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Date: Tue, 17 Feb 2004 23:24:15 -0600
Subject: [ASCEM-S] New TOS "Tempting Fate on Squeaky Springs" 1/9 (Mc/Sa, K/S) [NC-17]
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Title: "Tempting Fate on Squeaky Springs"
Series: TOS
Author: T'Thrill
Romance Codes:  Mc/Sa, K/S
Rating: NC-17 m/m
Summary:  This story begins 4 years after the second five-year
Initially, I had intended for this to be a short, PWP Christmas
story, however, I missed the deadline and, as so often happens
when I begin exploring relationships, it began to take on a life
of its own.
 
This, like all my stories, can be found on my webpage
T'Thrill's Den of Trek Delights
http://www.geocities.com/tthrill1612/

Warning:  This story contains *explicit* m/m sex.  If you are 
not interested in and/or are offended by such things, you will 
find reading this a complete waste of your time, so please move 
on.  If you are under 18 years of age, please move on, as well.

Disclaimer: Copyright 2004 by T'Thrill. This is an original 
work of amateur fiction based on Star Trek. This work makes 
"fair use" of Star Trek copyrighted material; it is not intended 
to infringe on the intellectual property rights of Paramount, 
Viacom or other owners of copyright in Star Trek or any of 
their assignees or licensees. The author's copyright extends 
only to the original material in this work.
 
Archive:  Okay to archive in ASCEM, BLTS, and COCO-SSD, 
provided that header, disclaimers, my name, and email address 
are all attached. All others please ask. My email address is -- 
TThrill1612@aol.com


Acknowledgments--Once again, I have to send a big 
"THANKS" to my wonderful beta, Selek.  Also to MizzMarcee 
who read the first part and gave me feedback as I tried out 
numerous titles.
 
 Note - RHIP - Rank hath its privilege
 
 
The Definition of Love
 
My love is of a birth as rare
As 'tis for object strange and high;
It was begotten by Despair
Upon Impossibility.
 
Magnanimous Despair alone
Could show me so divine a thing,
Where feeble hope could ne'er have flown,
But vainly flapp'd its tinsel wing.
 
And yet I quickly might arrive
Where my extended soul is fixt,
But Fate does iron wedges drive,
And always crowds itself betwixt.
 
For Fate with jealous eye does see
Two perfect loves, nor lets them close;
Their union would her ruin be,
And her tyrannic power depose.
 
And therefore her decrees of steel,
Us as the distant poles have placed,
(Though love's whole world on us doth wheel)
Not by themselves to be embraced.
 
Unless the giddy heaven fall,
And earth some new convulsion tear;
And, us to join, the world should all
Be cramped into a plainsphere.
 
As lines, so loves, oblique may well
Themselves in every angle greet;
But ours so truly parallel,
Though infinite, can never meet.
 
Therefore the love which us doth bind,
But Fate so enviously debars,
Is the Conjunction of the Mind,
And Opposition of the Stars.
 
Andrew Marvell (1621-1678) 
 
 
 
Chapter 1/9
 
Twenty-seven minutes after leaving San Francisco, and finally 
clearing the restricted, municipal-use region of air space, 
Leonard nudged the directional heading of his '71 Turbo-shuttle 
two degrees North, while simultaneously increasing the 
velocity to maximum, giving her all she would take.  As 
always, there was a feeling of exhilaration that washed over 
him when he felt her top out, as if he were leaving all of his 
cares behind.  Only then did he settle back in the seat and fully 
enjoy the almost undetectable vibration of the engine that could 
be felt through the controls.  This, he assumed, must have been 
the same feeling Jim experienced when he used to walk the 
silent corridors of the Enterprise late at night, sometimes 
stopping to lay his hand gently, almost lovingly, against the 
metal of the bulkhead.  It was as if on some personal level, and 
under very rare circumstances, man really did have the ability 
to communicate with machine.
 
