A/N: Thanks guys for your awesome reviews! I never expected to get so much feedback so soon. Keep it up and I'll keep updating rapidly. =3

Bkau502: You'll see! (You got some of it right there. You get a cookie!) I'm glad you like it so far. =3

LadyVulcan471: I think I shocked everyone with his reaction. He has to take care of him! He's his bestest buddy. =D *skips along to write more*

coastiewife465: Oh yes he does. That's what makes this upcoming chapter AWESOME! xD And thanks, you gave me a great idea for how the crew handles this. Much obliged.

Traptrogue6: Thanks for your continuous reviewing! I'm glad to see I have return readers. =3 Bones is in biiig trouble now. Jim's reaction is in this chapter. I hope to post every other day or so depending on my schedule.

Ml90: Gladly =3

JazzyClaws: You won't have to wait much longer. =D

Lost-Remembrance: Thank you =D

Jim blinked owlishly. "Bones I think you need to check my ears. I could have sworn you just said-''

"I did Jim." Bones cut his young friend off quite abruptly. If his voice cracked, Jim said nothing. Jim was stunned into silence though. That was never a good sign. The Captain felt like the vital, blood-pumping organ that had been previously ripped from his chest cavity had been torn out again. Did Starfleet have a regulation about this? Jim tried to think of how he could keep flying in space. He tried to think of the friends he had aboard and how much he wanted to stay with them. Instead he wound up thinking that he might not even live to the end of the year. There was no direct cure for Leukemia yet. It was still the same thing as before. Chemotherapy and radiation and possibly even a bone marrow transplant if needed. All of it was painful and none of it was easily hidden.

As for Bones, he was feeling something akin to having his heart ripped out. In retrospect he supposed it would have been the second time that day considering what Jim had done to him earlier and vice versa. Now he felt undeniably guilty. His best friend was essentially dying considering that he hadn't even begun to fight it yet. He had lied to him instead of telling him his true feelings just a half hour before. It seemed to Bones like this wasn't Jim's week. Of course he would still be there for his friend. How could he not? But now that he had damaged Jim that much, things were bound to change. He had seen that wall go up behind Jim. That was the only sign that Jim had withdrawn into himself and pulled away from everyone. Bones punched the wall as hard as he could.

Jim jumped. "Bones? Is your hand okay?" The kid sounded genuinely concerned.

Bones whirled on him. "Damnit, Jim! Why are you worrying about me?!" Hysteria was beginning to set in. Never in a million years would Bones think of this happening to Jim. Jim. The kid who smiled almost nonstop. The kid who became a Captain in three goddamn years! Jim!

Blue eyes looked genuinely confused. "Because you punched a wall." Deadpanned.

Bones' gaze turned concerned now. There seemed to be a lot of concern in the small room. "Jim, you know the chances for this. You know what will happen. How are you so calm?" There was an undertone of wonder in that question. Kirk wasn't entirely sure he liked it.

Broad shoulders shrugged which jostled his ribs and he winced. "Not much I can do about it. What's done is done. Better to look ahead than behind." Cue the lopsided Kirk grin. "Besides, there's never a no-win scenario. Better to ask for forgiveness than permission."

Bones rolled his eyes. "What does the permission idiom have to do with this situation, kid?"

"I must have screwed up somewhere. Obviously I didn't ask permission so now the universe is making me ask for forgiveness. Now as much fun as it is to breath with bones poking into your lungs – no pun intended – do you mind coming over here with that bone mender thingy?" Jim was too tired to use his genius brain and think of the technical term for the machine that was now laser sealing his robs together. He barely noticed when a dermal regenerator passed over his face and chest.

"Speakin' of which… sorry I snapped on you, kid." Bones pushed aside his pride and pigheaded tendencies to apologize. Jim grinned again. It was then that the good doctor realized that none of them reached Jim's eyes. He also noticed he could no longer read the emotions in Jim's eyes. He was cut off.

"Don't worry about it Bones. It's ok. I made a mistake." Jim hopped off the exam table, not noticing the wince of his own that overcame his friend. Jim honestly thought he had made a mistake. When Bones did not correct him, he was sure of it.

"You're gonna have to figure out how you wanna handle this."

"Yeah I know. I'll have a plan by Wednesday."

"That's only two days from today Jim."

"I know." Jim walked out the sickbay doors and to his own bed.

Back in his quarters, Jim began to reflect. He had already told Spock that he was on board for the rest of leave. Why the Vulcan was still on the ship during shore leave was a mystery to Jim. Spock looked curious but kept his too-blunt questions to himself. He thought further back than that to what had happened between himself and Bones. His doctor friend had gotten so angry and didn't believe Jim. There was a reason for that and Jim knew it but even still. Hitting and kicking him wasn't necessary. How was he supposed to know Bones had a boyfriend? Jim cringed at the thought of it not being him. It's not like Bones was the most open guy in the world. Hell, Jim had to look in his personnel file for his birthday! Sure he was his best friend but there were still boundaries. Oh well. It was over. Nothing he could do about it now. Just like there was nothing he could do about the fact that he had cancer.

Jim's breath left him in a 'whoosh'. "Shit. I've really got cancer." Jim never cried. He was a Starfleet Captain. He was a sturdy figure his crew relied on and looked for when they needed help. For once, all that fell away and he broke down. Jim wasn't aware of when he fell asleep. All he knew was that when he woke up, he knew what he should do next. He reached over and grabbed a blank PADD he had lying around.

Bones,

Here's my plan. I would have just left a message on the comm. but I was too tired. I only want four people to know about this not including me. Chapel because she has to, Spock because he has to, you (obviously) and Pike. If Pike knows then he can help cover for me. Eventually I'll tell Alpha Shift because they're the original crew but not immediately. I'll deal with telling them. You go enjoy shore leave. We still got a week.

Jim

The Captain sent the message to his CMO and keyed in the lock code on his door. He didn't want anyone to visit him right now. Jim picked up another PADD and began on the next three messages he would have to write. He decided he wouldn't have to write one for Chapel because she probably already knew through Bones. Make that two then.

Spock,

Not quite sure how to put this. I would do it in a comm. message but that'd be just as hard. Bones told me a few hours ago that I have cancer. You may have to take over as acting Captain but not any time in the immediate future. You have orders not to breathe a word of this to anyone but Admiral Pike, Dr. McCoy, Nurse Chapel or myself. If you need to talk to someone, Uhura's fine.

Jim

The thought of the Vulcan having to talk to someone was slightly unnerving. Could Jim really cause so much distress that Spock would have a breakdown? He shivered and not from the temperature.

Admiral Pike,

I'd like to call in that favor you owe me now, sir. I ask that you keep this upcoming information to yourself. Please. Dr. McCoy has just informed me that I have cancer. As I would like to stay Captain of this ship (you know I don't have anything else), I need your help in keeping it under wraps. Do you think you could do that for me?

Jim

He hit the send button twice to send it to his First Officer and his old mentor. Suddenly the PADD dinged. Bones had written him back.

Jim gulped and tapped the 'read' button.

A/N: So? Did you like it? In the next chapter... REACTIONS! =D

-Bunny