driftfleet | You can check out anytime you'd like.. [Hotel Corona Mingle]

You can check out anytime you'd like.. [Hotel Corona Mingle]

Who: The Fleet!
Broadcast: If you want
Action: Hotel Corona or Planet Ikke
When: December 7th onward

a wheel-shaped space station

[After the mystery and isolation of their last destination, the Marsiva seems determined to head to brighter, busier territory. After a long journey through remote, nebula-painted space, speeding along at a brisk pace for the Host ship, the Marsiva brings her Fleet to a sudden and prominent point of traffic.

It seems that the Fleet has happened upon some sort of vacation destination! Maybe Atroma thinks that the passengers deserve some rest and relaxation... or just wants to distract them with something huge and shiny.

Welcome to Hotel Corona! Feel free to enjoy yourselves and enjoy the sites! If a hotel resort isn't your thing, you can head on over to the nearby planet and explore it's icy wonders.

In order words: it's a mingle!! Everyone get in! ]

[>> Plot Post]

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I didn't think you had.

_{[ Please, Bones, since when had you ever started a fight? Between the three of them, Kirk always started the fight. He could see you doing so if, say, someone's honor was at stack, but for being a sass and for fun? No, never. The idea of Bones in a fight, though, is still quite delightful and his smirk remains.

When the explanation came, though, Kirk could not help but chortle. Bones? In a red shirt? He could barely imagine it, though he supposed the other did have the surly, grumpy attitude one would appreciate in security personnel in a bar. ]}

You couldn't find an open job as a temp nurse? I know it's not what you went to school for, but we are only here a month or so.

[Someday, he might start something just to see the look on Jim's face. It might almost be worth it.]

Not yet. According to a couple people I spoke to, I should check back in a few days. [Here's hoping. While the security gig really isn't bad and he's all for the free and reduced-price drinks he gets out of it, it's not really up his alley.

At all. Giant bruise on his face a case in point.] Just as well. I wanted to read up on standard medical procedures here before I started practicing 'em.

_{[ It probably would. Kirk would certainly never forget it, to say the least.

He felt relieved that Bone was looking for other options. He knew the Doctor had received the training to protect himself, as every cadet at the school got, but he had never thought of McCoy as one of the better fighters, to say the least. Which was fine, but it did worry him whenever the man did get himself into a scuffle. ]}

Hah, of course you would. I bet if you bring your tablet along you could download quite a few files to take along with you once we leave this place - for reference.

By the way - if you need some cash to get you through until the med job opens up, I'll lend you some. I don't really spend it anyways, and I would rather you not end up in the hospital yourself.

_{[ He's trying to tease, but there is real concern there for his friend. ]}

Already workin' on it. [The notes he's taken in just a few hours... A good bit of it is just common sense stuff, but the differing levels of technology, as well as species he's never even heard of before - much less seen any biological information on - is quite a hurdle. And while he probably could just jump in and learn as he goes, that carries with it a certain risk to the patient that he's not willing to take.

So study first, medical job later.]

It's fine. Quit worrying. [No seriously. Quit that. It's uncomfortable.] I got hazard pay and half-price drinks for the duration of our stay.

_{[ Of course he was. In some respects, Bones was as bad as Spock when it came to knowledge - they just happened to focus on different things. Maybe if the two ever figured that out they'd get along more, he thought. They were both methodical in their own ways, so different from himself. But that was what he appreciated about his friend. ]}

Ah, so that means you're treating me, does it?

_{[ He smirked at him, allowing the conversation of money and concern to slide - for now. If things got dicier for him, he might come around to insisting and Bones might find his account suddenly flush. ]}

[While he knows where he stands re: Spock and his similarities in their respective fields, he'd likely snarl and snark about it if it's spoken. So, to be safe, probably best not to say it.]

This time. It's on you next time.

Naturally.

_{[ For all his tone was sarcastic, his smile was warm when he looked
back at his friend. He considered his state for a second time, though, and
thought of an idea. ]}

You know, why don't we just buy a bottle and go back to my suite? We can order some food too, if you want.

_{[ As much fun as this hotel was, it felt like they hadn't properly
been able to sit down and just talk like they used to. They should take
advantage of the privacy, he thought - it came rare enough on ships,
especially the tin cans Atroma put them in. ]}

Maybe a raw steak for that eye?

[He shrugs at the suggestion. Yeah, sure, why not? They haven't had a lot of time to just sit down and catch up lately; there's always something going on somewhere and being on different ships means they don't always cross paths without intending to.]

Yeah, sure. I know a place. They got a damn fine bottle of somethin' resembling some good bourbon.

[And then a withering glance to follow.] Are you the doctor? You gonna tell me how bad it is? 'Cause I remember sayin' it was fine.

_{[ It really was odd, how they hadn't found the time to sit down, to
catch up. It felt like so long since he had properly spoken to Bones,
though for Bones he suspected it was if he had seen Kirk yesterday. What
with settling in and traveling about, it simply felt natural to just fall
into their usual habits. Or as usual as they came when they weren't on the
same ship - to him anyways. ]}

Trust you to track that down first thing. But it's my treat.

_{[ He just grinned beneath the glared, looking smug and perfectly
cheeky. ]}

I didn't think doctors were supposed to diagnose themselves. Bad practice, isn't it?

