Author's Chapter Notes:

Okay, this is something I have wanted to do for a long time and I've finally done it. I'll be continuing with Of Kings and Queens but I feel like I am going to get much more enjoyment and satisfaction out of this one. The idea has probably already done but I like how it's coming alone. Hopefully you guys all like it!

Disclaimer: I do not own Star Trek. This is a work of fiction from which no profit shall be made.

Spock was finishing up his readings for the section of space the crew of the USS Enterprise found themselves mapping. There was hardly anything worthy of note, and didn't even seem to contain a single habitable planet. "Captain, I have finished my readings for this section. With your review they will be sent to Command at the earliest convenience." The rest of the crew wasn't finished with their work yet, however Spock thought it best to inform his Captain of his own progress, not that he suffered from any boredom.

For this exact reason, his curiosity was piqued when he realized that no acknowledgement came from his superior. Spock spun about in his chair. "Captain?" The word was hardly out of his mouth before his body went rigid. Tears were streaming down Kirk's face, and he was still as stone as he stared off into nothingness. "Do you require assistance, sir?" he said slightly louder, otherwise clueless as to what he was meant to do in such a situation.

Something seemed to break inside the trembling captain, bringing him out of his trance. He sobbed softly before letting out an agonized scream and crumpling to the floor, where he curled in on himself and began to weep uncontrollably. By now, the crew's attention had been drawn toward the scene and helmsman Sulu took it upon himself to aid his captain, "Sir, perhaps you should take a break…" the pilot reached out to place a comforting hand on the man's shoulder but was soon shoved back into the console by an emotional James Kirk.

Jim screamed again. "I want Spock!" His voice was hoarse and riddled with heartache. Every soul in the room now turned their attention to the ship's first officer, who looked equally as confused as they did. He decided it best to try and subdue his distraught captain. However, as soon as he came close enough, Kirk latched onto him as if he was his only lifeline in a hurricane and attempted, desperately, to drag him to the floor.

"Captain! This is not-" He could not finish, as Jim's hand had reached his face and the pain barraged his senses like wildfire. He used his superior strength to force Kirk off of him, further upsetting the captain. Jim wailed Spock's name hysterically and Spock attempted to come to grips with what had just occurred. He observed that McCoy had entered through the bridge doors but he could not hear what he said, nor could he understand why he was there. There was just pain; then blackness.

Spock awoke to glaring white lights and he squinted as his eyes readjusted. Sickbay, his brain ground out as it awakened from its anesthesia induced slumber. Lifting himself up onto his elbows quickly confirmed his assessment, or as quickly as one could with their vision half blurred. Suddenly, Spock was aware of a presence next to him and he turned to spot none other than James T. Kirk, sleeping fitfully in a biobed.

The previous scene on the bridge sent Spock's mind reeling to recall just what had happened. It was hard to recall anything but the pain, the pure mental anguish unlike anything he'd ever seen before. He could think of no reason to suspect what might have caused the breakdown, unless…No, it was impossible. Spock hastily ruled out that option. But then what could it be?

The first officer did not have long to ponder this, as a certain old country doctor interrupted his musings, "Oh good. You're up." McCoy drawled in a non-comittal tone, marking something on a dataPADD he was carrying, "That was quite the number you pulled on ol' Jim-bo here. Luckily Ensign Cobbler was there to catch him and make sure he didn't injure himself."

Spock felt a twinge of guilt at this revelation, he had no intention of hurting his captain, but he hadn't had control of his actions at that moment. It was simply reflexive. He speedily came to the conclusion that he was not to blame and filed it away for future meditation. "I regret the action that took place, however I was not quite in control at that time." He stated out loud.

McCoy pulled up a chair at Spock's bedside and looked at him enigmatically for a few moments before checking to see if Jim was still slumbering, then he spoke again, "Is there anything going on that I should know about? You know darn well that I'm Jim's friend as well as his doctor, and if anyone wants to get to the bottom of this it's me." He stopped for a moment to scratch his head, seemingly in thought. Spock thought looked, for the first time in a long time, vulnerable. "He kept calling out your name until the very moment the sedative kicked in and he finally went under. If there's something he's telling you that he's not telling me, then I think it's in the best interest of all parties involved if you just let me know."

Spock thought for a moment or two, and the doctor glanced nervously at Jim's bedside again, "I assure you doctor, I have had no extra-professional conversation with the captain. Neither have I observed any trace of abnormal behavior patterns." McCoy looked stricken, and Spock decided he'd try his best to diffuse the situation, "Though, I have observed James Tiberius Kirk to be unpredictable at even the best of times.

Leonard McCoy smiled goodheartedly and gave a small chuckle, "Humor, from a Vulcan. I was gonna send you back to your quarters today but you seem to have hit your head a little hard. Maybe it'd be best if you just stayed he-"

"That will be unnecessary . I'm sure we do not need a repeat of our last situation." Spock interrupted.

"Very well then , let's get you ready for discharge. You know the drill." He said with a knowing smile, even ulcans didn't like hospitals it would seem. He rose from his seat to puzzle over Jim's readings for a few more minutes as Spock got himself up and walked off the dizziness inspired by Starfleet issue narcotic.

Chapter End Notes:

So there it is! Chapter one! You have no idea how great it feels to finally have this done. I'm not so sure about the title but what the hey, it works for now. Let me know what you think, and thank you all for reading this far.