"Spck"

"Don't try to talk Captain, you had an allergic reaction"

Jim frowned and then mimicked writing with his hands. Spock handed him his own Padd and observed as he hastily scribbled something across the screen of the device, just as Jim was handing him back the Padd McCoy walked in.

"Nice to see sleeping beauty is finally awake. He wasn't too much trouble I take it?"

"Bnes!" The captain let out excitedly

"Hey! No talking coming from you" McCoy answered

"He has just awoken Doctor"

McCoy seem to check some stats on a nearby machine and when satisfied turned his attention back to Jim.

"Now Jim when I said you were probably allergic to the plant life, that was a joke not a challenge"

Jim let out a stifled laugh and motioned for Spock to hand him back the Padd. He was writing something again, Spock wondered what he had written earlier before they were interrupted. The Padd was handed to the doctor this time and he let out a sigh upon reading it, he could only guess what it had said.

"I know you hate sickbay's Jim but I'm gonna have to keep you here overnight"

The captain violently shook his head and reached for the Padd again, quickly writing down another message and handing it back. Was Jim afraid of sickbay? And why? This time McCoy had shot Spock a look whilst reading and let out another sigh. Was it about him?

"Fine fine, I'll talk to pointy ears about it for ya, but I make no promises! Spock let's go to my office, we need to have a discussion"

A smile appeared back on Jim's face. Spock didn't want to leave him alone, but he was also curious about the message.

"I'll be back shortly Captain"

He followed McCoy into his office, it was neat and sterile just as he had expected. He didn't want to waste any time making small talk, so he cut right to the point.

"What is this about Doctor?"

McCoy let out another sigh and rubbed a hand against his temple before running it through his hair.

"The captain. Jim. When he was a child he went through some abuse, some fucked up shit. I don't even know the full extent of it, he won't tell me. But it's made him scared to death of sickbay's or any medical attention in fact. It's a cruel joke ya'know? Considering how often he ends up in here. I was kinda relieved when you agreed to sit with him, didn't want him waking up alone or with a random nurse."

Spock felt his blood start to boil, how dare someone hurt the captain and to make him not feel safe in the one place he should! He nodded his head to indicate that he was listening and for McCoy to continue.

"Anyway I would really rather he stayed here overnight for observation, but as you saw he was very against the idea. In-fact he suggested that he went back to his quarters and had you watch over him instead" McCoy let out a small laugh and shook his head in disbelief.

The captain trusted him that much? When he thought about it they had grown rather close recently. In any case, it was his duty as both friend and first officer to protect the captain.

"I do not mind that arrangement doctor. It is my duty as first officer to protect the captain"

McCoy seemed shocked at his statement, but he appeared to release any tension he was holding.

"You're a good friend Spock, you can go tell him the good news. But if anything and I mean ANYTHING happens to Jim you call me. Got it?"

"Of course Doctor, it would be illogical not to"

After being treated with another eye-roll he left the doctor's office.

Stepping back into Jim's room he found a nurse removing the IV from his hand, Jim looked rigid and his muscles were strained, as if he was holding himself back.

"Captain"

Jim looked up and his whole body seemed to relax. Spock felt a small guilt inside of him for having left him alone, despite him originally not knowing how Jim felt about sickbay. The captain gave him a small head tilt, as if questioning him, but Spock waited until the nurse had left to speak.

"Doctor McCoy has given me permission to take you back to your quarters. However I must stay and observe you for the next 24 hours"

Jim's eyes lit up upon hearing this and he rapidly attempted to get out of the medical bed, however instead of standing up he fell forwards out of the bed clutching at his ribs. Spock quickly maneuvered himself to catch him before he hit the floor. Jim looked up at him in surprise and relaxed into his grasp before finding his balance.

"Captain, I believe it might be best if I help you"

Jim nodded his head in agreement and let Spock sit him back down onto the bed. Spock then realised the captain was still only wearing a medical gown and he certainly wouldn't want to walk the corridors in that attire.

"Let me find you a suitable change of clothes"

Jim looked down at himself as if only realizing the same thing. Spock walked over to the closet situated in the corner of room and pulled out a set of standard issue clothing, which consisted of all black T-shirt, trousers and boxer briefs. He handed them to Jim before turning around to give him some privacy. After a few minutes he heard the captain speak.

"Spck"

He turned around to find the captain still shirtless, he felt his ears take on a dark green tinge at the unexpected sight.

"Nd hlp, my rbs"

He deduced that the captain's ribs must be reason he couldn't put his shirt on and stepped forward to help him. He was so close to him, almost leaning against him, he could feel Jim's breath on his neck as he carefully helped him to slip his arms through the shirt. He pulled the T-shirt down the captain's torso, stealing a glance, before quickly turning away to compose himself.

"I believe you are now suitable to leave sickbay"

Now there was the task of getting Jim back to his quarters, he could barely stand let alone walk. He didn't think the captain would appreciate being carried through the corridors for everyone to see either. Jim had seemed to know what he was thinking about, because he stood up by himself.

"Itss ok, I cn wlk"

He wasn't certain if he fully believed him, but he understood. The captain didn't want the crew to see him in a weakened state, he had a certain image to maintain. He decided to let him walk unaided back to his quarters, but kept a close eye on him in case he needed to step in and help him.

As soon as the doors of the captain's quarters closed Jim practically collapsed to the floor.

"Jim!"

Although he had foreseen this happening, it had occurred sooner than he had expected. Without thinking he had lunged forward and swept Jim up into his arms.

"yu sd my nme" Jim grinned, seemingly ignoring the fact that he was now in Spock's arms.

Spock felt his cheeks become warmer and instead tried to focus on putting the captain down onto his bed.

"Are you hurt?"

"I'm gd"

After making sure Jim was settled comfortably in his bed, he pulled over a chair to sit next to him. Finally being able to sit down and relax he realized how fast his heart was beating, no wonder the doctor always said Jim was going to give him a heart attack.

"I will be here if you need anything captain"

"Thks Spck, Gd'nght"

"Good night Captain"