Prompt: Winona, McCoy - Comparing Notes

Common Ground

″Jimmy never had a very developed sense of his own mortality and limitations,″ said Winona as she sipped her steaming mug of coffee. ″Trees to climb, roofs to jump off of, schoolyard fights to never back down from...″ She smiled, despite the disapproving tone she'd affected for the statement.

″Yeah, well, that certainly hasn't changed much, ma'am.″ Leonard couldn't resist an answering smile, despite the fact that Jim's antics caused him very regular frustration and fear, especially since he'd advanced from roofs and trees to jumping out of shuttles and facing down crazed Romulans.

Sitting in the Kirk family kitchen over breakfast with Jim's mother while Jim was out in the yard arguing with his brother over the newest transport specs allowed Leonard a small measure of mental separation from his usual anxieties.

″I'll ask you, again, to call me Winona, Leonard. I'll still find you charming, even when using my first name.″

″Yes, ma'am.″ Leonard couldn't resist a grin at the face she pulled at him.

Not taking the bait, Winona returned to the topic. ″He always managed to pull it off somehow, though.″

″Still does. Which, of course, further fuels his adrenaline-junkie nature.″

″It's a Kirk trait, I'm afraid. Hard to fight genetics.″ There was no pain in Winona's statement, simply amusement, which pleased Leonard.

The kitchen door flew open, then, and both Sam and Jim walked in covered in dirt and grime from messing with Sam's car.

″We're gonna take her out and see if we can match the speed specs the company boasts so much about,″ Jim said. ″Wanna join us?″

Leonard and Winona exchanged a glance across the table which was not missed by either of the Kirk boys.

″What?″ Jim asked, and was echoed by Sam. ″Were you two talking about us? What?″

Leonard and Winona just laughed.