Babysitter Bones

Author: Dreamwind

Summery: Another mission gone wrong, but this time Bones is left to sort out the consequences. Is he prepared to watch over two small children? Especially when those children are Captain Kirk and Commander Spock.

Warning: De-aged Kirk & Spock, terrible use of Southern & Scottish accents, yelling, mildly inappropriate language & potential cuteness overload

Rating: PG

Universe: Star Trek XI

content for this chapter was update on 02/17/11

Chapter 4

Chief Medical Officer's Log Stardate 2259.926

Apparently I have underestimated the little hooligans. I had expected Jim to be the one to cause problems, not Spock. Of course the Vulcan just loves to prove me wrong. Running away from Chekov was just foolish. Of course Jim had to follow along and encourage the behavior.

I have updated the Captain's medical records as well to show the new allergies that have become apparent today. I am praying that today was as hectic as it is gonna' get, but I am not hopeful. I've known Jim Kirk too long now to think this is the worst it's gonna' get.

Day 2; 5:48pm, Greenhouse 3

Spock had been right. Things had not ended well, though that did little to remove the smug grin from Jim's eyes. Honestly, he was unsure how the young human manipulated the muscles in his eyes in such a way that they could produce such an effect. Most illogical. It was even more illogical of Jim to believe that they could avoid the hypospray by avoiding lunch. Though it was impressive that they had managed to remain hidden until 5:48pm.

They could perhaps have lasted longer if they hadn't snuck into the ships greenhouse to partake of some of the plants and fruits growing there. It would have also prevented them from finding out that Jim had a rather dangerous allergic reaction to the berries produced on an Orion Blue Rose bush.

The sight of Jim turning a dark shade of violet, his hands and feet swelling to massive proportions had caused an emotional reaction in Spock that he had never before experienced. His heart had felt like a vice was clenching it tighter and tighter, all the while the beat of his heart went faster and faster. Dread. Panic. Fear. Grief. He was not sure which word best described the experience. All he knew was that he didn't wish for it to happen again. So with speed he didn't know he had, he had run to the nearest communications link and called for Doctor McCoy.

The Doctor, followed by a small party of nurses and security officers, had rushed into the room where Spock was holding Jim tightly to his chest, rocking back and forth and singing softly. The Doctor's touch had been surprisingly gentle as he pried Spock and Jim apart. The man's eyes were sharp and focused. He barked out orders non-stop, never looking up at the others he ordered about. He was perfectly sure that they would do exactly as ordered, so sure in them that he never thought to repeat any order.

The room was a swirl of bodies and loud voices. The press of their presence was nearly overwhelming, but all Spock could focus on was Jim's still violet body and Doctor McCoy carefully but swiftly medicating him, bringing the swelling down enough so that Jim gave out a gasping, wheezy breath. The simple sound caused some of the pressure on his heart to lessen and his muscles began to relax.

Jim's blue eyes rolled over the room before landing on Spock. Their eyes locked and Spock felt a small thrill shoot up and down his spine.

"This is what I get for eating healthy foods," wheezed Jim, eyes scrunching up in brief pain as Doctor McCoy shot him with yet another hypospray.

"It is my fault. Although the likelihood of your being allergic to the berries was low…" Spock paused, swallowing back the rush of emotions. "I should have returned us to Doctor McCoy's care."

"It's not yer fault, Spockie," Jim tried to smile up at him but his lower lip was trembling. "I'm always allergic to the interesting stuff."

Spock watched Doctor McCoy stand up from Jim's side and move over to where Nurse Chapel was standing with one of the red-shirted security guards. Making sure the adults were no longer watching them, Spock reached out hesitantly and placed his small hand on Jim's small, still trembling hand. "It is well to know now that they shall have a negative reaction with your physiology." Spock licked his lips. "They…are not the most tasteful berries." Spock looked at the floor, his face flushing green. "We can look elsewhere than the gardens for entertainment in the future if that would please thee?"

Jim smiled softly, face still violet, his cheeks perhaps a bit darker than the rest of his face. "Yeah? Maybe tomorrow we can go look out at the stars?"

"That would be acceptable."

McCoy sighed, rubbing at the back of his neck. He had been seriously worried when he had found out the boys had run off. He knew Jim, knew something like this would happen. He just hadn't expected to run into the room to find Jim nearly suffocated to death with a terrified Spock clutching at him like his world was about to be destroyed.

He sent the security officers on their way and turned to look back at the two boys. A smile stretched across his strained face.

Click.

McCoy turned to looked toward the sound and found Nurse Chapel quietly slipping a camera back into her medical bag. The two shared a look and a quiet smile.

He stood with Chapel in the doorway a moment longer, just watching the two boys awkwardly holding hands. Who knew Jim and that little hobgoblin could be so cute? Hell, who knew Jim could be that quiet and still and not be – McCoy cut the thought off before the pain and fear of seeing Jim's nearly lifeless body could return.