Purchasing the sub-warp shuttle had been an unabashed 
indulgence following the first five-year mission on the 
Enterprise.  It had been a futile attempt to balm the resentment 
he had felt toward Jim, Spock, and Starfleet with material 
possessions.  It hadn't worked.  Nor had resigning his 
commission altogether, storing his prized possession in a 
pressurized containment unit, and leaving Earth for New 
Fabrina, hoping against hope that Natira would somehow hold 
his answers.  She hadn't, by any stretch of the imagination.  
However, the medical tapes found in the Fabrini computer 
banks had held a lot of valuable information, so he'd spent the 
next eighteen months translating them.
 
He'd just returned from the colony planet when he was 
informed that his Reserve Activation Clause had been invoked.  
There hadn't even been time to get the shuttle out of storage 
before he was ordered to report to the Enterprise.  The fact was 
that his shuttle had spent most of the twelve years he'd owned it 
in storage, but he couldn't help himself; he still loved piloting it 
when he got the chance.
 
Not that the ending of the second five-year mission, and 
returning to San Francisco to live, had offered him much down 
time either.  Between his appointment as the head of Deep-
Space Medical Training at the Academy, compiling and 
publishing procedural information gained from the ten years 
spent as CMO on the Enterprise, and the nearly constant 
demands to consult or lecture, he hadn't been able to take more 
than a day or two off at a time in the four years he'd been back 
on Earth.  Although the years since the last mission ended had 
sped by, they weren't what Leonard would regard as 
particularly satisfying, especially from a personal standpoint.  
But they passed--days, weeks, then months at a time--without 
too much thought.
 
Before he knew it, another Christmas season was upon him, 
and there was nothing like having to attend the usual round of 
holiday parties to point out that he was alone--again.  No doubt 
making this year worse than usual was the fact that lately he'd 
been stewing over a lot of things, including the training mission 
that was coming up in less than a month.  He still couldn't 
understand why they wouldn't just put an experienced crew 
back onboard the Enterprise.  Hell, he would've signed up in 
half a heartbeat if they'd asked him!  Admittedly, he was 
feeling more than just a little melancholy about having to spend 
those all-too-fleeting weeks on the ship that felt more like home 
than any other place in the galaxy.  God only knew what it was 
doing to Jim.  As hard as he'd tried, he hadn't been able to get 
his long-time friend to discuss anything more personal than the 
necessary operational logistics.
 
So, between the holidays and the upcoming mission, he'd 
decided the best thing to do was to just get out of town for a 
few days.  Besides, with the mood he'd been in lately, he 
suspected that no one really wanted him around anyway.  It 
would do him good to take some time off and get his thoughts 
in order.  With no more thought than that, he had placed 
himself on the 'Do Not Call' list--RHIP--sent a message to the 
agency in charge of upkeep on his cabin, thrown any of his 
'cold weather' clothes into a cargo locker--although most of his 
winter wear was kept at the cabin--added enough provisions to 
get by on comfortably for several days, and called the storage 
company and ordered his shuttle delivered.  He had sent Jim a 
time-delayed vid message to let him know where he was going, 
and assured him that he'd be back no later than New Year's 
Eve.  He knew his friend well enough to know if he spoke to 
him directly, Jim would do all in his power to talk him into 
staying around for Christmas.  It would be a nice gesture, but it 
was also the very thing Leonard couldn't cope with this year.
 
Once his decision was made to go to the cabin, the thought 
crossed his mind to invite Sarek to join him.  He knew that after 
being away at the Rigel Conference for a week, Sarek had 
returned to Earth just the evening before, and it would be nice 
to catch up.  But after further thought, he dismissed the idea.  
With everything else going on in his life, he wasn't sure Sarek's 
company was what he needed.
 
