Chapter One
Sa'awek

James Tiberius Kirk was not the type of person who would deliberately trouble himself with personal afflictions. He was a man who had decidedly stayed dedicated to all issues concerning his crew. He was, at current, totally oblivious to the minute adjustments he was undergoing. These changes were minor, but each one brought another stir, a change, like a labyrinth with moving walls. However, he remained firmly planted in his person. He never stopped being James Tiberius Kirk. He was captain of the starship Enterprise, the finest ship with the best crew in all of the Federation. He was the youngest and most determined captain and he knew that he had to prove himself to many while remaining in total control. He was one of a kind, James Kirk, but not complete. And the distorting walls of his mind's labyrinth were starting to slow and decide exactly where the end should be.

But for now his feet were leading him straight into Sick Bay. Nothing was wrong, at least not physically, with the captain. There was, however, something that he wanted to discuss with Doctor Leonard "Bones" McCoy.

He exited the turbolift, having given the bridge to his second in command, and walked in his usual, confident stride. Jim stopped just in front of the Medical Bay door as it hissed open. He stepped inside and looked around for the doctor. Kirk found him tending to a currently unconscious ensign who had managed to electrocute himself somehow. Nurse Chapel was on the other side of the bed reading the patient's vitals when she saw him. "Oh, Captain Kirk," she announced in an intentionally soft tone. McCoy did not turn around, but nodded to Christine to instruct her to tend to the captain. She obeyed without giving any gesture of understanding and approached the captain. "Is there anything I can do for you, Captain?"

Kirk smiled and rested his hands on Chapel's shoulders for a moment as a way to say hello. "No, Christine. But thank you. I came to speak to Bones about something, but if he's busy..." he trailed off and looked briefly over her shoulder. The doctor was walking toward them now and raised his hand, shaking his head.

Christine turned to see him approaching and stepped aside and they formed a triangle when Bones joined them. She listened briefly as the men exchanged a greeting and felt as if she were intruding and retreated back to the patient's bedside.

Jim felt the doctor scanning him over with much scrutiny, no doubt evaluating his facilities. A moment of expectant silence followed, but Jim did not surrender to it.

"You look like you need a drink," exclaimed McCoy before the silence became awkward. Although Leonard was not always the kindest man, he did know when something was troubling the captain. And if he could see it as plainly as he could now, he knew that something needed to be done about it.

"You know, Doctor, I was just thinking the same thing," Jim said with a grin.

Without another word exchanged between the two, McCoy led the captain into his office and Jim took a seat in the doctor's chair. He looked around the room and collected his thoughts. As he heard Bones approaching him again, he turned his gaze up the doctor. It was then he decided that he would only divulge his thoughts if the doctor were to ask. For now small talk would be just fine and a welcome distraction.

"What do you think we're going to run into once we touch down, Bones?" Jim asked as the doctor filled their shot-glasses.

"I don't know," Bones replied flatly. He could tell when Jim was hiding something. Questions about their next beam-down was far, far from the captain's immediate concerns, McCoy knew that. "We'll just have to wait for Spock's analysis of the planet. Now, won't we?"

Jim took his tumbler, but did not drink the contents. Clearly this topic was an annoyance to him. So, through very fine-tuned and flawed logic, Kirk found it necessary to rouse the doctor's nerves, if only ever so slightly. "Yes, I suppose so. I just figured that you would have some hypothesis formed for the mission."

At this McCoy's eyes flickered with annoyance and he inhaled sharply. "I wasn't aware that we were in orbit until you stated so over the comm not even ten minutes ago."

"From what I could tell, the planet looked habitable. Is it possib-"

"Dammit, Jim. I told you that I don't know," McCoy snapped, his voice saturated with frustration.

"You mean to tell me that you have absolutely no clue what might happen once we beam down?" Jim asked with a sly grin.

"I'm a doctor, not a psychic. You want to know how I think the next mission will go, that's fine, but don't ask for specifics," grumbled McCoy crossly. "I think you are going to go down there after Spock relays his findings regardless of what they are and you're going to get yourself into a mess that we're going to have to dig you out of."

"You really think that, Bones?" asked Kirk. He was somewhat taken aback. Jim had no intentions of drawing that much of a reaction out of his CMO. Besides, the captain was confident that there was nothing that he and the Enterprise crew couldn't dig themselves out of.

