"If you start to feel ill again-"

"I do not."

"Yes, but if you feel tired-"

"I am well-rested."

"If you need anything at all-"

"I will not, Doctor McCoy."

"Damn it, Pointy, listen to me!"

Jim laughed quietly to himself, hiding his smile by directing his attention to the radar.

"I am listening," Spock said.

"If you start feeling the slightest bit off, go back to bed. I shouldn't even be letting you go back to work already, but you won't sit still long enough for me to barely get your temperature," Bones muttered. "Jim-"

Kirk looked over his shoulder. "Don't look at me. I can't control him and I wouldn't try to if you paid me."

"Actually, you can control him- you're the Captain and you know that he listens to anything you say. Just tell him to take it easy-"

"As you seem to have forgotten, Doctor, I am standing right here," Spock interrupted. "And I can hear you."

"I am not telling him anything, Bones," Jim said, joining the two standing by the door of the bridge. "He's a capable man... Vulcan. He knows his limits better than you do."

Bones snorted. "I doubt it. Both of you are jumped up action-junkies."

Kirk raised his eyebrows, noting one of Spock's eyebrows twitch up as well.

"Okay, you're a jumped up action-junkie," Bones said, to Jim.

"Yeah, he follows Regulation," Jim said, nodding at Spock. "Besides, you've banned him from recon missions for the next three days. I think he'll be fine."

"What Captain Kirk says is of utmost logic," Spock said.

McCoy looked between the men before rolling his eyes. "Whatever. Both of you ganging up on me. Some praise that I get for taking care of his sick ass."

"You were wonderful, Bones. The best medical care that I've seen; and your bedside manner improved a lot since you treated me last," Kirk said, his hand reaching to his neck. "I can still feel the sting where you gave me that flu vaccine..."

"Oh, shut up," Bones said, but there was a smile hiding behind his words.

(Jim had discovered something long ago; McCoy was as sensitive to flattery on his medical treatments as was any woman on her beauty. He didn't necessarily show it often and mainly countered any praise with sarcasm, but Jim knew he really did enjoy the sentiment.)

"Yes. Much appreciated," Spock said, turning away. "Now, Doctor, if you will return to your... potions-" Jim could hear the disdain behind the word and laughed out loud- "we will return to our duties as well."

"My 'potions' saved your sorry ass, Commander. Have a bit of respect!" McCoy demanded, but Spock had already returned to his post.

Clearly, his first officer was eager to get back to his job. Jim could sympathize. Being sick was boring; operating a spaceship wasn't.

Kirk clapped Bones on the shoulder, smiling. "You heard him, Bones. The wizard must return to his potion."

Bones rolled his eyes. "And the green-blooded hobgoblin to his post."

"And the Captain to his chair," Jim said. "Bones?"

"What?"

"Thanks," he said quietly.

Bones searched him for a moment before he nodded. "Anytime."

When the CMO had left the bridge, Kirk returned to his seat. It wasn't long before he felt a familiar presence looming over his shoulder. Looking up, eyebrows raised, Spock was standing next to him, his hands folded behind his back.

"It is regrettable that I took sick leave."

"You're lucky I'm not sending you on shore leave," Jim said seriously. "You need a break. We've been pushing the exploration for quite awhile now, coupled with culture shock and the different environments, it's no wonder your body shut down."

"My body is much more resilient than yours is, Captain."

"So? Even Vulcans can get sick."

"Rarely," Spock said. "So, what planet are we observing?"

"We are observing nothing. I am observing a planet at coordinates today."

"Unidentified planet?" Spock quipped, eyebrows furrowing. "It seems unwise that you will be exploring without back-up."

Jim flashed him a smile. "I didn't say I wouldn't have back-up, Commander. It just won't be you. Sulu."

"Yes, Captain?"

"Set coordinates for ."

"Aye-aye, Captain." A pause. "Coordinates locked on."

"Great. Now suit up."

"Yes, sir."

Jim looked up at Spock. "Mr. Spock?"

"I will perform my duties from the ship admirably," Spock said, striding to his seat.


"Scotty, beam us out!"

"The transporter can't differentiate; ye need to get away from those things!"

"Yeah, we're trying!"

"What are those things?"

"They appear to be an unidentified species."

"No shit, Sherlock!"

"Scotty!"

"I can't lock on!"

"Mr. Scott, it would be wise to-"

"I'm trying!"

"Beam us out!"

"Okay, okay, okay- damn!"

"Mr. Scott?"

"I've lost them. Kirk? Captain? Sulu? Bloody 'ell, Jim?! Jim!"


I did say that the action would start this chapter. I just didn't say to what extent. :p I realise that this chapter is short; that will be remedied in upcoming chapters. Also, thanks to the reviewer who suggested Spock mentioning McCoy's 'potions'. :)

I do not own Star Trek. Thank you!