"Well looks who is here." Christine whispers to Geoff when she saw Jim and Spock entering sickbay.
"See told you it wouldn't be long."
"It's almost the end of your shift. It took long enough." Christine said sarcastic.
"They probably had to wash up or something and look they got some food for Len."
"Now hope that will make it all better."
Len looked up when the door of his office openend and was surprised when he first saw no one entering but when he looked a little lower there was a smile on his face growing. "Jim" he whispered.
"Bones!"
"Jimbo, haven't see you in a long time kiddo." Len said with a smile.
"Wasn't that long just tonight." Jim said as he grabbed Spock's hand to pull him into the office. Spock looked really uncomfortable.
Just tonight? Len thought. That wasn't right.
"Look we got you breakfast. Say hai Spock."
"Uhmm hello Leonard." Spock said ashamed as he put the plates on the desk in the front of Len.
"Hey Spock." Len said uncertain.
Jij looked confused at them. "Why are you still standing? Come Spock sit down so you can eat." Jim took Spock's hand and made him sit down in the chair that stood in the front of Len's desk. When Spock sat Jim walked to Bones and tried climb on his lap. When that didn't work Bones put his hands under his arm's and lifted him up so he could sit.
Jim looked at Bones. "You have to eat Bones. We got it for you."
Bones looked amused. "You did? Well thank you darling. But I think you have to help. It's a lot."
"It's breakfast for us as well. We didn't got any because Jim wanted to bring you breakfast first." Spock answered.
"Because Bones worked all night. Don't you like it?" Jim asked as he leans against his chest. Len put his arms around Jim to keep him secure.
"Of course I do. Let me see." Len said as he looked at the plates with different food. Spock was already eating his plomeek soup . "Oh this sandwich looks nice." Len said and took a bite from it.
"Scotty helped me to make it." Jim said proudly with a tired smile.
"Well it is lovely. What do you want to eat darling?" Bones asked.
Jim shook his head and turned so he could curl up in Len's lap. He put his head against Len's chest where he could hear Bones heartbeat. "Not hungry. You eat."
Len looked confused at Spock who also looked shocked at what he heard before he looked back at Jim who was starting to close his eyes.
"You have to eat something kiddo."
"Leonard is right Jim. We got apple slices. You like that." Spock said as he held some up so that Len could give it to Jim.
Len took a sliced and gave it to Jim who shook his head again. "No."
"You need something in your tummy Jim. It will make me more happy if I saw you eat something."
Jim sighs and took the slice and was sucking slowly on it. Before he closed his eyes again and snuggled up so he could focus on Bones heartbeat again. Len look concerned and just to be sure he checked his temperature with the back of his hand before he ran it through Jim's hair.
"No temperature. You that tired kiddo?" Jim nodded and soon he lost his grip on his apple slice and fell asleep. Len sighs and put the slice back on the table. He then put both arms around Jim like he always did when he wanted to snuggle. Len shook his head when he snuggled even closer. Both his little hands had now a grip on his shirt.
"I don't understand." Spock said and Len startled. He almost forgot Spock was in the room.
"Maybe his body just needs more rest. But you are right I don't understand either. Jim slept most of the time when he was with you, didn't he?"
"Yes, all the time." Spock was silent for a moment. "Leonard, I wanted to apologize for my behavior. I... I wasn't myself. I don't understand myself how this could happen either. It's not a ritual I should perform. My father did it with me when I was younger and conflicted. But it's not something I saw myself perform on Jim. I took Jim away from you and I couldn't stop myself to stop the ritual. I am sorry Leonard."
Len saw that Spock really felt guilty and also saw the confusion in his eyes. "I must say I was hurt Spock but M'Benga explained it to me and realized you couldn't do anything about it. I am now just glad that I have Jim in my arms again. I wasn't sure he was okay when I saw him with you. Not that I thought you would hurt him or couldn't take care of him but..." Len took a deep breath. "I understand." He said finally.
"Thank you Leonard. I am glad Doctor M'Benga could explain what was happening even if I don't like to share all our rituals."
Len smiled. "I could understand that." He said when he remembered that Spock looked like a cat liking his kitten.
"I am not sure Jim..." Spock began but was interrupted by a call that he was needed on the bridge immediately. Spock stood up. "I am sorry I can't stay any longer. I know Jim is in good hands."
"It's fine Spock. Duty calls I understand." Spock nodded and turned to leave when Len called him again. "And Spock. We are good, okay? No hard feelings. We are okay." Len said and Spock smiled in relief before he turned to get out of the office again.
Len looked at Jim with a frown. Jim's hands got a tight grip on his shirt and now and then he tried to snuggle closer and higher. Just so he could hear Bones heartbeat. Len looked up when he heard his office door open again. Christine and Geoff.
