FIC: Two Ships [Star Trek XI]

[darktrent182]

TITLE: Two Ships
DISCLAIMER: Star Trek XI doesn't belong to me – the universe belongs to Gene Roddenberry and so many people that if they were all to sue me, various descendants would be in debt up to their eyeballs. Written for entertainment purposes, no money made, please don't sue, yadda.
FANDOM: Star Trek XI
WORD COUNT: 528
RATING: PG for references to blood?
WARNINGS: Vampires! And present tense. Unbeta'd!
SUMMARY: Scotty talks with another lost soul.
CHALLENGE: Written for the st_xi_kink, because I'm a sheep.
PROMPT: Click here for details.
AUTHOR'S NOTES: Set in the same universe as Foot in the Door.

***

The first time Scotty sees him, he notices the loneliness more than anything else. Then again, nowadays, Scotty sees it so clearly because it’s the same reflection he sees when he looks at the mirror.

He's rather new at this, Scotty finds himself thinking, half-amused by the way he keeps looking around, trying to find him, but not quite succeeding. He's like a wee thing looking for its mother, or perhaps knowing that there's a threat nearby, but not knowing enough to see who it is, or why.

The man's probably never had to deal with another vampire before.

Scotty finally smiles to himself, and clears his throat.

Brown eyes jump to him, and there's an instant of recognition, wariness, and some good, old-fashioned stubbornness. His shoulders tighten, but Scotty just smiles and offers him a place to sit across the table. "Doctor," he says pleasantly.

McCoy debates for a moment before taking the chair, setting down his tray of food -- something remotely healthy that has Scotty doubting if it's actually dead -- and looking Scotty in the eye. "Do we need to establish ground rules?"

Scotty's eyebrows jump at the question, but he leans back in his chair and shrugs. "I don't think so? However you want to handle this is fine with me. I can do together or separate."

McCoy frowns. "What do you mean?"

Scotty blinks. "You must be really newer than I thought if you dinnae know that."

"All right, then." McCoy growls. "Enlighten me."

Scotty's eyes narrow. "I'm not your enemy here. Remember that." He leans forward in his chair and lowers his voice. "It's living arrangements. There are some vampires that take to living together -- sharing feeding grounds, protecting each other, that sort of thing. And then there's some that'd rather be left alone."

McCoy nods. "All right, then. Leave me alone."

Scotty nods in return. "We'll have to see each other in the hallways and for medical exams and whatnot, but I'll not intrude on your territory anymore than necessary."

McCoy nods again, curtly. "What about food?"

Scotty pauses in the middle of lifting a drooping sandwich to his lips. "Food?"

McCoy glares at him. "Yeah. Food. What are you planning on doing?"

Scotty frowns, because the way McCoy is glaring at him, he feels the need to brace himself for a fight. "I can tighten my belt with the best of them, Doctor. You've no need to worry."

"Tighten your belt?" McCoy asks suspiciously.

Scotty glares back finally. "Aye. How do you think I lasted six months on Delta Vega with nary a drop in sight?"

"Good God, man." McCoy stares at him incredulously. "You went six months without feeding?"

Scotty snorts into his sandwich. "I certainly didn't pack it in coolers."

McCoy stares at him, absolutely dumbfounded, before he finally shakes his head. "Come to my quarters after your shift ends. I'll share the whiskey."

"Whiskey?" Scotty brightens. "You're a man after my own heart, Doctor, though I'd heard you were more a bourbon man?"

"I am," McCoy grunts. "The whiskey's a mixed drink."

Scotty blinks. "Bloody Mary, O-negative, by any chance?"

McCoy nods.

Scotty's grin is bright. "You're a lifesaver, Doctor, truly."

McCoy shakes his head. "If I'm going to share my liquor with you, call me Bones."

Scotty nods. "Bones it is, then."

END