James Kirk was sitting in his captain's chair spacing out to the familiar beeping of the consoles on the bridge. It took him a while to notice that Uhura was talking to him.

"Captain, I repeat, there is a distress call coming from the planet below."

"Hmm…?" He jerked his head up from its resting place on his hand and glanced around as if trying to remember where he was. "Oh yes, send it through Uhura."

"Very well Captain." Uhura spun back around in her chair and pressed random buttons as James cleared his throat and shook himself further out of his daze. A beep came from the arm of his chair letting him know that the message came through so he pushed the intercom button to hear it.

"Please, if anybody's out there, we need help. There are four of us, one very badly injured. We're unable to find anyone else to help us." The message went to static and James turned it off, exhaling a heavy sigh as he did so. For a few seconds he just sat there aware of everyone's eyes on him, especially Spock's. Without looking at Spock he shifted in his seat.

"Spock, come with me to the transporter room, I want to beam down and investigate." With that he stood up and walked toward the turbo lift, out of the corner of his eye he saw Spock follow suit. James quickly stopped in his track and turned to Uhura.

"Uhura, send the coordinates of the message to Scott right away."

"Yes Captain."

James carried on to the turbo lift with Spock behind him. When they were both inside the door slid shut and James grabbed the handle in order to go to the desired floor. An awkward silence fell around them like it always did when they were alone in the turbo lift together. James had this nervous tick where his fingers would drum along the handle while his palm curled around it; he wiped his other palm on the side of his leg. With a deep breath he blurted out the first thing that came to mind.

"How has your day been Spock?" Spock had been standing there just as calm as usual with his hands clasped behind his back and perfect posture. Both of his eyebrows rose at the question.

"It has been a normal work day Captain." Spock didn't move one bit after saying that like James had hoped he would, he just kept on standing there stoically. With the awkwardness being no less than before the only reply James could think of was a firm nod. After what felt like forever they came to their floor and James let go of the handle, stepping out in long, quick strides on his way to the transporter room. Gliding through yet another set of doors he found Scotty at the controls and pointed a finger at him as he walked by onto the transporter.

"Did you get those coordinates?"

"I did Captain."

"Good. Beam Spock and me down. I'll tell you how many to beam back up once I know what's going on." Spock took a place by the Captain and Scotty nodded as he pulled levers and pushed buttons. Scotty said one more thing before they energized.

"Be careful down there."

Upon arriving on the planet's surface James cautiously took a step forward and looked around. The ground was a barren plane of dirt surrounded by brown, rocky cliffs and every few feet or so there was a little patch of fire as if recently there had been an explosion. Squinting James looked further and caught sight of what appeared to be a cave. He turned to Spock.

"What are the planet's readings?" Spock held out his tricorder, waving it back and forth and taking little steps about until he got a reading of the planet's atmosphere.

"It is sufficient enough for human life Captain. The only problem I can find, and it is not a big one, is the large amount of carbon dioxide accumulated from the fire." James acknowledged.

"Let's take a look at that cave over there." James pushed on Spock's shoulder to get him moving. They dodged patches of fire and hopped over little rocks until they came to the cave opening. James stopped right there and shot his arm up to Spock's chest to keep him from going forward. For a second his arm lingered there while he pondered something then he let his hand brush against Spock's chest. He drew in a breath before speaking.

"Set your phaser to stun." They both did so and James glanced over at Spock worried that he might have noticed his weird impulse to touch his chest but the Vulcan didn't seem to pick up on it. Thankful for that James moved through the entrance, holding his phaser out in front of him. His eyes darted back and forth as if a monster would pop out at any moment. A sudden noise made him jump before he realized it was Spock stumbling due to his carelessness of the stones around him. James put his hands in front of him in order to brace Spock if needed but luckily Spock caught himself.

"Sorry Captain, I shall be more careful." James exhaled in relief.

"It's alright Spock but let's keep moving." Just then another noise, this time a gruff moan, echoed through the cave causing James to jerk his phaser toward its location and call out.

"Who's there?" His eyes hadn't adjusted to the dark yet so he stood there until they did. Four bodies came into focus, one of them clutching his arm and grunting in agony. Seeing someone in pain made James' protective instinct kick in. He bolted over to the man and gently taking hold of his arm, looked him in the eye.

"What happened? What's wrong with your arm?" James looked down, concern spread across his face when he saw pinch marks covering the skin, purplish-blue and swollen.

"I-I don't know. We all woke up outside unable to remember what happened before we fell unconscious so we ran in here to try and figure things out." He looked around at his companions as he spoke and they agreed with curt nods. James' brow furrowed.

"Was there an explosion?" The man stared at James in confusion.

"Why would you think there was an explosion?" James looked to Spock for help with explaining himself but all he got was an eyebrow raise.

"Well there are fire patches outside, dozens of them. I figured they were caused by an explosion of some sort." Understanding filled the man's expression.

"Oh, once a year it rains acid and that mixed with the heat of the desert, it causes those little bon fires."

"I see." The man winced as James unintentionally grazed one of his wounds with his finger as he stood up.

"I haven't introduced myself, I'm Captain Kirk and this is my first officer Mr. Spock. I'm going to beam you all aboard so our doctor Leonard McCoy can make sure you guys are alright." Without waiting for a reply he flipped open his communicator, "Kirk to Enterprise."

"Scott here, are you ready to beam up?"

"Yes, there will be six of us."

"Ey, Captain."

"Kirk out," James shut the communicator and stood completely still in order to be energized properly. All of the men were safely aboard the ship in a matter of seconds. Two officers came into the transporter room to assist the injured man too sick bay while James and the rest followed. Spock parted ways with them to tend to business on the bridge. Entering sick bay James went straight to McCoy who was taken aback by the crowd that suddenly barged in.

