He had spent many nights pouring over paper work on this desk, but now he was standing on top of it like a paperweight as Spock and Yeoman Rand towered above him. Rand is equipped with a measuring tape, discussing with Spock how they might go about making Jim a uniform or at least something to wear (besides a scrap of his shirt) for the time being. Of course they only got this far in 20 minutes because she spent about 10 minutes being shocked at the sight of him. Then another 10 fussing over how "cute" he was.
Still holding her conversation with Spock, she turned to Kirk and prodded him with her index finger to direct his arms up so that she could measure his waist. He could have sworn she had already measured that. Twice.
"Yes sir, Scotty says he may be able to alter a replicator and have it make a uniform in the captain's current size," she told Spock as she prodded Kirk some more.
Withdrawing the cold, plastic tape, she stood beside Spock as he recorded the measurements in a message on his PADD to be sent to the engineer. Kirk quickly picked up his shirt scrap and wrapped it around his waist before Janice could get another look at him. Smiling innocently, turned back to Spock.
"Sir, if Scotty is unable to get a proper set of clothes out for him, I don't mind making him a set by hand," she offered kindly. Spock didn't look up from his PADD but nodded his approval.
"If Mr. Scott is unable to complete the task, I shall notify you." She turned to Kirk and smiled happily. Almost excitedly.
That smile seemed familiar.
He then remembered some of the many women he had been with. Them trying to stick around, do things for him. Make him breakfast, call or contact him in any way possible after that one night. But this was ridiculous. He never slept with this woman, and had no intention to, yet she has been the most bent on serving him.
A mental note was made about having to have a chat with her later. Such "enthusiasm" over her captain could be seen as a distraction and he didn't want to have to transfer to schedule to a later shift.
"Yeoman Rand, you are excused," Spock said crisply after setting his PADD down next to Kirk. Once she was out of the room the small man breathed a sigh of relief. Unfortunately that relief was short lived.
"She will be checking up on you every thirty minutes. She is to provide you with any assistance that you may need." Kirk knew that Spock was implying that she is the one who is going to be helping him when he needs to use the restroom.
Well fuck that.
"You know, Bones' idea of a litter box-"
"Was not a serious suggestion and will not be treated as such. You are not a domesticated feline, Jim," Spock said with finality. There would be no more entertaining such a ridiculous idea. At least not with Spock.
"But why do I need a caretaker? I don't like the idea of someone waiting on me like that." Kirk crossed his arms. He took pride in his independence and there was so much he would be uncomfortable with while having someone tend to his needs like that.
Tilting his head to the side, Spock quirked an eyebrow. "I do not see any problem in having her assist you as she is our most efficient yeoman. Please elaborate as to what the issue is."
"Nothing. I just- Can't you just stack a pile of books for me to climb?"
The Vulcan shook his head. "Would you rather reside in Sickbay and have Doctor McCoy and Nurse Chapel look after you?"
"WHAT?" Kirk almost growled. "I'm not a baby! I can take care of-"
"Jim. You are six inches tall. How can you expect to get your daily tasks completed at this height?" Spock reasoned as best he could but he knew Jim would not simply accept his situation so easily.
His query was only met with something like a shrugging 5 year old, which did surprise his First Officer in how little of an argument that was. Spock extended his hand towards his friend, who climbed on and clutched his shirt as he sat down. Spock did not like the downcast look on his captain. Such a strong individual with high intelligence felt so reduced.
Spock felt the need to comfort his friend. Usually he'd allow McCoy to do the uplifting but right now his Captain needed as much reassurance as possible. "We shall return you to your previous form. Your crew are all putting in a great amount of effort. You must stay here and out of danger for your sake as well as theirs."
Obviously upset, not to mention his displeased emotions seeped through the touch, Spock gave in to his desire to comfort and reached his other hand up to brush a finger over Jim's soft golden hair. Blue eyes gave Spock a curious look, knowing his First Officer was particularly not fond of touching and only ever tolerated it from Jim. He didn't dare question it though because right now he needed the comfort of another. Spock continued to gently rub his hair before Jim reached up one hand and stroked the side of Spock's finger with his knuckles.
It's terribly rare to share quiet moments with Spock, but this felt so intimate and yet there was nothing wrong with it. It was endearing to see Spock make and effort like this on Jim's behalf. It didn't last too long though. Withdrawing his finger, Spock ignored the buzzing warmth in his hand as Jim sighed and looked down again.
