Charlie glanced at herself in the mirror, her eyes searching the face that seemed so foreign to her. She pulled at the square neckline of her dress and sighed at her reflection in the mirror, deciding that yup, this was about as good as it got. Never would Charlie Houston – Commander Charlie Houston – admit that she was nervous, but she was pretty damn close.

It had been a long day (it felt like years!) and it felt like her entire life had changed. Telling Archer that she had made the decision to be aboard the Enterprise had been first on her 'to do' list –he had been proud, that was a moment that she'd never forget. The look in his eyes that his protégé was following in his footsteps, the murmured tone in which he told her that he'd known it all along, the smile when he'd joked that the galaxy had no idea what they were in for. It had been a sweet moment, one which she would continue to treasure for years to come.

Archer had been there since day one, a father figure who taught her more than he would ever know. Sure, she wanted to stab him in the neck with a hypo spray every now and then, but for the most part, he had been a constant source of advice, support and... Well, she wasn't stupid. She knew that someone had her back with a few disciplinary actions over the years and she was 95% sure that Jonathan Archer was her guardian angel, Starfleet style.

In between notifying Starfleet hierarchy of her intentions, she still hadn't managed to track down Jim. Either he had lost his communicator (again) or was stuck in meetings all day (again). She wanted to see the look on his face and so far, they'd been playing communicator tag across the grounds all day which suited her just fine; it gave her a reason to want to attend the mandated Starfleet gathering that night.

Which bought her to the dress, the nerves that she would never admit to and the fact that if she didn't force herself out the door, she wouldn't end up going - mandated or not.

Seriously, she was nuts. Crazy, in dire need of a psychological evaluation, three fries short of a Happy Meal – the whole shebang.

What the hell kind of sane person took off across the galaxy with James T Kirk in charge? The man was so unhinged that he... well, he was Jim. The dude who thought it would be funny to program all of the replicators to serve Jell-o one day. The same guy who chased anything in a skirt. The same guy who... Jesus, Jim Kirk's playful indiscretions stretched longer than... well, anything.

Or would it be wise to be on the same ship as the irrepressible but charmingly grouchy Doctor McCoy? The same guy who, on their first bang – up mission, accidentally blew up Kirk's hands to three times their size after smuggling him on board? Yeah, Bones' halo had a few dents in it too.

Or, if he took the invitation that she was sure Jim had extended to him, would the sane person aboard be Spock, the logical Vulcan? The morally sanctimonious Professor who was in a forbidden relationship with a Cadet? Clearly he wasn't as far from their lunacy as he maintained.

She sighed and adjusted her dress for one final time, her eyes scanning her own form... would she ever admit that she was nervous? Charlie Houston could handle drinks, she could handle her Professors and she was starting to think that she could maybe – possibly – handle Starfleet hierarchy. But could she handle them all together? Well, for starters, she wouldn't be drinking ale and dancing on bars. God forbid. No, she would be on her best behaviour – as a newly minted Starfleet Commander, that shouldn't be too difficult...

Right?

"Time to grow up, Peter Pan." She murmured to herself in the mirror, it was her mantra and deciding that this was as good as it was going to get, her neckline wasn't sitting right and with another tug at the it, she rolled her eyes – it was fine, she was being pedantic and looking for any excuse to delay the inevitable.

The Bones inevitable.

If he had taken Jim's offer as CMO aboard the Enterprise, they would be on a ship together indefinitely. If he hadn't, they would be at opposite ends of the galaxy. Both options made her stomach twist uncomfortably, not sure which she would prefer. She definitely didn't believe in 'out of sight, out of mind', but if he wasn't there, with her and Jim, she'd be a basket case of worry and wonder, more than likely making a fool out of herself with the constant comms.

I was difficult to love as it was, but it was even more difficult to love a best friend. There was so much at stake; the horrifying thought that if a romantic relationship went sour, she also lost a best friend in the deal.

She sighed and slid her feet into her heels, and finally, with one more chant of her mantra and another hike of the neckline on her dress – really, why wouldn't it sit square? – She was done and grabbed her purse, dashing from her room (as quickly as one could dash in heels), before she lost the miniscule amount of resolve that she had somehow mustered from somewhere.

It was an open bar which suited Bones just fine and the open bar meant liquored up girls which suited Jim just fine. People milled around and talked as though they were all equals, but in reality, the whole shindig was just an ego boost for hierarchy to be fawned over by every lower rank.

Leaning against the bar gave both men a clear view of the room and faces before them as well as becoming a prop to smile politely and talk to others when they passed, but not necessarily to mingle until they absolutely had to. Read: Were dragged away and forcibly made to play nice.

"You're going to suck as Captain if you can't even fake it with your own people, you know." Bones mused to Jim who flashed him a bright smile, his eyes following the behind of a Lieutenant stationed on one of the other fleet ships.

