Dr. Leonard McCoy was not an insecure person, he rarely had his self doubts but he doubted his self worth.  Being a perfectionist is one aspect of his personality that made him an incredible physician and surgeon, but it was a double edged sword to his soul.  Jim Kirk usually was the equalizer in this precarious balance, Kirk’s praises and criticism were fair and given with the genuine concern of friendship.  McCoy had the admiration of his staff and his expectations for patient care were very high.  Sometimes McCoy’s standards were so high that he inadvertently caused anxiety in his staff.  However, the fact that McCoy demanded of himself the same benchmark did not make him a hypocrite or a dictator.  Nurse Christine Chapel knew how to buffer the tidal waves when he was not pleased with the care in Sick Bay and she knew how to slow the whirling vortex of his self incrimination when he lost a patient.  

The definition of a perfect officer, friend and scientist was Spock.  To all humans this flawlessness was effortless, second nature and a Vulcan characteristic.  Sometimes the lack of expression or emotion in a voice tone could be more of a catalyst for a human reaction than glaring or screaming.

To perform one’s best has been a valued attribute to Vulcans, to do less was illogical and dishonoring.  Spock was a Vulcan-Human Hybrid, physiologically more Vulcan and psycho-socially more Vulcan as well.

Spock and McCoy had served together on the Enterprise for four years.  There was an evolution to their friendship and their emerging relationship.  Two sides of a coin, Kirk had once mentioned or two sides of a brain, their relationship seemed to make sense but had its obvious conflicts.  Initially, Spock was the stalwart Vulcan with his impenetrable armor of logic.  McCoy was the over emotional but highly compassionate human.  McCoy found the chink in Spock’s armor, his buried emotions and Spock pointed out McCoy’s failure to achieve perfection.  However, the revelation of each other’s weaknesses did not wound the other.  The intent was not to hurt but a manner of keeping their hidden weaknesses in check and in a weird way to protect any attempt of another person or being from exploiting their vulnerabilities.  Their so called arguments were well known and enjoyed by many of the crew, especially Kirk.  He would tell them after one of their debates that they sounded like an old married couple.   There was an unspoken and subtle compassion and protectiveness between them.  Kirk had noticed that Spock, being a touch telepath, rarely touched any of the crew but he had seen Spock touching McCoy on his exposed skin more than he had touched him.  McCoy appeared oblivious to this and he told Kirk that he was imagining this action from Spock.  McCoy was very protective of Kirk but extremely protective of Spock.

As their relationship progressed, the arguments faded, they were less critical of each other and they were spending more time together in the science labs.  It was after Spock had found the cure from the Fabrini culture and healed McCoy from his fatal diagnosis of Xenopolcythemia that the openness of their compassion for each other was more evident. 

McCoy was the one who appeared to be making more changes; he was less volatile and less impulsive with his emotional reactions.  Spock’s usually blank expressions would soften almost to a smile when McCoy would appear on the bridge, in the officers’ lounge or in Kirk’s cabin. 

They both seemed to prefer each other’s company.  Kirk still had his 3-D chess matches with Spock and his shore leaves with McCoy, but McCoy started staying on board with Spock.  He said he was too old to go bar hopping and fooling around.  Kirk knew this was not true and the fact that the two found each other’s company enjoyable was not a surprise to him at all. 

McCoy seemed pleasantly submissive to Spock, a lot like Spock’s mother Amanda was to Sarek.

It was very understandable; McCoy was a responder by nature.  In the relationships he had in the past with women, the women always pursued McCoy.

The Enterprise was being sent on a diplomatic mission to a planet rich with dilithium.  Star Fleet and the Federation were very excited about this planet becoming a member of the Federation. 

The native peoples of the planet were what some of Earth’s old cultures would have labeled as hedonistic and materialistic.  The prospect of the fanfare of joining the Federation was exciting to them and the resources and connections to other races was something they needed.  The name of the natives was not pronounceable in Standard, but after reviewing Earth’s history and especially myths they adopted the name of Dionysians, after the Greek god, Dionysus.  The enjoyment of wine, alcohol, drugs, pleasures of the body and mind were only the tip of the mountain of all other delights these peoples enjoyed.  

Although not all they liked was lurid, they enjoyed the written works, music and arts of other worlds.  Possession of the galaxies finest, rarest, entertaining and beautiful things was their obsession.  One thing that they did not possess was excellent health care, if they died young doing what they liked, so be it. 

