McCoy was lying in his room trying to sleep, but his teenaged mind was troubled though. He knew he was an adult only hours ago and that the crew, personally Spock, was working hard to change him back, but his mind could only remember details leading up to the age he is now and it scared him. Lying in his darkened room he couldn't help the tears that came to his eyes. He swore to himself that he wouldn't cry, that he would act tough, but teenagers can't help getting emotional at some points. After a few minutes, he forced himself to stop and sat up wiping his eyes.

Kirk told him "if you ever need to talk I'm here," but he didn't really want Jim to see him like this. He knew though that he needed to see someone. He stood up and, after checking his face, walked out of the door into the hallway. Luckily everyone else was either asleep or in another section of the ship. He walked to Kirk's room and hesitated before ringing to enter.

Kirk heard the ringing and woke up, calling for whoever was at the door to enter. He sat up in mild surprise when he saw McCoy.

"Bones, come in. What do I owe to this visit?"

McCoy walks in and stands there apparently unsure with his decision. Kirk notices and stands before walking over to his teenage-turned friend. "Bones, what's wrong?"

McCoy looks at him and asks "can I stay with you for a while?"

Kirk nods and says "of course Bones." He notices that McCoy looks tired and leads him to the bed, saying "there's enough room to share without feeling awkward."

McCoy lets Kirk lead him, content to be with someone, and sits on the bed. He pulls his legs up and holds them lightly while Kirk sits next to him. Kirk sees him shivering and pulls a cover over his shoulders which McCoy says "thanks" to. They are silent for awhile before McCoy asks "how long have we been friends?"

Kirk looks at him and replies "since our days at the Academy."

McCoy nods and asks "how long though?"

Kirk does the mental math. "Six years now. We've been in space three years and we met riding over to the Academy three years before that." Kirk is shocked to see McCoy's face fall.

"How long was I married for? How old is my daughter?" he asks.

Kirk has to think about that. "When we met you said your wife took everything. You didn't mention your daughter's age at the time, but later you mentioned she was four I believe."

McCoy looks towards his knees. "That makes ten years total between you and my wife." He starts to shake a little and Kirk pulls another cover over him. "I have 16 years to go," McCoy chokes out.

"Bones, I'm sure there are other women out there until then."

"You don't understand," McCoy says to his knees. "It's 16 years until I'm not alone anymore. 20 if you don't count the time with my wife, because apparently we weren't really together all along. Nobody wants me for 20 years." He can't fight the tears anymore and starts to cry into his knees.

"Bones, that isn't true. You become a doctor- a good one at that- your patients and crew want you."

"No they don't," McCoy cries out. "They need me to survive and make a living. Once I go home, I promise you I'm probably alone. No one will be there to greet me or call asking about my day. I'll be sitting in the dark waiting for the next day where they need me again. My wife only needed me to have a wedding and child that I don't get to see anymore. It's only until I meet you that I feel wanted and you seem to be the only one."

"Now stop right there Bones. You have everyone on this ship that wants you. You're friends with all of them. They'll talk to you in the hall and they worry when something happens to you. Ever since you de-aged like this, Spock has been working constantly in the labs looking for a cure. Aside from me, he's your second closest friend, even if you do call him a 'pointy-eared hobgoblin.'" That gets a chuckle from McCoy. "I wish I could've met you earlier, but I didn't. My childhood wasn't any better Bones. My father died when I was born, my mom worked constantly, and my step-father was a jerk. I constantly got into trouble to get attention so I know how you feel." Kirk reaches out and makes McCoy look at him.

"Believe me when I say this Bones: you are one of the few people that make me feel wanted. I truly believe we were meant to meet on the shuttle ride. I will never leave you like I know you will never leave me. If I get into trouble, which I always do, I know my doctor and best friend will fix me, just like I'm doing for you. You are not alone anymore Bones. If there's one thing I want you to remember after all this, it's that. You can look back on this day, if you ever feel lonely, and remember that someone made you feel wanted long before those '20 years' you suffered through. Do you promise to remember?"

McCoy nods. He stopped crying after the 'hobgoblin' comment.

"Good," Kirk says. "I promise to always be here for you." He looks at his clock finally. "Oh man, look at the time, I have to be on the bridge in four hours."

He looks at McCoy. "You think you can sleep now? You look like you want to collapse."

McCoy nods and says "I think I'm good now. My mind doesn't feel so confused anymore."

Kirk grins before settling back on his side of the bed. McCoy follows his lead and lies down as well. Before he falls into a peaceful sleep, he says "thanks Jim," and as he closes his eyes he just barely hears Kirk's "you're welcome Bones."

Three hours and fifty five minutes later, Kirk gets another visitor at his door. He glances at McCoy, who thankfully hasn't stirred at the noise, before allowing his visitor to enter. Spock comes in. He sees McCoy in his captain's bed, but doesn't remark, because he can also see signs that his young friend went through something emotional. Kirk has stood by this point and greets Spock as he grabs his captain's uniform from his dressers.

"Good morning Spock. Have you found a cure yet?" Kirk remembers in time to shut his alarm off before it can wake McCoy.

"Yes Captain. It's in the final stage. In three hours time, after baking, it will be ready for Doctor McCoy to receive."

"Good. When it is finished contact me. I'm sure Bones will be awake by then. Teenagers have to eat at some point after all. Would you like to join me in the mess hall for a quick breakfast or head back to the lab?"

Spock walks to the door with Kirk. "I think I will head back to the lab, if that is alright with you sir?"

They are out in the hall and Kirk motions Spock to move on. "That's fine Spock. I'll see you in three hours time." Spock nods and they part ways, leaving McCoy behind to sleep.

Three hours later, Kirk gets the call from Spock that the cure is complete. He leaves the bridge and checks his room, where McCoy is no longer sleeping, before heading to the mess hall where he meets up with Spock to find McCoy at one of the tables eating. They approach him.

"Bones," Kirk says. "Nice to see you awake. Great news, the cure is complete. When you finish we can head to Sickbay and you'll be back to your old self in no time."

McCoy nods before swallowing. "That's good to hear. I'll be ready in a minute." McCoy stands and walks to dispose of his food before returning to his friends.

Once in the Sickbay, McCoy sits on one of the biobeds, prepared for what will inevitably happen- meaning he is in a robe with his adult clothes close by. Kirk whispers "remember our promises," before Spock steps forward with the cure in a hypospray.

Before he applies it to McCoy's neck, McCoy says "thanks for being my friend Spock."

Spock looks at him and says "you are welcome Leonard."

Within minutes of being injected, McCoy starts to change until he returns back to his 42-year-old form. He looks down and notices the robe and then notices his friends standing nearby.

"What the hell happened, Jim?"

Kirk just grins and says "welcome back Bones. I'll fill you in later."

The End

A.N. Edit help is thanks to Minecraft Guardiansaiyan