The small man looked up curiously "What have you told the rest of the crew?"
Spock crouched and set his friend down on the floor. "Doctor McCoy has informed them of your…condition. They know that you are unable to perform your duty at this time."
Kirk frowned at that. "Are you telling them the whole truth or just telling them I'm not available?"
"If you want them to know-"
"That I'm six inches tall? Yeah! I would like them to know! I want them to be aware of what's going on! I don't want them left in the dark like that." Jim stopped himself and breathed deeply. He was getting worked up over nothing. He was just so stressed from the whole situation that any little negative detail seemed to only add to the headache.
"We did not lie. We merely excluded certain details. Mr. Sulu and the others were told not to say anything to anyone until further notice." Spock walked towards the door. "As I was saying before; if you want them to know, I will take you up to the bridge when our next shift starts so that you can tell them personally. I believe the Human phrase "seeing is believing" applies to this situation. For now you will stay here and rest." Spock quickly left after that, leaving Kirk to silently fume about being stuck in his own room. What harm could it do to run around his ship at this size?
Spock sat in his quarters meditating, or at least trying to. He kept wondering how such a strange occurrence could cause a person to shrink. He did not even know what caused it but he was so curious to find out. He was tempted to get to the science labs with his team and help them but he needed his meditation since he couldn't sleep and needed to focus. His mind wondered to Jim and how he was doing. Being so tiny and wondering if he will ever return to normal and be able to run the ship again. The ship and crew were his family but Star Fleet might remove his captaincy if he is unable to perform his duty.
The young Vulcan stood up from his place on the floor and went to change into his uniform. He needed to do something. To help in any way he could. He couldn't concentrate on meditating at a time like this. He needed Jim back to his original form. Just then his comm beeped. He strode over to the device and pressed the red button to answer.
"Spock, here," he said crisply.
"Rand, here. I'm sorry to interrupt your time, Sir, but I have a problem here,…uhhh," she trailed off, unsure how to continue. Spock waited patiently, though with some slight irritation that he would never admit to. "Sir I went to check on Captain Kirk and his door was wide open…" Spock's mind suddenly blanked. How did Jim open the door? "He's not there sir," she finally finished, a mix of fear and worry in her voice. Spock replied with an "Understood. Spock out." and then immediately called McCoy.
"What is it?" McCoy snapped. He obviously didn't like being woken up early.
"Jim has escaped his quarters and-" He was cut off by an angry shout from the doctor.
"Damn kid can't sit still for TWO MINUTES!" McCoy continued to rant but Spock interrupted.
"I will go search for him."
"Can't we just send out a message for everyone to look? I mean-"
"Jim wanted to tell them of his condition. If we let them know Jim is missing they will wonder how a full grown male went missing on his own ship." Spock heard McCoy sigh deeply. "And having more crewmen mobilize will only increase Jim's danger of being crushed."
"Alright. I'll do what I can." McCoy said with a sigh.
"Spock out." The Vulcan quickly exited his quarters and made his way to Kirk's. Sure enough the door was wide open and Rand was looking under the bed.
"Are you positive he is not here?" Spock asked as he peered around the room.
"Yes. I've carefully cleaned up under the bed in case he was trying to hide in all the clutter but no luck. He couldn't hide anywhere else in here. I've checked. He's gone sir." She stood up to face her superior officer. Spock only nodded and dismissed her. "Luckily he took his new uniform," she mumbled, a bit put out from the fact that she didn't have to make it since the engineer was successful.
With once last glance around the room, ears carefully listening for any movement, Spock shook his head and left. He had just entered a turbolift when his communicator chirped. He flipped it open and heard Mr. Scott's rushed and frantic voice.
"Sir! My tribble is gone! Her cage was open and I don't know where she is! Sir, if she finds any food she will multiply faster than ten rabbits!" The Vulcan could tell Scotty was really worried. Tribbles were only allowed if they could be kept confined but if they multiplied then they had to be taken off the ship.
"Mr. Scott I understand your concern. Right now, Captain Kirk is missing as well. We will search for both."
"Aye sir."
