Tucking the Captain In

Chapter 3: Jim and Spock Sleep Together

Author's Note 9/20/09: Again, some minor tweaking of this chapter. I live in hope that it is an improvement. Love to hear from you with constructive and civil reviews.

Chapter 3

After McCoy left, Spock waited quietly and patiently for Jim's nutritional drink to be delivered. Once an ensign had done so, Spock prepared to go into a meditative state. Since he was now responsible for his Captain's needs, Spock left a small portion of his enormous brain on alert status in the event the Captain would require something. He sat in his usual position in front of his meditation flame and prepared to calm his breathing, letting go of his immediate surroundings and everyday concerns. Still in shock from the tragic loss of his mother and his entire planet, and therefore feeling very little of anything, Spock was able to easily slip into the first levels of meditation. Layer by layer, he went deeper to what he hoped would be a place of acceptance and release from the rage that swept through him on the bridge. His breathing slowed into a gentle rhythm.

Meanwhile, reclining on the bed, supposedly deeply asleep was the Enterprise's acting Captain. However, he was not asleep. Much too soon to have done enough good, James Tiberius Kirk began to surface to consciousness. Quietly, he opened his eyes as if he had to be cautious and alert to what might be happening around him. His 'officer in training' instincts were on full alert status. He blinked several times to clear his vision and was surprised by his surroundings. He didn't recognize where he was. His brilliant blue eyes crinkled as if they did his thinking for him and could help him figure out his location. Slowly his eyes roamed the room spotting brilliant red drapes covering one wall. On another wall were strange looking weapons that may or may not have been of ancient origin. He continued to scan the room until he noticed a still figure sitting in front of a flame that reflected red onto the peaceful face. Jim's thinking became clearer as he recognized 'his' Spock. Why he chose to use that description to denote that this was not Ambassador Spock, he didn't know and did not seem to notice either. His first unguarded reaction was a warm smile that reached his eyes. He was about to say something when he realized that Spock had his eyes closed and appeared to be looking inward. His calm still presence was a balm to Jim's frazzled nerves. He watched for a few seconds and then realized that it was kind of rude to do so since Spock was unaware that he was awake. Gratified at the peaceful surroundings, he also noted that all must be well with the ship and crew or Spock would be on duty.

Jim then closed his eyes and did an internal scan of his body. He appeared to be in one piece which reassured him immensely. Then he tried to reconstruct the sequence of events that led him to be lying in Spock's bed. He found this fact to be oddly comforting and strangely erotic all at the same time. He quickly admonished himself for unbecoming thoughts while at the same time exhibiting a smirk, acknowledging both realities. The smirk led him to think about McCoy and then what memory he did have of the trip from the bridge came back to him. He didn't remember leaving the lift and wondered how that part of the journey to his current location had occurred. He did, however, remember part of the meltdown that required Bones' comforting him. What that man wouldn't do for him, Jim thought. He was really lucky to have such a good friend, even though they drove each other up the wall every so often. He smiled, remembering some of those playful spats they got into on occasion.

Then Jim looked towards Spock again, seeing now that the peacefulness Spock exhibited was just on the surface. He felt compassion for his new friend who had just lost his mother and his world. He could empathize with Spock's grief at losing a parent. Even though he lost his father on the day he was born, in some way he had been grieving the loss his entire life. And the rage Spock exhibited on the bridge towards him was not any different than the rage Jim had been feeling since he was a small child. 'Oh, Spock', he thought, 'Spock'.

Jim decided to get up quietly, hopefully not disturbing Spock in the process. However, he completely underestimated the damage inflicted on his person in the past 48 hours. Just using his arms to push up off the bed elicited a loud groan he was unable to control. Spock immediately pulled out of his meditative state (a very unpleasant way to return to the world by the way) but did not let that deter him. His Captain was clearly in pain, and his thoughts were completely focused on Jim.

"Oh shit Spock, I didn't mean to disturb," he squeezed out through gritted teeth. "Damn it," he continued as he slumped back onto the bed, completely defeated in his efforts to get his body to function. "God, I feel like a wet fish flopping on the shore of the pond back home."

Spock rushed to his side. "Do not move, Jim. Dr. McCoy has determined you have several cracked ribs which still need to be secured. He assumed you would be sleeping for several hours without moving and he could return to wrap them later."

"Where are we Spock? Are we at space dock?"

"No, we should be arriving in 2 hours and 1 minute."

"Two hours and one minute? Wouldn't saying two hours be accurate enough?"

"Now it would be accurate, as another minute has just passed," Spock said completely seriously.

Jim laughed but then regretted it. His ribs were not appreciative. He moaned again and tried to get up which was a totally irrational thing to be trying. At least Spock thought so.

