FIC: Behind The Shield (STXI, Big Bang, Gen, PG-13) Epilogue

[mrwubbles]

Title:Behind The Shield
Author:Yuma aka mrwubbles
Betas:myfieldnotes and penfold_x
Artist:squarededdie
Fanmixer:epershand
Series: ST XI
Character(s):Jim Kirk, Leonard McCoy
Rating:PG-13
Word Count:38,000+
Warnings: (if applicable) strong language
Summary: GEN - F.B.I. Special Agent Leonard McCoy of the White Collar Division wants to catch the Dutchman. But can the infamous James Kirk, a reformed young con artist, really help him? Or is this one big con, too? A revisit of White Collar's pilot episode, Star Trek Reboot style.

Previous Parts: Master Post| Teaser| Act 1 (1/2)| Act 1 (2/2)| Act 2 (1/4)| Act 2 (2/4)| Act 2 (3/4)| Act 2 (4/4)| Act 3 (1/2)| Act 3 (2/2)| Act 4 (1/2)| Act 4 (2/2)

Epilogue
87 Riverside Dr, New York City

"Can't beat that view."

Jim lowered his paper and blinked blearily at McCoy standing by the door.

"You still look like shit," McCoy told him bluntly.

"It's only been two days." Jim rolled his eye—the other was too puffy to do anything more than stay shut—and lifted up the paper again.

"Here."

There was a quiet, hollow sounding thunk. Jim turned back and stared at the wine bottle in the center of the table. He looked up at McCoy. The agent shrugged.

"A deal's a deal." McCoy tilted the bottle towards him. "Good-bye. That's all the bottle says?"

Jim brushed his knuckles across the label. "That's what I think."

McCoy fell silent. He shoved his hands in his pockets and stood by the table, studying the bottle.

Jim cleared his throat. "Coffee?"

McCoy shrugged. "Sure. Why not?" McCoy paused. "Italian roast?"

"Absolutely."

"Is that cream or milk in there?"

"Please, as if I would destroy it that way."

"Alright, then." It took some effort not to snicker when McCoy sat down and poured himself a cup.

Jim watched as McCoy took a deep appreciative drink before speaking.

"Thanks."

McCoy nodded and turned to look at the view.

"I know you don't think it will help to have this." He touched the wine bottle again brushing his fingers across it. "But I think I need it right now."

"I know." McCoy exhaled slowly. He took another sip of coffee, his face thoughtful as he considered something on the horizon.

"My father was terminally ill," McCoy told him quietly, a beat later, still not looking over. "Pretty much was given a timeline and that was it. But my mother…She was desperate. Looked at alternatives: treatments in Europe, Eastern medicine, everything…" He shook his head.

Jim waited.

McCoy sighed. "Then this guy approached, this…this—"

"Con artist," Jim guessed quietly.

"Yeah," McCoy said shortly, "He came in, showed them a lot of convincing data, offered this blasted treatment, pills and powders…" McCoy darkened. "If they had only come to me, I could have—we buried my father a lot sooner than we should have. Four months later I was in training for the agency and set on finding him. There were fourteen other families just like mine that man used like a personal banking system."

Jim cast his eyes down at the table. "I guess I can understand why you think we're all alike," Jim relented.

"No, not all of you."

Jim blinked at McCoy. The agent smiled faintly at Jim.

Tentatively, Jim smiled back. He went back to his coffee.

"But that doesn't mean I'm not keeping my eye on you."

Jim snorted. "My very own stalker. I'll have to mark that down in my journal."

"You have a journal?" McCoy sat up.

"You wish."

Chuckling, McCoy reached over to snag a cranberry muffin. Jim glared at him when McCoy gestured vaguely for the butter by his hand. The agent didn't relent until Jim begrudgingly slid it over.

McCoy shrugged. "Maybe not so much a stalker." He gave Jim a crooked smile. "Maybe more like a friend."

"I don't know what I'd do with a friend." Jim said casually, pretending to consider this, "Would you plan heists with me?"

"No."

"Show me the forged art the F.B.I. has in its evidence vaults?"

"No."

"Be my wing man as I ask Nyota out?"

"Hell, no. Though it might be fun to watch her break you like a toothpick if you tried."

"Doesn't sound like having a friend would be much fun then," Jim muttered but there was a gleam of something just a little bit pleased in his face. Warmth spread across his chest like a blanket over him.

