Kirk's heart froze when he heard the irregular beat on the monitor. Glancing around quickly, he saw Bones rising from his chair with a determined look. "Bones-

"Out," The doctor ordered, stepping over to check the monitors, "Chapel, Reeves, get in here."

Kirk moved out of the way, but didn't leave. His eyes were wide with adrenalin as he watched the older man move methodically and seemingly unhurried about the room while his first officer's heart refused to beat. Bones noticed him in the corner and pointed to the door, "Leave,"

"But, Bones-

"If you want him alive, get out!"

Kirk ducked his head and stepped out of the room, only to pace nervously outside. He should get back to the bridge, be the captain, act calm, but at the moment, he felt anything but.

Bones face was grim as he surveyed his most common patient. Yes, the green blooded goblin was annoying, cynical and drove Bones nearly up the wall, but he was still a friend. Moving more quickly as the shrieking of the monitors became more insistent, his mind raced over what he could do.

"Reeves," he ordered, "Chest compressions." It was an old fashioned method, but this was an emergency. The medic quickly removed the Vulcan's shirt and the sight nearly made Bones change his mind. He was still a mass of bandages and scrapes, pressing on his already bruised ribs could only make it worse. But if it worked, what were a couple of broken ribs to a life? Spock could thank him later.

The medic did thirty compressions before the monitor beeped feebly. No one moved as they dared it to do it again. There was a long pause, then a fainter beep before silence. The medic started again and this time it was a shorter, twenty compressions before the sound came again. Nurse Chapel silently administered an oxygen mask as she willed for any signs of life. Spock's heart beat steadily for five beats and Bones motioned for her to stop. She did so hesitantly and smiled with relief as the Vulcan's chest rose slightly.

Bones looked at her across the table and nodded. She'd done alright.

The Vulcan's heart continued to beat steadily, and his chest rose raggedly as he fought to breathe on his own. This continued for several minutes as his breathing evened out and became regular. With a small gasp, he opened his eyes and blinked.

"Welcome, back." Bones looked down at him, "Don't scare me like that."

Spock nodded tiredly and closed his eyes, a faint smile on his lips.

Bones gave a relieved smile. He was going to be alright. This is what Bones found so endearing about his career. To see lives brought back from the brink of death and take that first gasp of life supporting air. He was a determined doctor; he hated to lose a soul and fought hard whether it was for a life saving situation or a simple surgery. People had told him he had gumption; that he had grit. A juice that flowed through him and showed in the lives of the people he'd saved. Bones could see it in Spock's eyes now. That juice was gratitude.