A/N: New Chapter Woooooo! Hope everyone enjoys, I had fun writing this one. Thank you very much for everyone that is reading/faving/reviewing I love y'all
Warning: I don't own Star Trek.
Chapter Two: Radioactive
Jim awoke the next morning. Bones was no longer in his bed, but rather sitting next to it with a PADD and eating toast. Jim felt the fog slip away and sat up and rubbed at his eyes like a child, big blues blinking as they adjusted to his surroundings.
"Hey Bones," He mumbled as he slinked out of bed and stretched with a loud yawn before sitting across from his friend. Bones set a plate of the usual breakfast culprits in front of Jim and smirked.
"Eat Jimmy, we've got a big day ahead of us." He folded up his paper and stood up, crossing his arms.
Jim gave him a salute and took a small bite of eggs, "Yes, Sir," He answered.
After he swallowed his food he stuck his tongue out at Bones, the doctor had half a mind to slap Jim, but instead ruffled his hair. If the captain was going to act like a child, then he was going to be treated like one.
"Just eat your damn food and get ready, Lord knows I need to get started on inoculations and have everyone ready to go for your away mission." He shot back.
The captain shuddered at the mere thought of a hypo being pressed against his neck.
"Don't remind m-OW! GODDAMMIT BONES!"
The Doctor had snuck up behind Kirk and gave him the required shots he hated so much, and laughed as Jim rubbed at his neck.
"Oh, Jim don't be such an infant." He smiled mischievously as he started to walk out the door. "I'll see you in about an hour." He added as the door shut behind him and Jim grumbled at his plate.
Jim went about getting everything in order and wasn't paying much attention when he entered the turbolift and bumped shoulders with Uhura.
"Oh, sorry." He mumbled as he sighed and they went down to the launch pad in engineering.
She gave him a sideways glance and huffed slightly. She shouldn't have been irritated with Jim, but for some reason she was irritated with everything. Spock went ahead of her this morning without so much as saying goodbye, granted, Vulcans were not sentimental she just thought they were making...progress? Who knows.
She just nodded and he plastered on a smile, because God, is she knew...He shook away that thought as the lift doors opened and he was greeted by the sight of Spock, Scotty, and Bones.
"Gentlemen," Kirk greeted with a nod. as he walked off and stepped onto the beaming pad, standing between Bones and Spock as Uhura took Spock's other side.
"Three ta beam down," Scotty spoke, breaking Jim's thoughts.
"Energize," JIm commanded with a quiet ferocity as they were enveloped in gold light, and re-materialized on the planet below, Bones was breathing a bit heavy, but he got it under control, still not quite used to the sensation. Jim steadied him with a hand as they began to take their first few steps on the planet.
"I don't think it's a good idea to split up, there isn't a lot of us and we don't know what we're dealing with yet, I know it's a survey but the plant-life indicates there could be other living beings here.
Spock nodded in assent slightly, unaware the Captain read the reports he had sent to his terminal yesterday for review. He had figured the Captain "skimmed them" and simply signed off.
They stayed together but each person was separately making scans and taking samples to send back up to the ship, they had seen a few new species to catalog, but nothing too exciting or anything to fear, this was just routine which was just what they needed to get their mission started.
Jim watched as Uhura waved Spock over to observe one of the planet's native flowers, "It's beautiful," she murmured as she glanced over at Spock.
He did not see what was beautiful about the plant but could on some level appreciate it's aesthetic. The flower bloomed and it's multi-hued petals shimmered in the glow of the midday sun.
"Interesting." The vulcan spoke quietly
Spock scanned it before placing it in a pouch seeing as it was safe to take away for further inspection later.
Jim kept wanting to walk over to Spock, but the Vulcan stayed by Uhura's side so he did his own inspecting with Bones, cursing the stars above for the fact he still couldn't get a quiet moment with his pointy-eared first officer.
Bones looked exasperated as he watched the scene unfold. He damn near said something to break the silence, but Jim's communicator chirped with the Scotsmen informing them it was time to beam back up.
Once back aboard everyone parted ways to file reports and work their scheduled shifts which was again, very uneventful, Jim just wasn't feeling like he was making progress. Granted, they needed days like this, where nothing happened and people for once actually got their work done, but it just wasn't right. He thought there'd be more camaraderie or at least a bit more enthusiasm. Then again, this was a very very very boring mission. He was well aware of this fact.
Since he was done with his work he swiveled in his chair in a moment as a thought popped into his head. I know, I'll go down to botany. Maybe Sulu found out something interesting about the plants Spock found.