Nine months earlier, Jim, Spock, and Leonard had met for 
lunch, as they did on those rare occasions when all three 
happened to be available.  Over the course of the meal, Spock 
mentioned that his father had relocated his base of operation 
from Vulcan to the embassy in San Francisco.  Upon hearing 
this news, Leonard had taken it upon himself to contact him 
that very evening.  Since then, the two of them had formed an 
extremely close friendship, to the bewilderment of many, 
including his two best friends.  Even with Jim, Spock, and most 
of the Enterprise crew in the San Francisco area, it was Sarek 
who Leonard had begun to seek out.  Whether it was to have a 
companion for dinner, find a willing ear to complain to, or just 
spend a few hours in quiet conversation, Sarek was the person 
he had begun to think of first.
 
This could have been because, as an ambassador, Sarek had 
developed a certain tolerance to even the most emotional 
beings--even Leonard had to admit that he had his moments.  
Or, it could have been after knowing Spock for all these years, 
Leonard had learned to really appreciate that wonderful Vulcan 
facade that he knew could, in certain circumstances, shelter a 
hotbed of unexplored emotions--although this was something 
the doctor would never openly admit.  However, he knew it 
was mainly for the reason he had only recently acknowledged, 
and only then in the deepest recesses of his heart.  Somewhere 
along the way, he'd managed to fall in love with Sarek.
 
Sure, there had been times when he thought he'd been in love 
before, but it was never like this.  This was the fucking lump in 
your throat, melt when he was close enough to get a whiff of 
his scent, heart racing when you saw him, heart aching when 
you had to leave him, couldn't remember what it was like to go 
to sleep without imagining him beside you, kind of love.  There 
was only one problem.  It was completely, and totally, one 
sided.
 
Leonard didn't know for sure when it'd happened.  Since first 
meeting him, all those many years ago onboard the Enterprise, 
there was just something about the ambassador's company that 
Leonard had found enjoyable.  Whether it was awe or 
adoration, there was no doubt that he had been drawn to him 
from the very beginning.  However, there had been the small 
matter of the ambassador's devoted, and heterosexual, marriage 
to Amanda.  When she hadn't moved to San Francisco with 
him, Leonard began to suspect there might be trouble, but this 
was only a gut feeling.  Certainly Sarek had never said anything 
that had led him to that conclusion.
 
As a matter of fact, discussing relationships in general seemed 
to be the one subject that was taboo with the ambassador, often 
leading to a detectable distancing in Sarek's demeanor.  
Leonard didn't fully understand the reason, but he assumed it 
had to do with the fact that it was hard as hell to discuss 
personal interactions without discussing the emotional 
involvements, as well.  Whatever else Sarek was, he was *all* 
Vulcan, and it became blatantly clear that the idea of pursuing 
anything beyond a platonic friendship with him was completely 
out of the question.  But even if friendship was all they would 
ever have, Leonard was damned grateful for the time they 
found to spend together.  The feelings he harbored beyond that 
would just have to remain his own carefully guarded secret.
 
Before he'd finished packing, he'd decided he didn't want to go 
another week without seeing him, and he would just have to 
manage to keep his feelings in check.  Contacting his Vulcan 
friend via a comm link, he invited him to come along.  When 
questioned as to their destination, the only hint Leonard would 
give the ambassador was that he would need to pack for several 
days and dress warm.  Knowing that Sarek was a man who 
usually required specific details, he'd half expected him to 
decline the offer, but when he accepted, Leonard's mood had 
significantly brightened.  An hour later, he had picked Sarek up 
at the Vulcan Embassy.
 
Leonard glanced down out of the shuttle's windows, knowing 
from the settings displayed before him that they were directly 
over the mountains.  But between the thickening cloud cover, 
and the altitude he had to travel to avoid the strong wind 
currents, very little could be seen of the ground below.  It was 
just as well since he didn't want to ruin the effect when they 
approached their ultimate destination.
 
The weather reports had warned of high wind gusts above 
fifteen thousand feet, with some downdrafts as strong as a 
hundred and thirty-six knots, leveling off to somewhere around 
forty-five knots at ground level.  The shuttle was equipped with 
gyrostabilizers; however, so having to descend through those 
wouldn't pose a problem.  The only other warning was one 
regarding the expected cold temperatures, possibly reaching as 
low as minus twenty-four degrees Celsius in the higher 
elevations.  This wouldn't be a major concern since they would 
be at the cabin before the temperature really started to 
plummet, and even then they wouldn't be outside for more than 
a few seconds.
 
