C for computer

One leg over the other and fingers nervously drumming on the captain's chair, Jim could not sit still. His icy eyes constantly moved across the bridge as the U.S.S. Enterprise travelled through space at warp speed. He was missing the form of the familiar Vulcan standing beside him or working at his station to his side. Kirk turned his eyes towards where Spock usually was with the vain hope he would be sitting there, but instead he was faced with his replacement for a while. A rather old man with scruffy gray hair and rough white stubble. He looked like Santa Clause off duty.

Spinning back around in his chair, Kirk went back to tapping nervously on his chair as he chewed on the inside of his cheek. He missed Spock, he needed him, but unfortunately he was ill. It was quite a surprise to learn that his First Officer actually had a capability to get ill and even though he persisted to say he was fit enough for duty, Bones had confined him to quarters until he fully recovered. Apparently he couldn't be doing with an illness spreading around the crew. Some doctor he was if he couldn't handle a simple flu.

"Uhura," Jim suddenly announced as he turned his head towards her. "Come here for a minute."

The communications officer raised a brow, but pushed away from her post before walking over. "Captain?" She asked as she stood beside the Captain's chair, the position where Spock used to stand before he was stuck in his quarters with an illness.

"I miss Spock," blurted almost instantly, his eyes moving up to her face.

"You miss…Spock," Uhura echoed just for clarification. "Right. What do you want me to do about that?"

Kirk opened his mouth to say something, but he quickly closed it again as he brows furrowed. He didn't know what Uhura was supposed do about it. Spock was ill, confined to his quarters and the only person who was really keeping him there was Bones. It appeared that the only thing to do about it was to go and speak to their Chief Medical Officer about it.

"Sulu, you have the conn." And with that the Captain pushed himself from his chair before stalking towards the turbolift. Stepping inside, Jim sent one last look towards Uhura before the doors slid closed again.

They opened almost a moment later and Kirk paused for a moment as he watched people walk past before he finally stepped out of the turbolift and the doors closed again. His shoes tapped on the black floor with a satisfying rhythm as he walked through the lit corridor towards the Medical Bay. He was on a mission to get Spock back on duty so the off duty Santa would get off his bridge. He didn't belong there, Kirk needed Spock back.

The doors to the Medical Bay opened and Kirk walked in and instantly his eyes were on the swivel for Bones. He ignored everyone else around him and soon spotted the Chief Medical Officer in conversation to one of his staff, well it seemed like it was turning into more of an argument over the state of his supplies.

"Bones," Jim quickly cut in. "I need to talk to you."

The man turned to him and Kirk cringed slightly as he caught sight of the hypospray in his hand. Thankfully it was put down and instead he was faced with a blank stare and folded arms. "I'm busy man, what do you want?"

"I want Spock cleared for duty," Kirk responded with little hesitation. "I need him on the bridge. The Santa Clause won't cut it,"

Bones almost looked bemused. "Santa Clause? Jim, dammit. I've said already that green-blooded hobgoblin isn't leaving his quarters until he's well enough. I don't want his illness to start spreading around the crew. Or do you want to be stuck in your quarters all day getting your ass hypo'd because you wouldn't listen to me?"

Kirk opened his mouth a few times to try and form words, but in the end his shoulders sagged and all he could really do was to stare mournfully at Bones. "But he knows things," he responded pathetically. "I need him, Bones. Please?"

"No." Came the rather blunt reply. "Now if you have nothing else go and find something interesting to do." Bones turned and was about to walk off when Kirk muttered something which was barely audible. "What was that?" The Chief Medical Officer demanded as he turned back to the Captain again.

Kirk turned his eyes up from the ground again with an innocent smile. "I need to know the exact time of arrival, it's very important. I was just thinking that Spock would know the answer, but as no one is allowed to see him I can't find out. I don't suppose you would know?"

Bones glared slightly. "Goddammit, man, I'm a doctor not a computer. Why don't you go and ask someone a little more qualified!"

"I can't because you've locked him up because of some silly cold." Kirk pointed out with a slightly smile. "If you just cleared him for duty I wouldn't be here annoying you."

It seemed as though Bones was swaying slightly, but he still held his cold glare and his arms remained folded over his chest with annoyance. "If I clear him will you leave me alone?"

"Yes."

Bones' glare darkened in a threatening manner before he spun and stalked off towards the nearest screen. Kirk followed with a slight bounce to his step. Bones' fingers tapped over the screen before he spun around again and pointed a threatening finger at Kirk. "Now if you or anyone find's there asses down here with a cold I will hold you responsible and you will not be able to sleep until I'm done with you. Now get out."

Nodding with a straight face, Kirk turned and walked towards the exit for the Medical Bay and when his back was finally turned from Bones a grin slipped onto his face. It felt good to win for once. Now it was time to go and get rid of the off duty Santa Clause and get Spock back on the bridge.

All he had to do was to warn the crew not to go to Bones if they got a cold. He didn't want to get his ass kicked by the Medical Officer, he quite liked staying in once piece and if there was anything he had learnt since knowing Bones it was that he always stuck to his word and he wasn't worried to beat up Kirk.