However, this was a rapidly declining way of thinking.  If one lived longer, they would experience more.  Being healthy and transforming their bodies in to works of art was spreading through the planet like a virus.  The Dionysians were not a humanoid race and there were other galactic races that were similar in appearance.  An almost exaggerated physical body revealed their zeal for all things sensual.  They had two large composite eyes on either side of their heads; large proboscises served as an organ of smell and taste the long tubular tongue was very sensitive to chemicals and pheromones from foods and other beings; large fan-shaped structures stretched from the sides and across the top of their heads enabling them to detect the softest of sounds or vibrations and their skin was usually pale to dark grey in color and sleek.  They had four arms that emerged from their thorax each ending in eight long digits with cup-shaped tips.  In the tips were thousands of nerve receptors and many tiny sharp hooks to hold on to their food or whatever and whomever they were enjoying at the time.  They had two large and muscular legs that ended in talons. The females did not have the breasts like humans or other mammals, their abdomens were larger than the males and the eggs inside their body were visible through a transparent area of their abdomens and they were capable or reproduction at anytime when they so desired.   The males had smaller abdomens and their external sex organs were colorful to attract a female.  The offspring were hatched from eggs in a collective colony and nurtured by the ‘workers’ of their race, surprisingly the males.  The planet was a patchwork of diversity in terrains and climates and there was abundance of plants, flowers, fruits and other edible organic materials.  It was speculated that the exaggerated senses of the Dionysians resulted from the plethora of natural resources on their planet.   They did not develop their technology on their own; they obtained it and the technicians through the trade of the dilithium crystals.  They had no military aspect to their world; they bought this as well through trading.  Their security and military personnel was a melting pot from the worlds around them and the salaries they paid these persons ensured their loyalties not to mention the pleasures that were openly available to them.  It was win-win situation for everyone. 

However, there was a great intolerance among the Dionysians  for those galactic races who seemed intent on taking their resources without trade or purchase.   Piracy and theft was forbidden and punishable by banishment from their planet and its resources.  Murder was the greatest offence of all for it stopped one of their own from seeking pleasure and from the others who had valued one of their own kind.  If an off-worlder had been murdered, it was not a crime it only opened another potential link that could supply them with pleasure and other highly prized commodities. 

The hospitality of the Dionysians was known throughout their region of space.  They relished the ability to meet and share information, foods, medicines and technologies.   It was considered rude and offensive not to partake in their hospitality and it was very offensive not to bring something of value to one of their celebrations or festivities.  They were a race of beings that had incredible appetites for all matters of entertainment, aesthetic beauty, gustatory experiences and sexual encounters.  Visitors and guests had to be very vigilant during their stays on this planet.  This was a race that acted upon their impulses and their attraction to another being was direct and possessive while the attraction lasted.   They did not wait for consent from the other person or being.

There was neither a concept of consent nor acknowledgement of rape or assault.  The Dionysians viewed their encounters as experiences; it was all about their pleasure and the recipient of their coital encounters should be honored that they were chosen.  The Dionysians tolerated other galactic races and cultures.  One exception was the Vulcan race.  They could not comprehend why a culture would deny themselves the experiences of their emotions, senses and impulses.  They viewed the Vulcans as an inferior and arrogant race, although they valued their scientific knowledge. 

When the Enterprise had achieved orbit, Kirk reviewed with his officers the orders Star Fleet had sent him.  This was a very important mission and prospect for the Federation.  Shore leave was allowed and it was stressed to all of the crew to always provide a trade or credits for anything the crew wanted on this planet.  Everyone was to abide by the Code of Star Fleet and that every crewman was an ‘ambassador’ for Star Fleet.  Kirk reminded his crew that they were bound by the Dionysian’s laws.  If any of the crew were assaulted or misused by this race, there were no laws in effect to protect them.   Only after all of the negotiations had been finalized and the Dionysians were part of the Federation could anyone in Star Fleet be protected.  McCoy stressed to the crew to be very careful with physical contact with this race, he did not have any information on what sexually transmitted diseases there were and that the Dionysians were aggressive in their sexual encounters. 

The capital city was immense.  Staggered sizes of buildings rose from the ground and they differed in their architecture.  Some buildings had elaborate mosaic designs, some were gilded and sparkled in the bright sunlight, others resembled crystalline formations and there were designs and decorations that would take a long time to describe.  The streets were immaculate and there were flower gardens everywhere.  The meeting with the ‘royal family’ and their court would take place at the palace.  Set like a jewel in an elaborate setting, the palace was a large glistening octagonal crystal structure.  Around the palace was a ring of hotels, conference centers, government buildings and pleasure centers. 

