A/N - Hey guys, so it here. School's kicking my butt, work is…well work and I've been doing the NaNoWriMo and everything has piled up. But, I got this up and I have a tiny favor to ask of you. I'm writing a paper for one of my classes on fan-fiction and my experience and I want to incorporate others' into that as well. At the end of this I'll post a quick six question survey and if you could just answer the questions that apply to you that would be awesome. Thanks for your help!

Spock sat in the chair next to Jim's biobed, his hand resting on the cool one of his Captain. The hand itself was wrapped to keep dirt and other contagions from entering the cuts on the human's hand. Spock wrapped his fingers around Jim's hand and let his mind wander.

The cave in had almost cost Spock the man he loved; it almost cost him Jim. He could still see Jim's leg crushed beneath that rock, the blood on his face and chest. Spock had been helpless to do anything for him and now all he could do was sit here and wait for Jim to wake up. He knew that Jim was going to be in pain and there was little they could do about it. Jim didn't like his pain being taken from him, he channeled it and got things done.

He gripped Jim's hand tighter as his mind pictured the cave in again but brought a different memory forward. Spock was running through the passage way, holding his mother's hand as they tried to get back to the Enterprise. He remained the rocks crumbling around them, crushing other members of the Vulcan High Council.

Once out of the cave he could see his home planet collapsing around him. The familiar pull of the transporter beam was just beginning to take effect when his mother vanished in front of him.

"Spock!"

The half-Vulcan looked down and saw a pair of vibrant blue eyes looking up at him with concern. "Spock, what's going on?"

"Nothing, Jim,"

"Bullshit Spock," Jim said softly, his voice weak and his skin still too pale. "I could feel you freaking out in my head."

"Jim, Vulcans do not 'freak out'."

Jim laughed softly and pulled himself into a sitting position. Through the link Spock could tell that Jim was hiding his pain but he didn't mention it. They looked at each other and Jim bit his lip before talking again.

"I'm fine so don't start…but ah…there's nothing Bones can give me for the pain?"

"No there's nothing I can give you for the pain Jim," McCoy said walking into the room. "Saw you were awake and I have a bone to pick with you."

Jim looked at Spock. What's he mad about now?

I believe -

McCoy interrupted their thoughts, "None of that freaky talking in your mind stuff. I'm talking not you," He glared at Jim walking over pressing a hypo to his neck and reveling in hurt look he received from Jim.

"What are you mad about now Bones?"

"Dammit Jim, I can't always put you back together! What in the hell were you thinking when you went off on your own like that?" The Doctor ranted his eyes narrowed on Jim's face. "Do you have any idea what kind of trouble you could have gotten into? You're allergic to over half the damn galaxy and its medications, you can't keep doing this!"

"Bones - "

He glared, "I'm not done with you yet Jim,"

Jim looked to Spock for help but said half-Vulcan had a smirk in his eyes and seemed to be enjoying this.

"You have over four hundred people counting on you. You have your best friend as your doctor and you sure as hell know that I never stop worrying about you with all the trouble you get yourself into. And you're married now, you can't just do shit like that and not think about Spock…do you realize what could happen to you if you just die on him because you wander off on your own?!" McCoy asked, his voice low but serious. He watched as Jim caught up with him.

"I would never…I wouldn't let you guys down," Jim said softly.

McCoy sat down on Jim's left side, "Look kid, you just can't do this reckless stuff anymore. You've got this need to save everyone and be the strong one - "

Spock watched as Jim interrupted him. "I get it Bones,"

"I'm not sure you do, Jim. Spock could die if you die."

"What?" Jim turned his gaze to Spock who merely nodded.

"I'll explain later Jim."

The young Captain sighed and looked back and forth between them. "You know I'll never stop going in first or trying to get you guys out."

Spock held Jim's hand and McCoy leaned back in his chair, still leery of how Spock would act if he touched Jim. "All I'm saying is, don't do it on your own. Let us come with you when we can."

"Maybe," Jim answered before settling into the bed and shifting his injured shoulder around to see how it felt. "So what's the damage?"

"You have three broken ribs, multiple lacerations, your left should had been dislocated, and several bones in your leg were broken and nearly smashed," Spock said in a detached voice, but through the physical contact and the bond Jim could feel the concern and anger.

"How long am I going to be in here Bones?" Jim asked looking at McCoy.

McCoy snorted, "I'd say two weeks but I'll let you back to your quarters in one. Good knows I can't stand having you in here for that long and I won't subject my nurses to that sort of torture. But you need to stay in bed. You still have an infection and if you're not careful you could lose that leg. I couldn't fix all the damage and I can't give you all the medication you need."

Jim reached over and squeezed McCoy's hand, biting his lip as a shot of pain ran through his arm. "Thanks Bones."

He nodded getting up, "I'll get going. Spock, should I have a bed brought in for you?"

Spock nodded, "Thank you, Leonard."

Jim watched as McCoy left and looked back at Spock, "It's not your fault that I got into this mess. I pushed you out of the way remember…and don't tell me to stop because you know I never will."

"I know you will not, but I hope you know that I will not stop trying to protect you either."

Jim gripped Spock's hand. "I don't want you to. It's nice you know…having someone that wants to look after you. Bones does, don't get me wrong. He worries and cares and he'll always be there but he's not you.

I've never opened up to anyone, not even Bones, like I do you. I've never felt as safe or wanted. I love having you near me, in my mind and I'll do anything to make sure you don't get hurt and I love that I have someone to do that for me."

Spock got up and shut the door to Jim's room and walked over getting in the bed with him. "You have more than just me. You have Leonard and all the crew members on this ship."

Jim closed his eyes and rested against Spock's warm body. "Not everyone on this ship would do anything to keep me safe. Bones would and you would, but I know you'd go even further. No one's tried to protect me like you and Bones since my dad. And I don't think I could ask anyone but you to really protect me like he did and that I don't want to do but I need it. Bones has his daughter and I couldn't do that to him but you…I feel like no matter you'd do it."

"Jim, you are rambling."

He laughed softly closing his eyes, "I'm tired."

"Rest," Spock whispered and kissed his head. He felt Jim relax into his side and heard his breathing even out. Spock watched Jim as he slept and made sure to keep him close. He felt content knowing that Jim finally realized that he had someone there to help him, to watch him, and to really love him.

A/N - Yes…You have completed chapter 25. Hopefully once Christmas Break gets here I'll have more time for writing and more ideas. Right now however, my friend and I are going to spend the night watching Doom, Friday the 13th, and of course, Star Trek. Oh, so yeah, tell me what you think and please answer the survey if you have time! Thanks!

1. How would you describe fan-fiction?

2. Why do you read fan-fiction?

3. Why do you write fan-fiction?

4. Why do you read slash?

5. Why do you write slash?

6. Besides the obvious, how would you describe slash?