"So, what do I get out of this then?"

"Beats the hell out of me." Leonard shrugged, looking distinctly ill at ease now.

"Do I get to call you Bones? If we're friends I should get to call you whatever I want, right?"

"Not in this life time." Leonard objected even as Jim interrupted him.

"So…Bones, heard you're going on vacation?" Jim said casually as soon as McCoy popped a buttered morsel in his mouth.

"How did you…" McCoy coughed. He covered his mouth with the napkin Jim threw at him, his narrowed eyes glaring over his fist. "Never you mind."

Jim smirked. He folded the paper. "So I guess you decided."

McCoy shrugged, but Jim could see him fighting back a grin. "Going to fly back with her to Atlanta. Talked to my ex. Thought this year I'll do the back-to-school shopping, let my girl be the tour guide for once. Take me to her favorite museums."

"Dinosaurs?" Jim guessed.

McCoy grimaced.

"You know, that makes 'Bones' all the more poignant," Jim wheedled.

"I already have a name I was born with," McCoy grumbled.

"It's quirky."

"So is your face right now."

Jim sniffed and sat back in his seat. He looked out into the view.

"So," Jim said. "Going on vacation."

McCoy pried himself away from his coffee long enough to reply. "I'll be back in a week."

Jim looked McCoy up and down. "Still wearing that suit," Jim noted.

The glower above the cup rim was comical. "I love this suit." McCoy sat back.

"Aren't you going to ask me?"

Jim took a sip from his cup. He deliberately took his time setting down the cup. His hand trembled a little. "Did they make a decision?"

McCoy pulled out a card fold. He grinned and flipped it open to reveal a badge and Jim's photo ID. "Figured if we didn't, you'd end up making one of these on your own."

A knot loosened in his chest. Jim laughed as he took the badge. "I'm official!"

"You're a consultant and I own you for four years." McCoy glared at Jim's arched eyebrow. "You know what I mean." He cleared his throat. "You okay with that?"

"Yeah." Jim spared the bottle a glance though.

"Jim."

Raising his eyes, Jim found McCoy studying him with a serious expression.

"This is a second chance you're holding there."

Jim nodded.

"I know," Jim said before McCoy could continue. "I just don't get why you're giving me this second chance."

McCoy chewed his lower lip as he considered Jim.

"Because you showed me you're not like every con," McCoy said finally.

"That's what I'd been trying to tell you," Jim reminded him without any heat.

McCoy shrugged. "I'm a slow listener. But I'm listening now."

Speechless, Jim could only nod again.

McCoy coughed in a fist and mumbled about a meeting. He rose to his feet, but hesitated, his eyes meeting with Jim's.

"You'll be here when I get back?" McCoy asked quietly.

Pulling up his pants leg to reveal the tracker, Jim chuckled wanly. "Where else am I gonna go?" He sobered when he realized McCoy wasn't laughing. "Yeah. I'll be here."

McCoy nodded, looking satisfied for some reason. To Jim's amusement, McCoy drained his cup before leaving.

"Hey!" Jim shouted after him. "Take a picture under a dinosaur, Bones!" At McCoy's one-fingered response, Jim smirked. "It'll be funny!"

"No, it won't!" McCoy snarled back before he slammed the door to his apartment.

Jim chuckled but as soon as his eyes drifted to the bottle, he sobered. Jim eyed the holder McCoy had left for him. He opened it. For the first time since finding Sam and Eddy gone, the drifting sensation inside him settled. Friends, huh? He considered the badge.

And smiled.



The End


Author's Notes: This had been an adventure for me, venturing into Big Bang territory and into my second STXI fic. Thank you all for reading this revisit to the White Collar pilot. And yes, I kept Satchmo in because come on! It's Satchmo! LOL.

There are a few superstars involved in helping make this fic possible and a delight in developing: My betas myfieldnotes and penfold_x helped untangled the "has" and "had", "in" and "on", "there" and "their" and stunt coordination. Editing a Big Bang and my constant pestering of "but would it be better, if…" couldn't been fun!

I'm also grateful for squarededdie making this fic pretty and for Fanmixer epershand for bringing to life the soundtrack for this fic. We all ventured into Big Bang shiny and new and it has been an awesome experience. Thank you all!