Habitual scowl back in place, McCoy moved back into the room and towards his charges. Keeping his eyes on the PADD in his hands he tried very hard not to burst out laughing as Spock and Jim jumped apart like guilty teens caught necking by their parents.

"Well," he looked from the PADD at the two boys on the floor, "Hopefully there won't be anymore foolhardy stunts like today. You both had everyone very worried."

McCoy set the PADD down next to a rather fuzzy looking pink plant and moved to take Jim's chin in his hand, turning the boy's head left and right. The fingers moved over Jim's throat, carefully checking for any lingering swelling. "Your swelling is almost completely gone. No solid foods for breakfast tomorrow for you, mister."

Jim looked a bit put out, but did not argue.

"You'll most likely be purple for at least another day or two. Nothin' I can do about that." McCoy released Jim's face and turned to look at Spock. "Now, lets take a look at you."

Spock moved away from McCoy and closer to Jim as the Doctor reached out to take Spock's face in hand. "It'll only take a moment. If you keep squirming it'll only take longer."

Spock sat rigid, clutching at Jim's hands as McCoy carefully felt along his throat. "As healthy as a pickle." McCoy released Spock's neck and stood back up.

"Now," McCoy smiled, teeth gleaming, "we need to talk about punishments."

Jim groaned.

8pm, CMO McCoy's Cabin

Dinner had been fairly quiet. Spock and Jim had each been given a bowl of some spicy Indian soup. Jim didn't know what exactly it was, but surprisingly, he had found that it had tasted really good. Even after Jim had been informed that it was entirely vegetarian. It hadn't been anything like what his Mom would cook for dinner. That usually leaned more towards chicken-fried steaks, spinach and mashed potatoes. This, Jim thought, was much better.

Still, Jim would have liked to have solid foods for dinner, especially as Dr. McCoy had stated that his breakfast would be liquid as well. Well, whatever. He wasn't gonna let a liquid diet get to him. At least not yet. He would save up that frustration so that later, at a time of his choice. He could knock CMO Sassypants flat with a truly monumental tantrum. Either that or he could just get even.

Yeah, getting even sounded like a good idea.

Now the thing to do was get Spockie in on getting the Doctor back. If for no other reason than for making them wear these ridiculous outfits. Life on a Starship must be pretty boring if they had to resort to playing dress-up with a couple of kids.

Jim looked over at Spockie who was gathering up his pajamas. The cloths were quickly and efficiently gathered and Spockie was looking a trifle miffed at the sight of them. Footie pajamas. And if that wasn't bad enough they were more costume like than pajama like. He knew that once Spockie put them on he would be dressed like a large gray kitten. The pajamas included a long tail and a hood with pointy gray cat-ears on the top.

Jim had a similar pair of pajamas, although his was red and styled like a fox instead of a cat. They even included a large fluffy fox tail.

Spockie crossed by Jim, his face flushed a light green, and disappeared into the bathroom. Jim looked at his dirty cloths, his fox pj's and Spockie's retreating back.

Maybe he should offer to scrub Spockie's back for him? Sam was always washing his back and even his hair for him. Sam said that was what good big brothers did. Spockie may be a bit older than him, but Jim knew he had never had a big brother to help him wash up. 'Maybe his Mom helped him,' Jim thought with bit of jealousy.

Jim shrugged off the emotion as useless. Spockie was his friend, his bestest friend ever. Smiling Jim followed Spockie into the bathroom.

Spock whipped around at the sound of the door sliding open and shut. Standing just inside the doorway was Jim. Spock took in the slightly scruffy appearance of the human boy and the way he flushed violet in his cheeks and up to the tips of his rounded ears.

Spock found his own cheeks flushing as well. "Can I help you, Jim?"

"Um…Well, I thought I could wash your back for you?"

"That is not necessary."

"Uh, well…" Jim shuffled his feet. "My big brother Sam, he washes my back for me and I just thought," Jim blushed, "I could, you know, help you like he does for me."

Spock blinked. Jim seemed to wish to engage in a human famial bonding rite with him. "Very well, you may wash my back."

The smile Jim threw him was blinding.

Spock stepped to the side, making room for Jim in the shower with him. Quickly Jim removed his cloths, setting them in the laundry shoot. His pj's were set on the counter next to Spock's own.

Spock watched it all quietly, taking in the difference in their physiology.

For the most part they were built along similar lines. The only obvious differences being Jim's rounded ears, normally pink skin, and Jim's reproductive organs. Spock couldn't help but stair at Jim's groin, a thoughtful look on his face. Jim caught him looking and blush, moving his hands to try and hide himself from Spock's gaze.

"Why are ya' staring?" Jima asked flustered.

"Are all human males built with external reproductive organs?"

"Huh?" Jim blinked a bit confused. 'Why would he—' Jim suddenly really took a look at Spock and realized, like Spock had, that there were a few fundamental differences in their physiology. "Spock! Where's your winky?"

