Tucking the Captain In

by RachelMarta

Author's Notes 09/20/09: My apologies for taking so long to put up the rest of this story. I have struggled a long time to get it right. The first chapter has been reworked several times so I would appreciate it if each of you would take the time to read it again.

I actually took a fiction writing course through adult ed. But I refused to let them see beyond the first chapter. It is just such an intimate story for me and only those readers who truly love Star Trek as I do could even hope to understand what I was trying to convey in this story.

I have also combined the second story with this one – "And When They Woke Up…" as it now seems very much a continuation. I have not done as much editing of the other chapters but if any of you wish to make constructive and civil comments, especially about the dialogue, I would be most appreciative. It would be helpful if you referred to the actual dialogue you think might need tweaking. I have been immersed with this story since June and I don't think I can even see straight any more.

Thank you to all the readers who listed this story as one of their favorites and I apologize again for the length of time it took to finally get it the completed story up for you to read. Live long and hopefully enjoy the story. R.M.

Chapter 1: The Captain Takes a Nap

The crisis was over. The flagship of the fleet was limping home on impulse power. They were headed for the star base in orbit above Earth.

In the Sickbay all was quiet. Dr. McCoy had just completed surgery on the last patient and had finished giving post-op instructions to his nurses. He straightened his back, hearing every vertebra in his spine creak as they each complained about the many hours the gifted surgeon had just put in saving lives. He looked around the MedBay he had inherited from the recently deceased chief surgeon. He was satisfied and could now safely put his own feet up and take the load off. Although he was probably too wound up to sleep, he at least could rest. But then he realized there was one more crew member to check on, James Tiberius Kirk, Acting Captain, a.k.a. the 'kid'. McCoy had left the bridge after Spock and Jim decided to board the Narada. He didn't know what shape either of them was in as neither one had checked in with MedBay upon their return. But knowing Jim as well as he did, McCoy figured that he at least would require some patching up. Dr. McCoy, in full doctor mode, had to make sure Jim was alright before he could really feel like he was off duty. Jim should at least be resting after all the hours that had transpired since his forced nap when he first was smuggled onto the Enterprise. Rest was a dirty word to Jim; during the course of the last three years it was up to McCoy to remind him to go to sleep. Everything interested him so he did not like 'wasting' time sleeping, when there were so many things he much preferred to be doing. McCoy suspected that in part it had something to do with not expecting to live a long life. Maybe he was thinking about his father, the hero who died much too young. McCoy smiled tiredly and sighed with exhaustion when he thought of some of those things Jim did enjoy doing. Jim was irrepressible and McCoy liked him that way and he seriously wished he had the same kind of energy so he could keep up with his younger friend.

McCoy went to the computer about to ask for the location of… when he paused, asking himself… do I refer to him as 'Captain James T. Kirk', 'acting Captain James T. Kirk', 'Cadet Kirk' or 'stowaway Kirk'? Any and all could apply; but which one would the computer acknowledge? He went for broke – "Computer, locate Captain James T. Kirk," he requested. The computer immediately replied, "Captain Kirk is on the Bridge." Well that settled that. From cadet to Captain in the course of a 48 hour Earth time period. McCoy could only shake his head at all that had transpired in such a short while that could make this warp speed promotion possible.

With determination, the good doctor hurriedly made his way to the Bridge. After all that Jim's body and mind had been through in the last 48 hours, the unceasing adrenaline he had been functioning on, McCoy was worried. When the adrenaline spike finally gave out, Jim would crash. McCoy felt guilty. The number one concern of any ship's physician was the mental and physical well being of its Captain. Since Jim was also his best friend, 'Bones', as Jim lovingly called him, he was feeling doubly guilty. McCoy had not given Jim a thought until just a few minutes ago. He had just been too busy saving lives.

As he was about to enter the Bridge, McCoy reminded himself to slow down and observe what was going on before he decided how to handle his sleep deprived friend. McCoy reflected on the fact that Jim was usually irritable and pig headed when tired, not to mention that he hated being told what to do. In fact, he didn't have to be tired to hate being told what to do. It was part of his alpha male personality. It would be better not to embarrass the 'Captain' by telling him it was his bedtime; better for McCoy's health as well. Jim, when he was ticked off, was a real son of a bitch; which could come in handy if he were to make Captain for real some day but was hell for McCoy to deal with.