McCoy let out an exasperated sigh that sounded more like a scoff. "No, I don't. You're a big boy, Jim. I trust that you can take care of yourself. But if I have to pull your ass out of the fire and strap you down on one of those beds, I will." Kirk detected no sign of humor in his Chief Medical Officer's voice and averted his eyes to the tumbler full of brandy in his own hand, an amused smile tugging at his lips.

The bottle, which was on the table and well within safe grabbing distance should the good doctor decide to refill either one of their shot-glasses, was something that Bones had brought with him from home and it was part of Leonard McCoy's secret array of liquid "medicinal" contents. He had kept alcohol in the medical bay and used "It's a good blood thinner and anxiety suppressant" as his official excuse, that is, if he were to ever be questioned on the matter.

"The hell are you grinnin' at?" Bones demanded as Kirk downed his drink in one swift, graceful swallow.

After the sting of the drink ebbed, Jim's smile grew. He threw his hands up in mock defense then shrugged his shoulders as a response. Which Bones did not seem satisfied with, but accepted. There was a long moment's pause, not uncomfortable, but not altogether necessary.

Jim watched the doctor swirl the contents of his small glass in meticulous, circular movements with emotionless eyes. Behind the apathy rested an inquiry that ate away at his subconscious as acid would tissue paper, and he was running short of paper. Lately, there had been a shift in one of his closer relationships. Ever since the incident in the turbolift when he had lost control. Jim had not been himself. Alien influence had altered his mind and brought out his worst demon. And a man, who had complete and total control of himself, as always, exorcised it from his person with a singular, subtle action. But there was another instance that was slowly burning and trickling like liquid fire around him. A decision made by that same man that had rendered the captain momentarily speechless. The memory lingered in a shadowed corner of his mind and crept through the halls of his thoughts, but never once exited. It should have not been affecting him the way it was.

"Now, I doubt you just came down here to talk shop, Jim" Bones said with dry humor. He raised his tumbler to Jim and slugged it back. "In fact, you usually give Sick Bay as wide a' berth as you can." Through the sarcasm and small chides, McCoy was genuinely concerned and the Captain knew it. Which made what he wanted to say seem all the more foolish.

"Can I be honest with you, Bones? I was surprised when Spock chose a flesh and blood man over a theoretically perfect machine. It seemed...illogical, even to me," Kirk's confession left his mouth as a puff of smoke would leave a coal-train, but the edges of his lips were pulled into a slight smile. Between Kirk's hands sat the previously full tumbler that turned when Jim rolled his hands around it. He watched as the doctor walked away with the partially empty bottle of brandy. One drink seemed to suffice them both.

"Of course, Jim," McCoy replied, somewhat taken aback by the conversation's sudden change. He did not let it show on his face, seeing that Jim was truly fixed on this topic. "Spock can try to spin it anyway he wants, call it logic, but when it comes down to it," he said as he returned to the desk. McCoy propped himself against the table and looked down at Kirk, whose troubled, honey colored eyes were trained on him. The conversation had definitely taken an interesting turn. "...he acted in a purely emotional, human manner. Sure, he can say the machine was faulty and he didn't want mixed up in it, but no matter what he says, that green-blooded stoic chose you over it because he's attached to you in some way."

There was something about the way Bones had said attached that caused the captain to submerge himself in thought. Kirk evaluated what he could instantly recall of Spock's personality and how the Vulcan would react-sometimes emotionally-to his captain. Whether logic was involved or not, Spock did react to Kirk, there was no doubt about that. There were occurrences where it appeared Spock acted in an emotional manner. The actions could be logically deduced and were well thought out, but emotional nonetheless.

Kirk rose from his seat and folded his arms across his chest, eyes fixed on the wall in front of them. His form was close to Bones as he reviewed what the doctor had said. The captain knew that he and Spock shared something that was related to, but could not directly be defined as friendship. They were called best friends by many and the doctor had reiterated the title time and again. In most cases there was an unspoken bond between a captain and his second in command. This was how Kirk viewed his and Spock's relationship along with the harmless addition of friendship. There were, however, some aspects to their relationship that could not be defined as simply professional or strictly friendly, especially as of late. It was stronger than that, deeper than that, but the captain had never been able to place it. He knew the Vulcan considered him an invaluable member of the crew and respectable as a man. But some of Spock's actions exceeded the call of duty when it came to Jim. He was unerringly loyal to Kirk and was always at his side.

