Disclaimer: See chapter 1

My muse must have ADD because she is keeping me busy with all the thoughts she is sending my way!

Thank you all so much for your lovely reviews. They are such awesome encouragement.

I'm taking this chapter back to Bones' point of view. Yea it's getting kinda of sappy, but guys are allowed to be sappy once in a while.

Bones had spent most of the morning with Spock after he had awakened in Med Bay to find the Vulcan watching over him and Jim as they slept. Bones could see the emotion in Spock's eyes as he greeted the doctor with a good morning. Bones could see the change in Spock's face, like he had only just realized how important both he and Jim were to him. He knew in that instant, seeing Spock's emotional glint in his dark brown eyes, that Spock had some how heard what Bones had told him while he tucked him into the bio-bed the night before. There was no panic in Bones' thoughts, much to his own surprise, because he could plainly see that Spock reciprocated his brotherly love. But that was not up for discussion, why talk about something as plain as day? Their early morning conversation had been gentle and hushed as they discussed Spock's healing and how Jim had not been injured in any way by the wild attack before Jim awoke. Spock had reassured Bones that he was no longer in any pain and that Bones had done an excellent job in repairing any damage that had been inflicted. In a Vulcan way, Spock had paid Bones several compliments in the few moments they had shared before Jim had been awakened by their voices.

However once Jim was awake their relationship transitioned into their normal routine. All pretenses of being gentle and caring brothers with each other were lost. As Bones was fond of thinking, they had a 'reputation' to protect. They couldn't' let the whole damn ship know they cared about one another. With Jim as a witness, they had launched into a boisterous debate at breakfast over the use of human analogies which had escalated into challenge over who could have the most original come-back. Then after the smug bastard had gotten the last word because Bones really didn't know how to come back after someone had told him 'the liquor you ingest so often must finally have begun to ferment your brain', he had given up. There were some times that Bones was really snappy with the come-backs, but then there was times when if you knew you were beat you should just stay down. So, Bones gracefully conceded. Or atleast he only rolled his eyes and huffed before turning back to his unfinished plate.

After a few moments of silence letting the over-grown Kermit the Frog (some strange kid's character back years ago that Bones had stumbled across once) bask in his victory, Bones decided it was time to get down to business. "Ok, Spock, so you think you are healed, but I really need to check you out to make sure. I want you to come down to Med Bay with me right after breakfast. You had lost some blood and I need to make sure that your body is compensating appropriately." Bones looked at Jim who was nodding his head in agreement with the doctor. Earlier in the morning while Jim was showering, Spock had declined to allow him to make sure all the wounds had properly healed. Spock kept going on and on about how advanced the Vulcan physiology was and that he knew exactly what was going on in his body, he had no need to be further examined by Dr. McCoy.

Spock, who nearly sighed in defeat, nodded his head once in agreement. "I believe that while I could voice my objections on the matter, it would be illogical to argue with you." Once McCoy had Jim on his side there was no need in voicing an opposing opinion. He might not completely understand the need for humans to constantly check on the status of their fellow crew, but he did feel slightly relieved that McCoy would check his progress. It was just another example of the eldest brother caring for his younger siblings. He knew that McCoy had seen the emotions in his eyes right after he had awoken and knew that he thought of McCoy as a brother. So if Spock lived and worked along side so many humans, so many humans that he had formed a personal attachment to, then he should allow there antics. Spock decided that as long as their attentiveness caused him no harm then he should no bother to argue or remind them how illogical they were. This is what human siblings did for one another, and to phrase McCoy he was 'just another puppy in the pile'.

Jim, who was slightly in shock that Spock had given in to the argument so quickly, smiled brightly at the two men across the table from him. Though he wasn't completely sure, he could nearly see a small change in-between the two men. Some how during the first two months of their five year mission, these men had began to realize they were his brothers which made them each other's brothers, boy that was making his head hurt. Having finally stuffed himself to capacity with his large breakfast, he thought it was best if he slipped off to another part of the ship far away from Bones' hypos and any more confusing thought about being brothers with people who weren't related. "Well, gentlemen, it has been a pleasure to have breakfast with such awesome company, but I've got several things to take care of. If you'll excuse me, I have a star ship to run." Jim made a mad dash towards the door before Bones could call him back.