Dr. McCoy took a really deep breath and calmly entered the Bridge. He stood in the entryway and surveyed the crew. Everyone who had been on duty at the start of this mission was still on duty. He understood the psychology of a crew tested under fire, who had succeeded in defeating their enemy, but who also were grieving for the billions of Vulcan lives lost, as well as hundreds of their classmates and fellow Starfleet officers. They needed each other now; they needed to stay together. The moment they went off to their separate beds, they would each privately have to face the tragedies of these last two days. Rest and mental health counseling would be in order, along with some tranquilizers for those too wound up to sleep or afraid of the nightmares to come when they closed their eyes.

Then McCoy turned towards the center seat. And there in all his golden haired glory was Captain James Tiberius Kirk asleep in the Captain's chair. His right elbow was supported by the arm of the chair, and his head was supported by an open palm. It was definitely time to tuck the Captain in, he thought. Before edging closer to the center seat, Commander Spock quietly acknowledged his presence and moved to his side.

"How long has our intrepid leader been asleep?" he asked quietly.

Spock was wondering whether McCoy was being disrespectful, but he decided not to comment on that observation. "He closed his eyes 8 minutes and 14 seconds ago. He just stopped talking in the middle of a sentence. When I turned to look at him, he was sound asleep. It was not necessary to disturb him at this time. He has experienced quite a number of challenges in the last 46 hours 19 minutes. It was not surprising that he would succumb the first opportunity he actually was able to sit down. I was about to inform you by intercom."

McCoy acknowledged Spock's statement with a nod, while thinking 'Yeah, and you had a lot to do with those challenges, didn't you, you pointy eared bastard.' Not thinking any of his righteous anger showed concerning the mistreatment of his friend, McCoy responded quietly to Spock. "I need to get him off the Bridge without pissing him off. He is obviously exhausted and can be quite irritable in this state. My preference would be not to embarrass him in front of the crew. There is a problem though. There is not one empty bed in MedBay, nor does our illustrious leader have assigned quarters to retire to. Captain Pike is resting comfortably in his own cabin with a nurse in attendance. He is going to be fine, by the way."

Although Spock actually was able to read McCoy's thoughts quite accurately by the look on the doctor's face, he chose not to respond to the unspoken communication. Instead he responded to McCoy's verbal comments. "That is welcome news, Doctor. As to where he can sleep, the Captain can use my bed. My father is staying with some of the other elders. They have need of each other now."

"Mr. Spock, you also need to rest," McCoy asserted.

"Yes, I do, but Vulcans can rest just as well by meditating. There is an area in my quarters where I can do so without disturbing the Captain, and his presence will not distract me from my contemplation."

"Okay, then. Now, how the hell do I get him there without his causing a scene? And I'll need your help escorting him there. Also, as Chief Medical Officer I am officially informing you that everyone else on this Bridge needs to go off duty immediately."

"I quite agree Doctor. I will have Lt. Uhura set up a schedule of relief personnel." With that Spock took one last thoughtful look at the peacefully sleeping Captain and moved towards Uhura's station.

McCoy turned and went to stand next to Jim. He gently placed his right hand on Jim's left shoulder and whispered his name so as not to startle him. "Jim, Jim." He waited a moment. When there was no response, he tried again using a different approach. "Captain, Captain." And with that Captain James Tiberius Kirk opened up his intensely blue eyes, blinked to clear his vision, and asked with all the authority at his command "Bones? What? What's the matter?"

'Well, now that is telling,' McCoy thought. Jim already thinks of himself as the 'Captain'. Boy, am I going to tease him about this when the time is right. 'Oh, Captain, can I see you for a minute. Oh, Captain, would you please sit down and eat. Oh Captain, would you kindly shut up and go to sleep. Oh, Captain, it's time for another hypospray.' 'Oh brother, I'm really going to enjoy ragging on him,' Bones thought somewhat devilishly before he brought himself back to the situation at hand.

