Chapter One: Just a Scratch

Captain James Kirk of the Enterprise ran as fast as his legs could carry him. His side hurt immensely with every breath he took and every jolt that was sent through his body when one of his feet made contact with the hard ground. The ground continued to crumble and give way behind him. It had only been a small explosion… Okay, a big one, but he had to blow up the vessel so the contaminants inside it wouldn't effect the rest of the just starting off planet. He chanced a glance behind him to see only the crumbling earth was barely a foot behind him. Shit. His communicator had been lost in the blast, he just hoped the Enterprise could lock onto his position and beam him up. Soon.

Spock watched as Scotty worked, his face impassive. He had argued with the captain before the mission. It would have been safer if they had both gone down but Kirk was firm on the subject. Spock knew he had been correct now, as Kirk ran for his life. Of course he had been right, but it would be a very hallow victory if his friend died.

Jim's lungs started to burn and his legs ached as did his side. He leapt over a large rock, cursing as he kept running. Why was this world's foundation so weak? Kirk couldn't think of a single other planet who's ground would crumble so easily and so damn much. Just as that thought ran through his head, he skidded to a stop at the edge of a drop off. "Shit." He spun around and stumbled as the ground began to give way beneath his feet. "Okay… You can beam me up any second now…" Jim knew they couldn't hear him, but he really wished they could. Falling to his death wasn't exactly the way he wanted to go.

Spock landed in, pointing to the console. "Now, lock on and beam him up." Scotty nodded, his fingers flying. "Aye sir." There was a tense moment then Kirk was in the room, crashing to the ground as he fell. "Captain." Spock rushed over, knowing the man had to have painful injuries. "You require medical treatment. Can you walk to the medical ward or shall I call for a gurney?"

Kirk shifted, wincing slightly at the pain in his side and his shoulder before getting to his feet. He flashed his First Officer a crooked grin and chuckled breathlessly. "No, I'm fine. I can get there myself." Bones was going to have his head for this, he had just been in the medical bay less than two weeks ago from the last mission.

"Dr. McCoy will be displeased with you Captain. You've been putting yourself in more and more hazardous situations of late." The Vulcan slowly walked beside his friend, ready to catch him if he were to fall.

"I know, Spock. You don't need to remind me." The captain sighed as he turned down one of the many corridors of the Enterprise. "My ears are still ringing form the last time he patched me up." He swayed slightly, but kept his balance as he was determined to get to the medical bay on his own to feet.

"If I may sir, but I do need to remind you. You have always refused to listened before." Spock reached out and steadied the stubborn man. "Sir, it worries the entire crew."

Jim stopped walking to look at the other man as he raised a brow. "Even you?" He shook his head. "Never mind. I do what I do so that the rest of the crew isn't put in danger." Kirk gave Spock a half smile as he spoke his next words. "Besides, I always return in one piece."

Of course Spock too, he'd said entire crew, hadn't he? Spock dismissed it and lightly poked the captain in the ribs. "I believe you failed to do so this time sir." He saw the way Kirk had been walking, he had to have at least three broken ribs.

Kirk groaned, barely keeping quiet as he swatted Spock's hand away. "I'm fine. Okay?" He looked at his First Officer and forced a smile. "I'm alive and in one piece."

Spock knew when Kirk had heard enough, especially when he was insisting on being illogical. "Yes sir Captain." He walked silently, thinking over why the captain had to be so stubborn.

Kirk continued walking and hesitated slightly before entering the medical bay. He gave a slight grin to the doctor as he entered. "Uh… Hey, Bones. Seems I need a little patching up…" He rubbed the back of his head with his left hand since his right shoulder was most likely dislocated. "Again."

Spock resisted the urge to roll his eyes. "If I might Doctor, I think I'll sit in during this lecture, I think I'll find it most enjoyable."

Kirk shot the Vulcan a look. "You love watching me get scolded, don't you?" Before he could say anything else Bones had him sitting in a seat and was treating, and not all that gently, as he lectured the man. "Dammit, Jim. You were just in here, what? Not even two weeks ago? Do you not see how much you worry all of us when you do stupid stunts like that? Now you have three broken ribs, two bruised, a dislocated shoulder, and who knows how many cuts." A yelp left Jim when Bones popped his shoulder back into place after treating everything else and stepping back to look at him with his arms crossed. "No more missions for you." "But Bones, I—" "No." The doctor cut him off before he could finish. "You will go on no more missions until I say otherwise."

Spock did in fact enjoy watching Jim get scolded, and the way he seemed to actually possibly listen. He stood, a soft smile crossing his lips. "I'll be going now and make certain that everything went well. Captain, see you on the bridge."

Seeing a chance to escape his friend and scolding doctor, Kirk sat up quickly. "No, I'll come with you." He hurried out of the medical bay before Bones could scold him anymore, pulling Spock behind him. Once down the corridor, Jim heaved a relieved sigh, only wincing slightly.

Spock watched him closely and sighed softly at the wince. "Were you listening at all Jim? You're hurting yourself far to often."

Jim gave his First Officer a smile. "I'm fine, Spock. Don't worry about me." He gave the Vulcan a pat on the shoulder before walking off to the bridge. Kirk would never admit to really being hurt, especially to a certain Vulcan that he cared for.

Spock watched his captain walk away and sighed again. He disliked emotions, and the emotion he felt about Jim had been growing, making it difficult to see reason about anything lately. He followed the man onto the bridge and took his seat, ready for any commands his captain might have.