A/N: Okay, so this was originally posted on NewspaperTaxis page but we switched it over to mine for convenience reasons ^.- Between the two of us, we're pretty pressed for time and NT isn't sure when she'd be able to upload any new chapters so we switched the chapters over to my account since my computer access is a bit more readily available ^.- Hope everyone still likes the story! :D

Original A/N: Hey guys! Okay, this is first for both of us: A Star Trek Collaborated Fic! *waves banner* Each chapter will be written by either LaylaBinx or NewspaperTaxis (but all posted together here for your lovely convenience) and we will let you know in the beginning of each chapter who the author is. Please feel free to leave reviews and PMs, and NT will be forwarding all reviews to me for my respective chapters so be sure to let us know what you think! Hope you all like it! :D ~LaylaBinx

Author: LaylaBinx

Chapter 1: A Late Night Transmission

A slight shudder of the ship caused Uhura to sit up a little straighter, blinking rapidly at her monitors in order to ward off the persistent fatigue that had suddenly fallen upon her. It was quiet this time of night, most of the other crew members sleeping save for a few working on the Bridge and in the engine room. She had about two more hours before her relief would come but the incredible emptiness that spread out in front of them and the silence that had settled on her frequency channels was making her drowsy. She rolled her shoulders back, stifling a yawn and sitting up a little more in her chair.

A few of the crew members walked by through the Bridge, each one focused on their particular task at hand. Sulu was sitting at his station but Chekov had already retired for the evening as had Spock. The Bridge was mostly empty; a very quiet night indeed. She was pretty sure Kirk was wandering around somewhere; the Captain had very strange sleeping patterns to begin with and the past couple months of nonstop missions hadn't done anything to improve that problem. The past year had been eventful to say the least, stressful to put it mildly.

The crackle of interference breaking through one of her frequency channels brought Uhura back to the present and she turned, adjusting a few of the dials to enhance the static-laden transmission. She frowned, leaning closer to listen to the weak message. It was quiet, mumbled, almost like the other system's communication equipment had been damaged in some way. She adjusted the dial again, eyes widening slightly as the message became a little clearer. The voices were faint, still hard to understand, but it was clear they needed help. She programmed a readout into her monitor and quickly snatched the paper off the console when it finished. Hopping out of her chair, she turned and walked briskly away from her station, intent on finding the Captain. This night just got much more interesting.

xxxxxxx

Jim stared at the rotating pieces of machinery, eyes vaguely tracking the movement of each component. It had been another sleepless night, another night where he was too alert to do much of anything but pace the halls of the ship. The persistent insomnia had become more frequent over the past few days; a real pain in the ass to be honest. He'd found himself coming down to this section of the ship more and more recently, especially at night. Standing in the engine room provided just enough continuous noise to allow him to relax; the constant rotation and motion of the engine was almost hypnotic. Scotty usually ran him out when he was down here but since the engineer was currently sleeping somewhere up above him in the ship he didn't have to worry about it.

Jim shifted his weight, hand absently settling on his lower back. Another reason he hadn't been sleeping well: he couldn't get comfortable. There was a dull ache in his lower back, almost like a pulled muscle, but it was persistent and damn, was it irritating. He'd almost convinced himself to go to Bones but that usually ended with a hypo to the neck and it wasn't something he was necessarily looking forward to. Besides, it wasn't like it was a big deal; a bit of tense muscles never hurt anyone.

He shifted again, allowing himself to slide down against the smooth metal wall behind him. The vibration of the hydraulic tank behind him actually helped to ease some of the pain and it was nice to sit in the relative silence for a while. The ship had been on at least four separate missions in the past six months, each one taking a collective toll on the crew. The last mission had just been completed a little over a week ago and they were on their way back to Starfleet for some much needed shore leave. Jim loved the business though; having too much free time usually didn't end well for him. He pressed his back against the wall a little more, leaning his head back and closing his eyes. The dull vibration of the ship roared through his skull, relieving some of the tension he was never quite able to rid himself of.

There was a whoosh of doors behind him and Jim mentally prepared himself for the scolding Scotty usually had ready when he found him in the engine room this late. Instead, much to his surprise, Uhura appeared above him and thrust a sheet of paper into his hands.

"I got this about two minutes ago." The lieutenant explained breathlessly, glancing down at the paper as she dropped it into the Captain's hands. As he glanced through the read-out she continued. "It's a rescue transmission."

Our ship has crashed landed on an unfamiliar planet just outside the Advian system … computer systems in complete shutdown … multiple injuries, some critical … Requesting assistance from closest Federation Ship.

Jim read through the transmission quickly, blue eyes darting across the page as he did. "They're Starfleet." He said absently, catching the last portion at the end of the transmission. A sinking feeling settled in his stomach. This meant another mission, one the crew was completely unaware of, and it meant they probably weren't going to be getting back to the Academy anytime soon. Still, the company had said they needed assistance and Jim wasn't about to let that request go in vain. "We're the closest ones to them… Sulu can get us there by tomorrow morning. " He looked back up at Uhura and a silent understanding passed between them. "Can you pinpoint this location through your transmissions?" Uhura nodded slightly and Jim was on his feet a split second later. Before another word could be said, they were both racing back up to the Bridge.