_{[ His words are tinged with the proverbial rib nudge. ]}

[Yeah, he tracked it down. He found it just after he got punched in the face. Seemed the place to go after that. This conversation, though, was perfectly Jim and Bones - a cheeky grin in the face of a glare - and it does relax him. (Not that he wasn't already at ease in Jim's presence.)]

Would it make you feel better if I had Dr Crusher give it a look?

Actually, yes. And she knows, by the way, about my medical history.

_{[ You know, Bones, the part where you brought him back to life, where
he has Khan's blood in his veins and they still aren't one hundred percent
sure what it's done to him. ]}

I figured it someone had to know it should be her, when you weren't here. Just in case.

_{[ But the unspoken part was that he was glad Bones was here. Not that
he didn't trust Beverly, he did, but Bones was... Bones. He could put his
life in his hands, had even, and he knew he would be safe. It was just
something that came from knowing and working with the man so long. That
immediate and intimate trust. ]}

[That gets Jim a sharp look - though he's not offended in any way. If anything, it drives home the point that Jim's been here for far longer than Leonard has. But that sharp looks melts into something for more like curiosity.

Congratulations, Jim. You're now a science experiment. (As if he wasn't before, but now with someone to bounce ideas off of... Sorry, Jim.)]

That's good to know. [In case there's ever a time when he can't get to Jim, or this place separates them again.]

_{[ Just a little shy of a year now, if he has his counting right. At least half a year, he knows that much.

He recognizes the look in the other's eyes and he narrows his own gaze him, wary as they made their way down the hall towards his suite. He took out his key card when they found the door, popping it open and leading Bones into the suite - a rather beautiful creation, a mix of wood and glass running along the floors and walls. Where there was glass there was also water, and in said water were colorful fish. It cast an interesting, moving reflective glow around the room.

Kirk found it soothing, at any rate. ]}

So, in your professional opinion, how long before all this crap drives us mad?

[As if Jim didn't already know he's Leonard's personal walking science experiment. Sometimes even Spock gets in on it, back on the Enterprise.

He follows Jim into the room, expression giving away that he's impressed by the whole thing. Nice, Jim. Very soothing, very posh. Might even be worth the money it cost.]

Yesterday.

[They're all already mad, dontcha know?]

_{[ He knows, Leonard. He knows. He puts up with it because he likes
you, crazily enough. Maybe it's the saving his life thing or because you
offered him a drink the first time they met. Either way, he's not cruel
enough to take away your small pleasures in life. ]}

And here we are without Chekov's locker to raid, sadly.

_{[ His room came complete with glasses to enjoy the alcohol they'd
purchased and a lovely view of the planet. Kirk fetched two and stood by
the window in a silent summons to Bones. ]}

It's weird you know. I'm glad you're here, but I hate that you're here too, you know?

[Summoned by alcohol. It's like Jim knows him or something. McCoy joins Jim at the window and takes the glass held out to him. It is a lovely view; could almost be something they'd see from the decks of the Enterprise.

May she rest in peace.]

Yeah. [He gets it, Jim. He lifts his glass, just a little.] Wouldn't wish this on most but... I'd go completely nuts tryin' to do this alone. [And they both know he's not exaggerating that.

He looks out toward the stars then, away from the planet.] Wonder how they're doing? [The crew, he means. Spock, Uhura, Scotty... all of them.]

_{[ Of course he does. He hasn't spent nearly seven years with Bones to
not know the best way to get his attention, after all - though he tries to
watch his intake. He had been in a bad way when he first met him after all.
He let the glasses be filled and clinked it against Bones' in solidarity
before sipping, watching the stars beside him. ]}

Knowing them? Trying their hardest to look for us. Or if it's been so long they can't find us... they're carrying on the mission. Spock's probably captain, and I think Sulu would have been promoted to First Lieutenant.

_{[ He looked to Bones and shifted to touch their shoulders. ]}

They're strong, and I have faith in them.

[McCoy hadn't been in a good place, no, when they'd met and Jim is absolutely right to watch out for him. In the years since, he's been better about it but it would be very easy to slip right back into those bad habits - especially now, when things are uncertain.]

We fell in with a damn good lot. [Agreed. They're the best and he's not exaggerating that.]

_{[ He knew how easy it was to get sucked down, to let yourself fall because that was so much easier than standing back up. Sometimes the weight of being away, of the worry, felt crushing, but they were the sort of men that had to keep getting back up. That's just who they were. ]}

Yeah, we did.

_{[ He shifts and grips Bones' opposite shoulder in a kind of half-hug. ]}

The best of them offered me a drink the first time he met me, though. Love that guy.

[There's no other way to do it. Have to keep getting back up. Just layin' there, letting the universe kick the shit outta ya isn't gonna get anyone anywhere. McCoy huffs a breath of a chuckle, gently digs his elbow into Jim's ribs.

That's how he shows affection, you know. Elbowing people.]

Yeah, he's not bad. He's a bit of an ass if you catch him on a bad day.

[Or a good day, even.]

_{[ He knows, his smile widening at that gently shove. Honestly, had the South taught you no manners, Bones? Or did they just do things different down there? ]}

Yeah, I heard that. But I heard that said assery hides this amazing talent with pies and finding hidden stores of liquor, so it's worth putting up with.

_{[ Even on the bad days. ]}

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You can check out anytime you'd like.. [Hotel Corona Mingle]

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