XIV. CALLING THE DOC(K) - (JIM'S POV)

Jim called Scotty first, told him he had found Spock but that they couldn't get back for the coming days, and arranged for the material he needed to be beamed down as fast as possible. Then, he called Bones – who had beeped him thrice in the last ten minutes, having probably just came back to the hospital and discovered he was missing.

"Where the hell are you?"

"Bones, I'm fine – at least as fine as I can be in my current condition. Besides, it's not me you should worry about, it's Spock."

"Spock? What about him?"

"I can't explain, it's a Vulcan thing; I promised him. But I promise you that the first thing we'll do when we get back in a few days is letting you run a full check on us both."

"Days? Where the hell are you? I should-"

"No Bones. I'll keep in touch in between, and if things are not going as they should I'll call for your help, but for now, we're on our own."

"I don't like that plan."

"I know. And you're gonna like it even less in a few seconds but … I need your help, Leo."

Jim heard Bones's sharp intake of breath and knew he hadn't missed the importance the very rare use of his (shortened) actual name implied.

"What do you need, exactly?"

"I'm going to have to monitor Spock's vitals for the coming days, so I need you to give me directions about their danger zones and the lines I shouldn't let him cross."

"Jim, that's pretty hard to judge from afar. Hell, it's even hard to judge when he's right under my eyes – with his unique physiology... Besides, even if if Spock is no regular Vulcan, he is mostly Vulcan. I'll need to consult first with M'Benga."

"I understand, but please play it as a theorical issue you thought about, because honestly, I don't think even M'Benga knows about what Spock is going through - it's like the ultimate Vulcan secret, and Spock was adamant that it should stay that way. Remember if he had had it his way, he would have been on his own, for better or for worse; it's just luck I got involved. But you know his physiology better than anyone, Bones. You're the one I trust."

"All right. What can you tell me - I need to know what to look for."

"He's gonna have a hell of a fever."

"But"

"I know, Vulcans do not get fever. I told you, it's all hush hush. But Spock brought hypo's he prepared himself, so he knows what to use, you don't have to work on that. I just need to know what the critical lines are, and guidance if necessary to keep him out of them."

"Ok, I'm on it."

"Good. Also, I'm gonna need chemical help for myself, Bones. I have to stay as much awake as possible for about three days-"

"Jim!"

"-at least two - I guess I could doze here and there on the first day - but as you know I'm not in the best of shape to start with. So prepare some hypo's and have Scotty pass them on when you're done – and don't bother trying to get him to get you here along them, I send Starfleet a note to authorize only inanimate beamings until further notice, and they've just confirmed its reception."

"You-"

"Also, I'm counting on you on the last day to check if I'm awake every 30 minutes, and to call until I answer if I'm not responding."

"I'm a Doctor, Jim; not an alarm clock."

"Please. You can keep me in a biobed afterwards for as long as you deem necessary, I won't complain. But for now, just help me help Spock."

There was the usual silence as Bones realized nothing he said or did would ever change Jim's mind anyway, and that time should be better used than in arguing then. And so, he simply answered : "All right, kid."

"Thanks, Bones" - the amount of his gratitude evident in his tone.

And Jim hung up.

.

AN: And can we give a thumb up to Bones, who always has to invent and test new ways to treat Spock with his unique physiology ? Damn good Doctor indeed (not an elevator, or a bricklayer, or anything else huh :))