"I see you got the little captain back again. He looks so cute." Christine said with a smile.
"Yes. He likes to snuggle." Len said with a warm smile. Christine and Geoff shared a look.
"Well then. Now that you got Jim again you can get some sleep." Geoff said.
"What? No. Just..."
"Len you said you would sleep when you knew Jim was okay. You have him in your arms. Seriously it's time to sleep. Just like Jim is doing now."
"Yeah that is the problem..." Len begins.
"Why is that a problem? Kids take naps all the time." Christine asked confused.
"Jim slept through the hours I was here. You can count. He had enough sleep. There is no reason he is this this sleepy. It's actually good you came here. I need a tricorder and I need to take some blood. Jim also thinks he just slept through the night instead of almost two days." Len said concerned.
Geoff and Christine looked at each other before looking back and Len and Jim. This was indeed something to be concerned about. "Okay Christine can you get those things? I will help Len in the mean time."
"Yeah of course. Be back in a minute." She said before she walked out of the door.
"Okay. Let's get you on the couch so you can lay down."
"Geoff. Stop getting me to lay down. Our focus must be Jim." Len said angry. Jim felt it and begins to whimper. His grip got tighter on his shirt if it even could got any tighter as he snuggled again to get higher. Len immediately tried to sooth him again.
"And that is why you need to lay down. Jim wants to snuggle in you if he could as long as he hears your heartbeat. He can hear it better if you lay down so he could lay properly."
"Oh yeah." Len looked ashamed. "That could work. You got a point."
"Well thank you Doctor. Now come on." Geoff said sarcastically and helped Len stand with the kid in his arms who put is legs immediately around his middle. Just as he lay down and Jim was indeed laying better on his chest, Christine came back inside the office and closed the door again.
"Here. Got everything." She said as Geoff took the tricorder before Len even could get his hand on it. He ran it over Jim and frowned.
"What is that look? Let me see?" Len said. Geoff sighs before he let him see the results.
"I don't understand those readings. He never had them before. You are right. Something is wrong. Maybe the bloods sample will tell us more." Geoff said as he also saw the confused look on Len's face.
"Yeah. Let's do that." Len said as he ran a hand through Jim's hair.
Christine tried to take Jim's arm but he immediately whimpered and tried to get his arm back again so he could get a hold on Len's shirt . "No, no." Jim said as Christine tried it again.
Len looked worried and put his arms immediately tighter around Jim. "Ssh it's okay darling." He whispered. He would prefer to take Jim with him immediately if he didn't knew how important the blood sample was. "Make sure to use the cream so that he doesn't feel the needle."
Christine looked at him. "Seriously Len. How many times did you saw how I took blood from Jim? Even as an adult I used the cream. Otherwise he would run away."
Len looked guilty. "Uhmm sorry. I know, I know. Sorry. I just..."
"Feeling like a parent who takes his child to the doctor for the first time and is afraid they will hurt him?" Geoff asked with a smile before he helped Christine.
Len smiled and had to laugh a little. "Yeah, something like that."
"Understandable. Okay this is how we are going to do it. We know Jim can fight us when he is like this. The feeling of not being safe. Len you need to try to keep Jim as close as you can and try to keep him calm. I will try to get his hand to lose on your shirt and will hold his arm, while you Christine will take the blood sample. We understand each other?" Geoff asked as they nodded. "Okay let's do it."
It was indeed a fight. The whimpering immediately got worse and Jim was now crying and scream so they would give his arms back. "No, no. Please. I am good. Let go. Please. No no."
"Oh sweetie. We are not here to hurt you. We care about you. You are safe". Christine said with tears in her eyes as she took the blood sample quickly. Soon she was finished and Geoff immediately let go of his arm who immediately took his grip back on Len's shirt. Len was rocking Jim in his arms as he spoke soft words to him. Christine shared a looked with Geoff worriedly.
"Can you take the sample to the lab so they can analyze it immediately? Also ask Spock if he noticed something different when he was with him and let me know okay? I got my PADD with me." Geoff asked. Christine nodded. "Good I will stay here a little bit longer. Just to be sure." He whispered. She nodded again before she left the office.
It took awhile before Jim was calm again. He had his head on Len's chest again listening to the rhythm. Not asleep. He had his eyes open looking at nothing.
"He asleep?" Len asked.
"Nope. Just staring at nothing. You know what just happend? Did Spock had a mind meld with him that you know off?"
"No and no. Unless you didn't told me about that part of the ritual."
Geoff shook his head. "It's not part of it. I know for sure. Len I am really worried about him."
Len looked at Jim again as he was still rocking him. "Yeah me too."
Geoff looked at Len. "The tricorder also got your body signals. I am worried about you too."
