting down as the militia men realized they were heavily outnumbered by the Enterprise's security team.
"Well, that was fun," Captain Kirk's voice rang out. Christine cringed and McCoy groaned.
They pulled apart to see the captain approach them with a cheeky grin, Commander Spock close behind. The rest of the team rounded up the militia. Another group of men in the standard uniform of the government assisted. Gaila walked over to stand next to Christine.
"So, who wants to explain what the heck they're doing here?" Kirk asked cheerfully as he clapped his hands together. No one said anything. "No one? That's okay, I'll go first. Picture this, I'm happily ensconced in a very nice meeting room with several of the top government officials for, oh, I don't know how long."
"It was seven hours and forty-five minutes, Captain," Spock said.
"Really? That's all? Felt longer. Thank you, Mr. Spock," Kirk said with a nod to the commander. "Anyhoo, I suddenly was informed that not only has my Chief Medical Officer failed to check in, but my Head Nurse was beamed down to the planet on a so-called 'medical emergency' and one of my top engineers is not where she should be. I am also informed that a rash of shootings have taken place in the jungle. Not to mention an accident involving a bus and the vehicle my previously mentioned Chief Medical Officer was driving."
Kirk looked each of them in the eye. "Now would be the time for one of you to start talking."
McCoy, Christine and Gaila started to speak at the same time. Kirk held up a hand and they stopped.
"One at a time, please," he said. "Gaila, you first."
"Captain, this is my fault," she said. Christine opened her mouth and Gaila shook her head. "No, Chris, it is. I was at the resort in town and started chatting to this guy. He found out I worked on the Enterprise. The next thing I knew, I'd been knocked out and these men told me to contact the ship and get the file of the map with the location of the crystal on it. But the only way to get it was for someone to take it from my terminal and bring it to me." She sighed. "So, I called Christine, because I knew she'd help me."
"You were unable to contact me?" Kirk asked her gently.
"They said they were keeping a close watch on you and would do something drastic if I tried to get to you," Gaila said.
Kirk nodded. He looked at Christine. "So, is this where you come in, lieutenant?"
"Yes, sir," she said. Then she started from the beginning and told him everything, from the bus to running into McCoy to them going to find the crystal, to the final confrontation with the man with the mustache. She left out the part with the hotel room.
"Wow," Kirk said when she was done. He glanced at McCoy and gave him a grin. "You've been a busy little pair of bees."
"Jim," McCoy warned.
"Forget it," Kirk said. "Fact is, you saved the government some trouble. You've essentially given them something they've been wanting for a while now, the militia and the crystal. You do still have the crystal, right?"
Christine winced and looked behind her at the pool a few feet away. The rest of the group followed her glance. Spock got out a tricorder and aimed it at the water.
"Captain, according to these energy readings it appears that the crystal is moving steadily out to the sea," Spock said.
"So, it was… Ah." Kirk didn't quite know how to put it.
"Ingested, I believe is the word you're looking for," Spock said.
"Yes. Right. Well, that's gross," the captain said. He turned to the government officials headed their way. "Gentlemen, we have a slight situation, but I believe we can fix it pretty easily. Who knows how to snorkel?"
***
A week later, Christine found herself sitting in her room and looking at a blank screen on her PADD. The days after her 'adventure' had been absurdly quiet in comparison. The captain kept most of their story out of his official report. But this just meant he stopped by sickbay more often and kept winking at her and making pointed remarks to McCoy.
She and McCoy had easily fallen back into their routine as CMO and Head Nurse. They managed to have dinner twice and while it was lovely to just talk to him, they hadn't actually discussed that night in the hotel.
She groaned and tossed her PADD on her desk, then threw herself on her bed. She eventually drifted off, only to wake up when an incoming message chirped on her PADD. Christine rubbed her eyes and walked over to look at the message.
It was from McCoy and all it said was: Research material for your next story. She clicked on the attachment and laughed out loud when she read the title of the large text document. With a small smile, she opened to the first page and started reading.
The next day after her shift, she entered McCoy's office and palmed the door shut. He looked up from his paperwork and leaned back in his chair.
"Nurse Chapel," he said. "What can I do for you?"
"Oh, I just wanted to thank you for the reading material," she said. "I would never have thought the fundamentals of horseback riding would be quite so… stimulating."
"Well, I thought it might be useful. And informative," he said as he stood up slowly and sauntered around to stand in front of his desk only a foot away from her. "Have you started on a new story?"
"It just so happens I've recently begun one that explores the tempestuous relationship of a gruff, but handsome Chief Medical Officer and a mild-mannered Head Nurse," she said.
"Is that so?" he asked.
"Mmm hmmm. It's going to be rather epic," she said. "Lots of heated exchanges and dire situations."
"Sure it's not too much for you?" he asked. He caught her eyes. "I wouldn't want you to overdo it."
"Well, I had been entertaining the idea of acquiring a research assistant," she admitted her eyes wide and innocent as she took a step forward.
"Oh? And what qualifications would you be looking for?"
"Well, access to sickbay, for one. Knowledge of medicine and medical instruments is certainly preferable."
"What about knowing the code to enter the CMO's office?" he asked pushing off his desk to stand right in front of her.
"Oh, I don't know," she said looking up into his eyes. "That may be too much to hope for."
"You know, it just so happens, I've been looking for a second job to help fill up my empty hours," McCoy said putting his hands on her waist.
"Have you really?" she asked.
"Oh yes," he said.
Christine placed her hands on his chest. "Well, do you think you'd be up for the position?"
"Oh, I'm definitely ready, willing," he lifted her easily and spun to set her down on his desk, "and very, very able."
She grinned, but schooled her face to adopt a serious expression. "I should warn you, I can be a very demanding boss."
"I'm very good at taking commands." Christine raised an eyebrow and he amended his statement. "Well, I'm willing to learn."
"You should also know that this is a long-term appointment," she said quietly meeting his eyes. "I'm not interested in something temporary."
"Me neither," he said. He pulled her body to the edge of the desk and stood in the cradle of her legs. "I don't like to share my responsibilities. What's mine, stays mine."
"Well, then," she said with a twinkle in her eyes and looping her arms around his neck. "I think that's that. Should we shake on it?"
"Oh, but weren't you the one who showed me a better way to seal deals?" McCoy said leaning down to kiss her neck.
She sighed as his lips caressed her skin, but pulled away to look him in the eyes. "Well, as your first job as my research assistant, I'm curious to know just how much weight and friction this desk can support. Do you know how we can discover such information?"
McCoy grinned.
Apparently, that particular desk could support quite a lot of friction and the weight of two people very satisfactorily.
***
Three months later the release of The Sensual Sickbay hit number one on the romance novel bestseller list and is to date the most popular of Carrie Church's novels.
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Date: 2009-08-30 11:39 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2009-08-31 10:00 am (UTC)I'm really glad you liked it!