Solan piloted the ship down to the planet and followed the map he had created since all the sensors on the ship were haywire. "How did you create this map?" Carol asked.

"The old fashioned way," Solan replied. "With plain old observation and wits. Tank taught me that."

"Tank?"

"Yeah. He was kinda a father to me when I didn't have anywhere to go. He's an old ship captain…from the sea, mind you. Lives in an old tug boat. He helped me rescue Jim and Doctor McCoy when they were trapped in that water treatment facility."

"Really? Solan, if Ajah wanted to write a biography, I think it should be yours. It would be a best-seller."

Solan shook his head. "No thanks. I'd just as soon keep most of that to myself."

"Well, I'd like to read it."

Solan watched the terrain below him and finally came to the mountains. "Wow," he said as he observed the majestic mountain peaks that looked dark gray against the blue sky of morning, but as the sun rose higher, the mountains turned a fiery orange.

"That is beautiful," Carol said. "I wish this planet wasn't toxic to humans."

"Wait till you're standing on it. You'll wish you could breathe the air."

"I did stand on it, remember? I just want to find a cure for Jim."

Solan found a place to land which was right in the valley where the flowers grew. They all stared out the viewport at the beauty of the valley which was completely covered by the flowers and different colors in patches. "This has to be it," Solan said. "She said these flowers only bloom in one valley once a year. You need only the dark red ones."

"How do you know their version of dark red is the same as ours?" Carol asked.

"Well, I suppose you could go back and ask."

"Right."

"Good luck."

Carol, Uhura, and Lieutenant Ashley Jarvis left the ship, keeping their weapons ready. They could immediately hear…absolutely nothing. Carol began to wonder if her sound transmitter was out. "Uhura, do you read me?" she asked.

"Loud and clear," Uhura replied, with only a little static.

"I just wondered if it was really that quiet here in this wide-open valley. It's the same as the forests."

"I think our transmitters work because we're so close to the ground. The atmosphere above is what interferes with ships."

They found dark red flowers and stood a moment. "Solan was right," Carol said. "Wouldn't you like to smell and hear this for just a moment?"

"Sure," Uhura replied.

"A few minutes can't hurt, can it?"

"I don't know. They never said what it does to women."

"One way to find out." Carol deactivated her helmet, and she was bombarded by fragrance and a wonderful breeze that blew through her blond hair making it flutter behind her. However, she found that the planet was silent. "Isn't it wonderful?" she asked.

"It is," Uhura agreed.

"Let's pick while we wait to see if we start feeling strange. I just wonder if sound doesn't travel through the air here."

"If it didn't, we couldn't hear each other without the helmets."

"Right."

They began picking the dark red flowers, paying close attention to how they felt. "I don't feel strange," Carol said after a while. She thought about Jim and how she longed to have him back to himself. She missed his kiss, his arms…Carol almost gasped as she thought she was beginning to realize how the fragrance was affecting her. "Uhura, Ashley, are you feeling strange?" she asked.

"Not particularly," Uhura answered.

"Me neither," Ashley added. "Are you?"

"Just slightly," Carol said. "I think I'll activate the helmet."

They all activated the helmets. "What happened?" Uhura asked.

"I think I may know why the females on this planet are so aggressive."

"The fragrance?"

"Maybe."

Uhura laughed slightly at that. "Why? Are you missing Admiral Kirk?" she asked.

Carol had to laugh at that. "Absolutely."

They all laughed about that. "I wonder how long it will last," Ashley said which brought even more laughter.

"Hopefully long enough to get some good out of it," Carol said.

"Well, at least wait until the man recovers," Uhura joked.

Carol missed laughing. She and Jim often laughed together and he had been away so many days, she felt depressed. She just hoped this cure would work.

When they thought they had enough, they started back toward the ship. However, several bird people stepped out between them and the ship. Carol and the others were in awe for a moment at the appearance of the bird people, but they raised their phaser rifles.

"Move out of our way!" Carol demanded.

"We have never captured human females," the one in front said. "But it would be interesting to start with you."

"You won't be capturing us!"

"We'll just see about that!"

Suddenly, the bird people took flight and came toward them. "Stun!" Carol exclaimed before she fired her weapon.

