Nora Trent came out of the main auditorium in a flood of people. Her first day at Starfleet Academy would be a busy one. She read the list of things she had to get done by the end of the day as she emerged from the crowd. She decided that checking in at the dorms should be her first stop. That way she could drop of her bags before picking up her uniform and getting her books.

She craned her neck above the sea of people, trying to locate the direction of the dorms. A familiar voice made its way to her ears and she turned just in time to be caught up in an embrace.

"Bitsy!"

"Jim!"

She kissed his cheek, and wrapped her one free arm, her to-do list in hand, around her brother. He pulled back and took the bags from her before her taking her hand.

"Where're we headed," Jim asked.

"Dorms. I want to drop this stuff off."

"This way." Jim pulled her toward the dorm area. "I'm sorry I couldn't meet you at the shuttle."

"I get it. You're busy... What was her name?"

Jim grinned at her smile. "It just so happens that I was in class."

"Ohhhh... okay," she said, unbelieving.

"No, really. I have exams next week."

"Since when do you care about exams?"

"Since it's what I need to do to get into space."

"So, what was the name of this 'class,'" she said, putting the word in air quotes.

"Wow, you really don't believe me." Someone caught his eye in the distance and he pulled Nora forward. "Bones," he yelled. "Bones, wait up!"

As they got closer, Nora saw a look of aggravation on the man's face.

"What is it, Jim? I've gotta get to lab."

"Would you please tell her that I was in classes all morning."

"Jim, if you've got woman troubles, don't get me involved."

Nora laughed at the idea. Same old Jim.

"Bones," Jim said, "this is my sister, Nora."

Bones looked at Nora. "My condolences." Nora laughed at the hurt look on Jim's face. "Look, kid, maybe if I get a proper introduction instead of being treated as your alibi for God-knows-what..."

"I'm sorry," Jim said as he released Nora's hand. "Doctor Leonard McCoy, this is my sister, Nora. Nora, my friend, Bones."

"Bones..," Nora said as she and Leonard shook hands. "So, you got a nickname, huh?"

"Yeah, whether I want it or not."

"I know the feeling," Nora said.

"Well, I don't know what he's trying to get out of, but he did have classes all morning, and I can vouch that he made it to two of them."

"Told you," Jim said with a grin.

"It was nice meeting you," Bones said, "but I have lab."

"Sure," Nora said. "Nice to meet you."

Leonard walked toward the science wing, and Jim took Nora's hand again.

"He seems friendly," she said. Her voice was laden with sarcasm.

"Ahh, he's grumpy, but he's a nice guy. Come on. Let's get you to the dorms."

"So, your excuse for not meeting me at the shuttle was valid."

"You know, I'm hurt that you didn't believe me," Jim said. "Deeply, deeply wounded." He smiled when Nora glanced at him.

"Right... so deeply wounded that you'll have to drown yourself in women and booze tonight, right?"

"Ouch. I forgot how well you know me, Bitsy."

They walked up to the dorms, and Jim handed Nora's bags back to her. He gave her a quick kiss on the cheek.

"I'm gonna be late for class. I'll check on you later, okay?"

"Okay."

Nora checked in and got her room assignment. Her roommate was scheduled to arrive the next day, so she was able to get settled in peace. Next on her list was to get her cadet uniform. Once that was done, she got her class schedule for the next semester. Books were next. She would be ready to go when classes started in three weeks.

For now, it was Friday night, and she and Jim had a year to catch up on. He promised to take her out when she arrived and show her the town. Just from what she had seen so far, it was a lot different than Iowa, where she grew up. Jim showed up at her door at eight o'clock.

"Ready to go?"

"Yep." She grabbed her purse and followed him out.

"I hope you don't mind, but I invited Bones."

"Jim..." she whined. "We're supposed to be catching up."

"I know, but it's not like we haven't talked since I left home, and Bones needs a break from studying. He'll spend the rest of the weekend locked up in our room with his nose in a book."

"And you want someone there to keep me company if you hook up with a girl," she said with a grin.

"Come on, Bitsy... that's not fair."

"You're right. I'm sorry."

Leonard was waiting outside when Jim and Nora emerged from the building. He nodded a hello to Nora, which she returned, and they all climbed into a cab.

At the club, Jim held Nora's hand as he pushed his way through the crowd to find a table, and Leonard followed close behind. Once they were seated in a small half-booth, Jim volunteered to get the drinks.

"What do you guys want," he shouted over the music.

"Bourbon," Leonard said.

"Same," Nora said. She got an approving nod from Leonard.

"All right," Jim said. "Be right back."

Leonard smiled from across the table. Nora noticed that he had a nice smile, despite his grumpy first impression. He said something that she couldn't hear, and she shook her head, pointing to her ear. He slid closer to her and leaned in.

"I said, most women go for the fruity drinks."

"Not me. I grew up with Jim. He was sneaking me whiskey when I was eighteen."

"Oh, so he was always a bad influence."

"Sort of," Nora said with a chuckle.

