It hadn't been very late when James fell asleep so it wasn't surprising when he woke up just an hour later. His eyes fluttered open with blurred vision. Rubbing at his sleep covered eyes he sat up wondering if there was something he was supposed to be doing. He remembered Jonah and the others of whom he was now responsible for; he had to figure out some way of helping them. From what McCoy had observed it was certain that Jonah had been forced into some kind of machine, but why? The only way to get answers was to go back down to the place he found them and try to find where they came from. He decided that he should get Spock and McCoy to go with him. Getting up from his oh so welcoming bed he shuffled out of his room in search for Spock. The corridors were exceptionally crowded as he strode through them, greeting everyone he passed.

"Good afternoon Captain." James looked around for the random officer who had said that so he could respond and as he did he felt himself bump right into someone else. Holding on to the person's body he struggled to recover himself. He heard the man speak as he wrapped his arms around James to keep him from falling.

"Whoa… Sorry about that." Now stable James was able to see who the man was, his heart skipped a beat as he found McCoy's eyes delving into his; their grips on each other remained tight. James began to feel dizzy, not because he almost just fell but because of McCoy's persistent gaze, if he wasn't careful he could lose himself in those eyes forever. McCoy's reaction wasn't much different. He never got bored with how James reacted to everything, all of his expressions were equally captivating and this one was on top of the list. A moment later they loosened their hold and their bodies fell away. James gave a nervous chuckle but soon regained his normal composure.

"No worries, it's just as much my fault as it is yours." McCoy couldn't help but to smile. There it is again, James thought, that gorgeous smile.

"I was just on my way to see you Jim." A flutter swam through James' stomach at the way McCoy said his name, his voice always sounded so cordial. A thought came to him, he wondered if he was the only one McCoy spoke to in that way. Then something else came to the front of his mind, Spock. He pushed past McCoy.

"Sorry Bones, I was actually on my way to see Spock." McCoy spun around, offense written on his face, and called after him.

"Jim! Wait!" James was aggravated when he turned around and saw how afflicted the doctor was but still the want to see Spock was held fast in the front of his mind.

"Make it quick Bones." McCoy grew even more annoyed at the rude remark his supposed good friend just shot at him. He shut his eyes to calm himself before replying.

"If you would have just taken a few seconds to hear me out I would have told you that Spock and I were planning on meeting you in your quarters at around this time. So what I suggest is that we walk back there together right now so we can all talk." James was thoroughly embarrassed after hearing this, instantly regretting his actions. He sheepishly walked back the way he came with McCoy falling in step with him.

"I am truly sorry; I don't know what's gotten into me lately." Out of the corner of his eye he saw McCoy look over at him warmly.

"You're just getting yourself all worked up about something, I understand. Hell, I know there are times when I get like that. But Jim, sometimes you just have to let those things go and let them work themselves out. I assure you, life isn't as bad as it seems. Though there are some times when a bit of good alcohol is needed to help you through." They shared a hearty laugh at that as they neared James' room and found Spock was already there waiting patiently with his arms folded.

"Good to see you're feeling better Captain." James without a doubt gave Spock the biggest smile he's ever given anyone before. Once again McCoy was filled with all kinds of envy that he wasn't the one receiving it. James gave the command for his doors to open and the three of them traversed into the room. Making themselves as comfortable as they could James jumped right into talking about the situation at hand. He proposed his idea of them all going back down and looking further into what happened to the four men. Spock thought this over.

"I agree Captain. It is our duty to make sure that every life form we come across is in a safe environment. It is apparent that these men will not be safe if they go back without us finding what is threatening them." McCoy cut in.

"I also concur. I'm positive that I would be able to point out what might have given Jonah those contusions if I saw a device that has something that could have produced that kind of mark on someone's skin." James nodded glad that they were all in compliance to the plan.

"Then it's settled, we'll head out first thing tomorrow morning." With nothing else for them to say silence filled the air. Then out of the blue James insolently moved away from McCoy, adjusting his seat so that he was closer to Spock, and rested his hand on Spock's forearm; he whispered smoothly to Spock.

"About earlier, I'm sorry for not opening up. The honest truth is that I don't know why I've been acting so off. I've just been feeling so disoriented, unable to concentrate on anything." Seeing James make that kind of contact with Spock hurt McCoy more than anything, it was too much for him to handle. A ball of heat formed in his chest as he wished James would touch him like that. Realizing what he had just desired his lungs caved in and he couldn't breathe. He had always found James attractive but he never yearned for his touch this badly before. With that thought McCoy couldn't stand to be in the room any longer and stormed out.

McCoy's sudden absence alarmed James; it was odd for him to just leave like that. Whenever McCoy seemed sad or troubled it weighed James down with dismay. In any other time like this he would have went after him to see what was wrong but the sensuality of having Spock's arm in his hand kept him there. He let his hand glide over Spock's arm, causing Spock's arm to spasm at the touch, as he restated what he just said.

"So that's why I didn't talk to you earlier, I just don't know what going on." Without willing it to Spock's arm jolted away because it wasn't used to such contact. Spock was inwardly pleased that James had confessed this to him; he had wanted the Captain to talk to him for quite some time now. He looked at James with subtle concern; he didn't want to make his worry too obvious. Feeling bad about the harsh retreat his arm had made he chose to scoot his chair so that they were even closer to each other.