"And I don't care how he tries to justify himself, Jim. He's still half human and that half isn't emotionless," McCoy's voice penetrated the captain's engrossed mind. Jim looked back to the doctor with curious eyes. "It's that damn logical Vulcan mind that messes with him. Add to that his training on Vulcan as a child and you have a completely apathetic being. But you act like a...counterbalance of sorts. Don't ask me how, but you pull the human half of him to the surface." Bones paused briefly to let the words marinate with the captain before he proceeded. "Think about it, Jim. When was the last time you saw Spock smile or react emotionally?"

Kirk thought about the doctor's question for a short time. He thought of the less than rare moments Spock would draw his lips up into something resembling a smile, when he would show hints of annoyance, anger, frustration, peace, pleasure, and generally when he displayed emotion. There was one time that was more prominent than the rest.

"The last time I saw Mr. Spock smile was when he was incapacitated by alien flora and hanging from a tree. I'm sure you remember the time, Doctor," replied the captain with a chuckle. At the time there was no humor in the situation. Kirk's entire crew had mutinied and succumbed to the local flora of a planet that, upon inhaling the plant's spores, one would entirely forget all negative emotion. The affected person would then experience a constant, false sense of euphoria. The only member of the crew who had sustained his wits was the captain. He watched his entire crew fall to the plant, including Mr. Spock. Kirk knew that bringing Spock back to reality was imperative and, through regrettable actions, did just that. Then, together, they worked on recessing the crew to their proper minds.

Bones raised an eyebrow and pursed his lips before speaking. "Yes, I remember. But you can't include that time, Jim. He wasn't in his right mind." McCoy's voice involuntarily lowered as he continued. "The last time Spock smiled was when he saw you alive after he thought he'd killed you." He dropped his hands to his sides and looked at the captain with a severe gaze. "There are other examples of Spock responding to you with emotion and you know it."

Kirk ran his tongue along the inside of his mouth and shrugged his shoulders. "But, Bones, can we really count that? Spock said himself that his reaction was log-"

"Logical! To hell with 'logic'. I'm tired of hearing that word. Jim, if I have to say it until I'm blue in the face, I'll do it," McCoy's voice had grown in volume. He positioned himself directly in front of the captain so he could meet Kirk's eyes, no longer looking at him from the side. "Spock reacts to you."

Kirk searched for a response but was unsuccessful. He nodded absentmindedly as another question slowly brought itself to light. "What are you suggesting, Bones?" There had to be a point for this dramatic display. Spock was often the source of Leonard McCoy's frustration, but he rarely spoke of the Vulcan in the current context.

"I've said all that I have to say, Jim. I don't make a habit of reading into things, especially when it comes to Spock," McCoy replied as he relaxed and reclaimed his seat. "You asked. I just thought I'd tell you what I've obser-"

The whistle of the intercom interrupted Bones and he gave an annoyed sigh. "Speak of the devil..." he muttered under his breath.

Kirk chuckled quietly and answered the call.

"Bridge to Sick Bay," Spock's rustic, monotone voice sounded tinny as it came from the speaker. Bones raised his brow in response to the sound then appeared disinterested in the call. He did appear interested in the captain's reaction to the Vulcan.

Kirk felt foreign hearing Spock's voice after having just discussed the man's emotional side with his friend. Another feeling stirred low within his stomach, something that bordered apprehension and guilt for having spoken of a man while he was not present. There was something about it that didn't match guilt, and it was heavy. Whatever it was, Jim pushed the negative sensation aside. He gave the doctor a hard look before replying to the call. "Sick Bay. Kirk here, go ahead."

"Spock here, Captain. It would appear that the planet we are currently orbiting reads as Class M. It has a nitrogen-oxygen atmosphere and is rich with vegetation similar to that of Earth," said Spock in a clear and concise tone.

The information being relayed was nothing new and it was certainly something that could have been announced when Kirk returned to the Bridge. His curiosity was piqued. Just as he was about to speak, Spock's voice picked up again.

"However, there is something inconsistent with the evaluation of the planet." Jim could almost hear the raised brow of his second in command after the pause. And without even having to imagine too much, he could hear the 'fascinating' in every syllable of Spock's sentence.

"Yes, Mr. Spock, what is it?" Kirk urged as he looked to Bones, who was now paying close attention to the intercom. Curiosity was burning in each of them and the interim between the captain's inquiry and the science officer's reply seemed much too long for either of them.

