For Author's note and Disclaimer, see chapter 1
Chapter 18
When Jim came back to his cabin after his shift he had to admit he was exhausted. Nothing quite as tiring as trying to hold a ship together when she was tearing at the seems. At least there had been one or two bits of good news. He also had to admit that there was something to be said for entering the quiet and easy company of the two men currently sharing his humble quarters.
"Captain," Spock nodded to him, the chess set already set up for a game.
"Mr. Spock," he glanced around the cabin, he could just make out the shape of Bones in the sleeping alcove. Quiet, or seeming to be at least he thought as he entered.
"The doctor did seem to be in some minor distress, but as I was expecting you to return shortly I felt it best not to intervene," Spock started softly as he turned his focus to a PADD lying on the table. "However I must report that his awareness of his surroundings has decreased by by thirty percents as opposed to 'normal' circumstances when in sickbay. Also, before you arrived. When I remarked that placing his temporary work place in the mess where it would no doubt cause the crew to lose their appetite, was ill advised. His retort was delayed by one point three seconds. I find this matter should be addressed at the first opportunity."
Jim paused, halfway by the sleeping alcove. "Are you insulting Bones to see if he's okay or not?" Really, it should not surprise him, and yet in some strange way he found it, fascinating…
"Captain?" Spock raised an eyebrow. "I am merely informing you of the situation as it appears to me. As the situation is far from ideal, and as treating the crew in the same facilities used to feed them is ill advised, I felt it best to appraise the situation."
"Right, I understand," he nodded. "You would never have any reason to be concerned about Bones."
"Precisely," Spock touched the stylus to the PADD again. "I merely want to ensure that the crew fare no ill from our current situation. I did find the doctors reluctance to, 'raise to the bait' as you would say somewhat disconcerting as we are currently relying on him quite heavily."
"Don't worry Spock, I understand," Jim mused as he moved to the end of the partition wall.
"Captain, Vulcans do not worry," Spock frowned. "It would be illogical to worry."
"Right, never mind then, I would never accuse you of being illogical," the fact that Bones hadn't reacted to them talking at all however was something he found himself worrying about. He was a human being after all, surely he was allowed to embrace such a human emotion. "He's doing it again," he mused, looking down on the sleeping form. "Biting down like that so no one will hear, why would he do that Spock? Analysis?"
"As you stated before Captain, the only logical answer would be to ensure that the situation is not brought to attention," Spock stated.
"But why?" Jim folded his arms over his chest, Bones had the back of his hand between clenched teeth, any faint noise of distress so weak it was barely audible. "Why would he be so determined we don't find out that he actually is willing to hurt himself? Why would he think we would find it a weakness?"
"Captain," Spock's voice softened enough that Jim turned to look at him. "I believe it is the instinct of many creatures to hide any vulnerability, the predator often seeks to attack the wounded and weak, I do not think it is a reflection on you, I am inclined to believe that this response is pure instinct, a deep seated desire to not be found weak, in order to better perform that of which is asked of him."
"There is some, logic to your statement," Jim had to smile, bite back a chuckle at look Spock gave him at his choice of words. Naturally the Vulcan's response would be logical. "I don't have to like it, do I?"
"No Captain, you are under no obligation to do so," Spock mused and Jim nodded.
"Well, at least I got a good excuse to wake him," he mused. Closing the distance to the bed he reached out a hand carefully to take Bones wrist, pulling his hand away from his mouth and ignoring the way his jaw clenched. He just didn't want Bones to know that he had found out what he was doing. Giving the man a second he needed to collect himself he shook his shoulder lightly. "Doc…"
There was a faint gasp, then the doctor opened his eyes. "I got some good news for you," Jim smiled. "At least somewhat good."
"Y'all got the ship together the way it's s'posed to be?" Bones drawled sleepily.
"Parts of it anyway," he nodded as his friend sat up and slipped his feet to the floor. "Scotty found out what the problem was with the heat in sick bay. They got that part sorted, by tomorrow it will at least not be any worse there than before."
"Good," Bones scrubbed a hand over his face. "I really need the equipment, sure, I can get by a little without it, but it's not much good in the long run."
"I know," he nodded. "We're not there yet, but things are slowly starting to look up."
"Can't wait," Bones pushed himself to his feet. "At least then I won't have that blasted Vulcan breathing down my neck. Had the gall to 'object' to me 'bring my malpractice to the mess,'" he threw a glare towards the other part of the cabin. "As if it was my choice."
"Well, you know how Spock is," Jim offered with a smile. The fact that Spock obviously had his best interest at heart was best not divulged. Sure, this time Spock really had baited him and he truly had done so to make sure Bones was doing alright, well, that was something that Bones did not need to know. For one thing he wasn't sure if he would believe it. "He just likes to try and get a raise out of you."
"Yeah, Ah know sho'nuf," Bones declared, drawl thick with tiredness. This time Jim figured it was unintentional and he bit down the worry he felt. He liked the southern lilt, he really did, but he found it worrisome when Bones was so tired he did not realize he was doing it. "Dang blasted Vulcan and their dang blasted logic," he muttered.
"Well, I thought I would try and whip him in a game of chess," he was able to muster up a smile. "Care to watch?"
"No thanks, but if y'all are gonna be yapping I might try and get some work done," Bones decided. "I've taken down some numbers, but it's been too cold down there in that frozen pit to really look over it."
"Alright," Jim nodded. It was better not to push it. With a bit of luck, the easy company would be enough to lend his friend some comfort, even if he did not know he needed it.
Sometimes when it was your friends that was the best you could do.
"Captain," Spock broke him out of his thoughts as he nodded to the chess board.
"Let's begin, shall we," he rubbed his hands together. A game was just what he needed, a challenge he could win. Bones had turned on the computer screen and was already burying himself in whatever was on the screen. A glance over his shoulder did not really tell Jim all that much. Not that that really surprised him all that much. He felt the same way whenever it was Spock he was watching.
Putting it out of his mind to focus on the game he only glanced his way from time to time when Bones made notes on the PADD in front of him.
"Captain?" Spock raised an eyebrow, "I believe we have come to a stalemate."
"Yes, I believe so," he noted. "Check… I admit I did not see it coming."
"That would have been my intention," Spock raised an eyebrow. "Do you have a countermove Captain?"
"I actually don't think I do," he mused, studying the board. It really had taken him by surprise but then he was somewhat distracted.
"Then move your blasted rook danged it," Bones muttered, not even looking up from the screen he was focused on.
"That is actually not a bad idea," Jim grinned as he moved the piece. "Checkmate Mr. Spock."
"Fascinating," Spock mused, raising an eyebrow.
"I didn't even know you were paying attention," Jim turned his head.
"Who says I am," Bones still didn't look up. "With the way yer yammering, a fella don't have to."
"Fair enough," he nodded. "I didn't know you were that good at chess." While it was never all that hard to talk Spock into a game Bones was always more reluctant to. For someone to pick up on it while not quite paying attention though, that had to take some skill. "Care to play a game?"
"No thanks," Bones turned his attention back to the screen. "I got plenty enough to do here."
"Alright," he figured it was best not to push it. "Spock, rematch?"
"Certainly Captain," Spock set the board up again, glancing to the side though he did not say a word and Jim shrugged. Perhaps they were overreacting, perhaps there was nothing to be concerned about. The way Bones were frowning over the screen certainly didn't look like anything out of the ordinary.
By the time he went to sleep Jim had just about convinced himself everything was as it should be.
TBC
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