"You don't need to be."
"Well I am. Close your eyes Len and try to get some sleep. You are on the point to get sedated."
Len shook his head. "Jim needs me more now."
"Jim has what he needs. He just needs you. He needs to feel you and listen to your heartbeat and breathing to keep him calm. You can sleep like this. Right now. Your body is calling for it. Your choice. Sleep and wake up when he really needs you awake or sleep and wait until you wake up and see that he needed you earlier. So what's it going to be? And don't worry. I will keep watch. Nothing will happen."
Len sighs. "Fine, I will sleep. But wake me if Jim will get worse. Deal?"
"Deal. Sleep well Len." Geoff said as he took his PADD to start working on some reports he needed to finish. He looked at them again after 10 minutes of silence and saw that Len was indeed finally asleep. When he looked at Jim he also noticed that Jim was asleep again but more peaceful than before. His grip on the shirt was not that tight anymore. Huh, he thought. That was weird.
It was not an hour later when Geoff got a message from Christine telling him that Spock saw nothing abnormal than that Jim was asleep a lot and was showing signs of distress. They didn't had a mind meld as the ritual took place. Geoff sighs. That didn't explain anything.
Seven hours later Len was still asleep but Jim had his eyes open again and was staring at him.
"Hello Jim." He whispers softly.
Jim moved his head a little and looked a bit confused before he slowly moves his hand to say hello before the hand held Len's shirt again.
Geoff smiled. Well that was something. He got a reaction. "You okay?" Jim nodded. "Good. Do feel differently than like before?"
It looks like Jim had to think about it before he held up his shoulders as if he didn't know. "That's okay. You still feel sleepy?"
Jim shook his head no. With all the movements Jim was making, it woke Leonard up but he decided to keep his eyes closed and pretend to still be asleep. He wanted to know what Jim would do.
"I see Leonard is still asleep. What you say we get you something to eat and play for awhile? I think Leonard still needs some more sleep."
At that moment Jim stomach made a noise and Jim looked ashamed. "I will wait." He answered softly.
"Yeah? I know for one thing that Leonard ate something but you didn't. You also need to eat. Besides he still needs to sleep. Now that you are awake and talking you could wake him up. We wouldn't want that."
"Then you don't need to ask me questions. I will be quiet." Jim said stubbornly.
Geoff sighs and Len knew this would be a fight if he didn't play it well. "I have to so that I know that you are okay. Len asked me to keep an eye on you. And I like to keep my promises. And I know for sure Leonard wants you healthy. So you have to eat something. Come Jim. Let Len sleep for awhile longer. We can play games while we wait. Let me keep my promise."
Jim stared at him for a moment before he looked at Len's face and observed him before he looked back at Geoff again. "Okay, we can play a game. But I am staying in this room."
Geoff smiled and helped Jim move from Len's chest to the ground. "Now what do you want to eat?" They still were whispering their conversation.
Jim shook his head. "I eat with Bones or Spock. We can play a game now."
Geoff sighs. "Jim I am sure they want you to eat now also. Len is asleep and Spock is working. Why do you want to wait? Your tummy says it is hungry." Geoff said and tickled Jim stomach who laughed at him.
"I could get sick if I ate something wrong. Don't want to be sick. Bones and Spock knows that."
"You mean your allergies Jim?" Jim nodded. "Jim I also know your allergies and I got you medical file here. I know what I can give you. Besides if something would get wrong, you are in good hands. I am a doctor too you know."
Jim looked up at that. "Really? You know what I can eat?" Geoff nodded. "Okay, can I have pancakes?"
"Sure Jim" he said with a smile. Glad he won Jim over. "I let Christine know so she could get it for us. In the mean time can I take a look at you, so I can tell Len when he wakes up that you are healthy and fed?"
Apparently Jim was okay with the breakfast and sitting on Geoff lap while eating because otherwise he couldn't reach it. But for checking him... Geoff could use the tricorder but otherwise nothing and it wouldn't take long before Jim would get twitchy. Geoff sighs. This was something what had to wait until Len was awake. He had some information of the blood sample too he really would like to share. For all he could do was explaining a game to Jim so they could play and wait for Len to wake up. He knew Len was awake when Jim was talking for the first time after his nap but when he knew for sure Jim was in good hands with Geoff, he fell back asleep to Geoff relieve.
Len woke up two hour later. He slowly opened his eyes and looked around the room. Jim was in what looked like a discussion with Geoff about the game they were playing.
"You know you two can't whisper that well." He said as he sat up. Jim's head immediately looked up at the voice he was hearing and climbed of Geoff's lap.
"Bones you are awake. You are awake!" Jim said as he came runnen to Len. He stopped by his knees and leans against it as Len ran a hand over his back.