"I have detected very low radiation levels in the areas that should have significantly high readings. The only logical conclusion is that something on the planet that is deflecting the radiation in those specific sectors. The regions are virtually bereft of all consistent and normal readings of this class planet," explained Spock without pause. There was no urgency in his voice, though Jim thought he heard something that brushed the edge of curiosity. "Another inconsistency, Captain. I have not been able to locate any source of sentient life on the planet."

Kirk exchanged a look with McCoy as he responded. "Dr. McCoy and I will be up momentarily. Spock, I want your evaluations and speculations ready for me when I get to the Bridge. Kirk out," Jim said quickly and disconnected from the communcation line. He started toward the door and heard McCoy following close behind him. "You're beaming down with us, Bones," he instructed as they entered the turbolift. "If there is something blocking radiation down there that's throwing off Spock's readings, we need to bring you along."

"It can never just be because you like my company, can it?" McCoy chided as Kirk gave the command to go to the bridge.

Jim raised a brow and beamed, a laugh very near erupting from his throat. "That's a reason, too, Doctor," he chuckled and gave Bones an affectionate pat on the back. As the turbolift quickly ascended, Kirk and McCoy remained silent. The jocularity returned to its place in the back of their minds. They thought two different ways of the same topic. Jim of Spock's evaluation and personal suggestions about the mission. McCoy of how Jim would act upon Spock's aforementioned contributions.

Kirk stepped out of the turbolift like their previous conversation had never taken place. Honey eyes fixed themselves on the science officer. For some reason, a part of Jim had expected Spock to somehow change in the time the captain had spent in Sick Bay. Spock, indeed, had not altered his person in any way, shape, or form in the short time Kirk had been away. Jim promptly felt that strange emotion that bordered apprehension jump then lurch in his stomach, but he ignored it.

"Anything new, Mr. Spock?" His voice was his commanding tone, there were no traces of what was internally troubling him. Jim closed in on Spock, who was leaning over his analyzer. Curiosity chewed away at him and successfully masked whatever it was that he was feeling before.

Spock stood up with a fluidity that would always be a marvel to Jim. He knew it had to do with the difference of gravitational force on Vulcan, but that didn't stop him from admiring his friend's natural grace. "No new developments, Captain," Spock replied plainly as he looked at the captain. Jim met his eyes and gave a nod. It wasn't exactly what he wanted to hear, but it was what they had.

"Lieutenant Uhura, have three security guards meet us in the transporter room. Whatever's blocking Mr. Spock's readings might pose as a threat," he said without breaking eye contact with Spock.

"Aye, aye, sir."

There was something in Spock's gaze that seemed like fleeting curiosity and then it was gone, but he had seen it nonetheless. "All right, Spock, any suggestions before we beam down?" Jim asked, still holding the Vulcan's eyes. This time there was not a shift.

Spock paused for only a moment, looked away from the captain as though to think, then returned his gaze back to Jim's honey colored eyes. "Yes, I would suggest that we take the shuttlecraft instead of the transporter beam. If, for any reason, we are unable to communicate with the ship and if our departure is imperative to our survival, we can still safely escape in the shuttle."

"Lieutenant, belay my last order. Have the security detail meet us in the shuttle bay," he said slowly as he forced himself to break contact with the Vulcan. There had been another flicker both within him and on the science officer's features. Spock almost seemed pleased with himself.

"Yes, sir." There was a smile in Uhura's voice.

"Gentlemen," Jim turned to Dr. McCoy and then to Spock. "It looks like we have a shuttle to catch," he said with a grin then turned to his chief engineer, who was already getting out of his seat. "Scotty, mind the store. We'll be back soon."

"Aye, sir," Scotty nodded in response and quickly took the Captain's chair.

"Lieutenant, I want in constant radio contact. If our channels go dead for any reason, give us six hours before sending a small search party. If they don't return with us, or if they don't return at all after four more hours," he said and directed his attention to both Uhura and Scotty. "Contact Starfleet and warp out of here to the nearest Starbase." His voice had been completely void of emotion while giving his instructions.

"Jim." That was Spock. "There is a high probability that radio transmissions will be blocked. It would not be prudent to alert the crew if there is no immediate danger." At this, Kirk looked back at Spock and saw something in those chocolate eyes. "However, the time frame that you have suggested is reasonable."

"Still try to keep in contact, Lieutenant," Jim ordered and turned to the bridge's screen. "Mr. Spock, were you able to get a reading on the planet's surface temperature?"

"Yes, Captain. Twenty-eight point zero three degrees Celsius. Slightly warmer than the surface temperature of Earth. Due to this increased temperature and the water to land ratio, the vegetation grows quite rapidly."

"All right, I think we've adequately wasted enough time," Kirk said a little impatiently and moved to the turbolift. Spock and McCoy followed close behind.

The ride on the lift was a silent one. They stopped twice on their way to the shuttlecraft. Once to allow Bones to gather his equipment and another time for Kirk and Spock to gather theirs.

They made their way through the Shuttle Bay to the craft that had been designated for their assignment. They were met by the guards, all fairly young with poorly hidden flushed cheeks and bright eyes. They were excited, but none of them wore blatant smiles. Good. They knew their job was serious. They quickly introduced themselves before getting underway.

One man was almost as tall as Spock, average in muscle tone, and had a look in his eye that was disciplined. Name: Ensign Randolph Miles. The woman beside him was, for as toned and muscular as she was, pretty with short red hair. Her smile, however, was the first to fade, but it returned slightly after Jim flashed her a grin of his own. Name: Ensign Elizabeth Donnelly. The third was a man similar to the Captain's size and build with tan skin and crew cut. Name: Ensign Richard Bailey.

Kirk then explained the mission details and what was expected of them. They listened without protest and when he instructed them onto the shuttle, not a single drop of hesitation was found. Jim smiled as he watched them go then looked to his left at Spock, who had apparently had his eyes trained on him the entire time. Or at least it felt that way. That feeling from before crawled its way back into his stomach and rolled over a couple of times. He forced it away and ignored the slight embarrassment he felt.

"Mr. Spock, you're the most capable man for the shuttlecraft controls. If you would do me the honor," he said with his smile still fixed in place and Spock nodded. He watched then as the Vulcan entered the craft. Jim's grin became wider, prouder. He had noticed a reaction when he looked to Spock without warning. It was gone just as quickly as it came, but some sort of emotion had been there. Maybe Spock wasn't as emotionless as they all thought he was. Jim knew this simply from looking at the Vulcan. He had learned to be able to read his first officer...for the most part.

McCoy's words echoed in the back of his mind and he looked to his CMO, who was glowering expectantly-and impatiently-at him. Jim thought he caught something else in McCoy's eyes. Suspicion. He hurriedly averted his gaze and they entered the craft.

Everyone had already situated themselves in an orderly fashion. The security detail was now calm, quiet, and deeply focused. Jim nodded to them before sitting in the chair next to Spock.

"Ready to depart from the Enterprise on your order, Captain."

"Go ahead," ordered Kirk in a tone that sounded more like a suggestion than a command, but Spock obeyed without a moment's hesitation.

"Pressurizing interior atmosphere to compensate for external conditions in three...two...one." Spock counted down with such accuracy one might have suspected he was not at all a living organism. "We have achieved lift off, Captain. Now exiting Shuttle Bay. Take off cleared. Entering orbit of Onatas IV in two minutes."

"Nice and easy, Mr. Spock," instructed the Captain, though he knew Spock was more than able to control the vessel. He opened the comm in the shuttle and contacted the Enterprise. "Kirk to Enterprise."

"Enterprise. Scott here, Captain."

"Take off successful, Mr. Scott. We should be entering the planet's orbit in a minute and thirty seconds. Keep a lock on our position as long as you can, Scotty. Kirk out," Jim's voice was even and without elation. Take off was the easy part. Hitting descent at the right moment was a bit more difficult.

He looked to Spock and saw the Vulcan staring intently ahead, focused on the task at hand. Somehow that helped dissipate some of the uneasiness he felt about entering the planet's atmosphere. Spock was calm and calculated. At times it was mistaken for coldness. The Vulcan was ruthless at times, Kirk would give him that, but he trusted Spock at the helm with this descent more than he would trust himself. With that in mind, Jim turned his chair around to look at Bones who was focusing on his equipment. The doctor muttered something that was supposed to be an acknowledgement. He moved his eyes over the security guards one last time to see the same determination in them. The glint in their eyes had been left on the Enterprise.

Good.

As he was turning around, Spock's voice came on cue, "One minute until descent, Captain."

"Maintain current speed." All was silent for nearly half a minute when the shuttlecraft jolted twice. Spock came under Jim's scrutiny not a moment after. "Report."

"Experiencing a minor gravitational shift."