The Galileo shuttle carried the Enterprise officers to their rooms at their hotel.  They were taken to their connecting suite of rooms and living areas that included elaborate baths and a well stocked dining area.  Each officer had their own room with a balcony that had a view of the city and not the palace.  Their suites of rooms were on the twentieth floor.  Down below their balconies on the fourteenth floor were the water gardens and the music of the water and the wind chimes gave an almost magical sound around their rooms.  Spock and McCoy’s rooms were on either sides of Kirk’s room.  Uhura’s was next to McCoy’s and Scotty’s was next to Spock’s.  Sulu’s room was next to Scotty’s.  They had five hours to settle in and relax before the formal dinner with the royal family, the Dionysian Ambassador, the Federation delegates and the Ambassadors from each planet in the Federation.  Spock’s parent’s, Ambassador Sarek and Lady Amanda, room was on the same floor.  Kirk and McCoy went down to check out the swimming pools, Spock meditated, Scotty went to the bar and pub in the hotel and Uhura and Sulu went to the roof gardens.  At 1800 hours planet time, the Enterprise officers headed for the palace. 

The entrance hall was lined with iridescent glass walls with swirls of clear jewels and gold, the floor was highly polished bronze.  They were escorted to the dining and event room.  The décor was something reminiscent of Earth’s gaudy Baroque period; red brocade walls with heavy gold sconces,   the carpet was an overly elaborate paisley design, the tables were covered by jewel toned satin cloths and flower arrangements that swept from one end of the table to the other. 

The Dionysians wore garments of luminescent gauzes and sheer silks, which did little to cover their bodies.  Necklaces, bracelets, rings and broaches made of jewels, stones and crystals all glistened and twinkled.  Out of curiosity, Scotty did a scan with his small tricorder and informed them that 75% of the crystals were dilithium.   The officers were shown to their table and they sat down in their appointed seats.  Sarek and Amanda were at their table also.

Everyone rose from their seats when the royal family entered and sat down at their table on a raised platform so they could view their subjects and quests.  Food and wine were served and the Enterprise officers were surprised that their meal was comprised of Earth’s cuisines.  Sarek, Amanda and Spock were given Vulcan dishes.  McCoy looked around him and was surprised at the dainty way the Dionysians consumed their foods.  The tongues darted from their proboscises quickly and silently, their foods were mostly liquids and sauces.  The Dionysians seemed very curious about the use of utensils by the Star Fleet officers, the Federation Ambassadors and Delegates, not to mention the clanking of the silverware on the porcelain plates.  After the meal several Federation and Star fleet Officials, Admirals and Ambassadors talked to the royal family and the Dionysian audience. 

They presented the benefits and advantages they would have by joining the Federation.  At the royal table, the Dionysian Ambassador Otornc stood up during their presentation.  He spoke Standard and interpreted the information for the royal family.   One of the Federation Delegates, Anson Peters, was invited up to meet with the family; apparently he and Otornc were acquaintances.  After the presentation, the Ambassadors and Delegates from the Federation visited each table of the Dionysians.  Kirk and McCoy noticed that Sarek did not get up. They were informed that the royal family had no desire of meeting with the Vulcan ambassador.

This angered McCoy and Kirk, Spock was silent.   Sarek calmed them, thanking them for their concerns, but the exclusion was appreciated.  Amanda said that the Dionysians viewed the Vulcan race as inferior due to their lack of or rather control of their actions and emotions.  She found them to be overly uncontrolled and vulgar in their approach to other races. 

Soon Otornc and Peters made their way to the Enterprise’s table.  The Officers were introduced by Kirk and then Peters and Otornc talked with them.  Peters informed Kirk that Otornc was interested in his officers and wanted to hear more about the medical benefits and services that the Dionysians would receive with the Federation and Star Fleet.  Otornc pulled up a chair and sat by McCoy and they discussed issues from vaccinations to surgeries.  McCoy was impressed by Otornc’s research of the Star Fleet Medical facilities on Star Bases as well as Star Ships.   Peters informed them that Otornc had heard of McCoy’s achievements in medicine and surgery and was delighted to have the opportunity to meet him in person.   As they talked further, Otornc had moved slowly closer to McCoy.  He was visually studying him and his tongue would dart out quickly as if ‘sniffing’ out the Doctor.  Every once in a while, Otornc would make eye contact with Peters and make subtle gestures.  Otornc commented on the unusual color of McCoy’s eyes and that he had not seen many humans with such a vibrant blue eye color.