Bones knew what Jim was doing, he was running away before Bones sequestered him to Med Bay as well. But Jim didn't know Bones plan of operation. He was going to let Jim get comfortable doing whatever in the hell Jim did when he wasn't pestering him or Spock and sneak up on him. Jim would get a physical later in the day, that was a sure bet. "Come on Spock, let's get down to Med Bay before Jim talks Scotty into doing something we will regret later." Bones and Spock put their trays in the disposal and walked out of the mess side by side. They were in perfect step like the old marching bands of Earth. Bones mused that while Jim marched to his own beat, Spock and he had learned how to keep time. They were greeted by several crewmembers on their trek down the corridors, which both the Commander and CMO returned pleasantly. This was Bones' favorite way to spend time with Spock, in public but without Jim. They didn't argue and their friendship seemed to shine thru the cracks.

Once inside the Med Bay, Bones ran the tricorder over Spock to check for any signs the wounds were not completely healed and to check his blood counts. Everything appeared to be normal with his body already beginning the tedious process of replenishing his blood count, but Bones was still hesitant to allow the First Officer back on full duty. Had Spock been a full human he would have still been in the Med Bay with atleast a week off duty before returning to light duty for a week. Spock's injuries had been the worst Bones had ever seen on a Vulcan. "I know you are a fast healer, but I want to leave you on light duty for a week." McCoy sat down the tricorder and took a deep breath. "Spock, you had the worst injuries I have ever seen on a Vulcan and that's saying something. I don't want you to overdo it and re-injure yourself." McCoy sat in the chair at the bedside while Spock sat up in the bed. "Spock, you were gray. Jim was clutching you and green blood was every where. I fixed you back up as fast and as best as you can, but damnit I was worried! Spock, promise me you won't do something that stupid again! This old heart can't take seeing you helpless in Jim's arms. Seeing you like that is just as hard as if it had been Jim. I know we are Star Fleet officers, but you could atleast try not to use your own body as a punching bag or a shield." Bones let his hand fall into his hands as he rubbed his forehead. He hadn't meant to say those things, but Spock had to understand where he was coming from. He needed to make sure the Vulcan understood that he was just as important as Jim, that he cared damnit.

Spock sat stunned for a moment. He was not expecting McCoy to ever say such things aloud to him while conscious. He slipped off the bed and gently rested his hands on McCoy's shoulders. "McCoy… Leonard, I can not promise such things as we are in a very hazardous line of occupation, but I can promise to endeavor not to inflect such emotional turmoil on you again. I am thankful to have a friend such as you, to have found such acceptance with both you and Jim. I go so far as to even allow myself the small comfort of thinking of you and Jim as my brothers, brothers that have proven time and time again that family is not about blood relations." Then Spock did the most un-Vulcan like thing in his life, he leaned forward and pressed a very chaste kiss to the top of McCoy's head. It was how his mother had given him kisses as a child. They were always loving and caring, nothing romantic of course not, but it seemed to fit the human emotion he felt swelling within him.

Bones sat in awe at the emotional transfer and the deep meaning behind the small kiss to his crown. Spock thought of him and Jim as his brothers, that they were the only two beings in the universe that truly cared for him. Bones was so over-come with the brotherly love they shared, that he jumped up and pulled the Vulcan tight against him. Holding him close, wrapping tightly around his shoulders, reassuring himself that Spock was there and whole again – breathing with a steady pulse. He could feel that Spock was holding him just as tight around his waist with his face buried into Bones' neck. Bones was grinning like a mad man. They allowed themselves this simple moment to be just to individuals who had found acceptance that only came between true family members.

And that was how Jim found his two best friends.

A/N: Thanks for reading

Ok, ok, I know Spock probably wouldn't have ever hugged Bones in TOS, but this is based on ST09 so maybe I can have a little wiggle room??? After all he did loose his home planet and it is just one hug and a very little kiss!

Please tell me what you think my lovelies! Tell me if you want the next chapter in Bones or Spock's opinion