"Compensate," ordered the Captain. Spock, being on the exact same page as Jim, was already making minor adjustments to their course. Kirk stood and moved behind Spock, his fingers curled into the back of the chair. "Status, Spock."

"All clear, Captain. Descent in fifteen seconds," Spock shifted in his seat and Jim immediately realized that he had invaded the Vulcan's space.

Jim hesitantly lifted his hands and moved away from Spock. He felt a pair of eyes on him as he returned to his seat. Whose eyes, Jim hadn't the slightest idea.

"Ten," Spock began the countdown and rapidly adjusted controls to make for a smooth landing. "Nine...eight...seven...six...five...four...three. ..two...one. Entering atmosphere now. Hull temperature rising, but manageable."

"Hold steady, Mr. Spock," Jim commanded as he held to the dash. Each person in the shuttlecraft was holding on to something to keep them steadied. There was no such thing as a graceful descent, but Spock was making it much smoother than anyone else aboard the craft would be able to. And then the turbulence stopped. They were safely through the atmosphere.

Jim turned his attention back to Spock who was now easing the craft into a landing position. "Alright, everyone," Kirk started in an authoritative voice. He was standing now and looking at Bones and the security detail. "It's going to be a bit warmer than you're used to and also very humid. If you suspect that you will have trouble breathing, I suggest that you speak with Dr. McCoy here and get it taken care of. I don't want anyone fainting during our sweep of the area." He placed his hand at the very edge of the driver's chair as he looked down to see Spock moving his head to look at the Captain. This time, he did not shift in his seat. "Very nice work, Spock," he complimented with a genuine smile.

"Thank you, Captain." And there it was. Yes, Spock's voice sounded almost emotionless. Almost. There was an appreciation in his tone and a momentary flash of something...warm in his eyes. Then it was gone as if it never existed. Had his imagination gone hyperactive on him or had Bones just made him more aware of Spock? Surely the former seemed the more logical explanation. Spock was Vulcan and Vulcans do not show emotion because it is illogical.

He moved away from Spock and flipped open his communicator. The noise it had made when the lid flipped alerted him that it was still working. Another small victory. "Kirk to Enterprise."

"Scott here, sir. Locked on t' your position. Although radio contact is fine, you're showing up a bit weak on this end, Captain," Scotty's tin sounding voice was a bit baffled.

"Keep us in sight as long as you can, Scotty. We'll keep in touch via communicator. Kirk out."

As he closed the communicator Kirk could feel Spock's warm countenance behind him. He ignored the heat radiating from the Vulcan's body, finding himself familiar with its presence. Everyone stood and awaited orders.

"Now, we're going in blind, but not deaf. Our communicators are still in perfect working order. When we get out here, we're going to split up into two search parties. Three each. I want communicators turned on at all times, an update every five minutes, and anything troubling reported to me at once."

The ensigns nodded, none of them visited Bones, which could be taken two ways. One, they were stubborn and wanted to show off. Or, the just as likely option, they genuinely did not need assistance. For a moment he contemplated making them all receive a hypo to stimulate them, then decided against it. There was a possibility those hypos would be useful in the future.

"Mr. Spock, Dr. McCoy, and I will exit first, after that, we cover as much ground as we can in four hours. Look for anything that seems suspicious. If, for some reason, there is life on this planet, the Prime Directive must be upheld. Should anything attack you, have your phasers set on stun. Do not kill unless it is absolutely necessary. We'll meet back here in two hours if all goes according to plan."

With that out of the way, Kirk gave a nod to confirm that he was finished speaking. When he moved over to the control panel of the shuttlecraft doors, he felt something in him caution against opening the door and he hesitated. In that brief moment of hesitation a hot hand shot out and slender fingers swiftly wrapped themselves around the cuff of Jim's shirt. Spock was squeezing his wrist...and hard.

Startled, Jim tried to snap his hand away from the Vulcan but realized he hadn't simply grabbed him. That would have been illogical. When Spock was certain that Jim wasn't going to open the door, he let go and took a step back. He placed his hands neatly behind his back.

"Spock?"

"Although there were no initial readings of life on this planet, Jim, I heard movement outside of our shuttlecraft as you were finishing your instruction detail. It was so quiet that I almost missed it. I thought that I should inform you and the rest of the landing party of its presence."

Jim had felt it in his gut. Everything had been too easy for it just be another routine sweep. His curiosity had been utterly piqued by the new development. Just what exactly was outside the shuttlecraft that made Spock so quick to nearly crush his captain's wrist?