"That's why you're on my crew - so that I'm not the most unsociable person aboard." Jim retorted with a grin, McCoy having advised Admiral Barculo and Jim that morning of his decision to take Jim's offer for the Enterprise. Jim had actually hugged him – good lord, hugged him – in the middle of the Mess Hall during breakfast before straightening and trying to pretend that he was aloof and nonplussed about everything.

Needless, it was not an experience that McCoy wanted to repeat. Ever again.

"Thank you." McCoy replied dryly, staring back into his glass as Jim threw that patented lecherous smile at a girl with hair piled high who sashayed past. He took two steps after her and then gave up, sighing and leaning back against the bar.

"That's the thing with having the entire fleet grounded; I have no idea who is fair game and who isn't." Jim sighed, as though it was the greatest tragedy in the world, Bones' expression didn't change.

"Suddenly you have to be selective? The horror."

"Suddenly I have to make sure they aren't one of my officers. Or will soon become one of my officers. That reminds me Bones, I get to choose my Yeoman."

"I'll alert the sex crimes unit."

"That's hilarious. You know, you actually sounded like Charlie then." Jim smirked, knowing that his best friend felt a sharp sting at the mention of their third amigo. And so he should, Jim nodded mentally, they're both stubborn asses.

"Dick move." His CMO merely grumbled.

"This captaining thing is a total cock block." Jim muttered as another girl sauntered past; Bones was beginning to wonder if the path in front of the men was solely being used to catch the young captain's eye. The Captain's pitiful expression finally earned a smile from his best friend who coughed back a laugh, swirling the remaining liquid in his glass.

"Damn it Jim, there's not going to be a lone female on board then is there? I withdraw my acceptance." Bones only half-joked, Jim visibly paled at the thought, shuddering at such a sentence.

"All male crew? Don't even joke about it. We've got Uhura and maybe Charlie... speaking of, where is my favourite felon?"

"You're asking me?" Bones asked dryly – quirking an almost Vulcan eyebrow at Jim who merely shrugged, finally determined not to get involved in anything between his CMO and female accomplice. It had taken three years but in recent weeks, days, whatever, the two had reached boiling point and even Jim Kirk wasn't suicidal enough to dip his toes in that water.

"You could at least try to look like you're having fun, you know." Jim replied a few moments later, the Doctor levelled a stare at him, shaking his head slightly with a smile.

"Jim, I'm exhausted. The first night that I've had off in ages and I'm here?" He half – whined, rolling his eyes as Barculo motioned for him to join in his conversation from across the room, McCoy pushed himself from his station along the bar and squared his shoulders, throwing the last of his drink back.

"If I'm not back in fifteen minutes – rescue me."

"You're the one supposed to be bailing me out of stuff!" Came the mature reply from the newly minted Captain who laughed loudly when his CMO discreetly flipped the bird before turning back and making his way through the crowd to the Starfleet Chief of Medicine.

Charlie sighed and stepped into the large room, eyes immediately scanning for a familiar face. A few of them floated around the room though none that offered her comfort – no, that mantel was held strictly for her boys, Uhura and possibly, possibly, if she was that desperate, Archer.

Jim started forward past Bones to go to Charlie, being stopped abruptly by a hand to his chest.

"I've got this." Bones murmured as he crossed the room to her. Jim just wanted to yell 'finally!' after his new CMO but refrained, deciding that all heckling would have to wait until whatever was simmering between the two had been, well, solidified and they weren't in the presence of Admirals who could take his ship away as stupidly as they had given it to him in the first place.

"Hey. Wow..." Bones leaned down to press a kiss to her cheek in greeting, allowing himself that fleeting touch as a reward for not tackling her in the doorway. Because yes, he needed to be more irrational around Charlie Houston. Three years of mooning after her and pretty much acting like a love-struck teenager hadn't shredded his balls quite enough.

"Thanks. You look pretty 'wow' yourself." She smiled back, he wondered if it was because of the compliment or the contact that she was blushing. Either way, he'd chalk it up to a victory.

"Thanks. Come on, let's get a drink."

"Definitely. I'm surprised you let them drag you from Med Bay for this." Charlie told him as they walked through the crowd, he pulled a face.

"Yeah, the word 'mandatory' was used," He scratched the back of his neck, "A lot."

"I know what you mean. Between Uhura and Archer, I feared for my life not turning up," She chuckled; it was infectious and damn it if he was struggling on keeping his eyes on her face, "Is Jim here? Or is he shirking his captaincy duties already?" She joked as they crossed the room, trying not to focus on how his hand felt guiding her lower back. She couldn't feel anything from his hand downwards and somehow, miraculously, she didn't trip over her feet.

"He's here, playing it cool. I'm sure he'll more than likely throw himself into the spotlight soon," Bones replied with a grin that made her thank the heavens that she was managing to put one foot in front of the other still, "I took his offer this morning." He added quietly and she definitely wasn't imagining the fact that his voice was laden with implications. It was a warning not to continue down the path they were mutually heading down if she was going to the opposite end of the galaxy, it was hopeful that she would be onboard and it was worried about her choice, whichever way it went.

