The two friends were still asleep next to the fire which had slowly been fizzling out, but neither of them were cold, it seemed like it had naturally gotten warmer. Just then there was a strange noise which woke McCoy up slowly, "What's that noise?" He muttered. McCoy went to move but realised he still had Scotty's head resting on his leg, clearly the Scotsman hadn't heard the noise since he was still asleep, which was for the best. Scotty had been working himself to death trying to get them a working communicator, gently McCoy slipped off his blue uniform shirt and folded it up to form a small pillow.
He placed it on the ground and proceeded to softly lift Scotty's head from his leg and place it on the make shift pillow, the Scotsman shuffled around a little but soon settled down, much to McCoy's relief. He then stood up quietly and wandered out of the cave to find the source of the noise, it had also stopped raining, which was a good thing. McCoy didn't wish to go to far from the cave, just in case something did happen. Suddenly he heard a branch snap loudly beside him, McCoy instantly froze. He didn't have anything to really defend himself with, only his own bare hands which were most likely going to be useless. McCoy then felt something wrap around his ankle, he didn't bother looking down. He just stared straight ahead and muttered a few familiar words, "God dam it."
Scotty was still sleeping peacefully, dreaming about Scotch, it was always Scotch. When he was woken up by someone yelling is name, "Scotty!" The Scotsman immediately leapt to his feet and hurried to the mouth of the cave, even if his leg was causing him excruciating pain. He limped towards the voice, but when he saw what was waiting he wished he had brought some form of weapon. Dangling high above the ground was McCoy, a thick green vine wrapped tightly around his ankles. "How did you…" McCoy quickly cut him off, "Help now, question later!" Scotty just nodded as he thought of a plan, but how much he would actually be able to do was unclear.
He was barely able to stand on his injured leg, so he wasn't very quick on his feet, not like he was normally. Scotty quickly rummaged through his pockets, hoping to find something to help him, thankfully he did. It was a small laser cutter, why he was carrying that around he didn't know but he was just grateful that he was. "Stay still Leonard." Scotty called as he aimed the laser, McCoy simply stared at him. Was Scotty insane! "I don't really have control of my own movement at the moment Scotty, just please don't hit me with that thing." McCoy whimpered as he felt his heart slowly begin to beat faster, "Don't worry Leonard, I won't hit you." McCoy wasn't very convinced but he wasn't in a position to really argue with the man trying to save him… Again.
With his laser all lined up and McCoy holding his breath, Scotty pressed the button under his thumb which turned the tool on. McCoy chose to close his eyes, he didn't want to see this. "Not too much longer Leonard, hope you land on your feet." Scotty chuckled as he continued to cut the vine, McCoy opened his eyes at the Scotsman statement. "I'm a Doctor Scotty, not a dam cat. Of course I can't land on my feet." Scotty smiled at him, "Well you better learn fast, I'm not gonna be able to catch you." McCoy knew that already. Even from the air McCoy could see Scotty's injured leg shaking as it struggled to hold his own body up, McCoy felt terrible for making him do this. Suddenly the vine snapped and McCoy plummeted to the ground, landing flat on his front. "Thanks Scotty, I think?"
McCoy muttered as he got to his feet, he glanced over to smile at Scotty but instantly he could tell something was wrong and it wasn't his leg. "You alright?" Scotty asked quietly, McCoy nodded. "Yeah I'm fine." Scotty smiled at him, his cheeks were red and only getting redder. "That's good then… Hate to see ya hurt…" Suddenly Scotty began to fall, McCoy bolted to his side and managed to catch him in his arms before he had chance to hit the floor. "Scotty! What's wrong?" McCoy cried as he watched Scotty struggling to keep his eyes open, "I'm just a bit tired Leonard, that's all." Scotty replied weakly. McCoy placed the back of his hand on the Scotsman's forehead, it was radiating heat like there was no tomorrow. Gently McCoy picked Scotty up in his arms and started back towards the cave, hoping whatever was wrong with his friend he was going to be able to deal with it.