Chapter 2

Flashing red lights. A steady stream of an unidentifiable language was coming from the PA system, a dull hum that was as pleasant as a swarm of bees. The swarm of bees was buzzing around the continuous ringing bell in his ears. They were slowly making there way into the place behind his eyes, shaking the nerves, resonating pain into his entire forehead.

Jim gulped against the coarse edges of his throat and blinked against the blurriness of the flashing red world. He sat up as his chest gave an unfriendly crackle and he coughed hoarsely into his hand. Jim stood up, continuing to cough, and stumbled to the bathroom. He turned the sink on and flushed water in his face, down his bare chest and through his hair. Jim cupped some in his hand and drank deeply, gasping as the water slid down his rough throat.

The language in the PA system suddenly became recognizable and Jim looked up at the message, concentrated confusion on his face. The voice sounded gleefully triumphant and vaguely familiar. "-ior -officers are on the bridge. We've got the CMO too. The ship is-"

Jim shook his head to dislodge the bee buzz and stumbled over to his desk. "I need to go find Bones. I'm only seein' red…"

"His heart rate's elevated," McCoy muttered as he glanced at his hidden PADD. They were at the front of the bridge, trapped between two armed formerly prisoners as four more attempted to unlock the numerous stations around them.

"The Captain's condition will keep him in his quarters?" Spock asked from next to him.

"I don't know. He could be walking around the room or just having a nightmare," Bones muttered. "His temperature has risen in the last hour because the patch wore off. I need to get to him."

"There are another six assailants patrolling the ship. What happens if the keptin runs into them?" Chekov asked.

"He kicks their asses," Sulu muttered.

"I don't think Kirk can handle them when he's probably stumbling around like he's drunk," Uhura muttered darkly.

"Jim's surprisingly good at fighting when he's drunk," McCoy replied, glancing back at Jim's life signs. "He really needs to stop moving, the idiot."

A strangled growl came from one of the prisoners and he slammed his palms into the controls at Chekov's station. "I can't get into it! The entire system is locked down by triple threads of security!"

"Sewen," Chekov muttered dejectedly. "Eight plus the keptin's code."

"I'd almost say that was excessive," McCoy muttered.

"The passwords are things we vwould know," Chekov explained oddly satisfied with the idea. "Only people on the Enterprise vwould know vwhat they are."

The PA system, which one of the men had been talking in to spattered sparks, sending the man stumbling away from the station spitting console. The system beeped and Jim's tired, slurring voice came over the radio. "Why the hell is the system locked down… stupid codes… 543- there… now where's Bones? I'm on a scavenger hunt for Dr. Bones…. Dr. Jones… Dr. Phones…. Dr… who…? I need to find… dr… who the wonderful wizard of oz…"

"Oh God," McCoy rubbed his hands down his face. "He's delusional."

"Bones! There you a- why're you there…?" Jim was giving his words the slightest bit of tune. "Lots of other people there…. Scottyyyy… Spock… Nyyyotaa…. Suluuuuu and Checough! Senior officers…. Might as well go there…. To the bridge to the bridge…."

"He's more like a child than ever," Uhura muttered. Scotty was choking on his laughter while Sulu and Chekov were giggling like school girls. Spock raised an eyebrow.

"Shut up!" The apparent leader, Goran, snapped before he grabbed the com link at Uhura's station. "Captain Kirk! I have control of your ship! Surrender now!"

"Control of the ship…. I'll just go to Engineeeeering," Jim whistled. "Then my little ship'll be workin' just fiiiineee…"

The doors to the lift whizzed open and three phasers flew across the room, along with Sulu's retractable sword. Three phaser shots went off before anyone could even move. Sulu leveled his sword at the last guard near them. Jim stood in the doorway, breathing heavily, his phaser shaking as he leveled it at Goran's eyes. "How did you-?"

"What the hell Spock! I take a nap and you get my ship taken over by our prisoners!" Jim snapped, pressing the phaser into Goran's forehead and glaring at his first officer. "I wouldn't move. My hands kinda shaking and I don't really have control over what might happen if you move."

"I must apologize, Captain," Spock stood up and walked over to his station as everyone did their part to disarm the prisoners. McCoy walked over to Jim. "I was unable to-"

"Yeah… Rhetorical question, Spock. File a report and give it to me next week. When I'm awake," Jim muttered. Sulu walked over and knocked Goran out with the back of his sword. "Nice shot, Sulu."

"Thanks sir," McCoy gripped Jim's forearm causing him to finally slide down the wall. He was breathing heavily as sweat glistened on his bare chest and shoulders. Goosebumps traveled up his boxer covered legs.

"Jim?" He tapped Jim's face. "Jim!"

"No need to shout… You're shakin' the world….but it is spinning rather fast… lots of colors spinning around and around…" Jim's eyes slid closed and he continued to mumble.

"Unlock the systems. Have security teams round up our prisoners and another team to the bridge to take care of these men," Spock recited off orders. "Dr. McCoy do you need anything for the Captain?"

"I'm fine and dandy until I had to come rescue my ship," Jim muttered. "Why the hell are you wearing green Spock?"

"Don't answer him, Spock," McCoy pulled Jim's eyes open. "He's delirious… How exactly did they get a hold of the ship?"

"They did not have control of the ship," Spock answered almost haughtily. "And I am unaware of how they were able to break out of the brig. It is most fascinating."

"Right…" McCoy said giving Spock his patented "I don't eat shit" look.

"Booooonneeeeessss. What's wrong with meeee…?" Jim slurred. "Whole world is spinning. Roller coaster ride…. Kinda… but not fun…"

McCoy was close to laughing at Jim's high expression if his condition hadn't been so serious. "You really need to be in bed. You know that?"

1061

A/N: So.... wow..... The response to this was amazing so here is the next chapter! Thanks to all those who reviewed. I hope this lives up to your expectations! Thanks for reading!

Iluvwind