As always, feedback are like cookies, we like cookies! LOL.


| Masterpost | The Pretty | Soundtrack |




Disclaimer: I don't really own them. I'm just borrowing them to feed them milk and cookies and tea sandwiches, maybe we'll start a knitting cabal, Sulu could recite haikus while Kirk and Bones…Yea, like I said, don't own them. LOL.

Comments

[nikaratrenal.livejournal.com]

Congratulations on an awesome fic! I've never watched White Collar, but now I'm tempted! I was really impressed by how in character everyone was, despite being in such different circumstances. This was fun to read, and very engaging. The action sequences in particular were very well written, and the accompanying art was excellent! Thanks for such a fun start of my week :)

[mrwubbles.livejournal.com]

Thank you for making my day! First Big Bang feedback! Yaz!

White Collar is a lot of fun to check out, a bit more character driven than some shows. It was fun fitting the STXI cast within this verse. Glad you enjoyed it!

[califmole.livejournal.com]

Wonderful fusion of the two universes--as a fan of both Star Trek and White Collar I really enjoyed how you brought them together. This even felt like the pilot of a TV series-- a thoroughly satisfying read, and yet enough left unexplored that you want to tune in to see what happens next.

Thanks for writing & sharing!

[mamaesme.livejournal.com]

First off, I have to say that you better write more of this or I will be really disappointed. Really.

Second, wow. Where do I begin? The STXI cast are interesting on their own, but after you put them into the WC-verse, while keeping them in character? Golden. Everyone was golden.

Also, your subplot of Joanna and McCoy made my heart stop a bit and make me miss my own Daddy, because wow, that is so true and it kinda breaks my heart a little but then you sewed it right up, so I can forgive you.

I do wish you had deviated a little more, but it was so perfect that I really can't say anything because it was just great. :)

[mrwubbles.livejournal.com]

This even felt like the pilot of a TV series-- a thoroughly satisfying read, and yet enough left unexplored that you want to tune in to see what happens next.

Heck, I would be happy with what happens next in White Collar in January! LOL

Thank you for reading and reviewing! :)

[mrwubbles.livejournal.com]

First off, I have to say that you better write more of this or I will be really disappointed. Really.

Oh. Well, ah, er, that is, gee...

I do wish you had deviated a little more, but it was so perfect that I really can't say anything because it was just great. :)

-perks up- Oh? I'm curious. What would you have liked deviated? I was torn when I had originally drafted this out: whether to parallel the movie more or the pilot. Was it more towards the characters or the plot in particular? -sits down with notepad- :)

[erroneously111.livejournal.com]

Oh my gosh. I'm a big White Collar fan, and then you've gone and put Bones and Jim in their places!and it's beautifully done too - even though I knew the rough plot, the way you wrote was engaging and original. And Scotty = Moz! I'm definitely going to check out what else you've got. Any plans for future dips into this 'verse?

[amine-eyes.livejournal.com]

Very wonderfully done! I like how this played out :D

[k-angeldiva.livejournal.com]

This is so well done! :D

It's engaging, funny, with just that touch of heartbreak. I actually like the way it parallels to w.c. It was like revisiting a place you haven't seen in a while, you know where you're pleasantly surprised at everything that's still the same, while you enjoy all the changes. There were a few times I found myself wishing it would deviate, but that's only because I'm impatient, I wanted Bones to realize how much Jim needs him RIGHT NOW! :D

[mrwubbles.livejournal.com]

And Scotty = Moz! I'm definitely going to check out what else you've got. Any plans for future dips into this 'verse?

LOL. I think my first motivation was that I wanted to write Scotty as Mozzie. :)

As for a sequel...eeeeeeeh, I hadn't plabbed it but wow, you're not the first one to ask either! :)

Thank you for the feedback.

[mrwubbles.livejournal.com]

Thank you!

[mrwubbles.livejournal.com]

I wanted Bones to realize how much Jim needs him RIGHT NOW! :D

LOL. Well, I thought it might be tad unrealistic if they fall right into BFFs as much as I wanted it! Thank you for the review!

[alluranna.livejournal.com]

That was beautifully done! I just loved your characterizations in the White Collar universe, simply brilliant!

[(Anonymous)]

loved the relationship b/w Kirk and Bones. and Bones and his girl :)

[mrwubbles.livejournal.com]

-squee- Thank you! I had fun in the WC 'verse!

[mrwubbles.livejournal.com]

Thank you!