"Jim what is this? You could have given me a warning; I would have been more prepared." He wasn't one to like surprise visits. McCoy had this way of making James feel bad about everything with the way he said things. James' body stiffened with worry that he had maybe upset the doctor.

"I'm sorry Bones; it was kind of an emergency." McCoy shifted himself so that he could get the mob in his view.

"Well I'm looking at them right now and what I'm seeing is not life threatening as far as I can tell." He made sure to make it seem like he was angry. James' body tensed even more, he couldn't stand to see McCoy upset. Not knowing what to say he stammered.

"I don't know what you would have wanted me to do. I mean…I guess I could have called and said we were on our way. I just don't see what the problem is…" McCoy was extremely amused by how flustered the Captain was. It took every ounce of his strength to keep from letting a chuckle escape as James went on with his rant. Finally it was too much and he burst into hysterical laughter, doubling over, holding his arm to his stomach. This caught James off guard and he stopped talking mid-sentence letting out a confused sound.

"What?" James didn't get it. Now able to straighten up McCoy placed a hand on James' shoulder and continued to chuckle, there was a sparkle in his eye.

"I'm just messing with you. It's fine." James heaved a sigh for the third time that day and a grin appeared on his face. He playfully slapped McCoy's hand away.

"God, Bones! Why must you always do that?" They caught each other's eyes for a split second and both men subconsciously noted how adorable the other looked while smiling. McCoy shrugged and quickly retorted.

"It's just too damn funny watching you fall for it every time. Now if you will excuse me I must attend to my newly acquired patients." He turned on his heel and walked away. James watched as he conversed with each of the men and began to examine them. A few minutes had passed and he sat down with the intention of staying until McCoy made his diagnoses but the sick bay doors opened and Spock stepped into the room. McCoy glanced over from where he stood and saw how James' face lit up at the sight of Spock. A pang of jealousy shot through him, he had noticed the way James always looked at the first officer; he obviously had a thing for Spock and it annoyed McCoy to the core. Whether it was a sexual attraction or the fact that they were such good friends that made James look at Spock that way it didn't matter, McCoy thought he was supposed to be James' closest friend, not some stuck up, non-emotional prick of a Vulcan. McCoy returned to his work trying not to think about it.

"Captain, I was wondering if I could speak with you a moment." James leapt to his feet to address him.

"Of course you can Spock." Spock's gaze traveled around the room.

"I was hoping we could talk in private." James studied him quizzically.

"Sure." They walked together into McCoy's office, soon after taking a seat. It was Spock's turn to study James only he did it blankly. James waited for him to say something but words never came so he started the conversation. "So Spock, what's this about?" Spock put his hands together in front of him before speaking.

"You seemed a little off this morning Captain, I'm just here to make sure you're alright." James's eyes widened, he wasn't expecting that.

"Oh, thank you so much Spock for your concern but I'm fine." Spock's eyes narrowed.

"No Captain, I don't think you are. You've been like this for a couple of days now." James allowed himself a lighthearted laugh.

"Spock I assure you I am completely fine. Maybe I've been a bit tired but that's all." Again they just stared at each other, Spock actually looked worried and this for some reason troubled James.

"I do hope you are being honest Captain. I'd like to think you could confide in me but I understand if I make you uncomfortable." He diverted his eyes away from James as he ended the sentence. James tried to recapture them.

"There is never a time when you make me uncomfortable! Why would that thought even cross your mind?" Spock still avoided eye contact.

"That may be so Captain but I can tell you'd rather talk to McCoy about personal situations. Am I not your friend as well?" James seized Spock's shoulder and squeezed comfortingly, talking softer now.

"Spock… That's only because he'd be able to relate more to most of my problems." Spock moved his shoulder causing James' hand to drop.

"Clearly this is one of those times. I shall leave you now, I feel as though I am a bother." Spock lifted himself from the chair he sat in and walked awkwardly from the office. James wanted to go after him but he couldn't move due to the shock of how Spock had acted, it left him as dazed as he was this morning. Now that he thought about it he had been acting strange lately but not even he knew why. Standing slowly he too exited the room. When he stepped through the door McCoy was standing there waiting for him.

"Jim, can I have a word with you? There's something…" He shut his mouth when he detected how distraught James was. He creased his forehead.

"Jim, what's wrong?" James massaged his temple before answering.

"Nothing Bones, what did you find out?" McCoy's posture faltered.

"Uh, well, one of the men you brought in, his name is Jonah, has wounds that seem to be caused by some sort of electroshock, I should add that it's most likely from a man-made machine. He also has amnesia, they all do but his is the most severe…uh…god Jim I'm sorry to repeat myself but really, what's wrong? You look like you just saw a ghost." James started to feel a little irritated even though he shouldn't have been and backed a few steps away from McCoy needing some space.

"I'm sorry Bones, it's just that Spock kind of got to me…I think I need to go to my room." He left McCoy standing there. So Spock had gotten to him McCoy thought, he wondered in what way. It began to irk him how much James cared about Spock's non-existent feelings, what about his feelings? Why couldn't James just tell him what was going on? Again he tried not to think about it.

Walking quickly, almost at a light jog, James made it to his room with the feeling of anxiety welling up in the pit of his stomach. Why had Spock been like that? It was hard enough for James to hide how he felt about the Vulcan without the said Vulcan being all emotional around him. He almost couldn't control himself as he saw the all too human trait of sadness creeping onto his first officer's face. Sitting on the edge of his bed he went into a fit of panicked breathing as the image of the way Spock looked as he left the room entered his brain. Laying down he tried to even out his breathing. He couldn't recall when he first started feeling this way for Spock but it didn't really matter, the damage was done. Slowly but surely he fell asleep exhausted by his distress.