"Jim, stop moving. You will injure yourself more."

"Spock, how can I say this delicately? I've got to take a leak and pain or no, I'm getting up."

"Alright, let me assist you." Slowly Spock helped Jim sit up on the side of the bed and even more slowly Spock helped Jim to stand and together they inched their way to Spock's bathroom. After slapping Spock's hands away from him so he could take a leak with some dignity, they then slowly made their way back to the bed.

Jim moaned again as he was attempting to lie down but Spock stopped him. "Dr. McCoy wanted you to drink this nutritional liquid as soon as you awoke. It would be easier if you were sitting up for this."

"Spock, I don't want a drink. It will just make me want to piss again and I don't want to take another agonizingly slow walk to the bathroom any time soon."

"Captain, if you do not drink this I will be forced to call Dr. McCoy." Spock let that sink in for a minute.

Jim responded by giving him a dirty look. 'Pointy eared bastard,' he thought. Spock looked at him as if he heard that. Jim smiled at him, giving Spock his most insincere grin. "Alright, alright, you win. But I really don't think I have the strength to sit up and drink it down completely," Jim said, playing the sympathy card. But Spock was not buying it.

"I will assist you in staying upright." And with that Spock sat next to Jim on the bed, closer to the supporting wall at its head. He then very slowly and carefully helped Jim to lean back against him. Jim could not believe that Spock was doing this but he really was feeling rather exhausted at this point so gave in, somewhat graciously.

Spock held Jim against his right shoulder for support and with his left hand reached for the drink on the night stand. Meanwhile Jim was trying to get used to the idea of this unexpected turn of events. Finally, he sighed, gave in and let Spock place the straw of the drink in his mouth. Jim's muscles were protesting so much that he felt he could not even lift his arm up to help. 'Well,' he thought, 'didn't Bones recently refer to me as an infant? The man must be psychic.'

When Jim was done, he did look as sleepy as a contented baby after having its bottle. He began to nod off as Spock put the empty container down again on the night table. "Thanks, Spock," Jim mumbled and drifted off to sleep.

Spock continued to hold Jim in the shelter of his right arm as Jim curled towards him. He then carefully placed his left hand on the back of Jim's right arm which was now resting across Spock's chest. Spock too began to drift off. 'Fascinating,' he thought, 'that this situation seems perfectly normal. But how can this be possible? He evokes such conflicting and strong emotions from me which overwhelm my self-control. One minute I feel rage enough that I almost kill him and now he shows me such a vulnerable side of himself that all I want to do is protect him. Totally illogical! And how is it possible that Jim was so comfortable with the meld I initiated to get him to sleep? It seemed as if this was not the first time someone has melded with him. And there is still the unanswered question about the 24th century Vulcan ship and its computer referring to me as Ambassador Spock. Jim avoided answering my comment that he apparently was holding back some important information.'

Just as Spock was about to drift off with these questions unresolved, he heard the door to his quarters slide open. In walked Dr. McCoy checking up on his prize patient. He stopped two steps inside as the door slid shut behind him. He could not believe the scene that was being played out in front of him. When he recovered he was about to make at least one snide remark but then just as quickly shut his mouth. Jim was peacefully asleep resting against Spock's shoulder and Spock had looked like he was about to join Jim in slumber land. Spock gave McCoy a hard look daring him to make an unseemly comment. But McCoy was in full medical mode. He had two patients who appeared to be doing what the doctor ordered, resting. McCoy put a finger up to his lips signaling Spock to remain quiet. Bones took out his scanner, and set it to first scan Jim and then Spock, who lifted an outraged eyebrow at this unwanted attention. But Bones just ignored the eyebrow, or rather returned fire with one of his own, and proceeded to check his findings. He liked what he saw on both sets of readings. He saluted Spock in a very casual way, not at all how an officer should salute another officer, and departed quietly. Spock sighed, looked down at his gently snoring Captain, and without realizing it, leaned his head against Jim's and joined him in sleep.

Outside, McCoy assessed what he had just witnessed. As a doctor, he had been concerned about both his patients, especially their emotional health. They had each tragically lost a parent to that madman. Jim never knew his father, but that loss had colored every moment of his 25 years of life. Now Spock had lost his mother, right in front of his eyes. And Jim witnessed that private moment of loss. Although they were very different, McCoy had a feeling that this time together might potentially offer some healing for both Spock and Jim. He did not know what form of comfort they might bring each other but he would give them as much time as he could to see what unfolds before he has to check on Jim again. He sighed, and then switching emotional gears, chuckled at the thought that Jim now had two friends to tuck him in when needed and one of them could actually carry him to bed. With that, he moved off jauntily in search of a drink and possibly some more down time.

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