"Are you sure you want to go through this?" McCoy replied as he paced back and forth in sickbay.

"Of course. What's the problem Bones? All I need to do is get Spock to the flower garden, help me with a few names, I get a thorn in one of my fingers, he removes it, preferably with his teeth...and I am in heaven." Jim smiled as he replayed to the good doctor his plans for Spock to touch him.

"So that's it then, you don't need me.."

"Not so fast, I'm not done. The moment he removes that thorn, I'll feel faint, and I'll tell him that perhaps I got some kind of allergic reaction, and that it would be best for me to go to sickbay. I'll protest of course, saying that I can walk, but he decides to carry me there." Jim smiles again, thinking about it.

"How romantic." Bones replies sarcastically, rolling his eyes.

Jim punched his arm.

"Hey, that hurts. Why are you hitting me for?" McCoy replies rubbing the spot he injured.

"You are not taking this seriously Bones. We have to focus, if this plan is to work."

"You know I bruise easily." The good doctor continued to rub his arm.

"You can be such a baby." Jim replied disgusted with his friend's attitude.

"I'm the baby?! You and your bizarre games. When are you gonna grow up?" McCoy screamed at him.

"Okay, okay. I'm sorry I hit you. Now, are you over it? We have to hurry. I have to meet Spock in fifteen minutes." Jim replied anxiously.

"Fine. What do you want me to do?" McCoy gave in, deciding to help his friend, even though it was against his better judgement.

"When I arrive in sickbay, Spock carrying me, hopefully. He'll relay what just happened and you'll give me a placebo, but Spock will think it's the real deal."

"That's it?"

"Yep."

"So, you're just doing this to get Spock to carry you to sickbay, and to remove a thorn with his teeth?"

"You got it."

"Sounds simple enough."

"Great. We're game then. Don't worry Bones. What could possibly happen?"

****

"Where the hell did you get that, Sulu?" Yeoman Rand asked as she stared at the new plant he adopted.

"Well, I picked it up from our last shore leave. Isn't she a lovely specimen?"

"Very nice. What kind of flower is it?" Janice bent down to take a whiff of its bouquet.

"It isn't native to the planet we last visited. It's from F-ratis VI. It's a cactus flower, echinopsis eyriesii. It grows mostly in the deserts."

"That name is way too complicated to pronounce. I think I'll call it Eyrie." Janice smiled as she baptized Sulu's new flower.

"Just be careful, the thorns hurt when they prick you. I've got pricked twice today."

"Well, as long as it isn't poisonous." Janice replied a bit worried.

"You know I wouldn't bring something on board if it was."

"I know you wouldn't. Too bad you don't have another one, I would really like it in my quarters."

"Actually, I did get two. The other one is in the ship's flower garden."

"Oh, that's great. Could I have it, Sulu? Please?" Janice pleaded.

"Of course, Janice. It's all yours. I'll swing by and get it later."

"Bless you Sulu. You're a great friend."

"Ouch. That's the third time I get pricked. Hope you have better luck than me." Sulu replied as sucked his injured finger.

"All it needs is a woman's touch."

"Then I believe it will have a great home."

To be continued...