[savoytruffle.livejournal.com]

It's amazing and wonderful how well Jim and Bones fit into these roles. This was great fun to read.

[frozenlaughter.livejournal.com]

Awesome!! Two of my favorite fandoms, in one delicious package! Loved the way you overlaid the two worlds--it worked perfectly. And Jim is the Neal I've always wanted: more visibly damaged, both physically and emotionally. Thank you so much for writing this!

And you wouldn't happen to be thinking about writing more pieces in this 'verse, would ya? Because that would be amazing.

[january-snow.livejournal.com]

really enjoyed this!

[mamaesme.livejournal.com]

I'm not trying to be picky, really, I'm not. I feel like when I wrote that comment the last little bit came out funny. I really do love this story.

But when all is said and done, I wish Bones and Jim hadn't fit so perfectly into Peter and Neal's roles. You did adapt them so beautifully, but the plot stayed the same, when I wished it could have changed. Maybe no "Kate" type character and just Jim doing this because he was too good and didn't know what else to do, maybe because of the thrill.

I think it's just because I was rewatching the pilot the other day. ><

[d_odyssey.livejournal.com]

Nicely done. I enjoyed how you integrated the White Collar pilot with the Trek characters and bits of the reboot plot. Worked very well. I enjoyed Bones as Peter and Jim as Neal. The characterizations were wonderful and entertaining. Nice twist to keep Bones as a divorcee and put Jo in the place of Elizabeth. I love White Collar and the Star Trek reboot and you did a great job by both. Double the love! Very well written and if you should decide to add to this verse, I would love to read it. Nice way to fill the void while waiting for January for new White Collar and another year for new Trek. Thank you.

[mrwubbles.livejournal.com]

I wish Bones and Jim hadn't fit so perfectly into Peter and Neal's roles. You did adapt them so beautifully, but the plot stayed the same, when I wished it could have changed.

(nods sagely, or pretends to, lol) I see your point. It was one of the things I debated over in the beginning: I think a pitfall in adopting a well established plot like that is if you follow faithful the plot, it's tricky to branch away from it and still get to the end.

While I did makes Bones a bit more suspicious and Jim more wary (because their backgrounds differed from Peter snd Neal), you're absolutely right that they fitted into the roles too perfectly. I think when I first saw the White Collar pilot, my first thought had been "Wow, I think I can see someone else in here."

Then made the mistake mentioning that to my beta and well, it went viral in mee head. LOL.

I was tempted to twist them a bit more and had, in the beginning, but ooooy, my writing took them too far apart to meet back in the middle and that wasn't warm and fuzzy for me. :) I really wanted them to get to a reasonable progression point to see them become the dynamic duo we all love--whether Jim & Bones or Burke & Caffrey.

As for Kate, like in the pilot, she was Neal's catalyst to Neal's break from completing his sentence, I needed Jim to have the same. Originally, Jim was breaking out because Sam disappeared, but plot wise, I think it would have made Jim run at the end too when Sam still wasn't found.

Edith...well...;)...we know how that turned out in the Trek verse and hopefully, her mention here was enough to make the leap to how she will turn out down this AU road if this verse gets revisited.


I'm not trying to be picky, really, I'm not. I feel like when I wrote that comment the last little bit came out funny. I really do love this story.

Thank you for sharing with me what you thought. And no, don't worry, your comment about deviation didn't come out off. I learn and grow as a writer better the more I hear. Getting the squees is great (naturally), but pointers/opinions you and others are willing to share with me are just as awesome. Means you care enough to take the time to tell me. :)

[mrwubbles.livejournal.com]

Thanks! They were fun to write in this verse!

[mrwubbles.livejournal.com]

And you wouldn't happen to be thinking about writing more pieces in this 'verse, would ya? Because that would be amazing.

You know, lol, I'm getting the feeling a sequel wouldn't be unwelcomed. I'll think about it; if I can plot out something feisible that is. :)

[mrwubbles.livejournal.com]

Thank you!

[mrwubbles.livejournal.com]

Nice way to fill the void while waiting for January for new White Collar and another year for new Trek. Thank you.

January is so far away! :)

[d_odyssey.livejournal.com]

It really, really is! Thank goodness for fanfic and pics to ease the withdrawal.

