A little bit of hurt/comfort and perhaps a hint for a flash to come in February

Jim leaned against the pillow in his biobed, smiling faintly as he listened to his best friend rant. There really was no other term for it.

“And then she just announces like it’s nothing that she’s gonna marry this boy.”

‘She’ was Bones’ daughter, Joanna, and ‘this boy’ was a grown man she’d met while they were both doing residencies in a Georgia hospital, because Jo was following in her father’s footsteps as a doctor. 

“That’s good though, isn’t it?”

“I’ve never even met him,” Bones retorted as he held his tricorder up to Jim.

Jim smiled wider and nodded. “Kind of hard to do while you’re on a starship.”

“And I blame you for that. ‘It’ll be an exciting adventure, Bones. I have to have you with me, Bones’. And look where we are now?” Bones gestured to Jim.

“I definitely don’t want to be here,” Jim agreed. A wave of nausea hit him, and he blew out a long breath.

Bones watched him.  “Let me give you another shot for that.”

Jim just nodded, which should tell anyone how truly bad things had gotten this time. He remained quiet while Bones hit him with a hypo in his arms.

“Better?”

“Yeah, thanks.”

“Did I tell you they’re getting married on Valentine’s Day?”

“Good for them.”

“Do you know who else got married on that day?”

“You.” Jim chuckled softly. “Not everyone who gets married on that day gets divorced, Bones.”

“I know. Still. Pretty corny, don’t you think?”

“Come on. It’s sweet. She’s sweet. You should be happy for her.”

Bones sighed. “It’s just that her life is passing me by, Jim. When we started this whole thing, she was a kid.”

“We were practically kids.”

“And now she’s going to be a doctor and get married. Where did the time go?”

“Beats me.”

Bones looked over when they both heard footsteps, announcing the arrival of Spock.

“I’ll go see how those test results are going and I’ll be back in a little bit,” Bones assured Jim.

“Hey,” Jim said to Spock as the Vulcan approached. “You got a break?”

Spock nodded. “I left the bridge in Mister Scott’s capable hands. You look very tired.”

“I am, yeah. It’s okay though. Bones was telling me about his daughter and her fiancé.”

“You need rest.”

“I will, I promise.” Jim looked him over. “You look pretty wiped out yourself.”

Spock hesitated and then admitted, “It is hard for me to rest or meditate when you are not there.” He shook his head. “It is strange.”

“Why strange?”

“Prior to our relationship I did not stay overnight with a companion,” Spock replied. “During my time with Nyota, I would always return to my own quarters after whatever time we spent together.”

Jim considered that. “What makes me different?”

Spock stared at him intently. “Everything,” he said, almost reverently.

Jim smiled and accepted the touch of Spock’s fingers to his.

Bones returned. “All right, are you done with the mushy stuff?”

“Yes,” Jim said, while Spock said, “I am uncertain.”

Bones rolled his eyes and looked at his PADD. “I’ve got good news, Jim.”

“Yeah?”

“Your test results are much improved, and your vitals are stable. One more night here for observation and in the morning, you can spend the rest of your convalescence in your quarters.” Bones looked up from his chart. “I want you resting there for forty-eight hours with no duty at all, not even reports.”

Jim glanced at Spock. “That’ll put a lot on you.”

“It is acceptable.”

“We’ll reevaluate after that as to when you can return to light duty. But you’ve got to follow my orders regarding this to the letter.”

“He will,” Spock spoke up.

 “Yes,” Jim agreed without complaint.

Bones pointed at him. “You rest.” He pointed to Spock. “You out.”

Spock curved his hand around Jim’s. “I will see you in the morning, T’hy’la, to escort you to our quarters.”

“Great. Thank you.”

Spock left and Bones turned to him.

“Lights out. I’ll check on you later.”

“Thanks. And Bones. Maybe there’s a way for you to be at the wedding, you know? Let’s talk about it.”

“Okay, Jim. Go to sleep.” Bones paused as he went to turn away. “Don’t put us through that again.”