Chapter 7: In which there is a Problem (in Blossoming Pink)
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John woke with a start. Even before he sat up stick-straight, he knew something was wrong. Despite being out of the army for months, with no need for constant vigil for someone to attack (and who eventually did), his instincts remained sharp.
He only glanced around the room to fully confirm Sherlock was gone as he threw on his boots. He barely remembered to grab the unregistered phaser in his first drawer before sprinting out, regardless of curfew and regulation. Telling himself to stop and think straight after he'd run a good couple of meters blindly, he opened his comm.
"Authorization code HJ8743."
"Authorization code, accepted."
"Commence ship-wide scan for Sherlock."
"Commencing."
John's body tensed in anticipation as his comm beeped in preparation. Along with the perks of bodily threatening anyone into submission, being the CMO meant he had access to find the location of a crew member on board if he believed them to be injured or in need of assistance. Until now, he'd only had to use it to find people who decided getting a check-up wasn't all that important.
"Science officer Sherlock found. Deck 3, hallway area 3B."
"Cheers," John said absently as he took off in a sprint. He was already on deck three, but hallway 6H. It would take some time, but not all that much if he sprinted.
And sprint the human did.
.
Sherlock realized in hindsight that going against something unknown, with only the information that it wanted his blood, was a little... human. Reckless, headlong- if he had more oxygen his brain could think of further adjectives.
He was sure of one thing: John had been correct in giving the variable of something as well as someone. Because as much as he humanized Victor, it was still a plant. And his current aggressor was definitely a plant, despite the nearly four meter size. Sherlock absently thought of how security was doing shit at their jobs if they had missed this on the ship. Then again, they probably had done a life scan akin to a more bi-pedal, intellectual being, not some hideous green monstrosity.
Sherlock grunted as the vines tightened on his body. He lurched out to bite one, but the vine simply avaded his vicious manner and wrapped around his neck. The science officer watched with a slight sting of annoyance as the pink flowers opened and closed in succession; if Sherlock was to guess, it was amused at finally finding its prey.
Of course it would be Anderson's missing plant that would come to literally bite him. And then commence in draining his blood.
Which he felt was happening at the suction on his limbs and torso. It seemed the vines didn't want to try his face and teeth. But then again everything was getting a little hazy and attentive relation of body sensation to his brain was-
"Hey! Ugly green thing!"
For a moment, Sherlock dimly wondered why he was being addressed and if he was simply hearing a taunt similar to those during his childhood. Then he turned slightly to where he'd heard the exclamation come from and saw John with a phaser raised, aiming at the bundle of vines and gaping pink flowers.
"Release him. Or face decomposition," John declared, phaser still trained on the creature.
Oddly, the vines seemed to split off from Sherlock, allowing the Vulcan some freedom to resume lashing out at the restraints. Now that they loosened from their death grip, he began ripping them off. He was dropped roughly on the ground, where he began to cough, his throat feeling raw and entire body aching.
It seemed the creature was split between going after John or Sherlock, and John took that opportunity at its indecision to shoot. It seemed only one shot was necessary, as the bundle of flowers and vines went down in a heap. Clearly John hadn't even bothered with the stun option.
Sherlock shook off any remaining vines and stood warily, leaning against the nearest wall for support, his other hand still latched onto his throat.
"John-" the half-Vulcan managed to say between his coughs.
"Wait just- just a moment," John asked before he leaned over and puked.
Despite his physical distress, Sherlock was at his side in a moment, standing too close. He wanted to offer physical comfort. He remembered vomiting as a child, and how his mother rubbed circles on his back. Yet that was between a parent and child; clearly he and John's bond was not that.
Sherlock still wanted to comfort the man who had saved his life. He decided words may help distract John from his discomfort, despite how scratchy his voice may sound.
"Adrenaline repercussion?"
"No, no, it's a side-effect from all those copper hypos," John said through labored pants.
"You took unnecessary health risks to protect me," Sherlock stated, understanding John's reasons for increasing his copper intake. As being the only Vulcan on board, the plant was attempting to find him. Yet John had injected himself with enough to confuse it. John had attempted to share Sherlock's burden. Sherlock had gone on ahead, alone. Ignorant.
"Obviously, since you probably figured out how I could have acted as a decoy before you... nerve pinched it or something."
"I do not believe that would have worked on this... abomination."
John began to straighten and laugh, but then he leaned back over and his body attempted to dispel what he had already rejected. John only succeeded in dry-heaving.
Deciding to take yet another risk, Sherlock took the extra step closer and placed a hand over the small of John's back. He didn't do any further movement, and hoped that John would appreciate the physical, distinctly human comfort.
"Sorry, gross, I know. Despite all my years in the medical field, you never get over the stench of vomit," John noted as he rubbed his mouth against his sleeve and then grimaced at it. He finally fully straightened.
"What is natural and unavoidable should not be given an opinion. In addition, it is best that this is the sole symptom you have shown."
"Yeah, well, it takes extended expose for other symptoms to show. God knows I don't want to be shitting black," John said tiredly.
John looked up at Sherlock expectantly, and the Vulcan noted with a figurative jump that his hand was still on John's back. He retracted it quickly, moving it to clasp at a wrist behind his back.
"How about we let maintenance do their job and take care of this?" John asked with a grin.
"No one will be aware of your military prowess."
"Medals, why would I need more? Or do you mean you want everyone to know you were the one who figured out the mystery of the ill crew members?" John said with a roll of his eyes.
Sherlock looked down with a barely discernible frown.
"If it helps, I know. And that thing knew," John said absently. "And didn't you want to keep a low profile? Don't think the entire crew knowing someone specially mutated a plant to drink your blood is discrete."
"It is true this information should not become public."
"Then come on, you need some copper supplements. If I didn't use them all of course, Jim said as he began walking away with Sherlock astride.
"I believe you learned something?" Sherlock noted, causing John to jump at the odd phrase and timing.
"Not to let you out of my sight for a second when there's a copper-sucking pink-flowered creature around? Sure it'll come in handy again."
Sherlock pointedly looked down at John's legs, and after a long moment John's face lit up in a smile as he realized he hadn't used his cane. He had full out sprinted without abandon.
"I was right."
"Yeah, yeah it was psychosomatic. Know who else was right? Me. For telling you not to go at it alone."
Sherlock decided silence would prevail during the remaining walk to sickbay.
AN: Ok, time to double-fangirl and pat myself on the back. Because I successfully incorporated an aspect of the 'first' episode of Star Trek TOS 'The Man Trap' (besides the pilot) where Sulu had a pink flower. And then arguably the 'first' episode of Sherlock (again, besides the pilot which is nearly identical. Oh lord those JEANS) into a similar plot: people unassumingly dying. Also a similar plot to 'The Man Trap' with copper being taken from the body instead of salt. OH HELLO OCD FOR INTERCONNECTIONS. If you got the TOS hints... you are the best. If not, that's fine! There was enough Sherlock references to tide you over hopefully. Also, reviews appreciated!