When Jim stepped off the transporter pad and back on the Enterprise, Bones was waiting for him.

Bones, dressed just as casually as Jim was in their shore leave clothes, greeted him instantly.

“Hey Jim. I saw you were due to come back next so I waited for you. How was your shore leave?”

“Fantastic.”

“You’ll have to tell me about it. I have some gossip too.”

Jim laughed. “Gossip? I’d say I’m surprised you’d be spreading gossip but I’m not.”

“Join me for a quick coffee in the mess room?”

“Sure, I have time. Let’s do it.”

In days past, Jim might have spent shore leave with Bones, but that hadn’t happened this time.

They grabbed some coffee in the mess room and then grabbed a table. Jim had to wonder what his friend found worthy of gossiping about.

“So tell me what you did,” Bones said. “You rented a beach house, right?”

“I did.” Jim smiled. “I’m telling you, Bones. It was great. So relaxing. I swam in the ocean. Went for walks on the beach. Sat on the patio sipping tropical drinks. It had this amazing kitchen. I cooked all this food. It was so good. Then the living room had this couch that was more like a bunch of fluffy cushions and a big big screen. I watched all these old movies and stuff. Stayed up late, slept in. Never once had to hear ‘red alert, Captain’, ‘deck five’s under water, Captain’, ‘hailing frequencies open, Captain’, ‘you had a report due three days ago, Captain’. Best damn vacation ever.”

Bones chuckled. “If you say so. Sounds kind of boring if you ask me.”

“Not even a little. How about you? What did you do?”

“Well, now, one doesn’t like to kiss and tell usually.”

“But you don’t mind.”

“If you insist. I met this beautiful blonde in the tavern down by Calhoun Street.”

“What’s the difference between a bar, a pub, and a tavern?”

Bones eyed him. “Has this got a punchline?”

Jim laughed. “No, it’s a real question.”

“How the hell should I know? I’m a doctor not an expert on drinking establishments. Anyway, I spent a very nice few days in her company.”

Jim nodded and leaned back in his chair. “I did notice the hickey.”

Bones scowled and covered the spot on his neck. “Shut up.”

“What’s the gossip anyway?”

“It’s about Spock.”

“Our Spock?”

“You know any other Spock? You know how he usually doesn’t go on shore leave.”

“Right. He didn’t go this time.”

“Like hell he didn’t. He not only did go but he hooked up! Sulu told me.”

“So Sulu’s in on this gossiping?”

‘Well, you know, Jim. People talk.”

“Unfortunately, yes I do. Well, anyway, if it is true, so what? Spock’s entitled to shore leave like anyone else.”

“Yeah, I guess.”

“He’s not with Uhura anymore.”

“I know. In fact, I guess Sulu said she was seen at an establishment getting very cozy with a guy and a girl!” Bones smirked.

“You’re becoming a regular busybody, Bones.”

“Pish, if you had this information…wait. Speak of the devil.”

Jim turned to see Spock approaching their table. He was already dressed once more in his uniform.

“Captain. Doctor.”

“Spock,” Bones said coolly.

Spock turned to Jim, handing him a folded tank top. “It seems that when we were packing to return to the Enterprise, I put this in my luggage.”

Jim smiled. “Totally understandable. All our stuff was mixed up.”

“”I can bring it to your quarters if you prefer.”

“Nah, I gotta go there and take a shower and get my uniform on. You’re headed for the bridge?”

“Yes.”

“I’ll see you there soon then.” Jim paused and let his smile widen. “And later of course.”

Spock nodded. “Of course. Doctor.”

When Spock had left, Jim dared a look at Bones, who looked apoplectic.

“So Spock was with you?”

“Yep.”

“And you let me go on about the gossip?”

Jim chuckled and rose from his seat. “It was very amusing, Bones. Thank you for that. See you later, I need to get ready for duty.”

He heard Bones muttering something but he was in far too good a mood to let the sourpuss spoil it.