"I do not understand to what you are referring."

"Your winky! You know—" Jim pointed at his groin.

"If you are reefing to my penis—"

Jim couldn't help but giggle. "You said penis."

Spock felt his eyebrow twitch with irritation. "That is the correct name for that organ."

Jim continued to giggle quietly. Slowly he began to calm down. "Yeah, so, why don't you have one? Are you a girl?"

"I am not female. Vulcan males have a retractable penis."

Jim blinked and moved forward until he was standing directly in front of Spock. Carefully the young human looked Spock over. "Well as long as you aren't a girl."

Spock blinked slowly before nodding.

"Okay," Jim started, "I'll wash your back and then you wash mine. Okay?"

"That is acceptable." Spock turned so that his back faced Jim. He could hear the sound of Jim soaping up the hand towel, before he felt it against his back.

Jim was humming a song under his breath, his hands carefully going over Spock's back. Spock carefully paid attention to what Jim was doing so that he could accurately replicate the experience for Jim. The whole experience was still a bit startling for Spock. His every nerve was alive and seemed heightened beyond normal. In one way it was a bit scary allowing another such contact with him, but in another way it was strangely comforting to have Jim's warm presence there, deft sure hands stroking his back, and voice humming a soft tune.

He began to slowly focus more on the sound of Jim's voice and less on the feel of his hands moving over his shoulders and back. It was strange how familiar and yet how new Jim's voice was to him. It was almost like he could taste the sound of it in his mind.

"All done," Jim stated.

Spock nodded, turning to take the towel from Jim. Jim turned his back to Spock, still humming the song. Spock's hands pressed into Jim's flesh, lightly kneading the muscles. The contact seemed to release the last of the tenseness from the accident earlier from Jim's body. Quick impressions of passing thoughts, memories and sensations filtered from Jim's mind, through Spock's hands and into his mind.

Shivering Spock pulled his hands away from his friends shoulders. Spock had never wanted to delve into another's mind as he found that brief contact made him want to delve into Jim's. Ignoring the new emotions, Spock soaped up the towel and began to recreate the movements that Jim had used on him, on Jim. It didn't take long to wash the others back.

Jim turned around and leaned into the water spray, soapsuds pouring off his back. "Thanks, Spockie."

Spock nodded.

"Don't spend all night in there you two!"

Spock and Jim jumped at the loud sound of Dr. McCoy's voice. Quickly looking to each other they shut off the water and got out of the shower. They dried themselves off quickly and pulled on their pj's. Jim went to leave, but Spock pulled him back, turning Jim to the sink and the yellow toothbrush Sock was now pointing at Jim.

Jim sighed but took the toothbrush.

Three Hours Later

Bones leaned back into his chair, arms raised over his head as he stretched out. He could hear his joints pop. It had been a long day. He had almost dared to hope that with Jim turned into a child the away teams would fare better. But no! The away teams had come back from their exploratory missions twice as battered as when Jim was with them.

Then if that wasn't enough Spock had run away. Spock! Lord almighty, that had been a shock. Of course Jim couldn't remain still either. Bones almost pitied poor Chekov. The kid nearly gave himself a heart attack running around the ship like a chicken with its head cut off, looking for Jim and Spock.

The brats had been found by Sulu at one point before they escaped again. Then they weren't found until hours later, and then they were found only because Spock had called in to the sickbay with an emergency.

Spock and Jim had been in one of the Botany Department's greenhouses, eating the plants. How Spock had got Jim to eat anything as healthy as vegetables and fruit when McCoy would argue himself horse was a mystery. Of course, Jim being Jim, he had ended up having a dangerous allergic reaction to what they had been eating. It had nearly killed him.

'Damnation, but did Jim really have to be allergic to everything? It's a wonder the boy had survived to adulthood.'

Bones rubbed his eyes, and stood from his chair. The boys should be fast asleep now. Hell, he should be fast asleep now.

Quietly he moved away from his desk to the curtained off corner of the room where the boys makeshift beds were located. He knew it wouldn't be the most comfortable sleeping arrangement, but the ship hadn't been built with families in mind.

He pulled one of the dark curtains aside, glancing in at the bed closest to him, Jim's bed.

All was silent for a brief moment before McCoy chocked back a curse. Jim was gone. Again.

Tbc…

AN: For reviews like Rane who have problems with children "loving" each other and my having a slash theme to the story I will say this:

According to numerous physiological studies children are more likely to "love" and form "crushes" and "desires" for other children their age than most adults are aware of. Children "love" each other just as adults do. It is simply that their "love" doesn't have any really conscious sexual component. It is also more likely that the child will fall "in love" with another child of their own gender. And after watching my numerous younger cousins I can say that this is very true.

So if this still bothers you I will simply tell you to stop reading the fic. They are children and their love for each other is innocent. I am not promoting child porn nor am I writing any. This fic isn't about sex, nor does it contain any. It is a story about making friends and first loves, and about comedy.