"Has something been bothering you Captain? Even the slightest bit of discontent about anything can cause someone to act incoherently." James was exasperated.

"Well of course something's bothering me Spock, I just can't pin point what it is." Spock's voice was soothing as he replied.

"Don't think too hard. Take a deep breath and tell me what's on your mind." James closed his eyes, inhaled deeply, and let all thought go. His eyes opened when he came to a conclusion.

"I guess I've just been worrying too much about losing the people I care about. When there's a mission I'm scared that one of them will get hurt, if one dies then I wouldn't be able to bear it. The fear is consuming me and there's one person in particular that I wouldn't be able to live without..." James looked right in Spock's eyes as he trailed off in his lament. Spock had the urge to pull James into his arms and tell him that it was going to be alright, that he wasn't going to lose anyone; that he would always be there. But he couldn't, he had to keep calm, he was a Vulcan. So instead he kept sitting there with his hands folded in his lap, giving the best support he could offer.

"It is quite normal for people to become fearful for the lives of the ones around them if they've been around each other for so long, especially if they are very close, you are not the only one Captain. I must admit that if I were fully human I too would have that problem." James hadn't heard Spock be so sincere in a very long time, that sincerity meant more to him than anything and it made him feel better than anything else would have.

"Thank you Spock, I just have a hard time dealing with it." Spock gave a half smile.

"You are always welcome Captain. May I ask who the person is?" James froze, he didn't mean to say that part, it just slipped out, and he'd been hoping Spock would dismiss it, the person he couldn't live without. There were actually two people he couldn't live without now that he thought about it, Spock, a given, and of course McCoy. The one he had been thinking of at that moment though was Spock but he didn't think he was ready to let Spock know how deeply he felt for him yet. Making a hasty decision he chose McCoy over Spock in the conversation. Unable to look Spock full on he turned his head to the side and barely audibly he answered.

"…McCoy…" Spock's mouth dropped open for half a second and then snapped shut, he couldn't help feeling crushed; secretly he was anticipating to hear his name. He raised both eyebrows to show his astonishment.

"What is it that makes you feel you can't live without him? Is it love? Do you love McCoy?" James blushed moderately at the concept.

"There are different types of love Spock, in a way I do love him. But I wouldn't go as far as me being in love with him." Spock shifted in his seat a little and a chuckle escaped.

"I never implied you were in love with him." James' blush grew and he in turn gave a sly smile.

"Are you toying with me Spock?" A grin spread over Spock's face and he simply said.

"Never" Spock rarely ever broke a smile and it was always so beautiful to James when he did. Hypnotizing him for a moment he wanted it to stay there but soon it went away. Well he had done it, he had talked to Spock and he felt a little bit better, not completely though but it was good enough for now. Standing up, James put his hands on his hips and stretched.

"Speaking of McCoy, we should go check on him."

"I agree he did leave quite abruptly." They slipped out of the room and headed for sick bay, sure to find McCoy there.

After McCoy left the others he raced through the corridors panting rapidly, holding his hand to his forehead, feeling like he was about to pass out. When he entered sick bay he went straight for the liquor cabinet and his trembling hand reached out for the strongest alcohol he had, he quickly downed as much of it as he could. Setting the bottle down, he slumped against the wall with his head spinning. He didn't understand how James could be so attracted to someone who couldn't feel, someone who could never return his feelings, at least not like McCoy could. He had to admit that Spock was a very handsome man and there was something about him that was truly intriguing but there was no emotion.

McCoy was brought from his contemplation by the sound of someone walking through the door; he looked to see who it was. James walked in and came to a halt when he saw the condition McCoy was in. McCoy shuffled in his direction.

"Ah! It's the Captain! Shouldn't you be with your alien friend?" James scrunched his forehead.

"Bones, I was worried about you." Just then Spock joined them in the room. McCoy turned to him making a wild gesture with his arms.

"Spock, get your cute little Vulcan ass over here." Spock's face held a curious expression and he stood his ground. McCoy moved clumsily over to him and reached his hand around him to squeeze his butt. Spock's body jerked and he yanked away.

"Doctor, please refrain from doing that." McCoy's eyes widened and he made a mock surprised face.

"Why, Mr. Spock, are you annoyed? Jim! By the gods, the Vulcan's annoyed! It's a miracle!" James bound to the doctor, grabbed him by the shoulders, and shook him.

"Bones snap out of it! You're drunk." Their eyes met and McCoy instantly became serious. A moment later McCoy's eyes fell, his face was weary.

"You're right Jim. I-I need to lie down." His body hunched over and James helped him to a bed. McCoy climbed in, groaning. James spoke to Spock.

"Spock, do you think McCoy and I could have a moment alone?"

"Yes Captain." Spock left them. James faced the doctor again and gently massaged his shoulder. McCoy closed his eyes, taking many deep breaths. James shook him softly causing McCoy to open his eyes a bit.

"Hey... I guess you took your own advice didn't you?" He gave a sweet, caring smile. McCoy grinned sleepily.

"Yeah, I guess I did."

"You should get some sleep; we have to head down to the planet tomorrow morning. And don't complain to me when you have a hangover." They laughed.

"Will do Jim..." McCoy quickly dozed off into sleep. James sat there watching him sleep for a few minutes. He absent-mindedly ran his hand through the doctor's hair before standing up to leave.