[framlingem.livejournal.com]

That? That was fantastic. McCoy and Burke are totally kindred spirits (with varying levels of crankiness). Even having seen the WC pilot and knowing what was going to happen, I really enjoyed the ride as you told it.

[vamp2puppy.livejournal.com]

Very nice, I really enjoyed it.

[indusnm.livejournal.com]

Fabulous! I had my suspicions about Sam and Edith, especially when Sam apparently triggered Jim's allergies on a regular basis. But the moment when Bones tells him still tugged at my heartstrings. Great job, and I'm not even a White Collar fan ;)

[secretsolitaire.livejournal.com]

A very fun read! I adore White Collar and the Trek characters fit well into that universe (especially Uhura as Diana *g*). Substituting Joanna for Elizabeth worked surprisingly well too. :-)

[mrwubbles.livejournal.com]

Thanks! It was fun exploring the similarities and differences of Bones versus Burke!

[mrwubbles.livejournal.com]

Thank you!

[mrwubbles.livejournal.com]

Oh wow! Glad to hear that even w/o White Collar, the fic still worked for you! The AU was challenging because it was how much White Collar should I impart? Thank you for your feedback?

[mrwubbles.livejournal.com]

Thanks! The crew has been a surprising good fit!

[krichardson.livejournal.com]

This was fabulous. I enjoyed this incredibly. I saw the summary and could help but immediately want to read. I've had to wait until now. : )

I loved Sam and Edith being Neal's Kate. I was so happy when Kate died in the series; it made Neal's character much more likeable from being the angsty where-is-she? to revenge-revenge-revenge. If Edith was two-timing Jim with Sam, it would be an even more glorious satisfying death. Is it wrong to hoping and that Sam and Edith were evil bitches than to assume Jim is correct in his beliefs?

It's outstanding how you fused these two stories together. I loved that this was Gen. It was perfect. If you do write further, and I hope you do, Gen would be acceptable and so too would be Jim/Bones. I have no idea what your personal preference is so no offense. I loved how they finally became friends.

Thank you for this wonderful story. I consider it one of the best of this year's STBB. :D

[mrwubbles.livejournal.com]

Oh, you've made my week! Thank you for this feedback.

Sam and Edith were fun as Jim's Kate. Yes, I agree, Neal was much more appealing seeking revenge than as a forlorn, abandoned, possibly betrayed lover seeking her. (although forlorn, hmmm...lol)

As we pretty much know how our Edith Keeler went in the TOS verse, I pulled her into this one in hopes it would imply what would be her inevitable fate. Sam? Well, he was the gray area also the one motivation/obstacle in Jim's growth.

As for a followup. Hm...I mean, if people want it, sure, I'm open to the idea although I would like to marry two different episodes (star trek with white collar) rather than just rehashing white collar given Jim and Bones' personalities are different. Who knows? I do like the chance this BB gave me to explore their beginnings of their friendship.

As for Gen, well, I know only how to write gen. I get why there's slash in some fandoms, not offended by it, just not something I know how to write well I think. :)

Thank you for the wonderful feedback!

[badwolf36.livejournal.com]

I've not seen White Collar, but this AU was absolutely wonderful. I loved all the characters that slipped in on the sidelines and the banter between Jim and Bones was pitch perfect for their situations. Lovely fic. Thank you so much for sharing!

[mrwubbles.livejournal.com]

When I first came across White Collar, it was just at the peak of my refound love for Star Trek and it floored me the parallels to the characters. I was so grateful Big Bang gave me the chance to explore it and really happy you enjoyed it! :)

[weepingnaiad.livejournal.com]

I know this is long overdue, but I'm still slowly making my way through the Big Bangs and I wanted to make sure and leave feedback.

I enjoyed this a lot! I've never seen White Collar, but I didn't need to. Jim and Bones fit into this world so well and I loved the roles for the other characters.

Great action scenes and chemistry between the boys.

Lovely!

[mrwubbles.livejournal.com]

I enjoyed this a lot! I've never seen White Collar, but I didn't need to. Jim and Bones fit into this world so well and I loved the roles for the other characters.

I can't not begin to describe how relieved that makes me feel! This was a challenge: how to keep our Jim and Bones Jim and Bones in an alien environment like White Collar.

Er...no pun intended. LOL.

Thank you for the feedback! There's never an expiration for reviews!!! :)

[kiraalexia.livejournal.com]

Great story.__

[mrwubbles.livejournal.com]

Thank you!