The being she hit crashed to the ground, but there were others upon her. She and the others backed up and began firing again, but the bird people were trying to overwhelm them. One of them grabbed Ashley causing her to drop her weapon. He would have flown away with her if Helek had not hit him with a powerful bolt. He stood between Ashley and the bird people until she got up and retrieved her weapon.

"You best go back to your village!" Helek yelled.

Ashley had never seen Helek and Ajah in such a display and she was a bit overwhelmed but she was firing her weapon. "Get back to the ship!" Helek said

They all began moving toward the ship trying to hold the tribe back, but more were coming from the forest. Solan was getting the shuttle ready to liftoff. "You have invaded our planet and even took one of our people!" the leader of the bird people said. "Return him! Return your friend to us! We will cure him!"

"We were forced to come here again to help my husband!" Carol replied. "And your tribe member went with us because he wanted to!"

"You lie!"

"NO! I do not! And you'll get my husband over my dead body!"

"No one wants to leave Garresant!"

"Think again!" Helek said. "We ALL want to leave it!"

They finally made it to the boarding ramp and hurried into the ship as Solan was lifting off. They all just sat down in the floor. Carol deactivated her helmet as she was panting. "They're coming after us!" Solan said. "This shuttle doesn't have weapons!"

"They can't stop us now," Uhura declared.

"I don't know about that."

They all strapped in just as Solan turned the shuttle at an impossible angle to avoid a charge from one of the spears of the bird people. "If they hit the shield generator, we're gonna be vulnerable!" he said.

"They can't follow us up into space!" Carol declared. "We'll soon be too high for them."

Solan turned the shuttle again, but this time, the charge hit one of the nacelles. An alarm began blaring in the ship. "How can this ship be taken down by spears?" Solan asked with plenty of strain in his voice.

"Not just spears!" Ajah said. "Spears that are drawing power off this planet like we did!"

"So, we're gonna be taken down by a planet?"

Solan dodged again. "They have to have air, don't they? We're getting up into thin atmosphere now."

Suddenly, another charge hit the nacelle, and the ship shuddered. "Carol, help me!" Solan exclaimed. "I can't hold it by myself!"

Carol got into the co-pilot's seat and grabbed the controls. "There has to be a way to stop them!" she said.

Ajah and Helek looked at each other. "You ever gone skydiving from a shuttle?" Ajah asked.

"No," Helek replied. "Have you?"

"No. But how else can we stop them?"

"You can't do that!" Uhura said. "They can't keep going out into space! If we can get up higher, we can get away from them."

"If they don't blast us out of the sky first," Helek replied.

Solan was glad they had hand controls as he held onto the stick. "We're gonna break through in ten seconds!" he said just before they had to throw the ship into a roll to avoid another blast.

Finally, they broke through the barrier of space and the bird people could no longer pursue them. Solan took in a shaky breath, but they were still struggling to keep the ship going in the right direction. "We'll never be able to land it in the shuttle bay like this," Carol said. "We can't notify them that we're in trouble."

"Well, we'll just have to do it by our wits," Solan replied.

Carol looked at him. "You can't possibly try to take this ship in there like this."

"What choice do I have? You're going to help me."

As they neared the Enterprise, the ship had more blinking lights and alarms going off. "There's a fire in the control panel," Carol said. "It's the only explanation. If we try to dock and the fire takes out the main controls, we'll crash."

"Can't we have a little optimism?" Solan asked. "What are we going to do? Stay out here in space?"

"Do you realize what will happen if we can't control the ship?"

"Just hang on."

They could see that the shuttle bay was opening already. "It's nice to see a warm welcome," Solan said. He could feel sweat on his forehead, and he thought he was trembling on the inside. He strained to line the ship up with the Enterprise shuttle bay door. "I think we're in alignment, what do you think?"

"As good as anyone," Carol replied.

Solan slowed the shuttle down and began the landing sequence as they went through the door. It was not a smooth landing by any means, and the shuttle listed to one side as the damaged nacelle broke away. However, they were on the deck, and the shuttle bay doors closed. Solan swallowed hard trying to stop trembling. "I hope we never have to go to that planet again," he said. "They've figured out how to use the atmosphere of the planet now."