"Mr. Sulu, prepare for Warp." Jim said as he rounded the corner back onto the Bridge.

Sulu looked up, somewhat surprised by the sudden reappearance of both the Captain and Uhura. "Uh sir…?"

Jim held up the paper, any traces of fatigue gone and replaced by an anxious smile. "We have a rescue mission." He dropped the paper near his station so he could read it and walked over to the Bridge's intercom. "Attention crew members, we have just received a rescue transmission and will be changing course immediately. Please prepare for arrival in approximately six hours."

While Sulu reconfigured the route, Jim turned to Uhura. "See if you can make contact with anyone from that ship. Let them know we're on our way and to just hang tight until we get there."

"Yes, Captain." Uhura smiled faintly and nodded, turning back to her equipment and adjusting a few dials in order to get a better location for the frequency. Nothing like a good old fashioned rescue mission.

A few short hours later the Enterprise was hovering above the atmosphere of a planet almost entirely covered in thick, green vegetation. Large, dark green trees seemed to tower above everything else, shooting high into the air like wooden skyscrapers. It looked vaguely reminiscent of a rainforest, untouched and pure. Even the air above the foliage had a green tint. Jim looked out at the planet, his body tense and wired, ready to get down to begin. He scanned the mossy horizon carefully, trying to see any traces of the downed ship.

"Okay, according to this, that planet has an atmosphere similar to Earth's." Sulu explained, glancing between his station and the Captain.

"Great." Jim responded, tapping his fingers across the metal bar that separated the levels of the Bridge. They had been unable to make contact with anyone from the ship and were relying on the last known location to find it. The sooner they could find the missing crew members, the better. There was a shift of movement to his right and he turned to see his First Officer standing near him.

"Captain, are you certain you will be able to complete this mission?" Spock asked, his dark eyes drifting over the younger man's somewhat pale features. The past few weeks appeared to have taken its toll on him and a rescue mission as important as this one required quick thought and concentration. Not that Jim didn't possess those qualities, but this morning he seemed tired and drawn, a combination that usually didn't fit the young man's features. It didn't sit well with the Vulcan at all. "Perhaps it would be better to send myself and a small party in your place?"

Jim smiled at the vague level of concern and shook his head. "Nah, I'll be fine." He said, clapping his hand on the shoulder of a young engineer that had stepped up next to him. "Besides, Kevin's been pumped up for a mission like this for months. Can't disappoint him, now can we?"

The young cadet smiled eagerly and nodded. "Don't worry, sir. We'll have those crew members back in no time."

Spock couldn't prevent the nagging hesitation in the back of his mind. Something was wrong, something he couldn't quite place, but he was sure if McCoy had been on the Bridge as well he would have noticed it too. However the doctor was currently in the Sick Bay, preparing for the arrival of the injured crew members.

Uhura walked over a second later, her dark eyes scanning over a new sheet of paper she'd just printed out. "I managed to make contact with a member of the planet's intergalactic council. I offered to put her through to our ship's frequency but she refused to speak to anyone but me." She shrugged halfheartedly and continued. "Their language is very complex; it took me a few minutes to decipher everything." She gestured absently with the paper as if it would help her explain. "I remember studying this language when I was younger; I actually knew a girl growing up who was from a similar origin. This is really advanced and the way she spoke made it sound like they were in no mood for visitors today."

"Which is exactly why you're coming with me as well." Jim flashed her a bright smile and the lieutenant's eyes widened.

"What?"

"Look," Jim began easily, looking between the startled Uhura and somewhat surprised Spock. "Rescue missions are always kind of tricky, especially in a situation like this. Their ship crashed into an unfamiliar planet, I'm sure the locals weren't happy with that, and our arrival can't make them feel anymore comfortable. That's why I need to you to come with me and be my translator."

Uhura glanced between Spock and Jim, unsure what to say. "I—"

"And you just said that the council woman only agreed to speak to you, it makes more sense to have you with me. Besides, you were the one who translated all of it, you should get credit by coming along." Jim smiled and reached out, gently patting her on the arm as though she should be happy with such a reward. "Don't worry, it'll be fine."

After a few more seconds of silence Uhura finally nodded. "Okay, but I'm only going to make sure you don't cause a planetary war." She quipped sarcastically.

"Naturally." Jim smiled and stepped away, giving Uhura and Spock their space. He'd already gotten used to their clandestine relationship and figured he needed to prepare a few more things for the mission. He motioned Kevin over to him and the two made their way to the lift. It shouldn't take long, maybe a day at the most just to make sure everything went smoothly. Then, when they got back, he was determined to suck it up and see Bones about the nagging pain in his back.