Disclaimer: Yeah…don't own Star Trek and each time I admit this a small part of me dies :'(

Jim groaned as he rolled onto his back, his muscles and spine protesting sharply. For a disorienting moment he wondered why his bed was so hard before the events of the past 24 hours came rushing back. With a gasp Jim sat up, wildly looking left and right.

Spock, legs crossed and deep in meditation, raised one eyebrow. Jim sighed and rose to his feet, stretching languidly now that he knew the Vulcan was still there.

After a meagre dinner of berries they had found, the two had debated longer than usual over who would take first watch. Spock insisted the logical solution would be for Jim to rest (poor human that he was) while he sat watch the whole night. Jim had stubbornly refused, maintaining that Spock needed his rest too and he was the captain so there.

That was when the bastard nerve pinched him.

Jim scowled at the stoic figure on the ground in front of him, and resolved to give the Vulcan the silent treatment. His shoulders sagged in defeat. Yeah, maybe not… Jim thought to himself sullenly.

Said Vulcan gracefully slid to his feet, fixing his captain with a perfectly neutral expression. Jim pouted and looked away. Stupid, smug Vulcan.

"I suggest we investigate the immediate area for any sign of disturbance after last night," Spock suggested, striding toward the outer roots. At the edge of the hollow he paused, glancing over his shoulder at Jim. Deciding to save the sulking for another time, the young captain nodded to his first.

"Yeah that sounds like a decent place to start," Jim agreed, moving to pass Spock. As their shoulders were level, he threw a look at the Vulcan.

Don't think this gets you off the hook, his narrowed eyes seemed to say.

Illogical human, Spock's amused gaze shot back.

Just as quickly the moment was gone and Jim emerged into the mottled light of the jungle. After the soft green of the tree hollow, the bright colours native to the planet hurt his eyes. Hot pink and electric blue ferns surrounded them with splashes of orange or purple in the forms of vines and large leaves, most of the trees muted shades of pale pink or beige. A niggling feeling twinged at the back of his head, taking him a moment to place it.

None of the vegetation was disturbed. At all. And yet something large enough to break down trees had passed through here, they had heard it themselves.

"What the hell is wrong with this place?" Jim muttered, uneasiness rising in his chest at the thought of the crew, his crew, lost with something like that out there. And for the first time the absolute crappiness of their situation really hit home.

They had no way of contacting The Enterprise, no way of finding his fellow officers (who the jungle could have eaten by now) and to top everything off there was some kind of creature out there.

Which could apparently teleport if the lack of tracks were to be believed. Jim huffed. Ok maybe not teleport (because really, if his luck was that bad he would have died long ago) but get around somehow without leaving a leaf out of place.

A rustle from above caused Jim to look up, mouth falling open in surprise.

What the hell?!

Roughly 15 meters above the captain (and steadily increasing) Spock scaled a nearby tree effortlessly, smoothly ascending to the canopy in no time at all. Despite his confusion, Jim couldn't help but admire the fluid movement.

Within a couple minutes Spock landed with a light thud in front of his captain, not a hair out of place.

"There are few unique landmarks, with the exception of a stream ahead. It is uncertain which direction we are currently heading as there was no sign of the clearing where we began," Spock reported, hands clasped behind his back.

"No sign of the crew either?" Jim ventured, though he knew the answer anyway.

"Negative," Spock deadpanned. Jim sighed in frustration and guilt.

If he hadn't have wandered off like he always did, twelve lives wouldn't be in danger. If he was a decent captain he wouldn't be in this situation. His hands clenched into fists at his sides and he glanced away, internally ranting at himself.

Two fingers gently touched his cheek and Jim swore he felt his heart stop.

Turning the blondes face toward him, Spock stared into the cerulean depths with as much certainty as he could.

"It is not your fault."

"I was the one who-"

"It. Is. Not. Your. Fault," Spock interrupted, face inches from his captain.

Jim swallowed thickly, not quite able to tear himself away from that heavy gaze. He basked in the certainty that coloured the Vulcans voice and something he couldn't quite name swirling in those chocolate orbs. Whatever it was he wanted more.

Almost of their own accord, Jims eyes began to close as he instinctively leaned forward. Spock tilted his head slightly as their breath mingled, dark eyes smouldering.

And that was when Jim realised what he was doing.

Eyes wide he furiously backpedaled, waving his arms comically.

"I-I need to go over here!" he exclaimed, face a dark red and eyes still wide. Without waiting for the Vulcan's reply, he lurched through the undergrowth in the direction of the stream.

Spock let out a long suffering sigh.

Oh shit oh shit oh shit oh shit, Jim's mind played on repeat. He had almost screwed up everything in one stupid move, had almost lost years worth of friendship and the best first officer he could ask for because he couldn't control himself. He should have been better than this, and poor Spock probably had no idea what he had almost done.

You're meant to be his best friend! What the shit was that?! Jim thought furiously, face still feeling like a furnace. He knew Spock didn't see him that way (had come to terms with it months ago) and had resolved to hide his feelings.

Look how well that turned out, he thought, stomping his way toward the stream. He couldn't hear Spock behind him so he took a moment to lean against a yellow barked tree, taking a deep, calming breath and willing away the red still dusting his cheeks.

Then again, the way Spock had looked at him…

No! Bad Jim! You've gone so long without sex its messing with your brain! He rubbed the balls of his hands irritably over his eyes. The best thing was to just pretend it never happened.

Lifting his head he nodded to himself, that was by far the best the best course of action. Spock must not have realised what he was doing or he would have found himself flat on his ass, assuming the Vulcan didn't kill him.

Feeling much lighter than before, Jim was completely confident he could face his first officer without turning beet red. He could do this, no sweat. Jim Kirk didn't believe in no-win situations after all.

Practically bouncing he came to the edge of the stream, the soft bubbling filling his ears. Suddenly feeling the dirt clinging to his skin Jim grimaced. Peeling off his black undershirt and beginning to unbuckle his belt, he stepped closer to the stream.

The sound of a throat clearing sounded from directly above him and Jim jumped violently, tripping over his feet and into the cold water with a very unmanly shriek.

When he resurfaced it was to see his first officer perched on the top of a boulder he had walked past, hands resting on his knees in meditation.

The fact that he was also half naked was just rubbing salt into the wound at this point.

Hair dripping wet and clad only in Starfleet issue black pants, Spock stared blankly at him, eyebrow raised. Jim spluttered and began to turn red.

Again.

/

A/N: I'm really hyped at all the attention this story is getting guys thankyou so much! If you haven't reviewed yet (or even if you have :P) flick me a review to let me know how the storys going so far. I'm a bit of a marshmallow when it comes to insults so please keep it at 'constructive criticism'

I will admit I also have a slight favour to ask; my boyfriend wanted to know what I was writing and (pain in the ass he is) read my laptop while I was out :( so now hes convinced im a weirdo and into some weird crap- help me defend spirk!

*ahem* rant now over ^^