Not Mine, Never Mine, Usual Disclaimers.

Jim had developed a new passionate hatred for Bones' hypos over the last week, as the man had taken to stabbing him with them twice a day, once in the morning and then again at night. He was also upset with the current rumour mill of his condition. Uhura was trying stick to story that he was sick, but not with much success, he had overheard her in the hall as she was caught out and blundered her way out of it. Spock had informed him that the rumours of him being a dog had gone around the entire ship, with crew members commenting that Spock was hiding away the captain like a mistress. This last piece of information made up Kirk's mind about what to do. The next morning he sat at the door and barked to get Spock's attention.

'What is the matter cap... Jim?'

Jim had taken to barking whenever Spock called him 'Captain', Spock had quickly picked up that Jim had objected to being called by his rank.

Jim scratched at the door, looking back over his shoulder at Spock before turning back to the door and barking.

'Do you want to go out?'

Jim nodded, Bones hadn't been in with the hypo yet, maybe if he got lucky, he could miss it this morning, regardless if Bones said it was important. Spock approached the door, as if unsure that he understood what Jim was asking for, despite their conversations becoming less one sided as Jim invented more ways to express what he wanted to say, and Spock learned what he meant. This was usually after an hour of Spock asking yes or no questions to discover what Jim was trying to say to him. Uhura found it strange and was prone to giving the both of them weird looks when they started talking to each other. She was still sour that she lost at chess to a puppy, her only consolation was that Spock lost to him to, but at least she was a good sport. Spock opened the door and headed out a little earlier than usual, he normally waited for Bones to come by before leaving for his shift. Jim patted out the door and started to head towards the turbo lift, Spock right behind him. Jim was disappointed when Spock programmed it to head for sickbay floor, apparently leaving Spock's quarters did not entitle him to missing out on Bones' morning visit. When Spock left the lift, Jim stayed sitting on the floor.

'Coming captain?' Spock asked.

Jim ignored the use of his rank and shook his head.

'Do not make me pick you up,' Spock threatened.

So far Spock was the only person who actively avoided touching him. On occasion Uhura would reach out to stroke him, only to have him pull away, and Bones usually had a hypo waiting for him. It was weird and people touching him never had a happy ending.

Jim reluctantly removed himself from the lift and followed Spock to sickbay, where his arrival caused quite an alarm.