"Yeah kiddo. With all the noise you are making I had to be awake. What were you two discussing?"
"Doctor M'Benga doesn't understand the game. So I explained it to him for the tenth time."
"Hey wait a minute kid. I understand the game perfectly fine. You didn't play by the rules." Geoff defended.
"I didn't start with cheating." Jim told him.
"I didn't... I didn't cheat. You make different rules."
"No I didn't. I ..." Jim was starting but Len stopped him.
"Are you two seriously starting again? No more games for you two." Len said as he stood up.
"You are telling me now what to do?" Geoff asked.
Len leans forward on his desk where Geoff sat. "I have to if you are discussing a game, a child's game about rules with a four year old."
"They need to learn early, do they not?" Geoff said with a smug on his face.
Len smiled. "And you are an adult who knows when to stop a useless discussion, aren't you?"
Geoff rolled his eyes. "Fine, you made your point. How was your sleep?"
"Fine. Did he eat?"
"Yes but wouldn't let me check him out unfortunately."
"I am still here you know." Jim said as he stood next to Len.
Len looked down and lifted Jim up so he sat on his desk. "Are you now?"
Jim crossed his arms. "Yes, so don't talk about me as if I not here."
"Well here is the adult Jim again. Well somewhat. It has been awhile." Len said. Geoff stood up immediately and stood next to Len and held out the tricorder.
Jim pushed the tricorder away. "I don't need that."
"Yeah, are you a doctor now?" Len asked as he took the tricorder from Geoff.
"I am fine Bones."
"What happend to the sweet kid that was calling for you just a minute ago?" Geoff whispered to Len.
"Like I said Jim's adult mind. Pissed off that he is a kid but his emotions aren't always what he wants them to be." Len whispered back.
"So temper tantrum?" Geoff asked.
"Again I am still here. And don't talk to me like you know what a temper tantrum is Geoff!" Jim said angry.
"Okay calm down kiddo. Don't need to be rude." Len said as he held out the tricorder again.
"Rude? I am rude? You two talk about me as if I am not here."
"I simply asked Geoff a question about you when I was asleep. I would ask you if I knew you would answer it truthfully but I know you longer than today."
"You still could ask me. I am here." Jim said with some tears in his eyes. He felt like he was outsider. Like he wasn't here anymore.
Len ran a hand through Jim's hair. He knew Jim's emotions by hand now. "Yeah. You are right. You are still here and wouldn't have it any other way. It's just sometimes difficult to know when you switch to your adult mind."
"I can't help that. Just.. just don't do it anymore okay?"
Len smiled at Jim. "I will not do it anymore. Promise okay." Len looked at the results of the tricorder and while he calmed Jim down a little he discreetly checked him over by hand. Only Jim would thought that Len was comforting him by his hands.
"Okay. Just keep your promise Bones."
"Don't worry I will."
"Jim? Now that Len is awake I need a moment to talk him." Geoff said. Len looked confused at him.
"Okay. He is standing next to you so talk." Jim said as he swings his legs over the edge of the desk. Len lifted Jim up and put him on the ground again. He didn't wanted to risk Jim falling because he was restless.
"What I mean Jim, is that I need to talk to him alone for a moment."
"You are sending me away so you can talk about me without me!" Jim asked shocked.
"No Jim. I am not sending you away. I call Christine so you can stay with her for a moment. Maybe you both can make something to eat for Len. And maybe a little snack for yourself." Geoff said as he send a comm to Chapel.
"Hold on Geoff. I can get my own food. I..." Len begins when he saw the scared look on Jim's face.
Geoff gave Len a look. "I really need to talk to you alone. Not later but now."
"But..."
"If I remember correctly I got another reading from the tricorder before you went to sleep. I don't think some ears..." Geoff begins.
"Okay okay. I get it." Len said. Jim looked confused.
"What do you get? I don't understand.." Jim asked just as Chapel stepped inside the office.
"I heard the sleeping beauty is awake. Well Len I must say you look better than ..." Chapel begins but Len stopped her.
"Okay, you made your point Christine. Jim go with Christine for a moment okay. I need to talk to Geoff."
"But you said..." Jim begins.
"I know what I said. But this is something personal I need to talk with Geoff about. Maybe Spock is also getting something to eat. I promise I will see you after I talked to Geoff."
"But..."
"Please Jim." Len asked and gave Christine a pleading look.
Christine took that as her cue and took Jim's hand. "Come on honey, let the man talk for a moment. They will be done before you know it..." Christine told Jim as she walked him out of the office. Geoff walked after them and closed the door before he looked at Len.
"Okay Geoff, what is so important that we need to talk now?" Len asked with his arm's crossed.