"Let's get out of here and let Doctor McCoy get started on this serum or whatever it is," Carol said.

It was not an easy task to get out of the shuttle since it was sitting unlevel, but they got out anyway. Spock and Bones were waiting for them. "That was superior flying, Solan," Spock said.

Solan wiped sweat off his forehead. "Thanks," he replied. "Just don't ask me to do it again. I'd like to sleep a while if you don't mind."

"Nothing doing," Bones butted in. "You're coming to the medical bay for an exam. And I don't want to hear any of those Jim Kirk excuses you've learned either. Now, come on."

Solan rolled his eyes at that. "Fine," he said. He did not like feeling as nervous as he did right now.

They all went to the medical bay. Carol, Uhura, and Ashley gave Bones the flowers they had picked. "I hope that's enough," Carol said. "How will you know how much to give him?"

"I'll just have to figure that out," Bones replied.

"Do you really know what's wrong with him?"

"Something about his neurological pathways. Things are not registering like they should. He does recognize you though. I've been reading to him while you were gone. It seems to relax him. It might be even better if you were doing it."

"Well, I'll get to that once I get changed."

Bones examined all the women, Helek, and Ajah and let them go on about their business. Then he came to Solan. "You always save me for last, don't you?" Solan asked.

"Hey, you know what they say about the best," Bones replied as he began his scan. He shook his head as he looked at the readings. "Your vitals are about the way Jim's are after he's scared half out of his wits."

Solan frowned. "How do you know I was scared half out of my wits?" he asked.

"These readings tell everything."

"Yeah. I think that's why you want to do exams is so you can embarrass me."

"Embarrass you? Are you kidding? After that landing you pulled off? You'll probably get a promotion."

"I like being a pilot, thank you."

"It's in the blood just like everything else. As long as you don't do a nose dive into the ground or get blown to bits, you'll keep on doing it."

"Well, can I go, Doctor?"

"Get some rest."

"I'm gonna try."

"Good."

Bones watched Solan walk out of the medical bay. He had seen Solan's readings plenty of times, but he thought this time was way worse than any he had seen. He wanted to hear that whole story about what happened. Right now, he had to work on a serum that could be given to Jim.

After Carol changed clothes, she went back to the medical bay and went over to Jim's bed. "Jim," she said softly. "Jim."

Jim opened his eyes although he looked sleepy. Carol leaned closer to him. "Don't you recognize me?" she asked. She reached to stroke his hair, but he flinched. "Jim, you know I would never hurt you." She gently stroked his hair. "I miss you so." She smiled as she thought of the fun she had with Uhura and Ashley about the affects of that fragrance on them. "We could probably have a lot of fun if you knew who I am. Oh, Jim, can't you just say something?" She just looked into his beautiful blue eyes wishing she could see that fire she usually saw…that lively person she had grown to love and know. She thought she had made some progress though since he was letting her touch him. She stood up straight. "So, what do you want me to read?" she asked. She looked into the box of old books that Doctor McCoy had brought. She almost laughed. "Where do he and Solan get these things?" She found a romance novel among the books. "Oh, if anything will make you stop being so silent, it's this." She giggled as she sat on the side of the bed. "I'm going to read you a romance novel," she said and watched to see if he reacted to that, but he simply lay there without making a sound.

Bones had put one of the flowers into the analyzer to figure out its properties. It definitely had properties he had never seen before. "How can I make something when I don't know what I'm making?" he asked.

"You will do as we always have," Spock replied. "So many times we have relied on instinct."

"Yeah, but Spock, this is totally different."

"No cure was ever made without questions."

Bones had to admit that. "This is Jim we're talking about and it's not like some…sickness. This is a lot worse." Bones looked at Spock. "You realize he hasn't spoken since we found him?"

"Yes, Doctor, I do," Spock said. "Do you have any ideas about the reason for that?"

"Only that his brain is not functioning like it should. I think that's the effect that toxin has on humans. But to fix something like that…I've never done it, Spock."

"I had never used a serum to cure Xenopolycethemia until the first time, but if I had not, you would have died."

Bones frowned. "Yeah, but you had guidelines. I can't just go down there and ask the natives how they made it. They've become hostile."