Spock closed his communicator and stepped out of the 'lift. He was on his way to the bridge when his peripheral vision picked up a small, moving, object. He turned to see a fat brown tribble scooting along with a tiny figure on top of it. Spock approached it to see it was Kirk on the tribble; his bright yellow shirt contrasting quite well with the animal's fur. Jim had heard Spock's approaching footsteps and quickly turned his head and brought a hand up to shield his face. Spock raised a brow and recognized the human gesture as a way of (poorly) concealing ones' identity.
Highly illogical.
"Jim, I do not see how that would help you to hide from me for I do not know any other humanoids of your size." With that, Jim put his hand down before turning to Spock and pointing accusingly at him.
"You won't catch me!" Kirk said with a mock glare before encouraging the tribble to go faster. The fuzzy animal only purred soothingly and scooted along at its same, steady pace. Spock shook his head and crouched down to pick up Kirk and the tribble.
"How did you manage to escape your quarters and get all the way down to engineering to steal Mr. Scott's tribble?" Spock asked as he strode back to the 'lift.
Wiggling his fingers in an attempt to give himself a mystic appearance, Jim grinned wide. "Magic!" he exclaimed in a hushed tone.
Spock raised an eyebrow and entered the lift. "If you do not wish to tell me, then do not, but I refuse to believe in such an improbable thing as magic." laughing, Jim leaned back on the purring tribble. He pet it lightly as Spock commanded the 'lift to Sickbay. Jim suddenly looked panicked.
"Where are you taking me?" Spock faced forward, his face as unreadable as always.
"You obviously cannot stay in your quarters so I am taking you to Sickbay to be put in McCoy and Nurse Chapel's care." Kirk sputtered as he tried to come up with a way to appease the Vulcan.
"I won't leave again! I was just-" Spock stopped the 'lift and pierced Kirk with an icy stare.
"Putting yourself in danger? Jim, you are extremely fortunate that no one has seen you. Their reaction to seeing you like this might have caused chaos."
Kirk nervously rubbed the back of his neck "Well most of the main crew is still asleep…"
Spock made the 'lift continue to sickbay as Kirk crossed his arms and frowned. There was no changing the mind of his First.
"There you are!" McCoy was waiting for the 'lift but upon it's arrival his two friends showed up. The good doctor scooped up Jim and ignored the tribble. "I've a good mind to put you in a shoe box, Jim!" He strode to his office with Spock following close behind.
"Awww come on, Bones!" Kirk complained. "I wasn't hurting anybody!"
McCoy ignored the tiny man as he entered his office and closed the door behind Spock, who was subconsciously petting the tribble.
"Mr. Spock, I didn't know you had it in you," McCoy said with a small smirk when he noticed him petting the tribble. Spock briefly glanced at his hand that was on the tribble before lowering it to his side and gently placed the tribble on the doctor's desk.
McCoy quickly turned his attention back to Kirk. "Listen to me! I don't know why in God's name you would go out of your way to take Mr. Scott's tribble but I'm about to stop all of your shenanigans!" Kirk glared back as McCoy continued "I'm going to keep a round the clock eye on you! Nurse Chapel and I will personally see to it that you don't pull anymore crap! You hear me?" McCoy jabbed a finger at Kirk.
"Kind of hard NOT to when you and your dragon breath are in my FACE!" Came Kirk's sarcastic reply.
"Well guess what? Since you find being a jackass so much fun, you get to stay here in Sickbay, with me AND my dragon breath!" McCoy strode over to his desk and set Kirk on it before picking up the tribble and handing it to Spock.
"Take this to Scotty before he comes down here with a bad migraine." Spock took the tribble and nodded, though Kirk protested.
"No! Please leave her here! She's soft and calming!" McCoy only snapped at Kirk, who was pathetically reaching towards the far away fluff ball, and told him to quit being a big baby.
"I will be back for Jim at the start of our next shift" Spock said, completely ignoring the angry glares McCoy and Kirk were sending each other. "He wishes to personally let the crew know of his condition." McCoy grunted in understanding as he went about his office in search of something.
The Vulcan was almost out the door when he stopped to glance at Kirk, who stared back with a small pout. The 'puppy' face, McCoy called it. It made Spock's insides turn at the thought that his friend was now even more depressed at having to be contained in Sickbay. He strode out without a second look and told himself that it was for Jim's benefit that he be confined in safety.
Though he still did not like having to leave him there.