Disclaimer: Star Trek belongs to Gene Roddenberry. NuTrek belongs to JJ and Paramount.

A/N: Thanks for everyone who is reviewing, favoriting, and following! This shit gets real fast, so you've been warned.

Target Acquired

Chapter Three – Covering All The Bases

.~.

Thirty Minutes Later

"Bones, I just did something incredibly stupid," Kirk panted, as he entered their dorm room.

McCoy turned around to glare at his roommate who was still trying to catch his breath. "Let me guess. M'Benga forbid you form entering Spock's private room so you decided to sneak in."

Kirk grimaced. "It would've worked if Spock hadn't felt my presence nearby. I didn't know Vulcans could do that!"

McCoy looked startled by that revelation. "Now will you leave it alone, Jim? Please?"

Kirk ignored him. "The thing is, I finally figured it out. Whatever this thing is, it affects other Vulcans too, not just Spock. There's some Big Damn Secret that Vulcans don't want us humans to know about because it might obstruct our diplomatic relations with Vulcan or some shit like that. Right?"

Bones just made a noncommittal grunt.

Kirk hated to do it, but he had to make sure his friend would listen. So he put on his 'Command track voice'. "Cadet McCoy – tell me that Spock has a chance to live without me getting to him and I will leave it alone."

McCoy swallowed hard and looked away.

"That's what I thought," Kirk snarled, his balled fists shaking with fury. "Now are you going to help me save his life or not?"

"If you do that, you and I will probably get kicked out of Starfleet," McCoy pointed out.

"I don't care," Kirk said softly. "I'm sorry about your career, Bones, but I can't do this alone. He needs me."

Kirk looked so pitiful in that moment that the doctor gave in. "Oh, alright. I'm in."

"Yes!" Kirk cheered. "So what's our plan?"

"I can use my access codes to get into the hospital. I have a few favors I can call in so that we can transfer Spock to another hospital without arising much suspicion. But you can't come with me since the hobgoblin can sense your presence."

"I hate that, but you're right," said Kirk. "Who are you going to call?"

Bones got on his computer and looked up the hospital rotation chart. It only took him a few minutes for him to find what he needed. "There is this Asian kid who used to be on the medical track but then changed to Command. His name is Sulu and he still volunteers at the hospital. It just so happens that he is assigned to Spock's team."

"Great," Kirk enthused. "I know Sulu. He's a good guy."

"Jim." McCoy turned deadly serious. "Say we do get the Vulcan out and bring him to a secret location. Since he's not in complete control of his faculties, Spock could kill you by accident with his superior strength."

"I've accepted that possibility," said Kirk with a nod.

"Jim." McCoy held Kirk's stony gaze. "He could rape you. You know that's a trigger for you."

"It's in the past, Bones." Kirk glared at him. "I'm not that kid anymore. Besides, it's not rape if you give consent."

"It wouldn't be anything like you fantasized," McCoy cautioned.

"I know," Kirk said firmly. "Believe me, I know. But I don't care, Bones. I'll do whatever it takes to save his life."

McCoy hated to say it but it was necessary. "When his illness is over, Spock may never want to speak with you again."

"I don't think that would happen," Kirk said uncertainly, his eyes watering at the thought. "But I have no choice. It is a risk I'm willing to take."

"Okay, Jim," McCoy soothed. "I just wanted to make sure you knew what you were getting into."

"I know," said a determined Kirk. "I want to do this. For him. For us."

"Alright, then – let's get to work." Suddenly the doctor was all business. "Here's what I was thinking…"

Together, they thought up a plan to get Spock out of Starfleet's care and into Jim's.

End Chapter 3

A/N: I don't know how this story turned so serious, but it did. Thanks for sticking with me!