McCoy smiled to himself as he packed his carry on bag. He gathered all the necessities he needed for the planned shore leave he had been waiting for.

He was glad that Starfleet had finally realized that some R&R was just what the doctor ordered. After the affair with Altair, and the trip to Vulcan before that, they so needed this. Jim, needed it most of all.

McCoy stopped his movements as he placed the last items in his bag and reflected on those events. It was such a desperate move he had decided last minute. To inject something in his best friend to cause death was not something he signed up for Starfleet. Jim, as he recalled had said the same thing about killing his best friend.

Damn, best friends those two were. Inseparable. Glued to the hip. They seemed to be even more connected, if that was even possible. But, this time, his friend was going to spend it with him. And they were going to get plenty drunk and get laid til the cows came home.

The door of McCoy's quarters buzzed, making the good doctor, jolt in surprise. He smiled once again, knowing it was Jim, and removed the lock, allowing him entrance.

"Hi Bones." Jim walked in but his usual step of buoyant humor was missing.

McCoy looked at his friend and had a strange feeling.

"Hello Jim. I'm packed and ready to paint the town red. I've planned our whole itinerary. We are going to have so much fun." McCoy's voice dripping with glee.

"Damn, Bones. I, I, really don't..." Kirk's word were cut off.

"Oh no you don't. You can't cancel on me Jim. We have been planning this. You and me, ladies galore, scantily clad. Come on. We just can't miss this chance." McCoy responded with a mix of anger and sadness.

"I don't feel good leaving Spoc.."

"Again with the hobgoblin. We can't have a decent conversation and the topic changes to him. Why can't you let him be?"

"I didn't realize that having another friend beside yourself would make you jealous. I need to know if he's all right Bones. What happened to him was life altering. He had to fight me, and thought he killed me. I have to be there so that he knows I don't blame him for what happened."

The captain started to pace the small quarters of his CMO. He had felt horrible about cancelling his evening chess game with Spock. McCoy had insisted that he take a break. He had wanted for him to stop spending so much time with his science officer. A task, Jim thought was far easier said than done.

McCoy looked at his friend as he continued to wear out the carpet.

"Jim. Spock is a grown man. I know it wasn't easy, what he had to do. But, that was the way of his people."

"I can't help it, Bones. I need him. I need him beside me. We are the best team in Starfleet, and I want that again."

"You will. Give it time."

"I wish I.." Jim words were abruptly stopped as he felt a surge of vertigo hit him.

"Jim! What is it?" McCoy's voice raised in concern.

"I'm not sure. I just felt so sick. It seems to be better now."

"Well, I'm not taking any chances."

McCoy took out his tricorder from his carry-on bag and checked his friends lifesigns.

"Your heart beat is a bit faster. Stress level indicates.."

"Bones, I ..I have to go." Jim was already out the door.

"Where the hell are you off to?"

But the captain knew exactly where to go.