Disclaimer: I do not own Star Trek or Final Fantasy XII. Star Trek belongs to Paramount and Final Fantasy XII belongs to Square Enix. This story is written mostly for my own pleasure, so if I do anything OOC with the characters that is my business. The story is rated T for mild language and the partial nudity the is inevitable where a Viera gets involved.

Captain's Log, Stardate Unknown: It has been twenty-five days since our encounter with the Vians in the Minara sector and I am anxious to get to Deep Space Station K-13 and some shore leave. However, first we are headed for an unknown planet to find a material that Lieutenant Commander Scott believes could resolve our dilithium crystal problem in the engines. According to Commander Spock, the planet has an M-class atmosphere and a variety of climate areas similar to that of Earth. Approximate arrival time is four hours from our current location at warp factor 6.

"Captain, I have been unable to ascertain the planet's technology level. There does however seem to be aircraft technology on the surface."

"Thank you Mister Spock, please get Doctor McCoy and meet me in the transporter room." Kirk replied, before turning to Scotty who had a look that said 'about that'.

"Is there something you wanted to tell me Scotty?"

"Aye, the planet's atmosphere in our present location won't take the transporter. You'll 'ave to take one of the shuttle craft." Scotty replied, wishing he wasn't the bearer of bad news. Bad for the captain no, but bad because of who was going down with him. While McCoy had gotten over most of the problems he had with shuttle craft and transporters in the last few years, he still tensed up a fair amount and usually gripped the arm rests until his hands knuckles turned white during the take off and landings. The actual flight was no longer the problem, it was the turbulence. Universe forbid if Jim ever made fun of him about the shuttle craft, the transporters were fair game though.

"I see. While we're down on the surface I want you to circle the planet until you find somewhere the transporter does work, in the meantime you have the con. Anything threatens the Enterprise you pull out and come back later." Kirk replied before heading for the lift, Spock close behind him.

"Jim," Spock began as the lift closed. "Is it really a good idea to bring Doctor McCoy down to the surface with the main landing party?"

Jim sighed, knowing where Spock was going with this train of thought. The last time Bones had gone down planet-side with them he had nearly been lost to them as both CMO and their friend. Even though it had been resolved, Jim and Spock had been essentially confining him to the ship to prevent such a similar occurence. McCoy had his fair share of revenge, gave them a near full blown exam every time they came back from a mission. Hypos aside, the captain knew it was a good idea to take Bones down on this mission if just to get back to a semblance of normalcy in their routines.

"I think it's a good idea Spock, we have more trouble without him and then have to suffer for it. Besides, I think all this time basically bound to sickbay by a leash is making him rather bitter and he finds new excuses to get us in sickbay. Between the last few missions and how little he's been coming up to the bridge I think we need to get him out in the field and this will cheer him up a bit in that he can attempt to keep us out of trouble."

Spock mulled over this in his head. It was almost logical, but he knew that one shouldn't apply only logic when dealing with Doctor McCoy as he was a very emotional human even compared to Jim.

"Very well, I'll retrieve the doctor and meet you in the shuttle bay."

When Spock entered sickbay he noticed three things. The first thing he noticed was that everything was unnecessarily pristine beyond normal, second that the nurses seemed uneasy and third that there was no sign of McCoy. This was odd as the doctor was suppose to be on duty at the moment. Spotting Nurse Chapel, the Vulcan approached her to inquire about the doctor's whereabouts.

"Nurse Chapel, where precisely is Doctor McCoy?"

"I believe he's in the middle of cleaning the emergency room. There haven't been any patients and he decided it was good a time as any to clean the entirety of sickbay. Though I believe you and the captain have hand in his temperament of late. I've never had to engage him in such an argument. Please tell me that the captain is done confining him to the ship Mister Spock." Christine answered, trying her best not to raise her voice at her commanding officer.

At that precise moment Leonard came out of the ER room looking a little surprised to see Spock. The doctor seemed a little irritated but said nothing at first until he schooled his features into an almost easygoing smile as he stood by Spock.

"Why Spock, to what do I owe the pleasure of you willingly in my sickbay?"

"I am simply here Doctor McCoy, to retrieve your medical kit and yourself for the current mission. We are taking a shuttle down to an unknown planet to locate the source of the substance Mister Scott believes can substitute the dilithium crystals in the engines. The captain asked us to meet him in the shuttle hangar." Spock replied, a little internally unnerved by the falsehood of the smile on the usually open book that was McCoy.

McCoy's false smile gave way to a small genuine one that reached his blue eyes.

"So, I'm not 'grounded' anymore?"

Spock's left eyebrow rose at the question, but the joke was not lost on him. One supposed it could be equated that their keeping him ship-side was like when parents grounded their child from going outside the house. Spock decided to humor the doctor, as it promised a reaction.

"I was not aware doctor, that we were your parents."

McCoy couldn't stifle the laugh that burst from his chest, boy did it feel good to be back to a somewhat normal conversation with the Vulcan.

"All right, point taken. I'll get the away kit and we can go. I've had it ready for about a day now kinda hoping you two'd break about it."

Fifteen minutes into the planet's atmosphere and the shuttle was split down the middle by a large blade of pure energy, half of the shuttle crashed into a frozen tundra related area and the other into a cave system close to a large city. The mission was at a standstill and the landing party...separated.

Notes: If anyone is unclear, this story takes place 25 solar days after "The Empath" episode of TOS. If you have any ideas pertaining to the story, hold them until after I have posted Chapter One as it is already finished. I hope this has been enjoyable thus far if short and abrupt. The actual chapter will be much better. Live long and Prosper.