Kirk leaned closer to McCoy, “Way to go, Bones, your ‘baby blues’ are making a good impression.”

“Really, Jim?” McCoy whispered to Kirk, “He probably wants to make them into a pair of earrings.”

“Captain”, Spock said to Kirk quietly, “I am concerned for Dr. McCoy.  The attention he is receiving from Otornc and Peters is unusual.”

“Spock, relax, Peters is promoting the benefits of the medical technology and care that the Federation can provide for the Dionysians.  The Ambassador may be attracted to Bones but I don’t think the feeling is mutual.  Besides, McCoy can take care of himself.  You aren’t jealous are you?”  Kirk said with a twinkle in his eyes.

Spock sat back in his chair, and his posture stiffened, “Vulcans do not feel jealousy, Captain, I am merely voicing…”

“Bones can handle himself.  McCoy has an incredible reputation in the field of surgery and medicine both in Star Fleet and with his civilian peers.  You have an outstanding reputation as well.  It pisses me off that you and Sarek are being snubbed.”    Kirk said quietly and his expression changed to one of controlled disgust and anger.

 As McCoy and Otornc discussed medical care, Kirk had struck up a conversation with several Dionysian females at the next table.  Scotty talked with some of the technical teams that were employed by the Dionysians and was invited to take a tour of the buildings and power facilities in the city, and then visit the various pubs that were popular.  Uhura talked with some of the Dionysians about their jewelry and where she could purchase some of the bangles and necklaces.  Sulu was invited to take a tour of the gardens in the city.  Spock, Sarek and Amanda talked among themselves.  Spock kept an eye on McCoy; he was still suspicious of Otornc’s attention to McCoy.  The fact that Peters had taken the other seat next to McCoy raised his alarm as well.  When Peters would add more to the conversation about McCoy’s achievements and refill McCoy’s wine glass these actions only fueled his concern.  Otornc suggested that they talk further in his office at the palace and Peters agreed. As they stood up to leave, Spock noticed that McCoy swayed on his feet.

“May I accompany you, Doctor McCoy?” Spock asked as he stood up from his chair.

“What?”  McCoy murmured, “Why, we are just discussing the plans for a medical facility and hospitals?”

Peters shot Spock a warning glare and Amanda placed a protective hand on his arm.

“We do not require your input, Mr. Spock.”  Otornc said in a slightly condescending tone.

“Hey, he’s the best First Officer in Star Fleet.  Show him some respect.  Not to mention being the finest Scientist in Star Fleet as well.”  McCoy said to Otornc, his blue eyes blazed briefly then glazed over due to the wine he had consumed. 

“I do beg your pardon, Dr. McCoy.  My intention was not to offend.”  The Ambassador said with a slight bow.

Spock stepped forward, “Doctor, you have had many glasses of wine…”

McCoy shot him an offended look, “Don’t you trust me, Spock?”

“It is not a matter of trust, Doctor.”  Spock replied.

McCoy let out a long sigh, “Like Jim said, Spock, I can take care of myself!”

Otornc wrapped his long fingers around McCoy’s arm and guided him away from the table.  Peters stayed behind and when they were out of hearing distance he turned to Spock. 

“I’ll be with him the entire time.  The Ambassador is only interested in what the Federation and Star Fleet have to offer the people of his planet.  I cannot stress enough how important this is for the Federation.  The amount of dilithium crystals on this planet is staggering and the location of this planet is far from the Neutral Zone, it makes for a very strategic and bountiful addition to the Federation.”  After he had finished, Peters spun on his heels and hurried after the Ambassador and McCoy.

Spock sat down next to his parents; he stared in the direction that McCoy had left. 

“Your concerns are quite logical, Spock.”  Sarek said, “At what cost does the Federation sell their organization?  Dr. McCoy was unwise not to have allowed you to accompany him but he is naïve in his belief that all the Ambassador wants is his medical opinion.  We all are responsible for our own decisions in spite of the results.”

Amanda placed a hand on Spock’s, he was comforted by her human concerns and that she was aware of his feelings for McCoy.  This was not something he could discuss with Sarek.  Spock returned to their suites, Kirk was out for the night with some of the Dionysians he had met.  He needed to discuss the matter with Jim.  Uhura returned shortly after and they shared some hot tea and discussions of the night’s events but she had not witnessed McCoy’s departure.  Spock meditated before going to bed.  He heard someone return, it was Sulu.  Spock entered McCoy’s room and he looked at the empty bed.  Then he saw McCoy’s communicator and medical kit on the bedside table.

McCoy awoke the worst headache he had ever experienced.  In fact his whole body hurt, he felt as if he had been through a grinder.  He was disoriented, dizzy and nauseated.  Musky and acrid odors assaulted his sense of smell and a bitter taste was in his mouth.  When he opened his eyes, it was hard to focus and the room was dark.   McCoy rolled over onto his back, the sheets were damp and wrinkled and then he realized he was naked.  He sat up and looked around the room, it was not familiar to him and this added to his disorientation.  A sudden strong feeling of nausea seized him and he vomited in the bed.  His head throbbed with the effort of emptying his stomach.  As he sat bent over, trembling and sweating he saw the scratches and cuts on his body arms and legs.  The sheets had smears of his blood on them and fluid stains from whomever he had been with.  What had happened and how long had he been in this room?  Who had he been with? 

There were no memories other that the dinner and talking with Otornc.  His inability to recall the night’s events added to his misery.  His stomach convulsed again and he heaved until there was nothing left.  His throat burned from the stomach acid and it was hard to swallow without discomfort.  Did he pick up a virus or get food poisoning?  He rose from the bed and stood on his trembling legs; he took several cautious steps and then felt something running down his legs.He looked at his legs and collapsed to the floor.  It was blood and fluids, the fluid smelled like sperm.

“Oh my God, what happened last night?!” He said out loud, his voice hoarse and raspy.

He scanned the room again and saw his uniform neatly folded in a chair; he had left his communicator in his room.  How could he be so stupid?  He got up slowly and went to the bathroom.  He did not look at his reflection in the mirror; he could not face himself right now.  There was a sonic shower and a sink.  The sonic shower would not get him as clean as he needed to be.  Should he do a rape kit on himself?  Was the encounter consensual?  He decided to wash up using a wash cloth and water from the sink.  The soap stung the cuts on his body, a mild penance from being so careless.   McCoy finally looked at himself in the mirror.  Scratches covered his face, blood shot eyes and swollen eyelids, his lips were swollen and there were small cuts on his lips.  He dressed hurriedly and went out into the hallway which was unfamiliar as well.  The hallway was carpeted in elaborate colored patterns and each door was a different color.  The door to his room was green.  He took the lift to the ground floor and walked outside.  He had spent the unknown period of time in a pleasure center adjacent to his hotel.  As he walked to the hotel, several Dionysians passed him; their tongues darted out sensing the smell of sex on him and grabbed at him.  McCoy pushed them away and ran for the hotel entrance.  Panic had set in now, how would he face Spock?  Kirk would just think he had been lucky, stupid but lucky.  Thankfully he saw none of his friends in the lobby or on the lift up to their suites.  As he walked down the hall he ran into Sarek and Amanda.  Amanda gasped at his appearance and looked concerned and Sarek wrinkled his nose, stepped back and one slanted eyebrow rose.  McCoy could not face them and he ran to his hotel door.  No one was in the suites, it was empty for which McCoy was grateful.  He grabbed his communicator and called for a beam-up to the ship.  McCoy summoned Chapel to his quarters and informed her of what equipment to bring.  The anxiety and tears in her eyes broke him.  McCoy sobbed and gasped as he told her what happened and that he could not remember anything.  Christine just sat next to him and let him cry and after he had calmed down she did some tests, collected samples and helped him repair the damages.  Chapel confirmed he had been drugged, which accounted for his amnesia.  She also informed him that if he wished to know who he was with, she had the information available to him.  There was nothing he could do legally according the Dionysian’s laws and knowing who it was not his priority right now.  He took a long hot water shower and the water had a cathartic effect as it made every scrape and cut burn and he watched the tears, blood, sweat and body fluids flow down and disappear into the small whirlpool above the drain.  His shoulders shook and once again he started sobbing.  He slid down to the bottom of the shower, wrapped his arms around his abdomen and let the hot water beat down on his body.  After a few minutes he was able to get himself under control and he stepped out of the shower.  He dressed in his soft surgery scrubs and lay down on his bed.  Fleeting bits of memories were just within grasp as he tried to remember the events that had happened.  After a while he fell into an exhausted sleep.  His dreams were frantic and distorted like images reflected on pieces of a broken mirror.  Then the Ambassador’s face appeared before him with his long tubular tongue stabbing at his face.  Cupped tips of the spidery fingers grasped and scraped his exposed skin and he was held still as Otornc devoured him and pushed hard inside him. There was another presence in the room adding to the weight on his body, it was Peters and he was nude also.  McCoy awoke screaming until his throat was sore.  He jumped in fear as a Security Guard asked through his intercom if he was alright.  He informed the young woman he was fine and that she heard a video recording he was watching.  He immediately ran to the bathroom and dry heaved, there was nothing left to throw up, there was no future for him and Spock, there was nothing inside of him but an empty, dark void.  He went back to his bed and collapsed.   How could he have been so foolish and careless?  The Dionysian bastards had better decide to join the Federation he did not want to be their pawn for nothing.  He fell under the spell of sleep again and was awakened by his communicator chirping, it was Kirk.

“Bones, where are you?  You missed a great breakfast and lunch.” Kirk’s cheerful voice bounded out of the speaker.  “Where have you been?  No one has seen you and I was informed that you returned to the Enterprise.”

“I’m taking a quick nap, Jim.  I was called to perform an emergency surgery on a crewman.”  McCoy lied.

“That’s what Chapel said. Are you going to come back down?’  Kirk asked.

“I will in a few hours, I just need to freshen up and I will beam back down.”  McCoy said mentally beating himself by lying again to his friend.

“Great, we will be at another dinner at 1930 in that restaurant across the way.  It’s a celebration dinner.  The Dionysians came through and joined the Federation.  You must have made an impression on the Ambassador, he’s been asking for you.” 

McCoy winced as his stomach twisted into tight knots.  “Let me check on my patient first, Jim.  Go ahead without me, I’ll meet you all there.”

“Alright, Bones, I’ll see you later. “ Kirk signed off.

There had been no contact from Spock, this confirmed his fears that he had not headed Spock’s warning and he probably got a good description of his appearance and his body odors from Sarek.

McCoy lay back on his bed pondering what course to take.  He had to man-up and tell Spock the truth, even if it cost him their relationship, which it probably had.  The buzzer to his door sounded.

“Enter.”  McCoy said thinking it was Chapel.

His eyes widened and filled with tears when he saw that it was Spock.  He plopped down on his bed and stared up at the Vulcan.  He did not speak, he tried to hold back all of the pinned up remorse, guilt and heavy feelings of failure.  As Spock walked closed, he could see the soft facial expression, the slumped shoulders and the look of sadness on Spock’s face.  The Vulcan knelt in front of him, Spock’s position made the guilt unbearable and he started to sob again.  Spock was speaking softly and it sounded like the Vulcan language.  As his elegant long fingers reached for McCoy’s face, Spock studied the cuts on the Doctors face and neck.  McCoy trembled as Spock’s warm fingers went to the meld spots on his face and the occurrences came flooding back with rapid clarity. McCoy covered his face with his hands and blocked Spock’s contact.

“Don’t touch me, Spock.  Please do not touch me!”   McCoy begged.  “I did not listen to you and now I’m unworthy of your touch.  It would be best if you did not view any more of my mind.”Uncontrolled tears flooded his eyes and spilled down his face.  “I have failed you greatly, Spock. Please go away.” 

The Vulcan did not listen, but gently touched the cuts and scrapes on McCoy’s face and lips.   The Vulcan’s strong arms drew him in and he collapsed against the strong chest. McCoy broke out into bitter chest heaving sobs.  He could feel the strong hands stroking his hair and massaging his tight shoulders.  Then the Vulcan looked deeply into McCoy’s eyes and caressed his face. 

“How can you look at me after what I have done, Spock?”  McCoy cried.

“What I see is a strong man who has been wronged.   What I touch is clean harmed skin, your thoughts are not tarnished but bear witness to a great offence, your body is not ruined but has born a great burden and has survived, your heart has been fractured but I have the strength to restore the pieces and hold it until it has been healed.”Spock said as he gently undressed McCoy and caressed his arms and chest.  “Do not dwell on what you perceive to be false but know what I see is the truth.  A mirror can lie, but what your lover sees is the truth.  Look into my eyes, Leonard and know that you are beautiful, perfect, and whole and protected by my strength.  Like fine oil, truth always rises above the cloudy waters.  The deeds of these men have risen and are being dwelt with as we speak.  It grieves me to know of the harm that has befallen you.”  Spock lay next to him and held him.  He bent down and kissed McCoy’s eyes and then his mouth.  “Sleep, Leonard and know that I cherish thee, that I grieve with thee and I will heal you.  What could have divided us has drawn us closer and made both of us whole.”  Spock kissed McCoy’s satiny hair and felt his body relax into a deep and untroubled sleep.    

The End