Jim straightened up in his chair, and looked around the Bridge to be sure everything was under control. He was relieved to see everyone acting normally. Then he realized that he had been sleeping in front of his command crew. He smiled sheepishly and turned tired but twinkling eyes on his friend and doctor. "Sorry about that Bones, I was just…hmm… resting my eyes." 'Yeah, right,' McCoy mumbled to himself.

"Bones, did you need something? Is it Captain Pike? Tell me he's going to be alright, " Jim asked worriedly, while at the same time giving McCoy a piercing look that demanded to be told that Pike was in fact fine.

"Captain Pike is resting comfortably. He should make a complete recovery once we get him back to Earth for follow-up care. And yes, all my other patients are now stable. As part of my official medical report, I have only one other responsibility before I can go get plastered and fall unconscious in my bed."

"What responsibility?" Jim asked as he imagined how McCoy was going unwind. He wouldn't mind spending some of that time with McCoy getting plastered. McCoy was a fun drinking buddy, a constant stream of sarcastic comments notwithstanding.

"Not what, who. You! As chief medical officer, it is my responsibility to see to the physical and mental well being of the Captain of this valiant vessel."

Jim squinted his eyes closed for a second, puzzling at this last comment since Bones already stated that Captain Pike was fine. It finally dawned on his weary brain that Bone was in fact referring to him as the Captain. His eyes opened wide and took on that innocent 'who, little old me' look; his feeble attempt to deflect the doctor from dragging him to MedBay.

"Now, don't fight me on this Captain," McCoy whispered. "I don't want to embarrass you in front of your crew by announcing that I am pulling medical rank. Besides, you have to be a good role model for your command staff. If you are willing to leave the Bridge for some well earned rest, then they will too. God knows, they all need it. Alright?" he asked more forcefully while still whispering, hoping to get his point across.

"You got me with the logic of that one, Bones. I won't argue", Jim replied meekly with just a touch of a smirk, knowing the word 'logic' would be payback for McCoy pulling medical rank on him. He knew he had scored when McCoy suddenly glared at him.

"Mr. Spock," Jim called quickly, before McCoy could respond with a sarcastic remark. His face showed disappointment and puzzlement that Spock was not at the Science Station. Jim turned towards McCoy, asking with his eyes where Spock was. McCoy glanced at Uhura's station by way of an answer. Jim followed that look and found Spock and Uhura engrossed in conversation. He couldn't explain to himself why he felt uncomfortable when he saw them speaking quietly to each other.

Jim cleared his throat and spoke a little louder. "Umm Mr. Spock, can I see you a moment, please?"

"Certainly, Captain," Spock replied, nodding towards Uhura and then stepping down to the Command Center.

"How may I be of service, Captain," Spock continued, not saying with either words or expression that he knew the Captain had been asleep in his chair.

"The good Doctor wants everyone of the Bridge crew to go off duty, and I quite agree. I'm not feeling too spry myself at the moment. Would you see…" McCoy interrupted before Jim could complete his instructions.

"Jim, I want to speak with Spock about something, so with your permission, I would like him to accompany us when we leave the Bridge." McCoy looked at Jim with an innocent and hopeful expression on his face.

Jim looked searchingly at McCoy for some clue as to what he could possibly want to talk to Spock about. He decided to give McCoy the benefit of the doubt and not disagree. "Sure, Bones." Turning to Spock with tired and bleary eyes, he asked quietly "Spock would you have Lt. Uhura arrange a schedule so that there are relief's for all the Bridge crew?"

"Already done, Captain," Spock acknowledged. 'Uh oh,' McCoy thought. That will not go over well with Jim.

"Really? Umm good, good, cool," Jim responded with a touch of suspicion in his tone. McCoy could read Jim's thoughts by the expression in those Baby Blues. He could just hear Jim thinking, 'Had Bones and Spock been talking while I was resting my eyes? Shit, I don't like this one bit.'

McCoy could see signs that Jim was in fact going to cause a scene, feeling his command threatened by what he would perceive as talking behind his back. The doctor quickly jumped in with an urgent nod towards the exit. "Could we please leave the Bridge now, Captain? I really do want to pick my feet up and zone out for awhile. I don't want you to have to scrape me off the floor." With that McCoy suddenly looked 'very tired'.