Sarek was seated in the adjacent seat, and Leonard noticed him 
pulling the heavy wrap tighter around his shoulders.  Although 
the internal temperature of the shuttle was already warm 
enough that the doctor was feeling the first beads of sweat pop 
out on his forehead, he slipped his arms out of his jacket and 
keyed the thermostat up a bit to make Sarek more comfortable.
 
"Better?" Leonard asked.
 
"Yes, thank you," Sarek replied.  "Doctor McCoy, we have 
been underway for some time.  Will you now inform me of our 
destination?"
 
Leonard gave his passenger a sly, sideways grin.  "I guess since 
we'll be arrivin' in just a few minutes, it's about time to let you 
in on the secret.  We're headed to my cabin.  It's located in 
northern Colorado, nestled in what's considered to be the 
foothills of the Rocky Mountain's.  Sixty acres of pure 
mountain heaven, and without a doubt, it's the prettiest place on 
Earth to spend Christmas.  It's also something I haven't done 
since I landed my first tour of duty onboard the Enterprise."
 
"Doctor, you do realize that, as a Vulcan, I am unaccustomed to 
exceedingly cold climates."  Uncharacteristically, there was the 
slightest hint of anxiety that crept into Sarek's voice.
 
"I know, and I wouldn't take you some place where you'd be 
uncomfortable," Leonard assured him.  "It's no more than a few 
steps from where I'll set the shuttle down to the door, and it's 
not like we'll be camping out.  The cabin has all the luxuries of 
home, including low-light solar panels that maintain the 
temperature at a comfortable level, and there's a fireplace that 
will have the place positively toasty in no time.  I promise, once 
you're inside, you'll be good and warm.  But I'll make you a 
deal; if after two days you don't like it, we'll go back to the 
city.  
How's that?"
 
"I believe that to be an acceptable offer, Doctor," Sarek replied, 
although somewhat warily.
 
"Excellent!  I promise you, you're gonna be amazed." 


"You never cease to amaze me, Doctor," Sarek replied, looking 
toward him and arching an eyebrow upwards.  It was *that* 
look, the one that always made Leonard's heart hammer just a 
bit faster, his breaths a bit more shallow, the palms of his hands 
the least bit damp, and the crotch of his trousers a bit 
uncomfortable.  Never before had there been anything that 
could make him as weak in the knees, or arouse him as quickly, 
as that single look could.
 
"You rarely visit this location, correct?" Sarek was asking him.
 
A calming breath later, Leonard answered.  "Unfortunately, 
that's true.  Two five-year tours on the Enterprise, deciphering 
the medical files on the Fabrini colony in between those 
missions, and the grueling schedule of the last four years hasn't 
left a lot of time to get away."
 
There seemed to be a degree of increased formality in Sarek's 
voice when he replied.  "Yes, Doctor McCoy, I seem to 
remember that you spent a considerable amount of time with 
the Fabrini."
 
Leonard wondered if he'd said something that Sarek found 
objectionable, but for the life of him he couldn't think of a 
damned thing.  The ambassador certainly couldn't object to the 
work he'd done with the Fabrini.  The information that had 
come from those records had proven to be extremely useful.  
But he sure couldn't remember saying or doing anything else to 
offend his guest.  Hell, since leaving San Francisco--except for 
pushing the speed-to-distance ratios a little faster than was 
legal--he'd been on his best behavior.  "Yeah, almost two years.  
There was a lot of valuable medical information gleaned from 
their computer banks, but it took time to pull it out and translate 
it.  So, you see, there hasn't been time for extended vacations in 
recent years."  It was as much an explanation as a defense, but 
against what, he didn't know.
 
"Indeed.  Yet, you have retained the cabin all this time?"
 