Her cryptic smile did absolutely nothing to soothe any of the above.

They finally reached the bar where Jim had of course made a grievous choice with the girl he was hitting on. Bones' face turned a bizarre shade of purple that was reserved for his friends' stupidity (Charlie had seen that colour after her little tiff with Kellaway), cursing as he dragged his fingers through his hair. Captain Playboy took Charlie's hand the moment that she was within reach, spinning her around and letting out a slow whistle.

"Damn Tex..."

"Jim, stop. This is Barculo's daughter." Charlie watched as Jim eyed his best friend warily, obviously looking for any traces of humour or sarcasm and whilst the two boys stared each other down, Charlie sighed in annoyance and glared at the blonde girl in question, who was propped up along the bar next to Jim.

"Well? Are you Barculo's daughter?" She snapped, the girl nodded and stirred her drink.

"He's my father."

"He's a nice guy," Jim bit out, looking slightly perturbed, as he looked up at Bones and Charlie innocently, "How was I to know that it was 'bring your daughter to work' night?"

"Jesus Christ Jim, you're a Captain now." Charlie muttered, a headache forming behind her eyes. Funny, it was the same pinching sensation that she got whenever her male counterpart did something deviant and stupid. Which was often - too often.

"Besides, Barculo is the Chief of Medicine for the Federation, dumbass. He could castrate you with cling wrap and a piece of fishing wire." Bones pointed out as the girl sidled away quietly, obviously not liking the direction that her night, her chance with Jim, had taken. At Bones' comment both Jim and Charlie screwed their noses up, looking up to the Doctor with identical expressions.

"Cling wrap and fishing wire?"

"Some of those medical journals scar a person for life, okay?" He replied irritably, "What are you drinking?" He asked Charlie who quickly ordered a gin and tonic before fixing her eyes teasingly onto Jim. She stared at him unabashedly for a few moments, knowing that he noticed but ignored the direct eye contact, squirming after a few moments.

"Okay, fine Tex, I give up – what?" He asked after a few moments and she smirked again, delighted at the news that she was about to share.

"Permission to come aboard, Captain?" She asked with a mock salute, barely getting her words out before he let out a load roar, picking her up into a tight hug that almost crushed her ribs.

"You accepted the Enterprise offer?" He yelled, letting out another whoop and spinning her around when she nodded. Archer had barely batted an eyelid when she had confirmed it earlier in the day, simply asking her what had taken so long for her decision. Truth be told, she couldn't answer him. Pride maybe? Fear of another day like that fateful one weeks ago?

"Are you serious? You're not playing with me, are you?" He asked and she shook her head, feeling and odd sense of giddiness, elation at finally having a ship, a future and two amazing guys to share it with.

"I'm not playing with you and yes, I am serious. I gave all of the Admirals and Chancellors and everyone my decision this morning. Sounds like we all did," She smiled, exchanging a smile with Bones whose eyes were dancing in the dim light as he took a drink, his eyes never leaving hers even when she turned back to Jim, "Don't ask me why, but with you in charge of the Enterprise, sounds like the most fun a girl could have," At that, Bones' smile turned lecherous though neither of them caught the others' eye or said a word, "Besides, I figure someone has to pull the two of you out of whatever you will definitely manage to get into."

"Right. Because your halo gleams all the time." Bones scoffed, Jim's bright blue eyes exuding delight at his rapidly forming rag-tag crew.

"And we've never bailed you out of anything either." He teased affably, practically dancing on the spot in excitement and Charlie put her hands on his shoulders, laughing at her Captain.

"Congratulations." Bones smiled, half relieved at her decision and half worried. Another how long in close quarters? That was it, something had to give. They could both feel the tension yet again but ignored it, a resolve settling over the two easily as she nodded.

"I can't let you two have all the fun now, can I? Besides, who's going to keep you out of trouble?"

"Ha!" Bones barked quietly, "Things haven't changed that much Charlie."

"Yeah, you're a bad influence on the two of us at times, you know." Jim told her matter-of-factly before his shit eating grin broke free, "I knew you wouldn't be able to resist my captaincy."

"Why does that sound like a really bad morning after pickup line?" Charlie retorted, unable to stop smiling.

"He does it without thinking." Bones replied, Jim started to protest but Charlie got in first.

"That's what I've heard." Jim's eyes danced at their banter, darting between his two best friends – now also his Commander and CMO. Things were falling into place almost too well and though he was a little stung that it had taken both more than a split second to accept his offer, he understood and now that they had seen reason, they could get to the good stuff.

Literally.

:)

Disclaimer: Clearly I don't own any of the characters or ideas except my own, because they'd all be pretty pissed about being on a two year hiatus. Also, I don't own the song named in the chapter title, Two Door Cinema Club do.

Xx