but my cynic soon returns

"Well, I should thank you, Doctor."

Bones turned, eyed him.

"Me? I'm not the one who flew us three centuries twice around the sun in a Klingon ship with seven screws and a prayer! You can thank Spock and Sulu for that."

Scotty smiled ruefully. "Aye, that's so, but..."

"But nothing. Just glad the damn thing's over with."

"Well, it might not be transparent aluminum, or the cure for cancer, but I hope it's worth somethin' to you anyway."

With that, Scotty leaned over and kissed Bones's cheek. His mustache bristled, of course.

Of course, Bones blushed something awfully fierce.