His response came cautiously, not wanting to say anything that 
would upset Sarek.  "Oh, sure.  I could never get rid of it.  It 
holds too many memories.  You see, my father had always 
wanted a place in the mountains, so I originally had the place 
built for him.  Not long after that, my wife and I split up, and I 
spent the next few Christmases at the cabin with my dad.  My 
daughter loved the summers there when she was little, so I 
always tried to arrange a week or two to take her up during that 
season, as well.  After my father became ill and had to move 
back to the city, I had the place closed up.  He died shortly 
thereafter, and within three months I accepted the position as 
CMO on the Enterprise."  He wondered if mentioning his 
divorce was stepping over the bounds, but there were just some 
subjects that couldn't be avoided.
 
"You have not returned since?"
 
"Oh, I come up for a day or two, here and there, but I haven't 
been back for the holidays.  There's just somethin' about being 
there at Christmas that's special, and this morning I got a real 
hankerin' to come here this year."
 
"James and Spock did not wish to join you?"
 
"To tell ya the truth, I didn't ask," he answered, feeling a little 
guilty about that.  For sixteen years--less the two years he'd 
spent on New Fabrina --he, Jim, and Spock had spent every 
Christmas together, first on the ship, then either in San 
Francisco, or at Jim's home in Iowa.  And although he was sure 
they wouldn't mind his absence, and would actually enjoy 
being left alone for once, he hadn't so much as offered them the 
opportunity to decline.
 
"I see," Sarek replied.  "In any case, it sounds like a most 
pleasant place, Doctor McCoy, with equally pleasant memories.  
I look forward to our arrival."
 
"Well, keep in mind that the cabin's not all that big, but it's nice 
enough."  Then, much quieter, he added, "Especially when 
sharin' it with a friend."  He glanced over at Sarek and flashed a 
quick smile.  Although they had become what McCoy would 
qualify as close, their friendship, per se, was another of the 
many relationships that they had never openly discussed.
 
"Admittedly, I do not find particular significance in this 
specific religious commemoration; however, I am honored that 
you would ask me to join you.  I am certain there are others 
who would have gladly accepted such an invitation."
 
"Maybe, Ambassador, but none who would be more welcome," 
he conceded, while still maintaining the level of formality that 
had never been crossed between the two of them.  It was just 
this barrier that Leonard had wanted to break through for some 
time, and he decided that his courage would never be as 
staunch as it was at the moment.  With a quick breath, and a 
decision that the only way to attack the problem was in his 
usual head-on manner, he stated, "That said, I would like to 
address these titles we use.  To tell ya the truth, I really don't 
wanna be called 'Doctor' again until I'm officially back on duty.  
For the next week, I want to forget all about Starfleet, Starfleet 
Medical, and the Academy.  I'd even like to forget that you're 
an ambassador."
 
"To attempt to forget ones chosen profession is not logical, 
Doctor," Sarek stated.
 
Knitting his eyebrows, Leonard turned his head toward Sarek, 
but discovered that there was a decided twinkle in those deep 
amber eyes.  No doubt about it, the Vulcan was teasing him.  
Whatever faux pax he had committed earlier, had evidently 
been forgiven.  Deciding he could give as good as get, and 
doing his best to feign indignation, he stated, "I *mean* I don't 
want to have to deal with the formality of titles.  You can call 
me Leonard, Len, or even Bones, but if I hear you calling me 
'Doctor McCoy' again, I just may be forced to set the shuttle 
down and let you out, got it?"
 
There was almost a smile that was returned, but not quite.  "I 
believe, Leonard, that you have made your point quite clear."
 
McCoy chuckled.  "Much better.  Now, settle back because you 
are just about to be introduced to the most beautiful place in all 
the galaxy."
 
"According to humans, Leonard, isn't beauty supposed to be in 
the eye of the beholder?"
 
"It will be.  Trust me.  It will be."  Leonard sighed, happily, 
feeling any remaining tension ease out of his body.  He made 
the final adjustment to the trajectory and started his descent.
 
 


[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]



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