Trying to keep his mind busy Kirk went down to botany bay and tried to walk with some pep in his step as the silver doors slid open to reveal his pilot, delicately watering some of the new plants they had just found, along with his favorites that he took care of.
"Captain," He looked up with a smile.
"Don't 'Captain' me, what's up?" He asked as he stood to the side of his Helmsman, hands at his sides, he didn't want to disrupt anything and this was Sulu's field of expertise.
"Not much," he answered with ease. "I was just taking a look at the samples you just brought back, they're beautiful."
Sulu may have been the only male that could describe a plant as beautiful and still not be stipped of his masculinity. Not a single ounce. Jim could respect that.
"Come take a look at this one." He offered as he waved Jim over.
It was actually really pretty and the same one Uhura enjoyed with it's multi-colored petals and it would blossom when people walked by.
Sulu walked away, starting to talk about some of the others they found and how they may be used for medical purposes. Jim continued to stare at the plant, he could've sworn it released something, the smell was intoxicating he looked at the center and breathed in the scent again, he opened his mouth like he was about to sigh audibly and he saw it happen at lightning speed, two pods shot down his throat. His hand immediately clutched at his neck and he gave a wheezing cough.
Sulu turned on his heel eyeing his Captain, "Jim?" He asked running over to help the superior officer. "What happened?" He asked with his hand at Jim's elbow.
"That flower just launched something down my throat." He wheezed.
"Damn that's really strange. We haven't picked up anything vicious or defensive about it."
Jim nodded as he finally got air into his lungs, "I'm gonna' head down to medbay. Make sure nothing's wrong." He coughed a bit at the end and Sulu gave a nod.
"I'm sorry, sir." He said as Jim started to walk off.
"Don't worry about it, these things happen. Just maybe do a bit more research?"
"Yes, sir."
With that, Jim gave a final nod and found himself back in the turbolift only this time to give the good doctor a visit.
Bones was mumbling to himself as Jim walked in.
"What brings you down here to bother me?" He asked as he flipped through the pages on his PADD.
"I swallowed flower pods,"
"Jim, if you're telling me you didn't spit out the shells of sunflower seeds again-"
"Bones, the plants we brought up. One of them shot something down my throat. I want to make sure I'm not going to have an allergic reaction or start growing moss or something else equally strange. " He explained.
About halfway through Jim's rambling McCoy already had his tricorder scanning the Captain for any abnormalities or other changes. "My scanner isn't picking up anything, but I'm glad you came down." he murmured as Jim reached over to the side table and poured himself a glass of water taking a long drink and feeling a lot better as it soothed the ache in his dry throat.
"Thanks, it's probably nothing but it was just strange, nothing seemed harmful while we were down there and we haven't run into anyone yet. It gave of this really sweet smell and then I opened my mouth to yawn and BAM! right down the old windpipe. I'll write a report about it later." He started thinking about what he had to pull up and McCoy continued his observations and scans jotting down a few notes.
"All clear, kid" He said with a note of finality as he turned off his medical device, "but if anything changes I want you back here right away. "
"Thanks, Bones." Jim answered, he could never quite get used to the concern McCoy had for him. He'd never had someone like that in his life that was stable, but he'd been there for him the longest and Jim could always rely on him.
McCoy looked up and could see the sincerity in Jim's blue eyes and he smiled back.
"You're welcome." He wanted to say something sarcastic but he couldn't at the moment, not with Jim giving him those puppy eyes.
He hopped off the table and patted his friend on the shoulder, "Dinner in the mess?" Bones offered, which he wouldn't normally, but Jim needed to be out and about.
He gave a nod and a salute as he exited med bay only to find his face full of a hard, blue, muscled chest. He looked up into dark eyes and above those was a cocked brow.
"S-spock- I." Jim spluttered, trying to regain his balance as the Vulcan's svelte arms came out to steady him.
If Spock was one to curse it would have been silently at himself for making such contact. He made extra sure not to touch Jim Kirk. The sole purpose of that rule because the moment he did he felt the current run through them both of the mental bond that had started to form two years ago against his will. From the first time he had carried Kirk in his arms when he saved his life back at the academy. From when Jim had kissed him some time ago and Spock's body betrayed him by responding.
Jim wanted to say more, and now was his chance but his chest clenched painfully. He felt like he'd been shocked by Spock and the Vulcan wouldn't fucking let go of him. Not that he wanted him to, but damn his grip was tight and Jim could feel so many things it was unbelievable.
But the most pronounced was his heart, it hurt like hell.
"It would be best to observe where-"
"Spock, let go." Jim asked through gritted teeth, his First Officer released his grip to Jim's relief and disappointment, he could feel bruises forming on his upper arms.