"You know," Leonard said after a moment, "Jim mentioned he had a sister, and I never questioned it, because it's a touchy subject for him, but... I thought his father died the day he was born."

"He did."

"Well, then how does he have a younger sister?"

"Half-sister, technically. Our mom married my dad, and I was born the next year. My last name is Trent."

Leonard nodded. "He never specified the half part."

"That's because we don't think of ourselves that way. He's my brother... plain and simple."

"Understood."

Jim returned with the drinks and slid into the booth, effectively squeezing Nora between him and Leonard.

"Bourbon all around," Jim said. "To Bitsy," he said as he held up his glass. "Here's to your first semester at the Academy. You'll do great."

"Thanks."

She and Leonard both held up their glasses before they all drank.

"So," Leonard said, "what's the 'Bitsy' for?"

"Oh, no," Nora groaned. She laughed and covered her face with her hand.

"Because," Jim said, "she was the tiniest kid you ever saw. My itsy-bitsy baby sister."

He poked his way up her side as he said it, making her squirm. She swatted at him to make him stop.

"You're such a jerk," she laughed.

"You love me, anyway."

Leonard noticed a difference in Jim's personality around Nora. He was still immature and over-confident, but he seemed protective and proud of her. He had never seen Jim express that toward a woman before. His protectiveness came out several times as he chased away cadets who were out looking for a good time. Any guy that flirted with Nora was effectively shot down and threatened by Jim. Leonard was waiting for her to kick up a fuss, but she just shook her head and shrugged at her would-be suitors as they walked away.

"You know, Jim," Leonard said, "I find it very ironic that you, of all people, are chasing guys away from your sister."

"How is that ironic?"

Leonard's eyebrow shot up. "I'm sure even you've lost count of the number of women you've picked up in bars and clubs."

"Yeah, well, that's different. Those women aren't my sister."

"But odds are they're someone's sister."

"Not my problem. Let their brothers worry about them."

Nora shook her head and looked at Leonard. "My hero," she said, nodding toward Jim.

"I'm glad I don't have a sister," Leonard said. He knocked back the rest of his bourbon.

Jim had his eye on the crowd. "Speaking of other people's sisters," he said before swallowing the rest of his drink, "I see a hot one on the dance floor." He kissed Nora on the cheek. "Take care of my sister, Bones."

They watched as he made his way over to a young blonde and started dancing. Leonard shook his head.

"That kid is something else."

"That he is." Nora sighed and looked at Leonard. "Do you wanna go somewhere quieter? This bass is rearranging my internal organs."

Leonard laughed. Nora noticed again what a nice smile he had.

"You wanna leave Jim?"

"Jim won't be alone. Trust me."

Leonard nodded. "Okay, let's go."

He slid out of the booth, then extended his hand to help her out. They walked out of the club, leaving the thumping of the bass behind them. Leonard folded his hands behind his back as they walked.

"Jim won't be worried about you?"

"I'll send him a message so he'll know we left. He'll be okay."

"I get the feeling he's dumped you for women before."

"Yes, he has... but he's there when I need him the most, so I let moments like this slide." Leonard nodded, and Nora changed the subject. "So, Bones... how'd you get the nickname?"

"Something I said to Jim when we first met. He thinks it's extra clever, because I'm also a doctor."

Nora grinned. That sounded like Jim. "So, what was it that you said to him?"

"That my ex-wife took everything in the divorce, and all I had left was my bones."

"I'm sorry. How long were you married?"

"Too long, I guess... at least for her."

"Well, it couldn't have been that long. I mean, you're not that much older than Jim, right?"

"About six years."

"Really," Nora asked in surprise. "You don't look it."

"Thanks. I don't believe you, but thanks. Between my ex-wife and your brother, I'm surprised I don't look fifty."

Nora laughed, and they continued chatting as they walked. Without realizing it, they made their way back to the dorms, so they decided to call it a night.

"You want me to walk you to your door," Leonard asked.

"Thanks, but I'm fine. I'm sure you'd rather get back to studying."

"Well, I see Jim has already poisoned your mind against me."

Nora smiled. "I think it's good that you're so disciplined. Hopefully some of it will rub off in Jim. But, uh... maybe you could let some of his playfulness rub off on you?"

"Trust me, he tries."

Nora nodded. "Thanks for the talk."

"Pleasure was mine."

"Goodnight."

"Goodnight."

Nora waved as she entered the building, and Leonard returned the wave before heading in the direction of his own dorm.

As Nora got ready for bed, she decided that she would count Leonard as a friend. If Jim liked him enough to leave her alone with him, that was good enough for her. Plus, once she had gotten him to smile, he was nice, and easy to talk to.

Leonard wondered what drew these two kids to him. First Jim, now Nora. He just couldn't understand it, but now he had another young cadet to take care of. Jim would make sure of that. He had a feeling part of the reason Jim had invited him was to have someone there for Nora when Jim found some woman to hook up with. He was sure of it, and he was sure he would find himself in that position again. The funny thing was, he didn't think he would mind. Nora seemed nice. Outgoing, but not as pushy as Jim. He could see them easily becoming friends.