XxX

"Well, that could 'ave gone better." Scottie said over his headset. There was some crackling and I knew he was rubbing his face when a big sigh sounded after.

I couldn't help but laugh, "As long as Cap is in one piece." I replied, checking the channels to make sure they were still running smoothly.

"More or less." Came Jim's cocky reply, "They ruined my favorite shirt though."

"Jim, all of your shirts are the exact same." I rolled my eyes, "Are we ready to head out? I think the crew is ready to get on with our shore leave."

"Yes, Sulu can take the com, I am heading back to my cabin to change and will be up shortly. Spock, take this and catalog it, make a note that peace attempts should not involve anything that could possibly be considered a weapon or stolen." Jim replied with a groan.

"Should I send Bones?" I called, an absent third party to their conversation.

Jim laughed, "Ahh, Herms, you take such good care of your men. Yeah, have him bring his bag and some Scotch."

"Aye, aye, Cap." I replied, smiling, and closed the channel. Making sure everything else was set up for a ship wide announcement, I called, "Sulu, we are ready to head out to Yorktown. Jim gave you the com."

The helmsman beamed as he moved to take up the Captain's chair, "Alright, let's head out. We should be able to make it into port by tonight."

I couldn't help being happy; knowing we would get a much needed break and some of the crew members would be reunited with their loved ones. My eyes wandered to Sulu, knowing he couldn't wait to see his daughter. My heart stuttered at the thought, my smile growing sad.

Three years. Had it really been three years?

I leaned back in my chair, letting it swivel from side to side. My eyes reminisced as I fiddled with the red stone which hung around my neck, thinking of all those I loved from both the past and the present.

"If only magic could save those we love without such a heavy price." I mused, my mind turning to the sorrow that pulled at my heart.

"Psst, Herms."

I spun my chair around and came face to face with Bones, who had a Cheshire smile on his face.

"You want to come help me cheer up Jim?" He whispered, looking around the Bridge before pulling out a large bottle of Scotch.

I burst out laughing, which I quickly tried to cover as people turned to me, "Sure." I looked around and caught site of Uhura, who had been reassigned a year ago to the Enterprise after the Farragut had been grounded, "Lieutenant Uhura, will you take over for me?"

Uhura nodded and gracefully came over to accept the chair I offered without a word. The corner of my mouth turned in a half smile; we might be more civil to one another now, but we would never be friends per se.

"Let's go." I nodded and we started towards the elevator.

Once the doors were closed, Bones turned to me, "How are you, Hermione?"

With a huff, I fell back against the wall, letting my foot mindlessly tap it. Whenever Bones used my full name, I knew he meant business, "Bones, I don't want to talk about it."

"Herms, it's been two years." He said, trying to be sympathetic.

Nodding, I let my head fall down, "Two years, five months to the day." The tears started to stain my eyes, "Who knew you could get so attached to someone in a month?"

"If anyone knows that, it would be us." He replied with a soft smile, trying to bring me peace as he snaked his arm around my shoulder and recalled my first voyage aboard the Enterprise. Resting his head against mine, he gave it a chaste kiss, "You've never really talked about it Hermione, you can't heal unless you accept that it happened and let us share the burden. You've been suffering for too long."

Taking an uneasy breath, I nodded, "I can't help but think if I had done one thing different, we might still have our son."

"Don't do that." Bones shut off the elevator as he moved to stand before me, taking a shoulder in each hand, "Don't ever do that. No one could have known we would face a plague in our first year."

"I'm a Healer, Bones, I should have been able to do something. Anything." I whispered, my voice broken, "What good is magic if you can't save those you love?"

"If anyone failed, it is me. I'm a doctor, I should have been able to save him." He sighed.

"You didn't fail." I replied sharply.

He gave a small smile, brushing back my loose curls, "Then neither did you. Alright?"

"A-alright." I breathed, not wanting to talk any more about the subject.

He continued to study me for a second more before turning the elevator back on, "How does Spock handle the anniversary?"

"It's Spock." I couldn't help but chuckle through my tears, "He handles it like he does everything else; focuses even more on his work."

Bones tossed his arm around me as the elevator halted, "Well, then be thankful that for us mere humans there is Scotch. Lots and lots of Scotch."

"Where did you get this, anyway?" I asked, snagging the bottle from his hand. I rose an impressed brow; good year.

"You wouldn't believe me if I told you." He said from the corner of his mouth, leading us out to the Captain's quarters.

"Jim?" He called as he knocked. The door opened and we snuck in without further encouragement.

"Ahh, the great Dr. McCoy and Lieutenant Granger." Jim toasted with his half empty glass.

I pulled it away from him and gave it a sniff. Gagging I set it off to the side, thankful it hadn't burned off my eyebrows, "That is disgusting."

"And illegal." Bones added, grabbing a couple glasses.

"What are we celebrating?" Jim asked, watching Bones pour the Scotch.

I grabbed a glass and held it up, "I believe you have a birthday coming up, yes?" I asked, burying my sorrow further as I hid behind a mask of joy.

Jim ran his finger around the rim of his glass and smirked, "Another year, another birthday."

"That is sort of how they work." Bones quipped, holding up his own drink, "To our Captain."

"To our Captain." I repeated.

Jim attempted to smile but couldn't quite make it as he held up his glass, "For those who aren't with us." His eyes met mine, telling me exactly what he meant as he shared in my grief.

To your Da, I thought as we each drank our toast.

"Well, I don't know about you two, but I can't wait to get to Yorktown. I've had enough of space."

My eyes lit up, knowing Bones hadn't read up on Yorktown, "I'm sure you will love it."

Jim winked at me as Bones stared at me, clearly uncertain, and shrugged. We fell into a spell of laughter, enjoying our time with old friends.

XxX

"We are cleared to come into port." I called, turning to the helm. Sulu nodded and started dictating directions to Pavel.

"My god, it looks like a damn bubble." Bones called. I smirked and quickly turned away when he looked to me, "You knew about this, didn't you?"

"Guilty as charged." I closed my channels and moved to join my friend. My arms crossed as I studied the makeshift planet, "It is fascinating, isn't it?"

Bones scoffed. I pursed my lips and bumped into him with my shoulder, "What?"

"You are starting to sound like that damn green-blooded hobgoblin."

I shrugged, my ears perking when I heard the elevator open. My smile grew as I could sense his presence; you couldn't be married to someone for close to six years and not notice the change when they entered the room.

"Speak of the devil."

"Did I interrupt your satanic discussions?" Spock asked, coming to stand next to me. He held up his hand, his two fingers separating from his fist, to me and I returned the gesture, touching his fingers with mine in our silent I love you.

"Are you well, taluhk?" He asked, dropping his head to look at my face.

I met his eye and nodded, "Well enough."

He could see through my mask with ease and daringly raised his hand to the curve of my back as we all stood, watching our descent. I relaxed at his touch, leaning into his side. Little gestured such as this meant the world to me; it showed how far he had come and how well he knew me after all these years. Today was a dark day and he had learned long ago the small ways to keep the very human me at peace.

"Are you looking forward to shore leave?" I asked, trying to change my train of thought to something more easy.

He looked to me, his eyes unwavering, "As long as I am by your side, I will be content."

I turned back to the window, a small smile on my blushing face. Six years and I would never get tired of his desire to remain constantly by my side.

My eyes took in each part of the amazing structure, my mouth opening slightly in awe.

Bones scoffed, crossing his arms like a petulant child, "Well, at least it will be a nice break away from open space. We don't have to worry about stumbling across a band of Klingons or entering into uncharted territory and someone shooting at us."

I continued to gaze at our destination as I nodded, "We could all use a peaceful escape."

Bones clapped a hand on my shoulder and we shared a smile. Sighing, I rested my head on his shoulder, If only I could escape my thoughts.

XxX