Spock started to walk away and from his fast exit Jim felt dizzy. "Wait!" The Captain shouted, twisting his body and trying to run after Spock, he went down another hallway and cut him off at the turbolift. He tried to catch his breath hands on his knees as Spock cocked another pristine eyebrow at him.
"Captain, these matters can wait"
"They can't." He wheezed out, "This isn't ship business, this is you and me business. And dammit! I want to talk about it." His bright blues trying to see past the wall Spock had installed around his person.
Spock wanted to discuss it too, but not at this time. Vulcans do not lie. He did say they would at some point eventually discuss this issue but that was nearly two years ago. He could not do this with Jim. Not when he was with Uhura, and not when Kirk made him...feel. Jim made him feel so many emotions they became even more difficult to suppress. This was something he simply could not engage in. If he lead the Captain astray, maybe they would never have to discuss what they both already knew.
They needed each other, but not if Spock had any control over it.
"Captain, there is nothing to discuss with you. Unless it pertains to the Enterprise then it is of no consequence. Cease and desist this pursuit of my person at once." Even Spock's heart gave a painful thud in his side he glanced briefly at Jim's face. Saw it crumple before he attempted to steel it into a blank expression. The Vulcan had to "hit him where it hurt." He'd heard the term once. He never thought he would employ such a method. But he had to keep Jim and his questions at bay until he could figure out what to do.
As he analyzed the situation he realized this was one of the most selfish things he had ever done. He would pick apart what he felt in the moment later when he meditated. If Jim felt as strongly as he did he knew the Captain would not give up in his pursuit, but for now this would slow him down. Give Spock some time to deicide.
I am...sorry. Spock thought as he entered the turbolift and left Jim floundering and trying to come up for air.
He didn't give a second look as the Captain's knees buckled and he fell to the floor.
He was shocked, stunned, he couldn't wrap his mind around what happened. How could he have been so stupid? It must have been obvious to everyone. God, he'd been such an idiot! He had been openly pursuing his First Officer. He had to get away, He entered the turbolift after the Vulcan he wiped at his face and felt the wetness of tears, he stopped the lift for a moment scrubbing at his face, he couldn't stop the flow that stemmed from his eyes. Which was ridiculous. Why was he fucking crying? Over Spock no-less.
He was back in his quarters, his reports were left to the wayside as he locked himself in the bathroom and slumped to the cool flooring, dazed and confused.
He didn't know how long he had been hanging out there when the door opened and he woke up, sitting up from where he had laid down. His eyes felt puffy and his nose was clogged.
"Jim, what in the world?" Bones, asked slightly exasperated but mostly concerned.
He hefted Jim up and he sat on the bathroom counter "One of these days, I'd like to find you in a somewhat normal situation, like say, sleeping, or drunk, or maybe even screwing someone."
"I get it, I'm not myself." He mumbled as he took the wet washcloth from his doctor turned friend and pressed it to his eyes.
"Jim, you've got to get it together, otherwise I'm going to have to make a report. I'm going to help you as much as I can, but if this is going to affect your captaincy..." He trailed off, unable to finish the sentence.
Jim could only nod and he hopped off the counter to glance at himself in the mirror, he looked slightly better.
"Let's go get something to eat." Bones offered and lead the way out of the bathroom and Jim's room.
Jim followed, but his heart thudded painfully again. He really didn't want to see Spock in the mess hall. They went anyway as promised and Jim ignored the look the First Officer threw his way.
The Vulcan was too busy to show concern anyways as Uhura grabbed his arm and he looked back in her direction engaged in more interesting conversation.
"You alright?" She offered as she watched as his eyes followed the Captain.
"Yes," His eyes continued to follow Jim, he could see how red his eyes were and how one of his hands absentmindedly rubbed one of his arms. Spock must have bruised it, he winced internally at the thought.
"Did you and the Captain get in a fight or something?" She asked and Spock had to school his face into complete neutrality. Her more than adequate reading of body language was superb.
"We had a discussion that did not end in his favor." he responded his choice of words was leading him to think that he needed to meditate even longer tonight. He was letting Jim get the better of him and they weren't even talking to each other.
"Spock, I don't know what it was you guys were talking about, but don't worry about it. Jim bounces back quickly. I'm sure he'll get over it."
The Vulcan gave a curt nod and proceeded to finish his meal, leaving with Uhura. Once they were in the turbolift she wrapped her arms around his neck to lean up and give him a swift kiss before the doors opened to her quarters. "Will you be accompanying me?" she offered playfully.