Jim switched gears immediately, concern for his friend moving to the forefront of his mind. He may be known for having an enormous ego, but in fact, when it came to his friends and anyone in need of his help, they came first. "Sure Bones; no problem. You must have put in one hell of a day, which I am sure you will describe to me in full detail, hopefully at a much later date and over a drink. We can go right now. Mr. Spock, are you ready?"

"Yes Captain."

Jim looked at Uhura. "You have the com Lieutenant. Please make sure everyone including yourself gets some rest." Then turning to look at each of the command crew, he stated: "You each have done a remarkable job using amazing skills and talents in this engagement with a very dangerous enemy. I don't know if my commendations will weigh well with Star Fleet Command, but you are all worthy of the highest honors. Neither Mr. Spock nor I would be here now if it were not for your dedicated efforts."

Then more quietly Jim continued: "I know we weren't able to save Vulcan and we will each feel all the pain that knowledge entails. But you all did your best and that's all anyone can ask or expect of you. And Earth and the rest of the Federation are safe." Once again Jim's eyes connected forcefully with each of the Bridge crew in turn waiting until they each accepted the truth of their Captain's statement. Lastly he looked at Spock, his enormous eyes communicating how sorry he was for his loss. Spock nodded slowly in acknowledgement.

With that Jim sighed, feeling a little better. He got up slowly, admittedly with some physical pain and weakness, and headed for the turbolift. Dr. McCoy and Mr. Spock were right behind him.

When they got to the lift, Jim stopped and looked at McCoy and Spock, as it suddenly dawned on him that he did not know where they were going. His thinking was starting to get really fuzzy and he could not get any words out. McCoy noticed this, and quickly took Jim's left arm and escorted him into the lift. Still holding onto Jim's arm, McCoy started to make small talk to distract him. "Jim, you may be the Captain of this ship, but you never actually were assigned quarters. Captain Pike is recuperating in his cabin and every bed in MedBay is in use. The crew is doubling up so that our Vulcan passengers can have quarters to themselves."

Jim was having a hard time following McCoy's chatter. Something was being asked of him he realized but he could not formulate an answer. Something about a bed?

McCoy noticed Jim's increasing confusion. He turned quickly to Spock out of sight of Jim's perplexed eyes, encouraging Spock to join the conversation.

Spock nodded in return and quickly spoke up. "Captain, I would be honored if you would share my quarters with me. You are welcome to my bed. Vulcans need time to meditate before retiring and I find that I very much need a few hours to do just that. You will not disturb me, and if you do not mind sharing quarters, I would be happy to accommodate you."

Spock looked at Jim with an open sincere expression. Jim was trying really hard to pay attention to what the First Officer was saying. McCoy noticed Jim squeeze his eyes shut in that endearing way he had when he was trying to marshal his thoughts before speaking. With one last attempt at communication, Jim responded in a low voice. "If you're sure, Spock. Thanks. I don't think I snore, do I Bones?"

"Not enough to drive someone crazy. Thanks, Spock. That will solve the problem of which bed Goldilocks here will sleep in." Spock did not know how to react to this comment so he kept quiet. While McCoy and Spock were exchanging lifted eyebrows, Jim suddenly reeled. "Bones…" Jim called in a tone that said 'I don't feel right' for the second time in as many days, and just as suddenly collapsed. James T. was down for the count.

"Damn it, Jim," McCoy cursed in alarm. Quicker than McCoy could make a grab for Jim, Spock reached him, held him and then bent to fold Jim over his left shoulder. Spock straightened. The lift opened, and Spock said casually "If you will follow us, Doctor."

"It would be my pleasure, Mr. Spock. This is one time your Vulcan strength really does come in handy. I had a feeling Jim wouldn't be able to continue much longer. Even that thick headed stubbornness of his couldn't keep him going forever. Lord knows I don't have the strength to carry his dead weight. I'll do a quick diagnostic workup after you lay him down. Damn it, I hope rest is all the young idiot needs. Then I will be able to leave him in your capable hands and go collapse somewhere myself." With that McCoy sighed, partly in relief. 'So far so good,' he thought.