"Not all of them."

"Yeah, but they know when a ship comes to that planet, and maybe that's because it's so quiet there."

"I agree, it is unusual for such a planet to be so silent. Have you analyzed the air sample and the sample from the leaves of the trees?"

"I have. I know what the toxin is and what it can do, but that doesn't mean I can figure out a cure from some plant I've never seen."

"I believe you can, and I will help you."

"I guess you can't get a better duo than that, right?"

"If you are suggesting that we are a good team…I agree. However, I must go to the Bridge. Inform me when you have the information. I may also be able to contact New Vulcan to find out if they can help us."

"Good. That would be good. Maybe we can even go there."

"That is possible. Keep me informed."

Spock went to see Jim a moment before he left the medical bay. "Admiral, we are working on a cure for you," he said. "I will return soon."

Spock left, and Carol continued to read to Jim. She had hoped he would react to the novel she read, but so far, he had just stared at her and listened.

By the time the night cycle came, Bones had finally isolated all the properties of the flower. He was so sleepy, he would have to take it up again in the morning. He was afraid he would make a mistake so he put everything away. He went around to Jim's bed. Carol had gone to be with Alex a while that afternoon, but she would be back before Jim was asleep.

Bones thought about Andrea. They had not had much time to spend together since they came aboard the ship because she had been helping with Alex during this tragedy. He could not blame her for that because Carol needed help. She had her child to worry about, and now her husband lay unresponsive although he was awake.

Bones leaned over Jim. "Are you comfortable?" he asked. He knew he was not going to get a response, but he could not help trying. "Well, I'm going to adjust you just a little. I know I can't stand to stay in the same position all night. I start getting a backache." He turned Jim onto his left side. "How's that?" Jim did not respond but actually looked relieved and closed his eyes. "You just rest, Buddy. I'm gonna find a cure for this."

Bones left the medical bay and met Carol in the corridor. "He's resting now," he said. "You could go and get some rest."

"I'll get some rest, Doctor," Carol replied. "How is the experiment going?"

"I gotta have some sleep. My eyes are crossing."

"Do you think you'll find a cure?"

"Carol, I'm gonna find a cure. It's just going to take time."

Carol hugged him. "Thank you, Doctor."

"You're welcome."

Bones went to Andrea's quarters first and rang the door chime. The door opened and he went in. "Andrea," he called.

Andrea came from her room dressed in shorts and a tank top. "What?" she asked.

"I was wondering if Alex made the recording."

"He finally figured out what he wanted to say." She gave Bones the pad. "It wasn't easy for him."

"I know, but I hope it will help Jim. Is the little tike asleep now?"

"Yes." Andrea folded her arms. "Why?"

"Well, I just…" Bones folded his arms too. "I thought maybe we could…have some time together."

"Leonard, you act like we're going on our first date."

"You know me. Besides, I don't know if you're in the mood to see me, or if you're about ready to crash on the bed."

Andrea stepped closer to him. "Why don't you crash with me?"

"I have to admit I'm about to fall asleep standing up."

"Why don't I give you a massage? How is the serum going?"

"I don't know yet." Bones rubbed his face. "I have to get started on it again in the morning."

"You have to get a good night's sleep."

"Right. I guess you're going to tell me to get to my own bed and sleep?"

"Now, why would I tell you that?"

"I don't know. Most people think sleeping alone makes you sleep better, but that's just not the case for me."

"I don't care what other people think. Come on."

Carol went on into the medical bay. She watched Jim a moment and then got onto her own bed. She turned toward him and watched him from there. She had not told Doctor McCoy the effect that planet had on her. She had not even told him that she breathed the air. She supposed he would be very grumpy but she did not think she had experienced any ill side-effects.

During the night, Jim woke up as he had the night before but of course, he could not get off the bed this time. Carol woke up this time and saw him struggling with the restraints. She went over to the bed. "Jim, what are you doing?" she asked seeing him startled just because she said something, but he stopped struggling. "You can't get up and wander around the ship. You could get hurt." She stroked his hair like she had before, but he did not flinch this time. She leaned closer to him and put his hand on her face. "I love you, Jim," she whispered.