"Perhaps after meditation." Spock responded tilting his head slightly as Uhura looked confused.
"Is something troubling you, Nyota?" Hed too, could also pick up the subtleties of body language.
She shook her head and smiled, "No, I'm good. I'll see you soon." She turned on her heel and headed into her room shaking her head in disbelief at the fact that she had just gotten turned down. Normally their routine was eat together, intimacy, then meditation. This just threw a wrench in her plans. Maybe his fight with Kirk had left Spock with a bad taste. Not to worry though, she would just entertain him later in the evening than normal.
Jim didn't ask Bones to stay tonight.
The doctor had to ask a second time, "Are you sure?"
"Yeah, I'll be alright." Jim answered as he shucked off his shirt and that was when McCoy caught sight of his bruises.
"Jim, what the fuck?"
"What?" Jim looked down at his forearms "Oh, it's nothing. I ran into Spock in the hallway- it was an accident."
"Jim! If he had applied any more pressure he would've crushed bone."
"Lay off, Bones" Jim retorted in a stern voice as he rubbed a hand over his chest.
The southern doctor shook his head. "I don't believe this. If you don't say something to him about this, then I'm gonna'."
Jim had to admit, that he appreciated the protective nature of Leonard, but he was getting slightly annoyed by it. "I'll talk to him." He responded weakly. The doctor didn't believe him for a second that he would. Bones was going to have a word with the damn pointy eared devil later.
"And why do you keep rubbing at your chest? He didn't push you or anything?" McCoy was going into full-on doctor mode.
"No, I think it's just heartburn from dinner." He responded as he stood in front of Bones and grabbed his shoulders lightly.
The doctor was about to speak but Jim answered him before he asked. "I will be careful, and I will contact you if I notice any changes, I have a dermal regenerator, I'll take care of the bruises. You need to sleep and stop worrying." He gave his friend's cheek a couple pats and smiled before turning around and flopping onto his bed.
The doctor nodded as they said their goodnights and instead of making his way to his quarters he went down the other hall. A certain Half-Vulcan was about to get a pointy ear full of just what he had to say.
Bones rapped on Spock's door and tapped his foot impatiently, arms crossed over his chest. If that damn Vulcan did not answer, just then the door slid open.
"Doctor. May I inquire the cause for this visit at such a late hour?"
"Keep your mitts off of Jim." He said in a deathly growl and crossing into the room.
"I beg your pardon?" He lifted a brow and the Doctor countered it with his own cocked brow.
"You heard me, I said you better keep your hands off of Jim. It's bad enough you don't conversate with the poor boy, he's just trying to be your friend Spock, and you're making it damn hard for him. Then you go and grab him like that because he runs into you?! If I had your strength I would punch you in the fucking jaw, but I don't and that would probably hurt like hell. So I'm leaving you with this stern warning because I am tired of seeing him hurt and looking like a damn kicked puppy and you being the cause." He took another breath not realizing he was backing Spock into a corner.
"You need to at least be his friend. That's all he wants. everyone to get along and be his friend, he is working damn hard to keep his ship running and to keep everyone happy. Including you. So the least you could do is talk to him. And apologize for hurting him. I don't know what else transpired today. But if you so much as take a hair from his head, I will come after you. Am I making myself clear?"
Spock was unaware how much he wanted to say back, but now was not the place or time. He would tuck this away for further inspection. His face was calm despite the slight tightening at the corners of his eyes and his clenched fists.
"I will consider your offer in making an effort to befriend the Captain." Was his stern response, trying to keep his breathing in check.
"Good." McCoy responded with a swift nod turning away to exit the Vulcan's desert temperature quarters. That's all he needed to say for now.
Spock was still seething he yelled rather loudly into the nothingness around him and before his brain could process it, he had put a hole into the nearest wall. A bot would fix the repairs while he was in Uhura's quarters this evening. He could definitely use something to distract him and help relieve some of his pent-up frustration.
Jim started to wash his face and brush his teeth his fingers delicately traced the outline of Spock's finger shaped bruises, something twisted in his gut. They'd eventually heal on their own he didn't have to necessarily do it right now. Call him masochistic, but at least it was some part of Spock that he had. Something to grasp. He looked back in the mirror and lightly touched his chest again and thought he heard a weird cracking sound. He touched his mirror self and heard it again, it felt like it was coming from him if the pain in his chest was anything to go by. He'd pop a couple of antacids and worry about it if it got any worse. After that he went to bed, hs sleep filled with dreams and nightmares of his wonderful and tortuous First Officer.
A/N: I hope this installment was enjoyable. Thank you for reading, reviews are always welcome. C: